The Mission Trip Diaries- 2008

Heyy ya’ll!!!!!
Ok, so I first off really don’t even know why I’m even putting this out there but ok whatever. lol. Uhmm…for the past few months, I have really been missing Nicaragua more and more and more and more and more!!!!!!! To sum it up, this really is what it is. This was a time of new beginnings….The irony of the departure date being on my 18th birthday…as well as kicking off my senior year!!!

7-15-08- NIGHT BEFORE DEPARTURE–OKC!!

Well now!! we finally arrived in OKC this afternoon and just kinda hung out. Some of the things that are going through my head right now are:

1- What the hell did I get myself into???
2- What am I doing?!?
3- I am about to be totally dependent on God fir the first time in my life..

I don’t know what to expect…but…I guess you can say that even though I have no idea about what I am gonna do this next week, one thing remains true- today really is the first day of the rest of my life…
Well, I guess it would technically be tomorrow, but that’s beside the point. lol.

Y’know, even though I don’t know what I’m in for or what I’m gonna see- I am SOOO ready!!!!!!!!

On a more sentimental note, today we had a small birthday party since I’m gonna be gone tomorrow. We went to Olive Garden, went to the mall, and went to walmart to get some party stuff and then went back to the room.

Knowing that I am going to be out of the country, quite literally for the sake of the call—I can’t really describe what I’m feeling right now. It’s a mix from being totally hyped up to wanting to just pack up and forget it. But I guess…heyy, what 18 year old wouldn’t do that ?

Ehh..I know that everything is gonna work out. I mean, I went to a church camp like 6 or 7 hours away…but still…lol…

Well, it’s late and tomorrow is gonna be huge!!

Nitey Nite!!

7-16-08—DEPARTURE DAY AND SARAH-SARAH’S 18TH BIRTHDAY

Well, now!!

I think last night was the one of the worst nights of sleep I have ever had!!

Soo…after an overload of sugar, I was riding out a seriously intense sugar high!!!!!!!

I started writing in my journal that Bobbie got me for the trip and just crashed at like 9:50. I finally woke up at 12:30am…still in jeans and t-shirt. lol.

I just kinda laid there and finally got up and got ready.

We all got up at 2:40 and were ready to go. We decided to pack all of mom and dad’s stuff, which killed a grand total of 45-50 minutes. From there, we took the shuttle to the airport and waited for my quote and quote “Chaperones” to arrive. They finally showed up around 4:15 ..

We checked our bags and then I had to say good bye to mom and dad. My eyesgot watery for like 15 or 20 seconds. I thought I was gonna cry but I bucked up and didn’t..lol.

After security–that’s when all the fun began!!!!!!!

Ok, so I had kinda forgotten what it was like to be in an airplane. Take-off was my favorite part and behind that, landing. lol.

The flight to Houston was relatively short so not very much happened. Upon arrival, we had about an hour to an hour and a half layover before we left for Managua. I got a latte and waited to get my boarding pass and passport verified to get on the plane for the next flight.

Once I got on the plane, I was pretty tired from lack of sleep. lol. we took off and might I say the take off from Houston was waayyy better…Just throwing that one out there!! LOL!!

I slept off and on…Since it was about a 2 and a half to three hour flight….lol.

About three hours later, we finally arrived in Managua!!!! From there, we had to get our visas, which was exciting (Just a hint of sarcasm there!!) But it really was. lol.

Then we had to go to baggage claim, also note that our luggage survived the trip!! LOL!!

From there, we had to go through customs and then meet our fearless leader and then off to load the vans…..which was a crazy epic adventure in itself!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, so we got on the vans and then we were on our way!!

What I saw those 2 and a half, almost 3 hours will more than likely stay with me for a long time to come, and probably forever.

I saw a massive dose of reality. I saw starving children. I saw horses being treated like slaves. Ultimately, I saw how raw and broken the Third World truly is.

And here I am, this spoiled brat who has had everything given to her on a silver platter. Here I am this diva that has had everything I have ever wanted! Ha…kinda shows how materialistic I am.

I mean, I saw people starving and here I am, this girl who freaks out when I don’t get my nails done every two weeks…

Ha…kinda got a lil carried away there.

Then we were on the road once again…..we went to the church that was so beautiful!!!!!! It was an open air church, which is something that I don’t think they have in the US. I loved it!!

