Our trip to Nicaragua was thrown together on a promise and a whim. Noe, Kacie and myself all felt a strong pull to go with no idea why. The whisper began back in August and only grew stronger with the uncertainty of if the trip would even happen. With every complication that arose, I had a greater confidence that we had to go.
When we left our house two Fridays ago, it was with Noe, Kacie, Adam, Vilma and myself. Adam and Vilma are friends of ours who work at a local children’s home. They feel the call to take kids from their home on missions trips to Nicaragua, and wanted to come along to gain some vision for what a trip like that would look like.
[Mid-journey. Kacie and I were tired.]
An interesting wrinkle came up in our brief planning of the trip the day before we left. My visa was expired. If I left Guatemala, I would only be allowed entry back to the country if I exited the region (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua). This meant that if I wanted to go to Nicaragua, I also had to go to Costa Rica.
I wept when I got the news, because I didn’t think there was any way I’d end up being able to go on the trip. I felt like I had this promise from the Lord that I was supposed to go to Nicaragua, but it seemed absolutely impossible. But there was an invitation from the Lord in the midst of this setback.
“I make a way when it seems impossible. Let Me provide. Let Me do the impossible.”
And He did.
[Vilma, Kacie, Jordyn Esposito and myself in downtown Granada]
Kacie really fought for me on this one, doing research to confirm that a trip to Costa Rica was all that was needed in order to renew my visa. And after her researched confirmed it, she agreed to make the trip to Costa Rica with me. Suddenly our four day trip to Nicaragua turned into an eight day trip with Costa Rica tagging on the end.
With every border we crossed on the trip, notes were written in my passport. “Cuatro dias, abandonar la region.” In other words, “Four days, abandon the region.” That inspired many jokes for the remainder of our trip…’You must abandon the region!’
[#abandoningthatregion]
Sometimes, the greatest gifts await us when we abandon the things we are familiar with. That was certainly the case as I abandoned Guatemala. Our arrival in Nicaragua was full of anticipation for what the Lord had in store. After 24 hours in the car, we were anxious to see what awaited us in Granada.
We spent our time with Scott and Jen Esposito, who are fellow Adventures long-term missionaries. We got to accompany them as they ran sports ministry, a Bible study, a feeding program, and visited friends in the barrio. I was so inspired to see them love with such an unconditional love. With every plate of food they gave away and every conversation they had, I saw Jesus. And that’s what is transforming the barrio.
[The kids at the feeding program after receiving a new outfit for Christmas.]
After our three wonderful days in Granada, Kacie and I continued on to San Jose, Costa Rica by bus. I cannot begin to express what a gift my time in Costa Rica was. We had no agenda and no plans for our time, which meant we were able to simply be tourists for a few days. We got to explore a new city, climb some mountains (literally and figuratively), share some conversations and laughs, and take a step away from the ordinary.
Our trip through Central America is one I won’t soon forget. I’m still unpacking all of the lessons that the Lord has to teach me through it. I’m still thanking Him for His goodness and faithfulness. But I can tell you right now, never doubt that our God is a God of the impossible. Fight for His promises. Indescribable blessings wait on the other end.
[With the Espositos on their land, where they plan to build a community center, library, and much more.]
[Sunday morning soccer ministry with the Espositos.]
[Kacie and I with some friends we met (and salsa danced with) atop of a volcano in Costa Rica.]
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