Most of the early part of the month was spent fighting spiritual battles. By continuing to press in to God, despite everything I felt, I was able to experience a breakthrough, a victory over defeat. Since then, I have been continuing to fight to redeem the good things that God has given me. They were there all along, but I lost sight of them and lost the ability to receive God’s gifts, by losing sight of God. I was so focused on my circumstance, that I lost focus on God. I once again am in a place to receive from God, and its wonderful.
Today was such an amazing day! We started the day by going to a home for men who are going through rehab. We actually met them at a soccer field, and played a huge game of soccer with them. It was an amazing time. After, I borrowed my baseball gloves and baseball to two of the kids. I ended up leaving them with the kids, because they didn’t own one. I knew at some point that God would have me give them away, so I was ready to part with them. Plus, my pack will now be lighter! 😉
After that, I was actually very dehydrated. I felt a lot like I did the days I spent in the hospital. I had to skip lunch cause I lost my appetite, but after a Gatorade and lots of water my body recovered. I was better in time to leave for “The Quinta”, the home for teens and kids that we are ministering at. We put on a service of sorts for the teens. We played games, sung worship music, shared testimonies, and then showed a video we had made the day before. The video is a stop-motion animation film that Kelsi Dawe (my teammate) and I created. The kids loved it. (I will post it on my blog soon!!!) Then the kids taught us some games. After every game, the teens talked to us about how the game represented a lesson from God. It was really awesome to see them take any possible opportunity to share about God! I shared a couple games I learned from an improv class I took in Milwaukee, and the teens loved them.
The first month I didn’t really grow close to anyone, so it wasn’t difficult to leave. After tonite, it will be really difficult to leave. We have built great relationships with the teens, and are really enjoying spending time and serving God with them.
I am thankful to God that He has brought me out of the fiery trials I was facing, and that He has redeemed this month for me. And I am so thankful to all you supporters for sending me on this race. While it is challenging at times, the challenges are making me stronger and taking me to a higher level with God. This mission is also possibly the most amazing things a person can experience. It is an amazing blessing! So thank you once again. I hope you are blessed by hearing what God is doing here in Jinotepe, Nicaragua!
~Mike
