Candelaria

There is something about these muddy roads in Candelaria that reminds me of Jesus.  Roads lined by the little cement houses in which eyes or hands peak out to say hello.  The people inside are either cleaning, cooking, or resting in their conversation with one another.  They probably have time to talk with you. You stride along with another speaking of life and what makes it valuable or maybe just of a funny story as Jesus did with his friends that we call disciples.  You stop to talk with someone happy to see you, or to go into pray for someone who is sick.  The entrance of their house is marked by poles lined with barbed wire which follow the lines of the property. "Buenas!"  Usually is welcomed with the response, "Pasa adelante." (Walk forward)  You greet them by a kiss on the cheek.  They will tell you about their children, how they are doing, how the family is doing, and sometimes they offer something to drink. You will more than likely sit in a plastic chair, on a bed, or just stand.  It is usually dark with only the light from outside the door giving you vision of the dirt floor so tidily swept.  Pictures of loved ones are usually framed in some unusual manner along the cement wall.   The most important thing to them? Each other.  You can feel the delight of God walking these roads.
     Just a few weeks ago, a young man who once a part of a gang in Managua moved to this countryside village and heard the message of the grace of God.  That no matter where we've been, if we give our lives to God, His power will change us and renew us.  He recently made that choice. He, his wife, and two boys are now part of New Song.  His heart was so affected by God's heart, that he wants to show other guys from a similar background, this joy and freedom that he has discovered.
      Last time I visited, another man gave his life to God after finding out about this grace as well.  He has recently decided to marry one of the women who had lost her husband several years before and has been raising two girls alone ever since.
    A lot of the people are amazed by this idea of grace.  That it is the power of God that changes us, it isn't by our own strength.  People's lives are changing because of this message, because it is indeed a life-changing message.
I've had the joy of watching one of my good friends embrace the broken and hurting women who meet together on Saturday afternoons.  She has been able to hear their stories in the past few years.  I've gotten the privilege to pray with them too. I've gotten the privilege of holding their babies and playing with their children.
    This January I'm planning to move from the hostel to the base to be on these roads to live life with these people and the other missionaries who live down there. I've been in the process of taking on some administrative tasks while in Matagalpa. When I move down there, I will be helping with administration, hospitality with incoming teams, and the worship ministry. I am so excited for this time that is coming and cannot wait to share with you all that God is doing.  I'm so glad you're able to share in this with me.

Learning the Ropes, the Radio, and the Hospital

The past few weeks have been a bit full and a bit unexpected.

I've been getting acquainted well with my new surroundings. I got to visit some friends from my last visit and make some new friends.  I've learned my way to different towns on the bus. I've gotten to hike some, and meet some amazing people.  

This past month was dedicated to getting my footing in the town of Matagalpa.  I have met people who have a house of prayer here. They are Nicaraguan and open their doors every day from 8-5 every day for anyone in the community to come and pray. It's such a sweet place to go outside of the house.  

I've also met a few people who have been part of a Nicaraguan church that was established in Matagalpa over 100 years ago called Iglesia Elim.

I went to the music store in town one day to get a piece for my guitar that I had left.  A guy who was visiting as well told me about this church that I have been able to attend a few times.  One day a few weeks ago he asked if I would be able to go to a radio station as an English speaker to reach out to any English speakers.  When we got there the lights had been shut off due to lack of funding, so naturally we all prayed together for the radio and the funding.  The lights did get paid for and they had me back last week.  I'm not much a public speaker, but it was a good time with the sweet women there who run the station.  

Later I was taken to a lady whose office was at the same music store who also went to Elim.  She helps administer a ministry that is very active in the community that reaches out to students, poorer families, troubled kids, etc.  She asked if I would be willing to help teach English to raise up Christian interpreters. I was pretty excited about this as it was something I studied a little in college.  

I have also been able to meet with a couple who have moved here from Texas who have started a farming ministry.  Their desire is to train indigenous people to farm and eventually sell the land back to them after they have graduated the classes.  I'm in awe of the impact this ministry could have on the people of Nicaragua.

I've also been helping my friend Melissa who runs a foster care house here in Matagalpa also.  She is in the process of adopting a little girl that came to her a year ago. The social workers came to do a home study a lot sooner than expected so we got the house straightened up. The ministry of family seems to really be in favor of the adoption.  We are just praying for the process to speed up so Melissa can enjoy a very much needed trip back to the states.

