Having some homebody tendencies, and a bit of a preference to know what to expect rather than to face unknown situations, last week's missions trip to Nicaragua was preceded by thoughts of, "now why am I doing this?" As I've often found to be the case, once I was on my way I felt wrapped up in God's reassurance that I was exactly where He wanted me to be, doing what He wanted me to do.
My knowledge of the Spanish language is limited to a handful of phrases used in greeting. When we were instructed that, though we were doing service projects like painting the little school in the village of Berlin, our primary job was to build relationships with those we encountered, I wondered how that was possible without having a firm grasp on their language. Throughout the week, God showed me that building relationships and showing His love is possible even without the bridge of a common language. Like the little boy who gave Jesus his two fish and five loaves which Jesus broke and multiplied to feed five thousand people, I gave God my little and He used it. With the at risk girls that live at Villa Esperanza, my little was my phone and my camera. They loved having their photos taken with me and with one another and enjoyed seeing photos of my family that were on my phone. During free time, a jumprope, a soccer ball, and craft supplies brought by our team were the loaves and fishes that used to help us to bond with the girls through playing together.
In the little village of Berlin, we did hard physical work on the school. But during recess we laid down our paintbrushes and played with the children. A few dollars worth of sidewalk chalk and my grade school level doodling skills were a great communication booster. I'd draw a simple object, point at it, and say the English word for it. The children would then teach me the word in Spanish. Yet again, the jump rope and soccer ball were also a big help in building bridges through playing together. (Please join me for this complete post on Sunday morning, March 20th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where I am privileged to share with you some Sunday Soul Food.)
My knowledge of the Spanish language is limited to a handful of phrases used in greeting. When we were instructed that, though we were doing service projects like painting the little school in the village of Berlin, our primary job was to build relationships with those we encountered, I wondered how that was possible without having a firm grasp on their language. Throughout the week, God showed me that building relationships and showing His love is possible even without the bridge of a common language. Like the little boy who gave Jesus his two fish and five loaves which Jesus broke and multiplied to feed five thousand people, I gave God my little and He used it. With the at risk girls that live at Villa Esperanza, my little was my phone and my camera. They loved having their photos taken with me and with one another and enjoyed seeing photos of my family that were on my phone. During free time, a jumprope, a soccer ball, and craft supplies brought by our team were the loaves and fishes that used to help us to bond with the girls through playing together.
In the little village of Berlin, we did hard physical work on the school. But during recess we laid down our paintbrushes and played with the children. A few dollars worth of sidewalk chalk and my grade school level doodling skills were a great communication booster. I'd draw a simple object, point at it, and say the English word for it. The children would then teach me the word in Spanish. Yet again, the jump rope and soccer ball were also a big help in building bridges through playing together. (Please join me for this complete post on Sunday morning, March 20th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where I am privileged to share with you some Sunday Soul Food.)
still following,
Also happily linking up with the lovely Lisha Epperson
Beautiful testimony of God using you in a mighty way in the lives of those you touched while on your missions trip. "When we are weak, God is strong."
ReplyDeleteOur church has dedicated missionaries at Villa Esperanza. Such powerful stories coming out of that mission.
I leave your blog feeling blessed by all that God is doing in and through His people.
Who are your missionaries? Maybe I met them!
DeleteI was trying to remember their names, and even went through the names listed at Villa Esperanza to see if any rang a bell. I "think" it might actually be the Pastor's daughter and husband, but I don't remember her married name.
DeleteI tried to comment at Women to Women but it wouldn't work, so I came back here to try:
ReplyDeleteOften, before an event I'm to attend, when it's a God thing, I begin feeling as if I can't do it - for various reasons and with varying intensity of feeling. I've learned that the bigger the feelings to not go are usually because something God-planned is going to happen. Like you, I've learned to push through and discover grace and blessing on the other side. So glad you did - and so glad you chose love! Shalom!
~Maryleigh
Hmmm, don't know why comments over there didn't work. Interesting to know that you experience similar feelings before ministry trips. I thought it was just me!
DeleteA BEAUTIFUL, energetic and enthusiastic vessel I would add.
ReplyDeleteThank you, friend!
DeleteSuch a sweet photo and testimony of bridges built through love. Reminds me of some time I was able to spend in the town of La Esperanza in Honduras a number of years ago. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis was my first trip to Central America and I loved it! What a beautiful place and sweet people.
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