I was in Nicaragua for a month. One whole month. And here we are wrapping up December, month 5. I feel like I close my eyes and a month goes by! This alone is crazy because so much happens each month. I am challenged, encouraged, and loved so well.
At the beginning of November, my squad had a mini-awakening at the Adventures base in Nicaragua. This was a time for us to get spiritually filled and rest. From here, my team and I had a crazy adventure to our ministry host, using public transport. We did all of this with both of our bags spanning 5 hours (and it was way harder and more hilarious than you can imagine). Sometimes I couldn’t tell if we were sweating or crying. SO worth it!
While in Dario, Nicaragua my team and I served at a boys school called Light and Salt Ministries. They offer bible classes, devotions and English classes. The program is a 5-year program where they invest in about 30 young men to instill values and morals mirroring Christ. My team and I helped teach English classes, worked on the ministry’s website and helped with administrative work. Additionally, they have a sewing ministry for women in the community. In this ministry, they hold bible studies to love and encourage the women and also opens the opportunity for women to learn a life skill and sew clothing to later sell for profit. We absolutely LOVED the people, who quickly became family. This was our first month living in the same house as our ministry host and it was so refreshing to be able to serve them as they host and pour life into us. Our time in Dario was far too short. The connections that I made will definitely make it a place I’d love to return to on day soon.
Some fun facts about my time in Nicaragua:
1. My teammate Rachael bought a pig! A little baby pig. At the end of the month she gave him away to a family in need that can raise him and eventually slaughter him. She named him Benghee.
2. I saw more tarantulas in Nicaragua than I did in the first three months!
3. I played baseball AND soccer in a 50s style skirt. I think I played my best game of baseball on this day.
4. Rachael got stung by a scorpion in the middle of the night while we were all sleeping side by side on the floor. She lives on the tell.
5. I surfed down an active volcano!
For the last few days in Nicaragua we had a squad debrief. A debrief is a time where the whole squad meets in one place and leadership from the US comes out to visit us, love us, speak truth to us and encourage us. Seeing leadership and the whole squad is GREAT. I embrace all the action! However, the reason I share this septic news with you is because at this debrief leadership presented us with NEW TEAMS!
Below is a photo of my new team, the Star Warriors!
Top (left to right): me, Daniel, Taylor Stevens
Bottom (left to right): Hannah, Caleb, Taylor White
Thank you for all the prayers! I am alive and well in Africa!
Kel xxx
