Meet Kensi

By Kensi Evans, Vice President at Brighter Community Resources

About Me

Hi there! I’m Kensi Evans, a 33-year-old wife and mom of four wonderful boys. I have been married to my best friend and husband, Brett, for 13 years. Life with him has been the best and most difficult thing I have taken on in my lifetime. We have learned so much about ourselves and one another as we have navigated life together as a couple. Our beliefs have played a big role in guiding our decisions. We have strived to know and do God’s will in our lives- together and individually. It can be really challenging at times to find the balance, and we have definitely been humbled, but through it all, we have also seen God’s divine goodness and grace in our lives and we are so thankful for the many blessings he has blessed us with.

We have been blessed with 4 sweet boys, Brig (11), Abel (9), Kimball (7), and Leo (3). They bring so much joy and laughter to our lives! We have loved watching them grow and discover who they are. Along with all the joy in parenthood, we have also often felt bewildered, drained, angry, and all the other emotions you can think of! I think that is what marriage and parenthood’s greatest offering is- helping us to really experience and appreciate the full range of this beautiful human experience.

My interests

Understanding our human experience, our relationships with others, and our relationship with ourselves has always intrigued me. From a young age, I found myself pondering why people respond in certain ways, what makes some people “fit in” versus not, differences in personalities, and many other things. I began my degree in marriage and family studies to learn about these very things but put it on hold when Brett and I got married so that we could start a family and I could stay home with our boys. I am grateful to Brett for working so hard to make my dream of being home with our kids while they were young a reality.

Now as my children are getting older, I have found myself drawn to continuing in the direction of understanding people better and offering something that could benefit others. Over the past few years, a lot of really incredible opportunities fell into place to help make that happen for me. I was able to start back in school, and finished my degree in December 2023! In the fall of 2022, we sold our house in Texas, said reluctant goodbyes to our dear friends who had been and are like family to us and moved to the beautiful country of Costa Rica—something that had been tugging on my heartstrings for a few years at that point. Moving here has been such a gift! We have been challenged, pushed out of our comfort zones, and have learned new things every day. It is incredible. AND… it. is. SO. hard. My husband and boys have been such champs through such a difficult transition. I am grateful for the sacrifices they have made to make this dream a reality.

Pura Vida and Brighter Community Resources

“Pura Vida” or “Pure Life” is the national slogan of Costa Rica. We have had the privilege to meet some of the most wonderful people who live that way of life here in Costa Rica. They are so genuine and kind. While they live in very humble circumstances and don’t have much, they are so generous with whatever they can offer. Whether that’s going out of their way to help a random tourist get unstuck from a small stream (hello… yes that was me… its size was deceptive… haha!), helping to explain something with their broken English, giving away fruits and veggies, etc. They are always willing to lend a hand. They exude a peace and contentment that seems almost out of place, due to the struggles that poverty has heaped upon them. They inspire me. They have so much goodness and wisdom to offer. I wanted to follow their example and offer something in return. For this reason, Brett and I along with our friends, Jefferson and Sophia, started Brighter Community Resources. We believe that as we work collaboratively with communities here in Costa Rica and elsewhere, all parties will be reciprocally blessed.

Going Forward

My hope is that together, we can unite together and value one another as the beautiful children of God we are by acknowledging, developing, and utilizing the strengths and resources that each of us has to offer. I believe there are many people who, due to various circumstances, have spiritual gifts inside themselves that they don’t even realize are there. I want to help give them the awareness of their capabilities, of their light, by working collaboratively with them to provide for both their temporal and spiritual needs. People cannot begin to step into their highest potential until their temporal needs have been met and they feel a sense of security.

(Plateresca / Getty Images, 2020)

I have had this dream to help provide tools and resources for several years now, and it has always felt lofty and out of reach… because on my own it is. But I have seen how when we pool our skills, knowledge, and resources together, God really can make great things come to pass. I have been so grateful to go on this adventure with my husband, Brett, as well as with our sweet friends, Jefferson and Sophia. Their story opened our eyes to the deficit of opportunities and solutions available to so many Latin Americans and other individuals around the world. We want to join the efforts of so many other individuals and organizations to help increase those opportunities.

What You Can Do

With our small team (and many others who have offered their own various skills and knowledge), we have been able to get where we are now, but we still need more support. We need YOU. Your family, friends, coworkers, etc. We need you in order to really make an impact. There are a variety of ways you can get involved.

Donate: The quickest, simplest way is to make a donation. Any amount makes a difference! We are grateful for any and all contributions!
Spread the Word: Another simple way is to spread the word about our organization. Tag us on your social media! Send our website via text or email. Spreading awareness is huge! And we are so grateful you would be willing to support us there.
Be a Volunteer: Another option that is more hands-on and great for experience, is to be a volunteer. You can learn more on our website through our contact page.
Be our Sponsor: If you are someone looking for a nonprofit to sponsor, please consider Brighter Community Resources. Your contribution will improve the lives of children, families, and communities and we will be sure to highlight your support of our cause on our website.
Come for a Retreat: Finally, we offer an interactive experience for those wanting to be a part of the action. We offer several retreat packages. Airfare is not included, but everything after that is covered. We will pick you up from the airport and cover transportation for the rest of the trip, as well as lodging, food, and all the other essentials. At these retreats, you will get the best of both worlds- humanitarian experiences as well as getting to explore beautiful Costa Rica. This way, you will get to be intimately involved in our humanitarian efforts and see the immediate impact you are having. On top of that, you will have the opportunity to fall in love with Costa Rica, her people, and her culture as you interact with the people and nature.

Together, let’s build a brighter future for all!