Two Weeks Down and More At Home Than Ever!

Since I am able at the moment I am writing another Blog.

First, I miss you all so much and am so thankful for your prayers and support the past few weeks I pray God blesses you so much in return. There has been a lot going on here in Nicaragua. The kids here at the Lakinta base where I am staying, in the village of Diriamba, have grown very attached to me and I to them. I love them so much and I am trying very hard not to think about when I have to leave. I got the opportunity to teach them the “Shackles dance” with a few of my own changes. They loved it especially the older ones, to my surprise. They loved learning a new dance and I am just happy it was difficult for them because I was afraid it might be to easy!

The older boys (16-20 years old) who lived here at the base were asked to leave to go back to the families they do have because Juanita is the only women living here taking care of everyone and it was to difficult (initially this base was supposed to be a base just for children not the youth). It has been a very sad last couple of days because of that.

Also please join with me in prayer for the church here on the base. God has really placed it on my heart and it has been through some major problems. There are a lot of changes happening and the community is not adjusting to them. A new pastor, Pastor Manuel and his wife Elesia, have been placed in charge because the previous one caused a lot of conflict in the ministry and the village. However, the community do not want to submit to the new pastor and his wife, especially the youth. This past Sunday Pastor Manuel asked me to preach. At first I said I didn't think it was a good idea, but it didn't take long for God to remind me of the promise He has given me. So I went back to him and said yes. There wasn't huge shift in the atmosphere, no one got healed, and no one was rolling on the floor after I preached, the time I had to share what was on my heart I believe was really for me. I was nervous, but the entire time I was on that stage I could feel God with me and I knew this was only the beginning.

Since I have been here God has given me many dreams about Nicaragua and this ministry in particular. Because of this I have gotten the opportunity to poor into the founders Lynne and Glen who in return, for the time being, have become mentors to me as well as asking for my help in important matters. They have prophesied many incredible things over me and have lifted me up in a major way. I am so blessed and humbled to be here.

Communication is actually getting a lot better! I can understand most of what people are saying to me. Still can not say that much, but definitely more than when I got here and more than I would have learned if I was just around people who speak English all the time! I play lots of Futbol (soccer) with the youth in the village. I found my spot as goal keeper I am actually not bad! I have grown very close to one girl Patricia who is 16 she is so cute and I have really been able to poor into her and she into me. At first we never understood each other, but through the grace of God we can actually communicate pretty well. It takes a while, but we get there. I took here for Ice cream in Jinotepe (which is where the Hotel Mateo, the hotel rented out by the ministry, is. It is about a mile walk and then a 20 min micro-bus ride from where I am staying in Diriamba) and one of the Sundae's on the menu was called ARCO IRIS! Haha I tried to take a picture but it was to far away. I am eating a lot of rice and beans about the same as African rice and beans. However I also get lots of other foods like potato, plantains, homemade tortillas, I got pineapple this morning! I was so excited. However, I did have some of the water on accident a few times and got to feeling pretty sick, but as of today I don't feel so bad! Praise Jesus! I contacted some of you to pray! And I am feeling it!

This country needs a lot of prayer its President Daniel Ortega is a dictator. The elections were just last week and many riots broke out when it was found out he cheated his way into being re-elected. His wife is a professed witch and has brought many other witches into the country to be in her coven. She has bribed many churches with money into hanging up campaign flyers covered with witchcraft. Hope has left almost all of what I have seen of Nicaragua. Especially the youth. There is some crazy statistic here that says 75% of the population is under 35years of age. So there is a lot of hopeless and dreamless people.

Many people come to Nicaragua to help, but they just give and give only making the spirit of greed and lust even bigger. God has shown me how important it is to rely on His strategies when going into countries like this. The people do not need more stuff. They need God, but have yet to see it.

I am definitely missing my church and especially worship! The worship here is basically 2 girls on stage singing songs in Spanish I have never heard without instruments. It is a difficult adjustment.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support may God bless you 100 fold!

Love,

-Rachael Michelle