Hi everyone! First off, I’m sorry but not really sorry about being delayed in writing a blog. I’ve been riding bikes most of my free time. I’ve been running around and playing with a huge beach ball.
Let me explain the last couple weeks…
We left Guatemala and traveled by bus to Granada, Nicaragua. We border hopped. We drove through El Salvador and Honduras to get to Nicaragua. Four countries in less than 24 hours 🙂 While in Granada we had a week long debrief. Squad debrief happens every couple of months. Our leadership based in the USA (and in the case of our Gray Media team, too) flies down and we pretty much “debrief” the events of the past month(s). It was an amazing and encouraging time for me spiritually. It completely prepared me for this month.
Fast forward to now. What am I doing? So much! I need to do this in a list 🙂
1. We are staying in León, Nicaragua at El Ayudante. The organization helps families and children in León and also houses HCN. HCN originally started as a home for children who had unstable families. The government closed these homes and returned the children to their families. HCN restructured and continues to serve their 29 children and 11 families. The children come to HCN at 6am, eat breakfast, go to school, come back and eat lunch, and then have tutoring until 4pm.
2. Our time here however is mostly geared towards the parents. I can see God’s hand in us being the team chosen to be here. Our squad leaders pray about which team goes to which ministry, but they have limited information of each ministry. I totally had a “Praise you Jesus” moment the minute we met our contact, Marisol, and she told us what we were doing.
3. This past week we met all 11 families. During this time we conducted mini interviews about their jobs/businesses. The purpose was to gather information so that we can come up with business related workshops for these parents. Who’s conducting these? Well, my two wonderful teammates Megan and Kristin went to college to study business and were both working in the cooperate world before the Race. We will hold 2 workshops this week and 2 next week.
Wait there’s more!
4. Meet Jesús. Jesús is deaf and mute and has very limited knowledge of any sign language. Sarah knows American Sign Language. This woman is amazing! She has been working one on one with Jesús and will continue to do so until we leave. He is very smart. Sarah is doing awesome with learning the Spanish words and then teaching him the sign for them. The children here love music. Kelsey is teaching a group of boys how to play the guitar. She is also singing with them during their devotional times. Hannah and I are in charge of adult devotions which will happen at the end of each business workshop. I am also teaching English to the teachers who tutor here.
5. So back to my “apology”… At HCN there are 4 children who stay here 24/7. There are two very active brothers, Jesús and Frankling, who stay here. They love to play! So that’s what I’ve been doing whenever I can…I play outside with them. God has given me many opportunities to speak about my faith and The World Race. It has been wonderful. Because of my fluency in Spanish I have been able to have deep discussions about biblical concepts with many people who work here.
(Frankling)
Prayer Requests:
For all 55 of my squad mates, that we would continue to dig in deep the last 2 weeks in Nicaragua. Amazing things are happening, Y’all should check out their blogs:)
For my team, that we would have renewed strength every morning as we continue to minister to the parents and children in León. Please pray for our time together as a family. That we would continue to be bold and vulnerable with each other.
For myself, I am the translator for my team. So please pray for clarity of mind for the coming two weeks as we hold these devotionals and workshops.
With love,
Pow
