I’m excited to write this fourth and final post about our November trip to Nicaragua. I’ve had people ask me, “Why Nicaragua? Why now?” These questions can best be answered by my previous posts, but here’s the short answer: In November 2015, we agreed to sponsor a child through a partnership between our church and Compassion International, …
mission trip
Go Nicaragua 2016: Every Story Matters
I originally planned three blog posts to highlight our November trip to Nicaragua. (The first two posts can be viewed here). As I began writing this third post about some of our favorite memories, I realized there was too much to tell. Instead, I decided to write about the final day of our Central American …
Go Nicaragua 2016: Break Me
In my last post, I described how and why I invited God to break me as we climbed Cerro Negro on our first day in Nicaragua. Fast forward to the next morning… During devotionals, we learned we would be working on a project in La Chuscada. Up until three years ago, the people in this …
Go Nicaragua 2016: Juntos on Cerro Negro
After a long day of travel, including a four-hour layover in Houston and a lengthy bus ride from Managua to Chinandega, we arrived at Amigos for Christ around 1:30am local time (2:30am at home). We rose four hours later and joined the rest of our group for a delicious breakfast of pancakes, pineapple, rice, and …
Final Preparations: GO Nicaragua 2016
As we finalize preparations for our trip to Nicaragua, I’m experiencing a broad range of emotions–mostly excitement, but if I’m being honest, I should mention anxiety, fear, and anger as well. Yes, anger. This week, Travis has battled a nasty eye infection, and Brooke has been fighting a virus that resulted in an ear infection. …
Pack the Bags. We’re going to Nicaragua!
In the winter of 2013, I had the opportunity to join a team of women on a mission trip in Mexico. Since my return to the States, I have prayed for an opportunity for our family to go on a mission trip together. Earlier this spring, I received an email from our church, inviting us …
Child Sponsorship
After traveling with a mission group to serve others in Mexico, I was moved to inquire about child sponsorship. When I learned the children I had connected with during my visit were either not yet eligible for sponsorship or already had sponsors, I decided to hold off on taking any action. During a worship service …
The Story Behind the Picture
While on a mission trip to Mexico a few years ago, our group visited Bonfil, a town on the outskirts of Cancun. We met a talented jewelry artist named Rossy who told us God had given her a vision of His light shining in this poor community. At that time, she had spent about eight …
Mission Trip: Cancun 2013
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 For six weeks each year, our entire church focuses on a specific topic designed to foster our spiritual growth as a community. These Journeys …