By Isabella Krizner | Nicaragua Mission 2023
From the first night we arrived in Nicaragua, we were told that we were going to love and serve these people with everything we have. They were right, but I have found that this has been very easy because the people of Nicaragua are so loving to us. Yesterday, I had the privilege to be able to work with the youth of different youth groups from the Twelve Churches ministry at a special conference. The youth were so happy to learn about how to live life in Christ and how to share the Gospel. They especially enjoyed receiving a certificate for “graduating” from the conference. They really appreciate the small things here. The first couple of minutes started a little rocky with a burning microphone and smoke pouring everywhere because of a power outage. When this happened, we started talking with the kids to fill the time. It turned out to be one of the most special moments of the entire day.
Through every challenge we faced, we managed to keep a positive attitude and all the different youth groups began to merge through laughter and these conversations. Not even the language barrier stopped us from having a great time and being able to connect with these kids. Many of them were my age, and it made me really realize no matter how old you are, the language you speak, the money you have, or the country you come from, we are all God’s children. We all face the same struggles but Christ is always the answer in our lives.
Later that night, our team visited a worship service unlike any I had ever been to before. The joy of the Lord that filled the people was so evident to me as they smiled, laughed, and sang their hearts out to the Lord Almighty.
This morning, we went on a prayer walk in a community of tinclad houses that was led by three women from the local church. These young women cared about the kids and people of the much. As we visited each home and shared bags of beans and rice, I saw great poverty beyond what I could imagine. But my experience with one woman, in particular, stood out to me. She immediately shared Jesus’ name when I asked for hers. Despite her recent surgery pain, her severe arthritis, and, maybe worst of all, her loneliness, she wanted to tell me of Jesus’ great love for her and how he is the one that loves her each and every day. She showed me what it was to be a true Christian, depending on God.
After our prayer walk, we put on a VBS for kids at a different local church. No matter what their situations at home looked like, each of them had so much joy. They laughed as they were sprayed with water bottles, they smiled ear to ear as they watched our skit, and they learned about Jesus as they prepared their Pentecost craft. Again, I saw that we are all God’s children.
No matter our age, the language we speak, the money we have, the country we come from, we all struggle, we all laugh in the same language, and we all can know the love of Christ. This kind of lesson is one best learned with people who are in a different situation than you. That is one of the many reasons why this week has blessed me more than I could ever know. I have already started praying that everyone from our cathedral will come and see Jesus through the wonderful people of Nicaragua.
Isabella Krizner, thirteen, is the youngest member of the St. Peter’s team
