Gracias a Dios

It seems like every affirmative in Spanish is followed by the phrase, "Gracias a Dios," which means "Thanks be to God." It could be only custom, a tired phrase that no one really hears. However, for me, it still has meaning.

Gracias a Dios, I made it safely to Nicaragua. I was supposed to fly with another young woman going to Nicaragua, and we knew each other from training in the fall. However, we left on Thursday, January 2, and the airport had cancelled flights on Wednesday, and the weather was still not good. We ended up being separated, but we both arrived at our intended destination with all our bags by 11:30 pm Thursday night.

Gracias a Dios, my aunt and uncle hosted us at a farming ministry near the city of Diriamba for a few days. My uncle and aunt are involved in this agricultural ministry for several months of the year, and I got to see what they have been telling me about for the last three years. I was even able to help with a sorghum harvest. The weather was lovely, the food was good, and I really enjoyed spending time with my aunt and uncle.

Gracias a Dios, the Nehemiah Center is still an active, vibrant ministry. Since my first trip to the Nehemiah Center in 2008, I have been enchanted with this ministry. I love the model of international and national believers working together to bring Christ's transformation to a country of great need. When I was in Nicaragua three years ago, I interned at the Nehemiah Center, and I'm glad to return for a year of working with its programs.

Gracias a Dios, my new lodgings in León are great. I really like the family with whom I live, and I also have a lot of freedom to do my own thing. The house where I live has luxuries like internet and a microwave, and the family is a bit familiar with the United States. They are strong Christians, and I like their approach to life.

Gracias a Dios, I have begun to explore options for work. It seems I'll be working with my friend, Roberto, in community development as well as some new friends in church partnerships. I have met with some, but the work is still taking shape. We will see what happens, but I am excited about the possibilities.

Gracias a Dios, I have not been sick yet, and I have been eating what is put before me. The breeze makes the heat bearable. My Spanish is coming back bit by bit. All in all, I have begun to be accustomed to living here after one week.

Thanks be to God for taking me to this place, for preparing the way for me, and for keeping me while I'm here. Thanks be to God for his unfailing love in our lives. He is the one who gives us life, who protects us from all sorts of dangers, and who gives us rest. Today, I am thankful.