Humbling Myself and Showing God's Love

I have recently returned from another medical brigade. I was invited to accompany a team from South Carolina that makes a trip down every January to visit communities in need of Medical attention, activity for kids to participate in, and prayer. This team was very fun to work with. I met many new people and have changed a lot of my views on my life as of now and maybe for the future. The team arrived and the first day, we worked at a camp started by two Christian men from the states. During this time, I worked with a plastic surgeon who called himself "Buck" because he thought it was cool. He met a boy who needed his help and his skills for surgery because he had facial bones that didn't fuse together when he was born and if something wasn't fixed; he would eventually go blind. So Buck offered to return in June and do the surgery and hopefully I can help out. He wants me involved with this little boy. His name is Fernando. Please pray that Buck can return and Fernando doesn't lose his eye sight before then or anytime after! His mother and grandmother were in tears when Buck told them he was going to come back and perform this surgery. I was blessed on the second day and was reminded of Honduras. We went to a part of the country that is called "the dump". I went to one in Honduras as well. These times open my eyes and make me see how good I have it. I have complained many times about things that are inevitable compared to how these people live from day to day. I met the pastor of this area's church. It was such a neat experience to see the day care they have set up. There is a day care in this area; and associated with the day care is a feeding center. Kids come for food everyday and while the parents are out working, this day care provides care and activities for the kids to do. It was so cool to see such a neat organization working hand in hand with the poorest people. I was helping to translate for some doctors at this place and then moved into the pharmacy to help distribute medications prescribed. On day three and four we worked in a school located at Masachapa. This is right on the coast in the southwest area of the country. It was beautiful. During these last two days I worked in the pharmacy and I got to experience feet washing. It was a great time. Before feet washing, I literally had to prepare my mind. I had to focus on what the importance of this whole thing was. It wasn't to make myself feel good or accomplished. It was humbling myself like I do before I enter into prayer; and loving these kids and creating small talk to get to know a little bit about them. It was ultimately showing them the love of Christ. I used to hate feet; but after this experience it hit me that feet are what keep me going. I walk and bring the word, God's love, and Christs' example to the places God guides me to. I am being HIS hands and feet! I seriously was so blessed to participate in this. I wish I could accompany this team every year just for that experience. This team was very welcoming and blessed me with prayers, some finances, and stories that lead them to where they are now in their lives and why. I learned a lot about myself during this time. I am asking you to help accompany me in prayer. I was debating on whether to make this public or not; but God has put it on my heart and I need prayer. I need prayer to purchase my residency here. It will be a residency for one year. I prayed to God during this trip that if He wants me to stay here, He will provide a way because I am just a poor missionary and don't have the luxury to spend money as I wish, like most of the members of the teams that come down here. I was given the money to cover purchasing my residency because GOD IS FAITHFUL! That has been my motto from the beginning of this year. I just need prayer that the papers travel smoothy in the US and from the US to Nicaragua and the contacts that my family has here will be sufficient for me to make this a possibility. I really know God is guiding me. Home is where the heart is; and my heart is secure down here in Central America. I love every moment, every opportunity, and everyone who has welcomed me here. Please keep our base here in Nicaragua in your prayers as well as del are still trying to raise money to purchase our office and that each missionary accomplishes what they need to do to help spread the gospel of Christ throughout Nicaragua. Please also pray for my church I attend here "Amor Viviente" as we are fasting this week to pray for the church and the future God has for us as a church, people, and as a country. I have felt moved by his hand and work here in our church. It is so nice to feel welcomed with open arms and hugs and smiles every Saturday night. I hope this is a nice little update. I am sorry it wasn't too long and full of information, but I am on a tight schedule today. We had our devotion this morning and now I need to go prepare my prayer for church tonight for the offering we have after the service. I appreciate all of my followers and thank you for your continued support.

One person can make a difference.

