The orphanage at Cicrin is a little oasis on the island of Ometepe. Cradled by the surrounding waves of Lake Nicaragua, the days are full of brilliant sun rays. One must work in the early morning hours to avoid the most intense mid-day moments of heat. After last month of go, go, go, the pace of this one has been a much welcomed
s l o w.
Stolen sunset siestas in hammocks have not been all too uncommon, and laying in them, I feel truly as though I have been reborn. Is this what life was like 24 years ago swinging in my baby bassinet?
However tranquil the daylight hours though, I have a confession. Come the evening hours, there were days I would dread falling asleep.
Malaria ridden misquotes are a problem in just about ever country on the map my team is to travel to, Nicaragua is no exception.
Malaria is a clever creature, constantly morphing into new and different strands. Of course, with this comes many different types of medications to fight this vicious disease, and some of which have been known to create the strangest of side effects. Amongst other things, this includes psychotic dreams. One can only suppose what that might mean, until you experience it for yourself. Having taken the meds for a few weeks and had no reaction, I was unprepared to experience such horrific dreams the first couple of nights here at Cicrin. I remember waking up in a cold sweat, and a spirit of fear, trying to think of something; anything to block from my mind the visions that I had seen. After a few hours of staring into the darkness, praying and calming my mind, I fell back asleep. The next day, I figured this was strange, but when it happened again the second night, it seemed as though something more was going on.
It was shortly after that when Jacinda informed the rest of us what she had discovered that day: the story behind the buildings where we lay our heads to sleep.
Nicaragua’s past is not unlike the history of most nations- painful and violent.
“There’s a heavy spiritual darkness on this place.” Jacinda told us.
“This place was once used to host child soldiers. Horrible things were done to them, in the name of war.”
My horrific dreams, the history of this place. Chills.
That night, one of the girls from team Lovebound came into the room, obviously distraught. When asked what was wrong, all she could really expressed was a heavy feeling of darkness upon her as well.
This, a call to action.
A call to prayer.
What began as praying over a room, progressed to praying over every single room, (kitchen not excluded), the entire orphanage, and more importantly *each other* .
The girls I lived with prayed over me, and the dreams DID cease.
*THIS* is what the Christian life is about.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
(Ephesians 6:10-18)
I *LOVE* being a part of a community of LOVE. A community that recognizes when someone is struggling. A community that not only takes notice, but lifts you up, making a request on your behalf to the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE, and for this I am full of thanks giving.
Speaking of giving thanks, a few pics from our event yesterday, a feast held for the orphanage, people that work here, and their families…
josh & bri, peelin’ the papas~
Jacinda & Julietta & I making the rolls~
the finished product~
the feast!
***Please, continue to pray for this orphanage; it’s amazing to see how God has taken a place of darkness and transformed it into light. The director here continues to fight battles with the government,
battles physically to provide for all the children, and spiritually to continue to be a light in a dark place for the future generations of Nicaraguans.
Continue to pray for my team, team Lovebound, and the rest of the S-Squad as we are soon changing locations, headed into *month 3* of ministry. How time is flying by! ***
LOVE. Peace. GRACE.
