Then
Written in the days following Gabe’s passing, in August 2025.
I’m not quite sure where to begin. So here’s a list of memories, plans, expressions, ideas, and other thoughts about Gabe, whose life ended too soon and in an unimaginable way. I expect this will not be my easiest-to-follow blog. Instead, a collection of fragmented thoughts.
“I love Matt” he said to me. And I replied, “I know, that’s all I hear when I come to Costa Rica is how much everyone loves my husband!” Then we laughed. But it’s true–Gabe was a friend to all. He remembered people, really seeing them for who they are and appreciating them as they are. Matt and him loved talking about life, their faith and struggles, and music. They had plans to spend time together in October when Matt returned to Costa Rica.
Cancelled plans.
I was with Gabe Saturday night, visiting his church. His pastor knows a ministry leader in Jacksonville! I met his parents, Ivette who is a piano teacher and sings beautifully, and Mike who ran sound for the church service and drove us home after. Gabe was so excited for his date–his second date with a girl he spent time with just a few days before. He would tell us all about it Monday, when we came to his house for cafecito and arepas with his parents.
Cancelled plans.
“I need a haircut. Is there a barbershop that can cut a fun design in my hair?” I asked him. With an adventurous side-eye Gabe replied, “Ooh yes we can do that.” I said I’d text him to figure out a time to go.
Cancelled plans.
I crossed these plans off my schedule and filled in “wake” and “funeral” instead.
- “I just saw him last night!”
- “We were supposed to hang out tomorrow.”
- “He took us to the Farmer’s Market two weeks ago!”
- “He translated my testimony last Sunday.”
- “Why won’t it stop raining, hasn’t the rain done enough damage?!”
It’s easy to dwell on these pains. To wonder how this vibrant 24-year old full of goodness and love is no longer here. Why him? Why now?
It’s even harder to process when the time between the death and burial in Costa Rica is only 48 hours–much faster than the several days to weeks it takes in the United States.
The first time I met Gabe was one year ago. He came to the mission on his motorbike, eager to jump right in and translate. Usually there’s some time for the translator to prepare, but not this time. I can’t remember why. But what I do remember is that he basically jumped off the bike and grabbed a microphone. And his translation blew us all away! Not just because of his words, but his passion. He communicated with the same inflection and emotion as the speaker, believing the importance of the words he was sharing.
At the end of the night, we immediately invited him to come back. He said he works a day job, but can come in the evenings as needed. “I live right there” he said, pointing towards the sunset. Close and happy to help.
This year was no different. We invited him to come translate and also hang out. After the work was done, the play began.
My first night back in Costa Rica this summer, I had plans to go to my favorite restaurant. Gabe had never been there. “Come with us!” we said, and he did. While he ate his jumbo shrimp and cheese fries, all he kept saying was how good it was and how excited his dad would be to try the leftovers.
We went back to this restaurant before his wake to share a meal in his honor.
After our jaunt through the Farmer’s Market, we ate pupusas in the park, overlooking the city. “This is so much fun!” he said at least three times. We walked all around town. He showed us his high school. I did not like the chocolate-dulce-de-leche cookie he picked out, so he ate mine, too.
Gabe had plans. Dreams. Goals. He was smart. Driven, but still putting people first. He loved his community, his work, and God. He unashamedly shared how Christ has changed his life. He was a youth group leader, a musician, a would-be preacher. A son, a brother, a friend. He was only 24-years old and had already purchased a home.
Now
Written in February 2026.
This week I had lunch with Gabe’s mom, six months after his passing. After spending time with her, it’s easy to see why Gabe was so kind, vibrant, and loving!
We had lunch with a few other friends from Florida who knew Gabe, and visited for awhile about how life has been the past few months. Ivette said Gabe was probably following Peter around in heaven, asking him about what it felt like to deny Jesus!
To respect their family’s privacy, I won’t share more details here. Just know that there are miracles upon miracles and peace that is hard to understand in the home that Gabe once lived. The kind of faith that moves mountains lives in that home.
Next
I’ve been to Faithful Servant Missions in Costa Rica six times now in the past two years. I often spend 3-4 weeks there at a time, and with my preaching and teaching outside of Costa Rica, that often means I spend more time with the ticos than with those in my own town!
I remember saying to my husband as I prepared to go on my fourth trip–the one Gabe passed–“It’s kinda different this time, because I have friends there now.”
I can count colones better and know how much to pay for things now. I can get around the city without issue. There’s a comfort in understanding the culture I didn’t know before. But more than that, I have friends here now. Gabe was one of them.
As I finish my sixth trip and prepare to return in just two months, my observation has become my prayer. Gracias a Dios, “I have friends there now.”
Gracias a Dios, I got to go to Ash Wednesday service with Rebeca and Dario.
Gracias a Dios, Jorge and Erica invited me over for tostadas.
Gracias a Dios, I am writing this blog while visiting my friend Glenda at her workplace–she makes a great cup of coffee, by the way!
Gracias a Dios, I’m in the Young Adults Bible Study (Thanks because I have friends, or thanks because I’m still considered young? Ha!).
And another prayer, perhaps also a goal, is to fundraise for Faithful Servant Missions in memory of Gabe. Each year the mission holds a 5K/10K race near Jacksonville, Florida to support their education and ministry programs–the programs I now work with in Costa Rica.
Would you consider registering for the Run With a Mission to honor Gabe with me this year? Either in-person, or wherever you are you can sign up for the Virtual 5K. Or, would you consider making a donation in Gabe’s honor?
As much as we loved him, he loved the mission more. His mom shared that he spoke of it as his second home. Gabe’s impact at Faithful Servant Missions is not over yet.
Gabe’s impact in the lives of everyone he met is not over yet.
