I’ve been home from the Race for about a month. Every time I run into someone, it is inevitable that they will ask, “So, what are you going to do now?” While I don’t know what I will be doing next month, next week, or even tomorrow, the Lord has given me some specifics for my next steps.
Back in August, during my second month on the Race, I fell in love in a tiny little village called Candelaria, Nicaragua. In fact, there was a big part of me that wanted to quit the Race and just stay there, but God had other plans.
While in Nicaragua, my team and I partnered with New Song Ministries. We fell in love with a group of teenagers whose lives are being transformed by the grace of God. These youth came to know Christ shortly before we arrived or while we were in Nicaragua. We were able to begin discipleship and Bible study with these teens and saw them come alive in their faith. It was a beautiful display of God’s glory to watch them get baptized, to hear them praying passionately and powerfully for one another, and to see their hunger for the Word of God. These kids come from homes filled with poverty, brokenness, and abuse, but through Christ they are now full of hope, love, and life.
Here are some of the other ministries through New Song:
- A church/community center on five acres
- A large organic vegetable garden has been planted
- Several hundred children have been sponsored for school each year.
- Many new Christians have been baptized, powerful prayer warriors see healings and miracles
- Bible training center for rural pastors
- A Medical/Dental Clinic is in process of being built, as well as athletic fields.
- Christmas gifts given to the children
- Drama and crafts, health, and English classes
- Young adult and children’s ministry
- Support and instruction to native leaders
- Emergency medical needs met
- Food for the most destitute
- Rural dental and medical clinics
- Support and help to widows
- A parsonage has been built
- A well has been dug to supply clean pure water for the village community
- Vitamins and supplements have been provided
- We have various levels of sewing classes, craft classes and apprenticeships
- Native evangelists have spread out into the outlying villages and have started several new church fellowships and Sunday Schools and one has been adopted by a church in the US
(List of ministries taken from New Song’s website: www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/ministries)
I fell in love with the teenagers, New Song’s ministry, and the village. Ever since we left Nicaragua, I have been praying that I would be able to return. The Lord has answered that prayer…
I will be moving to Candelaria, Nicaragua in January to partner with New Song Ministry. Once I arrive in Nicaragua I will be living in a newly constructed team house on New Song’s property. I will be able to continue discipling the teenagers through Bible study and youth services. I also have a vision to start children’s programs and tutoring programs.
In the future of New Song Ministries, there are plans to construct a second team house (one for guys and one for girls). Once the second house is completed, I will be living in and running the girls’ home. This will be a wonderful opportunity to ignite a passion for missions in others and it will be great practice for the family living home that I hope to run one day. Also, Tommy & Linda Gable (the founders of New Missions) have a vision to start a coffee house/restaurant on the church property which I will run (don’t worry I’ll be making some delicious coffee drinks, but someone else will be cooking!). I am very excited about all the opportunities before me as I move down to Nicaragua.
I am still trying to work out all of the details, but I will let you know soon how you can partner with me in this ministry. Please pray that the Lord will continue to lead and direct my journey to Nicaragua.
