Nicaragua Day Eight

Having finished our work in the Chinandega province yesterday, today was our day to see Nicaragua as we made our way back to Managua for tomorrow's very early flight. Our first stop for today was Volcán Masaya, one of the many active volcanoes here. Masaya last erupted in April 2012 so we weren't permitted access to some areas, but we were able to look into the smoking crater:

Afterwards, we were able to eat lunch at Bucaneros, another restaurant with a beautiful view, this time overlooking the Masaya lagoon:

Our final tourist destination for the day was the artisans' market in Masaya, which has existed for over 100 years:

Everyone, including Paul, enjoyed shopping for some last minute remembrances of our trip to Nicaragua:

Then we headed to the Best Western in Managua which is conveniently located directly across the street from the airport, a fact we know we will appreciate when we have to be there at 5:00 am tomorrow!

So this is our final post from Nicaragua. We have plans for more posts stateside as we all would like to share some final thoughts, but for tonight we would ask that you pray for our long day of travel tomorrow. 

Finally, we would like to leave you with the passage that Lisa shared in our last team devotion tonight, 1 Thessalonians 5: 12 - 24.  Paul's final instructions were exemplified for us so many times this week in Villa Quince that these are words we all want to hold onto:

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually,¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.

²³ May God himself, the God of peace,sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.