Hola from Nicaragua 
One week ago my squad and I arrived at our second ministry site for the year (still can’t believe we’re already in Month 2)!
We are staying in a rural community called Chinandega and our ministry is called Vision Nicaragua. This month is all-squad month, which means that instead of it just being my team of 6 doing ministry together, we are doing it as a group of 46! (it’s as wonderful and chaotic as it sounds) Already, this month looks so different than our month in Costa Rica, but I’m excited about the differences. We have already been so blessed by our hosts who cook breakfast, lunch, AND dinner for us and are always there to serve us. These woman have been such a huge blessing to me already.
So, what exactly are we doing this month, you might be wondering. Well, we are actually getting to experience a ton of different kinds of ministry this month. Because there are so many of us, we are split up into two groups. A lot of what we will be doing is door to door ministry, where we get to know families, pray for them, and share the gospel. We are also visiting small churches in the area, sharing testimonies, sharing messages, praying with people, doing children’s church, and painting. And of course, playing with children. Lots and lots of children. (Always, duh.)
I can already tell you that this month I will be stretched in new ways (I already have). We’ve only done two full days of ministry so far, but I’ve already had so many moments where I’ve been uncomfortable and wanted to say no, but just had to jump in and say yes because that’s what was needed in the moment. For me this has looked like making home visits that were at times awkward and required me getting past my own pride, and it’s looked like having to translate in situations where I thought someone else could do a much better job. I’m learning in these moments to trust the Holy Spirit inside of me to do the work.
Just within this week, we’ve been invited to join into these people’s lives in many different ways, which is one of my favorite parts of the Race (I’m hoping to blog more about this). But this has looked liked cramming in the back of an open truck side by side with Nicaraguans, and it’s looked like worshipping with a small community of believers in an outdoor church. I’m so grateful for these kinds of moments.
Stay tuned for more!
-Marisa
