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?")

oh blurg.

Just a few random thoughts today . . .

In this country, most of us walk around without realizing our need for God. Think about it - how many resources do you have at your fingertips? I don't have to struggle or fight to have food on my table, or to pay my bills. I have a roof over my head, air conditioning, my own car, access to just about everything via networking and the internet, if I drive 5 minutes down the street I can buy anything I want at the grocery store. And even if I don't have the money, I do have a credit card - so I can still buy things.

How often do I depend on God to get me through the day? It's easier to focus on the small inconveniences and frustrations or "first world problems" that we have . . . the barista at Starbucks taking too long to make our latte, the lines at the grocery store, rush hour traffic. Rarely do I realize how desperately I need my Father and how He, the Creator and sustainer, is the one who provides every single thing - and without Him I have nothing.

So often we as Americans not only walk around as if we don't need God, but when we do realize we need God, we warp that into believing that He is not enough. Sure, God provided us a way out of hell and He gave us the gift of life, but it's not enough . . . we "need" that relationship, we need people to like us, we need a certain salary, we need to look hot in our jeans, we need to be comfortable.

 This trip to Nicaragua has impacted me more deeply and on more levels than I could have anticipated. I get emotional looking at all of the blessings He has provided me, and also at how they are not truly needed for joy or life. The second day back in the country, I cried at how clean this city is, how it smells good here, how I have a car to drive and nice clothes to wear.

More than ever, I realize that everything we are given is sheer grace. I did not do anything to deserve the loving family I was raised in, the job I have, the friends He has placed in my life, the amazing people who speak truth into my life on the regular, my health and safety . . . I could go on and on. I am so grateful for all of these things, but I realize more how much God is all we truly need. The people in Nicaragua are in such dire circumstances, and words cannot describe the struggles that they face every day. Yet, God is working over there - they have such a deep relationship with Him, and I think that they experience deeper joy than we do over here.

"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer