Nicaragua 2017

I recently went on my second mission trip to Nicaragua with a wonderful group of people from NorthStar Church. I knew I was going to help and to bless others but I was so blessed by the people on our team, Eric and Melissa Weber, their staff including the awesome interpreters and amazing cooks, and the people of Salinas Grandes.

We worked with local pastors and we went out in teams to do home visits. What should have been my least favorite thing to do (home visits) turned out to be my favorite thing to do. I really enjoyed meeting the families we visited and coming alongside the pastors and their wives in helping them reach their communities. The people in Salinas Grandes have so little and when they pulled out their cheap plastic chairs for us to sit in, they made us feel so welcome. They listened intently to what we had to say and shared their stories with us as we shared our stories with them. We were bold in asking the question, “If you died today would you go to heaven.” And they were bold in answering truthfully and saying “No.” Unlike most people in the states who believe all people go to heaven, they knew they were sinful and that they deserve hell as punishment for their sins. We asked them if they had a Bible and most of them did. What a joy it was to share with them what the Bible says and to hear them read scripture. God allowed me to share my testimony, to share how God has changed my life, and to lead a few people in the salvation prayer as they put their faith and trust in Jesus by accepting the free gift of salvation. Sometimes we left a home giving a family faith and hope but sadly, sometimes we left a home feeling sad for people as they rejected Jesus and they knew without Him they had no hope. The people in Nicaragua take the decision to follow Jesus very serious. They know it’s a life changing decision and they don’t take it lightly. 

This was one of the first families we visited and the spirit moved me so much that I couldn't sit still and I didn't give anyone else on our team much of a chance to talk. (Sorry team! I got a little passionate about what I was saying.) It was a great visit and I was so surprised when the dad cried and accepted Christ that I totally forgot how to pray. That's why we have an interpreter! LOL  It was a great moment! The mother was already a Christian and the father told us that he drinks a lot. I know this family has been forever changed because God allowed us to go and share Jesus with them. That's pretty cool!

This young woman told us that she gets goosebumps in church. It was so cool to share with her that goosebumps are a good thing. I loved praying with her and seeing her sweet smile after she accepted Jesus. 

This beautiful woman knows Jesus and she was such a blessing to me. Her sweet face just lit up when I told her how pretty her nail polish was. She is unable to walk and her daughter, who doesn't know Jesus, takes care of her. We asked the daughter to read the Bible to her mother and she promised she would. I know we planted a seed in her daughter's heart and I know God is working. It's just a matter of time until the daughter becomes a Christian like her mother. 

I just have to say one thing about this picture -- I don't even like kids! Ha, ha! Such a cutie and I put him down just in time before he peed his pants. No diapers on that boy! :) 

A group of us rode several hours to visit a prison where we had the opportunity to share the good news of Christ. We took sandwiches to both the men and the women and we spent time with the women sharing Jesus through hugs and smiles. My heart broke for one young mother who had just spent her first night in jail and didn't know where her kids were. It was so sad but I know God had us there for a reason to encourage her and to share Jesus with her. Our pastor visited the men and told us how these men live in inhuman conditions packed into a jail cell. Several men found forgiveness through Jesus Christ that day as our pastor preached, as the men prayed, and as our interpreter played his guitar and led the men in worship.

God invited me to Salinas Grandes, Nicaragua to join Him in what He is doing there. We had a great week! It wasn’t easy but seeing God work was pretty awesome! When I left Nicaragua last year I had no intention of ever going back. I really didn't want to go this year but I knew if I didn't go, I would be saying to No to God. I am so glad I accepted His invitation to go. God is faithful and my life will never be the same. 

Matthew 25:35-40