Dios es Bueno, Todo el Tiempo

This week Pastor Emmanuel has been teaching us to say God is good, all the time in spanish and we respond, "all the time, God is good".  It is especially fun to watch Lori try and say it as she is almost always a word or two behind.  Each morning we begin by repeating this phrase back and forth to each other.  It is amazing to see how even phrases we use in America are popular here, reinforcing that we aren't as far apart as we always try to imagine we are.

Friday was our last day with the children and we were so sad to see them go, but also excited for all that their mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers have made in the sewing classes.  Some of the children came to the church wearing the dresses and shorts that the women had made earlier in the week.  In this picture, the little boy and youngest girl are wearing shorts that were made earlier in the week.  The oldest girl is wearing the dress and matching headband her mother made Monday.

Bible school was bittersweet time as we made necklaces with the children and talked about the good samaritan.  Each of the children pay attention when the lesson is being given.  We are beginning to know them all by name.  It is especially moving to see so many of our team comfortable engaging with the people despite the language barrier.  On the first day with the children, there was an awkwardness that surrounded approaching the people and attempting a language we didn't understand.  It has been most humbling to find that the people want to communicate with us as much as we want to speak with them.  They are more than willing to help us learn and graciously look over our mistakes.

CJ brought his spanish-english dictionary on Friday and spoke for a while with a group of boys who passed by and were not initially part of our project.  They paused en route outside the church gate and the next time we looked over, CJ had all the boys inside the gate and they were teaching each other with the dictionary how to speak to one another.  God can always make a way when there seems to be no way.

Each morning we get up, eat breakfast and climb into our spacious mystery machine and drive to the Buen Samaratino (Good Samaritan) Church.  Remember the lovely mystery machine from Scooby Doo?  That is what our maroon van looks like each morning when it pulls up to the curb.  Full of promise for the days adventures, we actually fit.....perhaps I should say squeeze 22 people onto this van.  Packed tighter than a jar of pickles we don't really worry about seat belts because, well, there aren't any.  This would perhaps not be as scary if the people here observed turn laws but everyone seems to turn with the spirit......meaning you turn and pray to the Lord that there's no one else who decided to turn from an opposite direction.  Our mystery machine comes equipped with courtesy seats so that we actually sit 4 to a row instead of merely 3. It also has the best air conditioning around.........when the windows are open and we are moving that is.  We took a picture on the first day to show all of you at home what exactly traveling in style looks like in Managua..........

Today marks our halfway point in the mission.  Each  morning when we arrive at the church, Pastor Emmanuel leads us in praise and worship while his son Humberto plays the guitar.  Pastor Emmanuel gives us a brief thought or two on various passages of the bible and then JD takes over and leads all of us in adult bible study.  This week he has been preaching on John Wesley's three simple rules.  Yesterday was rule number 1: Do No Harm.  While JD preaches, our translator Rigoberto gives the sermon in Spanish for all the community that has come.  Today we heard about the second rule: Do Good.  JD did a very good job and was conscientious to include examples of well known Nicaraguans to help draw the community more fully into the lesson.  At the end, Lori was invited to speak since every aspect of this mission has been her idea and has been in her prayers.  JD closed the service by blessing the sewing machines that the women will use for the next year.

Bible School had just as many children today as yesterday.  We sang many songs and made God's Eyes for a craft.  The children learned the 10 commandments as Andy announced like a game show host and 10 women played the part of Vana White.  Undeniably, the best part of the day is the free time we spend with the children and their families at the end of each afternoon.  The girls grow especially close to all of us and desire to make friends with everyone they meet.  Each one has the face of God.  

Our devotion for the evening was centered around judgements.  Who is the leaper in our society?  Homeless, illegal immigrants, muslims community.......who do we fail to see with the eyes of christ?  Are we the leapers?  In America we have so much and there is undeniably a push to be the best or have the best?  Does this make our hearts clean or just cloud our purpose here on earth?  Sometimes I feel that the women who make our lunch each day with one stove and one pot might laugh to enter an American kitchen. 


"What is this for?" they would ask.
"Oh, that's a pressure cooker.......it cooks food," we'd respond.
"And this?" they'd continue.
"That's a crock pot........it cooks food too," we'd explain.
"And this?"
"That's a microwave.....it cooks FOOD," we'd elaborate feeling a little exasperated that they didn't seem to understand what all these devices in the kitchen were for.
"So does this work?" they'd say pointing to the stove.
"Yes, the oven works fine." we'd say, probably looking at them like they were crazy for not understanding at this point in the conversation.


But who is truly the one who fails to understand?  Perhaps it is us for not realizing at times how much we have, and that what we have clutters our life and makes it difficult to store up our treasures in heaven.  Perhaps we are strange for 'needing' so much to be happy- for thinking that 4 kitchen apparatuses which perform the same task are necessary.  I find it ironic that we go on mission to be closer to God.  I believe sometimes we lose sight of his face in the clutter of materialism we surround ourselves in.  Essentially, we at heart recognize that happiness and closeness with God is not found in what we own but what we give of ourselves to others.

Siesta: Every day, Any Way

Nicaragua runs on what some call "banana time".  You may plan all you want but in the end you will leave and accomplish tasks when the spirit moves.  This means all that you do is approached with a mindset of flexibility.  There is ample time each day to enjoy each other's company and fellowship.  There is also time to siesta (nap).  Every day, any way you can it is good to fit a little rest into your routine.  Alejandro is a two year old boy who has been attending our bible school each day.  He comes early so his mother can take advantage of the sewing classes in the morning.  Even he finds time to siesta.........

