Peacefully Replaceable

I spent a good portion of last fall studying insecurities. I realized I had a big insecurity about being replaced. I often feel like I am temporarily doing a job waiting for someone to come along and do it better than I can. While the fear and insecurity of this thought pattern is from Satan, God does say we are temporary. We are dust in the wind. We are a second in time. We are here for a short season waiting eternity with Him. In different ways the last few weeks I have been dealing with this insecurity again.

Everyone needs to read this!

Isaiah 41:9-10 I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God.

More important than the ways the struggle resurfaced are the ways God brought peace. His peace came through new friendships with Nicaraguans and visitors. Friendships that are based on His steadfastness when we see everything else changing.

Yara is one of my friends in the youth group.
She loves to talk and sing!

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8

I rarely come to full peace without singing. God speaks His truth so clearly to me through song. One of my favorites for the last month Brandon Heath Wait and See. Also, we were blessed with two groups two enjoyed singing and lifted my spirit without even knowing they were. The church too has had strong voices of praise the last few weeks. I am so honored to hear them cry out to our Father.

Two or three mornings a week are spent with my dear friend Caryn. We walk around the city sharing life, laughing, praying and hopefully not tripping. Beginning the day look at His glory makes it easier to see His glory through the day.

Sometimes we take pictures of our faces...

God tells us, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4

Family. Oh my goodness! Mom, Dad and Bridgette got to spend a week in Nicaragua with me! It was incredible. They were able to see and meet my world. They stayed right across the hall. We visited friend’s homes, the cross, Aunt Pat’s grave at the cemetery, a school and a daycare and Eskimo for some good ice cream! Not only were they a huge blessing to my spirit, but they helped with a lot of projects around Jinotega. Ask them more about what they saw or learned or experienced. We barely had time to process; so I bet they could use a little more too!

In the airport! Surprisingly minimal tears :)

Working with Miguel and Ricardo building dugouts at the baseball field!

We hiked to the cross to overlook Jinotega! 

"'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you."
Isaiah 54:10

During their visit another need in our family became more evident. My dad's parents are struggling health wise. My grandfather with cancer and new heart/circulation problems, and my grandmother with the strength to be the only constant caregiver after the loses of the last 6 months. I can't in good conscience stay in Jinotega full time while they are hurting and not healing. So as of right now, I am planning to return to the States this week to live with my grandparents for a time. There are other very wonderful people here to continue the work in Jinotega while I go to Fayetteville. I am praying and planning to return to Jinotega in a couple months to honor the rest of my commitment and help the Kingdom here.

“Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you I the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.’" Jeremiah 1:4-5

I am replaceable. Whether I like to think that or not. But we are all children of God. Created by Him to serve Him in different ways every day. He asks us to listen to Him and to follow where He says go. This last week has reminded me how short our time is one place. Earth as a whole and each city or country we begin to call home. He is a faithful provider. I pray you all see that in your lives too! He has already given me such sweet opportunities to spend time with the people I love and given me such a peace about going back. Look at Him. Crushing my insecurities over and over again. 

"For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him!" Colossians 2:5-6

Hijos del Rey (Children of the King)

We began a new program on Sunday afternoons, Hijos del Rey. The last week of May the visiting group from Knoxville went all around the city with information cards telling the community about the program. The Sunday it began, June 1, we started the prep work right after church… Moving pews, cutting circles, practicing skits and writing song lyrics. The helpers were members from the church- including a crew from the youth group. I always love seeing this community come together. Sometimes it’s simple things like 4 men loading huge sacks of rice on the top of a school or 3 men helping put a basket of mangos on another man’s back. But other times it’s even more beautiful because the love of Jesus is evident. While we were preparing, we looked out the church window and realized, “Hum. We’re probably going to have a bunch of kids...” It was a huge struggle to get out the church doors and into the front door of the mission without shutting someone’s fingers in either door. That was an hour before the event was supposed to begin! Once we opened the doors it was crazy! Trying to get some sort of registration process going was pretty smooth-- until we ran out of materials. We had prepared for 100ish niños and had 300!! 

WOW! What an opportunity! What an answered prayer from God! We quickly realized 1: we needed a larger space and 2: we needed a lot more help! God provided both for week two. We still meet early to revise the plan and prepare the new location. Again, for me, so exciting to see who was willing to take most of their Sunday afternoon chasing kiddos around! We were able to sing more songs, have activities, give them a snack and have a little room to move.

We begin with singing. Our awesome helpers learning
"I'm all wrapped up, tied up, tangled up in Jesus!"

Then break out into smaller groups for games/crafts.

Working on a hidden picture puzzle.
Our stories were the lost sheep and lost coin.

Sweeping up the lost coins

Sweet Marta answering questions.

Caryn helping make coin crafts.

Making puzzles with one piece missing.
Remind the children that every person is important to God!

Using a ticket reward system
for participation and good behavior,
we give prizes at the end of the day!

