We got back late yesterday afternoon and I immediately unpacked, started the laundry, checked the beds for critters, and got a big glass of water to drink. It was a long trip yesterday, but good and the Lord was with us.
We had a visit from Makaela and Sarah, our first Potter's Field interns, who are with us for the next couple of months. What a blessing they are! so sweet those two! God is good!
We were all in bed fairly early last night and are all tired today, but as our morning prayers reflected, all thankful for the trip and to be home again.
We stayed an extra day this time to soak up all the time we could with our dear friends, David and Tamra, who live in the little town we stayed in and are studying Spanish there. It is such a gift to have friends who speak the Truth into our lives. Who are there for us, stop and pray for us in the moment, who just stop and be with us...
These visa trips are little get-aways for us, breaks in the routine, times to stop and reflect and relax. Many time though, I look at them as a hassle due to the preparation involved, the interruption of school and ministry, and the cost involved. However this time, we welcomed the trip and planned to serve with our friends. God is so good and allowed us to be part of his beautiful plan these past few days. He reminded us of His faithfulness, of His goodness, and of His plan for us to continue to bring His good news to all and keep on making disciples.
We enjoyed being back in San Juan del Sur again and at the Hotel Villa Isabella with Mike and his staff. It has become our home-away-from-home. It is great when you go back several times and they welcome you back like family. And it was awesome to be neighbors with Dave and Tamra again for a few days!
We were able to get a good picture of Nicaraguan culture this trip, too. We took of to Rivas on Tuesday with the goal of finding the big Farmer's Market. It took up a good 4 blocks one way and about 6 the other. Rows and rows of wares, everyone with the "best price in town!" It was really fun though and the Nicaraguan people are so kind and hospitable.
Later that day, after a quick dip in the pool, we took off with Dave and Tamra to a little area called Ojochal. The darkness is an undeniable reality here. There are no power lines to this area, so they live without any form of electricity. Just recently, an organization came through and built latrines for every home. There are about 35 homes in this little barrio, but have 2 plus families living in them. There is a water source, but during different parts of the year the source dries up and they must go the the river to bathe, wash clothes and dishes, and to gather drinking water. When the sun sets, it is pitch black dark. The nearest town is a good 3/4 of a mile walk. The people live off the land and trade with their neighbors what they have to get what they need.
Dave and Tamra have been studying Spanish for about 6 months in San Juan del Sur. Several of their teachers have come to know Jesus during Dave and Tamra's time at the school. They have also started discipleship groups with several of their teachers. What the Lord does in our lives during periods where we think othing much is going on is really quite remarkable, if we open our eyes to it. The Lord is working through Dave and Tamra as they learn the Spanish language and speak His Truth into the lives of the teachers at the school. The teachers organized a Christmas party for this little barrio called Ojochal and thus begins the story and their connection to these people.
We drove to the house of peace Dave and Tamra have found to park our car and got out to visit with the first family. We first met Maria and her son and daughter and older daughter living their with her young daughter. We sat and visited with them for some time and found out information about the area and the people. Maria told us about her young son who had broken his arm years ago. She had never taken him to the doctor because she knew he'd had to have surgery and she just couldn't handle that. So, it reset itself, but he now has a large bump near his elbow where it has set itself in the incorrect position. It is movable and functionable although he lives with pain.
Then we went to the house across the street. We had to squeeze through the barbed wire gate and approach the house with caution as we called out our greeting. Our goal was to cross through this yard and trek back into the woods to begin the journey to Ana's land and home. After we gained permission to cross through the first land, we set off down a hill, through a woods, across a dried up river, up a hill, through another barbed wire fence, up a smaller hill, across a field, where Tamra kindly warned us to watch out for snakes, down another steep hill and then immediately up another steep hill until we finally came to the clearing of Ana's land. It was beautiful at the top of the hill. You could see for miles- the rich green land of Nicaraguan country side. The cows roaming, the birds flying, hardly a sound to be heard. It was so peaceful. The reality of Ana's life is a stark reminder of the poverty that exists in our world, however. Ana has birthed 10 children, one who died very young. One of her children cannot see, but has never seen a doctor. One of her children has a serious condition in her brain, but the thought of taking her daughter to the doctor terrifies Ana, so they try to live as normal as possible. Most, if not all of Ana 's children live within a rock's through of her home. They each have their own little shack about the size of a small spare bathroom. We are not even sure you could fold out a mattress in the space of their homes. We are not sure of the number of grandchildren Ana has, but there were several little shacks spread out along the land. She was cooking a few pieces of meat in a small charred black skillet on an open fire as we walked up. The smile that came to her face was something I'll never forget. Tamra asked her if it was ok if we visited her for a few minutes and Ana's repsonse was one of pure joy. "Of course, You came to see me!"
The walk was not necessarily strenuous, however, it was quite the walk to get to her home. You'd never know it was there if someone didn't tell you and point out the way for you. I'm not sure Ana ever had a visitor before the first time Dave and Tamra visited with her. She talked with us quite awhile, all the time very friendly and full of animation as she talked. It was such a joy to visit with her and be there with Dave and Tamra as they strengthened their relationship with her. Only one of her girls were there as the others were all in town.
Since it is summer vaqcation, all the kids had 'jobs' in town. The government actually gives them jobs sweeping around the town and things like that. We joked that in Nicaragua "there's a job for every child!" But that sad reality is that this is the way of life in may Latin American countries. The children get sent out to the work for the family, at very young ages. Some are sold, their innocence taken from them. Some are sent to beg, humiliated, degrated. It is no joke. It is real and it is is unjust. It is their life. Their reality.
But in the midst of that reality, is Ana. Maria. Ojochal.
and we are thankful for the opportunity to be there for those few hours. To be a light in the darkness. To go where no one else would want to go. To trek through the woods and glimpse a bit of God's goodness in the midst of the darkness of the world. The ugly-beautiful that is all of us.
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| Ana and in front of her home |
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| Matt, Ethan and Isa with the family cow and several of the homes Ana's oder children live in |
The needs are many, both spiritual and physical, in this area. Please pray for God's wisdom and guidance as our friends move forward in their ministry to this area and these people. Pray for God to open the door for discipleship. Pray for healing, spiritual first and physical as well. Pray for Dave and Tamra as they study Spanish. Pray as they improve and for the Lord to continue giving them His words. Pray for protection of their marriage. Pray for them to be a light every where they go. Pray for the Lord's continued work in the language school with the teacher's there.
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