Coming back to life in NC, even after only being gone a week, was hard.
I was in disbelief of everything I have here - especially all of the material blessings and excess that we have, simply for being in the US.
I remember driving to church in tears, simply because I was on a paved road, there was no litter or graffiti, it smelled wonderful, I had nice clothes to wear, my own car, a cell phone, an ipod . . . (I could go on and on) . . . I have so much, and I don't need any of it. It was overwhelming.
We have so much . . . God has blessed me so richly, and it's incredibly easy to take these things for granted. Too easy to focus on what you don't have, or on the negative. But something engrained in me since Nicaragua is this - while before the trip I knew that God is all I truly need, I could actually see that in a new way.
The people that we met have nothing. No education, lucrative career, nuclear family, fancy houses, cars, clean clothes, technology, kitchen full of food - none of that. And yet, they were a lot more joyful than most of the people you encounter here.
We don't need those things that we think we need to be happy.
And while our lives might seem trying or hard . . . we do not know poverty or suffering the way they do in third world countries. It puts everything into persepctive.
I know I've said it before, but by simply being born in this country we have so many freedoms, opportunities and blessings that Nicaraguans will never have. We are so much wealthier and fortunate than we can realize.
It. is. overwhelming. I felt like I had been hit square in the chest with a ton of bricks.
(which raises the age-old question, which is heavier? A ton of bricks or a ton of feathers?)
I struggled the first week we were back in the country. I didn't feel like myself . . . didn't want to cook, didn't want to go to the gym, didn't want to do anything. I did like telling the story of what happened during that week, but it was emotionally draining to re-live and re-tell everything.
There have been two things that are the most difficult to process (and there's a TON that I've been trying to process):
- I have done nothing to deserve all of the freedoms, opportunities and wealth here. I have SO much (too much, really), it's overwhelming. Why have I had such and easy life, when there are innocent children suffering in Nicaragua?
- Now what? Now that I have seen the injustices and poverty in Nicaragua, I can no longer turn a blind eye to what's going on in the rest of the World. But what do I do?
I am still wrestling with these things. I don't think that I will ever understand injustice . . . other than it confirms we live in a very broken, fallen, messed up world. But it's just not fair that I've been so fortunate when there are people suffering.
And what do I do now? Am I doing enough with my life? Am I glorifying God? Sure I lead a small group, volunteer at a health clinic, try to pour truth into people, love my friends, volunteer occasionally at church, but what am I doing to bless the less fortunate? Or will this turn into a legalistic game of lists and checkboxes?
I don't feel like sitting here, being grateful for all the blessings is enough. I still feel like a spoiled American princess. I don't think I feel guilty for what God has given me, but I feel that I should do something. If God has blessed me so that I may be a blessing - am I doing that? Or do I need some serious change?
I will tell you that there are a few, small things that I think God has brought to the front of my mind.
- I want to simplify my life
- I want to learn spanish
- I am actually trying to free up my financial resources and sticking to a budget for the first time ever
- I love sharing stories from the trip
- I have a new perspective
So . . . while these things are not answers to the hard questions, I am thankful to see how the trip has impacted me (and even people around me).
I just don't want to forget what we saw and learned and experienced in Nicaragua. I know that the excitement, emotion and passion will fade, but I pray that my perspective would not go back to me just being in my own little bubble. There is so much going on in the world, so much that God is doing and it's amazing.
Showing posts with label Nicaragua. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nicaragua. Show all posts
July 24, 2012
Worlds Apart . . . part 8
Day 8 of the trip - Friday. This was our last planned day in Nicaragua.
Here was the projected itinerary for that day:
Honestly, I had spent virtually all of my money (I only had $9 cash to either buy food or caffeine at the airport if we had time), I was really ready to come home at this point, I was tired, and the cultural differences were starting to take a toll on me.
I was ready to have my own bathroom. I was ready to sleep in a room with closed windows, where you wouldn't hear the constant noise of traffic (we were near a highway and it seriously sounded like 18-wheelers were barreling down the middle of our bunk at times). I missed airplane noise (that's what I get for growing up near RDU :) ), I missed my friends, I wanted to hear my mom's voice on the phone. I can't believe I'm still saying this, but I missed my job. I missed the way America looks. The sight of trash, dirt and graffiti was wearing on me. I love the smell of bonfires and grills, but the fire in Nicaragua has a different . . . flavor (for lack of a better word) to it. I guess I missed the way our country smells, looks, and feels. Also, I was completely emptied out of pepto.
It's so crazy to think about it . . . I remember riding in the bus, thinking about how bad we smelled, how bad the bus smelled, how bad outside smelled. Everyone was tired and ready to go.
The vegetation around us was always so beautiful and lush. We even drove by a valley, a volcano, Lake Nicaragua and those things were gorgeous . . . but almost juxtaposed, intermingling with the tattered roads, weary buildings, graffiti, trash, dirt and strange scents.
Speaking of strange scents, a group of us were together at the market and I was near the back as we were traveling through all of the aisles. Huembes had everything - from random stuff you might expect at Wal-Mart, staples, produce, groceries, etc. to the touristy little trinkets and T-shirts we had seen at one of the other markets. At one point, we started passing produce (which already smelled interesting) and then started going deeper and deeper into the heart (or the bowels) of the market. I don't know what was back there - some sort of meat, that I'm glad I never had to meet - but the smell kept growing in intensity and foulness. Thank goodness one of the girls hightailed it out of there (due to a vendor who started acting sketchy) because I was about to find out how strong my gag reflex was.
So yeah, we were all pretty ready to go . . . as we loaded up the bus for the last time, made a quick stop to the church to collect our passports . . . and were on our way to the airport.
We arrived later than originally planned, so tension was already running a little high. Once we started checking in, I saw the little papers for customs floating around . . . and thought, man - didn't we already fill those out? You mean we have to do it again? Or do we? (you can tell I travel outside of the country a lot, huh :) )
Then I started hearing a funny little rumor bubbling around our group, traveling back towards where I was standing in line. It sounded like they were saying that we were going to spend the night in Miami. Well that's funny. Resume random thoughts about America and pop music . . .
Oh no, it was not a rumor. It was reality. My brain couldn't take it. All I could think was - I have to get back. I am out of money, among other things like patience and sanity. They don't understand!
Hooooooold it together, Sarah. Well there was futile thought. Just as I tried to compose myself, I crumbled into a little pile of emotion and the dam opened again. Sweet Cheryl (who I call our trip's mom) wrapped her arm around me, told me things were going to work out and prayed over me. I don't think I will forget that moment, as it really meant a lot to me in the midst of chaos.
That afternoon, I was so thankful for the 17 people on our team. There were moments during the trip that I wondered if our team was completely random, or if we could even survive with 17 different personalities. But during that whole hot mess - things seemed to click. Cheryl, Jacque and Julie became our fearless leaders and made sure everyone was taken care of with the ever-changing game plan. Hillary's hyperness balanced out my depleted state, the guys brought comic relief, and everyone else eased the tension and nonsense.
Thank God we were able to pick up wi-fi at the airport . . . and started sending out emails, updating our family members on the delays. I felt particularly stranded as I did not bring a cell phone or any credit cards, but Hillary was gracious enough to let me send an email from her phone. I told my mom that I would call her once we were back in the states, even though it would be super late (or early, depending on how you look at it).
Well, we had about 9 hours to burn and food vouchers for 12 US dollars. With the world's smallest airport, there was just so much to do. Cheryl treated us to beverages and thankfully someone had brought uno, so we ended up playing for about 2 hours. I'm telling you - best trip mom ever.
I don't even know what else we did to fill the time, except find ways to use the vouchers. 12 bucks goes a long way in Nicaragua - Nicole and I shared a voucher and got a frappuccino, hot chocolate, 2 pieces of tres leches cake, 1 piece of chocolate cake and 2 empanadas with change to spare. This was my first encounter with tres leches cake and it changed my world. I ate the entire piece while standing at the counter, waiting on my coffee drink.
Around 6pm, we got back in line to check in with our new flight. Janna ended up being next to me and suggested - Hey Sarah, sing for these two girls in line behind us!
I asked them if they knew who Nicki Minaj was, and they said yes - so I sang Super Bass for them and then got some fan photos afterwards :)
I'm back in line, unsuspecting, when Janna suggests - Sarah, look at aaalllll these people in line. Everyone is tired and in a bad mood. I bet you could make them feel a lot better if you sang for them.
That's funny.
Before I know it, she steps out to the crowd and announces, ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ESCUCHEN! OYE! OYE! My friend wants to sing a song for you all!!
What.
Well, no turning back now. Especially since my team was egging me on and a few of them were chanting, do it, do it, everyone will like you!
Back to facing my fears - and there you have it. I rapped Super Bass for the Managua International Airport. I still can't believe I actually did that. Especially since I normally get nervous just rapping in front of 2 or 3 people!
Actually, it was kind of fun. Especially since I don't think I would do that in any other setting. Christine managed to get a video of it on her tablet . . . and people in the crowd were videotaping, taking pictures, and downright staring, according to Janna (I couldn't look at them because I was too nervous). If I can figure out how to post the video on this blog, I will share it :)
We finally boarded the plane . . . I'm guessing, around 9:45 that night. I had a huge surge of energy from all of the sugar, caffeine and recent famedom.
I wanted so desperately to sleep on the plane, but my heart ached for home and I was feeling anxious as well. I was so ready to be back, and I knew we still had a long ways. My attempts to sleep were in vain and I got emotional just anticipating hearing my mom's voice on the phone.