Hello Friends and Family that are following! I have had such a busy last couple weeks (with no work; yes, weird, but true)! I hope this finds you all well! I have been thinking about what to write about; the amount of food we eat for Christmas, the amount of food we eat for the New Year, or the amount of food I ate while my parents were here and treated as royalty. Well as most of you probably have already figured out, I have eaten a lot lately! This month of December has been full of fun, food, and family (three of my favorite things). The CFCI team I work with had “off work” since December 13th and my days of vacation started a little later. I had a 2-week vacation from December 24th until January 7th. I was blessed to be able to take off two weeks because as most of you know; health care is a constant need. I was able to relax, rest, and re-charge my batteries for this wonderful new year of 2013! I have been praying to have a light and a fire for God that cannot be extinguished no matter how hard, how tired, or how much I want to quit. I ask you to partner with me in this prayer and I challenge you to pray if for yourselves as well. God calls each one of us to serve Him wherever we are and to influence those in our own personal “influential spheres”. I challenge you to count the number of people you spend an hour around during a normal day throughout a week. The average number of people we influence by spending over an hour or more with these people is around 12 (17 at most). Mine is about 14. I am pretty amazed. God has given me 14 people to reach out to and hopefully make a powerful impact so that when my time on this earth is done and my time in Nicaragua is through; they will be forever changed. In some way, shape, or form I desire to make changes to the people in my influential sphere. Everyone has a chance to make a difference. And that is what I want to talk about; making a difference. I want to reference Noah (considering I am reading the whole bible this year in chronological order). I have read through the first twelve chapters of the Genesis and have realized that Noah was one person who made a difference in this world. Something I constantly need to be reminded of is “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1. People watch what we do; no matter if we know or not. Everyone around you watches you. I am not saying this to try to creep you out or convince you that you have stalkers. But the human mind is scientifically proven to learn from experience. A lot of people would admit they are visual learners. Since Noah listened so obediently to the word of God, he made a difference in this world. I desire to have the same effect where I am at today. Last year I struggled with the thoughts that told me “I am not making a difference”, or “I haven’t evangelized to one person”, or even “Melissa, you’re wasting your time; might as well go home and actually start your career.” ALL of these thoughts were the devil speaking to me and trying to convince me that my work for God’s kingdom is worthless. I know that God is being glorified no matter if all I do in a day is fill medicines or if I get to be a part of a medical brigade and pray over sick people all day. Every little second of my time spent here is making a significant difference for his kingdom and for my eternity. Another thing Noah did was made he a difference for his family. He was chosen out of his whole family and with that, was allowed to save his family because of his salvation and his heart. He found favor in the eyes of the Lord. He made a difference for his generation. Come on people; Noah started a generation! He also made a difference for God. He obeyed God and built an ark even though it took 120 years. He kept doing the things he was told. I mean for me, I personally would have probably given up around year 2. People today want things done quickly and efficiently that we don’t hear when God whispers into our hearts and tells us how we could impact this world in His timing. The society has taught us that fast and in large quantities is best. If I had that attitude down here I would be disappointed day after day. I would be losing and captured by the thoughts of the enemy. You have to wait on Him. God is never late in anything! His timing is perfect and his plan is perfect (He is also perfect as well; so you’re ok, the maker of the universe has it under control). I have noticed, or should I say others have noticed me. I stand out like a sore thumb here in Nicaragua; even after I dyed my hair! People can notice “cheles” (or Americans) like it’s their job. I get stared at everyday. I hated it at first and wondered why people have to be so rude and stare. Now, I hardly notice because I am still busy looking at the city and thinking how my God is watching from above with a huge smile. I am making a difference by being different! I am a 23 year old girl who has stopped my life and handed it over to God to see how much more impactful I can be when I listen and obey Him. I have seen miracles and smiling faces everyday I have been here, and that has been my biggest blessing. Like a lot of other firsts in my family; after being the first in my immediate family to graduate from a 4-year college, I have left and taken the title of a missionary. I wasn’t afraid to do something no one in my family has done before. It takes a lot to literally scare me out of doing something (which is a good thing). All of you probably know the story of Noah pretty well. Noah made an ark because God saw that the world was evil and he was ashamed he made man. He told Noah to make an ark and his whole family and two kind of every animal will get on this ark. He allowed it to rain for 40 days and 40 nights and there was a flood and all the people and animals of the world that were not in the ark died. He then promised Noah with a rainbow that he would never flood the entire world again. I want you to take another look at a rainbow the next time you see it and instead of thinking about God’s promise, think about Noah and how ONE PERSON MADE A DIFFERENCE. Noah obeyed, made a difference, stood out, and wasn’t afraid. All of these things have crossed my mind at least once since I have been here and I am proud to say that I see myself a little more like Noah everyday. To give you an update on my busy couple weeks: Christmas is celebrated on the 24th here, my parents came to visit over New Year’s where big stuffed dolls were burned at a stake, and a miracle took place! Christmas here is celebrated on the 24th here and it is a little different for me. No present were exchanged (except for Liam of course). Kids get luxury at Christmas; but that’s worldwide I think. I called my parents and they said