Nicaragua: New Practical Skills (CoA)

This was my first week doing ministry in Nicaragua! It has been an amazing week of learning and getting the hang of all of the new. We are being led and pushed to step out of our comfort zones to do what this team came to do – share The Good News!

A few of the main ministries we have the opportunity to work with here are:
1. Prayer Walks: This is an amazing chance to walk through neighborhoods, get invited into homes, and visit with people. They are incredibly welcoming and eager to hear about who God is.
2. Hospital Ministry: Similar to the prayer walks, we are able to visit with people and share the gospel, but we also get a big chance to help turn people’s eyes away from their circumstances and toward God.
3. Farm Work: There are many needs around the farm including pulling weeds and working in the kitchen.
It is absolutely amazing to see how anything you do can be ministry if you are glorifying God and serving others!

Throughout this incredible week, there have also been numerous learning moments. I am growing so much! Here are a few of the practical skills I am finding are necessary:
– I am learning that a big key to ministry is being able to just sit and be with the Lord. You have to allow the Lord to fill you up before you can pour out into others.
– I am also learning that getting into the Word and writing scripture on your heart is truly important. People are always going to want an encouraging verse to provide them with some hope. Instead of freezing when asked to share something, being able to recall the Word of God and sharing a piece of scripture can be incredibly impactful.
– Another thing I have learned is not to go into situations intending to preach at people. You never know their circumstances, experiences or relationship with the Lord, so just go in intending to love on them.  Ask people questions and get to know them. They are so full of love and life, and when someone genuinely wants to sit down with them and get to know them, they are overjoyed by the love we can bring. Then, if you are living a life reflecting the love of God, He is bound to come up in conversation.
– I also learned that listening is key. The people we visit are not the only ones gaining something from the conversation, we are too. Everyone has such incredible insight and wisdom to bring to the table. Truly listening gives connection and understanding.

I still have so much to learn, but to realize I have learned all this after one week of ministry is mind blowing! I cannot wait to see how much more God teaches and reveals to me throughout this journey.