I am no longer in Asia. We spent two full days of trying to get from Kathmandu, Nepal to Grenada, Nicaragua. I had a marvelous experience in Nepal filled with touching ministries, thrilling adventures, and deepened wisdom and understanding of people. I cried leaving, I made so many wonderful friendships and relationships that I had to say goodbye to. Two months wasn’t long enough, I’m hoping to go back one day and rejoin with my awesome family/ministry contacts. I lived on the other side of the world for 6 months with totally different time zones from my family while immersing myself in diverse cultures/people. Although Christians in Asia are “a lot different” than Christians in America, we all have the same mind, that Jesus is the ONLY way to eternal life (a hard concept to grasp for those who have grown up in a Hindu influenced culture). But literally all who are believers are considered part of the body of Christ. Followers of the Way living in Africa, Asia, South America, EVERYWHERE are considered my family, the church.
When I arrived in Nicaragua, I took a “real” shower (as in like not a bucket shower) for the first time in two months… it was magical. I didn’t have to boil water, pour it into a bucket, and use a cup thingy to drench myself. We had LDW (Leadership Development Weekend) in the more touristy part of Nicaragua which was basically a mini vacation… it was very much needed for the health of my squad I think. After a few days of LDW we headed 15 minutes outside of Grenada to a farm, REAP Grenada, where we would do ministry for… PARENT VISION TRIP (PVT)!!! Yes, I saw my mom and dad. My squad and I were already at the farm when our parents arrived. My parents were crying, they hadn’t seen their baby for 6 months. It was so weird when they first stepped off the bus, I was like, “Mom? Dad? I have parents?” Okay you get it, a whole lot of emotions. We just spent the remainder of the day talking. It was also sort of weird talking to them because last time I spoke to them in person I was a slightly different human being. But I was able to encourage them in new things that I have learned and vise-versa. We only did three days of ministry together because our hosts really wanted to make sure we were spending a whole lot of intentional time together. Our first day of ministry we went to a town and did a prayer walk. We prayed for a group of young men, a pregnant woman, the community center owned by REAP Grenada, an old man with a messed up back, a man who had his appendix removed, and others. It was really cool to see my parents interacting with those of different upbringing and daily living. I know for a fact that it helped change their perspectives on things and have compassion (even more than they already do) for those living with less. Both my Mom and my Dad were really bold in stepping out and speaking/praying specific things over individuals. My parents have practiced, and are therefore experienced, in listening for a word from The Holy Spirit to share with someone. My mom was really thriving. She’s been to Uganda twice to the slums and has a heart for impoverished people who are seeking to fill the empty voids in their soul. The second day of ministry we put on a VBS at the community center. I know exactly ONE song in Spanish with which I was able to lead the kids in… as well as some parents who were enjoying it… silly parents. My dad had to participate in a skit to get the children involved in the teaching of which I am certain that it was out of his comfort zone. The next day we worked on building chairs. If you know my dad, you know that he went to town on this project. He was so enthralled that he redesigned one of the chairs… such a Bill(y goat) thing to do. Silly Billy. On adventure day we went and saw Masaya Volcano and zip lined. Mom was courageous enough to do “Superman” on the zip line, I’m a proud daughter. PVT lasted only a week, it flew by so quick. I feel like I saw my parents for a day and that’s it. I’m so thankful that they were able to come on the field with me and share in my daily living on the race.
The day after our parents left, we traveled for 24 hours via bus from Nicaragua to Honduras to El Salvador to Guatemala. Whatta day.
Now we have been living at the Adventures in Missions base Guatemala for about a month now. The first couple of weeks being here, my team and I worked at a special needs home/school. The kids there are precious. We would spend the day washing dishes, washing clothes, folding clothes, and helping feed the kids. After two weeks of working there, we started teaching at Grace English School. I help teach the 2nd graders and I tutor two 1st graders after school gets out. My kids bring me such joy. My team and I go to school Monday-Friday and have bonded with our students so much. It’s awesome to see how much my team cares for their students.
Today we went to Parramos and asked The Lord who we should talk to, speak life into, pray for, and heal. To make a long story short, a woman’s mass in her breast was removed of pain and shrunk to a much smaller size. Another woman with a headache and stomach issues was freed from pain. And yet another woman was healed of back pain and dizziness. How great is our God! Take authority when you pray healing over people. It is ALWAYS Gods will to heal people, we just have to step into that faith and use our God given authority. And if someone doesn’t get healed, don’t try to justify it.
Yep! That’s an update for now. I will be back in Estados Unidos (United States) in 5 weeks which I am quite nervous of actually so if you all could keep me in your prayers concerning that I would appreciate it SO MUCH! I’m probably leaving out a whole lot, my apologies. But if you want to be updated regularly, follow me on Instagram @christy.mcpherson
Much Love!
