REAP

For this post I wanted to highlight the ministry and the AMAZING things God is doing in Nicaragua through REAP. 

 

REAP (Restore, Educate, Activate, Perpetuate)

 

1. Prayer walks  

Volunteers walk around the neighborhoods in Granada with a local and a translator. REAP hires these jobs on a daily basis. The people of Granada welcome the ministry into their homes and share their testimonies and prayer requests. The ministry shares Bible verses that God puts on their hearts in relation to the home owner’s testimony and prayer requests and they all pray together. They pray for healing, blessings, and a deeper relationship with God.  At the end of the visit the local invites the home owners to the nearest microchurch which is often held at their house. The ministry continues to visit each house throughout the year to encourage and support the people in their kingdom journey. 

                                  

2. Jail Ministry

This one is broken into two prats. The volunteers split into 2 groups depending on the jail population women and men may be split up. One goes into the jail and preaches a sermon including worship. The second stays outside and speaks to to a smaller group of people in an outside communal cell. The ministry visits the jail and brings a message of grace and hope. They share the Word with the people in jail and share testimonies of what God has done for them and God’s offer to the people in jail. If someone has a musical talent they may play a musical instrument and lead in worship. 

 

3. Micro Churches

These are held in locals’ houses. They invite the neighborhood to participate in weekly Bible study. This community is strong and the locals visit the church members’ houses to check on them if they miss several weeks or they know they are struggling with something. 

 

4. Saturday Night Church with Communion 

On Saturday nights the community is invited to the REAP farm. They participate in worship and then a sermon is preached including breakouts into small groups to delve into discussion questions. After the discussion questions communion is held. The people are so lit up that REAP provides complimentary coffee for them to enjoy until they are ready to go home.

 

5. Sunday School

After Saturday night worship, the children are invited to separate for Sunday School. The Sunday school curriculum is in the process of being developed. Currently, the children rotate through several activities in age groups. These activities often include a Bible study, craft, and game. After these activities are complete, the children enjoy a snack and possibly a Veggietales episode.

6. Addy’s Feeding Program 

REAP volunteers may have the opportunity to partner with Addy’s feeding program. Addy opens up her doors 5 days a week and offers a free lunch for local children. They are expected to bring their own dishes and everything else is provided. She also holds backyard Bible clubs throughout the year. 

 

7. Hospital visits

REAP volunteers put on green shirts and go to the hospital. While at the hospital, they walk around the waiting room and into rooms to pray for healing for patients and their families. 

 

8. Farm

REAP has a 70-acre farm with the following trees:  lime, grapefruit, mandarin, papaya, mango, plantain, avocado, oranges, guayaba, tamarindo, and maringa. Volunteers water the trees and the staff is currently looking for someone with agriculture experience to assist with cultivation. 

 

9. Women’s Bible Study for staff

The women who work at REAP have a tri-weekly after lunch Bible study taught by either a volunteer or staff member. 

 

10. Men’s Bible Study for farm workers

The farm workers have a bi-weekly Bible study after lunch taught by either a volunteer or staff member. 

 

11. Sunday Soccer

Local leagues are invited to play soccer and baseball in REAP’s sports fields. Before each sports game a 5-10 minute devotional is presented. 

 

12. Baptisms

New and old believers in Christ are encouraged to express their commitment to Christ through a public baptism in a gorgeous stone baptismal. 

 

13. Dump ministry

Locals and volunteers feed dump workers a meal while providing prayer and listening to their testimonies. 

 

14. Jobs

REAP hires local christian translators to travel alongside teams of volunteers during prayer walks, hospital visits, jail ministry, and dump ministry. REAP hires a night guard to protect the property, kitchen staff, farmers, and a woman who does laundry. REAP also buys pupusas and tamales from local women and provides steady business for several trusted taxi drivers.

15. Friendly dogs

The 7 and counting dogs not only guard the farm at night but they are very friendly and cuddle with visitors to the farm. 

 

16. Children Welcome

The children of staff and local children are welcome to play at the farm during the day. They jump on trucks as REAP drivers drive through the neighborhoods without a care in the world. Parents can know that their children are safe at REAP. 

 

17. Vendors

REAP invites local vendors to sell their products on campus when there are new teams so that they can encourage cultivation of local businesses and provide a safe and friendly shopping environment for their volunteers. 

Coming Soon 

18. Community Center

REAP is currently working on building a community center in a local neighborhood where they will hold Bible studies and community events. 

19. Maringa project

REAP is looking into ways to use maringa powder from the maringa trees to create natural products (ex: soap, lotion, energy supplements). The maringa is a superfood and is great for the body.

 

I could see myself coming back and volunteering after the World Race. Please pray for REAP and all that God is using them to do for the people of Nicaragua.