A week has already gone by since we arrived home from our trip to Nicaragua. Each of us are richer from the 11 days we spent together in Nicaragua. Many times, in this last week, I have been asked: “How was your trip?” Each time I find it almost nearly impossible to summarize. There are so many different angles which I could share from; so many things I learned about Nicaragua, past and present; so many experiences we’ve shared as a team; so many beautiful, beautiful people we met, who touched our lives.
Instead of trying to pull all things together in some kind of concluding blog, I just want to finish it with a list of the many ways we were blessed by this experience. In order to this justice I invited the team to share how they have been blessed; their contributions have been included.
For all Your goodness, I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons, for my heart to find … (Matt Redman, 2011)
- We were blessed to have been a part of this trip and be a part of a group working together helping the least of these! Another blessing was getting to know our group – meeting some for the first time. I loved getting to know each other better and being an encouragement to each other. That was Special! We shared life with you all for 10 plus days! Something to cherish as we return home to our lives here.
- I have a better understanding of what is happening in Nicaragua. We’ve heard Pete Kuipers share so many times in front of the church telling us about Edo Deo, Christian education, etc. but to see it all with own eyes is just so much more than hearing a story.
- I so enjoyed Muff’s “Questions of the Day” and all the response to it. I loved hearing the stories about how we seen God working in our daily lives.
- I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to go together with my son.
- We have many good memories & blessings from the trip but one that really stands out for us is the blessings we got from watching our grandchildren blossom & grow in their faith in the short time we were there. It really warmed our hearts & will be a memory we will always cherish.
- The little children touched my heart and makes me think: “What more can we do for them?”
- Working in the “trenches” together.
- I loved witnessing the joy of the Nicaraguan school children and all the smiles on the kids’ faces.
- One of my highlights was meeting the Potter and his family. To witness his talent – how effortlessly he took a lump of clay and formed it into a vase. Also, to see his finished product and being able to bless him and his family with our purchases of his pottery, and then being equal blessed by owning one of his works of art
- All the awesome people we met – students, teachers, Lester, Nilda, Netty and crew...
- Being Part of an amazing team that worked so well together.
- To pear and witness the power of a live active volcano!!
- Sharing and devotions in the evening was so meaningful and brings us all closer to God.
- I loved hearing the stories, to hear of the determination of the School principals to keep going despite of hardships they face. The public expression of faith and trust in God in people’s testimonies
- What stands out for me regarding our Nicaragua experience was the stories of the people we encountered, how often God was mentioned as part of it, how he answered their prayers. In a country where there really is no political freedom of speech, they are so free and open to say where their real hope lies. I found that very refreshing and something I can learn from. In a country that is so unstable I can’t help but think but think with that “trust in God mindset they are better off than we are. I realize that is quite a generalization but that is what stood out for me.
- To see the public display of the scripture on people’s cars and businesses. People seem more open to express their faith and reason for hope then we are in Canada.
- To experience how thankful to God the Nicaraguan people were that we came despite their difficult situation!!
Thank you to all who have taken the time read these blogs. My hope is that through it you will be intrigued and even enticed to find out more about HANDS Team and support this important ministry or maybe even join a team in the future.
To God be the glory for the things he has done!!
Henk John Kuipers
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