Howdy!
I hope you are doing well! Thank you to those who have been keeping up with my journey and so kindly reading these blogs and all my typos.
Since being in Nicaragua, I have started reading some of my parent’s old blogs from our time here. It’s been cool to reflect on both the fun and hard parts. I also found some pictures 🙃
I came across a blog my dad had written on March 20, 2012. We had lived in Nicaragua for about 2 years when he wrote this. The blog is titled “Why Are We Here?” which is something I have been asking God while on this trip with AIM (Adventures in Mission). Why am I here? Why am I on this trip? What am I supposed to be doing? Am I doing it right or wrong? Doubts and curiosity have flooded my mind at times.
My dad writes,
“First, we are here because there seem to be things that God wanted (and continues to want) to teach our family that he knew we couldn’t learn anywhere else. Essentially, we are here for our own growth as followers of Jesus. That sounds a little selfish and egocentric, but there it is. God has us here for our good and with our best interest in mind.
Secondly, we are here because God asked us to come and live here. We don’t know for how long, but here we are, in joyful obedience. We believe that God is most honored and glorified, and our joy is made more complete, by obeying him in this way (John Piper kind of talk). As Bethany and I discussed this, the question came up: Could God be just as glorified, and our joy be just as complete, if we had decided not to leave our birth country? Our quick answer was “No”. God would not be glorified, nor would our joy be complete, in the face of our disobedience.”
His words answered some of my questions and what I’ve been pondering during my hours of prayer in the morning. I am here on Word Race to grow. To learn more about God. To learn more about myself. To grow in community and learn what community is. To glorify him. To spend 5 am to 7 am in prayer. To eat rice and beans for breakfast. To DRIP sweat while walking through neighborhoods and praying for individuals and families. To love others. To set aside my Saturdays as days of sabbath. To enjoy his creation. And to enjoy Him. To be still with Him.
Thank you all again for listening and keeping me accountable on this trip.
-ella
