As I am writing this I am sitting on my bed in Costa Rica. We have been here for almost 2 weeks. It has been a while since I’ve last written, so let me rewind to my time in Nicaragua. 

Travel day was rough. On my race, I didn’t struggle with motion sickness, but something changed between coming off the field in September and launching again in January. Now it seems that whenever I find myself in a car, nausea instantly follows. Our 18 hour bus ride from El Salvador to Nicaragua was no exception. Thanks to prayer and Dramamine, we eventually made it to our ministry site. 

Part of our ministry was helping out in an all boys program. In Nicaragua (at least where we were), there are two shifts in school. Kids will either attend school in the morning and have the afternoon off, or they will go in the afternoon with the morning off. When they aren’t in school, they come to the program where they learn English, art, athletics, and discipleship.

The heart behind the program is to help break the cycle of poverty by reaching the young boys in the community. By teaching them practical skills and introducing them to God, they can begin to break free from both physical and mental poverty. The team I was with was only able to be with the boys a handful of times, but each moment we had was special.

They were sweet, always wanting to speak to us with the limited English they knew. They were kind and gentle. They loved learning about God, and prayed everyday before starting class. God is using these boys in remarkable ways. They are only children, but age doesn’t really matter. David was only a kid when he was anointed to be king over Israel, and he became known as a man after God’s own heart. God uses people like Abraham who are ripe in age as well as people like David. Regardless of age, God is doing mighty things. Always.

After 3 short weeks, it was time to leave Nicaragua for Costa Rica for gender month. In my next blog, I will talk more about what that means and the amazing things God is doing here. 

Here are some prayer requests:

1. The squad - The alumni team leaders will be leaving soon. Please pray for the squad as they prepare to enter into a new chapter on the race. Saying goodbyes are hard, and the alumni team leaders have been with them since January. Please pray as the alumni leaders go home. Pray for open doors and the Lord’s favor. 
2. Fundraising - I am more than 50% funded! Please pray for continued provision. Thank you to everyone who has given and supported me. 
3. Myself - Pray for continued discernment and wisdom as I lead this squad. Pray for my co-leaders as we enter into our last months on the field. Pray for rest and renewal.