Wow. I cannot put into words how much I loved this month. Nicaragua was amazing on every level. Spiritually, my relationship with the Lord grew the most thus far on the race. Physically, I actually started taking better care of my body. Mentally and emotionally, I was the happiest I’ve been in months. Don’t get my wrong, Asia was good, I was just ready to leave and Nica was exactly what I needed to get a reboot for the rest of the race.
One of the many reasons why I loved it so much was because of the joy the Lord gave me. Our ministry this month was manual labor and maintenance on the YWAM base in Diriamba. I knew I enjoyed this kind of work, but I was thriving. Jesus gave me a joy I didn’t know I had. One of my teammates said it is like He was “wooing” and “surprising” me this month and I fully agree with that.
Jesus was also teaching and showing me more of the authority we, as believers, have in Him. I don’t know why it has taken me this long, but now that I know it, I don’t want to hold back. He’s awesome and everyone should know Him because He loves and cares for us more than we can even comprehend! I love how Paul writes about God’s love, grace, mercy and really just all the things in Ephesians. For example, in Ephesians 2:4-5 he says, “But God being RICH in MERCY, because of the GREAT LOVE with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—. “ It is through Christ that we are saved and knowing my authority, why would I hold back and not tell people about Him? Yes, I am sometimes still intimidated, but not like I used to be, and I’m not going to let fear or intimidation get in my way anymore.
Something else I found to really love about this month was worship. On Wednesday mornings we got to worship with the YWAM staff and students and it was beautiful. The Holy Spirit was alive in that room and even though I couldn’t understand or sing most of the words (it was all in Spanish,) I somehow knew what they were saying. We were all worshipping together, to the same creator and the mix of languages was part of what made it beautiful. It was also so beautiful to see the body of Christ. You see we as believers, no matter where you are, make up the body. I knew that before, but getting to see the body of Christ in Nicaragua and all over the world in different faces, languages and cultures is really what made worship so spectacular.
Last but certainly not least, I loved Nicaragua because my parents got to come and experience a little of what my life on the race is like. When the parents came, we served in Granada with REAP Ministries. Like I said earlier, the Lord was teaching me about spiritual authority this month and He showed it to me through both of my parents, especially my mom. One day for ministry we went on a prayer walk in El Pantenel, where REAP has been building relationships. We went door to door and asked people how we could pray for them. Both my parents have a faith I admire so much and it was beautiful to watch them on our prayer walk. We went to about 5-6 homes to pray for people but the one that sticks out the most for me was our third home. Sarah, Sarah’s mom, my mom and dad, the translators and myself went in and sat on the porch of a home that belonged to Janis (han-is). As we were talking, she asked us to pray for her husband and for healing/pain to go away in her right shoulder and left lung. She then invited us inside so she could show us pictures of her family as well as her business. Before we left my mom prayed for Janis. She prayed for her husband and she prayed for healing. Just before we left, Janis told us she wasn’t in pain anymore. She also told us we were an answer to her prayers that morning. She prayed the Lord would send someone to stop, talk and pray with her. We were the ones who got to do just that. Watching my mom pray with that authority and a love for Janis, which could only come from God, was amazing. So, mom, dad, thank you for coming to PVT and to a country I love so much. Not only did I love seeing you in person but also the Lord was teaching me through you both and that is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
As I said before, Nicaragua is a place I love dearly and in my video you’ll hear a little bit more but mainly see some highlights from the month!
Thank you for reading and for watching. Enjoy!
