Love is in the Air…

Over the past several days all I keep thinking about is how blessed I am to be here in Jinotepe. I am at home and have never fully known a LOVE like this before. It is a love that most never come to know even after a lifetime. It is childlike. It knows no record of wrongs. It does not taste bitterness on its tongue. It desires every part of us, even the messy parts. It sees past what we can see. It overwhelms those that encounter it. It touches the deepest pains we have every experienced. It invites us to sit down at a dinner table and be fed. It gives to others and expects nothing in return.

I am already picking up on the fact that every month will have it’s own flavor. Every month will mean something different, but have importance in my walk with the Lord all the same. This month God is showing me His deep love for His children and for myself.

Over the last two weeks we have been welcomed into many homes. These homes are not much larger than what we would consider one room in the United States. Most would read this statement and have great pity on the people I encounter every day, but trust me I have no pity for them because they possess something much greater than the richest of men. They know the Love that I am talking about and they freely extend it out.

One of the greatest moments of the race so far happened over dinner one night with our Nicaraguan friends. After dinner was finishing up (an amazing dinner I must add) we spent the rest of the evening laughing. Each person was encouraged to take part in a pepper-eating contest. There was no prize for those that chose to eat them. The only reward was roaring laughter from teammates and our new friends.  While this seems like a small insignificant moment to most it was one of the moments I have cherished and will cherish forever. Just living life with others. After all, as one of my squad leaders keeps saying, it is all about a relationship. That is so true….