The Northshore Women’s Team of thirteen women, led by Katie Day and Kerri Fredrickson, stepped into cross-cultural ministry as if they had been traveling the world their whole lives. They served, loved, cried, and enjoyed the women in Los Cedros, Nicaragua in a way that both the American and Nicaraguan were transformed.
From the moment we arrived until the last night in Los Cedros we experienced the goodness of a people who love Jesus and are hungry for more of him. Despite the overhwhelming and daunting life-circumstances they endure, they rise up each morning and choose to love God. They welcomed us as sisters in the Lord, and allowed us to minister to them with a humility I don’t often see in the United States. As a result – all of us were changed.
On the first Monday we led a prayer time so the sisters of Ebenezer church could receive prayer and share their life burdens. Liz Meyer, stepped into a new role and helped translate. She became a voice and bridge, bringing two cultures together.
Tuesday night Pam Garries, Charise Yarborough and Nancy Sodeman taught the school mothers on parenting. Pam talked on loving our children, Charise on finances,
and Nancy on discipline. Each one of their talks resonated with different cultural issues – so much so, the next day Pastora, the school director, informed us of the town chatter. Charise shared how she gave up coca-cola in order to save money – and the women were chattering about what that could mean for their lives.
The conference lasted from Thursday night till Saturday. Through testimonies, crafts, and extensive times in prayer – we saw the move of the Holy Spirit as he softened hearts towards Jesus Christ and the conference grew in numbers daily. Judy Hystad and Bianca Simineaux shared powerful testimonies, followed up by prayer ministry. Loretta Trainor led crafts and each lady creatively enjoyed make something new. Patrice, and Charise were our ‘Joy Bag’ ladies and brought the Nicaraguan women to laughter. Linda Wright and Katie Higgins and many others took care of the children and loved each one of them with a Jesus tenderness.
A woman named Maria Virginia gave me her best dress as an offering of gratitude and shared how Jesus spoke to her about her value and significance in Him rather than in what men think of her. The next day, I wore her dress with pride and she smiled at me with tears in her eyes.
The final day was the culmination of everything when the ladies shopped free of charge through a Northshore sponsored boutique and “bought” clothes, and purses. We laughed in delight as we watched Nicaraguans come out with Coach bags, and silk scarves.
At the end of the conference the Los Cedros women lined up to give Northshore an offerning. In the midst of their own poverty they thanked us for our presence in their community. We were humbled as we watched the poorest people we know give with such nobility.
Katie Day and Kerri Fredrickson led the Northshore women’s team into a new place, both physically and spiritually – and we are so thankful.
