By Lanette Black
Praise the Lord for the opportunity to serve where He sends us! Treasured lifelong memories are made when you are walking in the fullness of God as an ambassador on mission for His Kingdom! He will always provide everything that you need, emotionally, physically, and spiritually to fulfill the assignment He has given you.
I cannot adequately put into words the love I have for the people of Nicaragua! I am so blessed to experience life through the eyes of these beautiful sisters and brothers in Christ. Last year, God sent me on my first mission’s trip to Nicaragua and this year, I was blessed to be sent again! Walking out the vision and purpose of International Women’s Ministries (IWM), wiping the tears of our sisters that work in difficult mission’s fields, is a tremendous honor and privilege. I am thankful to God for allowing me to be a part of what He is accomplishing in the earth and I am thankful for the support of IWM to carry out His mission.
The enemy threw distraction after distraction at many of us on our team before this trip took place. I was confronted with distractions like I had never encountered before. Yet, I became keenly aware of that crafty devil’s schemes, and I laughed! I laughed because I knew exactly what He was up to and he did not want this trip to occur, let alone succeed! I laughed because I knew that if the enemy was trying so hard to distract, discourage, and deter, this trip was going to be better than we could ever imagine! Our God had already gone before us and prepared the way. He already had us tucked safely under His wings and had established His plans that never fail! The enemy’s schemes were thwarted by our Mighty, loving and faithful Heavenly Father!
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
The Lord’s hand was lovingly and graciously upon this trip from its conception. He orchestrated every detail with extraordinary precision. As many of us fundraised and prepared our hearts and minds, we were covered in prayers for every aspect of the mission from beginning to end. I am truly thankful for those who donated funds, purchased items from our Amazon wish list, and for all our mighty intercessory prayer warriors who faithfully sought the Lord’s provision, protection, blessing and favor on our behalf.
Our Lord is so amazing. I am in awe of how He brought eight women together to partner with Traci Warner our host missionary, her summer intern, and two incredible interpreters, from different backgrounds, ages and ethnicities to be on mission for Him in absolute unity. Lifelong bonds were cultivated that only God could establish. He gets all the Glory! I praise God for Ashley Nelson’s wonderful leadership and the detailed preparations she made to facilitate a successful trip. God did it again!! He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ever ask, think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
We held five women’s conferences, which included children’s ministry. We also assisted with two feeding programs and went to visit the sick and shut-in to encourage them and pray with them. In between our ministry work, we were praying and preparing. It was a busy yet fruitful and rewarding week. God showed up in a mighty way! Many women came to our conferences from multiple churches, rain or shine, stormy or clear. No matter the weather, they came! They came with hearts and minds open to the messages we shared from the Lord. They listened, received, prayed and worshiped in a way we don’t often see in the United States. Oh to bask in the glorious presence of the Holy Spirit! It was breathtaking!
Returning home from my second mission’s trip to Nicaragua was bittersweet. There’s just something special about going to another country on mission and experiencing their culture and love for God. They have the joy of the Lord without the daily luxuries we so often take for granted and despite the hardships they face.
There in the beautiful country of lakes and volcanos, I get to see the world differently through the eyes of my Nicaraguan sisters and brothers. I get merely a glimpse of their lives and how they choose to count their blessings more than their lack. Though, their living conditions are very different from ours, they experience the same universal life issues that we do. Their prayer requests mirror ours, prayers for salvation of loved ones, restored marriages and relationships, deliverance from addiction and healing from physical ailments. Yet, they still praise and worship the Lord as if He has already answered their most heartfelt requests. They believe in the promises of God and it shows. They live difficult lives and we go to encourage and support them. We go to Nicaragua to bless all whom we encounter. Yet, we are always so blessed in return.
I had the great pleasure of meeting Argentina, a sweet lady with five children who broke her leg and requested prayers for healing. She had many requests for her family members. However, her greatest prayer request was for her beloved son, David, who she desperately misses. He immigrated to the United States in March. We prayed for his protection and God’s hand of blessing over his life. We prayed for comfort and peace for this sweet Mama who stole my heart. She was one of many who God, in His lovingkindness gave us opportunity to encourage and shower with love.
And oh the babies! We cannot forget the precious little ones! May God richly bless each one and their entire households. Jerusalem, one of the older girls, remembered us from last year and gave us a warm welcome back. Little Jimena did not know how old she was because she said her mother never told her her birthdate, looked to be around five or six years old. She was just as sweet as can be and kept talking to me. I really need to brush up on my Spanish!
I pray that God will continue to bless, protect, guide, strengthen and provide for Traci, the pastors, their families, and the people of Nicaragua. May we never forget our sisters and brothers doing God’s work tirelessly and lovingly every day. We are all one body in Christ, and it takes all of us to multiply and advance the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Heavenly Father, thank you for lavishing your love on us so that we can love others like you do. Thank you for your comfort that allows us to comfort others in their time of need. Lord, we give you praise for all that you continue to do in and through your people. We are so honored to serve wherever you send us. Help us to be on mission wherever we are as we look for opportunities to be a blessing to those who need us most. Please bless all our Nicaraguan friends and their families. Help them to keep walking by faith and standing steadfast and unwavering. Renew their strength so that they will soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. We give You, all Glory, Honor and Praise in Jesus’s Mighty, Matchless Name, Amen and Amen!
