Goodbye Granada

“How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep!” Psalm 92:5

As my time in Nicaragua comes to an end, this verse keeps popping up in my mind. A year ago I never would have pictured myself here but God gave me a good gift even in my rebellion towards Him. His thoughts are so deep; He alone knows my entire heart and He knew I needed this. I’ve been greatly humbled, filled up with wisdom, taught how to live in community, shown how to love out of an overflow of Christ’s love for us and so much more but still all I have to offer is “a broken and contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17). There’s still a lifetime ahead of learning and being sanctified but I can celebrate the Gospel daily. I can celebrate that there’s absolutely nothing I can do to earn His love. 

Today was our last day of ministry here in Nicaragua. I am sad but still so grateful and joyful for this experience. Yesterday, was some sad lasts. We had our last prayer walk through one of the neighborhoods we frequented during this trip. I have grown so fond of these families and people we have had the privilege to talk to and pray for. One of the things I prayed for a lot before this trip was for an ability to love genuinely out of an overflow of God’s love and not just out of obligation or to people please. It’s become different since praying that prayer and coming here. My love for others is becoming much more genuine. That is a good thing that only God can give, I’m simply not capable on my own. Even the tiniest bits of heart change I am seeing in myself are all accredited to the Holy Spirit and that is cause to celebrate. I will never forget the hugs, prayers, conversations and love I got to share with the people within this community. The people we prayed for just wanted to talk about how good the Lord was to anyone who would listen. They hung onto every bit of Scripture that came out of our mouths because many did not know how to read or didn’t have Bibles. They excitedly anticipated the next time they could fellowship with others about their good God. They ALWAYS had chairs ready for their guests and their doors wide open. Many not only welcomed us into their homes but gave us food and drink even if they didn’t have those things in excess. People from the streets could just walk in and join if they wanted to be encouraged by Scripture and prayer also. I wish in America we had more of this open-door policy mindset and that we were all a little more dependent on one another. True dependence on one another is not something to be ashamed of. We are created for relationship and to bear one another’s burdens, not to kill ourselves trying to fight every battle or provide every need on our own. After prayer walking, we came back to the farm for lunch. It’s so funny how quickly things start to feel like home. All the familiar faces here have become so dear to me. Little moments to chat with Alejandro about his new grand baby on the way or play pick up basketball with Nicasio and Isaac are simple activities but bring deeper relationships that I pray I never forget. Another sad last was our final microchurch on the farm. The community on the farm just depicts the body of Christ so well. People truly share each other’s burdens and are vulnerable with the whole group about their struggles and God’s goodness in their lives. It has been the most beautiful privilege to witness and participate in such raw fellowship. I love how when we slow down there’s is so much more potential for such deep and enriching conversations with those around us. Later that night, we met for the last time at Pastor Alvaro’s house church. Just a circle of chairs in a room with a speaker was my little glimpse into what Heaven will be like. People worshipping the Lord with all they had, so evidently desperate for His love and mercy. My teammate, Kylie, spoke on trusting in God’s timing which sparked many people in the group to share about their current trials. They laid before the group, with tears, their burdens and the group takes these burdens on, providing encouragement and help wherever they can. I want a community like this that is just so raw. 

The next day, we had our last visit feeding and sharing with the people at the Dump. My teammates and I each got to share how grateful we were to be invited into their community and how we were so deeply impacted by their continued dependence and joy in the Lord. They in turn told us the impact we had made and thanked us for serving and sharing God’s word with them. I felt so humbled in that moment that God could really use even just my presence to bring others closer to Him. I’m so undeserving. That community became dear to me fast and I continue to pray they will find their peace and hope in Jesus.

Last day at the Dump

After this, we had our final trip to the hospital. It was a sweet time. It’s still so crazy to me to be in a country where people not only allow strangers to pray over their family and friends but seek us out to pray for them. The faith and profound peace of many of the parents and patients in the midst of such trials is such a testimony to the Lord’s presence. They know God’s character and that’s where their peace lies. One thing me and my team have decided we will miss the most is truck rides to and from the farm. Sitting in the bed of the truck singing with our translator Gustavo while hearing “Hello Gringa!” from the street is something I will miss terribly. 

Our last truck ride 🙁

Our final truck ride, my leader Victoria mentioned she wanted bananas and our friend Saul jumped out of the back of the truck and ran to get bananas from a stand down the street. Saul has impacted me in so many ways this trip. He is a dear friend. I admire Saul, his testimony is truly like the testimony of Paul in the Bible. Saul used to hurt people but now he loves harder than anyone I have ever met. What else could cause such a drastic change? Hearing the testimonies of other workers on the farm also is such a clear indication that God is truly turning lives around here. 

This is us at Saul’s house for a goodbye lunch with his family.

Our final night of ministry was hosting a Renew Night for the women who work so tirelessly on this farm. Getting to meet this community of women has been the most special privilege. Their lives have been far from easy but they love each other and us so well and serve with such joy. Renew night was a night where we physically walked the women through the traditional Jewish wedding customs that actually reflect how we are the bride of Christ and how He is our first love. In Jewish culture, the groom leaves his father’s house to go to the brides home where the father of the groom offers a bridal payment for how much he thinks the bride is worth. Jesus left heaven to come down to our home on earth. God the Father’s bridal payment to us was the death of His own Son. That’s how much He thought we were worth. If the bride accepts, she then wears a veil for 1-2 years waiting for the return of her groom. The veil shows that this woman is set apart or in the process of being sanctified exclusively for her bridegroom. In this waiting period, the groom is preparing a room for his bride in his father’s house. We are currently in the waiting period. We are set apart and being sanctified daily, hopefully anticipating the arrival of our Savior while Jesus is preparing a house for us in His Father’s home. Jesus says this in John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” In Jewish culture, the bride does not know when the groom will return so she must always be ready. When he does return, there is a 7-day long celebration. We will also celebrate Jesus return jubilantly. As we walked the women through this whole process they also wore veils and we had the privilege to anoint their heads with oil and pray over them. I got to pray over multiple women and it was so special. Many of them have endured a lot of trauma and to see them so overwhelmed by the fact that their true first love still pours out His love on them and will eventually return and redeem their broken hearts was so special. The whole night changed my heart also. We are in the waiting period but a celebration is coming!

I know that was all over the place but I am just so grateful to the Lord. He gave me this good gift even in my rebellion towards Him. He is a good and powerful Father. I am excited to see His plans for this team in Costa Rica, keep us in your prayers.

Thank you!

• <3 Sylvie