The first time I visited Bethel Nicaragua, Norland was given the name Nino Malo by our group, which may seem harsh, but it was mostly definitely earned. Norland had recently lost his father to chronic renal failure, and he was acting out. Norland would gossip, spread rumors, start fights, not listen, act out, was rude, make fun of the other kids, he was as the Nicaraguans say, “necio” or annoying. He would aggrivate the groups that would visit Nicaragua and just act out. Last summer when I spent my summer in Nicaragua I noticed that God was starting to change to Norland’s heart. He was up to his usual schemes, he was inciting discord between myself and another boy in the village to whom I was trying to minister to. I sat him and this boy down- his name is Danuvio. And I told both of them, that I love them both, and that it hurts me that they speak harshly about me, or to me, and when they say harsh things to one another or about one another. I shared many verses with them about encouraging one another and speaking life to one another. And the change started to happen. . . .
After that moment whenever I would study the Bible with anyone in Bethel, Norland would be there. He would sit in the back and listen. He wouldn’t disrupt. He wouldn’t act out. He would just listen to the words of God. When asked if he wanted to participate, he would shake is head and try to act “cool”, but he would never disrupt, just sit in the back and listen.
This trip, Norland and I have been practically inseperable. He has been a huge helper to me; he doesn’t strike back when hit by other kids; he hasn’t been making fun of other kids, he has attended every Bible class Julie and I have had and participated in these classes. And last night and Monday night, God really answered some prayers. BIG PRAYERS! . . .
Monday night, Norland came to Conni’s house, and he asked one thing, “teach me about the Bible”. So Norland sat in a chair, and I stood in front like a professor, and used Conni’s whiteboard. I didn’t know what to say or draw at first, but then God provided. I started drawing a picture of a chasm and two sides seperated by this chasm, you know like you would see on a tract. And I just began telling Norland the salvation story. Showing him that Christ, is the bridge for us to reach God. He sat and listened. He hung on every word God had to speak to him.
Again, last night Norland came over to Conni’s. He, myself and Darwing, who is Conni’s son, played games all night. At first, we studied the Bible, I answered their questions. I was able to encourage them with verses. And afterward, we just played and we laughed and we danced to Lecrae. At one moment, Conni came up and hugged me. She said, “It makes me so happy to see you playing and laughing with my son. It shows me that you in fact, do love us and care for us. I feel God’s love in this moment.” . . . . KINGDOM.
God has shown me more than anything that discipleship, relationship, living life, and showing the people of Bethel what it looks like to have life to the fullest- life to the fullest even though we don’t have anything but our smiles, our laughter, our love- that is the KINGDOM.
please continue to pray for Norland. He has still not decided to give his life over to the authority of Christ.
But God is moving.
