Last Minute details

The day before we leave is full of last minute details. Is everything packed? How much does my bag weigh? Are all the details covered at home for when we are gone? Is my passport still in its holder? (YUP checked for it at least 4 times now) Does our plane REALLY leave at 5:45 AM?
Exciting times are ahead but yet a lot of last minute details that need to be taken care of.

We are all looking forward to a 9 day adventure seeing where God will lead us and take us!

 

Prayer Partners for Team 1127

So many people have asked, “what can I do?”  As we prepare to leave on our trip one thing that is needed is PRAYER!  Here is a useful tool that you can use as your prayer guide for our team.

Father, we ask that Team 1127 will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will daily walk in His power (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16).

We pray that Team 1127 will speak the Word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31; Ephesians 6:19).

We ask that Team 1127 will present the gospel clearly to unbelievers (Colossians 4:4).

Lord, we pray that Team 1127 would be accepted by the natives, the believers. And the missionaries in the area where they are laboring (Romans 15:30-31).

God, we ask that You will protect Team 1127 from the attacks of Satan and his demons (Romans 15:30-31; 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3).

Father, we ask that You would open doors and hearts to receive the gospel as Team 1127 ministers in his/her place of service (Colossians 4:3).

We pray that You will make Team 1127’s ministry exceedingly fruitful and that You will glorify Yourself through this ministry (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

 Father, we ask that You will deliver Team 1127 from loneliness and frustration (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 18:9-10; Hebrews 13:5).

 Lord, we pray that You will create in Team 1127 a servant’s heart (Philippians 2:5-10).

We ask that Team 1127 will live and labor each day for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Father, we ask that Team 1127 will be a vessel through which the love of God can flow to others (Romans 5:5; John 13:34-35).

 Please grant Team 1127 Your specific direction for their ministry (Psalm 37:5).

We ask that Team 1127 will have a growing and intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:4-5).

We pray that Team 1127 will have a deeper and clearer understanding of the Word of God (John 16:13).

Father, we ask that You will continually protect Team 1127 from all harm and ask that You would strengthen Team 1127 physically (Genesis 2:7).

We ask that You would grant Team 1127 peace and assurance about the care of his/her family members that are left at home (1 Peter 5:7).

Fill Team 1127 with Your joy in all situations and let this joy sustain Team 1127 in all situations (Nehemiah 8:10).

Father, we pray that Team 1127 would see people and things from Your perspective (Proverbs 3:5).

Lord, we ask that You would bless and strengthen Team 1127’s family (Ephesians 5:22-6:4).

We ask that Team 1127 will have a renewed and growing zeal to share the gospel with unbelievers (Romans 1:15-16).

We ask that Team 1127 will be completely yielded to Christ and willing to die to self in all matters (Mark 8:34-35).

We pray that Team 1127 will be growing in humility (1 Peter 5:5-6).

Father, We ask that Team 1127 will endure persecution in a Christlike manner and will be willing to give his/her life for the gospel’s sake if that is what is called for in the situation (1 Peter 2:21-23).

We ask You to create a thankful heart in Team 1127 especially in times of difficulty (Ephesians 5:20).

We pray that You will raise up prayer partners for Team 1127 (1 Thessalonians 5:24). We ask that all of Team 1127’s needs–physical, spiritual, emotional, and spiritual–will be met by You through Your grace and power (Philippians 4:19).

We ask that Team 1127 will labor from godly motives and not from a desire to please people (2 Corinthians 4:2).

We ask, O God, that you would raise up strong believers around Team 1127 who will encourage him/her in the tasks that God has given to him/her (Philemon 20).

We pray that Team 1127 would long to be holy and live a life of obedience to the Word of God (1 Peter 1:15-16).

We ask that Team 1127 would be salt and light to the people to which he/she has been sent (Matthew 5:13-14). Father, we pray that You would enable Team 1127 to pray for those who persecute him/her and for those who spitefully use him/her (Matthew 5:44).

We pray that Team 1127 would not lag in diligence but would be fervent in spirit. We ask that Team 1127 will rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and continue steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:11-12).

We ask that Team 1127 would not lose his/her focus in ministry but that he/she would have his/her priorities ordered by You.

We pray that Team 1127 will set his/her mind on things above and not on the things of the earth (Colossians 3:2-3).

We ask that Team 1127 will be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that his/her labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

 

Flexibility

Flexibility is the key to a great mission trip!!! Last night we learned that we’ve had a slight change of plans – nothing drastic, but it’s a change none the less. Original plans had us spending our first night in Managua – NOW we will be boarding a bus right after we arrive and we’ll drive straight to the mission field. Friday will certainly be a LONG travel day for everyone!

 

Weather

No matter where I’ve traveled I always hear the same line about the weather. It goes something like this “if you don’t like the weather in _______ just wait a few minutes it will change.

Leading up to the trip in Nicaragua I’ve been following the weather. One thing is constant everyday – RAIN. After all it is the rainy season.

 

The beginning…

Anyone who wears glasses remembers the first time they put them on. It was amazing how many details of life once missed were sharply put back into focus. What if you could give that gift of sight to others who have never had access it to it in the context of Christian love?

Using a very simple testing system, our team will test vision and distribute eyeglasses to individuals living in remote areas of Nicaragua. At this point, we don’t have any idea of how many people we will actually see, however, a team can see 100-300 people every day.

Our trip is more than just handing out eyeglasses though. Throughout the week we will work with the local pastor in Sebaco as he shares the beautiful message of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Country Fast Facts…

Nicaragua

Nicaragua (officially the Republic of Nicaragua) is roughly the same size as the State of Alabama (roughly 50,000 sq. miles) and is the largest country in Central America. Nicaragua is bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west of the country, the Caribbean to the east.

The capital city of Nicaragua is Managua. Roughly 1/4 of the nation’s population lives in the capital city making it the second largest city and metropolitan area in Central America (following Guatemala City).

The culture has strong folklore, music, and religious traditions deeply influenced by the European culture but enriched with American sounds and flavors.