We were on our way homebound . . .
Here was the projected itinerary for that day:
- 9:00 have bags packed and ready, then go to the Huembes market
- 10:45 be back in the bus
- 12ish be at the airport
- 2:30 fly out of Managua
- go straight through security and customs in Miami
- 11pm arrive to RDU
Honestly, I had spent virtually all of my money (I only had $9 cash to either buy food or caffeine at the airport if we had time), I was really ready to come home at this point, I was tired, and the cultural differences were starting to take a toll on me.
I was ready to have my own bathroom. I was ready to sleep in a room with closed windows, where you wouldn't hear the constant noise of traffic (we were near a highway and it seriously sounded like 18-wheelers were barreling down the middle of our bunk at times). I missed airplane noise (that's what I get for growing up near RDU :) ), I missed my friends, I wanted to hear my mom's voice on the phone. I can't believe I'm still saying this, but I missed my job. I missed the way America looks. The sight of trash, dirt and graffiti was wearing on me. I love the smell of bonfires and grills, but the fire in Nicaragua has a different . . . flavor (for lack of a better word) to it. I guess I missed the way our country smells, looks, and feels. Also, I was completely emptied out of pepto.
It's so crazy to think about it . . . I remember riding in the bus, thinking about how bad we smelled, how bad the bus smelled, how bad outside smelled. Everyone was tired and ready to go.
The vegetation around us was always so beautiful and lush. We even drove by a valley, a volcano, Lake Nicaragua and those things were gorgeous . . . but almost juxtaposed, intermingling with the tattered roads, weary buildings, graffiti, trash, dirt and strange scents.
Speaking of strange scents, a group of us were together at the market and I was near the back as we were traveling through all of the aisles. Huembes had everything - from random stuff you might expect at Wal-Mart, staples, produce, groceries, etc. to the touristy little trinkets and T-shirts we had seen at one of the other markets. At one point, we started passing produce (which already smelled interesting) and then started going deeper and deeper into the heart (or the bowels) of the market. I don't know what was back there - some sort of meat, that I'm glad I never had to meet - but the smell kept growing in intensity and foulness. Thank goodness one of the girls hightailed it out of there (due to a vendor who started acting sketchy) because I was about to find out how strong my gag reflex was.
So yeah, we were all pretty ready to go . . . as we loaded up the bus for the last time, made a quick stop to the church to collect our passports . . . and were on our way to the airport.
We arrived later than originally planned, so tension was already running a little high. Once we started checking in, I saw the little papers for customs floating around . . . and thought, man - didn't we already fill those out? You mean we have to do it again? Or do we? (you can tell I travel outside of the country a lot, huh :) )
Then I started hearing a funny little rumor bubbling around our group, traveling back towards where I was standing in line. It sounded like they were saying that we were going to spend the night in Miami. Well that's funny. Resume random thoughts about America and pop music . . .
Oh no, it was not a rumor. It was reality. My brain couldn't take it. All I could think was - I have to get back. I am out of money, among other things like patience and sanity. They don't understand!
Hooooooold it together, Sarah. Well there was futile thought. Just as I tried to compose myself, I crumbled into a little pile of emotion and the dam opened again. Sweet Cheryl (who I call our trip's mom) wrapped her arm around me, told me things were going to work out and prayed over me. I don't think I will forget that moment, as it really meant a lot to me in the midst of chaos.
That afternoon, I was so thankful for the 17 people on our team. There were moments during the trip that I wondered if our team was completely random, or if we could even survive with 17 different personalities. But during that whole hot mess - things seemed to click. Cheryl, Jacque and Julie became our fearless leaders and made sure everyone was taken care of with the ever-changing game plan. Hillary's hyperness balanced out my depleted state, the guys brought comic relief, and everyone else eased the tension and nonsense.
 |
| we are SO HAPPY |
 |
| so close, yet so far!!!!! |
I don't even know what else we did to fill the time, except find ways to use the vouchers. 12 bucks goes a long way in Nicaragua - Nicole and I shared a voucher and got a frappuccino, hot chocolate, 2 pieces of tres leches cake, 1 piece of chocolate cake and 2 empanadas with change to spare. This was my first encounter with tres leches cake and it changed my world. I ate the entire piece while standing at the counter, waiting on my coffee drink.
Around 6pm, we got back in line to check in with our new flight. Janna ended up being next to me and suggested - Hey Sarah, sing for these two girls in line behind us!
I'm back in line, unsuspecting, when Janna suggests - Sarah, look at aaalllll these people in line. Everyone is tired and in a bad mood. I bet you could make them feel a lot better if you sang for them.
That's funny.
Before I know it, she steps out to the crowd and announces, ATTENTION! ATTENTION! ESCUCHEN! OYE! OYE! My friend wants to sing a song for you all!!
What.
Well, no turning back now. Especially since my team was egging me on and a few of them were chanting, do it, do it, everyone will like you!
Back to facing my fears - and there you have it. I rapped Super Bass for the Managua International Airport. I still can't believe I actually did that. Especially since I normally get nervous just rapping in front of 2 or 3 people!
Actually, it was kind of fun. Especially since I don't think I would do that in any other setting. Christine managed to get a video of it on her tablet . . . and people in the crowd were videotaping, taking pictures, and downright staring, according to Janna (I couldn't look at them because I was too nervous). If I can figure out how to post the video on this blog, I will share it :)
We finally boarded the plane . . . I'm guessing, around 9:45 that night. I had a huge surge of energy from all of the sugar, caffeine and recent famedom.
I wanted so desperately to sleep on the plane, but my heart ached for home and I was feeling anxious as well. I was so ready to be back, and I knew we still had a long ways. My attempts to sleep were in vain and I got emotional just anticipating hearing my mom's voice on the phone.
We were on our way homebound . . .
Worlds Apart . . . part 7
On day 7, we took at 2 hour bus ride out to Leon for our last day doing VBS.
Side note: Christine amazed me with her ability to fall asleep anywhere, and I'm a little jealous :)
During the trip, we got to hear Jeremy (founder of One by One) talk about his passion and vision for Nicaragua. It was so refreshing to see how his face lit up as he talked about the future and the next generation of Nicaragua. I could tell that he was here for the right reasons and that he has such a heart for the country.
I think it's so cool how God gives us different talents, spiritual gifts, abilities, etc. and places us in different circumstances in order to glorify Him. It's my frequent prayer that God would work through me - and that He would direct me to be exactly where He desires. I want to be in His will, and sometimes (or a lot of the time) I worry about it way too much instead of trusting in His divine guidance and orchestration.
We arrived to Leon, got settled and ate lunch. The church was built by a Methodist congregation from the states, and now One by One uses it as one of their locations. It was beautiful.
Jeremy told us that the kids would start to arrive after 1:00, and that we could play soccer with them while we waited for everyone. Right in front of the church was a huge dirt field. Hillary suggested playing, and I thought - why not? I've already been out of my comfort zone so much on this trip, might as well continue. Plus, I don't think these kids will care that I have absolutely no skill when it comes to sports.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew there was a reason I don't play sports . . . but all I could remember was I don't like things flying at me . . . and I don't like sweaty people touching me. Sweaty people flying at me - yeah. That must be the reason.
We started to play and I was very quickly reminded why I don't play sports. Oh yes, I'm afraid of the ball. How did I forget that? hmm.
So, where is the most logical place for a person who is afraid of 1) projectile objects, 2) sweaty people, and 3) the ball?
oh yeah. goalie, baby.
Thank God the other gringos were merciful enough to switch out with me when there was a penalty kick. I was proud of myself because I actually intentionally kicked the ball. Twice. Boom.
Then there was a true miraculous moment when, while standing between the goalposts, contemplating the meaning of life, someone kicked the ball towards me . . . and instead of going for it, my leg just happened to be conveniently in the way. So, the ball hit my leg with such force that it ricocheted off and wentrolling flying away.
The dirt that was embedded in the ball left a lovely outline of the soccer ball on my lower leg, and suddenly I felt a little more legit. By this point there were enough people with real skill on the field, so I graciously left . . . and then the kids saw my leg and asked if I was OK, haha :)
A little bit after this, Alecia, who is actually a very good soccer player (and pretty hard core), burned/scraped up her leg pretty badly in the Nicaraguan dirt. So, what did we do? Perform surgery of course.
Just kidding. It wasn't surgery. But we did need to get the dirt out of her leg . . . thankfully Hillary had a stash of wipes in her bag. A few of us did our best to clean up/scrub the dirt out of her leg, then bandaged it up a bit. The little kids poking at it later definitely made it feel better. Note to self: next time on a mission trip, bring medical supplies. Thankfully, there were a few first aid kits on the trip.
There were somewhere between 90-100 kids that were supposed to be at this VBS, but it seemed like more and more little ones kept filtering in as the afternoon progressed. At one point, Talia had 38 kids in her group. phew. Talk about a lot of paper boats. We had like a fleet going. (is that what you call an army of boats? It sounds good, right?)
Alecia is also the one who taught our team the "peer pressure song." Do you know this song? It's pretty catchy:
Do it,
Do it,
Everyone will like you!
(repeat x 1000)
So needless to say, I rapped Super Bass on the bus for everyone on the team, plus Ben, Jeremy and Paul. Paul told me I had too much free time because I could name 3 celebrity chefs in less than 5 seconds and memorized a Nicki Minaj song. Way to pump up my self esteem.
It's all Janna's fault. She kept requesting the song. I gotta give the people what they want!
