Back in June and July 2009, I was in
the countries of Guatemala and Nicaragua, starting my World Race
journey with I-Squad. They were 2 of the harder months on the race
for me, and as we flew out of Managua, I was so excited to be leaving
the Spanish speaking world behind me. I was so ready to not ever eat
rice and beans again. Ever since that time I had no desire to return
to Central America. In fact, I prayed that God would not send me
back. That was part of my deal with God when He told me to squad
lead: Only if I don’t go to Central America. During the 2 months of
waiting to find out where I would be going, I slowly began to open up
to the idea of going back. When I found out I’d be leading E Squad
and saw the race route online, I was surprised: the countries listed
were El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Thailand. I was surprised
because I wasn’t upset. In fact, I was excited! What?! I was
excited to go to Central America?! As I looked at the route I knew
that God was going to change my heart and bring to place of love for
the people and nations of Central America.
That has definitely been what has
happened to me over the past 3 months. So many things I struggled
with in the summer of 2009, I have found joy in. At church I would
get frustrated when I couldn’t understand the worship or the sermon.
Now, I love that we can be singing in different languages but God
hears them all and every word makes sense to Him. I used to be
afraid to try and speak Spanish to the locals. Now, I try and
usually fail, but my effort makes them laugh and smile. It makes
myself laugh and smile too…especially when I say “I am bookâ€�
instead of “I am free.� (libro= book, libre= free). I seriously
had uttered the phrase “I will never go back to Central America
unless God makes it VERY CLEAR that I am supposed to go.� Now, I
am blessed and alive here. I would lovingly come back to serve in
any place we have been. I mean, I don’t feel called to move here
long term and do Spanish missions for my life. But, I could see
myself living in Honduras or Nicaragua for a season. I know, God is
redeeming these places for sure!
The biggest sign that God has been
redeeming Central America comes from this fact: I willingly and with
much enjoyment, eat rice and beans. I really can’t explain how
amazing this fact is. Back in the states, my wonderful mother has
avoided cooking rice for me whenever I am home because she knows my
disdain for it. So the fact that not only do I eat rice and beans
now but I LIKE it, is a HUGE thing. A few days ago, I was scoping
out my lunch when I realized “hey, I am excited to eat these rice
and beans right now. They look and smell delicious!� If that does
not convince you that God is moving in me then I don’t know what
will!!! In the next 12 hours, E Squad will be flying out of Central
America, heading to Thailand. I am SO excited for what is to come,
and I feel ready to move on to Thailand, but a piece of my heart is
sad to leave Nicaragua. Thank the Lord that He redeems! Please enjoy
these pictures of people that helped redeem Central America!
