Rosario, a pueblito of 500, only an hour away from the Honduran border by horse. Still visible are the ruins of a coffee farm and abandoned homes from the Sandinista Revolution. The widow of el señor who owned all the Rosario territory up unto the waterfall tells us about its turbulent history; its current condition affirms her loudly. Being a member of la iglesia bautista (the Baptist Church) in town, with which we partnered, every Sunday you´ll find her there faithfully. Having spent 65 years of her 77 year life in this undiscovered place by most of the world, she remains unmoved by the experiences that she´s encountered there — many actually, for such a remote location.
Choosing the baptist church here means that she does not align herself with the Assembly of God nor the Catholic Church prevelant to the area, those to which her neighbors may ascribe. They are seen as worshiping different gods. The divides between denominations are real and gaping. One doesn´t escape a spiritual-toned conversation without the ´drive-by´ of a denomination question.
The evangelic church here and throughout Latin America is young and steadily finding the ropes. La iglesia bautista of Rosario meets regularly each time for nearly three hours; ranchero style worship music drowns the cries of the wee ones, such praises being sung boldly by any inspired believer present, in a sturdy building where women sit in the left pews and men to the right. Though the latter and other cultural customs appear legalistic, these brothers and sisters of Christ are worthy of respect for the perseverance and delight they have for the knowledge of God.
Although a day´s trip from Ocotal in semi-trecherous conditions during the rainy season, there are no regrets for going over the past 3 days. Even in view of much unknown and the potent smells of poverty, Rosario and its people (like the widow) taught me a lot about being content with the Lord in any situation. My brothers and sisters there are examples of strength and confidence in the Lord, and that is remarkably unique to few.