But seriously, the peer pressure song was used on almost everyone on the team - to eat a stack of crackers in 30 seconds, cluck like a chicken, bark like a dog, etc. etc. . .
Then miraculously, on the bus ride back, Ben turned the radio on. Do you know what glorious song filled the air? "Sexy and I know it". Awww yeeeah. Then the real me started to come out. Music does things to me. I just got so excited and almost busted out my super fly dance moves - but I don't think everyone was quite ready for that yet. So I danced in my seat like the stereotypical white girl. Don't stop, get it, get it!
Do you know how happy I was to hear American music on that bus? Praise Jesus.
So, this trip was filled with facing fears . . . working with kids, attempting to speak spanish, rapping in front of that many people, projectile objects coming towards me, random food, being in a foreign environment, etc. etc . . . this trip definitely stretched me in many ways and I was so thankful.
Side note: Christine amazed me with her ability to fall asleep anywhere, and I'm a little jealous :)
During the trip, we got to hear Jeremy (founder of One by One) talk about his passion and vision for Nicaragua. It was so refreshing to see how his face lit up as he talked about the future and the next generation of Nicaragua. I could tell that he was here for the right reasons and that he has such a heart for the country.
I think it's so cool how God gives us different talents, spiritual gifts, abilities, etc. and places us in different circumstances in order to glorify Him. It's my frequent prayer that God would work through me - and that He would direct me to be exactly where He desires. I want to be in His will, and sometimes (or a lot of the time) I worry about it way too much instead of trusting in His divine guidance and orchestration.
We arrived to Leon, got settled and ate lunch. The church was built by a Methodist congregation from the states, and now One by One uses it as one of their locations. It was beautiful.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew there was a reason I don't play sports . . . but all I could remember was I don't like things flying at me . . . and I don't like sweaty people touching me. Sweaty people flying at me - yeah. That must be the reason.
We started to play and I was very quickly reminded why I don't play sports. Oh yes, I'm afraid of the ball. How did I forget that? hmm.
So, where is the most logical place for a person who is afraid of 1) projectile objects, 2) sweaty people, and 3) the ball?
oh yeah. goalie, baby.
Thank God the other gringos were merciful enough to switch out with me when there was a penalty kick. I was proud of myself because I actually intentionally kicked the ball. Twice. Boom.
Then there was a true miraculous moment when, while standing between the goalposts, contemplating the meaning of life, someone kicked the ball towards me . . . and instead of going for it, my leg just happened to be conveniently in the way. So, the ball hit my leg with such force that it ricocheted off and went
The dirt that was embedded in the ball left a lovely outline of the soccer ball on my lower leg, and suddenly I felt a little more legit. By this point there were enough people with real skill on the field, so I graciously left . . . and then the kids saw my leg and asked if I was OK, haha :)
 |
| trying really hard to look busy |
 |
| I think we need to amputate, doctor. |
There were somewhere between 90-100 kids that were supposed to be at this VBS, but it seemed like more and more little ones kept filtering in as the afternoon progressed. At one point, Talia had 38 kids in her group. phew. Talk about a lot of paper boats. We had like a fleet going. (is that what you call an army of boats? It sounds good, right?)
Alecia is also the one who taught our team the "peer pressure song." Do you know this song? It's pretty catchy:
Do it,
Do it,
Everyone will like you!
(repeat x 1000)
So needless to say, I rapped Super Bass on the bus for everyone on the team, plus Ben, Jeremy and Paul. Paul told me I had too much free time because I could name 3 celebrity chefs in less than 5 seconds and memorized a Nicki Minaj song. Way to pump up my self esteem.
It's all Janna's fault. She kept requesting the song. I gotta give the people what they want!
But seriously, the peer pressure song was used on almost everyone on the team - to eat a stack of crackers in 30 seconds, cluck like a chicken, bark like a dog, etc. etc. . .
Then miraculously, on the bus ride back, Ben turned the radio on. Do you know what glorious song filled the air? "Sexy and I know it". Awww yeeeah. Then the real me started to come out. Music does things to me. I just got so excited and almost busted out my super fly dance moves - but I don't think everyone was quite ready for that yet. So I danced in my seat like the stereotypical white girl. Don't stop, get it, get it!
Do you know how happy I was to hear American music on that bus? Praise Jesus.
So, this trip was filled with facing fears . . . working with kids, attempting to speak spanish, rapping in front of that many people, projectile objects coming towards me, random food, being in a foreign environment, etc. etc . . . this trip definitely stretched me in many ways and I was so thankful.
 |
| Just for fun . . . yes I did, yes I did, somebody please tell 'em who the -- I is :) |
Worlds Apart . . . part 6
Almost each day in Nicaragua, I had a few thoughts . . .
At the mission house, there was a wonderful housekeeper and cook who took excellent care of us. The coffee was ah-mazing. (I wish they had it like that here) She also cooked us breakfast every morning, and dinner almost every night. I love plantains, did I tell you that yet? Oh, and the pineapple and watermelon are so much better than what you get in the states.
We loaded up on our glamorous shuttle bus as per usual with our BFF Ben, and rode out to the church in Managua. Wednesday morning was spent doing various projects on the church. Alexis, Janna, Hillary and I were in charge of painting the ceiling of an office.
I love American pop music. I really do, and I can't hide that. I was ready for some music that day . . . after all, this was day 6! I made Hillary play Justin Bieber on her phone while we worked . . . and to my dismay, we alsosuffered jammed out to "Gag Call me Maybe."
I don't know much about painting, but somehow we made it work. Janna saved her mane by wearing a plastic bag, and it washilarious glamorous.
Well, it was time for me to face yet another fear of mine - singing in front of people (OK, OK, I'm not always shy about this, I just get nervous when I rap). I'm not sure what triggered this, but I started rapping Nicki Minaj for these girls. Last summer I made it a personal goal to memorize "Super Bass" - so boom I can check that off of my bucket list! Just call me the next white rapper.
Now, I'm not kidding when I say I get nervous rapping this in front of just 2 or 3 other people. No matter how many times I've rapped this song, (a lot in the last year) I still get a little adrenaline rush. I am such a nerd. This is ruining my street cred. Man.
Here's the fundamental problem . . . Nervousness = rapid heart beat = short of breath/hyperventilating = messing up my flow.
Anyway, little did I know that Janna wouldrequest force me to sing the song multiple times for the duration of our trip.
After the projects . . . and bathing my arm in mineral spirits (which smelled so fragrant - in a not-so-wonderful way), we had a fabulous lunch that Ben's wife prepared for us. That was the first time I tried yucca, which is also very delicious.
Then it was VBS time for the kids that come to the afterschool program at the church. We were getting pretty good at the whole rotation thing :) And I think I can fold paper boats blindfolded with both arms tied behind my back . . . waaaaaaiiit.
I think this day was one of the days we got back to the mission house the earliest. Typically at night we would come back for dinner, then had devotion as a group and hung out until we were tired. The sun rises at 5:30 in Nicaragua, and I usually got up around 6:00 each morning, plus I'm old so I didn't stay up too late :)
I almost forgot . . . in the afternoons, we chanted "helado" in the bus and Ben was sweet enough to drive us to the store so that we could get our ice cream fix almost every day.
But for realz . . . I did miss life back in NC. I didn't think about it very much, which was another answer to prayer - but even after a few days I started to miss it here. I even started to miss my job, which is just plain insanity. I think it's a good sign, though.
- I want to go home
- I want to come back next year, and bring some of the girls from my small group
- I want to learn spanish
- I am really looking forward to using a regular bathroom
At the mission house, there was a wonderful housekeeper and cook who took excellent care of us. The coffee was ah-mazing. (I wish they had it like that here) She also cooked us breakfast every morning, and dinner almost every night. I love plantains, did I tell you that yet? Oh, and the pineapple and watermelon are so much better than what you get in the states.
We loaded up on our glamorous shuttle bus as per usual with our BFF Ben, and rode out to the church in Managua. Wednesday morning was spent doing various projects on the church. Alexis, Janna, Hillary and I were in charge of painting the ceiling of an office.
I love American pop music. I really do, and I can't hide that. I was ready for some music that day . . . after all, this was day 6! I made Hillary play Justin Bieber on her phone while we worked . . . and to my dismay, we also
I don't know much about painting, but somehow we made it work. Janna saved her mane by wearing a plastic bag, and it was
 |
| making a fashion statement |
Well, it was time for me to face yet another fear of mine - singing in front of people (OK, OK, I'm not always shy about this, I just get nervous when I rap). I'm not sure what triggered this, but I started rapping Nicki Minaj for these girls. Last summer I made it a personal goal to memorize "Super Bass" - so boom I can check that off of my bucket list! Just call me the next white rapper.
Now, I'm not kidding when I say I get nervous rapping this in front of just 2 or 3 other people. No matter how many times I've rapped this song, (a lot in the last year) I still get a little adrenaline rush. I am such a nerd. This is ruining my street cred. Man.
Here's the fundamental problem . . . Nervousness = rapid heart beat = short of breath/hyperventilating = messing up my flow.
Anyway, little did I know that Janna would
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| I did not see the attack coming . . . until it was too late |
Then it was VBS time for the kids that come to the afterschool program at the church. We were getting pretty good at the whole rotation thing :) And I think I can fold paper boats blindfolded with both arms tied behind my back . . . waaaaaaiiit.
