Schmitz Family in Nicaragua

12/06/2026

One of our highlights this week was getting to catch up with Rod and Nancy Zottarelli! We have known them for over a decade and they have helped us and countless other Global Partners missionaries as they have served in the area of member care and wellness. They have huge hearts for seeing missionaries navigate tough situations so they can serve long-term and they both have a great sense of humor. We always enjoy our time with them!

10/06/2026

💙 Thank you for taking part in our 21 Days of Listening Prayer! We are grateful and humbled to continue seeking the Lord together.

🙏 Today, we're turning our focus toward the Wesley Covenant Prayer. In surrender, we continue to ask the Lord --
▪️ What do you want us to know?
▪️ What do you want us to do?

10/06/2026

This is one of the charts we have been reflecting upon during our debrief. All missionaries go through these phases of transition and often multiple times as we change roles and countries.

At the ends, with the dotted lines, is when our posture is more open: we are flexible, positive, and receptive.

In the messy middle, we retract and we become inflexible, negative, and close ourselves off.

The key is to stay vulnerable, despite our pain and discomfort, so we can grow and adapt.

The question is a personal one: How do I go from chaos to committed?

While this chart is invaluable for missionaries, it can also be a helpful resource for anyone in ministry trying to understand themselves and those around them during times of transition.

08/06/2026

Last night, a little after 9 pm we made it to southern Pennsylvania. This morning we started a missionary debrief. Global Partners asks all missionaries to intentionally set aside time to process what we have experienced during our past term. We celebrate the high points in our missionary story and get deeper perspective to help us heal from difficult low points so that we can tackle our next term with more wisdom and discernment. Pray for us as we self-reflect, devote time to prayer and listening, and share openly with trained and trusted leaders that guide us. This experience is truly a gift and we are thankful for it!

07/06/2026

Solid Rock Wesleyan in Cambridge, Ohio is such a warm and friendly church and we felt right at home with them this morning! We couldn't be more thankful for their partnership and encouragement. It was wonderful to share a tasty carry-in dinner afterwards and to take our time visiting. It was an extra treat to also see friends that had come on a missions team nine years ago that still feel like family! We are feeling very loved and blessed.

06/06/2026

This afternoon we traveled to our home church Impact Church in Ohio to celebrate the life of our friend Earl Spain. Earl and his wife Bev were some of the first people to welcome us and make us feel at home at Impact. Years later they were some of our first supporters and strongest advocates for us as missionaries and for the work in Nicaragua. We will always be grateful for Earl and his faithfulness. One of the most impactful things that was shared about him was that he never remembered you at your worst. Earl's favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5-6...

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

04/06/2026

Two evenings this week we were able to reconnect with college students that served with us in Nicaragua and it was a blast. We love working with university students and it was so affirming to us to hear about how they have grown in their love for missions and in their ability to be bold for Christ since their time in Nicaragua. Did you know Global Partners has a program specifically for young people to explore missions on a deeper level? Check out the NEXT page and share it with others! We will be hosting NEXT interns in May of 2027 and it is not too early to apply. We want to see this generation mobilized. We all need their gifts at the table!

The journey to the ends of the earth begins by being willing to take the first step. From initial exploration, to onsite interviews, to training, and ultimately to being placed on a team

03/06/2026

We are on our third day of 21 Days of Prayer with our Global Partners Team. This morning, many of us gathered from around the world for an online time of prayer to share what God has been teaching us as we try to listen.

As missionaries, it is often hard to hear His voice. Sometimes because we literally live in loud places near bus stops and rowdy neighbors. Sometimes because we are in a loud season of life with our homes and offices full of endless ministry activities. Sometimes because the noise of fear, the Internet, doubts, and discouragements are screaming loudly in our ears.

I often find that I can't sit still to listen until I am in a spirit of gratitude. I hear God's voice when I acknowledge and remember all that He has done for us over the years. Please continue to pray and praise with us as we seek God's direction together!

02/06/2026

We are really looking forward to connecting tonight with a couple interested in missions work, to hear their pressing questions, and offer some honest answers. We love that they are open to see what God has for them. Whether they feel called to Nicaragua, another country, or to simply wait for more clarity, taking that first step to reach out is always a practical act of faith. We continue to pray for more people to commit long-term to help expand the church in Nicaragua and start new ministries that will reach and equip more leaders!

A lot of people tell us that they want to serve but they don't speak Spanish. You can learn Spanish and God will provide for your needs. We see that oftentimes, effective missionaries have two traits:

Flexibility and a Good Sense of Humor

God can stretch us and teach us but we have to be willing to feel that discomfort. And laughing along the way helps us to keep going a long way!