Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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This month we have the amazing opportunity to work with a ministry in Nicaragua. I can honestly say I had no clue what to expect which led me to limited expectations. We arrived at Cicrin Ministries on the island of Ometepe. The first order of business was to discover what our living conditions would be like. We realized our room had three beds a dresser and a mini fridge. We are also fortunate enough to have a bathroom inside our room! After I had seen the room I wanted to scout out the property to become acquainted with my new home.   I took five steps out of the bedroom when I spotted this! 
 
I knew instantly I would begin spending as much time as possible laying on a hammock at the “rancho”. As you can see by the photos God did not spare any beauty in creating this place which we are allowed to call our home for the next month!!! I think this place may be a preview to worship in heaven. I am certain that the waves here are nothing more than Lake Nicaragua’s excitement about God culminating as they crash against the shoreline in worship and adoration. The waves are joined by the song of birds singing about the heights and the depths of the love of God! I havenot figured out how just yet…. But I know the gnats are engaging in worship as well. God has an army of gnats here for us….
 
 
We have a lot of different ways we are serving here on the island. The three main things we are engaging in look like this. 

1.      Taking care of Dunyah and Juliette

2.       Working in the garden and with the animals

3.      Helping Pastor Miguel and his son Santiago (Community service/Construction)

This week I had the privilege of working with Santiago. Santiago is a twenty one year old Nicaraguan who loves making jokes and serving his community. On our first day we realized Santiago does not speak much English. On the first day he took us to a house by the church to build a “church for the pigs”. Santiago proceeded to explain to us with MUCH SARCASM that the pigs were Christians and they prayed to God and that is how they grew to be big and strong. He also explained that the pigs were the churches and would be consumed at Easter and Christmas. We responded with equal amounts of sarcasm that he should not be eating his brothers and sisters in Christ. 

As stated earlier Santiago’s dad is the pastor. They are amazing people with huge hearts! They truly believe that God serves us and that it is His desire that we serve our communities to show them the love of Christ. One facet of that for them is a feeding ministry that they have. Presently they open their home every day for the children of the community to come and receive a free meal. As you can see their home is much different than what you would see in the US. However, every day they have between twenty and thirty children come to receive a free meal and the love of God. It is awesome!!!! The kids get free food and learn a little about the love of God. 

 
This week we have been doing a lot of HARD labor. The church is in the process of building a school/kitchen for the feeding ministry. We are helping Santiago build the building… it is so rewarding to build something that is doing so much good! However, the approach to the construction here is vastly different than what I have grown accustom to in the states. Here we have three tools: shovel, machete, and wheelbarrow. This greatly affects the methodology and process of everything that we do here. All the concrete is mixed, poured, and smoothed by hand. At the very least, this is difficult work yet so rewarding. 

I have to confess something that is a little embarrassing. I made a very false assumption about the people here. I speak very little Spanish, therefore; I understand very little Spanish. This mixed with the more simplistic lifestyle and living conditions led me to believe the people here are simple minded. I was very incorrect in this assumption. One day we were serving the children food at the feeding ministry. Most of the children had left and we were all sitting talking to Santiago. We had a very good translator that made this conversation possible. Santiago began to ask us our thoughts on issues. He asked us about our trip, our beliefs, and what our doctrine was. Honestly, I was floored that they know what doctrine is… shameful I know. He proceeded to explain to us that he believed that to many Christians were following the doctrine of man rather than the doctrine of God. He did not stop, but he continued to explain that Jesus knows our hearts and that is what matters. So rather than follow man we should follow Jesus and give Him our hearts. I was amazed that this “simple ” man had reached the profound truth that so many people miss. 

Santiago got me thinking that day. So I hope to inspire you to do some thinking for yourself. I ask that you take some time to evaluate a few questions for yourself. What doctrine do you follow? I am sure you are confident that you follow the doctrine of God. But I implore you to search a little deeper.   Do you have scriptures that back up this doctrine or are you taking someone else’s word for it? The doctrine that you follow… what fruit does it produce… is it Godly or does it lead to judgment and condemnation? 

I want to encourage you also evaluate what is in your heart. God does not care about the facades we wear on Sundays. He does not care about the false image we portray at bible study on Wednesday. I am not trying to judge anyone or pretend to know your hearts. I do not know your heart as you read this, but God does. I would encourage you if you do have any secret sins in your heart that you should expose them before God does. What can be hidden from man cannot be hidden from God and He says that whatever is done in darkness will be brought in to the light. Live in the Light…..