La Finca

LA FINCA — 1992

“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’“ (James 4:13-15).

In 1988, when Jim and Sarah Hornsby returned to Nicaragua to start Young Life, part of their vision was to find a property to buy for a camp. Not long after settling in Matagalpa, they found a property and, based on their experience with Windy Gap in North Carolina, they were confident it was the right place. According to the Hornsbys, days before the closing two burly men knocked on the door and asked, “Are you Jim? Are you planning on buying this piece of property? Well, don’t! We are the rightful owners of that property, and if you buy it you will be in court arguing over it for the rest of your life.” As is often the case when the Lord is working, what seemed like the obvious way forward wasn’t. The Hornsbys’ plan, to go to Nicaragua and build another Windy Gap, was not in God’s will. Instead, the will of God lead them to La Finca de Mille Flor — meaning “The Thousand Flower Farm.” And this would become the place where kids would come for the best week of their lives encountering the Lord Jesus and discovering they were made for this. If the story ended there it would be a great example of the way that the Lord provides. It is not the end, in fact, it was just the beginning. Indeed, more surprises were yet to come. The biggest one being La Finca happens to be an ideal place to grow coffee. With its prime elevation and perfect weather, the camp property produces excellent coffee. Now sold as “41&Change,” the proceeds fund local and regional ministries where disciples are made and then they go out and make more disciples!

Jinotega, Nicaragua

Planning is prudent. Past experiences can be great lessons for the future. However, God’s will exceeds our ability to see that future. There is something to being open to change, even when you have a plan in mind. Are there things that you are planning and preparing? Take a moment to consider the Lord’s will. Ask yourself, “If His will changes my plans, am I willing to live it out?” When you do, you may be surprised at what unfolds.