#hccNicaragua Wednesday2

Wednesday2 Random Thoughts #hccNicaragua

I know it’s been a few days…but please know that ministry has continued, and it has been more and more of God being God, and so many instances of joining God in what he’s doing down here…tonight’s blog will be more of a “random thoughts” type…without maybe as much explanation, but trying to get them down so you can us about them later :) So here we go...

This second week has allowed many of us to deal/begin to deal with personal things that our open and raw hearts are able to accept from the Lord…

So many good conversations w/ different team members…the vulnerability of the people I’m able to call my brothers and sisters is humbling...

Monday I went to a certain ministry site…and to be honest I didn’t really do anything but take about a dozen pictures. Not because I wasn’t willing, but because everyone on that team was so efficient, and there wasn’t as much ministry to do that day…I spent most of the day wondering why God had sent me there…and in the late afternoon it hit me…I had been able to have a spur of the moment conversation with one our team members that I didn’t really know all that well…and we were able to encourage each other so much because our spiritual journeys have been very similar …that conversation will be one that I will never forget, and I’m looking forward to how God will use it in both of our lives in the future

Tuesday night we focused on how “rich” even the poorest of us are in the U.S….we also looked deeply at different types of poverty…and we discussed that so often, people without money and possessions are often the richest of us all...

I had dinner tonight with a 72 year old man…the oldest of 12 siblings…with 10 kids of his own…and the Lord blessed the 5 of us that were able to sit with him so much…he shared that we was the last of his siblings and his kids to receive the forgiving grace of Jesus Christ…he’s been a Christian for just 6 months! What a story…please stop and pray right now, even a short prayer, for Julio. That he would remain strong, and not give in to the many temptations that he has walked away from to follow Christ.

Really starting to miss my wife and son…A LOT…of course I’ve missed them dearly the entire trip, but I am now entering a period of being the longest I’ve ever been away from them. I’m so thankful that we’ve been able to have phone service at least a little bit...

I probably should have said this sooner, but Students International (S.I.) is absolutely top notch. The Lord is blessing their ministry greatly as they are very intentional in every facet of reaching the people here, (and in all of the other countries they are in). I can easily see partnering with them many times in the coming years. The holistic approach to reaching this people group is amazing to see in action...

haha, here’s random…..did you know that jumping into a very chlorinated pool every day for about 30 minutes is an excellent substitute for a shower? just sayin….

Don’t be surprised if you see many of our team members serving as interns with S.I. in the coming summers...

We are still all relatively healthy…nobody has come down with anything that has caused them to miss any ministry, so please pray for sustained health as we complete the work God has called us to do while we are here

Played Kickball with about 25 women yesterday…it was AWESOME! They take it VERY seriously…There was a lot of pressure put on me by my team, especially our “captain”…she had me kick 4th (“Clean-Up”) with the very clear look that I better come through! Fortunately, I made decent contact each time and ended up going 3-3 with a double, triple, and homerun. The game ended after 3 innings, in a 10-10 tie…whew! No international incidents! 

Discovered I still have a couple soccer skills…but only a couple...

Transparency moment: It’s been a long time since I’ve had 10 straight days of 45+ minute quite times (Devo’s)…what a sense of newness of my walk w/ Christ…and still 2 more mornings to have them! 

I honestly still don’t know why I get to do this type of thing for a living…I really feel so unworthy…it’s so humbling when I see people of faith, that have “so much less” with a faith that is so strong. The Nicaraguan people that have come to Christ, including the ones that now work for S.I. are so inspiring to me. And then they say “I don’t know why God has chosen me”…it’s overwhelming sometimes…Thank you Father that you’ve had grace on me to be a part of your plan…I’m sorry for when I’ve messed it up, and grateful for you never letting go of me...

I got to talk about beisbol (baseball) with a couple young men today…kind of an oddity here..as with most of the world, the ONLY sport really talked about, played, or watched is Futbol (soccer). 

I’m gonna be leaving a lot of what I brought with me here in Nicaragua (bed linens, clothes, etc) as are a lot of team members. 

Discovered a new word while playing sports on this trip..if the locals call you “Malo”…it means “Bad”…yeah, heard it a few times…lol

Noah Swartz’ new favorite game is being the Momma Koala…you’ll have to ask him about it...

