We were blessed to host a short term mission's team from Bethel Church in Redding, CA. It was our first time meeting the group. They arrived to our home when we were without electric or water, not too uncommon for us; except that this outage lasted for about 36 hours. They were good sports when it came to using our laundry tub's pila (we keep filled with water) in order to wash off the day's dirt and grime.
The team ministered to some of the boys in the carpentry class. A local pastor, his wife and son stopped by and joined the team in ministry. They prayed and prophesied over the boys. One boy, Jose, has had the same Word repeated to him by each missions team that comes here to visit. He is destined to preach. All the boys have been chosen by God for special purposes. We look forward to the upcoming years when we get to witness them begin to walk in their callings.
The evening was spent with the group ministering to us and other local mission's leaders and pastors. Being in the mission field, a person's soul can get very dry. Visits like this from fellow English speaking believers, who's only purpose in coming to visit was to pour into us, does so much to encourage and refresh us.
Time was also spent ministering to the youth at a local church called Nuevo Restauracion teaching them how to "hear" from God. They prayed over each young person and imparted a Word from God to them.
There was a couple who was a close friend to the team leader that experienced a mission trip for the first time. It was apparent that their lives were forever changed. It will be interesting to hear in the upcoming months what direction their lives will be headed.
The team experienced how most Nicaraguans eat their meals. After the time of ministry to the youth at Nuevo Restauracion, we stopped at a late night vendor who sells food along side the road. We took home our meals wrapped in banana leaves and had a feast of typical Nica food consisting of gallo pinto, chicken, beef, pork, plantains and tortillas. All eaten with the fingers. I love the fact that it cuts down on having to wash dishes.
Meeting the team from Bethel is the beginning of what appears to be a lasting relationship. Their heart is joined with ours in seeing the youth of Nicaragua rise up and become tomorrow's leaders in their homes and in their communities.
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