“For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them.”
-Matthew 8:20
Culture shock at church? I didn’t expect that. Who would have known that singing worship music in Spanish would be so different, but at the same time inspiring? Who would have known that my ears would get used to the blast of the speakers while a little girl sings at the top of her lungs, and somehow, deep inside, I truly love it? Who would have known that the white and green plastic seats we use as pews and my neighbors signing off-tune and off-beat is where I find a new joy and comfort? I do have to declare that where two or more of God’s people meet to worship, He is there. I feel the passion that is expressed in the preaching of all of the pastors. I sense their love for the people. I see the biggest heart I have ever seen when I look at Bonnie, our missionary mom, interacting with the people she loves so dearly. And I see the greatest visionaries when I speak with Lynne and Glenn Schweitzer about their ministry at Nueva Vida.
Nueva Vida is my new home, my new church and my new ministry. Because of Nueva Vida, we have the opportunity to try multiple ministries and find the ministry to which God has called us. Some of the different types of ministries we have been working in are a women’s Bible study, English classes, after-school care for the preschool, youth, adult and children church services and also visits in the barrios. There are also other organizations that we volunteer at, such as, Los pipitos, which is a school for disable children, the Jinotepe hospital, and the retirement home. Each of these experiences are unique, and I believe that God is giving us this opportunity to show us what we are good at and to develop our skills in the areas that we need to develop.
I hope this gives you a better picture of everything we are doing here in Jinotepe. Continue to pray for God to guide us in everything we do.
