The first two weeks in Managua were more then I could ever ask for. This is my third time being in Nicaragua and its safe to say it has stolen my heart every time I have visited. This month was filled with so many different opportunities for us as a team. The Lord led us to a host that works for Connect to Nicaragua. She gives missionaries a place to stay as well as helping us find ministry in Nicaragua where we could serve. The first week we were able to do two Beauty for Ashes, women’s bible study. I was so blessed for us to be able to do one at Iglesia Gran Comision Managua which my home church is connected to. I got to see a lot of familiar faces and it was such a blessing to be able to visit and talk with the women at the church that night. We also got another chance to speak with more women at La Roca en Nicaragua and we met some new amigas! It was so great to make new connections and see what the Lord is doing in fellow believers around the city of Managua.
We also got to visit a nursing home a couple times and were able to talk with the residents as well as sing songs of worship and share what we were thankful for that day. It gave me so much joy to hear how joyful they were in the Lord. It was neat to see how they were their own community and loved on each other.
We had a lot of opportunities to work with kids as well and it really helped me to practice my Spanish! I got to hangout with the kids and as a team share stories about Jesus and bring hope into their lives. The last day in Managua we worked with a special needs ministry that has Equine Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy and was totally centered around Jesus Christ. It was great to talk to the moms of the kids there and pray over them and their family. We also got to meet other US missionaries who moved to Nicaragua to work and be a part of this organization. The Lord continuously opens my eyes to all the possibilities we have as Christians to serve his kingdom. There are so many opportunities to serve others and bring the love of Christ to them. We must open our eyes and fix them on the Lord and follow him. No matter how deep the waters may be, God will pull us even deeper and form us into the person we are meant to be.
I will admit not being home for Thanksgiving was hard, however Thanksgiving itself was a good day and my team got to spend it with fellow missionaries and eat some traditional holiday foods, such as mashed potatoes, turkey! (which is actually a difficult thing to find here), rolls, pumpkin pie, apple pie, STUFFING and more. That was a huge blessing from God, and it felt a little bit like home. More recently it has been hitting me that I am missing the holidays and I have started to get home sick. I miss each and every one of my siblings…. including my two crazy brother-in-laws! My mom of course! As well as not being able to spend time with my friends who are just as much a part of my family.
I continue to ask for prayers for peace and comfort during this season as well as trusting the Lord. Those that know me pretty well, know I have had a bad past with anxiety, depression and over stressing on EVERYTHING! It has been something I have dealt with for years, though it has been easier for me to control, there are still times where it sneaks up and I let it get to me. It can get in the way of ministry and spending time with others. Please pray that I will be strong enough to fight the instinct to shut down to my teammates and squad and those that are trying to help in anyway and to go to the Lord first above all and seek his truth.
Psalm 34:17-19 “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”
We are now in Granada, Nicaragua and will be here for two more weeks and then be headed out to Columbia!!
Thanks for the love and support!
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Venmo: Michaela-Roys
Cashapp: $Michaelaroys
Thanks for sharing Michaela. We continue to pray for you!
How gracious of God to let you connect with believers your church has contact with. Keep leaning on God and He will walk you through all your anxiety.
I love that you were able to minister at the church that your home church is connected to! We’re continuing to pray for you and your team, and we’ll be praying specifically for the voice of anxiety to be silenced—that you’ll experience the truth of Psalm 34 in a very real and personal way. Looking forward to seeing you soon and talking about all these things in person…love you much!
As always, Michaela, your honesty, bravery and joy shine through. Thanks for inspiring us to take risks, and for inviting us to pray for you. You are doing the Race SO WELL! See you soon.