The first summer that Abi Schlesinger came to Costa Rica, she didn’t want to be there. Her mother suggested a family mission trip, but Abi was reluctant. With her best friend moving away for college, she felt she had too much going on at home. Despite her initial hesitation, Abi went on the trip, and the experience changed her life.

“The Lord got a hold of my heart,” Abi recalls. “I realized the Lord is not done with me here.” After that first week, she felt a strong calling to return as an intern. She wasn’t sure why she wanted to be there, but she trusted the feeling. Reflecting on her 10 weeks as an intern, she describes it as one of the best decisions she’s ever made.

Being immersed in the culture of Costa Rica and learning about discipline and faith had a profound impact on Abi. “It changes your whole perspective on life,” she says. Back in the States, she now feels a strong call to missions that she never had before. She also built lasting relationships with her fellow interns, whom she now considers some of her favorite people.

Abi’s story is a testament to the power of saying “yes” to God’s call. Whether it’s a one-week trip or a 12-week internship, she encourages others to take the leap. “The Lord can do so much with your yes,” she emphasizes.