Last Sunday morning, myself and 4 other members of my team along with 5 Nica leaders of Vida Joven (Young Life) ventured to a beautiful overlook in the rural area of Granada. We went on the walk as a run through for the following week when the Vida Joven is taking the group of youth to the same place. We walked about 40 minutes t

o the base of the mountain and stopped to take a break then we played a few fun games, sang some worship songs and had a bible study. Once we were refreshed, we hiked about 30 more minutes to a big white cross and an amazing overlook. (see the picture) From from the cross, we could see all of Granada; Lake Granada, the mountains in the background and a blue partly cloudy sky.  All I could think of was Psalm 36, "Your Love oh Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your fathfullness stretches to the sky. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice flows like the great deep" For a few minutes I stood in complete awe of God's indescrible creation. It was truly breath taking. From the overlook we did our touristy duty of taking pictures, we also enjoyed a picnic lunch and had another bible study. Before we hiked back home, we woshiped more and then prayed over Granada. Not only did the God's creation blow me away, but it was incredible how much our language barrier was not an issue all day. The Nicaraguan Vida Joven leaders have broken english and we have some developing spanish but never the less, we had solid conversations with each other.  We worshiped and prayed to the same God together, a God who has brought us together dispite language and culture. It was an incredible day and I'm excited to go again next week with the youth from Vida Joven. I'm sure God will leave them amazed as I was. 

 

Another cool thing that started up this week is our soccer teams! Between myself and 3 other teammates, we are coaching a 15-18 year old team and a 10-12 year old team. I am working with the younger team mostly. We hold practices twice a week for the team, but any kids who want to practice come and play too. However, you may have seen that there is a tropical storm coming through Nicaragua, which made for extra fun practices! For both of our practices this week it all out poured. Reguarless we practiced dribbling, passing, shooting and we even made the kids do some sprints for being late. It was all in fun and we ended one of the practices in a game of slide tag. (Thats where you lay on your belly with a partner while 2 people run around playing tag, then the person who is being chased has to slide next a person laying down. The rain and mud makes slide tag all the more fun) We are going to be playing games on Saturdays also. I am really excited to get to know the kids more, they seem like bundles of energy and potentially really good players. We are praying as a team at the begining and end of practices and trying to be living examples of Christ's love for the kids. If you could just soak this soccer team in prayer, I would greatly appreciate it. With your prayers God will do great things through this coaching oppertunity. Thank you!