I think this day was one of the days we got back to the mission house the earliest. Typically at night we would come back for dinner, then had devotion as a group and hung out until we were tired. The sun rises at 5:30 in Nicaragua, and I usually got up around 6:00 each morning, plus I'm old so I didn't stay up too late :)
I almost forgot . . . in the afternoons, we chanted "helado" in the bus and Ben was sweet enough to drive us to the store so that we could get our ice cream fix almost every day.
But for realz . . . I did miss life back in NC. I didn't think about it very much, which was another answer to prayer - but even after a few days I started to miss it here. I even started to miss my job, which is just plain insanity. I think it's a good sign, though.
Worlds Apart . . . part 5
OK . . . we are on day . . . 5. It was Tuesday, our second day at House of Hope.
In the morning, we attended the service with over 400 women. Usually they work on the jewelery, cards, sewing, etc. afterwards but this week was pay day - so it was a little different.
I know I keep talking about Oscar, but I saw him during the service - he's not someone that I'd ever want to cross, for obvious reasons, plus his size. But he was there, laughing and joking with the women. So awesome.
After service it was more testimonies and lunch. There was another team there, working on construction. The House of Hope has been built completely by short-term mission trips . . . the men on this team were finishing a building that they had started last year.
Then the kids were back for another day of VBS with us, which went by rather quickly. At one point during the afternoon, Mary asked some of the girls how they liked House of Hope. One of the girls, who is 12, told us that she loves it there . . . she gets to go to school, she gets to hear the Word of God, meet Americans like us and hear about how important education is. That was pretty amazing to me . . . when I was 12, my priorities were a little different. I think all I cared about was Gap jeans, my body image, and boys. The girls here are amazing - to see their joy and hear their stories was so wonderful. It really is a reminder of what's truly important in this life.
After all of the VBS groups went through the rotations, we had one big gathering for worship . . . which was so much fun. I love singing and dancing around and looking like an idiot, so this was perfect.
After worship and a few group photos, one of my favorite things went down.
Before the trip, during planning meetings, someone suggested a "candy shirt" for the kids during games at VBS. I had never heard of this before . . . what the heck is a candy shirt?
Well, you see . . . you take a regular T-shirt, then you use super glue to strategically place as much candy as possible all over it. Then, you do what only is logical - run out into a crowd of children and pray that you make it out alive, or at least without any life-threatening injuries. I mean, at least a nurse was on the trip.
It. was. hilarious. Hillary took video of this, and I can't wait until it's on facebook :) The guys were troopers - risking life and limb and all.
Monday and Tuesday were clearly the most intense, overwhelming and emotional. House of Hope has captured my heart. These days had the greatest impact on me. I hope that I never forget these experiences and all of the amazing, raw ways that God's power is on display there.
After these days, we were told that our team had one of the best VBS's there . . . they liked us, and we actually helped the staff/interns instead of adding stress or being a burden. This was such an answer to prayer.
It was so encouraging to hear that a short-term trip could be beneficial . . . I had been asking God to help our team be a blessing to the missionaries, women and children there. I knew we could not make a huge, lasting impact in only a week - but it was such a blessing to hear that they liked having us there.
For weeks and months leading up to the trip, I asked God to prepare the team and the people in Nicaragua for this week. It was so cool to see things come together . . . in the different ages, personalities, gifts and skills of the people on the team. At times, I thought we were such a random mix . . . but in the end I could see that God orchestrated this group of 17 - and I was so thankful.
In the morning, we attended the service with over 400 women. Usually they work on the jewelery, cards, sewing, etc. afterwards but this week was pay day - so it was a little different.
I know I keep talking about Oscar, but I saw him during the service - he's not someone that I'd ever want to cross, for obvious reasons, plus his size. But he was there, laughing and joking with the women. So awesome.
After service it was more testimonies and lunch. There was another team there, working on construction. The House of Hope has been built completely by short-term mission trips . . . the men on this team were finishing a building that they had started last year.
Then the kids were back for another day of VBS with us, which went by rather quickly. At one point during the afternoon, Mary asked some of the girls how they liked House of Hope. One of the girls, who is 12, told us that she loves it there . . . she gets to go to school, she gets to hear the Word of God, meet Americans like us and hear about how important education is. That was pretty amazing to me . . . when I was 12, my priorities were a little different. I think all I cared about was Gap jeans, my body image, and boys. The girls here are amazing - to see their joy and hear their stories was so wonderful. It really is a reminder of what's truly important in this life.
After all of the VBS groups went through the rotations, we had one big gathering for worship . . . which was so much fun. I love singing and dancing around and looking like an idiot, so this was perfect.
Before the trip, during planning meetings, someone suggested a "candy shirt" for the kids during games at VBS. I had never heard of this before . . . what the heck is a candy shirt?
Well, you see . . . you take a regular T-shirt, then you use super glue to strategically place as much candy as possible all over it. Then, you do what only is logical - run out into a crowd of children and pray that you make it out alive, or at least without any life-threatening injuries. I mean, at least a nurse was on the trip.
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| no mas, no mas! |
Monday and Tuesday were clearly the most intense, overwhelming and emotional. House of Hope has captured my heart. These days had the greatest impact on me. I hope that I never forget these experiences and all of the amazing, raw ways that God's power is on display there.
After these days, we were told that our team had one of the best VBS's there . . . they liked us, and we actually helped the staff/interns instead of adding stress or being a burden. This was such an answer to prayer.
It was so encouraging to hear that a short-term trip could be beneficial . . . I had been asking God to help our team be a blessing to the missionaries, women and children there. I knew we could not make a huge, lasting impact in only a week - but it was such a blessing to hear that they liked having us there.
For weeks and months leading up to the trip, I asked God to prepare the team and the people in Nicaragua for this week. It was so cool to see things come together . . . in the different ages, personalities, gifts and skills of the people on the team. At times, I thought we were such a random mix . . . but in the end I could see that God orchestrated this group of 17 - and I was so thankful.
Worlds Apart . . . part 4.5
Still on day one at House of Hope . . . (don't say I didn't warn you about my numerous posts, hah)
After lunch and hearing Angela's powerful testimony, we got ready for VBS with the kids - the girls who had been rescued, along with the kids of the women who live on campus.
I had never helped with a VBS before, but Talia had put together a fabulous structure for us. The kids rotated through different stations - I helped with crafts, AKA folding boats out of paper :)
I think the spanish word for fold is "doblar." I said it. A lot.
We did VBS with the kids for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours each day in the afternoon (We did this at House of Hope Monday and Tuesday, then at the church in Managua Wednesday and the church in Leon on Thursday) . . . the stations (if I remember right) were crafts, snacks, games, worship and teaching.
I had a scary thought during all of this . . . doing VBS in Nicaragua made me want to volunteer with kids at Summit . . . and I never, ever predicted that thought could/would cross my mind. I'm at least waaaaayyyyyy more open to working with kids than ever before. Especially the preschool age kids - they are just so stinkin' cute and they just stare at you . . . and you don't even have to know much spanish, they like you anyway.
At one point in the afternoon, I happened to look over at the worship station. Christine was playing guitar, singing and jumping with the kids along with Nicole who was also dancing/choreographing. The kids LOVED it - you could see how excited they were and how they were totally into it. Then I noticed Oscar - there he was dancing, singing and laughing with these kids. Oh man. Tears welled up in my eyes as I reflected on this scene. This man who has been absolutely transformed . . . this man who used to be an addict, a hit man, a violent person . . . is now rescuing children, and he's actually dancing with them, filled with the joy of Christ.
I hope I never forget that image. Oh, it was such a precious sight. What a beautiful picture of the Gospel and worship and a glimpse of heaven.
After lunch and hearing Angela's powerful testimony, we got ready for VBS with the kids - the girls who had been rescued, along with the kids of the women who live on campus.
I had never helped with a VBS before, but Talia had put together a fabulous structure for us. The kids rotated through different stations - I helped with crafts, AKA folding boats out of paper :)
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| I see you cheesin! |
We did VBS with the kids for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours each day in the afternoon (We did this at House of Hope Monday and Tuesday, then at the church in Managua Wednesday and the church in Leon on Thursday) . . . the stations (if I remember right) were crafts, snacks, games, worship and teaching.
I had a scary thought during all of this . . . doing VBS in Nicaragua made me want to volunteer with kids at Summit . . . and I never, ever predicted that thought could/would cross my mind. I'm at least waaaaayyyyyy more open to working with kids than ever before. Especially the preschool age kids - they are just so stinkin' cute and they just stare at you . . . and you don't even have to know much spanish, they like you anyway.
At one point in the afternoon, I happened to look over at the worship station. Christine was playing guitar, singing and jumping with the kids along with Nicole who was also dancing/choreographing. The kids LOVED it - you could see how excited they were and how they were totally into it. Then I noticed Oscar - there he was dancing, singing and laughing with these kids. Oh man. Tears welled up in my eyes as I reflected on this scene. This man who has been absolutely transformed . . . this man who used to be an addict, a hit man, a violent person . . . is now rescuing children, and he's actually dancing with them, filled with the joy of Christ.
I hope I never forget that image. Oh, it was such a precious sight. What a beautiful picture of the Gospel and worship and a glimpse of heaven.
Oscar
I will seriously tell anyone who will listen to me about this man that we met . . . (well sort of - we saw him on campus) who is now the onsite director of House of Hope.
