Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. -Psalm 119:105
So, as I stated in my last blog, this month, in Ocotal, Nicaragua the Lord unlocked his calling for me in ministry. Now I discern that ministry goes beyond church functions. As individuals God gives us opportunities to minister to our colleagues, to our neighbors, to our letter carriers and the barista at our favorite cafés. But being called to a specific area of ministry gives me a platform to launch from and this month has been nothing short of inspiring.
On July 31st, my squad pulled into a small bus station by the cover of darkness in the capital city of Managua. So my team bunked for the night at a local Bible College until the next day when we could catch a second bus traveling another four hours north to the tranquil mountain town of Ocotal. By the time we were settled in and fed a wonderful homemade meal the majority of another day had elapsed, so it wasn’t until Saturday, August 2nd that we were given a tour of the town: grocery store(s), a local park, internet café, the church, etc. We learned that our team would be divided into two groups during the week; two of us to teach two—2 hour long English classes Monday through Thursday, and the other five of us to work in a beautiful garden located at a local Special Education Center each morning, then helping the center’s staff prepare curriculum for their classes each afternoon.
It was on this beautiful Saturday that my heart was spilled wide open for one particular ministry. That night my team attended our first service, of many, in the local Baptist Church, whose pastor, Pastor Bismark, is hosting us for the month. This particular service, hosted every Saturday night, was the Youth Service. It was incredible. I cannot explain how the Holy Spirit moved in me that night and has continuously poured into a brand new area of my heart for the last two weeks. The young teenagers to college-age members of the church are passionate, engaging and relentlessly pursuing the glory of God. They are choosing daily to die to themselves in honor of God. They are turning away from popular trends, removing piercings that characterize them as hoodlums, dressing modestly without crude language or controversial logos on their attire and even covering tattoos that reflect their old life. For instance, two of the 22 year olds, who mentor the youth, explained to my team that they no longer dance in public because the culture sees dancing as a direct correlation to partying. Yes they miss dancing, but it isn’t worth ruining the example they are attempting to set for the youth in the church and the non-believers in their lives, many who are family members and their previous friends. Their enthusiasm for the Lord is contagious and magnetic, and I truly believe it is a direct reflection of their Youth Pastor, who [for his safety] I will remain namelessness.
As a solid, God-fearing man, in his late 30s, his background is filled with gang membership, alcoholism, drug addiction, robbery and goodness knows what else. But you would never know it. He greets you with the most sincere smile, speaks to you with nothing but respect and constantly makes sure his kids and guests feel welcomed and get home safely after every activity. When he teaches he pours out love, encouragement and conviction in his words, in his facial expressions and throughout all of his limbs. He runs across the room when he is excited about the discussion and uses voices to make the youth laugh. His past never defines him, but gives him a unique, personal perspective and first-hand experience that allows him to encourage the youth in their current walk with Jesus. I have never seen anyone, young or old, engage a group of 11 to mid-20 year olds like this Youth Pastor does. His energy, passion and overflowing love is magnetic, captivating and inspiring.
He is an example of who I want to be, of how I want to sincerely engage and inspire others, especially future generations, to relentlessly pursue the Lord. I have had a quiet stirring in my heart to work with youth, for the last two years prior to the race, while serving as a Nutrition and Physical Activity Facilitator in a school district through AmeriCorps and as a Substitute Teacher through PESG. But ever since I walked into the Youth Service our first full day here that stirring has turned into a full-throttled beating. However, the Lord isn’t calling me to just substitute teach or host a garden program after school, he is calling me to serve as a youth pastor or mentor. He wants me to be intentionally involved in the faith building of his future generations. I cannot tell you how it will look or where it will happen when I return home, I just know the Lord is speaking and I trust his voice. His path is evermore clearer than it was yesterday, and I love basking in his light that guides me and reveling in every new step along the way.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8
