Miami to Managua to Matagalpa to Massaya and back!

Hey everyone! It has been a few days since I returned back from my week long trip in Nicaragua. Our group of 14 staff and interns from SharpTop Cove left last week Tuesday and flew from Atlanta to Miami. It was there that we met the 10 people from Windy Gap who were joining us and then we all flew out to Managua, the capital city of Nicaragua. After we cleared customs, we all headed across the busy highway to our best western hotel stay. It was a nice place to rest up after a long day of travel and a busy week ahead...

On Wednesday our group went through an orientation meeting with Ann Sharpe, one of the American leaders of Vida Joven (Young Life) Nicaragua. Ann was an amazing blessing to our group as she guided us through the days at camp and surrounding cities of Nicaragua. She also often translated between the Spanish language of the Nicaraguans and our spoken English language. During the orientation we learned a brief overview of the country of Nicaragua and the ministry of Vida Joven in Nicaragua over the past 20 years or so. The camp used by Vida Joven is called La Finca (The Farm) and was located on the outskirts of Jinotega and Matagalpa, Nicaragua. This is where we would be spending the next five days of our trip.

After a two hour ride North on the camp owned school bus, our group was warmly welcomed by some of the Nicaraguan Vida Joven leaders. We entered the camp by going down a zip-line over the small lake. Then, after a small tour of camp and our first lunch of the week, we started our first afternoon of work. A normal workday for us during the week at camp began right after breakfast and morning devos at 8am. We would get a short break at 10am for juice and crackers. Then, work again until noon, and start back up after lunch until 4pm. Some of the projects our group worked on included: digging a trench to lay new pipe in for a bathroom that was being constructed, digging a different trench (about 200 yards in length or so) to remove and replace a broken pipe that carries water from a well to the "beneficio" where the coffee beans are washed, painting the game room and gym, constructing a Frisbee golf course, and building ten new bunk beds. The two main jobs that I focused on during the week were in the trenches.

Even though it was hard physical labor, I really enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside SharpTop staff, Windy Gap staff, and Nicaraguan leaders. It was great to share intern experiences that have been similar and different with the interns at Windy Gap and also very rewarding trying to communicate with the Nicaraguans. The language barrier was difficult to overcome at times, but both the Americans and the Nicaraguans were able to appreciate each others efforts to learn more about each others' lives.

I think one thing that stood out the most to me about our relationship with the Nicarguans was that even though we have different cultures and languages, we all share so much in our desire and worship of the Lord. It was so powerful to sing the same songs together with them at our evening worship session and have the same song sung both in English and Spanish at the exact same time! It was a foreshadowing of what I believe our worship in heaven may be like. Also, we saw that the way Nicaraguan Vida Joven and American Young Life put forth clubs are very similar. On Thursday evening the Nicaraguans showed us what a Nicaraguan club looks like and then on Friday evening the SharpTop and Windy Gap staff put on an American club for the Nicaraguans. We both love using songs, skits, games, and laughter to open up hearts for the gospel. It was just a slight difference in cultural setting and language that made the two clubs different.

Similarly, we saw unity at church in Matagalpa on Sunday morning when almost all of the songs that we sung were songs that I was familiar with back in the United States (only I was used to singing in English). Along with unity, I also saw hospitality as the pastor had his son come up to the front of the church to translate the sermon into English so us Americans could understand it too. This theme of the Nicaraguans going out of their way for us continued as our group split up into pairs to go off to our host families for a day. My friend and fellow intern Mike and I stayed with Reynaldo (Condor) and his wife Daysie. Even though their living accommodations were modest in comparison with what we are used to in the United States, they were both always willing to share what they had with us. We shared three amazing meals with them, and Condor even allowed us to watch a bit of the Ohio State vs. Purdue basketball game on television (in English)! Later on in the day we all met together to see an actual Nicaraguan Young Life/Vida Joven club with the children of Matagalpa. Not only did we get to watch what happened, but many of us were asked to participate in some of the games as well. It was a ton of fun!

But, more than just being fun, I was amazed to see the transparency of the Nicaraguan Vida Joven leaders. Just like at the end of an American Young Life club, some of the leaders shared apart of their story and then they shared about Christ. Condor was one of those leaders who shared and it was incredible to hear how God has transformed his life from one filled with drugs, alcohol, gangs, and living on the street to one who vibrantly lives to serve Jesus with all of his heart, soul, mind, and strength. He actually first gave his life to Christ at La Finca, the exact same camp we just had spent the last five days. I know God is going to use Condor to affect so many lives of the youth of Matagalpa!

