Of Mission Trips and Mosquito Nets

Until the morning that we left for Nicaragua, I had been really dreading this trip. And because I was dreading it, I (maturely) ignored the fact that it was about to happen. Mom asked me a few days before we left how I was feeling, and what God was saying to me about it. My reply was that I hadn't talked to Him about it, so I hadn't heard Him say anything. And that's when I realized I needed to get my head and heart right before we left. So God and I talked. And I came away with Ephesians 3:20... "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us..."

 

It was up to me to ask. And when I asked, God was saying He has the ability to answer with more than I could put into words or imagination. So I asked. I asked for joy. And grace. And a vision. And for Him to do amazing work in our team, and through our team. So, in faith I crawled into the van at four o'clock that Thursday morning, wondering what God was going to do.

The trip was l-o-n-g, but the views were stunning. If possible, Nicaragua is even more beautiful than Costa Rica. We arrived at a small camp for missionaries in Tipitapa... It was like Fairwood, but Nicaragua-style. (By that I mean that there were more hammocks, monkeys and mosquito nets than in Dublin) There were three buildings - a long dorm (big rooms with 11-15 bunk beds each), a kitchen/dining hall, and a church. The acoustics in the church were incredible, and the worship times we had each night were truly a foretaste of Heaven.

 

(I discovered that mosquito netting makes me very claustrophobic... trying to imagine I was a princess did not work)

The first two days we were there, we split into two teams... one team did eye glass clinics each day, and the other team did a construction project. Doing eye glass clinics makes me really happy! We have vision testing kits, so each person who comes gets tested, and (if needed) a prescription written on a piece of paper. They then go through a fitting session. We have thousands of pairs of glasses, sorted out by prescription and various people on our team work with each individual, trying on pair after pair, to find one that helps.

 

(Testing the vision of this 97 year old treasure)

 

(Bags of glasses)

 

And then each person who gets glasses, gets prayer. I was lucky enough to be on the prayer teams both days, so along with my little translator, I was allowed to bring these precious people to the Throne of Grace. It struck me this time how almost each person we asked "how can we pray for you" started with "mi familia." It was only with more prodding that they would ask for something for themselves. And even, that was rare. We were able to lift up needs of mothers who had breaking hearts over children in prison, fathers who wanted to lead their families in a God-honoring way, women who wanted restoration of relationships, and men who needed physical healing. There were kids running around every day, and sometimes we'd corral them into helping us pray. It never gets old to see a little tiny hand laid on a great big shoulder - seeing the faith of a little child in action.

(Love transcends language)

 

(Faith of a child)

 

The rest of the time was filled with piñatas (watching an 80 year old woman get in on the action amidst almost 100 children is a sight that wont be readily forgotten), church, prayer walks, eating the best fried plantains you can imagine, building relationships with the team and Nicos, worship, and taking hundreds of pictures.

 

(Filling my own love tank, while filling hers)

 

(Keeping the troops entertained with my iPhone)

On Sunday we offered massages to the people of the community. And that was such an incredibly special time for me, that it's going to have it's own post... coming soon.

I came home feeling like the luckiest girl around -- and realizing that God had indeed answered with more than I had asked for... and more than I had imagined. He consistently gave grace and strength when it was needed. Rivers of unconditional love for people who desperately needed it. Endless faith to bring each person's needs to Him. Energy to persevere in the ridiculous heat. (No joke, it was about 800° each day)

 

(Sunset on our last night... San Juan del Sur)

 

So blessed. And so grateful.