So much has happened since I was dropped off at the airport for training camp in Georgia. So much has changed within me and in my life since that day. Saying goodbye to my family and friends was much more difficult than I had imagined it would be. As I hugged my dad goodbye and shed a few tears I knew that God was watching over me and giving me the strength to begin this new adventure. I didn’t know what the future held in store for me. I hadn’t even met the people I was going to be stuck with for the next three months of my life. I wasn’t familiar with my surroundings. However, I knew that there was no turning back.
Training Camp was the beginning of my adventure with The World Race. Strange foods, sleeping in a room filled with girls and luggage, and bucket showers were not on the agenda I had planned in my mind. The first night at training camp we had worship which was incredible and exactly what I needed to fill me with courage and strength. As I walked to the showers later that night I was prepared to relax and have my one on one time with the Lord; however, upon arrival I realized that the showers looked as if they had been made for a horror movie. I was with one other girl in the middle of the woods, down a dirt path, at the entrance of a wooden shed where stalls had a shower curtain and a bucket — no lights, no showerhead, no warm water, just a bucket and a hose. I thought to myself “What did I get myself into this time?” I scooped up that cold water and poured it over my head and tried not to scream! After the first few showers I learned to enjoy them and I felt that the Lord was preparing me to step out of my comfort zone and live among the impoverished. He made it clear to me in training camp that in order to serve the people of Central America I had to humble myself, I had to realize that I am not above them but I am equal to them, and I was not called to live comfortably while those around me are suffering and in need.
Departure was scary but by the time training camp was completed I felt ready to go and serve. The day we left there was a hurricane in Florida just north of where we needed to land. Luckily, we landed and made it to Nicargua safely and said our goodbyes to Team 1. Then we went outside to meet our host Osman and William. Stepping outside of the airport and looking at my surroundings everything seemed so different. The first thing I noticed was a stray cat sitting on the edge of a trash can, I could see every bone in its body. A lizard sat on the power line just above the van we were loading into. It was humid and very hot, but that didn’t hinder Osman and William from hauling all eleven of our fifty pound bags onto the roof of the van and strapping them down in just a matter of minutes. I don’t recall much of what happened the rest of that night as I was so exhausted from the events earlier in the day.
The first week of serving in Palacaguina I taught at the local Christian school. Everyday we switched classrooms and helped out in whatever ways they needed. Most days I taught English to the kids, sang songs with hand motions, colored pictures with them, washed dishes at lunchtime, and played several games at recess. Every morning I looked forward to seeing the kids and just being with them, holding their hands, giving them hugs, and learning about their lives. As that week came to a close I was sad to say goodbye knowing that I would never be able to watch them grow up or check on how they were doing in the future. To me they weren’t just my students they were my kids, my children, and they each hold a piece of my heart where they will never be forgotten. Several tears were shed as I said goodbye to my kids…I held onto hope that I would be able to see them at Sunday service and in town throughout the rest of the month.
The next two weeks I worked on a construction project at a church just down the road from where we were staying. Pastor David and his son Edwin helped us at the construction site every morning wearing long pants and a long sleeve shirt in 80-90 degree heat (I still think they’re crazy for wearing that in such humidity and heat). Little did I know that I had volunteered to break up stone with a pickaxe and a stake to build a foundation for the church basement on a mountain. Within three weeks of working for four hours each morning we managed to finish our project with a week left to spare. While working at this site we met a little girl names Genesis (Hen-a-see) and her family. She is the cutest little girl I have ever met! Gensis would come over and play with us, dance with us, and provide a smile to all of us when we were getting tired or frustrated.
We finished our construction project this past weekend — a bittersweet ending to an incredible month. Through the pain and the blisters I Iearned to love working and building with my hands. For me it was more than just work and ministry it was also an outlet to let out the emotions I had built up within myself. All of the fear, sadness, and frustration I had festered within the past few weeks was all let out at the construction site. Smashing rocks, shoveling, and hauling dirt and stones proved to be quite therapeautic afterall. It was time to move on to the next mission and we were ready for something new.
For three days we walked around villages and gathered together at the local churches to collect information for over 45 kids who need sponsors. While one person collected the information, and another took the pictures, a group would gather around the child and their family to pray for them. It may have been one of the most powerful forms of worship I have ever participated in! On the last day of this mission a woman with a hurt foot came to us and asked for prayers; we prayed over her foot and she was able to move it and she walked away feeling significantly better. God is so good!
Due to the lack of rain many families are out of work and have had a difficult time providing for their family. Many women have had to travel to Esteli by bus to sell fruit and foods in order to provide meals for their own families. If they have a bad day of selling they will go without eating. Everyday they wake up unaware if they will have food to eat or to feed their children.Trusting God to provide is the only hope they hold onto. Some of the children are raised by their aunts and uncles while they’re parents move to find work. A couple of children’s parents moved to Spain just to find a job because it is so hard to find work here. As heartbreaking as it is these children are so filled with the joy and love of God! I ask that you pray that these children may receive sponsors quickly so that they may continue their education and can be supported in whatever ways they need. If you would like more information the link to the website will be at the bottom of this blog post!
Throughout this month my team and I would prepare bible studies and English classes for the villagers. We spoke about the importance of trust and forgiveness and related those topics to bible stories. We taught the students about emotions and how to communicate their feelings in English. We saw one student almost everyday at the construction site and we would ask him “how are you?” and he would respond with either “I am happy/sad/mad/or excited!” So cute!! It has been such an honor teaching these children about God and about the English language. I am so thrilled to have been given this opportunity to come here and help in whatever ways possible.
My time here in Nicaragua is coming to a rapid end and farewells have not been easy. The relationships and memories made in this country will forever be in my heart and mind. Several tears have been shed and much laughter has been shared throughout this month. As sad as I am to leave I look forward to making new memories and building new relationships in Costa Rica this coming month! As I reflect on my time here I think it is fitting to share what I have learned.
What I Have Learned
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Joy isn’t found in materialistic things, true joy is found in encountering God.
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Cold showers are surprisingly not that bad, especially after being in the heat all day.
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Everyday is a blessing! One day cannot be compared to another because each day is significant in some way.
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Not all chickens are mean…just roosters.
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Don’t use laundry detergent as dish soap (Ashleigh lol) it has a bad affect on the body — OOPS!
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Always walk with the Lord and He will guide you in the right direction..just walk around the cow poop please.
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That saying about “All I need is Jesus and Coffee” is absolutely true! The coffee here is incredible!!
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Fasting from social media is actually so amazing, I’ve come to learn how to live in the moment and treasure each second.
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Not all scorpions are poisonous they’re just scary.
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Check the shower for cockroaches and taranatulas before you enter..if you hear someone scream in the bathroom it’s probably because someone didn’t check for bugs or the water is just cold.
Please stay tuned for another blog post about my adventures here in Nicaragua!!
