Finding Faith in the Fear
As a family, we would like to express our gratitude for your prayers, thoughts, concerns, and for reaching out to check on us over the last few days. During this time of global crisis, many of you have asked about our plans regarding staying in Nicaragua. This has not been an easy decision for our family, as we understand that borders are closing, virus cases and death rates are increasing here in Nicaragua and in the States, and knowing there is an uncertainty of political unrest that could occur within Nicaragua over the next few weeks. With all that being said, we have decided, as a family, to remain in Nicaragua during this time.
Over the last eight years of seeking the Lord, trying to be obedient one step at a time, and trusting in His perfect timing, we believe, that He brought us to Nicaragua three months ago knowing that there would be a worldwide virus affecting billions of people. We believe that God, in all His sovereignty, brought us here with that in mind. We trust Him fully because His ways are higher than our ways. We believe God is wanting us to be the light in a scared, worried, doubtful, and lost community. We are not extraordinary people or some fabulous missionaries, we are human and each day, just like you, we battle the same concerns, fears, questions, worries, and doubts; but, what we have learned over the last eight years of praying, seeking, trusting, and waiting is that God is faithful in the waiting, He is good when it is difficult, He sees the unseen, He has planned the unplanned, and He knows all of the unknowns.
God is still working on our behalf, we will go to Immigration on Monday 3/30, to obtain our residency, as our paperwork has been processed and completed. Also, the Lord opened up an opportunity for our family to move onto the farm, in one of the dorm rooms. The home we had been living in had numerous large rats, which made our living conditions difficult. This move has allowed our family to be closer to the team and become more useful to the community during this difficult time.
With the virus taking place, we did not picture life and ministry in Nicaragua to look quite this way. As a ministry, we decided to temporarily close the farm and cancel all ministries to prevent the spread of the virus. The government has not established any preventative measures such as isolation and social distancing; therefore, it is anticipated that the virus is rapidly spreading. Living in a third world country, the 2nd poorest in the western hemisphere, where the hospitals cannot handle an influx of patients; we want to be the example for the people on how to prevent the spread of the virus. As a team, we spent time educating the community on proper hygiene precautions and social distancing. We also asked each person and their families that is a part of the ministry to come and live alongside us on the farm. At this time, most people have desired to remain isolated in their own homes; however, there are a few families that have chosen to come and join us on the farm. As we all work and live together, we are able to maintain the farm, keep the plants and trees watered, the grounds and garden sustainable, and provide food provisions to many families within the community. Together, we enjoy precious time with one another through Bible studies, praying, worship, shared meals, cooking, cleaning, working alongside each other in whatever needs to be accomplished, and playing games such as hide n seek and baseball. We feel blessed to be able to pour into the lives of the people who are on the farm; we also anticipate that within the upcoming days and weeks more people will come to the farm as a place of refuge. Please pray for wisdom for our team as we make decisions of how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this community.
We thank you for your love, encouragement, prayers, and continued financial support; especially during this time, we do not take that for granted. We remain humbled, thankful, and grateful for your partnership and willingness to walk alongside our family as together we serve. Daily we pray for each one of you as you walk through one of the most uncertain and difficult times. Please feel free to reach out and let us know personal prayer requests that you may have so our family can be praying specifically. You are not just supporters, you are a part of our family. As a family, we pray for one another, encourage one another, and do life with one another. We are all in this together!
As a family and as a ministry we believe something special is about to happen. We believe revival is going to spark soon. What a better opportunity to point others to the Father than now? When people are scared, searching for hope, for peace, and for security, we can point them to the Lord. As believers, we can spark a revival in one of the darkest times in history. So, we ask that you would join us as we stand up against fear and against this crisis. Join us in prayer as we pray for our nation of Nicaragua, the nation of the United States of America, and the world. Join us as we stand as unified believers, turning to the Lord in this time, seeking his face, and pursuing his purpose for our lives. Let us be the generation that brings about revival to a hurting world.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
