Family Alive

Brian, Kristine, Analise, and Josiah Toone

Nicaragua Arrival: I’m not who I was then

4th June 2011

When I arrived in Nicaragua in Sept. 2001 (or in Jan. 1999), I didn’t know what to expect. I had ideas, expectations and pictures in my head of how I thought it would be. But my time in Nicaragua was far different than I imagined – and far better. Both of those times spent in Nicaragua changed me and taught me the ever-important lesson (and truly the cornerstone lesson of my life) that God’s plan is often quite different and much better than I could have imagined.

So tonight we’re flying through a sunset sky about to land in Managua. I’m about to drive down roads that I’ve traveled many times, see people from a different season of my life, dive into a culture that’s much more familiar than foreign. But I’m reminded gently by my gracious God that 12 and 10 years later, I’m a different person. My experience in Nicaragua is bound to be far different thanks to the amazing experiences that the past 10 years have given me. Add to that the fact that I’ll be here only 6 days rather than 1 1/2 years, and I’ll gently lay down my memories and expectations. I’m praying now that I’d be fully here and focused on how God wants to use me and change me in this short visit. Beyond this week, I’d love for God to show Brian & I how to keep the people of Nicaragua and the awesome work of Nuevas Esperanzas at the forefront of our family mission.

¡Aqui estoy, Señor… enseñame!

– Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *