September Update
Hello Family and Friends!
I hope that this September update finds you enjoying all things fall – cool crisp mornings, changing leaves, bonfires, sweater weather and all things pumpkin. We experienced fall this morning when I woke up and it was a low of 72! This week’s weather is predicted to hit below 70 (69 actually) which is the coolest it has been here since I arrived. Granted, that temperature only stays for ½-1 hour and then it slowly climbs back up for the day.
There really are not any major updates – my health has finally stabilized, the church search continues and the car search is slow and steady (but good). So, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some things that God has been teaching me over the last four months – finding joy in the daily interruptions and the power of prayer.
Interruptions
How many of you when you read the word above, became slightly anxious? When you think of the day or week ahead, would say you look forward to the interruptions in your day? Probably not many of you, if any. If you are like me, interruptions can be a nuisance – especially when you busy and need to get things done. They break your focus, disrupt your workflow and can be just plain irritating.
But, what if God planned those interruptions and had a purpose behind them?
Here in Managua, I have come to expect interruptions. In fact, they play a HUGE roll in my daily life. While they tend to be smaller and with less frequency at work, my life outside of work is riddled with them (in a good way). Let me give you an example. I live in an apartment complex with 7 other units – two families, a couple and three singles. One of those families are my next door neighbors, who take care of Maximus and have become like family. Their girls, 9 and 4, are always catching me off guard and creating interruptions. At first, I thought it was an issue of privacy (sometimes is), but then I realized that maybe they lack attention or just need a friend. By pausing my routine / my to do list, I have had countless of conversation with them and created memories with them. They talk to me about their day, about their friends, things happening in our apartment complex, etc. Do not get me wrong, I still like my introverted time, but God has created something beautiful out of the interruptions – a relationship and a sense of community for me. In fact, this past week after an impromptu water gun fight, the oldest daughter (Lia) came up to me and said that she had something to tell me. She proceeded to say that she thought of me as one of her best friends. This never would have happened if I had kept stubbornly to my routine and brushed off their interruptions.
A Saturday evening walk with my neighbors. Ivania, the mom (front left); Lia, 9 (front right); Irene, (middle).
Looking back at my time in Elgin, I had my routine down and did not like making any exceptions to it. Yet now I wonder, what did I miss out on? What conversations could I have had, what friends needed me, when was God trying to grab my attention…etc.
I do not want my life to be full of ‘what ifs’, but rather with an awareness of those around me and intentionality in all my relationships. This may be offensive to some of you, but I pray that you would be interrupted this week, and that God would make you aware of it so that you can accept it and be present and intentional in that time, whether small or big.
Thank you to all who have been intentional with me – for those of you that have accepted facetime calls at weird times, who have been willing to text, who have checked in on me (and continue to do so). This journey would not be the same without you.
Power of Prayer
When we talk about prayer, I think there can be a misconception that prayer is a lengthy conversation with God, typically done at church or in a ‘Christian’ setting. However, prayer is so much more than that; it is a continuous dialogue with God. Prayer does not have a time constraint, you can do it anywhere, and it does not have to be about anything specific. Sometimes, we may not even have any words to say – just sorrow and tears, but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Prayer strengthens our relationship with God and creates a bigger dependability on Him.
I have always desired more dependability on God – something that we all strive for. Since high school, I remember thinking that I wanted to be like David. Although his sin was great, his desire and conviction to depend on the Lord was greater. So much so, that he was called ‘a man after God’s own heart’ – WHAT A DESCRIPTION. That is what I want – I want my time on this earth to be marked by a desire to pursue the Lord and always depend on him, no matter how far I have strayed off the path.
I would say that prior to arriving in Nicaragua, when a prayer request surfaced, I would first text friends and family I knew would pray over it. Then, I would eventually turn to God and make a request. If you are thinking this sounds backwards, you would be right. Here in Nicaragua, God has been teaching me to first reach out to him in prayer for dependency. Even when I do not have words to pray, I just repeat something simple throughout my day, ‘God show yourself’, ‘God answer me’. Then, I text my friends and family to pray. Friends, God hears our prayers, and although I have known this my entire life, something has changed here in Nicaragua. My morning devotions are filled with responses to prayer and guidance for the day ahead. It has become a sacred time for me, filled with expectancy and a thirst for God.
My hope is that prayer would become integral in your daily life. You do not have to begin with something grand, it can be something simple, something short. God desires for you to talk with him and depend on him. Do not miss an opportunity because you do not think you know how to pray – reach out to a friend or to your pastor.
Prayer Requests:
*My grandmother (Jacky, 93) – after getting covid for the second time, she was taken to a hospital for care. She then developed infections, and last week decided to stop taking all her medicine. My uncles began checking nursing homes or hospice.
Pray that God would heal her. My prayer is not necessarily for healing this side of Glory, but that in his omniscience he would know the best path moving forward for complete healing. I understand that EVEN in this, God is good.
Pray for my sister and I (and our four cousins) as we process this news and these emotions. She is our last grandparent, which for me hits harder.
Pray for my dad and his brothers (David and Mike), as they begin making preparations and as they say goodbye to another parent.
*James and Alex – missionary friends of mine here in Nicaragua. Several months ago, they gave birth to their first son and about three weeks ago James’ dad came to visit his first grandchild. While on a routine trip to the beach, James’ dad was dragged under by an undertow and tragically drowned.
Pray for them as they flew back to the States for the funeral/burial and will spend some time there. James was an only son, and his parents were separated – meaning that there is much responsibility on his shoulders in order to get his father’s affairs in order.
As Always, I would love to hear from you and know how you are doing – celebrations and prayer requests. Feel free to reach out on here, facebook or Instagram! Just for fun - below are some random photos from the last month.
Love,
Micah
