Krysta Williams: Called to Costa Rica

by Carolee Thomsen

“Wait.” It’s arguably our least favorite word to hear when we feel God has called, equipped, and readied us to embark on a new adventure. That, however, was just the message Krysta Williams got as she was poised to leave for Costa Rica, where she would teach at an inner-city mission.

It was hard to stop the momentum on a journey she traces back to childhood. Krysta, now 26, grew up the oldest of 9 children - the 7 youngest adopted – of Kathleen & Benjamin Williams. She made a decision at a very young age to follow Christ. “Over the years, I watched my parents model what it means to do that,” says Krysta. “Our home was a place where people felt loved, welcomed, and safe. Everyone who walked through the door felt like he or she belonged, family or not. It made me want to create a sense of community like that, where God’s love is shared and so evident.”

Growing up in that environment had another effect which would serve her well on the mission field. It taught her to appreciate differences among people. “I’ve learned so much from my eight brothers and sisters,” she says. “Each one has a unique personality and God-given gifts that makes him or her special. When I was younger, I had to learn to be patient with my sibling’s differences. Now I see those as assets. When people bring different gifts to a community, the community is enriched.”

This perspective on community and her experience with children would come to impact Krysta’s career choice. God began pointing her in a specific direction during a mission trip she took as a high school freshman. Together with her father, Benjamin, she spent two weeks in Guatemala with Students International (SI). She worked in an orphanage, communicating as best as she could using her limited “Spanish 1″ vocabulary. “I had always enjoyed children,” says Krysta, “but this trip showed me the ability I had to love kids that are not my own. I had watched my parents do it: I realized I had the capacity as well.” Krysta came home with a deep burden for lost and forgotten children – particularly those in Latin America. With that burden came two goals: to gain fluency in Spanish and to become an English teacher. “I knew teaching was an occupation that would open doors for me internationally in the mission field,” she recalls.

After returning from this trip, God gave Krysta numerous opportunities to work with children, both in the States and abroad. In high school, she served as part of the “Nuts for Jesus” drama team for children at Crossroads. During college, she worked with a foster care organization, tutoring and mentoring kids. She went on further mission outreaches, including trips to Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica. “All the while, God kept confirming His call on my life for missions,” Krysta says. “I didn’t know where I was going to end up or what I would be doing, but I knew He was calling me to go.”

When Krysta graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a teaching credential in English, she had one thought: “Let’s go!” As Krysta recalls it, “I finally felt ready for God to use me on the mission field. Plus, Students International (SI) had just decided to establish a full-time base in Costa Rica, so I was super excited! I’d been to Costa Rica three times: once for language school and two times on missions. Each time I’d gone there, it had felt like I was going home.” It seemed God had knit her heart with the people there.

Then came that dreaded word, “Wait.” SI’s plans were delayed. Krysta’s student loans needed repaying. “Suddenly, it seemed like God was putting everything on hold and I was bummed,” remembers Krysta. “It was never part of my plan to teach in the United States, but God provided a job at the very first school I applied to: Lindsay High School.”

That change in plans meant moving near Visalia, where 95% of Krysta’s students were Spanish-speaking children of immigrant farm workers. She experienced a bit of culture shock living in the Central Valley. Many of the women her age in Lindsay were already married, with multiple children. The majority of the residents had lived there their whole lives, so she was an “outsider”. In the beginning, no one she met seemed remotely interested in living internationally, as was Krysta. “I felt like I didn’t fit in, initially,” says Krysta. “And for such a community-minded person, that was hard. Staying and teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) at a high school in California seemed more difficult than working on any foreign missionary field. I felt completely unprepared, way too young, and as if I had nothing to offer these kids.”

Krysta vowed to only stay a year.

She stayed two. “Each school day over the next two years, I was overwhelmed by God faithfulness to provide just what was needed for that day. He gave me patience when I didn’t think I could say, “May I have your attention please” one more time (without screaming). He gave me direction regarding what to teach when I discovered the school had no curriculum for my classes. He gave me strength and courage to stand firm against defiant boys who towered over me. Most of all, He gave me His love to share with each of my students.”

“My students began to respond to God’s love as I listened to their stories and helped them navigate through their high school experience,” Krysta relates. “I am so glad I stayed a second year. With God’s help, I saw so much success.” A number of her students, who previously were not planning on graduating from high school, were accepted into college. “My tenure started with tears of inadequacy and being overwhelmed,” remembers Krysta, “but it ended with tears of joy and long hugs goodbye.”

This fall, Krysta will finally be heading to Costa Rica. SI is ready to open its full-time base in San Jose. Krysta will be both teaching English and tutoring students in other subjects. She explained that in order for the Costa Rican students to be able to go to high school, they have to pass an English entrance exam. Unfortunately, most of the schools in the impoverished areas are unable to offer English classes. “This is just one of the many areas God may use my team to share His love with the community,” says Krysta. She is going with a team of five other adults and four young children to live in a barrio of San Jose. Once again, she will be working with immigrants, this time Nicaraguan refugees. “While Costa Rica is a relatively peaceful country,” explains Krysta, “immigrants from other parts of Central America are highly discriminated against. They do not have access to many of the resources in the country, such as health care and good education.”

“I am very excited to see how God is going to use my experiences from these last two years of teaching ESL,” said Krysta. “At Lindsay I learned how to start a program from nothing. I also learned how to teach English in a culture that was very foreign to me. It’s not a coincidence these skills will be needed where God is now sending me.”

So much Krysta would have missed, had she not taken that two-year detour to Lindsay. “I would not have chosen to go to Lindsay High School, but I am so thankful God sent me there. I gained valuable teaching experience,” she says. “I would have missed out on the lessons I learned about God and His character. Now I know to trust Him when I don’t understand the ‘what’ or ‘why’ of His plan. I wouldn’t trade the two years I had at Lindsay for anything, even Costa Rica.”

Krysta says she has experienced just what David meant in Psalm 27:14: “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord!” “God’s plan is perfect,” she says. “All we need to do is be patient to wait on His timing and then faithful to follow when He tells us to go!”

I am thrilled that Crossroads is my sending church! I’m hoping to build a committed team of believers to support my endeavors with their prayers! I know I can’t do this on my own strength and ability. I covet your prayers as I boldly step out to follow Christ. If you would like to hear more about my trip, please email me at krystaleanne9@gmail.com or check out Student International’s website at www.stint.com.

Krysta Williams