Talents and Testimonies

I know nobody wants to say it, but we are halfway through the trip. We are so close with the students of Centro de Fe that we already dread the day we have to say goodbye. Other than that (I can speak for most of the members on the team), we are enjoying the sun, the delicious food, and the beautiful country of Nicaragua.

It was another early morning with a 6:00 am breakfast. We started today with a short devotions, and left to spend time with the third and fourth grade students. With the kids, we made a simple memory game, and yet it was so much more enjoyable and memorable (no pun intended). Every day I’m noticing the similarities between Nicaraguans and Canadians. Really, other than language and some small cultural differences, we are exactly the same. Some are shy, some are talkative; some are energetic and some just like to spend time alone with themselves. I have already noticed some qualities in my Nicaraguan friends similar to those in my Canadian friends back at home.

After recess, we shared Language and Spanish class with the grade 11 students. It was interesting trying to do discussions and other typical Language Class activities in a foreign language. Altogether, though, it went smoothly as we finished up our two-day project on bullying and healthy friendships.

Then it was Talent Night! We Canadians enjoyed watching a variety of singing acts, traditional and not-so-traditional dances (Julio and Zoyla performed a very interesting dance). In return, we performed some handstands and a mix of humorous “dances” as well. Jared and Kirsten both shared their testimony, which moved everybody, including Rafa, the husband of Sandra (the principal) and Art teacher. Rafa shared a response with Jared and Kirsten, stirring their hearts and the rest of the students’ as well.

Before devotions today, the grade 11 students talked about Genesis 2:18, which reads “The LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable helper for him.’” This verse really made me understand the importance of community, and creating relationships with one another. This is evident everywhere in the Bible, from Ecclesiastes (4:10), to Matthew (22:37-40), to 1 John (2:9-11). This is the purpose of this trip: to create relationships with each other in Christ. That is what makes this trip different from the typical short-term mission’s trip we are used to hearing about. And so far, even though we are only halfway through, that makes all the difference.

Greetings to all of you from the Nehemiah Centre, Managua, Nicaragua!

~Bethany Vaags