Today is our last official day in Nicaragua..
and I just had to say goodbye to all of the little nina’s y nino’s. God give me peace, cause I need it right about now.
Coming here felt like literally just a few days ago, but we have been here for 32 days and that is just absolutely mind-boggling. I will never be able to forget this experience of love and kindness the people of CICRIN has given us. The children have touched my heart in a way I have never experienced which cannot be put into words, and having to say Adios, is the hardest thing I have had to do.
I came here saying I had no expectations, however that isn’t the reality.
Going on a long-term missions trip, you are going to assume things. You will assume that every single moment of the trip will touch you, every single second is spent doing something productive, and your heart is going to be solely set on changing lives. But the reality is.. is there might be days were you don’t do anything and possibly feel useless. There might be days were you struggle to see your purpose and you get sick or had been attacked with a million and one mosquito bites (and think that you may die from itching so much). There may be days were you are struggling to connect with your teammates and wonder how you are going to be able to spend the next three months together and SURVIVE. There might be days were you miss home, and even wish you were home. The reality is doing missions isn’t easy. You’re going to be uncomfortable, you’re going to see things that break your heart. And if we are being completely vulnerable and honest here, you might even catch you’re questioning if you should even be here.
But I can tell you this for sure.
It is all worth it.
I know this now.
If you asked me the first week of arriving if I knew I was supposed to be here, I would’ve said, “I knew God sent me, but I don’t know why.” And that alone, was such a hard issue I had to conquer. So I prayed. And prayed. And prayed. He reminded me, that even from the very first day of me signing up, I told Him, I trusted Him. So why would I stop now?
He showed me that I had a passion for photography for a reason, and he was going to use that. It absolutely blew my mind that he would use me like that. (Click here if you’d like to read the blog all about this moment https://ryleeprenatt.theworldrace.org/post/he-answers-prayers)
I’ve learned that if this trip was easy, I wouldn’t be growing. I wouldn’t be able to do the work He has placed in my hands.
Some days are going to be hard. Unexpectedly hard. But there are most defiantly going to be days were you change lives and it will change your own. Therewill be days were you will see your purpose and the million and one mosquito bites will heal. There’ll be days were you are so connected with your teammates, and play card games for hours on end, and am so so grateful they are your squad. And I promise, for a fact, that you will find home wherever you are.
SO! On a fun note, here is a list of
Fifteen Things I Have Learned In Nicaragua.
- I can fix the toilet with a safety pin
- You don’t need what you think you’ll need, and then some.
- Always say “yes” to any opportunity that you find yourself in.
- You have a purpose wherever God takes you. Be patient. He will show you when you’re ready.
- The sunsets on Ometepe Island are the most beautiful sunsets you will ever see. (And happen every single night.) *See photo below*
- Jesus really does miracles.
- Children are a beautiful gift from God.
- Having a deck of cards on the Race is essential.
- You can learn something from every single situation.
- $35 Hydro Flasks are a scam.
- Leg hair grows faster then head hair.
- Josh (our fearless leader) is the best leader in Ometepe Island (jk Josh, it’s the whole world)
- Hammock chairs are honestly essential and you don’t actually need real chairs.
- Nicaraguan snacks are superior.
- I really enjoy Solitaire.
Nicaragua will always have a special place in my heart, and I am so happy that God gave me the opportunity to serve in this wonderful place. Now, in under 15 hours we leave for Costa Rica, where I am so excited to watch God show up.
