Day Eight Recap

We left Chinandega at 7am, with Hamilton driving us south.  We stopped in Leon to pick up  Ricardo and continued south to Manague to visit Barb (and Cindy) in the hospital.  Barb looked great! Sitting up in bed. Smile on her face. Questions for us about LaJoya. I doubt the hospital has had a more pleasant patient, or a more caring, thorough BFF.  The last update we had was that the two of them would fly home on Monday with a contingency to have a visiting nurse meet them in Houston.

Then we continued south to Grenada, Nicaragua's oldest community.  We had lunch and then went to the top of a Cathedral for the view, even one-legged Ricardo and scared-of-heights Mary (Poppins) went to the top. Amazing view.

We stopped at the market at Masaya to leave some American money in the local economy.  A Mary Poppins wooden figurine was spotted, purchased and given to the real Mary Poppins of our team.  Just ask Mary for the story, or Jamie.

We are currently at the Aeropueto Managua waiting for our 12:40pm flight to Houston (and ran into some people from Faith Baptist Church in Adrian.)

Great trip. Ready to be home.

As we prepare to leave the hotel in Chinandega where we have stayed as we labored at LaJoya, we each have different emotions ...

This bit of writing from another source aptly describes our variety of feelings as we travel further and further away the little village of LaJoya, which in Spanish means "Jewell."

You're more precious than you know. What makes a gemstone so priceless? Rarity--whether from short natural supply, craftsmanship, or nostalgic or symbolic meaning--makes certain gems, stones and jewels precious. Thus the value of a stone depends on its existence, its form, and its context. Similarly, at birth you were given many valuable gifts, starting with your precious life that makes all of your experiences possible. Your form is another precious gift. This work of art, your exquisite physical body, possesses built-in processes and systems more detailed and astounding than will ever be fully known. Science cannot make a more perfect body. And you've been gifted with context--a living story that will take you on more adventures than any fiction writer could ever conceive. No one sees the world as you do. You alone synthesize all your experiences, and no one else has your particular vantage point. You may recall times filled with worries, fears and struggles, but you're here now, so you've prevailed. Through all your ups and downs, the worth of your existence has never altered.

God loves you ... to Nicaragua and back. 

Day Seven Recap

Our work has ended. We installed 1 skylight and 7 water filters ... through two rather torrential downpours.  Just before John talked about recycling, the sharing/teaching session with the women was disrupted by rain. But it was all good, and when 1pm came the children flooded into the little green church.  We taught them Jesus' "Fish for Breakfast" lesson, as we had with the women in the morning. The children gifted us with a special song at the end.

Kathy led us in an end-of-trip discussion, and encouraged us to think about the most significant way we can grow in God's will, including answering these questions:
1. What is my relationship with God at the present time?
2. What are my God given skills?
3. Where has God sent me?
4. What are my desires and dreams?
5. What are my limitations?

Regarding team member Barb, her surgery on Tuesday morning was successful, she is recovering and   can lift her legs.  She stood with a walker today for some rehab and her doctors were pleased.  She may be able to fly by Monday, with a nurse, provided by MOST.

Mary ended the day with devotions.  She shared with us about Charleton Heston, who was raised in northern Michigan. He was in over 100 films, including Moses and Ben Hur, passing away in 2008. Heston says his roles in both movies helped him to have a deeper respect for the Bible. The movie was based on the 1880 book, Ben Hur, where the main character was unjustly accused. Just as Hur went for the guy with the keys to the chains of all the rowing men in a sinking ship, so Jesus went for the key to our chains when he died on the cross.  Christ was alive in our hearts this week in LaJoya. Rev. 1:18 was the key verse.

Day Seven Begins

Today is our last day in the village. We plan to install 8 water filters and 2 skylights, as well as teach John 21 where Jesus appears to his disciples (discipulos) after the resurrection, on the beach and prepares fish for their breakfast. We will also talk with the women about safe water, kidney disease, eye health and any other inferior g questions they have.

Our substitute leader, Kathy, found out Deaconness Myra owned a sewing machine and didn't know how to use it. As a retired home ec teacher in Michigsn, Kathy was delighted to demonstrate and teach her how to use it by seeing a simple purse.  God brought those two women together at this time and place.

This morning Aubrey led our devotions. Together we will work today and as we end, will we remember the joys or difficulties? It is our choice as we end the work in LaJoya. John 14:6, Col 4:2.

Day Seven Begins

Today is our last day in the village. We plan to install 8 water filters and 2 skylights, as well as teach John 21 where Jesus appears to his disciples (discipulos) after the resurrection, on the beach and prepares fish for their breakfast. We will also talk with the women about safe water, kidney disease, eye health and any other inferior g questions they have.

Our substitute leader, Kathy, found out Deaconness Myra owned a sewing machine and didn't know how to use it. As a retired home ec teacher in Michigsn, Kathy was delighted to demonstrate and teach her how to use it by seeing a simple purse.  God brought those two women together at this time and place.

This morning Aubrey led our devotions. Together we will work today and as we end, will we remember the joys or difficulties? It is our choice as we end the work in LaJoya. John 14:6, Col 4:2.

Day Six Recap

Today was a productive water filtration day, with 17 installed in homes in LaJoya. With each installation, a member of our team trains the home owner in how to keep the filter clean, through back flushing it three times once a day. Pastor Marvin drove the team (8 people in the bed) down the dusty rut-filled dirt roads of the village, through puddles in his rickety 40-year-old small Toyota truck. One of the homes had 8 children living with mom and dad in a structure that had a thatch roof and black plastic walls.  The family was very gracious and appreciative of us delivering the water filter because they have no source of water at their home, but hauls it in 20-gallon jugs from the neighbor house.

Three skylights were installed today. It was challenging to install them because of the roof construction where the cross beams were not so strong.

The women gathered in the morning again, approx 15 of them.  They studied Jesus Washing Feet with Pastor Joel and then learned about safe food preparation, nutrition, dental hygiene and parasites.

The children also heard the foot washing story from the Bible, and acted it out. When we had one little boy play Jesus and wash Peter's feet, the children all giggled and were incredulous; "Jesus" did such a great job with the washing and was so gentle --- truly he has a humble spirit. Both the adults and children heard about this story of service, and were encouraged to emulate Jesus.

John led evening devotions with the thought of humility from "7 keys to hearing Gods voice."  His text was from Phil 2:1-2 -- being like-minded and one spirit, in humility consider others better than self. Look to others interest over your own. It takes a humble heart to hear God. Ask, seek, knock and God will reveal himself to those who humbly seek Him.  Pastor Marvin is a humble man, caring for his flock spread across two separate villages at the base of a volcano.  June and Sandy were praying for our team, and so we lifted them in prayer at the end of the day.

We stopped at a lumber yard and bought 8 concrete blocks ($5) so that we can build some rough bookshelves for the Spanish children's books (donated by Judy Rinkus), Bible/catechisms (purchased by the St. John's confirmation class offerings), Dios Te Ama picture books (purchased by the team) which we brought with us.

Ricardo our translator, lost his leg from the knee down in Feb. after a motorcycle accident.  He was our translator last year, so we have known him since October. He is a strong Christian believer, and has never asked "why" of God about loosing his leg. He is on crutches and wants a prosthetic and is signed up for one. Pray for him.

Day Six begins

Jamie led devos with psalm 90.

A Workers Prayer by Keith and Kristin Getty

More later.