by Tracy McDaniel

Most people don’t think they can change their lives in eight days. In my case, a mission trip to Nicaragua not only changed my life, but I was able have a better understanding of who Jesus was when he walked this earth.

Managua, Nicaragua, is not like the United States. In America, we are blessed to live in a country with sanitation, purified water and higher learning. While Nicaraguans experience extreme poverty on a day-to-day basis, they have something that I’ve never seen in America. The people in Nicaragua have desperation to know Jesus Christ and will do anything to grow closer to him.

When I look back on my trip one, thing I will never forget about Nicaragua is the love they have for Jesus. Even though we both pray to the same God, they throw themselves at his mercy and ask for his grace in a way that I’ve never seen. You can feel the desperation through your whole body and the love that’s pouring out within each person. I have never experienced more love in one place than I did in Nicaragua.

Most of my team had never been on a mission trip. All of us were a little nervous, but we were taking a leap of faith that God had called our hearts to serve. God gave us amazing leaders and everyone we met in Nicaragua had a story that inspired and humbled our hearts. As a team and individually, we grew closer to God and you could see at different times the Holy Spirit working in each of us. It was not only amazing to watch, but it was amazing to be a part of Christ-centered team.

Nicaragua changed all of us and opened our hearts to see how Jesus Christ has plans for each of us. Whether we were walking into a school, hugging and playing with kids, building relationships with the pastors, staff and families – you could see JESUS EVERYWHERE. It feels like a dream; I can’t explain the love and the heartbreak I felt inside.

I would encourage everyone to jump on the desire that God puts on your heart to serve. It will change your life forever. You will experience Jesus in a way that is almost unexplainable. I’m so blessed that I had the opportunity not only to serve with an amazing team, but I’m also humbled that Jesus put desire in my heart to go back and serve again. I fell in love with Nicaragua and everyone I met on my journey. I never thought I would have a heart to do missions, but God knows the plans he has for me and each of us.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”