It’s hard to imagine that we are already in holiday season! This hot weather, beans and rice, and Spanish music somehow mask the months :0) But, Thanksgiving is here nonetheless, and thankful I am!
Here are some of the things I am thankful for this year that are a little different than years past….
- My tent (thankful that it keeps the bugs away at night)
- My sleeping pad (thankful that I don’t have to sleep on the hard ground)
- Cold Coke (thankful that when my other favorite foods are not going to happen, coke is , so far, always available, and usually cold)
- My team mates (thankful that they are ‘all in’ for ministry, hard work, and becoming a family)
- Wind (the breeze takes on a whole new meaning when there is no AC)
- Hugs and Smiles (they need no translation)
- Fruits and Veggies (they taste like a luxury in the land of rice and beans)
- My iPod touch with games, music, and awesome Bible apps (it’s a God-sent, Thank you for the iPod and iTunes donations that made this possible – you know who you are)
- Such a long list of supporters (see my blog – Thank You is Not Enough)
- Our on-site ministry partners (the work we are supporting exists before and after my team serves, and they are changing lives daily! It is such a privilege to fight alongside such great men and women of God who love so well)
- That the kingdom of God is about so much more than me! (God is moving, healing hearts, transforming lives, bringing hope and freedom. He does not need me, but He chooses to use me, a sinner saved by grace who says ‘Yes’ to God daily)
In Nicaraugua today, the average pastor makes the equivalent of $85 a month, and has the difficult task of shepherding a flock with a 70% unemployment rate. Our ministry partner, Jaime, says that one of the greatest impacts we have in serving here is the fact that we are Gringos. The people are in awe that we would leave our comfortable homes, and pay our own way here, to serve them! Seeing us hauling dirt, and delivering packages of food to desperate families sparks something in their hearts “if the Gringos can do it, maybe we can too!”. One of the greatest challenges faced in this area is the victim mentality that tells them ‘its too hard’, or ‘I cannot make a difference’. But seeing us put our whole hearts into making a difference gives them hope that change CAN be had! They don’t need to live with piles of garbage lining the streets, they don’t need to let the church property become rundown, the children at Los Pepitos ARE important! The many prayers we have prayed with families in their small, dirt floor shack tell them that they matter! They are seen by our heavenly father, and He cares for them! They sometimes wonder why we have come. What do we want from them in return. What a privilege it is to serve, needing nothing in return! Just to love, and help, and give, taking nothing for ourselves! YOU make this possible. Every gift you have given, shows them that God is only after their hearts, and we are only here to help!
What are you Thankful for this year?