Okay. You also have to know when I say “we” I really mean Jonathan and crew. He has a wonderful gift from God for connecting with children. Jonathan also loves them unconditionally and looks for more ways to serve them. He is the spearhead behind Hijos del Rey and has done a wonderful job showing us how to help and jump in. I am so thankful for his experience in children’s ministry and his encouraging presence here in Jinotega.

Jonathan sharing giggles and the love of Jesus with our group from yesterday.

“But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.’” Luke 18:16 

Jovenes

The youth group here in Jinotega has been one of the best sources of encouragement the last couple months. They are silly, goofy teenagers, but they have a heart to serve. Even though I came to work with the idea of working with the younger children, spending time and investing in these teens has brought so many new opportunities to share Jesus’ love and joy. They meet each Saturday evening and either have a devotional or play games or another special activity. 

Special Activity: going out for ice cream. Laughing is required!

May began with the day of service for Casa where the youth group and the church worked together to prepare the Casa Materna ministry for a busy summer. 

The service day beginning as it should... with prayer.
Such power when we turn our actions over to Him!

Then the last day of May, the youth group had a program for Mother’s Day (May 30^th in Nicaragua) where they invited all the women of the church. The teens planned skits, games, songs and dinner… Oh my goodness! It was a great success! The week before was spent planning and practicing, almost nightly, then decorating and preparing food Saturday. Seeing these teens come out of their shell, serve their church family and use their unique talents was such an honor!

Decorating and cleaning the church

In this game, the daughters were giving the mother's a bottle!
Oh my. The room was in full roar of laughter,
and the volunteers were great sports!

Act it out...

   

My sweet friend, Camilla! 

One of our dear mothers, Estella!

We ended the night by singing to the mothers, Madrecita. I wish we had a recording of us singing, but you can listen to a professional HERE if you want an idea. The boys sang the verses, the girls sang the chorus, and then we all sang the chorus a second time. Now, I’m a little biased… but I think they sounded pretty good! It was a fun process to learn the song with “sentimento” or feeling! HA! 

Madrecita del alma querida

en mi pecho yo llevo una flor 
no te importe el color que ella tenga 
porque al fin tú eres madre una flor. 

Tu cariño es mi bien madrecita 
en mi vida tu has sido y seras 
el refugio de todas mi penas 
y la cuna de amor y verdad. 

Y aunque amores yo tenga en la vida 
que mi llenen de felicidad 
como el tuyo jamas madre mía 
como el tuyo no habre de encontrar. 

Translated by Google it means something like this…

Madrecita the dear soulI carry in my chest a flowerdo not mind the color she has
because in the end you are a flower stem.
 Your love is my good little mother
in my life you have been and you will be
the shelter of all my sorrows
and the cradle of love and truth.
 And although I have love in life
my fill of happiness
as my mother never yours
like yours I will not have to find.

 

Sing out friends!

This one might be my favorite picture of the night because of the smiles and laughter.
It was a time of celebration for the incredible mothers and women in our life!

Looking forward to seeing how God can move in and through this beautiful group!

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

Seeking and Finding

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon Him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." 

Isaiah 55:6-7

His word is true. His word is real. And His word is alive. April was spent trying to find Him through the trials, and in May, He showed is face in full view!

His children, young and old, have stood by me and lifted me up. I feel a more like part of the family, at work and in the church, than a newbie.  My close friends here are sharing their life- the good and the bad- as we all seek Him more. We also had an English speaking women’s retreat for any Christian women in Nicaragua. The weekend was refreshing both spiritually and physically and definitely brought us closer.

Serving the Casa Materna in Pantasma with ladies
from the church and visiting North Americans

Juvelky, Lilly and I after church.

The youth group has been such a blessing and a niche where I can minister. Having teenagers initiate conversations in the States is more than encouraging. Here in Jinotega, for the teens to come up to me after church reaffirms why I am here. To build relationships that point to Jesus. Whether with babies, teens or adults. The youth group also had a Mother’s Day program this month. Oh it was a wonderful night! We spent the week practicing skits and songs, planning games, decorating the church and preparing dinner. Watching them serve and use their talents was such a honor.

Singing at the Mother's Day program

Spanish lessons will continue the rest of my life. But I am able to have conversations and understand more than one simple sentence. It is exciting to be able to communicate in their language and follow most conversations.

 

Faviola, one of my favorite little girls in Nicaragua

For a long time the strongest form of communication for God and I have been songs. I sing my struggles to him, and He sings his promises and instructions right back to me. May brought lots of truth through English and Spanish songs. Knowing what we’re singing about in church is a huge way to relate to the Father and the body. They sing with their whole voice here too. Sometimes it’s almost yelling. But is a sound that brings me such joy and hope. Hope for what Heaven will be when we sit in front of the King of Kings and sing His praises. Hope for the months to come as I keep learning and sharing Jesus’ love. Hope that as we earnestly seek Him, He will be found!

Prayer Requests

·      More growth in real friendships

·      Leadership in the church

·      The youth group as they develop a deep desire for a relationship with God and each other

·      Strength and rest as the summer groups come

·      Wisdom as we look for the best ways to help the people we meet