^"Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying,  'Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.' And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him." Luke 8:38-39


I'm back from a 10 day missions trip to Nicaragua.  I can't even describe fully how much this trip was to me.  I was so blessed to go back to where I worked for a summer seven years ago (2005) with Young Life/Vida Joven.  The second I stepped off the plane it smelt like Nicaragua (which to describe it may sound unpleasant to most but to me a sweet aroma: burning garbage).  I was met by the missionaries who where there seven years ago the first time I was there but have now retired and continue to live in Nicaragua.  I spent the day with them around Managua and later met up with the missionary of Vida Joven as we waited for the rest of my group to arrive at night.  They actually ended up missing their flight so arrived the following morning.  I got to the hostel late that night and went right to bed.  When I woke up the next morning and entered the kitchen to get some water I greeted the cooks and all of the sudden felt a kick (thinking one of the cooks just kicked me) and as I turned around it was Jesse, one from the group that wasnt suppose to arrive till the morning, or so I thought because he ended up making the connecting flight unlike everybody else.  Jesse doesn't speak any Spanish and has never been to Nicaragua so you can imagine how horrible I felt and just jaw-dropped as to how he even got to the hostel where I was.  

Well that day we went to an orphanage in Managua.  It was my first time ever being in an orphanage.  It was an incredible experience, seeing how much the little kids and babies crave attention and how much love and human touch they need.  We spent the morning with the older kids (2-6yrs) playing games, going for a walk, snack, jungle gym time and taking turns picking them up or holding their hand.  The afternoon I got to be in the baby room that had five infants 2-10months old.  I got to feed, change diapers, rock, and sing to them.  We had a Bible song CD in Spanish that we sung to them and left there as well.  I also read a book I translated before going that I read to the older kids that shared the gospel called Twice Yours.  I think the most amazing picture I saw that day and probably the whole trip was when one of the guys in our group was in the baby room and he was holding one of the babes and when he began to speak all the other babies in the room turned their heads toward him and their eyes were looking for him.  It made me think how important a father-figure is in a child's life and how even as infants they desire that and how much we look for our Heavenly Father when we feel His presence.  Also thinking of that loving touch makes that just sending money to Nicaragua can't do.  Later that night we went to a YL club which was fun to experience and participate in and then went to bed exhausted.

The following day we headed to Matagalpa where we split in pairs to do home-stays.  When I arrived a handful of people where shocked and excited to see me.  They had no idea I was coming and were so happy to see me again after 7 years.  It was so great seeing them again and catching up with them, especially now that my Spanish is a lot better now than 7 years ago.  The home-stays was most people's favorite part of the trip because you really got to experience the culture and live like a Nicaraguan for a couple days.  We later went to the YL camp for the next five days.  This is where I mostly lived when I was there for summer staff.  Again I shocked some faces when they saw me.  That for sure was one of my highlights of the trip of reconnecting with friends I had seven years ago and being able to jump right in to where we left off and if not get even closer for the few days I spent with them.  One of the guys who works at the camp still had a picture of me and him in his workshop!  Well each day at the camp we did a work project during the day and then spent the nights doing a camp activity and hangout/devotional time.  I built bunk beds and transplanted banana plants to make shade for more coffee plants (the camp sells coffee to bring teenagers to camp).  I got to work alongside some from my group and some Nicaraguans each day and loving every moment laughing, singing, reminiscing, and sharing life.  During our lunch breaks we'd play a pickup game of soccer or basketball.  

Each night was something new and exciting.  One night we went to the Labyrinth, which was new since I've been there.  A labyrinth isn't a maze b/c a labyrinth only has one way and you can't get lost.  It was night when we went to it and we were all given candles and each walked through the labyrinth alone so that we couldn't see anyone in front or behind us.  While we walked through, which took about 15 minutes, a couple of the Nicas serenaded us playing the guitar and singing Spanish praises.  When everyone arrived at the center there was a cross and we all sung songs together and then shared what we just experienced.  It was amazing what I felt and thought during that time alone with the Lord, thinking of how we walk by faith and not by sight b/c I couldn't see infront of me except for the little candle light but knowing that I'd end up at the cross.  This is something they do with all the campers that come to camp.  Another night our group of 8 were incharge of leading evening activities so we taught a few games, sang some songs, two of us shared our testimony and did a devotional. Other days we did things like hiking, zip line, canoeing, card games, Frisbee golf and just hanging out with one another.   

It was so hard to say goodbye.  Everyone was telling me to not let it be another 7 years to I return.  I hope so too.  Not that I feel called yet to move there, but as a couple people said to me throughout my time there that they "enjoyed seeing me in my element," makes me wonder if one day I'll be there for a longer period.  There's so many more stories that I want to share but not sure if people would continue to read if this were any longer.  But as Jesus told this man He healed in Luke 8 and told him to go and tell what great things God has done for him, so I want to go and tell of all the marvelous things I have learned, experienced and seen Jesus, who is God, do.