“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you expected.” – Unknown
Coming in, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. Interesting food, broken hearts mended, and a few laughs along the way, but this trip has been far more than that thus far. It’s now been a full week since I landed in Nicaragua, a country filled with needs beyond your wildest imagination. Next to Haiti, Nicaragua is 2nd in the “poorest countries” category in the Western Hemisphere. What amazes me is how little these people have that live in the barrios or neighborhood and yet they remain so joyful of the things they do have. Family, community, and for some and most importantly, Jesus.
Waking up every morning at 8:15 there are 2 things I can expect to happen, God and soccer. I had the assumption that soccer would be played frequently in Nicaragua, but never would I have guessed they live and breathe it. Of the 7 days I have been here, I’ve played soccer 6 of those days, and it doesn’t seem like it is going to stop anytime soon. Not only is it a good workout, but it is a great way for me to connect with those who I am trying to connect with my main man, Jesus. So far, there have been few talks with the teens about having a personal relationship with Jesus, but it may just take some time. I continue to remind myself to work on God’s time, not my own.
The story behind Juan Messi is actually quite simple. I’ve introduced myself as Juan to basically everyone here that I have met. So after introducing myself as Juan to the 10-15 teenage soccer players, they decided to call me Juan Messi. (Messi is actually a very famous soccer player, if not thee best in the world.) I have some experience in soccer, but none like these kids have. I continue to improve every day on my soccer skills, and every goal I’ve scored thus far has been followed by me lifting my shirt over my head and yelling GOAAAAAAAAAL! (Unfortunately, it only happens about once a day.)
God continues to make an impact here in Nicaragua. As a team, we’ve been to the barrios twice now, and just the other day I was able to truly see God at work. A family that we prayed for showed up for Worship on Friday. For me, that was enough. God is completely in control and his plan remains supreme to what I might think is better. It is hard to put into words the things I’ve seen thus far in these families homes and communities, but one thing I can say I see that we can all relate to is God working in not only their lives, but mine as well. He continues to present challenges to me in my quiet times through prayer, and provides a plethora of wisdom that I can use in my daily occurrences through scripture. (Plethora – great word.)
I ask that you continue to pray for me and my team down here in the heat, and especially for those we continue to serve in the name of the Father. We are all made in God’s image, and they are a reflection that material possessions on earth do not symbolize the treasures that await in heaven. That is all for now!
For His Glory.
