Casa de Gozo. House of Joy. What a fitting name. That place sure was a house of joy. That little gated yard and house with it’s bright green wall is now known as one of my favorite places. That wall encloses so many memories that I hold dear to my heart, and I will continue to hold dear to my heart forever. Outside of the walls holds incredible memories as well. Nicaragua, all at once, captivated my heart with it’s beauty. From the landscape to the mountains to the dirt roads to the volcanoes to the lakes to the sunsets, all the way to the people. It’s a beauty I had never fully experienced before until now. This past month in Nicaragua changed me, and I can honestly say it was one of the best months of my life. I don’t quite have the words to describe why, but I’m going to try my best. Whether it was the amazing community we had as Team His Hands and Team Wildflowers experienced life together or the spirit of the kids who we came to know and love, it was all incredible. Because life is incredible when we are submitted to Christ and experiencing the beauty He has for us in life.
Going into the Race, I wasn’t crazy excited about Nicaragua. But from the first day upon arrival, I could tell there was something special about the country. As we drove past all the homes and dirt roads and green fields, I was amazed at how beautiful Nicaragua truly was. I wasn’t expecting that at all.
And it pleasantly surprised me.
God’s beauty in Nicaragua continued to reveal itself the whole month. Whether we were hiking up a volcano and then sledding down it or jumping off a platform into a volcano made lagoon, adventure was chased and freedom was found. And I’m thankful to have shared it with people who would run down the dirt roads with you to get a better view of the sunset. Or who would wake up to watch the sunrise. Or walk out on a grassy knoll to see some of the beautiful cliff views and mountains. Or climb on top of the wall to watch the lightning from a distance. I experienced God in a new way. This past month was where he just wanted to show himself to me.
“Look, daughter. I made this for you. Find me in it.”
“Be still. I’m here. I’m all around you.”
I found my relationship with Christ refreshed while in Nicaragua.
Ministry was simple, but important. It was to just love the kids. Case de Gozo was a safe place for kids to show up and maybe escape their problems at home for a little bit. They would come whenever—around lunchtime or after school—and would stay until dark. And we would play and play. Soccer, football, volleyball, ping-pong, even baseball on occasions. Our job was to be a friendly smile, a warm hug, a piggyback ride, or a body to tackle. Some days it didn’t feel like we were doing much, but maybe feeling love from someone was all the kids needed. Especially if they noticed something different about our love. Children’s ministry is important. They’re the next generation and the people they come in contact with shape them for the future. Maybe there wasn’t any salvation while we were there, but who knows the type of seeds the Lord was able to plant in their hearts by just loving them and playing with them.
There truly wasn’t a part I disliked about our time in Nicaragua. I loved our ministry and our hosts. I loved the kids. I loved the nature around us. I loved the community between our two teams. My team grew deeper into sisterhood together while we were also being pushed in new ways by the boys team. I consider those people my family now. And I feel so humbled and blessed that the Lord put me in that community in Casa de Gozo. And that he put me in the lives of those children in that little town of El Crucero, which is a special place. It’s a town I’ve never heard of, but it held some of the most beautiful creation I’ve ever seen.
So here’s to you Casa de Gozo, and the rest of Nicaragua. You managed to steal a piece of my heart.