April (founder of House of Hope) briefly told us his story. Oscar came from a very dark and violent past, at one point was a hitman under Fidel Castro . . . then was transformed radically when his life was interrupted by Christ. He now rescues young girls from brothels and brings them to House of Hope. There is a documentary in the making about his life called Hit Man to Hero - and here is more about him:
This man's story is, without a doubt, the most powerful story of redemption I have ever encountered. I cannot get over it. To see God's power blatantly on display in Nicaragua through the stories of the women, Oscar, and the movement of these ministries is huge. Lives are being redeemed and transformed through the power of Christ and it is undeniable. The darkness feels overwhelming, but there is hope . . . God is working.
You can argue a lot of things, but you cannot argue a changed life. I firmly believe that with every fiber of my being.
I still just stand in awe . . . my jaw drops and I want to fall to my knees when I think about the stories and testimonies we witnessed.
When I think about him, I think about the movie Taken. Oscar actually has to communicate with spies who tell him where to go, then raids the brothels . . . wearing a ski mask and breaking down doors to rescue these girls.
It's amazing to see how God is using Oscar's past to save innocent children. Seriously - his past has equipped him for these raids, and for the dangers that he regularly faces in his job. It goes to show you that satan never has the last say . . . God can redeem any, and I mean any situation. The darkest of pasts have not only been redeemed, but are now being used to bring hope and freedom.
I still can't believe that his story is real. I don't think I'll ever get over it.
God has a way of knocking me off of my feet. Yup.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
- Romans 8:28
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
April (founder of House of Hope) briefly told us his story. Oscar came from a very dark and violent past, at one point was a hitman under Fidel Castro . . . then was transformed radically when his life was interrupted by Christ. He now rescues young girls from brothels and brings them to House of Hope. There is a documentary in the making about his life called Hit Man to Hero - and here is more about him:
Source: http://www.hitmantohero.com/
Hit Man To Hero is the true story of a 47 year old man named Oscar who was born and raised and continues to live in Nicaragua. Oscar experienced terror and hatred in his childhood and was recruited to be a soldier for the Sandinista Army in the 1970s as a young teenager. Filled with rage from abuse and violence in his life, including witnessing his brother being burned alive, Oscar sought revenge. Proud of his accomplishments with the army, Oscar was honored to be sent to Cuba to train for six years to become a General. Returning as a "hit man" for the Sandinistas, he continued to seek vengeance through violence and to search for his brother's murderers, eventually killing one of them.Oscar became a drug smuggler, an alcoholic and cocaine addict and experienced the deepest of human suffering. At the very peak of despair, Oscar searched to understand the meaning of God, and found personal strength to not only forgive himself and his enemies, but to self-rehabilitate and leave behind his life of alcohol and drugs. Oscar eventually met an American woman, April, who was on a self-awareness journey stemming from her own experience of abuse. Through this process, April was reaching out to women involved in prostitution in Nicaragua. Today, Oscar, married with three children, works with April to rescue women and children from sexual slavery. Oscar's journey teaches all of us that we have the power in our own souls to find freedom, love and beauty.
This man's story is, without a doubt, the most powerful story of redemption I have ever encountered. I cannot get over it. To see God's power blatantly on display in Nicaragua through the stories of the women, Oscar, and the movement of these ministries is huge. Lives are being redeemed and transformed through the power of Christ and it is undeniable. The darkness feels overwhelming, but there is hope . . . God is working.
You can argue a lot of things, but you cannot argue a changed life. I firmly believe that with every fiber of my being.
I still just stand in awe . . . my jaw drops and I want to fall to my knees when I think about the stories and testimonies we witnessed.
When I think about him, I think about the movie Taken. Oscar actually has to communicate with spies who tell him where to go, then raids the brothels . . . wearing a ski mask and breaking down doors to rescue these girls.
It's amazing to see how God is using Oscar's past to save innocent children. Seriously - his past has equipped him for these raids, and for the dangers that he regularly faces in his job. It goes to show you that satan never has the last say . . . God can redeem any, and I mean any situation. The darkest of pasts have not only been redeemed, but are now being used to bring hope and freedom.
I still can't believe that his story is real. I don't think I'll ever get over it.
God has a way of knocking me off of my feet. Yup.
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| Source: http://houseofhopenicaragua.com |
- Romans 8:28
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
July 23, 2012
Worlds Apart . . . part 4.3
Back to our first day at House of Hope . . .
During the tour of the girls' dorm, all that I could think was, that's it . . . I'm already extremely overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted. My brain can not take any more information, I cannot function any more . . . I cannot do this . . . it felt like I had been hit by an 18-wheeler, and it was still morning.
After our tour of the campus, we had another spa day - but this time it was for 12 women who live at House of Hope. Again - it was a beautiful presentation of the Gospel given by a few of the women on our team, amidst facials, manicures, foot washing and pedicures. As one might expect, communicating with kids in limited espanol is somewhat manageable . . . but attempting to have a conversation with these women past, "como se llama?" and "cuantos anos tienes?" was a whole different story. Needless to say, this gringo (or is it gringa?) did a lot of smiling, nodding and pointing.
During both spa days, women from our team gave their testimonies, which I really appreciated. It was so cool to see how God has been mightily at work in the people we were serving, and in the people we were serving with.
During lunch, one of the women from House of Hope shared her testimony. Once again, emotion flooded my already drained body, and I didn't know how I was going to make it through the day.
I found her amazing story on the ministry's website:
During the tour of the girls' dorm, all that I could think was, that's it . . . I'm already extremely overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted. My brain can not take any more information, I cannot function any more . . . I cannot do this . . . it felt like I had been hit by an 18-wheeler, and it was still morning.
After our tour of the campus, we had another spa day - but this time it was for 12 women who live at House of Hope. Again - it was a beautiful presentation of the Gospel given by a few of the women on our team, amidst facials, manicures, foot washing and pedicures. As one might expect, communicating with kids in limited espanol is somewhat manageable . . . but attempting to have a conversation with these women past, "como se llama?" and "cuantos anos tienes?" was a whole different story. Needless to say, this gringo (or is it gringa?) did a lot of smiling, nodding and pointing.
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| chatting before we got started |
During lunch, one of the women from House of Hope shared her testimony. Once again, emotion flooded my already drained body, and I didn't know how I was going to make it through the day.
I found her amazing story on the ministry's website:
Angela’s past is filled with pain, fear, and desperation. Angela was abandoned by her parents at a very young age and raised by her grandmother. She and her 7 brothers and sisters were forced to work. Her son was born as a product of a gang rape during her teenage years. Although Angela is educated with a college degree, the pay ($40/month) from her job as a teacher was not enough to provide for herself or her family. After the man she was living with left her, Angela was forced to look for a way to make more money. At that time, Angela was 9 months pregnant. A friend brought her to a brothel where Angela was able to earn up to $20 that day. Angela gave birth that same day and returned to the brothel one month later. Angela remained in prostitution for more than 10 years. During this time she witnessed women working alongside their daughters and decided she did not want the life of prostitution for her daughters. Angela remembers her lowest point when she was on her knees, begging the owner of the brothel (who was drunk and high) to open the brothel up to customers so that she could make some money. Angela wanted out, but she did not know what to do. At one point, she volunteered to be filmed in a documentary about prostitution in Nicaragua. The producers promised her a way out of prostitution in return for her participation, but they did not follow through on their promise. In fact, they broke their promise that the documentary would not be shown in Nicaragua and soon Angela’s story was made known to everyone in the country by television. As a result, she felt that she could not go back to work as a teacher out of fear she would be recognized. After the film was aired on TV, the other kids would harass her young daughter about her mother being a prostitute. Angela was also realizing that her lack of time with her kids was having an impact on their lives as well. She attributed her son’s addiction to drugs and alcohol and his imprisonment to consequences of the sin in her own life.Source: http://houseofhopenicaragua.com/
Angela had made several attempts to leave prostitution. She could last 3 days, sometimes a month, but she’d always return to prostitution when she’d see her children without food to eat or shoes to wear. Fortunately, Angela had come to know Christ through House of Hope and had come to understand the hope and freedom that only Jesus could offer her. One day, Angela remembers kneeling down in a cubicle in the brothel she worked at and making a vow to the Lord that that that would be the last day she would return to that place. It has been 5 years since Angela’s vow and she has not once returned to the brothel. Through the ministry at House of Hope, Angela’s daughters have food and uniforms for school now and even a scholarship for college for her oldest daughter. Her life and the lives of her children have forever been changed. And, now Angela has taken on the responsibility to share the Christ’s love women who share her past so that they too might be freed and able to experience a life filled with His love, His joy, and His provision. This is the burden the Lord has place upon her heart and it brings her great joy to see women (ex-prostitutes) experience the love of Christ.
Angela and her oldest daughter Karina are table heads at the House of Hope on Tuesday mornings. In addition, she is assistant to the card production manager at House of Hope. Angela also teaches sewing to the residents at House of Hope and helps the children with their homework. Every morning, Angela wakes up at 4:30am to get her children ready for school. She takes 3 buses to get to work. She considers it a privilege to work and give back to House of Hope.
July 22, 2012
Worlds apart . . . part 4.2(ish)
During our tour of House of Hope, we entered a girls dorm room. Vacant bunk beds lined the faded pink walls and I noticed one girl laying on a bed as Laura began describing the life of the girls here.
Someone started summoning me to her, because they knew I was "the nurse," and I couldn't help but think, oh great - another medical question or problem that I'm going to be clueless and/or helpless with . . .
