I’m sure all of you have heard by now or read somewhere about all of the hurdles I had thrown at me last week. Yes, I had a pretty hard time on my birthday, and yes, I was hit with a pretty bad ear infection and fever the next day that I’m still recovering from. However, I don’t want to focus on the negative things that have taken place… I want to share all of the good and beautiful things that the Lord has been doing since then!!
This past Sunday we left Cicrin and all of the beauty that Ometepe Island had to offer. Saying goodbye to our first ministry sight and newfound family was hard, and there were a lot of tears shed. And not only did we say goodbye to Cicrin, but we said goodbye to the other half of our squad. Our squad of 18 is now a team of 9; the next time we see them will be for travel to Guatemala for mid-point debrief and then at final debrief in Atlanta. It’s crazy that we are only a few weeks away from midpoint… wow. Although I miss everyone from team 1, and I’m loving the time I am spending with my own team.
My team spent Sunday traveling to our new ministry in Ciudad Dario. For the next 3 weeks, we will be working with Light & Salt Ministries here in Dario. The mission of Light & Salt is to disciple, train, and empower Nicaraguans to break their cycles of mental, spiritual, and physical poverty. Their vision is to provoke a reform in Nicaragua through Christian education and poverty relief. Their values include relational, mercy based, Bible-based, Spirit-led, hands-on, excellence. Light & Salt Ministries is a nonprofit charity that approaches poverty relief in a unique way. They provide the essentials to those in need but also equip them with the skills to generate their own income and the mental and spiritual support they need to develop a healthier approach towards their future. This robust system of attention helps Nicaraguans to not only survive today but also to continue growing into a stronger and more independent people tomorrow. Light & Salt has three programs. The first program is called Triumphant Women which equips abandoned women and single mothers with invaluable skills. By learning how to sew clothes, these women gain the ability to feed themselves and their families with their own income. Some of these women have already gone on to establish their own small businesses and serve their local communities. How cool?! The second program that Light & Salt offers is Called Mercy in Action. Through this program, the at-risk people of Dario receive weekly food packs. In addition to food, they receive group sessions and weekly encouragement, scripture teaching, and prayer. This program also provides building or repair projects in accordance with available funds. The last program that Light & Salt offers is Boys Formation Classes – this is the program that we will be spending the majority of our time with. This supplementary educational program provides young boys with daily meals, Bible study and prayer, English class, homework tutorial, sports, poverty relief missions, educational field trips, morals and ethical mentorship and more. By targeting the development of males, they are changing the future of Nicaraguan girls as well, opening the doors to their education and better tier quality of life one student at a time. Fun fact, our host and the founder of Salt & Light is from Canada!!!
While I am here, I will be taking care of and spending time with, Molly. Molly is our host’s daughter who was adopted from Honduras. Molly has such a big and loving personality!!! She has my heart already. For the next 3 weeks, I will be doing her hair before school, spending some extra time with her throughout the day, reading and praying with her before bed, and doing whatever I can to make her feel special. She’s very much looking forward to a movie night with me before I leave. During ministry time, I am also teaching English with Alex and Rachel. So far we’ve taught colors, body parts, and different conversation starters – we’ve even taught during baseball games! If you read my first blog, then you know that the Lord has always been leading me to teach English in other countries. How cool is it that I am finally able to live out the calling He has for me?! Since I’ve been in Dario, there is peace in my heart that I have never felt before. It is so good and stems from me being obedient to Him.
Thank you all for the love, support, prayers, and words of encouragement that you have been pouring out over me. I wouldn’t have made it through all of the hurdles of last week if it wasn’t for you guys. As my team moves forward, I ask that you continue to keep all of us in your prayers. The Lord is moving through each and every one of us as well as those we are encountering.
I love and miss all of you so much, and I will see you all soooo soon <3
-Kenzie
