Ep. 1- The Introductions • Nicaragua Video Mini-Series

In this first episode my friends from Gateway Church and I embark on our journey from Austin, Texas to Chinedega, Nicaragua. Let me set up the scene for you…

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

These are my friends from Gateway church where everyone is welcome. The slogan is “come as you are” and “no perfect people allowed”. My friend, through Gateways go teams has been hosting this trip yearly with his friends in Nicaragua, Amigos for Christ.

Amigos for Christ was founded by John Bland in 1999 after being inspired by the poverty and natural devastation he witnessed. He was inspired with vision for a better future. This nonprofit has helped communities through volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, mudslides and more. After 15 years of experience they now focus their efforts on strengthening families in rural communities through clean water, healthcare education and economic development. The quote on the back of all of our shirts reads →

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. -Howard Thurman

Though astonishingly beautiful and known as “the land of lakes and volcanoes”, Nicaragua is the poorest country in Central America.

It is clear to see that though Nicaragua is known for its exports such as coffee, cotton and beef, it’s greatest resources it’s children who often have little to no access to education.

After working alongside various communities to establish the basic necessity of clean running water – Amigos for Christ focuses on building infrastructure aimed at increasing the percentage of children who complete primary and secondary school.

As humans were created for community. No man is a whole-hearted island. The Bible is pretty clear on this. We cannot grow into the people God would have us be in isolation- we need those little rascals called other people.

And that’s the church. It’s not a building. The church is people, not perfect people, but those who want to commit to living their lives in a certain way.

Growing in our faith doesn’t happen automatically. We have to work on it. We have to create opportunities to be in community with others. The kind of people that I find go on mission trips are expecting to be uncomfortable and then comforted by God and His people.

Is it easier to stay home? Yep. Can you get sick or injured on a mission trip to Nicaragua? Most definitely.

But then you would miss out on the giggles, and the new food and walks with new friends and sharing a mutual feeling of God’s goodness while watching the sun rise.

No, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. The following week is one that I’ll never forget. I skidded down the front of a volcano… Got 5 stitches in a Nicaraguan hospital and experienced the best shower of my whole entire life.

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