Andrea's Story

So here's the story of how God has lead me (Andrea) to take a leap of faith and go to Nicaragua for 15 months.

I'll start with a brief history, going back 3 1/2 years when I first went to Nicaragua in December 2005. I went to Masaya, Nicaragua as a staff member of Str8way Ministries. I really wanted to go, but I was working through a lot of things at the time so my heart wasn't really 'caught' by Nicaragua. I told myself I would go back one time... just for the kids. In October 2007, a group was going down and I felt it was time for me to make that return trip. I was not prepared for what was in store for me. This time when I arrived, I knew it wasn't going to be my last trip... My heart was caught.

Now, let me back up a little and fill in the rest of the story.... a big struggle for me with God has always been finances. I wanted to serve Him, but especially when it came to missions, felt hindered because of my student loans. My loans were a commitment I had made and it was MY responsibility to pay them back. So I got a job and started making the payments. Along the way I ended up receiving a good sum of inheritance, which bothered me. I didn't want to be responsible for a large sum of money... it felt more like a curse than a blessing. After seeking some counsel and praying about it I came to the conclusion that it didn't make sense to have a sum of debt on one side and a sum of money on the other, if anything I could pay off the debt and at least start clean. So feeling like this was what I was supposed to do with the money I paid off the majority of my debt, but I still wanted to make some payments. This all began in August 2008 and I was excited yet scared because I knew I would have no more excuses and felt like God might call me to do something big. When I first committed to paying off my debt, I started looking into what opportunities may arise after I was debt free (Nicaragua being the main focus). On my December 2008 trip to Nicaragua, I was questioning if I was supposed to go there once my debt was paid off. I didn't get a real clear answer, but felt that it just wasn't the right time, and I also had the fear of not wanting to go alone. As the months went on the excitement of paying off my debt sort of faded. I remembered a lifelong dream of working with adoptions, so I began looking at grad school. I was pretty convinced grad school was the next step in life, but I wasn't finding a program I really loved. March 2009 passed and I was now debt free - this felt great, but I was now thinking of grad school which would most likely accumulate more debt and I was confused.

Kari (read her story below), had gone to Nicaragua in April 2009. Upon her return I was talking to her, getting all the updates. She mentioned she wanted to just move down there and very hopefully asked me if I wanted to come too. This is something we have often said so after realizing she was serious, of course I wanted to say "YES!" right away. I took the next few weeks asking questions and praying about this opportunity. It was totally not what I had been planning, but felt like God was opening the door. I asked some others to join me in prayer over this opportunity and seemed to receive confirmation after confirmation. I decided this was a leap of faith I needed to take, otherwise it would be a missed opportunity God was trying to give me.

For me, this story is a testament of how God's timing and provision are perfect! He knew I wouldn't go without my debts being paid - He provided the means to be debt free! I was unsure of going alone - He willingly provided a partner for ministry! It's amazing to look back and see how He was working in each of our lives and hearts in such a way to intersect them at this point. I am excited to soon be living among and ministering to the people of Nicaragua. It is where I truly come alive.