Happy Birthday Paige!

Finished Day 2 Strong. It has been a very active and tiring day. We played two games of soccer and a game of basketball today! We started the day by prayer walking Jinotepe (He -no - tep - A). We went to a couple of parks where everyone was able to sit down with someone, get to know their story, and even pray for them. We ended up buying a soccer ball and basketball and played with some college students near their University. We won the basketball game, but couldn’t compete in soccer. After the soccer game we got all the guys around and Kevin shared his testimony with them. We prayed for them (and one of them even prayed for us). The sports were a good open door through which we were able to tell them a little about Jesus.

In the afternoon we went to one of the poorer areas and began building relationships with the kids. As in many 3rd world countries (and even America) a lot of ministry to adults starts with the kids. We played more soccer, lots of games, and just loved on them. We are going to try to go a little deeper with them and other kids later in the week, and we are even planning a service for them all to come to next Saturday. But it was just fun tonight. Exhausting dirty fun!

We ended the day celebrating Paige’s 18th Birthday! It came complete with a Nicaraguan cake (very tasty....like angel food cake with frosting), a piece of cake in paige’s face, and a piñata. We had a lot of fun and bonded as a group. We are here with another group of 11 from Colorado Springs (several students from New Life Church...a big nationally known church with a name similar to ours). They are a great group, and we are becoming closer every day.

Highlight of the day.... I think everyone’s highlight was hanging out and playing with the kids in the afternoon. There’s something significant about pouring out love onto a kid who desperately needs it. When I think of Spirit anointed ministry this isn’t often the first thing to come to mind, but it is as if doing that somehow really connected us with God’s heart. I wonder if we miss a significant part of God’s heart when we undervalue ministry to kids. Jesus himself said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Luke 18:16-17)

Keep praying! We need it!