As I approached her bed, I could see that the girl was covered with scabs from chickenpox. Scabs that were bleeding through the napkins that had been placed on her skin. I felt my heart start to tug. I had no idea what the girl was saying, but she was smiling and looked joyful, even as I started to well up with tears. Laura asked me what I thought, and I told her - I never work with kids, and all I really know about chickenpox is that you have to let it run it's course.
Laura explained - yes, the other girls all had it, but she's had this for two months. Take that tug on my heart and turn it into a vice grip. I told her that she probably needed some antibiotics . . . and couldn't help but think, this would never happen in the states. This girl would 1) be pampered and cared for by her parents, staying home from school and drinking chicken soup in front of the TV and 2) She would have access to plenty of doctors and treatment if she had a secondary infection like this.
Well, it was over. The dam had broke - I couldn't stop crying as Laura went on to tell of the horrors that these girls are rescued from.
In Nicaragua, many of the women don't know how to provide for their family other than prostitution . . . due to the poverty, lack of education, lack of opportunities, lack of options. And then they don't have any place to take their children while they do this work, so they take them along to the brothels. Then these girls are slowly eased into prostitution by their own mothers. These women feed their kids alcohol and substances to dull their senses and bring them into this cycle that becomes generational. I struggle with how many details to include in this blog because it is absolutely horrific and nauseating. I still cannot believe that this is a reality. These women not only drug their own children, but they usher them into a generational cycle and deliver them into the sex trade. Some of the girls are as young as 5 and 6, if not younger. Then these girls start to have their own children . . . the average age that they have kids is between 10 and 14. These children are being incredibly abused in the most abominable and appalling ways, it's unbelievable. I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around this, and when I start to think about it, I am all emotions.
This should never, ever, ever, EVER happen. As JD phrases it, a divine tuning fork rings in my soul when I hear of injustices . . . and I had never heard of anything as heinous before. It has wrecked me. It's like someone took a sledgehammer to the coronary artery. (AKA my heart shatters)
Children are a precious gift from God, and they are to be protected, loved, valued.
We were still on our tour of House of Hope . . . hope. These girls are being rescued from brothels and brought to the campus . . . where they are given opportunities to have shelter, a save haven, food, fellowship, education, and hear the Word of God.
As much as it pains me to write one more negative detail, the House of Hope is not yet recognized by the government and they cannot claim custody over the girls. This means that if/when a family member comes to the campus, they are free to take the girls away. These girls can be taken away in an instant and brought back into their previous lives . . . and the thought of this, again crushes me.
July 19, 2012
Worlds Apart . . . part 4
Monday and Tuesday were by all definition of the word . . . intense.
I will have to describe these days in several posts I'm sure.
We worked with House of Hope these days - here is a brief overview of the ministry:
We traveled down a bumpy dirt road to meet the gates of House of Hope. Once we arrived, we had a tour of the campus.
The ministry provides vocational training for the women to make and sell jewelery, cards, potato bags, ornaments, etc. They provide housing for some of the women, and have dorms for the children. They help the women and girls get access to better school and obtain uniforms. They have a micro grant program that helps the women start their own business - for example, there is a lady who now sells firewood, and other women who sell drinks. They told us that when a child has a school uniform, they are safer - people know that someone cares about that child, and if they were to go missing, someone would go looking for them.
All of the construction at House of Hope has been from short-term mission trips, they also have medical teams that come down periodically.
The housing is very modest here - but the women take pride in it. Our guide, Laura, told us that they will clean the tile floors several times a day.
Tuesdays are big days at House of Hope . . . in the morning is a worship service for the women, and they now have an attendance of over 400. Usually after service is when the women work on their vocational training/projects. April, the founder, along with Oscar (who has an amazing story) evangelize at the brothels . . . and as the ministry has grown, several of the women now evangelize as well.
Women in Nicaragua are not respected the way we are used to in the states. Poverty is so high, education is lacking, and many women do not see any option other than prostitution if they want to provide for their children. House of Hope is so wonderful for so many reasons - and these women are learning how to sell something other than themselves for the first time, due to the vocational training and micro grant programs.
more to come . . .
I will have to describe these days in several posts I'm sure.
We worked with House of Hope these days - here is a brief overview of the ministry:
In 2001, after speaking to a group of prostitutes, God began to birth a vision to help those women. The Holy Spirit confirmed the need to open a vocational center for the women and to provide them with a means to make a living and establish them in the Lord. Since that initial encounter the Lord has provided us with the land and we have built structures for job training, and housing for young girls and women with children.source: http://houseofhopenicaragua.com/
Now, after almost ten years of evangelistic outreach to prostitutes in Managua many
women have come to know Christ and a valiant group has made a stand to stop working the streets and attempt to support their families by various means, such as peddling candy and trinkets or doing laundry and ironing.
We traveled down a bumpy dirt road to meet the gates of House of Hope. Once we arrived, we had a tour of the campus.
All of the construction at House of Hope has been from short-term mission trips, they also have medical teams that come down periodically.
The housing is very modest here - but the women take pride in it. Our guide, Laura, told us that they will clean the tile floors several times a day.
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| at service |
more to come . . .
July 18, 2012
Just the facts, man
A few random things about Nicaragua and our trip . . .
- Plantains, beans and rice (also called gallo pinto) are staples . . . and also very delicious.
- 1 US Dollar = approx 23 Cordobas.
- 1 Coca-Cola = 12 Cordobas . . . and it's made with real sugar, so it was ah-mazing.
- We kept track of everyone by counting off everywhere we went . . . and by the end of the week, our team could successfully count to 17 - even in Spanish. (I was numero cinco)
- Your passport is not valid until you sign it. I did not realize this until going through security Friday morning in the wee hours of 5-something-o'clock when I almost had a heart attack. Thanks TSA, I love you too.
- The random tropical fruit that you see at the lake may be calling your name, but don't do it . . . it may come back to haunt you later.
- You don't need a prescription for anti-emetics in a third world country. who knew?
- The US brand name for Dimenhydrinate is Dramamine. Who knew?
- Electric showers are interesting.
- Sharing a bathroom with 7 other women is interesting.
- A skillet is not considered a utensil.
- Although they might be foaming at the mouth, giant ants will not eat you in your sleep.
- You can buy an iguana off the side of the street.
- Anti-bacterial hand wipes may have saved my life (or at least my sanity)
- I am terrible at bartering, however my friend Janna likes to barter mostly in English - and is very talented at this :) ("mi amigo! mi amigo! por que no?")
July 17, 2012
Worlds Apart . . . (part tres)
The education system in Nicaragua is not ideal . . . the kids only go for half a day, and a good percentage do not complete their primary schooling due to circumstances such as needing to help their parents work.
Part of the reason why One By One goes into the neighborhoods on Fridays to invite the kids to Saturday services is that it's common for them not to know what day it is . . . hence the need for constant reminders. But it also allows them to build relationships in these neighborhoods.
Saturday was pure chaos, as I like to call it :) We rode in buses to pick up the kids, which was an adventure in and of itself . . . all of those kids crammed with us on small buses - and you know how much energy they have! There was a lot of, "no comprende, no habla espanol, no se" and then a lot of smiling, nodding, and attempted hand gestures and attempted spanglish from me . . . my communication skills end after "como esta? me llamo Sarah, como se llama? cuantos anos tienes?" . . . and then I got nothin' but blank stares for you after that :)
Now, one thing I love is structure. And organization. Hah! Put me in a room full of kids and I am lost . . . so a majority of the day felt suuuuuper awkward partly because I just don't know what to do with kids. Give me a game, give me structure, or even the ability to communicate - something to work with here! But nope - these kids were absolutely thrilled to run around a big room with no toys, no games, no technology, no TV, just each other and our team. Before I knew it, I had little ones jumping on my back, asking to be picked up, running and screaming . . . what else are you gonna do? Just roll with it!
The children's service felt like any American kids church service . . . except I had no idea what they were saying. Wait! I understood the words ninos and ninas. boom.
Then it was more bus rides after the service . . . and back to the church. One of the women on the team had put together a spa day for the volunteers at the church, which was such a wonderful idea. Amidst facials, pedicures and hand massages was a beautiful presentation of the Gospel and God's love for these women. It was an honor to serve them this way. Later in the afternoon was the youth service, and some of us babysat the younger kids during this time - which again put me out of my comfort zone - but somehow it all worked out.
Conversing with other team members on the front steps of the church, I started to see something . . . In this culture, poverty is not only prevalent, but it's a cycle. These kids are born into poverty, a large percentage do not complete schooling, they drop out to work with their parents . . . then they start to have their own kids, and the pattern continues. There is no hope or desire to change because there are no other options. But this is all they know - and they are content.
That baffled me, and again I found my brain unable to absorb information. America is the land of opportunity . . . how many stories have we seen of people from poverty and humble roots becoming successful? There are endless opportunities to get an education, further your education, and endless work fields. We teach our children to reach for the stars and that they can do anything they put their mind to or can dream up. Obnoxious white girls become chart-topping pop stars (or at least gain some fame on youtube). You can be famous just for being famous. You can enroll yourself in clinical trials for extra cash.
In that moment, I found myself thinking. . . I could not be happy without an education or a job where I felt I was using my skills and abilities. Or could I? What if I grew up in this culture and this was all I knew too? What if I didn't know any different? What if all I knew was Nicaragua?
Well, shoot - that changes things a bit. My perspective was changing . . . and I was starting to see more and more how God is all we truly need for joy. I could start to see that while I deeply believe that I could not be happy without an education, that's a flawed belief.
