rachael garza is a member of the rose of sharon church since a little girl.  she is now a missionary in nicaragua and travels there every year to share the gospel.
 
after reading a story of a humanitarian in africa going from village to village rescuing orphans.  i was inspired to do something to help kids. my son also helped me to take that step of faith and follow god’s calling as a missionary.
  
in january 2017, i experienced my first mission’s trip to nicaragua. i had never traveled for missions purposes but i love to travel and now i have a heart to help others. i went with the mindset that i would be there to watch and observe and help with any request. well, the unexpected happened and i was asked to be the teacher of the kids vacation bible school (vbs). i felt this was going to be a difficult task since i had never taught in english much less in spanish to a group of kids. i felt god telling me, “it’s okay, do it.” this was confirmed to me when i read acts 1:8 “but
you will receive power when the holy spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in jerusalem, and in all judea and samaria, and to the end of the earth.” god was with me every step of the way. i did my best teaching in spanish and if i did not know the word in spanish i said it in english. the kids loved the english words and we laughed about my language barriers. the kids also learned new english words.
 
i enjoyed my trip so much that i returned again in 2018. the kids were amazing and i felt more comfortable with them. i can still see their smiling faces when they received 
stickers or when we taught them to dance to the vbs song. this is just one of the memories that bring me joy. one of my other experiences was stepping out of my comfort zone when i was invited to dine with the local family. the food was delicious and they were very welcoming. this year was even better than the year before and i’m looking forward to seeing where god takes me next.
 
god bless.  rachael garza
 
 
for god so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
john 3:16

and jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of god descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved son, in whom i am well pleased.  matthew 3:16, 17. 

and they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, they parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.  matthew 27:35

for i am not ashamed of the gospel of christ: for it is the power of god unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the jew first, and also to the greek.  romans 1:16

for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  romans 10:10

neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.  acts 4:12

and he came into all the country about jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins  luke 3:3

but of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my father only. matthew 26:36  

then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the lord.  1 thessalonians 4:17