they were having a “different” Christmas this year. They had Christmas brunch and were missing me. I was sad, but realized I was experiencing something I may never experience again. I embraced it and it was fun. We had a huge meal and stayed up till about 1:30 AM and talked and hung out and watched fireworks that made the whole city of Managua alive. Fireworks are used all throughout December and into the first of the year of course. My parents came down and got here a little late (unexpected) because their plane that was supposed to arrive on Friday the 28th at 2:00AM actually arrived 12 hours later and on a different airline. It was fine with me; because I got more sleep ☺ I was sad, but I could wait. It meant 12 hours less in their presence, but it was for a reason (not sure what, but God does). They arrived and when we got back to the house, we realized we were missing a suitcase. “Que lastima” (what a shame) as my grandma would say! It really was such a shame, considering all the clothes I planned on blessing the women in my family with were in that bag. I was so upset and that night when my parents and I laid down for bed at 9:30, I didn’t fall asleep until about 2:00 AM. I was troubled asking God “why did this have to happen?”, “what could I have done to prevent this?”, “God, my parents are going to hate Nicaragua and think it’s more dangerous than it actually is.” The next morning I got up at 5:30 (since I couldn’t sleep) and wrote in my journal since my heart was troubled. I had a talk with my Nicaraguan mom about it over coffee, and I started crying. I was so upset and I told her “there was all these clothes in that suitcase for you, Karen, and Silvia. I feel so bad, like it was my fault.” She said “No, Melissa, God is in control. God gives and he takes away. If someone stole that bag, then they needed it and God knew that. We have bigger treasures than earthly ones. We have an eternal promise with God and we will get bigger things in heaven. The things of this earth don’t matter.” Wow, she was right. She opened my eyes. I prayed then that God take away the trouble I felt and the thoughts of anger I had toward this missing suitcase. I asked the group that donated the clothes (Venue Reach, Bayside Community Church) to pray that this bag would somehow show up and that I was sorry it was lost. I know that a lot of people saw this and hopefully prayed for it to appear. Well New years went by, my dad left on new years day at 2:00 AM (horrible hours with Spirit). My mom stayed till the 4th and we went to the airport 3 different times trying to get a copy of the claim my dad and my Nicaraguan dad made on the day we realized we didn’t have it in our possession. On the way to airport I prayed and told God that if the suitcase was not there, I would forget about it and leave it up to Him and prayed the person who had it would use the clothes for good and maybe the person that stole this suitcase was poor and needed it. I had no clue what God had in store. My mom eventually left on another 2:00 AM flight on Friday the 4th. While my parents were here we got to see Granada, take a boat tour of some islands that were formed from a volcano, see Catarina, which is now a lagoon that was formerly a volcano. We got to go to Masaya and visit the volcano park. We got to go to the clinic where I work and enjoy an amazing meal with the doctor and his family. I made them take the bus with me to experience what I do everyday. I wanted them to experience a little bit of what I do here in Nicaragua. They came to church with me and met a lot of the people I see in a regular week. I was so excited to show them my city, where I live, and what I do. My mom stayed a little later and she helped me one day in the clinic in the pharmacy. I had to translate for her, but she did give about 5 injections! I was blessed to have my mom with me and help me with what we both love doing. I think the biggest fascination for my parents was the number of people and age of those riding motorcycles. The max they saw on one motorcycle was four. I have seen five; child in front, dad driving, another child stuck between the mom holding an infant. It is a way of life here; it’s normal. Just embrace it and be thankful it’s not you! Back to the suitcase story; my parents met this man on the way down here from Costa Rica who was married to a Nicaraguan woman. They had eight suitcases for three people and my parents checked an extra one on for them because their limit was exceeded. They got to know this guy pretty well and my dad gave him his business card. After we lost our suitcase I asked, “Why didn’t you get that guys number?” and they were wondering the same. So my parents came and went. I forgot about the suitcase and I was texting my dad the day my mom got home and he was asking about his favorite little boy (Liam). I was updating, sending pictures of him swimming in the pool and playing and being the cutie that he is. And my dad said, ”guess who called?” I couldn’t believe it; the guy they met on the plane called and had our suitcase! I screamed and my mom thought something terrible happened. I told her “the suitcase; the guy has it!” The whole house was screaming and thanking God! Well long story short, we picked up the suitcase and I was able to bless the women of my family with some new clothes. They loved them and were so thankful. So thank you for those of you who prayed and my reminder for this whole year is that GOD IS FAITHFUL. Take every blessing with gratitude and believe that even when it looks bad, God is there. He loves hid children and will bless those who trust him. I have a great outlook for this New Year! God is good! Gracias a Dios! This past week we sang God of this city (in Spanish of course) and it spoke to me. God will change Managua Nicaragua and I would ask all of you to pray for this city, the clinic I work in, and the church I attend. We are desperately praying for the money to come in to purchase the property and are praying to our faithful God that the funds will be provided. I also ask you to pray for my dream; to run an orphanage. I was told today in my devotional meeting (held every Thursday) that I have a heart for kids. I immediately felt compelled to tell my CFCI team that I have always dreamed of running an orphanage. I was in tears by the end of this little speech because it is such a passionate subject and a desire that I hope to fulfill one day. I know God can do great things for his children who desire to serve His kingdom and do good for Him. I know that with His power, His plan, and the motivation He coerces me with I can do anything and nothing is impossible for my God! Thank you all for your continued prayer and support! Enjoy the pictures!