Here is a short and sweet update on where I am, what I am doing, and the blessings God has already given.
I made it to Nicaragua about a week ago, and I LOVE it already. The food is delicious, the people are welcoming and friendly, the weather is filled with sun and rain, the language spoken is Spanish. What else could I ask for? All those who know me knows this is a dream come true. My team and I are living with the pastor and his family, they speak limited English, and cook for us three meals a day. I feel like a princess here, as the family we are with take such good care of us. The pastor has a three year old son named Isaac, and a three month old girl named Ami, this was no coincidence at all. These two kids are so adorable and fun to be with, this takes care of my baby fix, as we are doing mostly manual labor this month.
We have been cleaning and painting the church, which has been fun and resting in a way. We are also doing garden work at a rehabilitation center for children. I am so excited about this because I have also been given an opportunity to observe the therapy they do for the children here. So we will see what God does through this and the doors he may begin to open.
So far this past week God has allowed so many gifts and reminders of my brother Craig this month. The shirt he was wearing the night of his accident was inside out. When he arrived at the hospital the doctors had to cut his shirt off, unknowingly to them they had cut around the verse on the front of his shirt. The verse he had was Mark 10:45, the son of man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. Ever since that day this verse has ha a huge impact on my life. I love how God used that verse five years ago to bring me comfort and love today and till the day I go home.
While I was in Honduras I was thinking about Craig and I had found a note from my friend Becky and the verse she put on the card was Matthew 20:28 which is the same verse as Mark 10:45. I was just overwhelmed with Gods love for me and how he is so intimate and intentional putting that verse where I would find it right when I needed it.
The second or third day of being in Nicaragua I had woken up early to journal and to worship, I was in the kitchen and the pastor came in and started playing worship songs on his phone, he played Kari Jobe, and then he played Mercy Me I Can Only Imagine, he left quickly and came back with his guitar to sing it. We started singing this song together, he sang in Spanish and I sang in English, tears swelled up in my eyes as I could imagine the smile Craig had on his face as he hears us worshipping God in Spanish and English. I was overwhelmed once again at Gods timing. If that is not enough of Gods comfort he also had Matthew 20:28 pop up in Nicaragua on the white board.
I am sure this will not be the last of the gifts He has from Craig. Although. my heart will never be fully healed from the loss of Craig, I know that God will continue to bring me further healing and comfort. He will continue to remind me of the love and influence Craig has had in my life. He will continue to remind me that He sees me and loves me. Through all of this He has expanded my thankfulness and love for Him, and has reminded me how short our time is here, and that I will get to see Craig again, a day I am eagerly awaiting for.
I hope you are overwhelmed with hope, comfort I will have more updates next week from the last two months :)!
Xoxox.
Amie Gallegos
