It’s hot, hot, hot in Nicaragua. Somehow I think that I trick myself when I’m not here and pretend that it’s really not that hot, but with the humidity wowzers – it is pretty steamy.
The group has survived the day. Besides a little bit of delay in Atlanta, we’ve had a smooth start to the trip. We left at 3:30 this morning and some didn’t sleep last night so needless to say people are tired. It’s only 8:30 pm here and people are showering and getting into bed. This is not one of those trips where you’re eased into some of the stark contrasts of life back home and life in Nicaragua. When you walk out of the airport it’s immediately a different ballgame. The students handled all of it with eyes wide open. Yes, some tiredness, but I trust that they’ll sleep tonight and wake up refreshed and ready to rock and roll in the morning.
My mom and Mike’s mom are watching are two children, Enoch and Evy while we’re on this trip and as my mom
was trying to explain to them where we were this morning she told them that we were in Nicaragua going on a long trip. She told them we were coming to help people, to bring medicine and clothes and money, and to work and learn. Enoch said something that I think speaks to how some of us think about this stuff sometimes. He said, “But it’s our money.” It is our money. And it is our time. And it is our energy and sleeplessness right about now, but I’m glad that these students are willing to give it. I look forward to teaching Enoch and Evy about the world community that we live in and how blessed each of us is. I look forward to teaching him that sharing our resources and giving what we have is not just the right thing to do, but it’s essential. It’s Christ-like. It’s what it means to be Church with all of our brothers and sisters around the world.
We haven’t done a lot of processing at this point and I don’t think any of us were in the state of mind to do a reflection tonight, but I do know that you can’t come to this country and see these people and feel their spirit and go away unchanged. If you actually intentionally seek to learn and engage and open yourselves up – not only will God show up and walk with you every step of the way, you will discover things about your self and the people around you that you will cherish.
I’ve seen God in the group h
elping each other in the midst of chaos collecting bags in customs, loading bags onto the bus, and creating an assembly line getting the bags inside. I’ve seen God in the times of fellowship and gathering with old friends and new. I’ve seen God in the faces of our group members and those that we’ve met so far. This is going to be a great trip and hopefully something transformative for each of us.
Thanks for your prayers and support! It’s not just “our” money or “our” prayers but all of ours together that can change the world!
=0), Narcie
To find out more about the CDCA - www.jhc-cdca.org/ Love these folks who put not just their money but their lives where there mouths are all the time!!