Our trip concluded with a trip to Massaya on Monday. First, we stopped at Massaya Volcano National Park and saw very large craters of the surrounding shield volcanoes. The most surprising aspect to me was that these volcanoes looked much different than my envisioned mountain top with lava pouring out image. Instead, we actually were looking down most of the time into craters where steam still steadily rose into the air. Still a pretty cool sight though. Then, after seeing the volcanoes we went to the marketplace which exists in a square shaped fort looking complex. Many crafts and goods made in Nicaragua and other places were on display here. Some of the items included hammocks, machetes, cigars, rum, paintings, sculptures, etc. Finally, after an hour of shopping we all headed back to the hotel in Managua and rested up before heading home the next day.

Overall, it was an amazing trip. Being my first ever international mission trip, I certainly appreciated many different aspects of the journey. I liked the warmer weather, the culture, and seeing sights like the volcanoes and gorgeous skies from a mountaintop. However, more than any of that, I fell in love with the way God has united his people through his son Jesus Christ despite differences of culture and language. These people shared the same passion we had of sharing Christ to the youth. As some of the people in our group rightly pointed out at the end of the week: God does not just exist in America. His presence is felt throughout the nations. How great it is to think about what God is doing through people in other countries, just like what we saw in Nicaragua!

Nicaragua here we come!

So today is the day that all of the interns and a few property staff from Sharptop Cove and Windy Gap Young Life camps are traveling down to Nicaragua. The camp we'll be helping out at is called "La Finca" and is located in Jinotega, Nicaragua. As part of our trip we'll be staying one night with a host family, working at camp for a few days, possibly helping out in the coffee plantation, hiking a volcano, and visiting a marketplace. Definitely excited. I'll update you all when I come back on what actually transpires.

One neat little tidbit is that all of the guys from SharpTop on our trip grew out our mustaches for the trip. It's been a fun little community builder, but I'm definitely ready to shave it off once we get back. Hopefully it's not too poorly received when we travel.

Also, over the past couple of weeks my new kitchen rotation has started. In that time we've served over 1,000 guests on weekend camp trips and also provided meals for property staff who were here for sound training last week. Still trying to get back into the rhythm of last summer, but for the most part I'm enjoying the experience.

Well that's all I've got for now. Look forward to sharing about Nicaragua with you next week. Blessings!

Looking ahead to February...

Hey everyone! Most of the snow that was around for winter training has melted, but of course there are rumors of another system moving in early next week. Who would have thought that even in Georgia I'm getting sick of the snow?

Well it's a pretty good bet in three weeks the last thing I'll be thinking about is snow. Our intern class will be heading to Nicaragua to help work at an international Young Life camp. Most likely we'll be placed on work teams to improve conditions around the camp including buildings, landscape, etc. I'm not sure really what to expect, but I'm excited to go on my first ever international mission trip.

Also, ahead is our next rotation of our internship. I'll be heading to the kitchen for three months. I'm definitely excited after really enjoying my week-long return during winter training. It looks look I'll at least be starting with the AM shift for February and then it is possible I'll get a taste of PM in March or April.

Before I go, here's an intern photo from Christmas. From left to right are: Luke (Illinois), Dani (Connecticut), me, Octavia (Florida), Patrick (Colorado), Lee Ann (South Carolina), Joseph (Virginia), Erin (Michigan), and Mike (New York). Thanks for your prayers for the nine of us as we prepare for our new rotations and trip to Nicaragua.

Blessings!

Winter Training and Storming...

Hey everyone! Well Winter Training is wrapping up here at SharpTop. Well I should say we're in the process of wrapping it up. The winter weather of snow, ice, sleet, and rain over the past couple of days has hindered the departure process for field staff. We're hoping everyone will be able to head back home safely soon.

Over the past week or so I have been working in the kitchen as an AM Cook. It was really fun being able to work with 6 of the other interns in the kitchen as well and we had a great group of cooks and pits crew (dishwashers) from Murfreesboro, TN. I also really enjoyed being able to translate my kitchen knowledge from last summer to SharpTop's kitchen. Although there are some differences in how things are prepared in this kitchen, as opposed to Timber Wolf, I found that I felt extremely comfortable jumping right in with the cooking, serving, and supervising throughout the week.

Alongside enjoying being back in the kitchen, I really loved the connections made with so many good people here. I was able to reconnect with many staff who were on assigned team at Timber Wolf last summer, talk to people who I led with in Eastern Ottawa and student staff, and met many other amazing staff from around the country. Relationships are a big part of this ministry, so it was no surprise that this was one of the biggest highlights for me.

Now we (the interns) are taking care of the remaining field staff who are still at camp and gearing up for the post-winter training clean up process. Then, it's back to our departments (maintenance for me) for a couple of weeks before beginning new rotations at the beginning of February. Finally, before we know it, our mission trip to Nicaragua will be here in just over a month. Many things to look forward to, but for now trying to take advantage of living each day in the here and now to the fullest. Thanks for your continued prayers for this internship. Blessings!

