We have been in Nicaragua now for just over a week staying at the REAP ministry in Granada. This has quickly become the best and hardest time of my life. This ministry is something truly special. I treasure these moments and people in my heart.
Scott and his wife Jennifer, along with their daughter Journey, are the heart behind REAP. They have challenged us in many ways, the first being completely changing our perspective on why we are here. I’ve been humbled in learning that they simply don’t need us or our help here. They have been here about 10 years and have a beautifully functioning system involving so much of the surrounding community in Granada. Scott encouraged us to use this time to seriously lean into time with the Lord like never before so that we will be prepared for our long-term mission back home in America. We wake up every morning for 5 am prayer and in all this intimate time with the Lord, I have struggled but had some victory. For awhile here I rode the spiritual/emotional high from training camp but then my faith got real and it got tested. It was a hard lesson to learn (and one I’m still working on) that we dont always feel God’s love but we KNOW it. 1 John 3:16 says, “ By this we KNOW love, that He laid down His life for us…” I am learning to trust in who He is, instead of what He can do for me. I know this seems basic but I think with all the distractions I’ve had deterring me from God before that now I am beginning to see Him rightly. I choose to trust Him even when I don’t feel that emotional high or have unanswered prayers or see suffering. Every doubt I’ve had on this trip has been combatted by special, precious little encouraging moments with the people around me.
I thought I was coming here to minister to people but I have been taught and poured into so much this first week of ministry. One thing I’ve seen and will take with me forever is the focus on family and community here in Nicaragua. As we prayer walk in the neighborhoods, people gladly welcome us strangers into their homes to chat and pray. They don’t have a lot but they always have extra chairs for guests to sit in. At the micro churches we attend and speak at, I see the best example of the Body of Christ that I’ve ever seen. People confessing their sins to the group, asking for forgiveness from friends and family in front of the congregation, surrounding and comforting those in pain and rejoicing with those in triumph. It’s beautiful and raw. My favorite form of ministry so far has been manual labor on the farm. Marvin, Saul, Nic, Gustavo have been such great examples to me. They work hard and encourage us to do the same but always make time for rest and conversation. In these resting moments, I’ve gotten to hear all of their testimonies and it’s pretty obvious God is moving in Nicaragua. These men not only work on the farm, but often join us to go minister to the community. We go to hospitals, VBS programs, people’s homes and other touchpoints. It has been a joyful but simultaneously sobering experience. One of our ministry points is The Dump. This was hard. It’s streets and a large mountain of trash where the most impoverished people live among the garbage. REAP weekly provides these people with meals and a message of encouragement. We helped with this and got to walk through and visit the families in the dump and despite their humble situation, they had more hope than I usually have. Many praised the Lord and I can’t say I could’ve done the same in their position. I’ve been humbled and taught a lot already and Im still so grateful to the Lord for this experience. Another sobering moment has been with the children at VBS. They are so incredibly mature. I watched as multiple 9-year olds took such good care of infants while other kids played. I met a 6-year old driving a cart and horse by himself across town to bring cans to the recycling plant for money. I admire these families and their strength.
There’s so much more I want to say but some things I will keep just in my heart. The people, this place are truly special.
Thank you for listening, I wish I could show y’all everything but I will try to relay the important bits.
