Mustard seeds in Grenada, Nicaragua

(This is a picture of my team and I right before saying farewell to our ministry host and Costa Rica)

While staying in Grenada, another team (shout out to Team Kaleo) was approached by a salesmen, Juan. A joyful man, that could not talk nor hear that was trying to sell them some of his handmade bracelets. They took the time to get to know him and pray for him. Later on, Juan ended up becoming everyones friend, he came to hang out with us daily. We even were able to bring him to worship with us one night. He would bring us to different places around the city of Grenada, even to the grocery store when we were looking for a restaurant. 🙂 Yes, we couldn’t understand him most of the time but were still able to be his friend and share much laughter together.

(This is Juan with his handmade bracelets)

Juan led us to this café in Grenada called Smiles Coffee.

This wasn’t like any other coffee shop. It was a unique place that is an inclusive employment center for people with disabilities and disadvantage groups. The Café was ran by deaf people and their motto was “smiling is the working language.” As you walk further back in the café, they have a workshop in which they sell beautiful handmade hammocks. One of my team mates and I sat there for a while over coffee, studying the bible, enjoying the atmosphere and did our best to learn some new sign language.

(Picture above: This picture was next to every table, signs to communicate with your waiter/waitress)

(Picture above: In the workshop with their beautiful, handmade hammocks)

I am so happy while in Grenada, I had the opportunity to meet Juan and go to this café and workshop. The workshop and Juan truly inspired me and touched my heart.

This business was special, I thought it was remarkable to see the deaf community developing especially in a country with such poverty. The unemployment rate in Nicaragua for the general population is high as it is and its more true for those people that have disabilities. Nicaragua has a Law called Law 185 and it requires employers to hire one disabled person for every 50 employees, but it is doubtful that this is enforced because less than 1% of government-paid workers report having a disability.

(The inside of the cafe)

As we got to know Juan, we got to know his story. He told us that he used to live on the streets, sniff glue to suppress his appetite and not care about anything. All hope and joy that he had was, completely diminished.

Juan’s life was transformed when a missionary from the states (apparently had a huge beard) swept him up, told him about Jesus and gave him a place to sleep. Juan now, is a hardworking man; he makes and sells bracelets to support his son and wife and gives all the glory to The Lord. He spreads the gospel anywhere he goes. We would walk the streets with him and he knew everyone’s story, he knew exactly the people who needed prayer and would so often, be there just to love on people. When I think of the impact that Juan is making on the town of Grenada, I think of hundreds. He submerges himself to loving on anyone in the streets, even with his disabilities.

(Downtown market in Grenada)

One thing I am brought back to remembering is that it started with ONE guy for him to do a complete 180 in Juan’s life. Who knows where Juan would be if that missionary didn’t have the ‘guts’ to stop and talk to him and then to add to it, all those lives that Juan has touched wouldn’t have been touched.

The missionary from the states probably to this day has no idea the impact that he made on Juan and now to, the town of Grenada just from sharing the gospel with a boy that was sniffing glue on the side of the streets. Don’t let someones circumstances or situation stop you from loving like God loves us. The same goes for your mind, don’t let your mind stop you from doing something that you feel the holy spirit is leading you to do. JUST DO IT!

Like the story of Jesus telling the Parable of the Four Soils in Matthew. This is a parable that encourages those who teach, preach, and lead others. The farmer sowed good seed, but not all the seed sprouted, and even the plants that grew had varying yields. As important as it is to allowing yourself to be lead by the Holy Spirit it is also important to remember, not to be discouraged when planting seeds; you may not always see results. You won’t always be the ‘harvester’ and that is okay. If you are doing Gods will, that is all that matters. 🙂