These kids . . . they have nothing, but they are happier than the kids in America who are so entitled, materialistic and self-centered. That afternoon I started to look around at the people at the neighborhood park. This park, compared to the parks in America, was very run down. Grafitti and litter was everywhere. But do you know what we saw? Kids and teenagers playing basketball, street soccer, going down slides piled on top of each other . . . and they were laughing and smiling just like kids that you would see in your neighborhood. No one looked sad or upset at the state of the street, park, buildings or circumstances surrounding us. This is their life. And it's what they know.
Part of the reason why One By One goes into the neighborhoods on Fridays to invite the kids to Saturday services is that it's common for them not to know what day it is . . . hence the need for constant reminders. But it also allows them to build relationships in these neighborhoods.
Saturday was pure chaos, as I like to call it :) We rode in buses to pick up the kids, which was an adventure in and of itself . . . all of those kids crammed with us on small buses - and you know how much energy they have! There was a lot of, "no comprende, no habla espanol, no se" and then a lot of smiling, nodding, and attempted hand gestures and attempted spanglish from me . . . my communication skills end after "como esta? me llamo Sarah, como se llama? cuantos anos tienes?" . . . and then I got nothin' but blank stares for you after that :)
Now, one thing I love is structure. And organization. Hah! Put me in a room full of kids and I am lost . . . so a majority of the day felt suuuuuper awkward partly because I just don't know what to do with kids. Give me a game, give me structure, or even the ability to communicate - something to work with here! But nope - these kids were absolutely thrilled to run around a big room with no toys, no games, no technology, no TV, just each other and our team. Before I knew it, I had little ones jumping on my back, asking to be picked up, running and screaming . . . what else are you gonna do? Just roll with it!
The children's service felt like any American kids church service . . . except I had no idea what they were saying. Wait! I understood the words ninos and ninas. boom.
Then it was more bus rides after the service . . . and back to the church. One of the women on the team had put together a spa day for the volunteers at the church, which was such a wonderful idea. Amidst facials, pedicures and hand massages was a beautiful presentation of the Gospel and God's love for these women. It was an honor to serve them this way. Later in the afternoon was the youth service, and some of us babysat the younger kids during this time - which again put me out of my comfort zone - but somehow it all worked out.
That baffled me, and again I found my brain unable to absorb information. America is the land of opportunity . . . how many stories have we seen of people from poverty and humble roots becoming successful? There are endless opportunities to get an education, further your education, and endless work fields. We teach our children to reach for the stars and that they can do anything they put their mind to or can dream up. Obnoxious white girls become chart-topping pop stars (or at least gain some fame on youtube). You can be famous just for being famous. You can enroll yourself in clinical trials for extra cash.
In that moment, I found myself thinking. . . I could not be happy without an education or a job where I felt I was using my skills and abilities. Or could I? What if I grew up in this culture and this was all I knew too? What if I didn't know any different? What if all I knew was Nicaragua?
Well, shoot - that changes things a bit. My perspective was changing . . . and I was starting to see more and more how God is all we truly need for joy. I could start to see that while I deeply believe that I could not be happy without an education, that's a flawed belief.
These kids . . . they have nothing, but they are happier than the kids in America who are so entitled, materialistic and self-centered. That afternoon I started to look around at the people at the neighborhood park. This park, compared to the parks in America, was very run down. Grafitti and litter was everywhere. But do you know what we saw? Kids and teenagers playing basketball, street soccer, going down slides piled on top of each other . . . and they were laughing and smiling just like kids that you would see in your neighborhood. No one looked sad or upset at the state of the street, park, buildings or circumstances surrounding us. This is their life. And it's what they know.
Worlds Apart (part two)
The Nicaragua adventure/storytelling continues . . .
We arrived to Managua on a friday afternoon . . . I remember at the airport, it didn't feel like we were in a foreign country. I felt like we were still in Miami . . .
We quickly got acquainted with our shuttle bus and wonderful driver (who would be our BFF for the next 8 days). Driving through the city, I noticed the graffiti that covered almost every square inch, the abundance of trash, people walking in the street in between cars, and multitude of overcrowded old school buses, which serve as the main form of transportation.
The vegetation in the country is gorgeous. The city itself is not beautiful, but there was an abundance of green all around us. The house we stayed in was surrounded by mango, avocado, plantain and palm trees.
Our first stop was a church in Managua that One By One works through. This ministry primarily works with the children and youth in Nicaragua . . . their vision is to reach the next generation with the transforming message of the Gospel, and in 3 1/2 years God has worked through them to make a significant impact in the community. Some of the ministry we got to see included children's and youth services on Saturday and VBS/afterschool programs throughout the week in different locations.
Our first task was to go out into neighborhoods and invite kids to their Saturday services. Their staff has established relationships in the community, and you could tell - walking down the streets, some of these kids would just flock to the staff members we were with.
This was my first encounter with this degree of poverty. However, the particular neighborhood we were in wasn't the most poor. The roads did have some pavement, but there was litter everywhere and trash being burned in the street. We went into one house - entering through a small gate, into an open area with dirt floor, there was a small sink for laundry, clothes hung up to dry, a small stove/open fire for cooking, and one or two rooms that had cover. Dirt seemed to cover everything. I saw these living conditions in front of me, but it didn't seem real. It was as if my eyes were drinking it in, but my brain could not process the fact that a family lived here. It seemed surreal.
I was out of my comfort zone the entire trip, which was a good thing. Not only could I not communicate with the natives (thank God we had 4-5 spanish speakers on the team), (which made it interesting trying to order a subway sandwich and ice cream - tasks that you don't normally think about until you have to try in another language :) . . . oh, my spanglish must have been awesome) but kids generally make me nervous, then being in a foreign environment, different culture, different food and with 17 different personalities - all of these things woven together made for an eventful 9 days!
Speaking of food, I will say that I LOVE plantains (tostones and cheese was my favorite food), the fruit over there was amazing, and don't get me started about the coffee . . . :)
We arrived to Managua on a friday afternoon . . . I remember at the airport, it didn't feel like we were in a foreign country. I felt like we were still in Miami . . .
 |
| all 17 of us :) |
The vegetation in the country is gorgeous. The city itself is not beautiful, but there was an abundance of green all around us. The house we stayed in was surrounded by mango, avocado, plantain and palm trees.
Our first stop was a church in Managua that One By One works through. This ministry primarily works with the children and youth in Nicaragua . . . their vision is to reach the next generation with the transforming message of the Gospel, and in 3 1/2 years God has worked through them to make a significant impact in the community. Some of the ministry we got to see included children's and youth services on Saturday and VBS/afterschool programs throughout the week in different locations.
Our first task was to go out into neighborhoods and invite kids to their Saturday services. Their staff has established relationships in the community, and you could tell - walking down the streets, some of these kids would just flock to the staff members we were with.
This was my first encounter with this degree of poverty. However, the particular neighborhood we were in wasn't the most poor. The roads did have some pavement, but there was litter everywhere and trash being burned in the street. We went into one house - entering through a small gate, into an open area with dirt floor, there was a small sink for laundry, clothes hung up to dry, a small stove/open fire for cooking, and one or two rooms that had cover. Dirt seemed to cover everything. I saw these living conditions in front of me, but it didn't seem real. It was as if my eyes were drinking it in, but my brain could not process the fact that a family lived here. It seemed surreal.
I was out of my comfort zone the entire trip, which was a good thing. Not only could I not communicate with the natives (thank God we had 4-5 spanish speakers on the team), (which made it interesting trying to order a subway sandwich and ice cream - tasks that you don't normally think about until you have to try in another language :) . . . oh, my spanglish must have been awesome) but kids generally make me nervous, then being in a foreign environment, different culture, different food and with 17 different personalities - all of these things woven together made for an eventful 9 days!
Speaking of food, I will say that I LOVE plantains (tostones and cheese was my favorite food), the fruit over there was amazing, and don't get me started about the coffee . . . :)
July 16, 2012
Can't stop won't stop
Oh man . . . I'm telling you, after abandoning this blog for 5 months, it's going to blow up. So many thoughts are constantly running through my mind and I just can't stop . . .
Before going on the trip, I was hoping that it would impact me, I asked God to open my eyes, to change me and to turn my world upside-down. I hoped that I would never forget what He was about to show me.
Well, He certainly delivered! Now I can't stop thinking about Nicaragua. Last week, which was the first week of being back, was very difficult. I was emotional about it nearly every day . . . I hoped that being busy at work would get my mind off of it, but that failed.
Anyway, I do have a point. I think.
One of the hardest things for me to process has been the question - "now what?"
Now that my eyes have been opened, now that I have had a perspective change, how will my life change?
I see how much God has given me, and it's overwhelming. This trip strengthened my faith, we saw amazing demonstrations of God's power and transformed lives. More than ever, I see the sovereignty of God and I believe that He placed me here for a reason and that He has blessed me so that I may be a blessing to others. But what does that mean?
I believe that I have a responsibility . . . but what exactly does that look like? When I look at the map of third world countries and think about the extreme poverty, underdevelopment and social injustice, I am knocked off of my feet. I feel paralyzed and overwhelmed. I can no longer walk in ignorance, I cannot turn a blind eye to these situations that I am now aware of.
As much as I wish I could, I cannot change the world. I cannot end pain and suffering and injustice. There are so many things that I will never be able to comprehend on this side of eternity.
