Sprigs of New Life

    After months of the Lord’s pruning I feel like we are turning a corner in our ministry, we are now entering a time when we are beginning to see sprigs of new life grow from within the places that the Lord has pruned. I want to give you a look at some of this new life that is growing here in Candelaria.

    Rosita is a beautiful, spunky 14 year old who is one of my favorite people in Candelaria. When I first met her, Rosita’s emotions were erratic. She was constantly battling insecurities and depression. As a result, she was so hot and cold towards me and the rest of the New Song staff. However, I’m seeing a change in her. I am seeing God develop a steadiness in her character that wasn’t present before. She is coming to know God more. As she knows His love more, she is becoming more secure and more at peace with herself. God is restoring and rebuilding a part of her heart that has been long devastated. The result is beautiful!

 
   Jovanny is one of our youth who just recently accepted Christ and was baptized. About a week after his baptism, his mom announced that she was leaving the family. Jovanny was absolutely devastated. However, in the midst of this heartache, he has not faltered. He is clinging tight to his Heavenly Father, trusting in His goodness, and allowing His love to heal his hurts. His newfound faith is growing stronger everyday. He is even beginning to reach out and minister to youth in surrounding villages.   

    We have also made some changes in our kitchen staff. Rosa, a woman from our church plant in the neighboring village of La Isla, is now cooking all of our meals and cleaning in the kitchen. Rosa exudes the love of Christ! She arrives every morning with a bright smile and hugs for each of us. Then she goes about her work singing praises to the Lord while she cooks and cleans. She brings fresh life and a spirit of peace to our home. We are so thankful for her!

    Our church’s worship is being revitalized as we have welcomed Charlie and Julio as our new worship leaders. These guys are incredibly talented and are passionately in love with the Lord. Each service as they play and sing, the Spirit of God falls upon our congregation. This Spirit-filled, heart-felt worship is surging new life within our church family resulting in deeper intimacy with God and increased longing for His presence.

    God is blessing our ministry both here in Nicaragua and state-side. God brought four guys from the US to our ministry to help with fundraising for our bakery, future internship dorm, school, and my dream home for orphaned, abandoned, and abused kids. The Lord is opening so many doors through this connection with them. I am so excited to see how He is going to move through this relationship. I am also excited because these guys have committed to help me fundraise and move forward within my dream for ministry.

    Our time of pruning has been difficult, but it is exciting to see new life beginning to spring forth. I love entering into a new time of fruitfulness before the Lord!