Discovering Deeper Purpose: Noah Swanson’s Journey
Noah’s Serving Journey with One Collective in Masatape, Nicaragua
July 12th, 2024 | Ashley Hendrickson
In a world where the rhythms of daily life often drown out the call to serve, Noah Swanson found an unexpected path to meaningful engagement. Despite growing up in a community dedicated to faith and service, it wasn't until a chance encounter at his workplace that Noah’s desire to serve internationally became a reality. Through his transformative experiences with One Collective in Nicaragua, Noah has discovered the profound impact of genuine community connection and the endless possibilities for spiritual growth. This is his story of faith in action, bridging cultures, and finding deeper purpose in serving others.
Serving in Masatepe
Noah recently served in Masatepe, Nicaragua alongside a number of coworkers and members of his community. This was his third time coming alongside One Collective’s long-term work in Nicaragua in the past four years! Noah visited ministry sites that serve local people through business initiatives, drug and alcohol rehabilitation care, and sustainable agriculture projects.
Discovering Community Engagement
During all of his trips to Nicaragua, Noah has been able to contribute to hands-on service projects alongside local change-makers. However, during his latest visit, Noah’s eyes were more fully opened to something he had been slowly observing on all of his visits - the value of authentic and relational community engagement. Noah was able to make genuine connections with local leaders and their families through shared meals, enjoy musical worship alongside Nicaraguan brothers and sisters, and bond with youth over shared interests. In these ways, Noah was able to overcome initial apprehensions about language and cultural barriers and recognized his ability to connect purposefully with those around him. While he had gone to serve, Noah also learned from the welcome he experienced and the deep service-minded values he saw emulated by Nicaraguan partners.
Spiritual Renewal
Coming back to the United States, Noah found new life in prayer as he learned more about surrendering his life to God and seeking him in the midst of his decisions. He has learned to not just ask things of the Lord but also consciously listen to God’s voice and humbly understand his heart. Furthermore, Noah’s own community has grown as he has been able to share about his experiences with others, discuss what he has been learning with church friends, and stay in contact with many of the people he went to Nicaragua with. Noah finds that these relationships help him to be more aware of how God is working in the world and foster ongoing spiritual reflection and mutual encouragement in his life. This spiritual growth and renewal is something that Noah hopes to inspire in others through his experiences.
“I have been more active in my faith and have been seeking God again. Growing up, I looked for a lot of growth in my faith, but through college and on I felt like I had arrived to where I wanted to be. But the reality is, you are never where you want to be. You can always grow and seek to know God more. This trip has opened my eyes to that and given me the desire to develop a more active relationship with God.”
Listen to the Full Interview with Noah
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Noah plans to continue annual mission trips to Nicaragua. He is excited to encourage prospective goers to approach their journeys with curiosity, openness, and spiritual engagement, having experienced the transformative impact of cross-cultural service on his own personal faith and the Nicaraguan community that has grown close to his heart.
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