After a restful night’s sleep, breakfast was served at the
top of the resort, giving us a beautiful view of the landscape and the lagoon.
Right after breakfast, everyone headed back to their villa to begin their
second debrief small group. In these small group times, we review our pre-trip
trainings, as well as discuss how God has appeared to us on this trip and how
we want these experiences to impact our lives back home in Williamsburg. After
small group, each student was asked to write a letter to their future selves.
These letters will be sent to them in a few months to serve as a reminder, an
encouragement, and a continuation of the call to serve.
At 12:30pm, the team gathered down by the lagoon for lunch.
With another gorgeous backdrop, we enjoyed a delicious meal (burgers and French
fries, along with a vegetarian option) and shared some sweet fellowship
together. The students had free time between lunch and dinner in which they
could swim in the lagoon or pool, rest, or continue processing their trip by completing
devotions or talking with their leaders.
We all met once again for dinner at the same lagoon-side
location. After everyone had eaten and a team picture had been taken, we headed
to our final Porch Time in Nicaragua. With a light breeze blowing and the sound
of the waves in the background, the team worshipped God and sang praises to Him
for all that was accomplished on this trip. Hawley delivered a powerful
message, finishing our study of Elijah. After Elijah’s encounter with God on
Mount Horeb, God tells him, “Go back the way you came.” We, too, must go back
to live out God’s call on our lives. Hawley encouraged everyone to “anoint” two
kings and a prophet, just like Elijah did, to come alongside each of us as we
live out our callings. We finished our Porch Time with a final experience
(burning the cards on which we had written things that were holding us back
from following God’s call, then writing down the names of the “kings” and “prophet”
we hope to partner with when we return) and another worship song. God’s
presence could truly be felt tonight in our experience together. Finally, the
group headed back to their rooms for our last small group of the trip. After some late-night fellowship at the pool,
it was time to head to bed so that we can catch our flight tomorrow morning.
Our flight is scheduled to depart at 7:44am Nicaragua time
(we are two hours behind Williamsburg). We will send a text just before we take
off, and will continue to send travel updates via text messages. Once again, if
you have not yet signed up to receive text updates but would like to do so,
please text the word NICAPARENT to the number 41411. We expect to be back at
the Chapel around 9pm on Wednesday, June 25th.
Thank you all so much for all of your prayers over the last
8 days! God has truly shown up in some incredible ways, and we look forward to
continuing to process the trip with all of you when we return.