I think I slept for an hour or an hour and a half, which I enjoyed. We finally got to the hotel…it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting but I liked it.

We ate in the restaurant….the Nica food……..I couldn’t stand it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But through everything, I really felt blessed and honored to be a part of that experience. We had a short orientatin meeting. It was kinda fun. I was still really out of it and dead tired but my heart and spirit kicked in and I didn’t care.

We had the rest of the night free. This was the first time since I was 10 or 12 that I was in bed before 10pm. LOL!!

Well, that’s my first day. I thought I would be missing home but I’m not, surprisingly.

The team members have been AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

This is definitely the most amazing birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xo
Sarah!

7-17-08—DAY 2- DAY ONE OF CRUSADES-

So today marked the first day of the crusades. I didn’t really know what to expect.

We had breakfast…I didn’t really know what I was eating and because I was still full from last night, I had orange juice and a few bites of toast.

From there, we went to the church for the morning service, which was mainly orientation and then we got loaded up for the crusades.

Again, I saw so much poverty and the people were so hungry to hear the Word of God. It was just so incredible to see open and receptive the people were- especially the children!!!!!!

Uhmm… okay..I know I’ve said this a million times about me not having kids….I’m secretly beginning to change my mind. lol….

One thing, when we were doing street ministry, we saw this man with an ox cart. THere were no reigns or anything…just the sound of his voice telling the oxen what to do.

After the crusades, we went back to the hotel. We ate in the restaurant again that wasn’t as bad as it was last nite- but still kinda gross.

I called madre and padre and got to talk to them for a little bit. It was cool. lol.

I’m kinda anxious to see if I’m gonna cry hysterically when I see them back in OKC in a few days.

In all honesty, as much fun as I’m having now…I’m ready to go home, go to school, graduate, and start my college career.

God is sooo amazing!!!

xo
Sarah

7-18-08—DAY 3- DAY 2 OF CRUSADES

Ok, so today started out pretty good. It turns out there there is a pretty big election that’s about to take place and the schools let out for this massive political rally in Granada.

It also rained ALL DAY!! Ughh!!!

So yeah, it was a pretty difficult day but it was at the same time- very rewarding!!

I think it’s safe to say that the day in general was shot, but even though it was a really tough and trying day, God really showed His grace and mercy and love on all the teams!! I know that it is SOO cliche but I have that stupid Camp Rock song stuck in my head:

This is real
This is me
This where exactly where I’m supposed to be
now I’m gonna let the light shine on me
Now I’ve found who I am
There’s no way to hold it in
No more hiding who I want to be
This is me

I am soo excited to see what God is going to do in the coming days!!

This is my first time in Nicaragua and I am soo hoping and praying that it won’t be my last!!!!!!

Well, we came back to the hotel and ate in the resataurant againg!!!

After my past few encounters and misadventures in the culinary category- I decided on french fries and chocolate ice cream!! LOL!

What’s really sad—It was one of the waayyyy better dinners that I’ve had thus far!! LOL!!

Well that’s pretty much it!!!

xo
Sarah

7-19-08—DAY 4–DAY 3 OF CRUSADES

Today started out as usual!!

Breakfast wasn’t very good…then we went to the church.

I may not have said this before, but many spiritual attacks have come our way in the past few days!!

The crusades were cool!! Rain threatened 2 of the last ones!!

We;re going out to eat tonight. I was really debating about going but after the crusades, we went back to the hotel and after deep cleaning my hair I decided to go ahead and go.

Put it this way—the restaurant we went to—-talk about one of the BEST dinners I have ever had!!!

Ok–story time!! The plates were sizziling soo…you mix a sizzling plate filled with grilled chicken-y goodness and an ungodly amount of flammable Aussie hair product in my hair—-I was soo scared my hair was gonna catch on fire!!!!!!!!!!

I guess it’s true that what happens in Nicaragua stays in Nicaragua…or ends up on Facebook almost 2 years later! LOL!!

but anyway- I digress!! LOL!!

The size of the thing was freakin HUGE!!!!!!!!!!

I spent 7 bux American on that and a drink!!!

It was soo freakin amazing!!!!!!!!! LOL!!

xo
Sarah

7-20-08-Day 5- DAY OFF

Well, now!!!!!!

Today was interesting in a fun, exciting, almost ending my life sorta way. lol!!

We had the day off to go shopping, It was quite an experience and there were one of 2 moments that I was a tad bit annoyed!

