Nicaragua has been on our hearts more this week than normal as it marks the one year anniversary of the conflict that began in April 2018. The last twelve months have brought tremendous, unexpected changes throughout the country politically, economically and socially, to name a few. The country is hurting; thousands continue without work and the president is still holding on to his power with few signs of surrendering it anytime soon. For those interested in a further update on what things are like in Nicaragua now, this article gives an interesting summary.

Consequently, it has been a hard year for the Nicaraguan church but also a time in which the increasing darkness has magnified the light of Christ. While the political uprising caused the exit of many foreign missionaries throughout the country, it’s been beautiful to hear numerous stories of Nicaraguan believers, churches and ministries that have stepped up to fill the roles left vacant by foreign missionaries. John Piper reminds us that God often spurs the church into missionary service by way of suffering,

"…We must not judge too quickly the apparent setbacks and tactical "defeats" of the church. If you see things with the eyes of God, the Master strategist (who cannot lose because he is omnipotent), what you see in every setback is the positioning for a greater advance and a greater display of his wisdom and power and love."

Please join us in praying for a greater advance and display of God’s sovereignty and love throughout Nicaragua in the midst of what continues to be a very difficult situation. Pray for perseverance and resilience for the missionaries who stayed or have since returned. Pray that Nicaraguan believers - new and old - trust in the faithful, unchanging God who miraculously brings peace in the midst of chaos and hope in the midst of despair.