That means goodbye to our contacts Lynn and Glenn, as well (2 people I have started to consider family). As we stay the night in their cozy hostel I can’t help but feel like I’m in an extension of their own home. I’ve gotten so used to seeing them walk around this place greeting the new teams that come in, whenever my team and I would come here to use the free wifi. They were always interested in our wellbeing and how things were going at La Quinta (no not the hotel, it’s a neighborhood in Duriamba, similar to Willowglen in San Jose or Pico Robertson in Los Angeles). Given that it was our last month, Glenn was big on giving us time to decompress and really pray about this past year/ think about the next chapter of our life. He knew that we had a 4 day debrief coming up at the end of the month, but also felt it was important to have some time to ourselves as well, being away from the squad. This idea and thought was not something I grew to appreciate until mid-way through the month. To be honest at the beginning I was like, “month 11 lets sprint this baby all the way to the finish line. With past 10 months of training behind us, we are like pros!” I was ready. I… was ready.
And that’s when God likes to switch it up a bit. Just like team leading. Right when I feel confident in something, God steers me in the direction of something new. I’m getting the drift that He is into spontaneity and likes to switch it up a bit. Reflecting on that though its really nice because it never has a chance to get old and boring. I’m sure if you are feeling bored in life right now and you tell God that… He would be quick to respond.
Let me give you some background info. Glenn and Lynn have been married for 27 years and have been living in Nicaragua for about 12 years. They moved here from Maryland, where they used to own and run their own business. They were doing really great for themselves, but somewhere along the way, God spoke audibly (this was maybe the 2nd time he had heard Godn’s voice in his life) to Glenn and told him that He wanted him to move him and his wife to Nicaragua. When he told his wife, Lynn (who he absolutely adores- its incredibly cute to see), she had peace about it, but chose to first seek the Lord. God confirmed and before they new it, they sold the business and their house and had everything shipped to Nicaragua. When they arrived, they had no jobs and really no idea where to go/start. During their first months here, God gave Lynn a word of knowledge. He told her to open there house up and allow mission teams to come stay with them for a little extra money (since at this point they were not receiving any support from anyone stateside). So her husband went to work and had 12 bunk beds made and they started to house teams. Around this time, God also gave Lynn a vision about owning/ running a hotel for mission teams. 12 years later they are running Casa Mateo. Its not theirs yet, but they continue to pray for the title. It was a rough start and still is, but Glenn said thankfully, “My wife and I have never gone without food a single day unless by choice.”
In addition to Casa Mateo they also operate two other properties- New Life and La Quinta. All under the name El Shaddai Ministries. Their mission is to be a prep school for kids and youth focusing on the life skills, providing the means to follow their dreams (great education, mentors, food and shelter if needed), while being in an environment that shares the Love of Jesus Christ and teaches them what it means to know and follow Him- to live as sons and daughters of the King.
Romans 8:16-17 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Sweet Thais! LOVE THIS LITTLE GIRL.
At La Quinta, where we stayed it houses 9 children, 6 young adults and 2 families. Its not that these children/youth don’t have families. Its just that the families in which they came from either could not take care of them financially anymore or these kids were running/ looking for a safe refuge away from the abuse (sexual/physical) that they were experiencing at home. Here they have seen lives make complete transformations. The kids go to school everyday, take part in chores, do their hw and have time to play. One of the last days I was their, I got to go “bird hunting” with one of the boys Sammy with his sling shot. David and Goliath anyone?
As I was walking around through the tall grass (him assuring me that he would kill any snake that tried to come out and bite me) I couldn’t help reflect on the irony of the whole situation. Here I was, just before the race a pescatarian, now hunting for birds with a sling shot I knew wouldn’t kill them, but would only wound them. I couldn’t help, but pray, ‘Lord, please let them get away.’ I also got flashbacks of the time when I was at Lake Tahoe camping with Josh and his family and I decided to go blue jay hunting with the make-shift bow and arrow that I made. The ranger stopped me in the forest and I got a huge reprimanding. Of course the arrow wouldn’t kill it- its too dull, but it probably would have wounded it, which in hind site would have been worse in the end (something I obviously wasn’t thinking about at 10 years old- I mean they do it on Little House on the Prairie). Anyway, all this to say… kids are kids and in the moment what mattered most to him was that he had a hunting buddy. So I gladly went along and had a great time.
And that’s what was so awesome about being a part of this ministry. Getting to relax and just be. Be a role model to these kids. Getting up with them in the morning, walking them to school, helping them with their homework, teaching them to paint the homes they live in on the property, teaching them how to love cats, letting them win at a game of Futbol (ok they kicked our royal boo-tays) or even being there for a time to cuddle and hug. They didn’t care, what they appreciate most is the love they receive. That is the reason these kids and youth choose to live there. To receive genuine love!
This was after operation, "Drench the Americans" took place at our going away party. Complete surprise to us!