We had twice as many women present for the sewing classes today.  As word reaches people of what we are doing, more and more come to learn.  The women patterned and sewed a dress today.  They are always attentive and willing to learn.  It is such a blessing to continue to watch Delphine, Ann, and Sandra instruct the women and complete new projects each day.  While the women sew, our local knitting expert, Monisha, has been teaching Miranda, Connie and Farah to knit.  Likewise, Steve has been teaching Lacey, Teranne, and Barbara how to crochet.  While the women sew, the other half of our team enjoys the fellowship of our knitting circle.  It is a blessing to see how each person contributes to the group.  

Bible School also saw increased numbers, so many we had trouble fitting them all around the tables we  had set up.  More and more children come with their friends everyday.  We taught them how to make a star out of string for the story of the Magi.  The children were extremely animated and taught us how to sing Jesus Loves the Little Children, Father Abraham, and the Monkey Song with hand motions.  We all were able to participate and they love to see us try and speak their language (even if we do butcher it).  We ended the afternoon in free time where girls had their fingernails painted by Connie, Farah, Lacey, and Lauren.  Teranne braided three heads of hair in french braids while Steve made balloon animals for all the boys and CJ created beats with the boys on the Djembe (drum).  

After leaving for the day, our group went home to prepare to go out to eat.  Our Pink Ladies all showed up for dinner looking lovely and inadvertently matching.  Barbara tends to be our ring leader with her pink sunglasses.  We ate wonderful food and enjoyed the music provided by a lone man and his guitar on the front porch of the restaurant.  When he started playing La Bamba, of course the whole table erupted into song and started dancing in our seats.  Then Lacey requested the Macarena and a few of us found ourselves dancing out on the floor.  I'm sure all who saw us were thinking, "Those crazy Americans!"  Even Charlie's Angels showed up!  All in all, we had more laughs and enjoyment from just being with each other than ever before on this trip.  

God continues to move in the hearts of the people of Nicaragua and in the hearts of our team.  Today helped us grow closer to each other and to learn more about each other.  I know that God has placed each member of our team here for a reason.  There doesn't seem to be any situation that we don't have a person gifted to help or instruct.  We feel so blessed and it is evident that God has been preparing this team for the betterment of his kingdom for a long time.  As a team, we stand amazed at his majesty and glory in his presence.  

Comparte!

"Wait wait wait!""Share......hold it...stopo...share....ahhhhhhhhh!  ANDY!!!!!!!! (our best translator) "How do you say share?"

"Comparte" Andy said.

We had just dumped a whole box of flower foam stickers in the middle of a group for 15 kids in the craft room.  They attacked the pile of stickers like ants to a chocolate chip cookie.  In our panic to make sure the kids didn't knock each other out, our broken spanglish did nothing to phase the ensuing chaos in front of us.  Eventually the dust settled and we were able to help the kids finish their prayer boxes (las cajes de oracion) we made for crafts at the children's VBS again today.  We ended our time with the children by singing songs together in spanish and blowing bubbles.  

Our day began with JD (pastor at New Hope UMC in OKC) leading an adult bible study over the evolution of Methodism and John Wesley.  After the bible study, we pulled out the sewing machines and Delphine, Sandra, and Ann taught the women how to pattern and sew a pair of drawstring shorts and a hand bag.  The women left very proud and excited about what they had learned.  All team members were amazed that even though a communication barrier exists, it doesn't seem to keep us from accomplishing tasks together as brothers and sisters in Christ.  Each day, we are learn a little more and the people are both paciente (patient) and amable (kind) with us as we grow.  

Most of our day was spent with the children and I would be remiss if I didn't tell you they are the best part of the day.  Their smiles and eagerness to interact with you is heartwarming.  One child shared with us that she is currently waiting on her mom to be able to afford the right shoes for her to go to school.  There are so many people who struggle here but to interact with them, you would think that they are the most blessed people in the world. They are so excited to see us manana a los dos (tomorrow at 2).  We exchanged hugs and excited goodbyes as we left each other.  

Tomorrow will have so much in store for us as we grow closer together in fellowship with each other and God.  Today was filled with so many opportunities to learn about each other and the people we are serving.  God is truly moving in awesome ways.  

Kabaam!

Our team arrived safely in Nicaragua today around lunch.  We were so excited to see the people and meet with the leaders from the church we will be working in this week.  Our team left from OKC and Tulsa this morning at 6 am and we were all enthusiastic about the opportunity to have our lives changed by what God has in store for us this week.

After checking in and eating a delicious lunch at our hotel, Casa San Juan, we were able to sit down and speak with Pastor Francisco and Pastor Rosa from Villa Roma Church.  Both leaders were enthusiastic as Lori, Luisa, Andy, Lacey, Teranne, Lauren, JD, and Cindy sat down in community with them and our VIM Coordinator Rigoberto.  We discussed the coming events for the week and how we plan to be in partnership with the people of Villa Roma Church in the future.  Lori had a fun moment discussing the purchase of gas to help prepare our lunch tomorrow.  Our translator said, "Petro" and Lori said,"oh no, no Kabaam!" while she spread her hands out wide.

Tomorrow through Thursday, our group will begin each day with JD leading an adult bible study.  We will then host a sewing class for women in the community to learn how to make a dress, shorts, and a purse.  Our seamstresses Delphine, Sandy, and Ann will be teaching the classes with the help of our translators.  Each afternoon after lunch we will host a two hour VBS coordinated by Luisa and carried out with the help of other team members.  We will end with a one hour free time spent with the children before returning to our hotel.

God is truly blessing our time together in Nicaragua.  Continue to pray for our team as we meet more members of the Managua community tomorrow and continue to further the kingdom of God.