Once again, The Lord has stirred up a desire in me to serve in Nicaragua. I cannot logically explain this, but there it is. And this time our Good Father in Heaven has brought family and even more friends along for the ride! Sarah and I have been serving as the International Missions Leader’s at DCF for almost 2 years now praying with many others who have had opportunities to serve all over the world. Now, it is our turn.
We were approached by church leadership before summer to pray about a possible DCF-sponsored trip. It became readily evident, and was later confirmed, that we should take another group to Nicaragua in partnership with God’s Ministries International. Since 1998, GMI has been working with families in the poorest barrios of Managua feeding them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We will be involved with their feeding programs, praying with their staff, serving in their church, playing with children, and addressing specific needs that they are currently prioritizing.
It is funny how some of the stuff Jesus said thousands of years ago still affects me (along with entire cultures and civilizations) in different ways today. In the book of Acts Paul quotes Jesus saying, “It is better to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) Upon my return from Nicaragua in the summer of 2006 this was a verse that really took on new meaning for me. My intent had been to give to the people I would meet, yet had come back having received much more than I could have imagined. Now in 2011, a married man and a father - light years away from grad school and the single life – the prayer Jesus taught is what influences me. Particularly this bit, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Wow! …on earth as it is in heaven… in Clemson as it is in heaven…in Managua as it is in heaven…
That is my prayer and that is what I keep hearing. We pray for His Kingdom to come here in our community and there in the barrios of Managua. We strive to be His agents of change and express His love to others. We are listening and doing our best to obey our Good Father in Heaven.
So, we are headed to Managua once again! This time we will travel during our winter and enjoy the warm, tropical dry season. We will leave right after Christmas on December 27th spend the beginning of the new year in Nicaragua then return on January 5th. We are taking a group of 25 energetic college students and our favorite little red-head, Ruby Eve! I am asking for your prayers and financial support. We are confident that The Lord wants us to minister to families as a family, but we are still incredibly protective of our child. We need prayers of health, safety, and God’s favor as we travel. Please also pray as we lead a trip consisting of so many other parents’ lovely children.
The estimated cost of our trip is $1600. Please pray that we will meet that goal and please consider giving financially. We need to raise the $850 for a plane ticket and traveler’s insurance by November 11th, the balance ($750) is due by December 20th. Checks can be made out to Downtown Community Fellowship (DCF) with Nicaragua and my account name (BMudder) in the memo portion. You can also give online (http://dcfclemson.org/give/) just be sure to designate the funds for Nicaragua and my account. All financial gifts are tax-deductible. It is better to give than to receive. Please be blessed in your giving.
May you enjoy the incomprehensible peace of Jesus.
-Bryan, Sarah, and Ruby Mudder
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