When Talia Barnes was on the World Race in 2007-2008, her squad partnered with the Nicaraguan Christian Children’s Center, or CICRIN. Located in Ometepe Island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, CICRIN cares for twenty to thirty children at a time. Hellen Vindas, originally from Costa Rica, has been serving as CICRIN’s director for twenty years, overseeing the care of these children and the daily operations of the orphanage.
That wasn’t the only time CICRIN and AIM have crossed paths. Since then, at least one subsequent World Race squad, e.g. the October 2008 Squad, has partnered with CICRIN. In fact, ministry with CICRIN impacted Aaron Darlington so much so that almost a year after his World Race concluded, he returned, with his new wife, to continue building on what God had first started:
But it isn’t just the location that draws me back. I remember the kids writing me messages six months after I left, explaining that no other missionary had ever impacted them the way I had. I believe God gifted me with their friendship and trust for a reason, and I intend to use every influence He’s given me in order to bring glory to His name. Monica and I both know the kids, and I believe we are in a great position to make an impact. We hope to travel to the orphanage at the end of this month to continue working there with a special focus on discipleship.
. . .We’re struggling to find our place, as the other groups have already planned out several “felt needs” types of projects.
The children are also on vacation this week, so we won’t be able to help out in the classroom. The type of ministry available to us is the common everyday ministry. We’ll be working in the garden that provides fruit and vegetables for the kitchen, helping cook and clean in the kitchen, and babysitting smaller children for the director. A few of the girls are struggling with this type of ministry for several reasons.One, it’s not as glamorous as building a house or road. Two, it’s more draining. After eight hours of working in a kitchen, you’re going to be exhausted. Three, the children here aren’t the typical “orphans in distress.” They’re healthy, well taken care of, and happy. Helen, the director, does an amazing job. It happens to every missionary. Our ideas of ministry are being challenged. Instead of saving the world, we’re pulling weeds. Instead of healing, we’re chopping carrots. So pray for us as God teaches what it means to do simple jobs in his name.
Whether we meet felt needs or do simple jobs, it’s a blessing when AIM can build solid, lasting ministry relationships. These kinds of partnerships mirror our heart for discipleship, which is a process that will feel rather ordinary at times. We steward the privilege of being faithful with little – like kitchen duty and weeding – over a long period of time.
