On the Streets of Nicaragua

God is still moving powerfully in people’s lives today, and this story highlights not only His power, but His desire to use willing hearts.

In December 2025, I went with a team of about 30 people through Set Free Ministries, led by Kevin Riordan. I connected with Kevin back in 2022 and received training through this ministry in healing and deliverance. Since then, I’ve served on several ministry teams and mission trips doing street ministry, so this trip was another opportunity to step out and trust God. During the trip, we did street ministry during the day and services with local churches at night. We would go out in small groups, pray for people, and share the gospel.

On my first day, I helped with the children’s ministry, so I didn’t go out on the streets yet like many of the others. But on day two, I was ready … and also a little nervous, because I knew I’d be using my Spanish. I speak Spanish fluently, but I’m not a native speaker, so I still get self-conscious at times.

On that day, my team only had one interpreter because we were short on interpreters, and suddenly, I realized I was going to need to interpret. And I wasn’t happy about it. People would be relying on me. Inside, I was thinking, “Lord, I can’t do this well. What if I mess up? What if I sound stupid?” The pressure to perform felt so real. I was frustrated, anxious, and basically having an internal temper tantrum because I was afraid.

“Lord, I can’t do this well. What if I mess up? What if I sound stupid?”

But I didn't want fear to win.

So I told a couple of teammates how I was feeling, and they encouraged me. As we were walking down the street, I prayed, “Lord, I’m sorry for making this about me. I’m here for You. Use me, mistakes and all.” They prayed for me, and something shifted immediately. The fear left. It felt like once I surrendered, God lit a fire under my Spanish and gave me boldness.

That day we prayed for many people, and we saw God heal back pain and neck pain. A homeless man accepted Jesus, and we bought him some food. It was amazing. But the moment that marked me most was the last woman we met.

The night before, God had woken me up in the middle of the night and put it on my heart to learn how to say “kidneys”, “diabetes”, and “high blood sugar” in Spanish. So I looked it up, learned them, and then didn’t think about it again.

Then the next day, we approached this last woman and I asked if she needed prayer for anything.

She said, “Yes. I have pain all over my body. I have diabetes, my kidneys aren’t working, and I have high blood sugar.”  Immediately, I knew God had prepared that moment!

I told her, “Jesus knew I would meet you today. He woke me up last night to make sure I knew how to pray for these exact illnesses because He loves you.”

Then I prayed in the name of Jesus, and she felt heat all over her body. All her pain left!  Even the headache she hadn’t mentioned disappeared. She was visibly moved by the love of God. I shared the gospel with her, and she told me she was already a Christian. We hugged, and it was just this beautiful moment of God’s love reaching His daughter.

That day, I learned some really important things: God isn’t looking for perfect people ... He’s looking for willing ones. 

He can do far more through our surrendered imperfections than we could ever do through our controlled perfections. When we say yes to Him, He gives us exactly what we need in the moment, whether that’s courage, words, or spiritual gifts. Every gift He gives is about pointing people to Jesus. And I learned I had a choice that day:

“Would I stay in fear or trust Him? Would I step out of my comfort zone so someone else could experience His love or stay in my comfort zone? ”

I’m so grateful I said YES!

So my encouragement to you is to say YES to Jesus no matter how scary it is. Whatever fear, doubt or hesitation you're holding on to, lay it at His feet. Jesus isn't waiting for you to be perfect. He's simply waiting for your yes, so that He can work through you to bless others and build His kingdom!

Aimee Deemter

Aimee is our Women’s Network Leader.

She can be reached at (616) 540-3393 or AimeeDeemter@gmail.com.