It’s funny how God works. Before I signed up for the Race, I had tossed around the idea of spending some time in Nicaragua. I visited Nicaragua in 2007, on an awesome mission trip with the Kirkmont Youth Group and a youth group from San Diego. The trip had an enormous impact on me and it opened my eyes to a completely different way of life. This past summer, after assessing where I was in life and remembering my previous time in Nicaragua, I came to the conclusion that it was time for me to return to spend some more time there. Looking back, my idea was near-sighted, lacking long-term vision and short-term likelihood. I was planning to do it solo, go at it alone and hope for the best. This was not how God wanted my return to look.
When I signed up for the Race, Nicaragua wasn’t on the route. If the route had remained unchanged, I would be in Bolivia right now. But the route changed and here I am, back in Nicaragua. Last summer I envisioned myself in Nicaragua on my terms, today, I am in Nicaragua, on God’s terms. These things being said, this is a month of listening. I was challenged in Lima to ask God for the desires of my heart, and wait for a response. The timing of this challenge was perfect, as I feel I am at a critical juncture in this journey. While the first three months felt like I was traveling and it was noticeable that I was on the road, away from home, it now is beginning to feel normal. I feel that this sense of normalcy carries with it a sense of responsibility, a removal of excuses. It is time to turn the journey from a time of introspective remodeling into a time of practice, and I feel like our ministry in Nicaragua will be providing me with many opportunities to practice many things.
My team will be moving to a ranch-type property on the edge of Jinotepe this afternoon to spend the month working with young adults. The young adults who live at the ranch have made a decision to follow Christ and the ministry at the ranch strives to provide them with the tools they need to live a life of faith. Some of the things the ministry provides are spiritual and academic education, assistance in seeking higher education, lessons in living lives of accountability and discipline, physical exercise, a safe haven from negativity and outlets for creativity. We had the opportunity to visit the ranch the other day and got to play soccer with some of the young men there. The opportunity to play and meet some of the guys we will be working with was great and the property had a special peace about it which makes me eager to return.
This is going to be an exciting month and I look forward to sharing more as it happens!
In Him,
Jeff
