This last week I had the honor and privilege to be able serve alongside Gabby for PVT at REAP Granada in Nicaragua. Prior to PVT I really wasn’t sure what to expect and had a little anxiety about traveling internationally because I have only ever been out of the country once before. There was honestly no reason for anxiety because the staff at AIM and REAP Granada made things go very smoothly. When we arrived on the farm at REAP Granada we could see young adults (our kids) standing around waiting for their parents to arrive. I was able to spot Gabby right away and the mom emotions starting welling up inside me. Tim was able to get to her first, then all three of us hugged and cried and hugged some more. The rest of the day the three of us sat around and were just content to be in each other’s presence. Ministry began the next day; our first ministry assignment was at a feeding program (Pearl Foundation, Nicaragua) in Pantanal. The following day we went back to Pantanal where we did prayer walking; with the help of a guide and translator we went into the homes of locals asking them if and how we could pray for them and their families. This was a very humbling experience, these beautiful people, God’s people, have very little in this life and yet have so much joy, and someday with their heavenly Father will have much treasures. Throughout the week, Gabby and I had wonderful fellowship with other mothers and daughters in the mornings and at the end of the day joined together for worship and reflection. “Free/adventure” time included boat tour, feeding bananas to monkeys, pizza and a game of Skip-bo, viewing historic beautiful Catholic churches, walking up the narrow steps to the bell tower to get a view of the city of Granada, peering down into an active volcano and swimming in a crater. Not to mention that every day that we were there God gave us a beautiful sky and a refreshing breeze.
During worship one night the word “comparability” was shared; specifically, the enemy of comparability. This really hit home for me because as women/mothers it is so easy to compare ourselves with the lives of others. I want to add another word to claim; the enemy of “not being good enough.” I have, past and present, compared myself to other women/mothers often feeling that I am not a good enough mom. I have all my life struggled with food and my weight often comparing myself to other women. I see other women/mothers in their faith walks and at times compare myself wishing that I was further along in my growth. Additionally, my house is never clean like “her” house, my kids don’t behave like “her” kids, I lack in home decorating skills while “her” home is nicely decorated, sometimes we eat cereal for supper, and we never go on vacations like “her” family, the list could go on. At that moment, I really felt that this is an area of my life that I need to claim and give to God. Gabby asked me how she could be praying for me and this is something that I asked her to pray over. Additionally, yesterday in church our guest pastor spoke on the “enemy of comparability.” It is so cool how God works and I can clearly see that this is an area that I REALLY NEED TO RELEASE TO GOD!
God is GOOD – Holly
