“Trust. Faith. And trust overcome fear when we discover the depth of God’s heart of love- and believe that He is not only capable, but more than willing, to help us in our times of need. As the apostle Paul wrote, “ I know whom I believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”(2 Timothy 1:12)
This week has been breaking me of expectations, building me in trusting, and letting go of what is comfortable. If I always stayed where I was in life, and hung on to what is comfortable, how could I ever grow?
Usually, I like to wake up and know exactly what I’ll be doing. However, here in Nicaragua I’ve been learning to be flexible with EVERYTHING. I really mean everyyyything. A lot of the times things won’t go as planned. I’m realizing that it is such a good thing for me though, because I always get caught up in planning what I will do, when that could conflict with what God has planned for me that day. And at times when things don’t go my way, I tend to get upset and don’t understand why. It’s because I made and “expectation” for something, and it falls through. I am learning to be flexible, and to just let things be!
In reality I could be missing a bigger picture, if I have a bad attitude about a day that I was not expecting. I could be missing other beautiful opportunities God has planned for me that day. That is something I am learning, working on, and hoping to carry on throughout my life. Letting things be, making the best of every opportunity I get, and always, always, always being thankful.
Here, things are unexpected from – Who I’ll be meeting, what I’ll be doing, where I’ll be going or what I will be eating. I wasn’t expecting one morning to be eating breakfast, and then being asked to teach a Spanish lesson 20 minutes later to our whole squad. I wasn’t expecting my first Sunday night church service in Nicaragua to be much different than back home. I didn’t expect to have blasting loud music and be dripping sweat for 3 hours at the service. Or without notice getting asked to go up and sing in front of everybody. Or having the pastor die right in front of my own eyes the very same night. I wasn’t expecting one morning waking up early and driving to the village we visit often(Bethel) And spend hours in the hot sun, gathering rocks, filling in potholes to help repair their roads. I was not expecting this past Sunday (The Nicaraguan Independence Day) to be asked if I could speak in front of a large group of Nicaraguans later in the day- -I end up sharing with them my testimony and preaching to them all… in Spanish. (And so did another one of my amazing team mates, Kory)
However, I never expected to live in such a beautiful place, a volcano in our backyard and coconut palm trees surrounding our new home. I never expected to love a little 6 year old girl that I’ve only known for 2 weeks as much as I do now. I never expected to feel like such a child again, as I am running around playing tag while she’s riding on my back, and we’re sharing a chocolate covered banana. I never expected to be drawing so much closer to the 17 other girls I live with( Because usually it is difficult to be around and living with that many girls) But seriously, I love them! Oh and on a daily occasion being kind of like their own personal makeup artist:D (btw, our guys are awesome too!)
I never expected hand washing could be so much fun, and kind of like a workout for my arms! & I never expected that singing can cure any bad mood that starts creeping in. Seriously. When it’s blazing hot, and we’re doing manual labor- singing is the cure! I never expected to have to throw away my toilet paper, or that hugely big black beetles would run across my hand. I never expected to have such a precious small group of 5 other girls who are beyond amazing. Really amazing. I mean- they constantly will sing Disney songs with me anytime of day=) Or even though, church here was not what I thought it would be, I never expected to see people so on fire for the Lord, and singing their hearts out, and be so welcoming to us all.
Everyday I am constantly sweating. And one morning I wake up, and can not even wrap my mind around living like this for 9 months. I am learning so much, but daily life here definitely has its difficulties to go along with it. It’s been crazy, but I know it is SO worth it. I can’t believe how much I am already changing, growing, and expanding.
However- the one thing I do know to expect is that God is always with me. With my squad. With you. He will never fail me, and I will always put my trust in him. GOD IS SOO GOOD!
Ohhhhh and one other expectation…..that when I sit down at lunch and dinner, there will sure enough be rice and beans. Always;)
The pastor & I. After sharing my testimony & my mini sermon:)
NayNay
I am so proud of you. It is exciting to read about your adventures and see pictures of you doIng Gods work. It thrills me to know that you are singing and speaking in Spanish, stay safe in Gods arms, hugs and love, The Mom
Sheesh! That’s a lot of new experiences you’ve been faced with! So glad you’re still in high spirits despite the difficultly and uncomfortableness. So proud of you NayNay!! I’m glad you’re appreciating everything because it will all be over before you know it and you will look back and think “wow that went by fast!” =) What you’re doing now you might not ever do again and you don’t want to come back wishing you did more or had a better attitude. Love you so much!!
NayNay, I am amazed at your wisdom, humility and ability to share what is happening in your life there in Nicaragua. Keep sharing your stories of what God is doing through you as you minister there. Very proud of you! Love, Papa G.
Little Reenee!!!!! That is a beautiful picture at the top!!! What’s your email address so I can email you back and forth? I have SO much to tell you .
I’m very proud of you! Your doing an amazing thing and I seriously love love love your updates. I wish youde do a daily one lol. I love you bean bean! And no I don’t have Skype 🙁 well I don’t haves computer period. I’ll work on that though so I can see you 🙂
Wow, just amazing, you can rattle off all the unexpected and right in the middle mention the pastor dying right in front of you and then on to the next…you have truly been touched by God and are seeing through God’s eyes the joy of ministry and of serving others. I pray God gives you the strength you need to endure and reach out to others.
Love reading your blog and hearing what you are doing. Praying for you and the “adventures” God has planned ahead for you. You are missed!!
LOVE this picture at the top! So sweet! Learning to be flexible and letting go of expectations is so good to see too. You did such a good job sharing with the youth as well…really have a gift for communicating your heart!
So proud of you my Nayns!!! You are such an encouragement. We love you and miss you here and are praying for you everyday.
Hey NayNay, It’s so good to hear from you again and hear all about what’s go’n on with you and the Nicaraguan people. The Lord is giving you so much that you’ll never forget and teaching you through every experience. Yes, even the hot, humid climate. It’s so easy to become attached to individuals so is hard to leave them when the time comes. You will take what you’ve learned there to the next place and be more prepared for whatever comes your way. I am so proud of you for having such a great attitude and pushing your discomforts aside so that Christ can work in your life and many others. Love and miss you tons. Praying for you too!!! Mama G.