Endings are often disappointing. A vacation can take so much preparation and end so quickly. So why would we take a month off as a family and go to Nicaragua? A few of our reasons were adventure, curiosity, travel, awareness, restlessness, and a chance to bond. We prayed and asked God to open or close doors.
We found open doors and helpful staff at the Canadian CRWM-Christian Reformed World Missions, where we discovered some of our trip could be used as a charitable donation if we spent time volunteering. We didn't travel first class but we had a great experience.
On arrival in Nicaragua we spent a week living in a family’s home and taking Spanish lessons. God had planned it that way. Unbeknownst to us, the director of the language school was a Christian. Veronica spoke with passion about the difference her church made in her life and in the lives of the local community.
While in Nicaragua we enjoyed beaches and saw how Nicaraguans experienced life, got our first taste of Nicaraguan food and encountered intestinal issues, and visited a community outside of the town where they had no running water or electricity. We heard the story of transformation that was happening there. God was at work.
We transitioned to the capital of Managua and worked with Tesoros de Dios (Treasures of God). There they work with children that have a wide range of exceptionalities, and their families, focusing on academics, physiotherapy and equine therapy with over 80 children each week. While we were there our girls worked with the children while the boys built a ramp for the equine therapy.
We had ups and downs. There were interesting commutes in mototaxi’s (3 wheeled vehicles). We prayed with families, including a mother had lost 2 sons in a car accident. We developed an appreciation for the community of support that Tesoros is for these families.
A gathering with CRWM workers from Nicaragua and the US, gave us a wider picture of the work that the CRWM does abroad. Ministry shares are vital in real life applications. Its also vitally important to pray for your missionaries, their walk with God, and their relationships with their family, friends and co workers.
There was also opportunity to explore Nicaragua. We stayed in hostels, back packed and rode local transportation. We also experienced zip lines, surfing, visiting volcanoes, exploring the rainforest and its wildlife, swimming, and horse back riding.
We visited a World Vision site and were very impressed. Both Christian Reformed World Mission and World Vision work with the communities they are in, identifying goals with community leaders. Know your community!
We experienced adventure, service, and a month together. God is good and we saw that goodness in Nicaragua. We were blessed to delve into a beautiful culture. It will resonate with us for a long time. Yes it took preparation, but was worth the investment. Our ending was not disappointing.
Do you feel a stirring of discontent? Want to see what God is doing in a different part of the world? Contact the CRWM for information on volunteer opportunities. What service adventure could 2012 hold for you?
- Sharon, Doug and their 3 Children spent August of 2011 in Nicaragua.
We found open doors and helpful staff at the Canadian CRWM-Christian Reformed World Missions, where we discovered some of our trip could be used as a charitable donation if we spent time volunteering. We didn't travel first class but we had a great experience.
On arrival in Nicaragua we spent a week living in a family’s home and taking Spanish lessons. God had planned it that way. Unbeknownst to us, the director of the language school was a Christian. Veronica spoke with passion about the difference her church made in her life and in the lives of the local community.
While in Nicaragua we enjoyed beaches and saw how Nicaraguans experienced life, got our first taste of Nicaraguan food and encountered intestinal issues, and visited a community outside of the town where they had no running water or electricity. We heard the story of transformation that was happening there. God was at work.
We transitioned to the capital of Managua and worked with Tesoros de Dios (Treasures of God). There they work with children that have a wide range of exceptionalities, and their families, focusing on academics, physiotherapy and equine therapy with over 80 children each week. While we were there our girls worked with the children while the boys built a ramp for the equine therapy.
We had ups and downs. There were interesting commutes in mototaxi’s (3 wheeled vehicles). We prayed with families, including a mother had lost 2 sons in a car accident. We developed an appreciation for the community of support that Tesoros is for these families.
A gathering with CRWM workers from Nicaragua and the US, gave us a wider picture of the work that the CRWM does abroad. Ministry shares are vital in real life applications. Its also vitally important to pray for your missionaries, their walk with God, and their relationships with their family, friends and co workers.
There was also opportunity to explore Nicaragua. We stayed in hostels, back packed and rode local transportation. We also experienced zip lines, surfing, visiting volcanoes, exploring the rainforest and its wildlife, swimming, and horse back riding.
We visited a World Vision site and were very impressed. Both Christian Reformed World Mission and World Vision work with the communities they are in, identifying goals with community leaders. Know your community!
We experienced adventure, service, and a month together. God is good and we saw that goodness in Nicaragua. We were blessed to delve into a beautiful culture. It will resonate with us for a long time. Yes it took preparation, but was worth the investment. Our ending was not disappointing.
Do you feel a stirring of discontent? Want to see what God is doing in a different part of the world? Contact the CRWM for information on volunteer opportunities. What service adventure could 2012 hold for you?
- Sharon, Doug and their 3 Children spent August of 2011 in Nicaragua.
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