Tuesday evening we arrived in Managua, Nicaragua and and an hour or so later we were driving through Granada and arrived at REAP. It gets dark super early here so it was only around 7 but it was already dark. We weren’t able to see much of the farm where we were staying at, but we were greeted by a delicious meal!

The first morning I woke up at 5 am, went outside, sat on a chair and saw the beauty all around. I began to pray and read as the sun was rising. I was attempting to read 1 Kings, but as the time passed, I kept getting distracted by His beauty- the sunrise, the rainbow, the volcano (God is seriously so cool… sunrise to the east, rainbow to the west).

As I sat and gazed at God’s beautiful creation, I found myself apologizing for being distracted from the Word. I wanted to be fully in the Word and listening to what God wanted me to hear through it, but I wasn’t- I would look up in awe, then feel like I had to finish the chapter so I looked back down and tried to find my spot.

I felt the Lord tell me to just sit in His presence, to look at His creation and reflect on His faithfulness. That all the beauty around me was glorifying the Lord and I should be doing the same.

As I sat in humble adoration I meditated on Psalm 34. The 5th verse really stood out to me. “Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”

-Those who look to Him and His radiance also become radiant: I’m picturing golden hour vibes here. The time of day when the sun is setting or rising and when you look at the sun, your face becomes a golden orange. If you look away from the sun, your face will be in the darkness of a shadow.

-Similarly, the more we gaze toward the Son and rest in His radiance, the more we learn His heart. The more we exemplify Christ in our words, actions, and thoughts. The more we shine a light that points others to Christ’s light.

-Their faces are never covered with shame: Your face is no longer covered in shame because it has been covered in grace. “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith.” Ephesians 2:8 “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

How cool is it that serve a God who doesn’t use shame. A good Father knows that shaming doesn’t grow your heart fonder, but a loving Father who extends grace draws their child near. Thank You Father that you give us room to just sit in your presence and listen to You. Thank You that we don’t have to finish a chapter to earn Your worth or do a certain thing. Lord, remind my heart that it’s not my doing, but Yours.

Prayer Points

- We went prayer walking and evangelizing around a neighborhood across from the farm we are staying at. Praise God for amazing conversations with people, how seeking they were, and hungry they were to hear God’s Word (and for translators haha). Prayers that their hearts would continue to be softened. That they would gain a greater understanding of God’s grace and desire a personal relationship with Him. That they wouldn’t live in fear of failure, but would accept Him into their hearts.

- Members from our group have been able to give messages during prayer walks and at the dump ministry. Prayers that the Holy Spirit would speak through us, for increased discernment and boldness as we speak.

- The farm we are staying at is super intentional about pouring into their workers and discipling them. Prayers that they would go out into their communities and be a light so that more people could come to know Christ.
- Our team is so much fun! Thankful for eating ice cream out of a tub together, random dance parties, deep conversations, good laughs, practicing Spanish, and vulnerability. Prayers for continued unity as we intentionally pursue Christ and one another.

Praise God for how He is working in Granada. Each day looks different but some of the things we have been doing so far are prayer walks, evangelizing, dump ministry (sharing a message and serving a meal to those who work at a dump), working on the farm, loving on kiddos, riding in the back of a pickup truck, and eating lots of rice!

Love and miss you all! -Libbie