Palacaguina, Nicaragua

 
It just became real. 
 
Honestly, we had a very easy going last month in Costa Rica. We were staying in a nice house. Cooking our own mostly American food. We had a washing machine and dryer. There were times for various ministries…and plenty of times to rest. We had wifi and a place for group worship. Plus a translator who was willing to help us at a moments notice. 
 
This week it became real…..this Race that I signed up for.  

The memories of my childhood that came flooding back when I used the "pila" to hand-wash my clothes today.
The blessing of the ladies who keep asking if there is anything else that they can try cooking for us besides rice and beans.
Waking up at 4 in the morning to the sound of roosters crowing for some extra time with Jesus. Yes. It just became real.

Swollen, dirty fingers from bending rebar wire and getting to spend the whole day next to Elmer who always has a big smile and something nice to say.
The smoke from the fire where the women of the church are making our tortillas.
Translating my first sermon because they didn't have a better option.  
Yes. It just became real.

The simple delight of a frozen chocolate banana.
The teens asking us to teach them a drama that they can evangelize on the streets with and then awing us with what they already know.  
Squatting behind the portapotty because I'm too afraid to go inside and watching the cows run by a few feet away.
Yes. It just became real.

Fighting in prayer for the health of my squad and rejoicing when they are better.
Working through conflict for the sake of love and trust.

Having the ladies of the church find out how much I love coffee and then waking up to find a coffee machine set up near our tents.
Yah…it is real!
🙂