This past week in Rivas was not easy. We had more luxurious accomodations but ministry and feeling purposeful there was a constant struggle. We had expectations that we carried with us that were not met and became easily frustrated with lack of planning.
The church we were helping out was much different than we expected. It actually contained no walls, and was on a farm, pigs and all. Back in Fort Collins at the church I attend we go to a building on campus to have Sunday services; demonstrating that church is not a building but a people of Christ. Walking onto the farm expecting a building reminded me that church is not defined by walls but by the people who are working as Christ´s hands and feet.
So far we have been to a total of 3 church services in Nicaragua. Everytime the pastor has been a woman. These women speak with conviction, strength, and great faith. What a flip of roles from the United States. I strongly believe that I as well as the other 18 women that are on this trip with me have been blessed by these women and their leadership in the church.
I have come to realize how much I miss having clean feet. I have grown accustomed to the filth that stays on feet, no matter how often we wash them.
I am currently reading the gospel of Luke along with some women on our team. When I think back to the times of Jesys I realize how dirty His feet must have been. He wore small sandals and walked miles in them every single day. In reading Luke 7:44-45 I realized the beauty of what this woman had done:
¨Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ´Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered has not stopped kissing my feet´¨.
What a humbling story. This woman was criticized as she cried over the feet of Jesus. I would love to say that my faith would bring me to do the same even with the criticism from peers. However I see my lack of faith i God even in the small things, like whether or not my service is purposeful. I will question His timing and His whispers to me.
I do not expect everything to change overnight but I do pray for examples of what my faith should look like. I pray that His word shock me as I read so that it will initiate change. Lord give me new eyes for your people and your timing.
PRAYER REQUESTS: We have been experiencing a good deal of sickness in the group, from intestinal issues to common colds and sinus infections. They cause weariness which is the last thing we need as we hit the halfway point in our service.
Our leaders are struggling with raising the rest of their support for this trip. They work for AIM and have been raising support as part of their career so funds have become tight in terms of donations coming in for the trip. I ask for prayer and if led, to donate what you are able so that they can be fully invested in ministry at CICRIN. Their blog links:http://kaylahouse.theworldrace.org/ &http://ashleypenny.theworldrace.org/?filename=halfway-in-nicaragua
