“Cristo No Esta Muerto; El Esta Vivo” are the words to the song we sang many times in Nicaragua. “Christ is not dead; He is alive!” The song goes on to talk about how you can feel Him in your hands, you can feel Him in your feet, you can feel Him in your whole being. This is how I felt in Nicaragua the week we were there. You can feel Christ alive in the Nicaraguan Church!
We had the privilege of working with Iglesia Brazos Abiertos, the Open Arms Church, while in Somoto, Nicaragua. I was beyond blessed by the hospitality, love, and joy I felt working with the wonderful people of this church. Steven and I were picked up at the airport by Pastor Marlon who made a special trip into Managua to come get us so that we could join the team. When we arrived at the church we found out the pastor and his family had moved out of their home for the week so that we could stay in it. We also discovered that the church had several ladies cooking our meals the entire week. On top of all of that, the members of the church did ministry with us, translated for us, played volleyball with us, and opened their church to us. You could feel the love of Christ through each member of the church!
While in Nicaragua we got to be a part of several incredible ministries. First of all, the church allowed each one of us to share our testimonies and/or preach during their church services. We were blessed to be able to encourage the church members in their walks with the Lord this way.
We also got to spend two mornings in a poorer neighborhood in Somoto playing games with kids which opened the door for us to share the Gospel with them. Jackie and Victoria performed a skit that showed how the word of God can bring you alive, and Hannah followed that up with a great presentation of the Gospel!
Our other days were spent participating in other ministries with or for church members. One evening we took a birthday cake to a member of the church and sang/prayed for him. We also were asked by a church member to come play volleyball against his girl’s team that he coaches. We even got to be a part of baptizing 2 new church members and Victoria in the river.
My favorite day of ministry was a day we went to a partner church in a neighboring town. The pastor of this church took us to 5 different houses in the city to pray for members of the church. We prayed for a couple sick women, a family of new believers, a single mom, and a family undergoing persecution because their daughter is in a wheel chair. In each house we went in the Lord spoke through a different team member to share a word of encouragement with the family. I loved watching how the Holy Spirit brought the perfect scripture to mind that would encourage the families we prayed with.
What I was challenged by most in Nicaragua was living in such a way where I really depend on the Lord and seek Him for what plans I should do each day. In Nicaragua nothing was set in stone…plans always changed depending on what the Lord had for us that day. I want to strive to live more like this…not setting my own schedule, but asking God what he has for me each and every day!
Overall, my time in Nicaragua was so encouraging! I loved meeting up with the team at the end of their journey to see how much they had grown along the way. I was encouraged by the passion and joy of the church members and to live my life more as they do. Thank you all who helped make this journey possible for Steven and I. It was so wonderful to minister alongside my husband and to see him so passionate about what I am passionate about…missions! Here are a few photos from Nicaragua:
Steven & Me in Nicaragua
Going into A House to Pray for Church Members
Steven Sharing His Testimony at Church
Victoria’s Baptism in the River
Most of the team with our translator, Jackson