To Be a Missionary

I spent two weekends ago and this weekend with families of different people from my office. I am not currently living with a Nicaraguan family, but with a Nicaraguan roommate instead. I have been trying to reach out more and more to others in my office and in my community due to the fact I do not live with many people. Also, people have been reaching out more and more to me, as well. They have more confianza (trust) with me- in Nicaragua, one definitely has to gain lots of trust from someone in order for them to begin to get to know you more. Don't get me wrong- people are still very friendly and helpful; however, to get past a surface level relationship you need to invest lots of time in getting to know someone.

Last week I was sharing with Violeta & Carolina, wonderful co-workers from my office, that I sometimes miss teaching and definitely miss being around kids and teenagers. They immediately invited me to stay with them in Jinotepe to participate in a children's bible class on Saturday and a special Mother's Day performance at their church on Sunday. Mother's Day in Nicaragua is on May 30. 

This weekend was such a blessing. Although it was a short time, I got to meet Carolina and Violeta's 4 other sisters (their mom has 8 children in total) and SPEND TIME WITH KIDS. I even had a moment where I got to talk to some of the teenagers who lead the church band. (haha- Sometimes I think I get a little too excited to see young people).

However, I think the most powerful moments were when I could sit, listen, pray and laugh with different family members as they told me their thoughts about Nicaraguan culture, their love for Jinotepe, all about the family, and a few stories. At the same time, I got to share a little bit about my own culture, my home, and my family. I got to partake in the sacredness of sharing a meal with different family members as well. As I headed back to Managua on a micro-bus, I couldn't help but smile.

I think to be a missionary is a lot of just what I did this weekend. To be a missionary is to sit down with others and SHARE. To share stories. To share a meal. To share about culture. To share time. To share the moment of just being. It is as simple as that. When I sit around with Nicaraguans, in the common plastic stackable chairs, and just invest in them in that moment and them in me the Holy Spirit is present. To be a missionary is to share.