Two weeks ago I got really sick over one night, but continued having some stomach issues throughout the week.  The stomach issues began to get pretty painful.  For two nights the pain woke me up several times throughout the night .  The third night I began reading about appendicitis and worried myself into a frenzy sleeping only 3 hours.  I had Melissa take me to the hospital at 11 am, where we sat all day. The doctor pressed on different areas of my abdomen with the lower right side causing the most pain.  Laying in the hospital all day was seriously worse than the pain I had endured. I only wanted to go home and sleep. After I convinced the doctor that the pain was not so bad, he let me go home with about 5 different prescriptions and direction to come back the next morning for a ultrasound.  

The next day, I was happy to know I was only going to be in the hospital for a quick ultrasound and then I would be on my way.  But when the combination of my ultrasound, the high concentration of bacteria in my blood, and the pain in my abdomen convinced my doctor I needed an appendectomy, my happiness quickly turned to fear.  Jason and his wife Issa, who oversee the hostel I work at, took me to get a second opinion which confirmed the appendicitis.  So I called my parents crying, signed some papers, and then went under the knife with some local anesthesia and sleeping medicine.   The good part is that I made it out alive and without my appendix bursting because the doctor explained that it was very inflamed.  Melissa was so gracious to take care of me at her house which currently had no other children, thank God. Her daughter has recently gotten a fever while she's taking care of me, but she is a trooper.  I am so appreciative of everyone's prayers, kind words, and for Melissa, Jason, Issa.  I have no idea what I would have done without them.  I am so thankful to God for being with me and giving me peace through all of this. He is such a good God. I've been recuperating pretty quickly, I think and can only believe it is because of everyone's prayers, so thank you! 

All in all, I think I have gone in head first to what it is like in this wonderful mountain town of Nicaragua. Even though October has started off a little rocky,  I am excited to see what is next.  

En la Tierra

I finally made it. The coffee town of Matagalpa, but even on a broader scale- Latin America.

It is different than America for reasons like, but not limited to:

Everything is in Spanish

The air smells like a continuous bonfire (which is wonderful to me).

You don't throw your used toilet paper in the toilet, it goes in the trash.

No noise ordinances.  

Weird looks and stares from everyone. 

Lights going off at any moment. 

I remembered all of this, this week.  

After fishing toilet paper out of the toilet for the third or fourth time, I shook my head.  I hope this learning curve will not take much time. I like efficiency...which is the other thing to get used to about Latin America. 

It's not on American time.  Being on time is not so important.

The other day, I realized that I had no other obligation than to spend the time to sit for a while and converse with an elderly lady by the name of Maria who was begging on the street. I talked with her a little and then went to buy her some food.  I was hesitant at first to do so because my heart and Harvest Equippers heart is to empower the church (in this case) of Nicaragua to do the work of the Kingdom. We do not want people to depend on the American's ministry or the U.S. dollar.  But I felt the Lord giving me the choice, and I felt more joy in bringing her food.  We (God and I) wanted to do this together.  I think perhaps it was because taking care of the widows and the orphans seems to be a practical priority to Jesus according to the book of James. So on the busy sidewalk we sat.  Although my Spanish wasn't at the place that I could understand everything she said, I was able to sit and be a listening ear.  She has the happiest face despite sitting and begging which she said makes her roughly 100 cordoba ($5) a day instead of her former years of hand-washing clothes, which really generally only brings in roughly one U.S. dollar per load. She told me she has no family but a son she sees every now and again. She does have a house, which could literally mean a tin/plywood shack on the edge of town, or a cement house with an iron gate. I hope to find out once I get my Spanish down pat. To sit and talk with her was so life-giving for me, just for the fact that there was no time limit, no pressure, no work in the background that I was putting off. I was able to sit, smile, and enjoy this sweet lady's company.  

I've also got to have a few other conversations with the people staying in the hostel where I live. Two are from Canada, who drove here from Colorado, each with great stories.  The lights were out the night I talked with the Canadian couple. They asked me questions about church, which is the complete opposite of what I have always experienced with Atheists. Many atheists I've talked to tend to get irritated or shut off if God or Jesus is ever mentioned, which I always assume is because of how a Christian has acted towards them. Never have I been asked.  They are moving here and living at the hostel until their house is ready.   The couple from Colorado were psychology majors like I was, which has brought a lot of enjoyable and interesting discussion for both sides. We have gotten along very well and have shared a lot of love for the outdoors.  They are also planning to move to Nicaragua for a while. 

