We are here! What do you say we start with some fun facts about Nicaragua:
Total Land Area – 130,370 sq km
Commentary – Translation, slightly smaller than New York state.
Terrain – Extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes.
Commentary – Volcano interruption, check.
Flag – Three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band. The banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water.
Commentary – You can thank me in 20 er so days when you recognize it during the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games.
We are serving with Vision Nicaragua located in Chinandega near the Pacific Coast. Candidly, I am not altogether sure what our month will hold but two things stand out to me after being here a very short time:
- The team of native Nicaraguans that encompass our experience of Vision Nicaragua are wonderful. They laugh, the love us well and they challenge us to work hard. The girls have already cleaned out three “bodegas” or garages on the property, which included killing 4 to 5 rodents in the process (because I am anti-rodent, I took video).
- The welcome letter we received about our month stated and restated that they hoped the property would be a space where we could “hear from God.”
It is this last part that has me hopeful. Don’t get me wrong, I want to and will serve well through the finish line and I have heard a lot from God this year. But as we all get ready to bring to an end our “Race” I am straining to hear more. More about what I assume all of you are quietly wondering…
- What is next?
- What is the biggest lesson you have learned?
- Where did you see God move the most?
- How have you been forever changed?
You know, one word answer kind of questions.
I invite you to join me in praying for vision from the Lord for my team, my Squad and me as we try to figure out how to summarize and capture for all of you a most wonderful and eventful year. Also please pray for us as we work to discern what opportunity the Lord has in store for us next.
Vision Nicaragua, may it be a month where we see the Kingdom in a whole new way.
Five Sense Show Down – Nicaragua
Sight – One of my favorite things right now is waking up to a volcano each morning.
Smell – Puppy breath. We have two on the property and they are adorable!
Sound – Did you know that geckos make a chirping noise to attract a mate? Kinda sounds like a dying bird to me.
Touch – The anomaly of a real towel. I’ve been using my travel towel for 10 months. And I’m going to go ahead and tell you the real thing feels real weird.
Taste – Fat and happy, I’ll be fat and happy! Yes, Estella and Antonia (sisters) are darn good cooks and when that dinner bell rings I promise you we cheer.
