A Few Final Thoughts

I came on SPIN for three reasons 1) I wanted to learn Spanish and a Spanish minor didn’t fit in my schedule 2) I wanted to learn to trust God out of my comfort zone and 3) I wanted to learn what role I play in international missions and development. As I look back over the last three months, I can say that this is one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but at the same time it was one of the most rewarding opportunities that I have ever had. I really feel that I was able to experience the frustrations and the joys of living with the Nicaraguans. Although there were parts of this trip that I really didn’t enjoy, without them I don’t think the experience would have been as genuine. I’ve been keeping a list all semester and these are the top ten things that I will take away from this experience.

1.      I learned basic Spanish conversation skills and gained the confidence to approach a Spanish speaker and strike up a conversation.

2.      I loved my agriculture class. I was given so many great first-hand experiences including milking cows by hand, making chocolate, rolling a cigar, and watching rum and molasses production.

3.      I learned that joy isn’t an emotion—it’s a daily choice that reflects and understanding of who we are as Christians and what Christ has done for us.

4.      I learned that many of the things I value are cultural values not Christian values—I was challenged to get back in my Bible and make my values more like Christ’s.

5.      I learned that every aspect of development requires humility.

6.      I never realized how much I loved going to church and what a privilege it is go to church until I didn’t have one I could understand for over a month.

7.      I learned that one should not take on first-world responsibilities in a third-world environment if possible—it will make life a challenge.

8.      I really enjoyed my host family and I had a lot of fun cooking and interacting with them. They are great people and I was blessed to be able to stay with them for three months.

9.      I will never be able to enjoy pineapples, mangos, and bananas in the same way after tasting how incredibly fresh and sweet they are here.

This semester was a challenge for me, but I was incredibly blessed with good health and a wonderful host family this semester. I went into this semester thinking that the hardest part would be missing my family back home, but in reality the hardest part was really taking the control that I had and enjoyed in my life and giving it away. Although I’m beyond excited to see my family and regain some of my control in my life, I learned so many great life-lessons on this trip and believe that I will always have a special place in my heart for Nicaragua.Thank you so much to everyone who has prayed for me on this adventure and reached out to me on this adventure. I really appreciate it!

I'm having a goodbye party with my host family today and then we head to Managua on Thursday for some final sight-seeing and the plan is to be back to MN by Friday evening. I can't wait to see you all!