Serving Group 1 (All Seniors: Led by Craig) were given the opportunity to lead the children's ministry portion at —not one—but two churches in the Leon region. The team led a VBS lesson that involved crafts, games, and a short message from one of the seniors. After the first service, the team ate lunch with the pastor who leads both of these churches. This pastor later told them that God provided the Chapel group for him at just the right time because he had recently been feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. The seniors' ministry and fellowship with this man provided much-needed encouragement and refreshment, motivating him to keep serving the Lord with all his heart as he ministers to two congregations. In the evening, the seniors wrapped up their Senior Experience with their own porch time. In addition to to the usual time of remembering what God did throughout the day and worship songs, the porch time "talk" was given by all of the seniors that have been to Nicaragua at least three times. Each of these seniors had the opportunity to share the most powerful lesson that God has taught them during their time in Nicaragua. The Chapel staff was thrilled to hear all of the amazing stories of transformation and growth the seniors have experienced as a result of their encounters with Christ in this country.
Serving Group 2 (Quinn/Dante's Junior Boys Small Group, Lindsey's Junior Girls Small Group, All Sophomore Girls: Led by Luke) had the exciting experience of attending Verbo church today, bringing the orphans at Casa Bernabe and sitting with them for the service. The team experienced a vibrant and upbeat worship service (all in Spanish!) that moved them as they thought about the reality that neither language nor culture changes the God we worship. Sharing the experience with the kids from Casa was an exciting time for everyone. Later that day, the team got to take the orphans to a sports/recreation center where they played a variety of games including soccer, ping-pong, foosball, bicycling and—most popular—roller-blading. We continue to see bonds form between the children and the team as the language barrier disintegrates and relationships deepen.
Serving Group 3 (Watt's Junior Boys Small Group, Christine's Junior Girls Small Group, All Sophomore Boys: Led by Lex) began their day by attending the worship service at Verbo Sur, the church that houses the feeding center where this part of the team has served several times this week. The pastor of the church gave an inspirational message, and the team was grateful for their translator, Josiah, as he did a great job translating the entire sermon. After lunch, Lex's group met up with the children from El Canyon at the local movie theater, where they treated the orphans to soda and popcorn while enjoying the movie Madagascar 3. Some of the children had never been to the movie theater before, and it was a privilege for this group to see the joy on the children's faces. The entire day was an incredible reminder that ministry is not our gift to God, but God's gift to us!
Porch time for the non-seniors tonight was similar to the previous nights in that there was a time of fellowship/re-capping the day, worship songs, and a talk from Luke. Luke spoke on Ephesians 6:10-18. His discussion on the reality of a spiritual dimension and the need for the armor of God came to life with incredible relevance as the teams reflected on the importance of being sensitive to not only what goes on in our lives physically, but spiritually as well. Illustrations became much more vivid and relatable as the unique environment of Nicaragua turned the light away from material comforts and illuminated the ways in which God moves in people's hearts. There could not have been a better time for this kind of reflection, as the trip approaches the three-day home stretch: tomorrow marks the last full day of service, and the teams are committed more than ever to make this day count in children's lives, caretakers' lives, and our own lives.
Again, please remember to join Wrenn Holland, Deacon for Student Ministries, on Tuesday night for a time of corporate prayer. The prayer time will begin at 7pm in Moog Hall. We will post final details about the event in tomorrow's blog update.
Again, please remember to join Wrenn Holland, Deacon for Student Ministries, on Tuesday night for a time of corporate prayer. The prayer time will begin at 7pm in Moog Hall. We will post final details about the event in tomorrow's blog update.
While we will be sad to leave the incredible relationships we have developed over the last week, we are excited to return home to share even more about what God has done.
¡Dios te bendiga!
The SM Staff Team
