And we meet again. Welcome back. Life has been, well, I actually don’t know how to describe it. At times I don’t really have words for Gods work and how my life is going, I just know that I have The Lord with me in all things and that wherever I go, He is there too. This is an interesting journey, and an interesting season of life for many different reasons. Realizing so much more at the end of the day, it all comes back to God. Regardless of how I feel, what I’m doing, or what’s going on in my life, God is the center of it all. Man, what a time. What an interesting life we live.
Let’s catch up, shall we?
To begin, I’ve been stepping into fasting a bit recently, and it’s been an interesting learning experience combined with learning new things about my relationship with The Lord. With that, I’ve seen a few reoccurring things while doing it so far. First has been me realizing my need for God and how close He is. I find myself seeking Him out more frequently and depending on Him for things that I might not focus on as heavily in comparison to if I was eating. I see myself focusing my mind on things that matter more, and less on things of less significance. In other words, things of heaven and not things of earth. Lastly, I would say that God speaks to me more clearly during the time of fasting, or if not that, prepares things so that I will be able to see and/or hear Him better later down the road. I hope that all makes sense; at the end of the day, I am still trying to figure it out myself. It’s been an amazing, interesting process, and I’m looking forward to seeing what it will bring in the future as well. What an interesting God we serve. Who ever thought that denying yourself food could bring you closer to God? I guess it really takes denying your flesh to a whole new level. Abiding in Spirit is making a little bit more sense now that I think about it. Hmm. Interesting. Anyways, let’s continue.
Ministry has still been very good. I know I say this in most all of my posts, and I try my best to put down in the blog what has happened, but honestly, some of the things that happen would take me forever to type out. No, seriously. It’s crazy. Nonetheless, our prayer walks are still very fruitful. We are now able to go back and revisit the people who we have already met and connected with, and then go in and one, develop a deeper connection and friendship, and two, disciple them more in God through Scripture and prayer. It’s honestly a very cool process entering a strangers house with nothing but the gospel, and then returning a week or two later and having it be all smiles and it seems as thought you guys have know each other your whole life. It’s the power of the love of Jesus. And He freely gives that to us. Crazy. God through us is showing the people that we encounter that life is not just what they have been shown, been taught, or seen their whole life, but so, so much more. One thing I have noticed through doing house visits is that the gospel means something completely different to the people of Nicaragua than to the people of America. It resonates so much differently, given they live such different lives. And through that, it has shown me the same things, that the gospel is not just what I have known, but that that gospel has so many different viewpoints. It’s not just freedom from sin, it’s fullness of life in a way that I have not known. And what a true gift it is. It just keeps getting drilled into me that at the end of the day, it always, always comes back to God. Always. Man, what a blessing!
Hospital visits are also still going well, but now having a different impact. I feel as though now, these visits get harder and harder, seeing these people in pain or distress with not much help. It’s honestly hard to be around and to see, but at the end of the day, God has His hand over it all. I just haven’t felt this type of connection with a stranger before, you know? I mean, just walking into a hospital, seeing someone who I’ve never met lay there in pain and hardship, and feeling such deep connection is so new to me, although a gift, knowing that God feels hurt for His kids too. After all, Jesus has healed many, many times previously, and to know that I can present these people before God through prayer brings a lot of peace and relaxation, knowing that God knows the situation, and the outcome as well.
Another big thing, I will say, is that God has resurfaced a passion for music that I have always had, but also always slightly suppressed. I have always had a big heart for music, but never truly pursued it. But now, I think that is something that I want to do. Heavily. Now, not sure about too many details, but I just know something with music sounds pretty good to me. Pray about that please if you’re reading this!🫶🏻
Me and my team have recently started micro church every Tuesday. Micro church is a gathering time of my team (5 guys), and about 10 other teenagers from a neighborhood here. We meet and fellowship, talk about each other’s weeks and how life is going, and spend time learning about God’s heart for all of us. It so good given that a lot of the kids here are searching for something that fills them, and not what the street has to offer them, and so being able to be a part of the discipleship process for kids who are going through things that I once went through is so, so cool. Many of the kids at the church don’t have the easiest lives, but they see something in Jesus that they don’t see anywhere else, and that’s the blessing in it all. We will either share Scripture, watch videos, or share messages about The Lord as a part of discipleship and encouragement, along with answering questions that the kids may have about God and life. Even though I only have 3 more weeks with them, what a blessing it has been being able to find kids around my age to bond with in a different country!
And how could I ever forget dump ministry. This is one that I could talk about for a while. For more clarification, the dump is the local landfill. Although here, it is not like an American landfill. At all. Here, some people spend their days here, looking for anything of value in the piles of trash. Searching for scraps is how they make a living. This is another one that makes your head spin and you can’t do much but watch and observe. And who knows? To the people actually doing it, it’s normal and they see nothing wrong with it. That could very well be the case. But from the outsiders view, it’s not the easiest thing to see. Nonetheless, God is still over it all, and that brings peace. So for our ministry here is as follows. We come, about 10 of us, with enough food to feed about 100 people. We set up at a pavilion at the dump and prepare all of the food to be served to provide something for those who don’t have much to eat. Now before this, we share a 30 minute to 1 hour message with them from The Word, being able to provide eternal provision while also providing temporary, earthly provision. So many emotions in this ministry, so I’ll leave this one right here.
Man, this has been a long blog. What else to talk about? I guess we have entered the random section. Well, our adventure days have been sick. We’ve gone to a beachside resort, and an inactive volcano lagoon. Absolutely amazing and beautiful. Here’s some pics ->.
Also, can we talk about college football??? Absolutely amazing year for football. And, GAMECOCKS ARE RANKED SPURS UP FOREVER… USC GOOOOOOO COCKS🐔!!!
Fundraising is going well, Praise God. I have around $6,000 remaining that I need to raise! Please continue to pray and share with others! Anything helps! As always, if you want to give, my link to give is in my Instagram and Facebook bio!
God is good. I’m provided for in every way. Never lacking with The Father. Blessed.
Well, thanks again for reading. Tis time for the blog to be wrapped up. I hope you have enjoyed catching up. Until next time!
