There are so many things I miss from home: my family, dark chocolate, Faceboook, and air conditioning, to name a few. As we sat and ate with great delight a Mcflurry from McDonald’s, I understand why Esau gladly gave up his birthright for a bowl of soup!
My apologies for not being able to write every day. Our hostel is an hour away from Nagarote. After dinner, group devotionals, making sure everyone is ok, and preparing for the next day, getting to the internet is challenging.
June 23-After our day at the orphanage, we went to Nagarote for a quick lunch. We then separated into three groups and announced throughout Nagarote our upcoming VBS. The sun was scorching. We all now have missionary tans. We had 175 children and adults in attendance. Everyone worked so very hard. As I went around filling in where I was needed, my attention was drawn to Elmo. He was sitting directly in the sun, making balloon animals and humming. He had the biggest smile on his face. Christina shared her testimony as I translated. I knew this was a big step for her. As she spoke I saw a crowd of bike in the back listening intently for the first time. Many seeds are being planted here and God is being glorified!
June 24-We returned the next day for a morning VBS. At first the crowd was small, but soon we had a full house- 225 in all! Brenda is our play-doe girl. This sister sat on the concrete floor on a table cloth, helping each child with the very peculiar stuff. I suspect many of them have never seen play-doe before. She tenderly showed them how the stuff worked and smiled at everyone of those babies.
We then went back to the hostel for lunch and went to meet our horse drawn carriages. They were actually horse drawn carts, whose structure was a bit questionable. These carts are usually used to transport firewood, not our delicate American tushes. Some of us were lucky enough to have a plank to sit on. Others sat directly on the cart and felt every bump and turn. We had to travel an hour on our not Cinderella-like carriages to reach our destination. The children in this very rural area waited patiently for an hour and a half for us to arrive. There is no electricity or running water. This very rustic small farming area is made up of the very poorest. A sweet sister named Sara allowed the children to meet outside of her home for our VBS. Kathy had to use the bathroom. I asked Sara to direct me to her outhouse. She said to me “It’s very humble” as she smiled. I took Kathy to the back of the house. There was old tattered fabric about four feet high around the “toilet”. The door was another piece of material. In that very moment the Lord convicted me. I am so guilty of not wanting to invite guests into my home unless everything is just right, my curtains match, and I have just the right serving dishes. Yet this precious sister opened her home to strangers and gladly shared what God has provided.
June 25th-A group of us were able to visit a beautiful ministry similar to Compassion International, but on a smaller scale. This beautiful ministry not only provides for children, it also issues very low interest loans to families for livestock, homes, etc. This year we were able to take a very exciting 45 minute bus trip up very treacherous “ roads” ( and I use that term lightly) to minister to these very needy children. Our bus could not make it all the way up to the site, so we had to walk up the hill about 400 yards. Thankfully Rainbow had a jeep to take our equipment and those who could not make the trek. Did I mention it’s a bit hot? Sweat poured from everyone’s faces. Our shirts were soaking wet. Yet, we all smiled and ministered. As I looked out into the crowd, Dorothy had a precious 10 month old baby cuddling on her shoulder as she rocked. With a baby in one arm, she smiled, perspired, and handed out toys to everyone in the crowd. These are truly precious, Jesus loving Christians.
June 26- Yesterday was a lighter day. We went to the church in Managua and painted a house for a family. Her walls were pure concrete. We wanted to paint the inside and outside of her home, but could not. Our wonderful team got together and helped buy the additional paint that was needed. When I told Elia the home owner, she hugged me, thanked me and cried. After a wonderful lunch, most of us headed to the mall to hand out tracks. There were Japanese dancers in the center of the mall and a big crowd. We were able to hand out several tracks before the very armed security guards asked us to stop.
Please continue to pray for Kathy. We were able to get her antibiotics and medication to help with her swelling. Yesterday we tried to have a doctor come and see her, but could not. Sandy Heath is much better. Her foot is not completely well, but it is getting better. We are all so very exhausted. Our construction team is officially done with not one, but two major construction projects way ahead of schedule. They have worked tirelessly. Please pray for them as they go back to Nagarote today. There are some final touches Todd wants to complete before we leave. Please also continue to pray for unity and patience as we strive to work together to spread God’s message of love and hope.
