Hola!
It has been awhile since my last post. WiFi has been less accessible this month.
Here is an update. We are in Granada, Nicaragua at REAP which is an AIM (Adventure in Missions) base. Ministry this month has looked so different from last month. There has been so much variety and then it has been an all squad month. Meaning instead of it being my team of 5 people its the full 21 of us together.
I’m not exactly sure where to begin talking about REAP. I’ll start with the our first night here.
We got here picked our bunks and then went to dinner. After dinner we had a meeting with our host Scott. He is an American that purchased property in Nicaragua and wanted to really change the community here in Granada and he reached out to AIM and they now house all of the World Race teams that come into Nicaragua.
As we sat there they explained that the focus this month will be to build us up. The words that touched me last month were uttered again. “Don’t do things for God do things WITH God”. When he said that I knew that this month was going to be an transformative month.
I want to give a little backstory Nicaragua was never “supposed” to be on our route it was added at training camp in October. That’s so crazy how God knew that his sons and daughters needed to know that He wants to establish a foundation of getting to know him as father.
We were given a book to read called “Spiritual Slavery to Sonship” reading this book has wrecked me I read the chapters 1-2 and I was so tired from crying. (I will share more in a post to come) All I have to say is read this book it will change your perspective.
Scott then told us our schedule
5 AM- Prayer (M,W,F)
6 AM- Quiet Time (Everyday)
8 AM- Breakfast
9 AM – 11 AM- Ministry
12 PM- Lunch
1PM – 3PM- Ministry
3:30 PM – Team Time (Varies according to teams)
5 PM- Dinner
6 PM – Book study (If assigned)
Mondays are adventure days
Tuesdays are Sabbath (No going to town or using WiFi)
Ministry has varied
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Prayer Walking (Evangelism)
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I was able to lead Daniela to Christ during one of our prayer walks ( I was so nervous but so grateful because it has been my heart’s desire to lead someone into relationship with Christ)
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Feeding at the dump
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We go on Wednesdays and Fridays to give food to the workers at the dump. The workers search through the trash for metal and plastic to maybe make $40 a month. There is also an hierarchy to those working. The people who get the trash have first pick. Then the men and then the women.
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Manual Labor
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We have uprooted plantain trees so that avocado trees can be planted, planted moringa seeds, some went to dig ditches
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Sports ministry
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I gave what was supposed to be a 5 minute message at a softball game
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Hospital Visits
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We got to go and pray over children in the hospital some have pneumonia, some had a mosquito borne illness. I was able to hold a baby Julia she just leaped in my arms.
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Nursing home Visits
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We took food to the residents and just talked with them. I met Cellobino. We was so sweet he sung to me and we practiced our English and Spanish. He had the warmest smile.
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Valentine’s dinner
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This was on Saturday Feb 16th (Sidenote: This was my 7 year anniversary with Jesus). The dinner was an event for couples in the area and we got to serve them.
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United church service
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This was Feb 17th we were able to watch unity happen among the church it was amazing worshipping in another language.
We have had full days
This month I have felt so close to God. I feel walls breaking down. I love getting to know my squad and seeing how he is moving in everyone’s life.
Scott told us this. Alot of racers are on the race and they pour out because they believe that this year is about others. While that is true. We then expect to go home and have everyone care about our experiences and get mad when no one seems to care. The reality is that this year is about Us. Yes serve and pour out but this Year is the year that we spend getting to know God more and then we go back the States to serve those there.
Him saying that helped me to realize better yet remember that this Mission trip is a discipleship program as well. I love that I get to immerse myself in 12 different cultures while having Papa teach me to love and hear his heart. Every person I met carries a piece of Papa’s heart.
Every person we met carries a piece of Papa’s heart. Let that sink in.
Regardless of if that person knows it or not they carry a piece of Papa’s heart.
I want to encourage you to be intentional about sharing Papa’s heart. Give a smile, give an encouraging word, have a meaningful conversation. Rest in knowing that this person I am meeting has love in them and I get an opportunity to allow the piece I carry to connect to the bigger puzzle.
Nicaragua has been challenging but so life giving. I feel that WE were needed here so that we can go out from now on knowing that we are valued and cherished pieces of Papa’s heart.
Update I am currently $2,570 away from my $13,000 goal.
I have 10 days to reach this goal or I am at risk of leaving the field.
Will you consider donating $100.
Remember any amount helps.
Please click here to donate
daniellapatterson.theworldrace.org
