Leading up to Nicaragua, I received regular emails from the US embassy suggesting that I shouldn’t travel there. All I heard is that the country is going crazy from people back home and people in Costa Rica. While there are some serious issues dealing with land ownership and government control- the image that was painted for me was far from the reality I experienced. To be honest- I feel that the economic consequence of people leaving the country, which has starved an already struggling economy, has had perhaps a greater impact than the current state of the government. Perhaps this will change over time, but I never felt unsafe during my time in Nicaragua.
During our first few minutes in Grenada, people turned their heads and took pictures of us because the city we entered used to be vibrant and is now a ghost town. While grocery shopping, someone came up to me and said thank you for visiting the country because it means a lot to them. On the main streets of Grenada- people stand outside their restaurants begging us to come in because there is no business. Encounters like this occurred throughout my time here. However, the most important thing I found in Nicaragua was some of the most amazing people I have ever met. I wish I had the time and space to share all of my new friends, but I will just highlight a few.
Edwardo
Our teams got to know Edwardo when while we worked on the farm! REAP(our ministry site) grows plantains, limes, and mandarins which are sold to restaurants, the market, and also ate by teams, like us, while we stay there. Edwardo loves working with REAP because he likes learning the word of God. Because everything is done by hand on the farm, fertilizing, harvesting, and cutting grass, they work really hard every day. Edwardo is also very good at what he does. He is so thankful for what God is doing for him, and it inspires me to see his kindness and gentleness every time I talk to him!
Raul
Raul habita cerca de Grenada. Le gusta jugar al futbol y puede corre rápido. Raul y sus amigos corren todos lunes a la cinco de la mañana. El tiene una bicicleta azul y nosotros pensamos que es bonita. Raul amas Dios. Young Life club es otra forma de aprender sobre de Dios. Algún día, Raul quiere ser enferma. Si pudiera hacer algo, Raul quiere ser un jugador de futbol profesional en Germany. Raul dice le comunidad tiene unidad y es fuerte. Es fácil ver que Raul es un luz en su communidad. Veo a Jesus en Raul. Veo a Jesus en la forma en que habla amablemente y se preocupa por las personas. Estoy emocionada de ver como Dios usa a Raul. Raul es un amigo bueno!
Raul lives next to Grenada. He likes to play soccer and can run fast. Raul and his friends run every Monday morning at 5 am. He has a blue bike that we think is cool. Raul loves God. Young life club is another way he likes to learn about God. Some day, Raul wants to be a nurse. If he could do anything, Raul would want to be a professional soccer player in Germany. Raul says his community has unity and is strong. It is easy to see that Raul is a light to his community. I see Jesus in Raul. I see Jesus in the way he talks so kindly and the way he cares for people. I am excited to see how God uses Raul. He is a good friend!
Enrique and Family
One day of evangelism in the community brought us to this family. The Father sells snow cones out of a beautiful and bright colored cart that he wheels around town. School for his children costs a lot. He considers himself lucky compared to most people in the area and hates to see the poverty of the town. In order to pay for school, he works very long hours, but enjoys his job. His house is made of cement and wood and he helped build one of the churches that we work with. He was very excited to see us and said that God send people here to his house to bless him. He said we were some of those people.
Maria
We also met Maria during ministry. She lives close to the farm in Pontanal. She is one of the most welcoming people I have ever met. She quickly welcomed us into her home and has softness in her eyes. She has many pictures of her family all over her lovely house made of wood. During our visit, she told us stories of her life and how she puts her trust in God. Maria is so faithful and is such a joy to her family.
Pray for Nicaragua. Pray for their country, their economy, and my new friends. Pray that Jesus sweeps their nation in ways like never before.
