The Lord has been preparing me (Kari) over this past year to take a leap of faith. As a fifth grade teacher, I struggled enormously with the class He placed me in during the school year due to discipline problems and a general lack of respect. Although it was very trying, I can see now that He has been gradually drawing me to Himself poco a poco (little by little) asking if I would really leave everything to follow Him. My answer is “ Yes 'Here am I! Send me.'” (Isaiah 6:8).
My love for Nicaragua began just after I graduated college; and for the past five years, God has been using me in short-term missions to build relationships with a group of now-teenagers from Masaya, Nicaragua. When I came back after my first visit down there, I immediately looked into teaching positions and was ready to pack up and move. Much to my disappointment, right before finalizing the decision, I felt that God was pulling me back and telling me that it was not my time. Because of this, although I have felt a stirring since, I had convinced myself that the Lord was calling me to do short-term missions out of the country, and that my long-term mission field was in the United States; raising awareness about the necessity of missions. Beginning after my January 2009 trip, I began dreaming of living in Nicaragua. I decided that if my contract with the school was not renewed, I would commit to the move. Then, I was invited on another trip in April 2009 at which point it became evident that my joy came from being with and ministering to the people of Nicaragua. As I returned to the United States and got back into my usual routine, I was touched by a song urging us to do more than “go through the motions.” I realized that I was no longer satisfied with going through the motions. I was ready to surrender and be used how God saw fit. Within the last six months God has released me (I am hoping due to obedience) to do full time ministry in Nicaragua for the next 15 months.
It is awesome to see the way that God's perfect plan plays out. I had my life set out ahead of me, and he stirred me otherwise. I was also struggling with the fear of going on my own, and although I had decided I would go no matter what, God saw fit to provide an awesome friend and ministry partner in Andrea. I am excited to begin this new season that awaits me. Although I am proudly American, the Lord has also seen fit to give me a corazón Nicaraguense (Nicaraguan heart) and I am eager to be among a people group that I so thoroughly enjoy!
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