Hi friends,
If you are following this blog, you probably just want to know how I am doing and what I have been up to since I touched ground in Nicaragua on February 10, 2022. As I sat down to try to write a blog, this is what came out. No rhyme, reason or theme, just real life.
So, here’s my update on life and ministry in Nicaragua. Enjoy 
There is a harvest.
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”
Matthew 9:37
Just let it happen. So take me back. Back to the beginning. When I was young, running through the fields with You, so take me back. Back to the beginning. – “Let it Happen” United Pursuit??
I felt the Lord speak to me this verse within the first week here. Also, the Lord reminded me of this song, confirming where I am in this current season of life. It’s also applicable physically and spiritually.
Where and what is the harvest? I live on a farm here with a team of 4 other Americans and a few Nicaraguans. We have LOTS of vegetation and not a lot of workers. We pay and disciple the locals here as the Lord provides the funds. The harvest is also the people in the communities we serve is abundant and the Nicaraguan leaders on our team is few. (but growing).
I feel that the Lord has brought me here to serve this ministry and their team as one of the workers. And work could look very different from a day to day basis. From facilitating short term teams, to growing in my leadership in ministry and learning what it looks like to disciple others in the Word, assisting my team in daily activities, etc.
This season of my life, God brought me to Nicaragua. To a ministry I’ve had the pleasure to partner with for some time and watch God work through the prayers and obedience of few.
Currently, the ministry of REAP Granada has 4 main priorities: Prayer, fasting, micro churches (ex. house churches) and discipleship.
Feeding our community here (spiritually and physically) is important. Because come on, who can’t say they haven’t bonded with someone over a good meal?
Within the first few weeks at REAP Granada, I was immediately encouraged to really sit in my identity as a Daughter. Wasn’t really sure how that looked like and doing ministry. But after reading “Slavery to Sonship” by Jack Frost and several days, hours and even a 3 day fast, I know there is so much more than serving.
It’s about BEING.
If we don’t know who we are in Christ, our ministry will be ineffective. We can’t give away what we don’t have.
In the beginning of my time transitioning into my full time role and what that looks like working cross culturally, I am currently going between two specific books on ministering cross-culturally in preparation of being a cross cultural worker and one just about purpose and what that looks like.
“Thriving in Cross Cultural Ministry” by Carissa Alma and “The Cross-Cultural Worker’s Spiritual Survival Guide” by Don Mingo. I have also been reviewing my notes from my cross-cultural course (CIT) from August. A third book that was given to me that I’ve also been reading is “Live life on Purpose” by Claude Hickman. A very encouraging read to find and live in your purpose.
I am finding living and doing ministry full time overseas is a lot different than what I originally thought. Of course it would be different, but the waves of emotions and adjustments one has to adapt is different, so when the Gospel interrupts your life and calls you overseas to do ministry, there is a lot of adjustment. I am adjusting to life here and what it looks like to do full time ministry. Something I have not committed to before as a full time job/profession.
So in the beginning of my time here, I’m spending more intentional time with Lord and observe the ministry before I go 100%. I am observing A LOT and helping out wherever and whenever I can. But also being patient in the progress.
I am also coming out of a season of ‘almost’ burnout so healing from the stress of overworking and striving; and finding and learning a healthy work and life balance looks like. It’s like learning how to swim, you have to toe the water before jumping right in. It’s a process; and I am in that process and season of learning how to BE before I DO anything. The doing will flow out of my being.
I also feel that the Lord wants me to level up in my relationship with Him. I believe He wants to continue to teach and show me new things in His Kingdom and new skills to acquire.
One of my mentors here, Jenn Esposito, encouraged me with three words that has helped her from her time on the field: “Serve. Love. Listen.”
We serve God so He will see HIS results, not so we can see ours.
We can experience God’s Kingdom now while giving Christ complete control of our lives. Laying down my “American dream” (marriage, kids, growing old together, the 3.5 house) for God’s Kingdom plan for me. Not sure entirely why Nicaragua and why not America, but I had to come and find out for myself. Everyday I live with open hands for what the Lord has in store for me to learn.
“You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.” Mark 14:7
“Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:9
Thanks for reading and enjoy some photos from the first 2 months of my life in Nicaragua. Such a beautiful place here ?
Things I love:
board game – Ticket to ride
book – Who I Am in Christ – Neil Anderson
song – Resurrender – Hillsong Worship
Prayer Requests:
Confidence in my spanish skills. The accent and speed is different.
Cultural adjustment. Learning different personalities in a different language can be tricky.
Continuing to walk in the path the Lord has for me here.
Hiked Volcan Mombacho with one of the short term teams.
We have about 14 dogs in total (including 5 puppies). They are all trained farm dogs that help look over the crops and protect our land 🙂
Some things never change….my girl Sadie. Not like my boy Larkin, but she will have to do.
Look Radiant friends, the Laguna added a slide! We take teams here for a little rest & rejuvenation after a long week of serving in the hot sun 🙂 It’s always fun to explore another country as well 🙂
Every time I came here, I would leave clothes or shoes I no longer need, and it was funny/nice to find one of my world race shirts 🙂
If you have any questions, please reach out. Would love to answer them and maybe help encourage you along the way!
Dios te Bendiga!?
Love you, girlie! Will pray for you!