Step.
Step.
Step.
On a very hot Nicaraguan afternoon I walk mindlessly in a funeral. Yes, IN a funeral.
All I hear are footsteps. Footsteps of a grieving crowd.
I am surrounded, lost in a sea of sobbing.
The air is filled with scents of grease, old water and exhaust fumes.
The city is loud, and everyone is staring.
My walking pace is eased by the dark horse.
He is slowly trotting as he pulls the weight of the glossy black, handcrafted carriage. Inside the carriage rests a casket.
I am at a funeral, walking to a gravesite.
I am surrounded by strangers, but I am here to support and respect a hurting family. I am here to honor a friend of our ministry hosts.
I have never been so present and aware of my surroundings.
In this moment, for whatever reason, my senses were enhanced.
The sun has convinced me of its passion to cook me, as I marinate in my own sweat.
The intense odor of sewage and exhaust with a hint of fried chicken conquers my nostrils.
My ears tune out the traffic, screaming kids and grieving crowd.
I continue to walk in the relaxed pace of the dark horse in front of me. I am completely aware, yet not surprised by, the random livestock, stray dogs and motorcycles that fall in and out of the crowd.
I began praying.
I don’t ever remember making the decision to pray.
No.
God initiated that prayer.
He met me where I was. Yes, the creator of the universe made the decision to talk to ME!
Its hard for me to explain exactly how our conversation went but I’ll do my best to reveal this intimate moment.
Overwhelmed with excitement I felt my fathers presence so intensely.
As if I was a kid at home seeing his dad walk through the door after work.
“Dad!”
I run to His strong arms.
“My son!”
He greets me with the most powerful embrace, filled with love and strength.
“God, my senses are so enhanced today. Why?”
“Tell me about it my child.”
He asks as if he doesn’t already know.
I explained to Him how I am powerfully aware of my surroundings.
How I am more present than ever before.
I explained how satisfied I was, even in the midst of the strange smells, loud noises and exhaustion of the heated walk.
He responded with,
“You like this?”
“I made you for this. You have asked for confirmation in your desire to be a missionary for my kingdom. This is it.”
“My son I have given you a gift for joy and peace in the midst of chaos.”
“I have called you and you responded with obedience”
“And now that it is confirmed I want you to walk confidently in this season of leadership. I want you to swim in my pool of grace and remain faithful”
Wow…..
How incredible it is to hear those words from my father. I am so intensely in love with God. The father who intentionally pursued me for the sake of an intimate confirmation. He met me! He didn’t have to confirm my desires but he did! He did it in such an extraordinary way! He met me at a funeral, walking behind a casket.
I am humbled and fighting back tears as I type this.
Since the funeral I have been so filled up spiritually.
My team and I have been farming spiritually and physically. We have been working hard on a farm that we are praying will one day self sustain the ministry. They are currently growing different citrus fruits, bananas and plantains.
We have walked the streets, praying over and evangelizing locals.
We will be doing prison ministry throughout the month as well.
Keep us in your prayers and thank you all for your continued support.
