This was my life before I was changed forever by the beautiful place I now call home, Nicaragua.
Before Nica (for funsies)…
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… I would scream at the top of my lungs when I saw a huge spider, now we have come to be everyday acquaintances.
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… I thought porter potties were gross.
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… Having four or five people in my car seemed to be a full load, now I have seen not only how many people can fit in the back of a truck but also on a bicycle.
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… I knew what a hot shower felt like.
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… I DIDN’T LIKE COFFEE (Most of you now know, I am in love with the beautiful beverage)
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… The 12 other people on my team were no more than the pictures I had stalked on Facebook, now they know probably too much about me.
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… I had a pool in my backyard, now I have a Volcano
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… I froze my butt off in the not so pleasant Indiana winter weather.
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…I spoke English; I now have adopted the lovely language of Spanglish.
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… My family consisted of 3 other people; my Nicaraguan family consists of my 12 teammates plus many more Nicaraguans.
Before Nica (on a more serious note)…
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…I thought I was a “poor college student”; my definition of “poor” will most definitely never be the same.
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…I thought I was going to be a Physical Therapist and live out the American Dream, no way my life is going to be “normal” by the American standards.
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… I was unsure if I had the ability to hear from God, now I am confident that He speaks and that I have the ability to hear Him.
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…God is calling me to a life of everyday service and ministry, although I am unsure of the exact details, I am so ready to see how I can be used!
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… I thought being in love required an earthly man; I am now in love with someone so much better, Jesus Christ!
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…I didn’t truly understand the difference between joy and happiness.
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… I didn’t notice the miracles happening all around me. God has taught me to just open my eyes and see the many ways He is working.
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… I was missing out on so many lessons that God wanted to teach me because I was stubborn in thinking that somehow I couldn’t be taught from the living breathing Word of God. Now everyday as I set aside time to spend in the Word, I am learning more than I ever could of expected.
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…I thought I had a very specific purpose and plan. I thought God had a folder with my name on it, consisting of the exact business I was going to work for, exactly who I was going to marry, and where I was going to live. I thought that would be my purpose. I now know that my sole purpose in life is to glorify God and bring His kingdom here on earth. To share God with every person I come in contact with, God is not a secret to be kept!
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…I was so extremely comfortable. Although my life had some struggles, I was still living in a very dangerous state of comfort. God was calling me to something that was going to flip my world upside down, and I am so glad that He did!
Although living in another country far away from everything you know and the many people you love isn’t always easy, I would not rather be any other place but Nicaragua! God has taught me more in this month and a half than I have learned in the 19 years of my existence. I am completely in awe of God and that He chose me, a small unworthy girl from Indianapolis, Indiana to go live in Nicaragua for four months and spread His name! Thank you Jesus, you never seize to amaze me!
