What Being A Missionary Has Taught Me
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

What Being A Missionary Has Taught Me

There is hidden beauty all around us.

22
What Being A Missionary Has Taught Me
Ashlee Withrow

This past summer, I took a trip to a little town in Nicaragua called Las Peñitas with a mission team from my church. I really had no idea what to expect, but I knew that I had felt a strong calling to be a missionary and I was more than ready to go.

Nicaragua is a country that we really don't hear much about. It's a country that is obviously experiencing extreme levels of poverty and tends to be forgotten about.

I will say that I was fascinated. The capital is full of people walking on the streets and cars rushing by literally as fast as they could because authorities really aren't strict on road laws there. People would try to sell us water through the windows of our car or they would try to wash our windshield in attempts to get money.

We drove through the countryside for about an hour and once we got to Las Peñitas the poverty level was even more apparent. We were right on the beach and 9 out of 10 houses in some way were open to the outside with no air conditioning. In Nicaragua the temperature is usually in the 90's with a 85% humidity or more.

People slept in hammocks, and their attire was very simple. It's a fact that life is very basic for most Nicaraguans, even in the capital.

Throughout the week we worked with a foundation called the Fuller Center to help construct suitable housing for families in the Las Peñitas community.

We grew so close to the families we were helping. They treated us like part of the family and when one of us would try to talk to them in Spanish they would laugh when we would mess up. The kids would always ask us if we had candy.

It was truly a humbling experience.

During the week my pastor had the opportunity to give a sermon at a little house church in Las Peñitas, with the help of my boyfriend translating. It was something I will never forget.

Here our group was with only two of us who spoke Spanish and an entire house filled with Nicaraguans enjoying church together despite all of our differences in language and culture.

I was very humbled.

I was taught that week that none of us need these material things that we have. Everything we have here is such a huge blessing.

The people of Nicaragua had nothing compared to us, but to them they had everything because of family and simply another day to live.

I loved being in a culture like that. It changed me as a person and made me rethink why I need to be thankful. God has blessed me with so many things that I really don't need and for that I am so thankful.

I made lifetime friendships in Nicaragua and I have no doubt that I will be back again one day.

Nicaragua is beautiful and I miss it every day.

If you ever have the opportunity to go on a mission trip or study abroad, do it. It is an experience unlike anything else in the world and you will never be the same.

"Los mejores amigos son como estrellas, aunque no siempre se ven, pero sabes que están allí" - Anónimo

"The best friends are like stars, you don't always see them, but you know they're always there." - Anonymous

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

70719
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132343
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments