Being a missionary is hard. In fact, the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do emotionally. But, there is so much fruit that comes with giving your whole self to Christ as you trust him in insane adventures. Romans 8:28 can sum up my first 3 weeks being away. Which says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” He truly does work everything for the good of his people and his glory. And because of that truth, we can have joy in all suffering!
Putting my homesick and wavering emotions aside, being able to work alongside the local church here in Nicaragua has been absolutely amazing. The kids here are so well loved, being fed the Gospel everyday of their lives, and learning what it means to live for Jesus. Our team here has been helping in the construction of 2 new classrooms, teaching English classes, helping in daily chores, and overall pouring our hearts out to these kids. The locals here so so loving, so humble, and so accepting! The team and I feel blessed to be able to partner in ministry with Cicrin orphanage and school.
A quick little story about something neat that God has been doing in my life is that on Wednesday, my phone screen completely stopped working except for calling and siri. At first, I panicked because we are so far from even the nearest iPhone repair that I wouldn’t be able to get a new phone while I was here. But when I calmed down, I prayerfully asked him why he took most forms of communication and connection to home away. He revealed to me that my heart wasn’t fully in ministry for the first week I was here because I was putting false hope in the comforts of home. God then revealed to my leader that God had told him almost the exact same thing he told me, and that God would turn my phone back on in 3 days. And sure enough, Saturday comes and my phone is on once again. God is truly working in my heart in crazy ways and I’m thankful for every “loss” and every happy thing, because I know God will use it! And this is just one story!
As far as rest and free time goes, we have Saturday off every week, and we respect the sabbath by resting our bodies, minds, and hearts for the next upcoming week of ministry. Last Saturday we adventured to a lagoon in the middle of the island, then watched an incredible sunset. Yesterday we adventured to the other side of the island where we met with another American missionary who lives here in the island!
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
Luke 9:23-24
