Transformed

1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 

 

During our time in Nicaragua we had the opportunity to live life along side some incredible youth.

 

These teenagers have inspired me more than anyone else I`ve met on this trip. They’re the most passionate group of youth I’ve ever met. Every morning they wake up early to do chores before breakfast, and then walk over an hour to get to school each morning. Our first time attending the youth service we were blown away because no adult showed up the whole 3 hours. We thought for sure when it was time for the message we’d see the Pastor. But instead, one of the youth stepped up and started preaching. They plan every bit of it themselves each week. Most participate in the regular church services as well, and run children’s church for the kids in the barrios.They are under supervision of the pastor, but it’s just that – supervision. They are the ones that walk through the barrios to invite children to church and walk them home afterwards. The youth are the ones that do the planning, play the games, do the dramas, teach, and feed all the kids a hot meal every week. They truly live out 1 Timothy 4:12. They don’t let anyone tell them they’re too young, but instead they set the example in their community!!!

 

All of this, and they live in what is essentially an orphanage for teenagers. They all have different reasons for being there, but each one has a past full of more pain that most would imagine is possible for such young lives. But, their past isn’t what defines them. They live in a different reality. They live knowing full well they have a Father that will never leave nor forsake them. They have been rescued from such darkness and now the Lord is using them in mighty ways with each other, their church, and the whole city.

 

These youth have impacted my life in ways they will never know, and the Lord spoke to me so much during our time there. He taught me so much about how he loves, his abounding grace, and what it means to have true joy. Through it all, he opened my heart to new passions, and made it impossible to ever forget my time with the youth at La Quinta. 

 

 

 

I never imagined it would be so hard to leave one of our countries, but I was heartbroken to leave Nicaragua.  As I told the youth on our last day, it is so hard to say goodbye, but I leave knowing full well they are all in good hands. They are so full of love for the Lord, as well as each other, that I know they will only continue to grow and step even more into the calling the Lord has for them.