Our Journey

In early 2012, an unexpected invitation from my father altered the course of my life. He asked me to accompany him on his annual medical mission trip to Nicaragua, organized by Global Health Outreach (GHO). At that juncture, I had never embarked on a mission trip, but I agreed to seize the opportunity.

In March 2012, we set off for Nicaragua, and in preparation for the journey, I was required to select a book to read. Among the choices, I picked up “Radical” by David Platt. Little did I know that this book would profoundly impact my perspective. It awakened me to the realization that while Jesus had always been a part of my life, He had not yet become my entire life.

During our week in Nicaragua, I found myself in the unique position of sharing the message of Christ with families in a small town. To my surprise, every person we spoke to was open and receptive, a stark contrast to the reactions I might have encountered back home.

Yet, the most incredible moment transpired on the last day of our trip. A woman we had engaged with earlier in the week, who had initially expressed doubts, underwent a transformative experience. She began to ask more questions and, standing there in the middle of the road, she made the life-altering decision to accept Christ as her savior and Lord. It was a profoundly moving moment. As I left her house, I offered a heartfelt prayer, beseeching the Lord to send me to continue this kind of transformative work. I became unequivocally convinced that there was nothing else I desired to do with my life; a profound calling to Nicaragua had taken root within me.

Within a year, I found myself married to my wife, Natalie, and together, we embarked on a journey of remarkable transformation. We chose to divest ourselves of all worldly possessions, obtained non-profit status for our organization, Seeds of Hope, and assembled a dedicated and supportive Barnabas Team. Our destination was Granada, where we immersed ourselves in learning the Spanish language.

Through a partnership with Puralytics, we were able to provide Solar Bags to the Nicaraguan people, a technology that purified their water supply. This initiative not only improved their access to clean water but also enabled us to establish meaningful relationships and initiate home Bible study groups with the families we served.

Simultaneously, I worked closely with a group of devout Christian men, guiding them in their spiritual development and encouraging the growth of spiritual leaders within their families, churches, and communities. We initiated an additional home Bible study group within our neighborhood and remained actively engaged in the local church.

Our commitment to Nicaragua extended further as we ventured into Northern Nicaragua, teaching people how to construct bio-sand filters for water purification, a critical need in the region. Additionally, we equipped local pastors with the skills to educate their communities about this life-saving technique.

After a few years in Granada, we transitioned to Masatepe and formed a partnership with International Teams / One Collective. In this new phase, Natalie assumed responsibility for overseeing team development, while I continued working closely with local pastors and spearheading agricultural projects. My vision was to utilize high-demand crops to create better employment opportunities and income sources for the local population.

During this period, I joined the Nicaragua Baptist Convention and began instructing students at a local Baptist seminary.

Then, in June 2018, Nicaragua was rocked by civil unrest. Most organizations withdrew their personnel from the country, and to remain, I had to step away from One Collective. Despite these tumultuous times, I persisted in my role as a seminary instructor, supporting local pastors, and seeking support for agricultural initiatives, particularly focusing on the cultivation of rice and beans, given Nicaragua’s dire economic circumstances.

Amidst these changes, Natalie redirected her efforts towards teaching English. She made significant contributions to the community by teaching at the seminary and also providing English instruction at Kaiser University in San Marcos.

Throughout the myriad challenges, we never wavered in our commitment to Seeds of Hope. Our unwavering dedication to responding to the needs of the people placed in our path, working alongside those whom God brought into our lives, and following His divine guidance remained the cornerstone of our mission. Our journey is a testament to faith, perseverance, and an unwavering desire to make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of the people of Nicaragua.