Hi everyone! Ministry here in Nicaragua is getting sweeter each day! We have been able to develop relationships with many locals here in just the 3 weeks that we have been here so far. It is so cool to see the body of Christ around the world and to know that I am a part of it and a part of increasing it! We have had the privilege of revisiting a few houses while prayer walking every week. Seeing the joy on these peoples’ faces every time that we come back to talk and pray with them is so sweet. Having the opportunity to encourage people here by stepping into their homes is such an honor and such an eye opening experience to their culture.
My favorite ministry of every week is children’s ministry. We get to plan a bible lesson, games, and craft for around 30-50 kids in a local neighborhood in Granada. It is our last ministry of every week- we have it from 3-5 on Friday afternoons- so we are usually pretty exhausted by the end of the week and don’t have much energy to give to these kids. However, we have seen the Lord provide so much through our weakness. “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God has proven time and time again that His strength is perfected through our weakness. Last Friday, we made a plan for the Bible lesson we were going to teach and had plans for a craft to go alongside of it, but we ended up not having the correct supplies for that craft last minute. 20 minutes before leaving for ministry we had no idea what we were going to teach those kids or what craft to give them, so we scrambled trying to search for anything to do with them. We ended up finding a pre-made craft about Daniel in the Lions Den. There were exactly 31 paper plates with a picture of a lion’s head on it, so we decided to switch our lesson to be about that. We were doubtful that 31 plates would be enough for every kid to get one, but we brought them just in case. Well, when we got to the time to hand out the craft, we found that there were exactly 31 kids at ministry that day. The Lord is so kind!! Even though all of our plans fell through and we started to worry about not being prepared, the Lord still had our backs and reminded us that He is our provider. Even though we were all pretty tired and frustrated that we weren’t prepared, He was still gracious towards us and brought the exact amount of kids out to ministry so that each of them were cared for and provided for. He also continues to give each of us energy and joy through kids ministry even though we’re all ready for the week to be over. I always leave kids ministry with so much joy from the love I get to pour out on these kids and the love they also pour out on me. Also, yesterday one little boy was wearing a Super Mario shirt that all of my brothers have at home. So that was a sweet reminder of home (shoutout to Elliott, Linc, and Eddie).
One more God moment from this past week was at the trash dump ministry. A big prayer I’ve had since the beginning of the race is for more boldness. We get the opportunity to share our own short message that can be translated into Spanish for the people who live at the dump, and I chose to do it this past week. Normally, I would be so hesitant and anxious while speaking in front of people, but the Lord gave me SOO MUCH peace as I was preparing and speaking in front of those people. I was so confident in the Holy Spirit’s power within me that I knew that I did not have to be worried about saying the wrong words and that He was going to give me the right words to say. I only prepared for like 20 minutes beforehand, but I was still bold in sharing the Word with those people only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This place is starting to feel more and more like home each day, a lot of days are really stretching and difficult. But each one brings me closer to the Father. I realized that I thought that the more that I sacrificed for the Lord and the more that I obeyed Him, the more that He would love me. In reality, He already loves me fully and unconditionally without me doing ANYTHING! My sacrifice and obedience is just a means for me to step into His love with freedom. Sacrifice and obedience don’t earn me the Father’s love, they are just a means for me to step into it and desire more of it.
Please continue praying for me and that I would keep my eyes and heart fixed on Jesus every day. Also pray for this community and their hearts to be more open to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love y’all!
Ryann
Ryann, just finished reading this and my heart was overcome with joy and hope! You have been so open to the Holy Spirit leading you. It’s more than impressive. It’s inspiring. It’s not easy to let the Holy Spirit lead you, especially when you are being led to uncomfortable places. God has been so faithful and you have been so obedient.
I am truly grateful to be able to read these updates. I know you must have no energy to write them. I am praying for you, your team and the people of Nicaragua.
Your letters are such fun to read! They are so well written, reading each one is a little bit like being there. How wonderful to hear of all the Lord is doing both in you and through you.
Ryann,
My favorite part of the week is checking my emails and seeing an update from you! I’m so blessed to hear all that the Lord is doing through you and your team as you spend time in Nicaragua! Love you and praying for continued boldness and reliance on the Lord!
Ryann
I am so proud of you for sharing even though you feel it is not your gift and that you realize that God can and will use you if you are willing to step out in faith. I am so encouraged by your update. We are praying for you and the team.
Stephen and Teri Jernigan
Let’s go Ryann!
Joshua 1:9 ” Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This is you totally you right now. I love what God is doing and I will continue to pray for His strength in you and open hearts for the community.
Don’t you just jump in joy when the Lord comes through, makes a way where it seems everthing is going wrong. Love the children’s ministry story. I’m enjoying hearing of your growing dependence on the Lord in the every changing flow of ministry. It’s the thought process of “prepared to be unprepared” so prevalent in ministry. Recently had a “racer” moment. This weekend was prison ministry for me, I rehearsed music with a man for the church service. He got sick, didn’t call me, the night before I’m scrambling for a music set. I got there, the Lord provided 2 guitarist and everyone loved the music. God is good!