I have gotten to meet another missionary-Melissa who has started a house for orphans and/or neglected children over a year ago. Another friend of hers and I just arrived into the country which will bring community for her as well as us.  Just in a week, I have had these deep, meaningful, and unexpected discussions with my house friends and Melissa. Today was also very meaningful because I was able to talk with and meet two Nicaraguan believers, but I'll leave that for next time.

Despite my desire to get things done, the Lord has been showing up unexpectedly on His time and is very much welcome in this country which are the things that I love about this place and am so glad to finally be here.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying and for the wonderful ladies who have been making sure I am doing well. Blessings to you all in the name of Jesus!

Changed Dates

       
As you may have noticed, the dates for my trip have changed from June to August due to a need for more funds.  At first I was discouraged in this decision, but I believe the Lord has a process for me in the midst of it.

God is always more concerned with the condition of our heart than the work of our hand.  This makes a lot of sense since the condition of our heart affects the work of our hand.  For the past few years, I have been in a process of learning who God wants to be for me, His dreams for my life, and where the line is between what is my responsibility and what is His.  In this process, I am learning to trust Him.  The only way we can learn to trust Him wholeheartedly is by entering into His rest.  (You would think it would be the other way around.)  If we can understand how serious He was about Israel entering into rest with Him, we can understand His will for us to do the same.

Imagine a child when they want something. Bad. Or if they are in an uncomfortable situation.  They go into a fit, yelling, crying, throwing a fit.  If the child could only realize that they are being adjusted to comfort, or that conditions are being set for that child to have what would delight their heart, they would be calm.  We grow up to learn to be patient adults :), but spiritually we are not always like adults.  If something uncomfortable happens, I can become so disappointed.  I used to go to a place of complete despair.

Imagine if a child trusted their parent.  If we could just stare at the Lord in wonder with bright eyes and trust; a certain knowledge that He has the best plan in mind. How beautiful and peaceful it is!  Have you ever seen anything like it!

This is the place the Lord has for us, and has been teaching me in this process of waiting.  He did not provide a check in the mail for me, or do some miraculous sign and wonder, which could only mean He has another plan and purpose. I know there is another process in this decision to wait.  I am looking to find Him in this time.  Who knows? He may have someone for me to meet through fundraising, or just maybe give me more time for my heart to rest. So far I have been able to see a lot of you which has encouraged my heart so much! Whatever the reason, I know He is good and has a plan.

And so, I thank you for being on this journey with me. I hope you will continue to keep me in your prayers as I continue raising funds.  More than anything, I desire to hear the Lord's direction for this time.  I appreciate each person who is a part of this. May God bless you in abundance of rest!

Going to Nicaragua

Family and Friends, it is time!

In a little over a month, I plan to get on a plane and fly to a third world nation whose predominant language is Spanish.  This country is located in central America with a population of about 5.8 million people.

The landscape is a beautiful mixture of volcano chains, lagoons, beaches and mountains. The people are equally if not more beautiful.

Even with the beauty, Nicaraguans face an immense amount of poverty as the poorest country in Central America and the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere according to the CIA fact book. Children run around without shoes in dirt roads and their own dirt houses.  The government turns off the electricity at will.  Women hand wash clothes for about $1 per load (our machines in America make more than that).  Dreaming isn't even a reality for the people of this nation.

However, you can look closer down there and see something happening.  There are several different ministries down there, all doing something to help.  A ministry called New Song Nicaragua has planted itself in the middle of an extremely poor village called Candelaria.  They meet for church, just opened a restaurant focused on training the people to provide for themselves, and they go out to minister to these people and pray with them on a daily basis.  There is a hostel which brings in people from all over the world just traveling through providing hospitality. There is a rehab started through the vision of a young lady in her twenties who want to see women and children who are abused or even trafficked find a way to get help, refuge, and hopefully to have a relationship with Jesus.  There are several other ministries I have been told of, all helping to lay another stone in the walls of the Kingdom of God.  It's beautiful.

Thankfully, I get to go down there to be a part of what God is doing. I plan to help primarily in the hostel, some in New Song, and hopefully the rehab facility in whatever way God leads me.  What I do know is that God wants to reveal to these people that He is their hope.  He has plans to give them hope in a hopeless society and that is the Good News. So thank you for being a part of this endeavor with me.

You can see what New Song is doing by going to www.NewSongNica.org.  You can be a part financially by going to www.harvestequippers.org. (Just make sure to put my name in the memo )