Well, we have been home for a week and the emotions and the adjusting are in full swing. I love trips... I love the people... I love the team... I love the place... I love being the hands and feet of Jesus... I love seeing the difference Fox River has and continues to make in this country, in this community. But, man the emotions that come with saying goodbye, leaving (your baby sister make it even worse), adjusting back to 'life' are tough to swallow. I am so thankful I serve a God that holds my heart and knows the pain and the joy that comes with missions!
With all that being said, let me share what God did...
You might have already read some of this, but bare with me and keep reading...
WE SAW 84 PEOPLE GIVE THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST!!! In just 6 short days 84 people became part of the Kingdom!! REJOICE!!!! We have new believers to celebrate! And that number is only a portion of the hundreds of patients, kiddos and families that we came in contact with, that we had the opportunity to share and plant seeds into their lives that could change their eternity.
We had a year of firsts in the midst of all the 'normal'.
Our Medical team was the first team that was working in the clinic when a baby was born! Some of our medical gals got to be hands on! So cool!
We had a movie night for the first time... So much fun! Something that was a treat for the people of La Esmerelda! We watched 'Inside Out' in espanol.
We Celebrated 5 years of the clinic being open and all of the work God has done through that time!
We were able to go, see and pray over the land that Fox River purchased for a new church in Las Nubes! You might only see green, but we were able to hear the vision of this land... God has BIG plans for this community!
We swallowed children with a giant whale! Oh, the laughter that came from those sweet kiddos!
We rode in a cattle truck, on motorcycles, bus and in the back of a pick-up (and that doesn't even include all the walking/hiking)! SO many forms of transportation that made for lots of laughter, muddy backsides and a few bruises!
And so much more...
Through all the fun, tasks, and work that we do there the best moments consist of getting to know and encourage the Nica team! We couldn't do what we do without them and I know the time we spend in their community, in their life is such fuel for them! Yes we get to see people come to Jesus and we get to see babies being born, kiddos laugh when another gets 'swallowed' by a whale, we get to give out hygiene packs and bless those people... But then we leave (even when our hearts don't come with us). The most important thing we do while we are there is encouraging and supporting the ministry that Pastor Denis and his team work hard at everyday, day in and day out! If I could only describe to you exactly the amount of gratefulness and heart felt love that these people have for Fox River's partnership and teams you would be in tears. God has formed such a strong bond between our churches that the only way to describe it is 'Family'! Language has NO power over the love that we share through OUR God!! We laugh, we cry, we share, we pray, we love TOGETHER!!
We had to ask so many people to join us to make this trip and this week a reality, and we are so grateful for them and all the work they did with us and for us! From translators to kitchen ladies we had quite the team of Nicas that stood beside us all week. The people of La Esmerelda are so very special to Fox River and we can feel that that is a shared feeling! If you ever wonder how the blood of Christ connects his people you should come to Nicaragua!
I can honestly say that leading a team is one of the most exhausting yet rewarding jobs I have ever been given. From the tiny details to the giant spiders I have had to 'handle', I'm glad I have a team to laugh at or with me, to cry for or with me, to pray with and for me... My God has such wonderful plans and I in the midst of all the rain, mud, tears, laughter, goodbyes, heartache, joy, 'colored' tent poles, bugs, rats, bats, snakes, and on it goes... am so glad to be a part of this ministry!
Para mi Nicas~ Te amo y muy profundamente a todos de menos. Estoy muy agradecido de Dios escribiria una historia como la nuestra.
To my Fox River family~ THANK YOU! You make this all possible through your giving and prayers! You are not unnoticed!
To those of you just following along~ I hope you see what the power of Unity in Christ can do!
You have read our stories, yet there is still so much to share... so ask us!! Ask anyone of the team members, I promise they have something you haven't heard yet!
