Trip to Nicaragua

Last week 4 friends and I went to Managua, Nicaragua for the week to serve at a ministry that ministers to prostitutes and sexually exploited women and children.  We went to learn, to serve, to minister to the women, and to glean as much as we could in the 5 days we were there.  It was overwhelming--truly exhausting emotionally, physically, spiritually--as we listened to story after story of what these women and children had been through. They had been violated, raped, sold--over and over and over--and now each of them in these past 3 months has found true freedom in Christ!  It was amazing!!!  We were there during their final week in the program and were able to help them discover what their spiritual gifts were.  Then we helped them dream as we talked about how they could use their gifts to glorify God and serve others!  We enjoyed craft times and sharing stories and fellowshipping and eating with these precious women.  On Thursday, we were able to see them graduate and prepare to begin a new life in Christ--for with Him ALL things are possible.

While we were there, we were able to celebrate with one family as a man (who lives in Managua) from The States who bought and violated the 13 year old daughter multiple times was brought to justice by the Nica Feds/Police Force.  He had been investigated for over 2 months and had raped over 200 children before finally being arrested and put away for life.  They have hundreds of videos of him with these children and will now begin the process of identifying children to get them help.  PLEASE PRAY with us that the children will be identified and will receive the help that they need.  It was a huge victory for this family and for this little girl as she broke down and sobbed tears of relief yet pain as the memories continued to flood through her mind.  I pray that each child has the same opportunity that this little one has had---to learn about her Savior and His unconditional love for her in the midst of such difficulties.

I could go on and on though I am still processing the entire trip and what the Lord has revealed to me.  I look forward to what the Lord will continue to do in my heart and through us as a church/ministry here in Jaco as we continue to follow the Holy Spirit's leading in all things.  The Psalm the Lord gave me while we were there was Psalm 82.  Verses 3-4 say:

"Defend the weak and the fatherless;  uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.  Rescue the weak and the needy;  deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

Please join me in praying for this worldwide problem...

Below are a few pictures from our trip:

 Ready to go!!

Doing crafts with the girls...

Birthday Girl!!

Helping one lady take notes

Family being shown the video footage of the violator being caught.

Getting pretty for graduation!!

Worship time--such an amazing time of worship with these precious women!!

Us with most of the girls--love them!!!!

Our group plus our friend, Maddie

We pray that Costa Rica will begin enforcing these laws here!!!