Back Home For Christmas...

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. I had a great time going home for just over a week to Michigan. I first stopped in Flint to spend time with my dad. One highlight was being able to enjoy a very nice Christmas dinner including turkey, stuffing (I helped grind the giblets!), sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and more. Very delicious and it was an exclamation point to an overall great weekend.

After visiting my father, uncle, and some family friends in Flint, my brother and I traveled back to Grand Rapids where we spent the rest of the week. It was good to sleep in my own bed again and spend time with my mom, stepdad, sister, and brother. I also got to spend a couple of nights hanging out with good friends from home. Whether it was continuing the tradition of playing Settlers of Catan or hearing stories of a friend’s semester in Spain, both evenings were full of fun. Even though I’m gaining great friendships with people here in Georgia, I am thankful I can continue the relationships I have already built back home.

Finally, after having a great Christmas Eve with family members on my step-dad’s side of the family, Christmas morning arrived Saturday. In the past it would not be uncommon for my little sister to wake me up at 7am anxiously anticipating the opening of presents. So, I was very thankful when I awoke and found out I was allowed to sleep in until 9 =). Then, before diving underneath the tree to go through our gifts, our family spent a good 30-40 minutes in the bible and then in prayer. I was so happy to dedicate the first part of our Christmas day to the real reason we celebrate: the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. The gifts that followed were certainly nice (running clothes, a new board game, i-tunes gift cards, etc.) but overall I just felt blessed to spend Christmas week with so many of the one I love back in Michigan.

Well, now I’m back in Georgia and gearing up for the next couple weeks of winter training. 2nd year field staff in Young Life from all over the country will be staying at SharpTop Cove for training in theology and technology, as well as general Young Life material. It will be exciting to have over 300 guests around my age at camp who share the same passion for introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. I’m exciting to prepare camp and serve these people well. I’ll try to update again afterwards and let you know how it goes. Have a blessed new year!

Snow in Georgia?!?

So I thought that heading down South would allow me to enjoy warmer winter weather. Well, this past week we have had our first snow that has stuck to the ground, four days in a row below freezing and right now our whole camp is covered in ice. People say I should be used to this stuff, because I'm from Michigan. The fact of the matter is that cold weather is cold weather and it still chills the bones the same. Nevertheless, things have been going well down here. Four of us have had some intense euchre games in the past couple weeks, and we all are excited about going back home soon to spend Christmas with family and friends. I hope you get to have a blessed Christmas with your family as well. I'll try to update later on when I get home, but until then stay warm wherever you are.

Thankful for so much!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend with the ones you love and care about. It has been great being home over the last week and spending time with people I haven't seen in over 3 months. There's nothing better than getting a welcome home hug from my sister Kelli accompanied by her exclamation "Brandon!" I have really enjoyed catching up with family and friends here in the Grand Rapids area. I love being able to share the amazing things God is doing down at SharpTop Cove and also being able to hear about the journeys many of my friends and family have experienced over the past 3-6 months in West Michigan.

This weekend I had the opportunity to reconnect with even more friends as I headed up to Timber Wolf Lake for the wedding of John and Christina Balmat. So happy for the both of them and I know the Lord is going to use their marriage for amazing things as they continue to serve Christ with all of their hearts. Along with celebrating a new marriage, I was able to see a good number of the many great people I worked with this past summer in at TWL. Even though I now spend most of my time this year at another Young Life camp 14 hours South of Lake City, there will always be a special place in my heart for the people and beauty of Timber Wolf.

Well today the excitement of oral surgery has been a reality to me. At 9am this morning I went in town to have my four wisdom teeth removed. Just one of those things that I have needed to get done for a while now, and thanks to the blessing of dental insurance through my year-long internship, I could now afford to do it. I'm definitely sore, but recovering well. It is hard for me to just rest all day, because I would love to continue to reconnect with so many others I haven't been able to see yet during my time here in MI. But, I know that realistically that is not possible and recovery must be my focus, so I can feel well enough to fly back to GA on Thursday.

I'm excited to come back to my intern family in those three short days. My time away from camp has definitely given me many moments to think of how thankful I am for all eight of the other interns, as well as the property staff at SharpTop Cove. I was very blessed to share a thanksgiving meal with the intern communtiy just a few days before we all left for home. There was so much delicious food and the turkey I cooked turned out very well!

I'm definitely thankful for so much. Thanks to you for taking the time to read this blog and partner with me in this amazing journey God is leading me on as I serve at SharpTop Cove.