Throughout this month I was in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. I worked on a missions base with a gracious Pastor and loving community. They took us in, put us to work, and entrusted us to teach in their schools, pour into the children there, and run the church services three times a week. I really enjoyed my time there. It was definitely one of my favorite months on the race thus far. I found my place with the children there. They have two schools composed of approx. 900 students and an orphanage and boys home with about 90 children.
I worked at the school in the mornings teaching middle and highschool students about Godly character, forgiveness, and the love and hope of Jesus Christ. I was joined with Jessie, Julie, and some of our Nicaraguan friends from Grenada. Communication was a bit difficult at times seeing we didn’t always have a translator, but God is gracious and I know His love was ministered. Several students gave their hearts to the Lord while we were there, mostly through one of the Nicaraguan girls that worked alongside us. The teacher that was working with us gave us frequent updates of the students writing papers and reports on how they wanted to change and were encouraged by us to live a life serving God. We also taught them some new songs and games. One of their favorite songs was called, “Oh le le” and somehow it conveniently became my new name around the base. I was no longer known as Cristie, but Cristina oh le le. J It makes me laugh even thinking about it.
I really believe a huge part of my ministry this month was simply bringing joy and love to a people group that is so impoverished and hopeless. It’s a beautiful thing to know that my words and actions meant nothing this month, but because the same spirit that’s in Christ is in me, His love was expressed. (Romans 8:11). I don’t know if I can really express it in words, but I could see it in their eyes as I visited the hospitals and laid hands on people for healing, as I poured my heart out to the children at the schools, and as I hung out with the orphans and loved on the workers and people on base. There was a glowing in their eyes that only Jesus’ love could bring. This was the first month I walked in confidence knowing Jesus touched people’s hearts because of me, not through any actions or extravagant words, but simply because I was there. My love runs dry, but Christ’s love is always enough.
.jpg)
This is my little buddy, Ricardo. He greeted me with a warm smile and big hug every meal or as I walked to the orphanage . He stole my heart this month. I love him so much. My heart broke when it was time to say goodbye.
