“So, you want me to build a what?”
“An ark. Noah, I want you to build an ark.”
“What do you want it to look like?”
“Large, sturdy and capable of containing a remnant of every species.”
“And what exactly are we gonna do with this ‘ark’?”
“We’re gonna save the world.”
Sometimes I like to imagine the thought processes of characters in Biblical stories. It helps them to come life, and it makes me realize just how crazy they really are. Think about Noah & God, hashing out the solution to the impending demise of an evil world. The Bible just says that Noah did all that the Lord commanded, without mentioning any of Noah’s thoughts on the matter. But surely he had to have had some thoughts, some questions, some doubts, perhaps? It’s quite an appalling story when you try to put yourself there at the scene – full of real emotions, real consequences, real faith.
Now think about what your conversations sound like with God. Real, authentic, kinda crazy? Mmmm, unfortunately, mine don’t sound like this enough. But, I have the pleasure of introducing you to a couple whose conversations with the Lord do.
Meet Dan & Donna Letton. An American missionary couple of 20+ years in China, Thailand and now, Nicaragua. About two years ago, Dan and Donna felt a spirit-filled prompting to journey to Bluefields, a city on the eastern side of Nicaragua. They weren’t entirely certain of God’s plan for them in Bluefields, but they followed anyways and kept listening intently for His next move. Dan & Donna began to lay roots in this small-town community and quickly became part of the family with VERBO church and its pastor, Ed Jaentschke. Learning more from Pastor Ed about Bluefields, a town only reached by river or plane, they discovered that many eastern Nicaraguans were tucked away in waterways – far removed from everyday civilization. Such costly distances regularly prevent these people from reaching any form of health care. This stirred something in Dan, a man with an interest in public health and a man listening closely to the Spirit of God. Perhaps the internal dialogue went a little something like this.
“Dan, you’re going to build me a boat.”
“Oh, gosh, really? Well, for what exactly?”
“Yes, Dan, a boat. If my people can’t travel to my care, then we will bring health care to them.”
“Alright, well how about a sizable 25′ boat? We could maybe manage that.”
“No, Dan. It will be a 37′ boat. If you can trust me with 25′, you can trust me with 37′.”
“Oh yes Lord, absolutely – you’re right. When do we start?”
And just like that Dan & Donna began a faith-filled journey a year ago to build a medical missions vessel to reach the water-bound people of Eastern Nicaragua. Since then, they have built this vessel, a catamaran to be exact, from scratch. Every part of the process has involved local boat-builders and resources – something they intend to continue. Today, the catamaran, recently crowned “Caribbean Grace,” is still under construction at the boatyard in Bluefields – though it is roughly 75% complete.
Dan telling boat stories
Team Re;Collect with the master boat-builders!
Dan took us on a tour, excitedly revealing the intracacies of its design. Each hull is designated as either a male or female dorm, capable of sleeping 5 on each side. It will be fit with a male & female toilet and shower, as well as a galley (a kitchen for a boat – it was a new term for me!). The main cabin will house the actual ‘clinic’ – set-up with a dental chair, medical exam table, and all the essentials that a doctor, nurse, or dentist would need. Dan also plans to use sails, solar panels and a rain water collection system to save on operational costs and essential resources.
crew’s quarters – in the hull
future toilet and shower
the galley
main cabin – the “clinic”
Currently, the progress of Caribbean Grace is dependent on the influx of funding. Dan & Donna hope to have the vessel sailing by Fall 2015, but they remain in a state of patient faith for the continuation of this journey. While we were fellowshipping with Dan & Donna in Bluefields, they mentioned that many of their friends back home often comment about how adventure-filled, exciting and impossible their life sounds. Dan & Donna’s response: “Yours can too. We just listen, follow and depend on faith to see us through.” It really is as simple and as difficult as that. But when your final days on earth draw near, do you want to reflect on a life played ‘safe’ or an epic odyssey only made possible by our Almighty God?
Dan & Donna graciously receive donations for the construction of Caribbean Grace via Global Outreach International. This can be done either online at globaloutreach.org with the Letton account #1056, or by mail, P.O. Box 1, Tupelo, MS 38802.
If you would like to keep up with Dan & Donna’s journey, you can follow them on their blog.
