So this month has been somewhat of a whirlwind, in a really good way though. Our ministry contact is with the Esposito family, working within their ministry named REAP Granada. They are an amazingly strong and funny married couple, Jen and Scott, with only one daughter left at home, Journey. They started this ministry about 3 years ago, moving down here to Nicaragua from the States. Within those three years they been working with the city limits and in barrios, neighborhoods, specifically Pantanal. Being such great people with huge hearts and bigger smiles have been able to establish around 8 different ministries within the past 3 years. They have truly let Jesus shine through themselves into the streets of Grenada and Pantanal, because they are absolutely adored here by men, women, and kids of every age.
The basic eight ministries they have started/ participate in, in no particular order, are men and women’s discipleship groups, visiting a nursing home, feeding programs for kids in Pantanal, a backyard Bible study for kids, prison ministry, open house night on Fridays, sports ministry on Saturday mornings, and prayer walks.
So with this introduction I would love to share with you all of the “Daddy-daughter” dates God has met me for, through all these different ministries. This is the way God has been showing me a new type of intimacy with Him. Moments he has set out for just Him and I to enjoy as father and daughter.
Now with 8 ministries there are some I have more of a knack for than others but God is still working through all of them. I’m just going to take you through this past week because it’s fresh in the memory box and I’d love to share.
Last Saturday we visited the local nursing home, called “Home of the Ancients,” and feed them as well as hung out. I fed an older man with a contorted body that would reach for more food before he was even finished with his bite. I tried to tell him in English to finish the bite before more, with failed attempts at this. He was almost skin and bones and barely spoke at all; it saddened me really. I did have the chance, though, to meet Leonce, and older man that claimed I was beautiful even though he was blind, hah! We talked for awhile and then he let me pick a good station on his old portable radio. I asked him to dance and he said no, but a man across from us, Roberto, wanted to. I had to help him stand but once he got up his feet were a blaze with almost a tap dance and the laughter was contagious.
“Daddy thank you for the dance we had on Saturday, it was one of the best dances of my life filled with so much joy.”
Sunday we were able to go to a Spanish/English church service at El Puente, or The Bridge, another ministry in Granada. God sent me an amazing message reminding me of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and the work that He finished there for me. I haven’t been able to participate in communion since I left the States and I love the physical reminder of the cross.
“Daddy thank you for the reminder of the cross and the heavy significance of it.” Seems simple but Sunday’s service was such a huge motivator for the week.
Monday we taught some little ninos, kids, how to count to 10 and 20 in English as a part of a feeding program they go to Mon/Wed/Fri, in Pantanal. They learn about the Bible, read, play games, and eat all within about an hour these three days a week. I’m gonna say I love teaching them because they are so invested in it as well. But the moment that made me smile the most was after most kids had left. I was sitting with an eight year old boy on my lap, writing in English and Spanish, when a teammate of mine was taking pictures. She used one of the five words in Spanish she knows to prompt our picture, “besos” she said, meaning kisses and Hernaldo planted a huge one on my cheek!
“Daddy thank you for the kiss on my cheek reminding me of the sweet love and gentleness you have for me.” What a special moment to savor.
Tuesday was our day off of ministry, but having amazing friends like Jen and Scott they showed us an amazing time. We had a 3:30am wake up called followed by a 20 minute hike straight up a hill next to an expired volcano, named Mombacho, to a random white cross a little outside of Granada. The sun rose about 5:30 and the view of Lake Nicaragua, the city, and the magnificent colors was enough to knock my socks off. After some naps and food we headed to Lago de Apollo, a crater/lake next to a volcano outside the city. It was stunning. We ate, swam, played a semi-violent game of “King of the Hill’ on a dock, and soaked in the beauty.
“Daddy thank you for painting the sky for me and creating such amazing views with barely any effort, you’re so creative and strong!”
Wednesday and Thursday can be partly combined. We visit womenand men at the local county jail every Thursday but we were able to visit the women two days in a row! Out of the two days we were able to get the women out of the holding cells and hang out for a combined 7 hours. Nine women are crammed in one cell area, no beds, with one bathroom, two window, and no real chance they’ll get outside in any given day. So within the 7 blessed hours we had we shoved in”get to know you questions,” art therapy around fears, singing, nail painting, brownies, story sharing, “2 truths and a lie,” cards for family members, Bible study, and more singing; learning Spanish and English songs. One reason we had brownies was for a young lady’s birthday, she turned 22; how crazy to me she is now my age and in such a different place in life. They also asked us why we were their an extra day in which our simple response was that we just love to be with them.
“Daddy thank for such a huge amount of time that your daughters can gather, from different walks of life, to just be together and have sweet fun.” My prayer is they would find not only physical freedom but spiritual as well.
Two extra ministries happened Thursday in which I was so grateful for. In the afternoon my team was able to walk the streets of Pantanal and just pray for random people and families, on a prayer walk. One family that touched my heart lives 11 people in a one room shack made of tin and wood. Mom and dad are fighting to make money enough to feed all the mouths inside it, being promised money for work done not seeing a dime for the past two weeks. Probably 3 kids under the age of 5 and one teen daughter with special needs. One son that works at a slaughter house and is heavy into drugs and cutting himself, while his sister close in age tries to be an anchor for the family.
“Daddy thank that I had the opportunity to speak up and pray for this family who is struggling so much. Such a special moment to ask you for blessings for them.”
Thursday night I was back at El Puente for Young Life club, one of my favorite things in the world. Here it’s called Vida Joven and I was able to just play games and feel at home for a an hour of club time. If you know me at all you know my heart is huge for Young Life.
“Daddy thank you for a small slice of home, it made my heart so happy.”
This brings us to today. God continues to meet me everywhere I go, as long as I’m looking out for Him. He wants to take me out on dates and give me all the love he has and I am so grateful for it. I am a princess of the King, a daughter with a Heavenly Father and I’m promised joy and healing with faith in that.
Matthew 9:22
“Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the women was healed at that moment.”
I’ve tried to attach pictures in order of events occurring this week, hope you all enjoy! They aren’t in working order but if you have questions about any ask away.
Would you also help me continue this journey of reaching out to people like the ones below? I’m still in need of $2,500 by the 1st December to stay on the Race. I’m so thankful for those who continue to give and would love to partner with even more great people like you!
