Romans 8:28 reminds us, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
This was our third year of participating on the Christmas Trip. Each year is different and more rewarding than the last and this trip was no exception. Providing food for the hungry is a monumental task yet it isn't the entire purpose of the trip. Spiritual food is primary and is shared in a way only a participant can describe and appreciate.
We witnessed a young man make a decision for Christ in a barrio behind the busy streets of Masaya. We knew the Spirit of the Lord brought us to this unscheduled stop. When you give yourself to the Lord on a Nicaraguan mission trip you have to be very aware of what He is calling you to do.
We met Max, the owner of a gas station in Masaya, and he invited us to share the Christmas Message at a school for young men he oversees. He knows these boys need something other than what the hardened streets have to offer so he teaches them basic electricity so they may have a skill. He also knows they need the Lord. We accepted the invitation.
Team member, Dave Merritt, had prepared a 6 scene drama with costumes and a backdrop to enhance the Christmas Message centered around the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus and how sin entered the world. We described what sin is and how Jesus, through His grace, has freed us from the curse through the power of His Spirit and life eternal is waiting for those who believe.
We needed volunteers from the community to fill the roles of Jesus, Joseph and Mary, Roman soldiers, angels, shepherds and towns people. We also needed electricity to run our CD player. Here is the irony. We are in a school that teaches electricity but it has none. No problem though as a cord is run and the CD player comes alive.
The young man who
accepted the role of
Jesus for the drama
accepted Christ after the
event. As each scene
changed, so did he. It
was evident the Spirit of
the Lord was working on
this young man. God is
the Master of irony as
the boy who played the
part of Jesus came forth through the power of His Spirit to be saved by Him. Prayers were answered! To God be the Glory!
Seeing the Spiritual growth in the communities with which we are more familiar is evident. Each year we can see more positive advances spiritually yet are very aware of the physical needs that are still there.
On the last day we fed nearly 800 in Paradiso as three churches, Emmanuel, Marvin and Paradiso combined for the feast.
Friday, our last day, we had a special treat as all of CCM staff and their families came together for a Christmas dinner prepared by Master Chef, Raydell Tompkins. The kitchen staff helped as Ray dealt with a stubborn stove. The feast, however, was delicious.
Guillermo finished the night reminding us to give 100% to the Lord. Placing our thoughts on the Lord first and letting Him be our Leader. That was a special message for us all.
The staff in Nicaragua did a fantastic job of taking care of us and making our mission possible. Thank you very much!
To His Glory!
John and Nancy Tillema ~ Team Leader
