More on “Training ‘Nueva Imagen’ Leaders”
Ellen is a short-term missionary serving with us in Nicaragua. Recently, she lead a leadership training course for the Nueva Imagen leaders. Amber was so impressed — as was I when she told me about the day — that we asked Ellen to share her thoughts on the experience:
I recently had the privilege of facilitating leadership training to the leadership team of one of the Christ for the City’s ministry partners, Nueva Imagen, or New Image. The ministry is in a time of transition and there is no better time than now for the leaders of the ministry to be completely empowered to make their vision for the ministry come into action. The training must still be running in my head because I am still using a lot of the key language from it! The four components of leadership we discussed were Vision, Communication, Empowerment, and ACTION! I am anticipating what it is God will do through this ministry and these women as they are preparing themselves to act.
The day was wonderful, and although I was facilitating the training, I learned quite a bit myself during it. We traveled out to a pineapple farm in Ticauntepe for the day. Although traffic slowed us down and messed with our logistical plans for our arrival and muddy roads combined with water puddles that could be mistaken for small ponds all provided obstacles, we all arrived in one piece with smiles. It was hard to step out of the car and not feel surrounded by God’s presence and peace as I observed the beauty of mountains covered in pineapple plants. I felt God warm my heart and reassure me that the day was in God’s hands.
We began the day with a brief meditative worship session in a small ranchero overlooking the farm. We all shared the things we were thankful for, took quiet time to ask God to remove any obstacles keeping us from God, and prayed that God would prepare each of our hearts completely for ministry. We then moved into learning about the four key components of leadership and how they directly applied to moving forward with Nueva Imagen. As the women were sharing their vision for the ministry I was blown away by their hearts for serving women who are currently working in the sex industry. It is clear that their hearts have each been broken by something that has broken God’s heart and they have been filled with God’s restorative love to bring each of God’s sheep into the fold. When the day was over and we were heading home I knew the women realized they now had a lot on their to-do lists to accomplish, but that with God’s direction and love, mountains can move. I have been honored and humbled to see a pocket of God’s work in motion through the restoring work Nueva Imagen is actively doing in the world. As Matthew 6:10 reads: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” God’s Kingdom is visible on earth and can be seen in glimpses through the loving hearts of the women of Nueva Imagen.
It was a day I won’t forget as I reflect on my time with Christ for the City: a day mixed with laughter, learning, games, challenges, relationship building, flat tires, muddy roads, and ultimately a day that God worked within each of our hearts to build the capacity of Nueva Imagen.
