hey guyyyys!!
another great week down in Nicaragua!! this week has me walking into the next week with the biggest smile. There was just so much joy and love every day, and now we’re getting used to our schedules and routine, it’s already feeling like home here.
The schedule looked mostly the same as last week, so this week was more about getting to know the people of the community.
Each thursday we walk the same route for prayer walking, and we visit about 4 or 5 homes. The families and people are so very joyous even though they are going through very hard tribulations.
I want to tell their stories, just to show their beautiful faith and the trust they have in God, although, it can be hard sometimes to hear about the struggles they have and not question the goodness of God.
One family that we meet with, a mother and daughter, and a son who struggles with addiction. The mother has a disease that affects her legs and is trying to see doctors to understand what is going on and how to help it but isn’t receiving much help. The daughter suffers from epilepsy, and has repeatedly gone to see doctors and had tests done, but she hasn’t received any answers or anyways to help and is often scared to be by herself. She has fallen quite a few times and hit herself on the way down on like her elbows, shoulders and head. Then like I said the son struggles with alcoholism and drugs. Through these hard times and suffering, however, their faith is beautiful. Their faith is entirely in the Lord, and they trust that He will take care of them in the best way that He can, as He is the great doctor. They even understand the hard truth that by following closely with the Lord, it means that to die is to gain (if that becomes the case)- “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21. So that even if their earthly bodies hurt and suffer, one day they will be healed and live eternally with the Father. We spoke with them for awhile and were just able to encourage them and speak more life, and say that through trials and tribulations God promises hope and endurance because of the love He has poured into us (Romans 5). With that same love, encouraging them to continue to just love the son as Jesus loves them, just so that he may have a glimpse of what life with Jesus looks like and that he may step into the walk with the Lord as well.
Similarly, another family- A grandma, 3 children, and 5 grandchildren- suffers a lot from illness and diseases. Each member with something different: a baby with kidney diseases, another baby with infections behind his eye needing surgery, both the mother and grandma with cancers, among other illnesses in the family. We spoke with them for a long time as well and speaking scripture into their situation for some encouragement, although their faith was already so great and so beautiful. It can just be hard because medical help isn’t promised, as their healthcare is free. Another thing about a lot of these families is that most of them cannot read. Education isn’t as prioritized, and as a result, they also are unable to read the bible. Everything they know about Jesus and the gospel is from words spoken by others or from churches, though most don’t attend. So for when we’re at home we can pull out a bible anytime we want and read, it’s a luxury we overlook and don’t always appreciate as often as we should. My point is, though, that when we get the opportunity to share with these families, they are so receptive and just breathe in the word, since they don’t get to hear it very often.
Anyways today the blog will be a little shorter because i’m at the beach currently and am using my phone, sooooo i love love love you all so much. i don’t get service to often but feel free to email me anytime and i’ll try to respond as soon as i can. Love y’all.
Love,
Lilli <3
ps, i’m not sure that i’ll be able to attach pictures today, so i’ll try to post again this week but i have a lot of pictures and videos up on my instagram. Feel free to check them out @ lilli.taylor.x
and if you don’t have instagram, my account is public so if you look my name up on google it might attach my account and you can see them there. okay now bye!!!!
Thank you for sharing the stories. Hope you had a great day at the beach. Keep smiling! Love you
Lilli
Short and sweet but still a great glimpse into the ministry and life at REAP
Thanks for the update and can’t wait to see your pics
Love you
Stephen and Teri Jernigan
Lilli, you are seeing families struggle and yet you also see the hope they have in Jesus. He has sent you to proclaim the good news to those who cannot read His word and be healed. Thank you for being there. Love you.
They are leaning on the great Physician, it speaks volumes to our western thinking. They have faith in an eternal remedy for their pain and suffering today. So glad to hear you are bringing the gospel to them through spoken word, being the voice of Christ in their lives, a light into their mental, spiritual and physical brokenness. Thank you for loving them right where they are.
Wow! Getting to hear how you and the team are being the hands and feet of Christ is incredible! The Lord says that faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God-Rom10:17. The people you get to meet might not be able to read but their faith is increasing as you share His words. So proud of you Lilli Taylor! Love you and Lord willing see you soon.