July 1, 2022
Day 2 in Nicaragua, not to sound dramatic, but I almost died.
Let me back up a bit… In my last blog, I recapped squad-leading in Costa Rica for the month of June. At the end of their trip, the squad headed back to the US and I stayed to go to Nicaragua on my own. I hopped on a bus from Nicoya, Costa Rica, and drove up to Granada, Nicaragua to spend a month with one of my favorite ministries, REAP. I was excited for my first solo international travel!
After a few hiccups with the bus and a 3-hour wait at the border crossing, I arrived at REAP late in the evening to find out my host was taking me, 3 other American women who are serving at the ministry, his wife, and his daughter to a condo on the beach the next day. We planned to stay for several days to enjoy the beautiful beach, fellowship together, and rest. I’m learning that whenever I think a restful season is coming up, I should probably go ahead and prepare for the opposite…
We woke up Friday morning, enjoyed some personal time, went for a walk, ate a delicious breakfast complete with dragon fruit smoothies, and headed outside to enjoy the sunshine before the tropical storm hit. I read and hung out with Elena and Grace at the pools, then decided to go for a walk on the beach.
As I walked, I took pictures of the unique sea urchins and fish in the rocky tide pools. It was so beautiful! I remember being filled with admiration for God and His creation. I turned to start walking back. The next thing I knew, I was falling.
My first thought as I fell was, “How is this possibly happening?” That was quickly followed by, “I’m going to die and no one knows where I am… What about my family?” Finally, “God, help me!”
Having been hit by a massive wave, I had fallen into the water and was sucked into a cave beneath the rocks I had just been walking on. Everything went black. Completely out of control, I was thrashed against the rocks underwater. It felt like being inside a washing machine. At one point, I saw light and the tide washed me out just long enough to get a breath of air before pulling me back in to the dark cave.
When the next wave pushed me out into the ocean again, I was able to swim far enough away from the rocks to avoid getting sucked in again. Somehow still clutching my remaining Chaco (I really loved that pair…RIP), sunglasses, and phone, I swam around the curve of the shore and flagged down some surfers. A father and son came to my rescue. They helped me onto a board and got me back to the beach at a safe spot.
As I walked in the waist-deep water, I was shaking so badly that I dropped my phone. I searched for a bit, but to no avail. I was too scraped up to continue for long. (Sorry to everyone I never responded to for the following couple of weeks!)
I walked inside the condo and asked my host’s wife for a first aid kit. She and her daughter went to get medical supplies while I showered. As I looked in the mirror and saw the scrapes from my shoulders to my feet, a panic attack hit. I shook and could barely breathe. I realized it was a miracle not only that I was alive, but also that didn’t hit my head, break, or cut anything deeply enough for stitches. Thankfully, Grace was a nurse and kindly helped bandage me up and care for me throughout the healing process.
The following weeks were painful as my body healed, but I experienced so much love throughout it. My friends at REAP, and even random strangers on the street, were so kind and caring as I limped around. It forced me to slow down more and sit with people instead of the constant busyness I tend towards. My obvious wounds became an easy conversation starter and connection point with many people I probably wouldn’t have even talked to otherwise. There was beauty in the pain.
Sooo yeah, my first solo international trip didn’t exactly end up being the month of rest I had hoped for. Yet, looking back, it was good. My body bears the marks of that terrifying day, but even in the scars, God gets the glory. They serve as a physical reminder to me of the valuable things I learned…
I look at them and remember the miraculous mercy of God, not only in that moment near death, but every moment that I get to live, breathe, and walk this earth as His daughter. They remind me that there are opportunities to love and be loved all around, even when a hard situation seems to limit me. They make me question frequently, “Why am I still alive? How can I live well?” They fill me with a greater desire to live out the gift of every single day fully for His glory.
Oh, and maybe don’t walk on the edge of rocks on a beach right before a tropical storm… 😉
Precious Victoria, I pray for your safety every day now, so thankful for God taking you to your rescuers! Have you shared Him with them? I know He led them to rescue you! He gave you a nurse, too! He gave you people so you could share His grace and love! In the midst of life’s storms He is there to teach us and show us His Amazing Love! He loves you so!
We love you (but be careful!!!) Nana
I am so grateful to the Lord for the pain He spared your family and friends if anything had happened. So grateful.
I was just reading this morning about how are sufferings now are producing for us a weight of glory…and how they are increasing our love to be more and more like Christs. And how this is integral for the future kingdom we are being prepared for. This truth flips suffering on its head.
God is using it for our good if we are His children and I see and appreciate your testimony in this hard thing– Blessed be His name as He uses it abundantly, richly, fruitfully in your heart and kingdom work now.
VICTORIA!!!!!! THIS IS CRAZY!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!! I WONDER IF YOUR MAMA WAS PRAYING!!!!!!!
So thankful to know you and to have gotten even a little bit of time with you this last month!!!! SAD I DIDNT HAVE MORE!!!!
I love you to pieces!!! I cant wait until I get to see you again!!!
Beautiful daughter, thank you for sharing this story. I’ll never forget the phone call the day you fell in the water. So grateful God kept you alive! I love you – Dad
Yes, suffering with a kingdom mindset totally changes everything! It doesn’t hurt any less, but a perspective of hope will see you through.
Yeah, it’s been a little extra crazy this summer… My dad was actually praying for me at almost the exact time this happened.
I love you SO much too!!!
Thanks for praying when you didn’t even know this was happening. I’m so thankful I can always count on you and mom when anything happens. I love you!!
Girl… I love you. So so much. Thank you for giving all the glory to our Father. As happy as I am that you are safe and without bad wounds, to be honest you always are safe with our Dad. Whether here or in heaven you are ALWAYS with him. But it seems like His plan was to use this scare to share the Light. And He is through this blog. Thank you sweet sister for giving Him all the glory and I love you dearly! Don’t get me wrong I am SO happy you’re still with us here on earth and healthy. You know what I mean… haha
Thankful for our Father’s protection over you during that storm. I suspect that you would have been content with walking into the Kingdom that day as well, but I’m glad you’re alright. Keep pressing on sister!
What a terrifying experience! God was certainly watching over you. I praise God for your fortitude and resilience.
Oh my goodness girl!!!! I’m so glad you are ok. I’ll be praying extra hard for you. Much love and hugs!!
woah victoria! i’m so in awe of how He provided for you and protected you in this. He is so good and faithful! RIP those cutie chacos, but super glad you’re still in one piece.
i hope you’re having a blast where you are (still in costa, i think?) regardless, i love you and so proud of you. thanks for sharing this blog!!!