Why can’t crazy stuff be spread out over more time? Oh well…this is a summary of Nicaragua:
We stayed in a nice place, called “The Project.” It was a
big property with many different buildings. There was a dining room building,
brick making area, clothing store, our building that I was living in, and a few
other buildings. It was for “micro loan” businesses. It was a fairly new
organization, so there were not too many small businesses. Our building had a
guys and girls sleeping area, with a huge “family room” in the middle.
Our main ministry was to sometimes help out the small
businesses and build relationships with the people at this village, called
“Bethel.” It was a very nice community, and everyone accepted us instantly. It
was a weird month for me though. The first day we went to the community; I was
fasting, which meant I had low energy, which meant I wasn’t crazy with the
kids. And first impressions are so important, so it was different for me to be
just sitting on the bench instead of playing with the kids. What I learned from
this though, is that my identity is not found in me being the “crazy big kid.”
I had to learn that they loved me, because…I was me! It was a different
perspective, a VERY DIFFERENT perspective. It was also tough to learn, but it
was really good!
Along with a few fasting days, I was sick or injured. My
lips blistered up two times for a week each time, and it was no fun…NO FUN at
all! A doctor said it was herpes, but I thought it was an allergic reaction to
the mangos. Not the mango fruit, but the skin, because I was peeling the mango
with my teeth…and sure enough, I think that’s what the problem was. We also
went to another city, which threw things off a little big. Most of our team was
also focused on a documentary, which is a good thing, but it didn’t really
interest me, so I would walk around the village by myself, which was difficult
because I speak very little Spanish…haha.
It was not until the last week that I really started to get
into the groove of things. The blog that I wrote before this is about the
letters and the school! THAT WAS AMAZING! If you didn’t read that one, it’s
called “From good to BEST” and I love that story. Also, the day before that I
was walking around the village and this little 5 year old girl was hanging all
over me. She was taking me to different places, to her house, to her friends,
then I went to meet up with my team, and then she took me back to her house. At
her house, I talked to her dad and family for TWO HOURS!! Let me remind you, I don’t speak much Spanish, so the
Holy Spirit was definitely helping me out! He spoke a little English, so that
helped! We talked about family, work, life, and other random stuff. He became a
Christian, along with his wife, one month ago. After we finished talking in the
house, I went outside to find someone that could translate for me. Emily helped
translate a few things and I wanted to know more about his testimony. I thought
that for sure he was a Christian longer than one month! But I understood the
first time, they were only Christians for one month. So I asked him how he
became a Christian and he said because his daughter [the little one that was hanging on to
me] brought them to
church!! Are you kidding me? Wow!
What a testimony! So they started going to church because their 5 year old
daughter invited them to church. Wow, that girl is going to have an AMAZING
testimony when she gets older! Wow, praise the Lord that this little girl was
following me around all day! That was such an encouraging story!!!!
This was the little girl throwing flower petals at me:
There are also lots of little stories that were so
encouraging! The one-on-one talks with everyone, the kids chasing me around
[and and me chasing them], the families showing their love to us, and lots of
other little things
God is still breaking me free from a lot of stuff and it’s
been really good! God is bringing my focus back to my team, which should be my
focus right now. There also has been a lot of encouragement and growth, which
is wonderful! Oh yeah, the men are really bonding, which is so powerful!
Starting a brotherhood that lasts and having that community and accountability
is so important. Also understanding what the role of a MAN OF GOD really is. Now that I
think of it…there was so much that happened at Nicaragua! It was just a different
perspective and point of view. All good stuff, and this was just month four!
Wowzers!! Also, learning how to speak
out. Yeah I know…Brent…having a problem with not talking. Haha! But yeah,
it’s something I’m working on, speaking out more. Speaking the truth out.
Learning what my role is. Also, freedom…freedom from what people think about
me. Not needing to impress people. Like,
before I was always scared that God knew what I did when nobody was watching,
obviously because what I was doing was bad. Now it has changed and I’m glad
that He sees what I do when nobody else is around, because it’s good things
now. Does that make sense? Sometimes I’m horrible at explaining things…
Well I guess that’s long enough! Yeah, Nicaragua turned out to be pretty legit!