Two more days on ministry sites, then a very early flight…as much as I want to get home, leaving this place will be VERY, VERY difficult…maybe the hardest of any mission trip I’ve ever been on…actually, I’ll take the “maybe” out of it…I love these people, this ministry, and everything about this trip and team that I get to do it with...

For those of you that have had specific prayers that “God would show my ___________ this or that”…believe me, I’m sure He has! 

That’s it for now..need to get to sleep…not sure if I’ll get off another blog or not...

God Rulz!

TN

#hccNicaragua Sat/Sun Update

Saturday/Sunday Combo Blog

Saturday morning was a time we’d all been looking forward to since about halfway through our planning for Nicaragua! We had been notified that we had two options during the day: 1) A Volcano hike that provided incredible views and scenery while looking into and exploring a live volcano..or…2) going Zip Lining though the jungle on a course with approximately 14 platforms between “zips” that were 100-500 yards long.

A couple of our team went on the volcano hike, while the majority (including myself) chose the zip line. What an incredible experience! During the course, I was able to fly “superman” style (I got video of my shadow, kind of looked like Peter Pan…think Robin William’s "pre-bang-a-rang” from Hook, lol!) and also hanging upside down, which was just awesome! We didn’t get to see any monkeys like we’d hoped, but the experience was a ton of fun. 

Saturday afternoon we spent at the “micro-finance fair”, where some of the ladies were selling their goods that they’d been working on all week at that ministry site. Necklaces, simple pottery, hammocks, and more, for incredible prices. after that we went to an outdoor market for more shopping/souvenir hunting, before eating a local (and trusted) restaurant. The food (chicken, beef, rice, salad, french fries) was terrific. Finally back to the base where we watched about a 40 minute video on the political history of Nicaragua. It was a great lesson that gave a much better of understanding the political and socio-economic climate of the Nicaraguan people. 

Some free time after that was enjoyed by some playing “Big Boss”, and a new game for many called “Signs”, which has become a group favorite. 

Today, Sunday, was yet another in a long line of new experiences for the majority of our team. We got to sleep in for a bit, before enjoying a great breakfast (the food here has been very good!) and then it was off to Church at Hosanna Masaya.

We were challenged by the SI Site Director (Seth) to have an open mind, and even to think about what Heaven might be like with people from many nations worshipping together. It was easy to do as we walked in and were greeted by many friendly faces. The auditorium we met in was probably about twice the size of Horizons (just using that for frame of reference) with many windows, a concrete floor, and folding chairs. There were probably about 400-500 people in the service, the 2nd of two held at the church. 

The music was fantastic, and I actually got quite emotional during the 3rd of five songs that were sung. I was able to understand most of the words as we sang about the name of Jesus, Jesus Christ! Following an extended worship set, there were many announcements, at least ten, and then offering. There was a special song sang while they took offering, and instead of passing the bag down the line, the ushers walked back and forth through each row collecting the gifts. I’d never experienced that before! 

We were also recognized at the service, where we briefly stood and were welcomed with clapping and affirmation.

Then the preacher was introduced (a former pastor at the church who is now based in Texas, but was back on vacation I think). He spoke for approximately 80-90 minutes about our need to seek God earnestly in prayer, and being ready to hear him when he knocks on the door of our heart to answer those prayers. He also gave an invitation, and approximately 25 people came forward to accept Christ! Pretty awesome experience to witnessed people giving their lives to Christ in another language, in another country!

After being hosted for lunch at the church, we went to the “Potter’s House”, which is a hi-lite I’m convinced your loved ones will remember and enjoy sharing their experience with you. We met a man who walked us through the imagery of God’s Word about Him being the potter and us the clay, as he showed us clay and pottery in various stages of creation. Likening it to the work God is doing with us. As He shapes us, molds us, removes the imperfections, to make us into who He wants us to be. At the end, we were able to buy some of his work. He’s a wonderful, humble, Christian man, and it was a pleasure to support him generously. 

After the Potter’s House, we were back to the base for Pizza, our first truly american meal since arriving! Then a free night as most of the group played “Signs” out in the Gazebo (where we shot our Welcome Video for Church, hope you enjoyed that!) until about 10:00pm. It was just a great weekend and we are excited to complete our journey here as we head into week 2 of our trip, back out to the ministry sites tomorrow, through Friday. 

Until next time, keep praying for health, patience, and our joy for being here to continue, we love this place!

God Rulz!

TN