In the midst of the chaos and ocean of overwhelming-ness, I see things that God is bringing to light. How can I leverage my life, time, resources, etc. to bless others? For one, the trip helped me overcome several fears - one of which was how awkward I feel around kids! I now have more of a heart for them, which is awesome. I also want to learn spanish, and actually get serious about managing my budget. If God showed me all of the changes and how my entire life was going to pan out right now, it's too much to take in. Maybe He is showing me one piece at a time, and giving me opportunities and new passions gradually . . . because, after all, I'm only human.
Another thing that I am passionate about is the perspective change. I see so many things that we chase after that are cheap, momentary and empty. I actually went almost 2 weeks without the gym and you know what? I not only survived, but I still fit into my pants. Who would've thought?!
But seriously . . . I am preaching this to myself and anyone who stumbles upon this blog - please ask yourself: What am I pursuing in life?
What are you spending your time, your energy, your resources on? Is there something that you feel if you don't obtain it, life will be empty?
Do you feel that if you don't get married, life will be unfulfilled? What about having a respectful career? Having the acceptance and approval of others? Security? Comfort? Material things? Fun and partying? A hot body? Boys? (now I feel like I'm making a list of how to take down Regina George)
These things are not bad in and of themselves, but when we give them ultimate weight and authority in our lives, we become enslaved to them. Nothing in this world can satisfy or fulfill us the way that they promise . . . if you don't obtain these things, you are filled with despair, and if you do obtain them, there will come a time when they disappoint and you find that the satisfaction it promised you is null and void.
Don't get me wrong . . . marriage, family, finances, a good job, material possessions - all of these things are gifts from God and they are beautiful. I desire these things too. It's only when we make those things the primary pursuit of our lives and feel as though we cannot live without them is when it becomes dangerous.
I'm writing this to remind you and myself - all we truly need is God. He is the only one who can give us true life and true joy - and He does not disappoint. God has a life for you and I so much richer and deeper than anything the world promises!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
- Hebrews 12:1-2
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
-John 10:10
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’"
-Acts 17:24-28
Before going on the trip, I was hoping that it would impact me, I asked God to open my eyes, to change me and to turn my world upside-down. I hoped that I would never forget what He was about to show me.
Well, He certainly delivered! Now I can't stop thinking about Nicaragua. Last week, which was the first week of being back, was very difficult. I was emotional about it nearly every day . . . I hoped that being busy at work would get my mind off of it, but that failed.
Anyway, I do have a point. I think.
One of the hardest things for me to process has been the question - "now what?"
Now that my eyes have been opened, now that I have had a perspective change, how will my life change?
I see how much God has given me, and it's overwhelming. This trip strengthened my faith, we saw amazing demonstrations of God's power and transformed lives. More than ever, I see the sovereignty of God and I believe that He placed me here for a reason and that He has blessed me so that I may be a blessing to others. But what does that mean?
I believe that I have a responsibility . . . but what exactly does that look like? When I look at the map of third world countries and think about the extreme poverty, underdevelopment and social injustice, I am knocked off of my feet. I feel paralyzed and overwhelmed. I can no longer walk in ignorance, I cannot turn a blind eye to these situations that I am now aware of.
As much as I wish I could, I cannot change the world. I cannot end pain and suffering and injustice. There are so many things that I will never be able to comprehend on this side of eternity.
In the midst of the chaos and ocean of overwhelming-ness, I see things that God is bringing to light. How can I leverage my life, time, resources, etc. to bless others? For one, the trip helped me overcome several fears - one of which was how awkward I feel around kids! I now have more of a heart for them, which is awesome. I also want to learn spanish, and actually get serious about managing my budget. If God showed me all of the changes and how my entire life was going to pan out right now, it's too much to take in. Maybe He is showing me one piece at a time, and giving me opportunities and new passions gradually . . . because, after all, I'm only human.
Another thing that I am passionate about is the perspective change. I see so many things that we chase after that are cheap, momentary and empty. I actually went almost 2 weeks without the gym and you know what? I not only survived, but I still fit into my pants. Who would've thought?!
But seriously . . . I am preaching this to myself and anyone who stumbles upon this blog - please ask yourself: What am I pursuing in life?
What are you spending your time, your energy, your resources on? Is there something that you feel if you don't obtain it, life will be empty?
Do you feel that if you don't get married, life will be unfulfilled? What about having a respectful career? Having the acceptance and approval of others? Security? Comfort? Material things? Fun and partying? A hot body? Boys? (now I feel like I'm making a list of how to take down Regina George)
These things are not bad in and of themselves, but when we give them ultimate weight and authority in our lives, we become enslaved to them. Nothing in this world can satisfy or fulfill us the way that they promise . . . if you don't obtain these things, you are filled with despair, and if you do obtain them, there will come a time when they disappoint and you find that the satisfaction it promised you is null and void.
Don't get me wrong . . . marriage, family, finances, a good job, material possessions - all of these things are gifts from God and they are beautiful. I desire these things too. It's only when we make those things the primary pursuit of our lives and feel as though we cannot live without them is when it becomes dangerous.
I'm writing this to remind you and myself - all we truly need is God. He is the only one who can give us true life and true joy - and He does not disappoint. God has a life for you and I so much richer and deeper than anything the world promises!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
- Hebrews 12:1-2
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
-John 10:10
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’"
-Acts 17:24-28
July 15, 2012
Worlds Apart . . . (part one)
Alright . . . time to revive this blog, at least for the time being.
This is my attempt to share my experiences in Nicaragua during a week-long mission trip that I took with a group of awesome people from my church, The Summit :)
It may be a long series of posts because we saw so much and it has impacted me more than I anticipated . . . so be forewarned :)
I'll start at the beginning . . . I knew it was time for me to get a little out of my comfort zone and had been wanting to take a short term trip for a while. So, I took the leap and decided to apply for this trip . . . and a short time later, not only did I make the team, but support came pouring in much faster and abundantly than I could have expected.
God really paved the way right from the start and He humbled me so much in the months leading up to the trip. I honestly didn't know what I could have contributed on the trip - I don't speak spanish, I never work with kids (the trip was mainly geared towards kids) and there was no medical aspect of the trip. Awesome! I really saw God orchestrate the trip, so I knew there had to be a reason I was there.
Not only was this my first mission trip, but it was my first time out of the country.
This was the description of the trip from the beginning:
Work with a ministry that focuses on neighborhoods and works to rescue and restore innocent children who have been forced into slavery and sex-trafficking. Specific activities will be established based on the skill set of the team and may include outreach to street kids and street ladies, feeding the hungry, missionary care, medical projects, mechanic projects, building projects, and Nicaraguan local church connections.
We also would have the opportunity to work with a ministry that reaches out to prostitutes. Shortly after I applied, I found out there wouldn't be a be a medical aspect, and most of it would be VBS programs throughout the week.
Here are a few facts about the country:
All of these things were just words on a page at the time . . . I wanted to be completely open to whatever God had in store for this trip. I just didn't know the gravity of what we would see in that country, and what it would be like seeing this things face-to-face, even in just a week.
Please take a moment to check out these amazing ministries and people we got to work with . . .
House of Hope Nicaragua: http://houseofhopenicaragua.com/
One By One: http://theinnocent.org/
Oscar's Story: http://www.hitmantohero.com/
More posts to follow . . .
This is my attempt to share my experiences in Nicaragua during a week-long mission trip that I took with a group of awesome people from my church, The Summit :)
It may be a long series of posts because we saw so much and it has impacted me more than I anticipated . . . so be forewarned :)
I'll start at the beginning . . . I knew it was time for me to get a little out of my comfort zone and had been wanting to take a short term trip for a while. So, I took the leap and decided to apply for this trip . . . and a short time later, not only did I make the team, but support came pouring in much faster and abundantly than I could have expected.
God really paved the way right from the start and He humbled me so much in the months leading up to the trip. I honestly didn't know what I could have contributed on the trip - I don't speak spanish, I never work with kids (the trip was mainly geared towards kids) and there was no medical aspect of the trip. Awesome! I really saw God orchestrate the trip, so I knew there had to be a reason I was there.
Not only was this my first mission trip, but it was my first time out of the country.
This was the description of the trip from the beginning:
Work with a ministry that focuses on neighborhoods and works to rescue and restore innocent children who have been forced into slavery and sex-trafficking. Specific activities will be established based on the skill set of the team and may include outreach to street kids and street ladies, feeding the hungry, missionary care, medical projects, mechanic projects, building projects, and Nicaraguan local church connections.
We also would have the opportunity to work with a ministry that reaches out to prostitutes. Shortly after I applied, I found out there wouldn't be a be a medical aspect, and most of it would be VBS programs throughout the week.
Here are a few facts about the country:
- 1 in 3 children are affected by some kind of malnutrition
- Adolescent pregnancies count for one of every four births
- Only 29% of children complete their primary schooling
- Child labor affects more than 167,000 children and youth
- 45% of the population is under 15 years of age
-
45% of the population lives on less than $1 a day making Nicaragua the
poorest country in Central America and the second poorest country in the
Western Hemisphere
- 60% of human trafficking victims in the Western Hemisphere are from Nicaragua
All of these things were just words on a page at the time . . . I wanted to be completely open to whatever God had in store for this trip. I just didn't know the gravity of what we would see in that country, and what it would be like seeing this things face-to-face, even in just a week.
Please take a moment to check out these amazing ministries and people we got to work with . . .
House of Hope Nicaragua: http://houseofhopenicaragua.com/
One By One: http://theinnocent.org/
Oscar's Story: http://www.hitmantohero.com/
 | |||
| Blue = First World Countries, Red = Second World, Green = Third World. Source: Wikipedia |
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