Sixteen World Racers currently reside in a Caribbean coastal town, Puerto Cabezas. On September 5, 2007 Hurricane Felix ravished this coastal town. Homes, businesses, and churches were destroyed along with the disappearance of Nicaraguan’s personal possessions. As an already poor, fishing town, Puerto had enough problems on its own. Hurricane Felix made survival imminent for a vast majority of the area.
While in Puerto Cabezas I have been working alongside my WR teammates and fellow Nicas. We are teaching at the Middle/High school on various character traits such as respect, integrity, and honesty. Alongside those lessons we share our testimonies and ways in which the Lord has proven Himself faithful in our lives. It has been incredible to see a class full of 16 year olds transform as they begin to see the reality of God’s provision in our own lives. I believe with all my heart that these high school students will be different people as we continue to share the Lord’s truth.
Other days involve building homes for those who lost everything they had in hurricane Felix. One woman recalled her story… She and her husband lay on the floor of their small, wood home as hurricane Felix caused everything they owned to swarm around them and blow away. She heard the Lord say, “You can destroy anything you want, but you can’t touch her. She has the blood of Christ.” Once the hurricane ended she realized she had lost all her possessions along with portions of her home and the entire roof. So, she began to pray for help. One-day people from Verbo church and some Gringos (white people) showed up to rebuild homes in her barrio. This woman knew the Lord. She asked him for help. He showed up! I met her 5 months after the hurricane and she continues to give thanks to God everyday for His provision.
Other portions of our days include visiting local barrios (neighborhoods) to play with the kids, tell them Bible stories, etc… In addition to barrio visits, we are visiting a local hospital each day to pray, build relationships, and spend time with the patients. We have met the poorest of the poor here in Nicaragua. Some are the strongest, most full of life people you have ever met. Some are on their last ounce of faith. Some are praising God for His provision. Some are doing everything possible to survive each day. We have seen the face of God in these people, and we are beginning to see the face of God in those that are yet to know Him.
