This sweet island has already stolen a piece of my heart in just over a week. Every morning when I wake up and get to step out to the waves crashing over the black sand, I am in complete awe of the beauty held here. Although this is so wonderful, the Lord is teaching me to direct my eyes to the creator within His creations instead of just being captivated by His creation. Nanoscientist James Tour said, “I stand in awe of God because of what he has done through His creation.” A quote I have continued to pull from during my time here so far.
We flew into Managua, Nicaragua on Monday and arrived to Ometepe Island that night. We were greeted in the warmest way I have ever experienced, hugs so full of life that immediately made me feel like I was home. It was so refreshing knowing that our arrival was so eagerly awaited. As Zoe would say, my “love tank” was really full. For our month here in Nicaragua, we are living on Isla de Ometepe, an island with so much to show the world. My hope is that some day everyone can experience all of the life and joy these people have to give. We are staying at an orphanage called CICRIN whose goal is to “improve the lives of Nicraguan children who are at risk by providing schooling and housing with the ultimate goal of preserving and reunifying families.”
Our mornings are full of serving the people who live and work at CICRIN through morning chores: raking leaves, doing dishes, sweeping and moping, filling water jugs, etc. Things that once felt so mundane have now been transformed into little ways we are able to show the Lord’s love to the people who give so much to make all of this happen. After lunch, we go to the school here at CICRIN to prepare for the 120 kids that will arrive here on Monday. Our work has included painting the cafeteria, classrooms and outside of the building, gardening, sanding and staining desks and much more.
It has been so fulfilling to be praying over each desk expectant that the Lord is preparing the heart of the kid who will sit there come Monday, it is so fulfilling knowing that kids that may have never felt loved get to come here and be loved beyond comprehension, it is fulfilling to know that our God is working in this place with or without us. In that, I am so thankful to be here serving the people of Nicaragua and so excited to see all that is to come over my next three weeks here in Ometepe.
[PICTURES TO COME]
