February 28

Well, I can honestly say that I need to get out more! Our first days were filled with me “oohing” and “Ahing” over the escalators and moving stair ways in the airports! Everyone, including myself, got a good laugh out of that! But the thing I was truly in awe over was how smoothly the Lord allowed us to go through check-in and customs! Even with our bags overflowing with supplies we were bringing to the Nicaraguans, God made it so that we didn’t have to pay any taxes on anything! Praise His name! Actually, as we were sitting in our seats on the way to Nicaragua from Atlanta, a stewardess stopped us and asked where we were going and what we were planning on doing. Her face lit up when she discovered we were going on a mission to Nicaragua! She had just gone on a mission trip to South America, and happened to be carrying an evangelistic DVD with her in Spanish! The Lord is so good, and his plans always catch us by surprise!

We flew in, and from the plane, the blue water melted into a mass of mountainous splendor! The mountains were cloaked in vegetation, brimming with life! Very unlike Montana mountains that are bare faced and pale against the sun. We met our translators Eduardo, Micheal, Michel,  and Freddie! Mrs. Gardner also translated for us!

We loaded into a bus, took a ride through Managua, and into our compound, which was not at all what I had expected! Beautiful lush gardens teaming with mango trees, papaya trees, coconut, banana, and lime trees! Flowers sprawled lazily in the humid air, everywhere, scenting the air with their pink, blue, purple, and orange blossoms! We from Montana were in awe because we had not seen a flower in months! SIGNS OF LIFE! A gorgeous fountain trickled just outside the palm hut that we prayed and held our devotion time in.

The flowers continued to radiate their beauty as we took a ride into the village we will be witnessing in. God opened our eyes as we saw the small, old two room houses edged by large sticks as fences. We were told what we are going to be doing: repairing houses and becoming a part of the families there. Pray that we are able to show compassion, and for God to give us humble and servant hearts for this field he has called us to! Also pray that God is able to allow the people in Nicaragua to encourage and strengthen us! He is good!

I cannot describe my excitement! I couldn’t stop talking the entire day! To see the sights, feel the humidity hit me like a two by four, and try to speak the language all in one day while taking in the beauty contrasted with the poverty of Nicaragua was an emotional trip to say the least! I pray that God is able to work through me, and He will show our group how He plans to grow and train us to be better workers for His glory and His glory only!

-          Madison Van Winkle