The ride there was an experience!! My back was killing me but in an awesomely weird way….I loved it.

So, we came back to the room I was soo tired but I kinda perked up when it came time for dinner…

One of the team members made this AWESOME Mexican dinner for us!

On a more serious note, I had my first run-in with armed Central American Communists.

There was this major political rally in Masaya in the marketplace and there were these hella scary Sandinistas standing around with M-16s.

SInce I was the only girl in the group, they called me out and I had to go over to them…

OH, DEAR LORD!!! I was scared out of my mind!!!!!!!

I felt the tears start to come and that was when this fool lookin like Rambo asked me if I was a Christian…I spent 20 or 30 seconds contemplating my answer. In the back of my mind, I kept hearing “If you confess Me before others, I’ll confess you…however, if you deny Me, I’ll deny you!!”

I answered yes and Rambo and his boys started to unholster their guns…

My chaperone rushed over, said something in Spanish and we ran. They didn’t chase after us..so I looked at that as divine intervention or divine favor..one of the two. lol.

Yeahh…it has been a crazy awesome day…and I’m exhausted.

xo
Sarah

7-21-08—DAY 6–DAY 5 OF CRUSADES

I should also make this known that today marks my first day of my last year at Destiny Christian Academy!!

Well now!!

Today was one of the best days since I’ve been here!

The sermon in the morning service really rekindled the fire I have for the mission field and the nations of the world!!

So we did the first crusade and we got there early so we did some street ministry. lol.

I led 12 people to Christ today…..

From the training that I have received this week that will always have an impact in my life as a Christian, both personally as well as someone in ministry….I can’t even put into words how amazing it felt!!

It was such an awesome adrenaline rush!!

We finished early and came back!!! I was totally wiped out!! LOL!

We came back to the hotel and relaxed for a couple hours and then we went to that restaurant again that we went to last night.

For like 12 or 13 bux, I got lobster!!!! LOL!!

On the way back, someone asked me if I would do this again—

My answer—-I would do this again in a heartbeat, of course—-in God’s timing!!

I keep hearing this phrase from youth camp “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few”

In all reality- I’m starting to miss home a little bit….I’m starting to miss school and friends!! LOL!!

What’s weird, is that I don’t miss mom and dad as much as I thought I would…….

xo
Sarah

7-22-08—-Day 7–FINAL DAY OF CRUSADES

Well, today doesn’t mark the ending, but the beginning!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So today was our last crusade here. I know I said in the heading that today was our final crusade but there are crusades in another part of Nicaragua starting next week.

Today was our best day!!

It was relatively short because we had a celebration with the Nicaraguan pastors.

Oh goodness…it was such an emotional day.

I cried a little bit.

We went back to the hotel and we were instructed to start packing and getting ready to leave early in the morning.

It was cool but at the same time, it was weird to see how far I’ve come in just a week. I gained a whole new understanding and revelation of everything!!

I wish that I didn’t have to go home so soon but oh, well. lol.

It’s late and we have to be up hella early tomorrow.

xo
Sarah

7-23-08—DAY 8- DEPARTURE FOR THE STATES!!!!!!!!

Well, we left early this morning!!!

It was a really long trip!!!!!!!!!!!

The bus ride to Managua wasn’t too bad.

The airport there was crazy awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our plane was delayed 2 hours….it was a LLLLLLLOOOOOOOOONNNNNGGGGGG flight.

We flew to Houston and that was crazy!

We had 20 minutes to get off the plane, run through customs, run through 3 security checkpoints, baggage claim, re-check luggage, and go through customs again..and then get on the plane. We some houw managed to do it!! (Remind me to thank and hug Tab later!! LOL!!)

An hour later, I was home with Mami and Papi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was coool to see them again!!!!!!!!

We walked in the door at home at exactly midnight!!!!!!

I am soo grateful I have the rest of the week off from school to recover!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I’m tired.

SENIOR YEAR IS GONNA BE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! CLASS OF 2009!!!!!!!!!

xo
Sarah

Soo…..This is basically the realities of the mission field…almost 2 years later!!!!!!!! LOL!!!

It was amazing, it was dirty!!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved every second of it.

I however was not prepared for the spiritual storm that took place upon my return to school.

It shook me to the point of me just turning God off..

A few weeks later, He reminded me of what I am fighting for.

And that is a fight worth fighting for!!

xo
Sarah