Pray for Nicaragua on Sunday, April 23, 2017
Lectionary Selection: John 20:19-31
Prayers for Nicaragua:
During the time of reflection that brings Holy Week, we remember the many paths that Jesus walked in his journey; trails and stories that maybe many of us will never know or imagine. On this day of prayer for Nicaragua, I would like you to reflect on a moment when you have felt alone, a moment where you saw no way out of their problems, a moment where darkness invaded your life. Maybe that moment is never going to 
look like the thousands of situations that Nicaraguans face in their lives every day, like the poor and vulnerable neighborhoods and communities where I serve. It is for this reason, dear brothers and sisters, that Jesus continues to remind us, especially today, that he is present in every situation of our lives, even if we do not see him or touch him. We feel him and we do not need to put our fingers in his wounds to know that 
he has been resurrected and accompanies us. On this day, let us pray for every brother and sister, citizens of this beautiful land that enjoys the sun of a new day throughout the year.
Mission Stewardship Moment from Nicaragua:
For Nicaraguan families, sharing a meal is very important. I want to share with you my missionary 
experience in the coffee communities of Matagalpa. They have the blessing of eating corn and beans throughout the year. Working with them has been a wonderful experience in my life. There are families that do not care about material possessions or luxuries the way that we do and are happy to harvest their food and, above all, to share it with those who come to visit them. My prayer on this day is for those families who live off the land, those whose farms are all they have in life. It costs them both to get seeds and to try to produce new foods because they only know how to harvest corn and beans. I know that they are receptive to grow cabbages, tomatoes, peppers or any other seed that is carried to make their diet more varied and share it with their neighbors in the community.
This experience has marked my life personally. They have shown me that we do not need too much to be happy, just the necessities to go forward, even when struggling with our own cross. Blessings dear brothers and sisters, and never cease to appreciate the beauties of God’s creation around us.
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Magyolene Rodriguez)
Mission Partners in Nicaragua:
- AMC – Christian Medical Action
- CEPAD – Council of Evangelical Churches for Denominational Alliance
- CIEETS – Interchurch Center for Social and Theological Studies
- Moravian Church of Nicaragua
- The Christian Mission Church of Nicaragua
- UENIC-MLK – Evangelical Nicaraguan University Martin Luther King
More information on Nicaragua: http://www.globalministries.org/nicaragua
Global Ministries Missionary in Nicaragua:
Magyolene Rodriguez serves as a long-term volunteer with the Convencion de Iglesias Mision Cristiana de Nicaragua. Her appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Churches Wider Mission, and your special gifts.