Restored, Healed, Refreshed
Wow, thank you Lord for preparing me and allowing me to participate this year, in such perfect timing.
My name is Nilivette and I am from Panama. I am a full time missionary with Youth with a Mission (YWAM).
On May 31st, I had just finished a very intense, but great, season as the leader of a Discipleship and Training School (DTS) and a student of the Leadership and Ministry Development School. Yes, I did both simultaneously for 5 months; it was 3 months of the Lecture Phase and 2 months of outreach in Costa Rica and various indigenous villages in Panama. We had our graduation celebration in the evening of May 31. Right after, I took a 8hr bus ride to Panama City to catch my flight to Oklahoma the next day.
Everything was going really well; even though my body was tired, my spirit was expecting amazing things. On my way to the airport I received an email saying that my flight was delayed. I walked to the counter with the assurance that the Lord had everything covered and I was going to be okay. I flew from Panama to Florida and realized that I had missed my connecting flight to OKC - oooh no!! But once again, His peace was overflowing and I was fine because I was trusting in Him.
As team members we were asked to be at the Arrows Base before 5pm, I had to make a decision. Should I wait for the next flight with the same airline and get to OKC the next day or take a step of faith and buy a new flight? Well, in this part I got a little nervous because it was an extra unplanned expense that was not cheap. After praying, I contacted Natalie, director of Arrows, to explain the situation. She suggested the second option was the best and that the Lord would provide. So, I prayed again and said, “Lord, you called me to do this and I'm gonna trust that you will provide everything I need to get there.” So, I got the new flight ticket and arrived at the Base only just over an hour late. I was received with smiles, good food and great fellowship. I had made it! Lord, thank you for being with me.
On the first day of training I asked the Lord 3 things:
1. What do you have prepared for me?
2. Please show me what my "role" during this time with Arrows will be.
3. Show me specific people to invest in.
As He is faithful, He answered me. His answers were specific:
1. You are going to get closer to Me and our communication will get better and better.
2. You are here to love + serve them and to be a display of my kindness and joy.
Now I have a confession. I know the level of excellence that Arrows pursues, which I absolutely admire and enjoy so much. However, I am not a professional dancer and when I saw the schedule for our 10 days of training, a question came to my whole being. “Have you conquered your fear of man or is it a struggle still?” I knew the Lord wanted to show me something. I took a moment to meditate and answered by saying, “You have made me free. I'm not afraid of what others would think or say anymore. Thank you for giving me security in who I am in You and for transforming my life for your purpose.” Our communication was very clear and real, can you see it? It was amazing.
Something that the Lord has been teaching me is to be attentive, to see what needs to be done, and to just go ahead and do it.
Influence is contagious! One night I was taking the garbage out of our dorms and some people said, “Thank you, Nili.” But someone else came to me, took it from my hands and walked with me to the container. So, at the end, it was teamwork and a reminder that by unity and love, the world will know that we are disciples of the Lord. We want that, right?
Ladies - Mis amigas y hermanas
Since 2017, I've been serving with Youth with a Mission and it's been an awesome experience. It has also been a place of loneliness, as I live away from my family, church and friends. Also, it's been a place of growth. I’ve been challenged to step out of my comfort zone and to develop leadership skills and a very necessary dependence on the Lord's grace to accomplish His purpose.
Coming from a season of being "the boss", I was really excited about not being in charge and just enjoying the flow of what the Lord was doing.
I very much enjoy connecting with people and I'm very passionate about friendships and connections led by the Lord. Through love, willingness, care, prayers and obedience, the Lord has helped me to let go of certain things and people. I’ve forgiven hurtful actions and words of the past and received a fresh start for this new season in my life.
Through this team of old and new friends and sisters, the Lord brought back to me the sweet and powerful freedom of being an intentional, loving and genuine friend/sister/daughter/servant/leader. I will always treasure all the laughter, help, hugs, prayers, notes, beats, jokes and moments we shared together. It's an honor to be connected to all of you. Thank you again for being such a blessing to me.
Ministry - Outreach - Ministry
I have a passion for interpretation. It was a dream of mine since I was a little girl. Now, the Lord has given me the tools to do it and it is something that I love. Being the only Spanish native speaker in the team, I was aware that this trip would bring many opportunities to use this gift. It was a pleasure for me to be able to interpret for the Arrows directors, team members and hosts as they taught the Word and various dance classes.
For ministry/prayer time after outreaches, we'd divide in groups. One night in Lima, after an outreach in a plaza, we had the opportunity to talk to a man who was really touched by what he saw. He described what he was feeling as peace and warmth. It was very special for me to interpret the words that our director Natalie was sharing with Him. We prayed together and he committed to read the Bible, little by little. Knowing how the Scriptures have changed my life, I was very encouraged and excited for him! We know and pray the Lord will continue to guide his path toward Him and that he will encounter freedom and abundant/eternal life.
Thank You again Lord, for everything you have given me! Thank you for restoring, healing and refreshing me, for giving me passion and purpose, and for doing exceedingly above what I can think or imagine. You are the best companion in this amazing adventure You designed for me: to soar higher, become balanced by your hands and sharpened by your Word, and to hit the mark to advance Your kingdom.
- Nilivette, from Panama (Summer Team Member: Costa Rica/Peru 2019)