We finally made it to Nicaragua!! Praise God!! He is so good!
Last Friday night (October 14) we headed off to the airport! We spent the night there, because we had to be up by 6 in order to catch our flight by 9:45. After only 2 hours of sleep, we went through through all the ordeals at the airport and I got on my first flight ever to San José, Costa Rica!
After landing we made it smoothly through immigration and customs. We then had to find out bus which would take us 6 hrs north to the border of Nicaragua. After finding our bus driver and waiting about an hour, we made it to the border at about 9:30pm.
Before coming to the border, we knew we would maybe not be able to cross the border, because Nicaragua is very unwelcoming to missionaries coming into there country. It took a long time, but only by the grace of God were we able to enter the country.
We then had a two hour ride to Granada, Nicaragua. Our bags were thrown to the top of the bus, and we all crammed into a tight 27 seat van. It perfectly fit our group of 26 plus our driver!
We finally made it to Granada around 1am Sunday morning! It was a long day, but such a fun and new experience! In one day I got to experience my first plane ride and my first two foreign countries!
Sunday we got to rest and then ministry began on Monday!! It has been such a blessing to work beside the ministry REAP this week! Everyday here looks different, but every week we have the same schedule!
Mondays we do children’s ministry in the morning, prayer for 2 hours, and then prayer walking. When we prayer walking we will drive or walk to a neighborhood and spread the gospel and Word of God to the people there. The people in Nicaragua are so welcome and open to listen! We get to pray with them and also encourage those who already know Jesus!
Tuesdays we work on the ministry’s farm. This is how they make their money and also provide jobs to the locals. It is such a beautiful farm with limes, plantains, papayas, guavas, star fruit, and more!! Also, in the afternoon we go out and prayer walk again!
Wednesday’s we only do children’s ministry! We get to go and play with the kids, teach them a lesson, and also help serve them food. So many children show up! We had about 30 children show up this week!
Thursdays we prayer walk all morning, then go to a house church where one of us shares a message. After this we drive back to the farm where they do church with all the employees. Someone from our group also gets to share a message there. Then after dinner we have one more house church, where we also get to share a message! I was privileged to have the opportunity to do that last week.
Fridays we go to a place called the dump. It is one of the poorest parts of the neighborhood we are in right now. We have the opportunity to share God’s word with these people, build relationships with them, and give them a meal. After this we go to the hospital and pray for the sick.
It is amazing to work with an organization that is already so organized and fruitful in this neighborhood. We only get to share in the work that has already been planted. December will be 10 years that the organization has been running. I am so blessed to be part of this mission.
Not only is the ministry teaching the gospel, but also discipling the people. I have been blessed to see how the people of Nicaragua step out and preach the gospel with so much boldness. It is a blessing to watch the Nicaraguan church at work.
There is a language barrier, but we always have a translator and it is fun to learn to communicate with the people here. I get to learn new Spanish which has been so fun!
Please pray for my group to continue to be bold and to have the words to share with people. We are praying the Holy Spirit works through all of us! All praise and glory to God!!
Saturdays we are allowed to rest and go to church in the evening. We were able to play with the children after the service, and we also ran into a woman we had prayed with earlier in the week who was very sick, and she said she had been healed!! Praise God! When we saw her earlier in the week she was sick and could barely move out of her chair. But on Saturday at church she was well and standing up worshipping the Lord. Praise God!!
Sundays we get to explore the country. It we are always on mission, so Sundays we are excited to experience unscheduled ministry!
I am so excited to continue to share what the Lord is doing!! He is AMAZING AND SO SO GOOD!
May God bless you all for your support in this mission and what God is doing! May He bless your week!!
This is a great update Mndie! I know the Lord has also given you a boldness and zeal to share His good news. I will be praying that His will be done in and through you! God bless you!
Mandie,
What a great update, I love seeing what all you all are doing daily. How wonderful that you get to do different ministries daily. We are praying for you and the team.
Much Love
Stephen and Teri Jernigan
Hi Mandie !! I love reading your blog and I am so thankful to God what He is doing while you have been in Nicaragua ! He is so amazing and so so good ! Love you ! Love – Mom
Love you and miss you too Mom!!
Thank you for the prayers!! 🙂 love you guys
Thank you Luis!! Praying God continues to use you in Georgia
I love it! Every day of the week is a different ministry, that’s exciting. How great to get to experience so many avenues to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The body needs healing and people need healing, comforting to know you are using the the Sabbath day to rest and attend church. Exploring the beauty of the country is important to keep it all in perspective, hope you are finding many adventures on your “unscheduled ministry” The Holy Spirit is working through you, may you take courage to share Him with the people.
Yeah, you made it there! You made it through your first plane ride and 2 countries. I am so thankful you were able to get into Nicaragua. God is so good. You are doing so much already there. I love hearing how bold you are in sharing a message and working with an interpreter. Nicaragua is blessed to have you there and I know you are receiving a blessing as well. I look forward to hearing more. Love ya!
Hi Mandie! It always takes me a while to get to all the emails. But what an exciting time you are having! It’s so good to read about how the Lord is using you and your team. And to hear about your growth in the Lord. I’ll keep praying for you! May God protect you, guide you, and bless you abundantly!