And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Sunday, October 26th was most likely the most invigorating day I have had during my stay in Granada. The Lord’s presence was ever-evident throughout the day and it was amazing to see Him at work.
My day started out leaving the guys’ house with Pepe and Joe at 7:30 am and having us head over to El Puente, our AIM mission base. There we met up with about 25 other people from Vida Joven (Young Life), and we headed out on a glorious excursion called the Caminata (The Walk). It was day meant to get to know one another better, a time for games and music, and an opportunity for the young Nicaraguans to hear the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
We began by walking along a road near Lake Nicaragua and simply took in God’s breath-taking creation. We then turned more inland and headed towards our final destination, a giant cross on top of a mountain. Along the way, we had different areas where we would rest and have various dinamicas (little games or exercises). Afterwards, we came across two diverged paths; one that was narrow and rocky, and another that was wide and steady. We were only allowed to choose one road, but it was to be a personal choice of which road we chose. Knowing it was an analogy to the ‘narrow and wide gates’ in Matthew 7, I took the tighter path. Walking up and down the difficult and tumultuous trail, there were signs along the way that listed out the fruits of the Spirit and the promises from God: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We later found out the listed repercussions from choosing the other path: death, pain, loneliness, suffering, and separation.
Our groups finally merged at the end of the lesson and we headed up the mountain for a spectacular view of the city and well-awaited picnic lunch. Trekking up the steep terrain little by little, allowed for the picturesque landscape to come into better and better view. We finally made it to the top, sat down, and tried to capture the beauty that stretched for miles upon miles. It was a magnificent diversity of an immense jungle, congregated wetlands, a gigantic lake, and the expansive city of Granada. The song, God Of This City, popped in my head and I began to sing with hands raised outstretched towards the city of Granada. The song expresses how there is no one like our God and that greater things are still to be done. The Holy spirit is wrapped up in this combination of lyrics and music, and it is a powerful message that can be used in any city.
After our lunch, we had a little worship service, and a closing message about God’s love, His creation, our sin, separation from Him, and how to resolve this plaguing issue. Our leader from Young Life, Yener, finally ended with an opportunity for people to accept Christ as their Savior, but no one openly accepted the invitation. I could sense that God was stirring in people’s hearts and knew that even though no one made any life changing commitments, God still had a purpose for bringing us there that day. We even had a chance to witness to a small boy who lived around that area and he was hoping we would come back every Sunday for a worship service. He said he knew Jesus, and that he had a Bible in his house, so hopefully he can continue to grow in a better knowledge and more intimate relationship with God.
As the afternoon was coming to a close, we ended with some more music and prayer, and we began to head back down and walk back to the house. When I got back I had just enough time to take a shower, change clothes, and head back out for a wonderful church service at Iglesia Christiana Camino a la Restauracion (The Way to Restoration Christian Church). It is definitely a more charismatic church than the one I grew up in, but the way they worship seems to invite the Holy Spirit in a whole new and exhilarating way. There excitement through dancing and raising of hands has such a contagious effect that you can’t help, but join the celebration. We were also blessed to witness over thirty people be baptized, and hear a phenomenal message on God’s strength and freedom from fear (Isaiah 41). After the service, I thought to myself that the day could not of been much better. Oh, how wrong I was, God still had powerful things in store for us that day!
As Caleb, Joe, Sarah, and I left the church and started heading for home, we began reflecting upon our amazing day. Sarah and I got became hungry immediately on the way home and before we could even think, we had an enormous feast of chicken, plantains, and coleslaw set before us at a little food stand outside. We dove in without a second thought, and Caleb and Joe went off to talk by themselves on a bench unbeknownst to us. When we finished our meal, we thought that Joe and Caleb had left without us and walked back home by themselves. We suddenly discovered where they were sitting and found out that they were not alone.
As we approached the bench in the darkness of night, we saw that our friends were talking with a Nicaraguan man who seemed deeply troubled and upset. The tears in his eyes told the story of a man whose life was wrecked by a broken marriage and financial bankruptcy, which left him with the mounting pressure of raising two children by himself. Regrettably, the only remedy he had found was at the bottom of a bottle. He told of us that he felt like God could never love him because of his past, and that Satan had a stranglehold on his life. He was ravaged by fear and depression, which left him broken and hopeless. I immediately sat down and began to share with him about the peace and joy that Jesus can provide. I shared with him about all the persecution and problems that Paul himself suffered, and how he found strength through his circumstances. Caleb, pointed out the verses of 2 Corinthians 12:9-10,
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
We also shared with him the gospel that can be found in just a few verses in the book of Romans. You could sense that life and truth were beginning to indwell him. We decided to walk to his house, and along the way I shared with him a verse from the church service that evening, Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Every word of the scripture was a fresh breath of light, penetrating the dark crevices of his heart. God was knocking loud and clear on his door, and he was opening it little by little.
We arrived at his house and mingled for a little bit, talking about his kids and family. We asked him if he wanted Christ to come into to his life, and he was certain that he wanted Christ to be his Strong Fortress, his Mighty Savior, and his Loving Lord. I told him that just by his affirmation he was already my brother in Christ, but if he wanted he could pray a simple prayer to express what he already felt in his heart. So we prayed in Spanish together, and he repeated every word with reverence and sincerity. Then Caleb prayed in English protection from the enemy over his house, his family, and his walk with Christ. It was definitely a moment where you could feel the Holy Spirit’s power and peace as Caleb prayed fervently. When we were finished I lifted my head along with my new Nicaraguan friend, and you could see us both with tears of joy on our faces. He was so joyful at the new truth he had discovered and he told us that he felt as if a burden was lifted, that his knees were lighter, and that he could jump higher than ever before. God truly brings rest for the weary and gives a spirit of tranquility to the worried. As we left his house, we embraced as fellow believers and new friends. Then, we ran home to arrive on time for our curfew, praising the Lord the entire way!
The whole day was filled with God’s blessings and I can’t thank Him enough for what he is doing in my life and here in Nicaragua. Thank you for being a part of it and allowing the power of Christ to do wonders here in the city of Granada. And remember that greater things are still to come!
