Nicaragua
On Sunday, we did a morning church service and an afternoon service. Then we began our four hour drive back to the capital in order to catch the Tica Bus. I love riding the Tica Bus. It’s like our new home. It’s amazing how many ways you can find to sleep on the bus.
I got a chance to call mom, but the phone kept cutting out so we didn’t really get to talk. When I got off the phone I crawled up on top of the luggage in the back and fell asleep on it. Later Erin and Natalie came and joined me and I soon became the pillow. We had some awesome conversations and then fell asleep again.
That bus ride back to the capital was so peaceful. No body really even spoke or did anything. It was relaxing. It’s almost like we all agreed that nothing needed to be said to ruin the moment. We were all so close, a true family. I believe it is such a blessing to be close enough to someone that you don’t need to speak to each other to enjoy each other’s company. I really got to know my team mates better, just by observing them, no words needed.
Our team had way too much fun at the dinner table that night once we got back to the capital. We were laughing at I’m not even sure what and dancing to silent tunes all on top of small food fights and jokes. Then the night took on a different mood as we were going up to the rooms. Natalie fell down the stairs and sprained her ankle. The concern kept us all up a little longer than we had planned, but we eventually got to bed.
After we finally did fall asleep it was like we were up again in an instant. The showers weren’t working so we all reeked as we got on the Tica Bus. Our Tica Bus ride was insane. What was supposed to be a four hour bus ride had turned into a six or seven hour bus ride.
As we got closer to the border, all the cars began to stop. There was a huge line of stopped cars. The bank was on a strike of protest of some sort against the government. They had blocked the rode completely for a few hours, and it was hot.
There are a lot of protests and issues with the government in Nicaragua. They had just elected a communist leader shortly after I had left from my first visit. I honestly didn’t know that Nicaragua had become a communist country. That’s probably a good thing for me to know about my future missions field and home.
As we got to our destination, I was too exhausted and cranky to be excited about returning to Nicaragua at last. As we began driving through the mountains it finally hit me that I was home. I then felt a sense of peace and contentment that had been missing ever since I had left.
It’s so beautiful, but so horrible. The winding street through the mountains was so sickening but yet so exciting. It was so small and narrow and our fat bus was way to close to the edge on those sharp turns. At one point there was a small wooden bridge and my heart stopped…but then the bus went under the bridge, thank God.
We did three programs in different cities in the mountains. All of them were packed with kids. We didn’t get to where we were sleeping until midnight. None of us even bothered to take showers before bed. We made a few trips in the bed of a truck from the pastors house where our stuff was to the church were we were sleeping.
I slept so well, but when I woke up me back ached and I could hardly open my eyes. We took our showers and now everyone’s eating breakfast. I’m fasting today. God really put it on my heart to fast for my family’s salvation. Also, Liz asked me to speak this week. She asked me to give an actual service, here, in Nicaragua. I have non idea what to preach on, but I know God will show me. I’m excited. I’m finally home.
6:30 pm
Nicaragua
Today turned out to be pretty amazing. We did a program at a school. It was insane. The kids could not pay attention. There were so many distractions.
During lunch today Liz asked me to minister at the next program… at the same insurmountable school, only this time, with teenagers. Maybe this is why god had me fast today.
We got to the church about thirty minutes before the students did so I began to pray about the service and over myself. I looked up toward the altar and God let me see his angels once more. Liz and Erin were kneeling at the altar praying, one on each side. John was sitting in the middle reading his bible. Jonathan was standing near a post and Daniel was kneeling in a corner with his back turned to me. There was an angel near each of them. Liz and Erin each had an angel standing behind them and John had an angel casually sitting behind him looking over his shoulder to read the bible with him. Jonathan had an angel pacing near him while Daniel had and angel by his side kneeling on one knee with his hand on Daniels neck. It was magnificent. Erin came up and laid hands on me. I told her about what God had just let me see and we sat together for the short while that we had before the students arrived.
When I went to speak, I felt like I had completely blanked out, but somehow I was still talking. Honestly, I’m not quite sure what I said. I know I told them Jesus was waiting with open arms to take them in and that his blood could handle anything.
The only reaction I received at first was cold stares of hatred, glares of judgment. I asked them to raise their hand if they wanted prayer. Nobody did. I felt like such a failure. I said it again as I told my team members to go out ready to pray with them. I put the microphone down and walked away, hoping that somebody would step out for prayer.
When people began to laugh at us I turned away to pray. I felt so put down and worthless. I cried in disappointment and failure. To my surprise when I turned around there were people praying with each other. There were two girls on their knees weeping as my team members laid hands on them. There were three girls in particular that really caught my attention as we prayed for them in their chairs. They were broken. Something I had said had finally gotten to them. It just took time. I know I didn’t fail, god did use me. He used my words to change someone’s life.
We just finished dinner and now we’re celebrating Emmett’s birthday before we head out to do a night service.
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