“Goodbye, Hello” is a blog series where I share brief highlights from my previous country while introducing you to my current country and ministry. Enjoy!
Goodbye Guatemala!
Our first month on the Race was incredible. It was the first time I’ve been out of the U.S. and it surprised me just how it was. I felt at home and comfortable fairly quickly.
My team worked at a Children’s Day Care Center with kids ranging from babies to 7 years old. Each of us were in our own classrooms & I was in the kindergarten class. With the little bit of Spanish I know I was able to help the kids with their assignments. I had a blast during recess and our masquerade balls/dance parties. After lunch, we would clean the cafeteria and wash the dishes so that the staff could rest during that time. I was exhausted after only a few hours, so I’m glad were able to do that for them! I found so much joy in working with the kids and serving the staff.
Spiritually, it was a great month, but challenging as well. Being that there was close to no privacy (our entire squad of 46 was together), I had to learn new ways of connection and hearing from God as much of it had to happen through journaling and silent prayers. Being a team leader was tough, much tougher than I expected, but through it all God revealed that this year I need to learn total dependence on Him & abiding in Him (more on what that means for me, later). I’m so excited to pursue these things with the Lord this year!
We also had first month debrief in Quiche, which was awesome! Debrief occurs a few times during the year and our leadership team meets with us for more teachings, team building, individual one-on-one meetings, and team meetings. It was such a great time to relax, process with our coaches and mentors, and re-focus. Next debrief happens after month 3 in Thailand!
For more about Guatemala, check out this photo blog!
Hello Nicaragua!
After a 27 hour bus ride, a night in an San Salvador, El Salvadoran hostel, and crossing two borders, we made it Nicaragua! We arrived last Wednesday night and are staying in “no man’s land.” This just means that our actually location is only known by the mile marker between the towns of Chinendega and Chichigalpa. It is so beautiful here and so green. Our ministry site is located about 20 miles from a really big active volcano, which is really coolJ We also have beautiful palm trees around us. I have seen the most amazing thunderstorms here along with the most beautiful sunsets. It’s rainy season, but MUCHO MUCHO CALOR (very very hot). I mean, we sit and we sweat. It’s kinda gross, but we’re all in it together, right? Additionally, we have a lot of “wonderful” critters with us this month. During our first two days us ladies killed two tarantulas, a gecko made it into my kindle case, one of the guys has seen a scorpion, and I may have jumped out of my seat and ran out of the dining hall while screaming bloody murder when we say a very large rat climbing a wall. So, yeah, we’re creating some great memories already:)
What Are We Doing This Month?
This month our squad is broken up in different parts of the country, but we are with team Whispered Revival.
The organization we are working with is Vision Nicaragua. They show the love of Jesus through two components: education and health. In education they support children in local villages by sponsoring their education. For only $10 a month children are able to attend school. Why is this so significant? This brings us to their health focus. Due to a lack of jobs, the men here work in the sugar cane plantations, which pays very little. Due to a pesticide that they use (apparently one that was created in the U.S. & banned there within two years of it being released in the 70’s), the men become really sick and have a life expectancy of about 5 years once they start working. So, VN offers sponsorships to the children of the “sick men” in hopes that they will have more vocational opportunities. Additionally, they also provide sponsorships to the widows of the sick men to help supplement the income lost when their husbands die. Oh, and did I mention that these men are usually in their mid-twenties when they die?
So, what are doing with VN? Well, their hope is to give us an overview of ministry in Nicaragua so we have been doing several things including:
- Spending a few hours a day in the village of Patel. We’ve primarily been building relationships with the children through playing some very intense games of stickball (baseball, but with a stick), kickball, and soccer. We are now starting to prepare a curriculum for a Vacation Bible School (VBS) that we hope to start with them next week.
- Leading a bible study for youth in a nearby village. I got to share my testimony Monday night, in Spanish. It was incredible and I fell in love with the group. We had so much fun and found out that they know how to Wobble, so yes, that happened. We are also learning a dance with them that we will perform next week at a bonfire for the youth.
- We spent an afternoon in the village of Ensyio going door to door and inviting people to an event we’re hosting at the end of the month. We also prayed with each family.
- This week we spent some time cleaning up the property where we’re staying.
- We’re also experiencing what church looks like here by attending two services on Sundays. The morning service in Nicaragua is usually teaching focused such as an in-depth Bible Study, while the evening is usually a preaching and worship service.
Top, L-R: Kristina cooling down from the heat with a wet cloth on her face; our teams at the beach enjoying our day off. Middle, L-R: A tarantula we found on the wall next to Kath’s bed; Me and a view of a volcano from our home; mural on the wall of Vision Nicaragua. Bottom, L-R: Pic of group riding to the village of Patel. This is the truck we take everywhere; Picture of the ladies dormitory.
As you can see, it’s been a busy month so far! Although we are doing a lot, I feel the most encouraged and fulfilled by the relationships we are building. Every day I have a moment where I step back and look around. I think to myself “this is my life right now. I can’t believe I get to do this. I get to just love people.” That is always followed by “wow. I am truly loved by God and don’t know how to thank those that helped me get here.” Needless to say, I am so grateful for your support and so are those we are getting to know. Te amo!
