Ah there’s so much that I could possibly say. I normally don’t really struggle with putting words to feelings and experiences but, with Nicaragua, it’s been really hard. I left Nicaragua a WHOLE MONTH AGO and still haven’t been able to fully explain why I love it so much.
So, simply put, I love Nicaragua because I have never seen the Holy Spirit move in an entire country like I did when I was in Nicaragua.
So what did that look like exactly?
One of the biggest parts of our ministry in Nicaragua was house visits. We would go with translators and teams of about 3-8 people from door to door or walk through the streets and ask the Nica people if they wanted prayer. We got to pray over so many people, but we also got to sit and hear their stories. Because of the crisis, the economy has been struggling. Nicaragua has been a huge tourist destination, but now the streets that used to be full of visitors are practically empty. Finding work of any sort is extremely challenging. People are not only lacking jobs and money, but they’re lacking purpose. Many of the people we talked to were simply bored. They sat at home all day and didn’t know what they should do with themselves. God so perfectly invited us here during that month so that we could just sit and talk and listen to these people. We got to hear amazing testimonies of hope and strength and faith in what the Lord was doing, despite circumstances that felt quite hopeless to them. There was physical and spiritual and emotional healing. So many cool ways that the Holy Spirit spoke to us to share encouragement and to just connect with these incredible people. Their hearts are so big and welcoming. God is moving big time in this country. There is REVIVAL happening and coming. It’s hard to put it all into words because I’ve never felt the Holy Spirit like that before. So insane.
Nicaragua is also just such a beautiful place to be. If you ever get the chance to go to Nicaragua, I highly recommend it!! Also highly recommend working with REAP Granada ministries if you’re looking for something to be involved in!
There’s beautiful volcanoes (Masaya and Mombacho are awesome!) to climb up (+ to sled down!), DELICIOUS FOOD, zip lining, cool lagoons, beautiful beaches, the largest lake in Central America + boat tours of all the little islands, the kindest people, colorful houses and buildings, cathedrals, fun little street vendors (at least in Granada). It’s such a sweet place to be.
My goal is to get more stories of Nicaragua written down to share with you all that will hopefully encompass more of what I’m saying, but for now I’ll leave you with this. Nicaragua is amazing and if you want to see God doing something big, come & see!
While I’ve loved each and every country I’ve been in for different reasons, Nicaragua is by far my favorite country of the Race.
-Elena
