I have wanted to write this blog for quite some time now. We’re in month seven and I still don’t know if I’ve quite processed and digested what God did and what I learned in Sweet Granada. So heres the second blog of the series of open letters. An open letter to REAP Granada.
In month three of my race, our squad entered its second all squad month in Granada, Nicaragua. Originally we weren’t supposed to go to Nicaragua. We had a route change to go to Guatemala. We got the news that we were changing back to Nicaragua. In Costa Rica, we told the locals in the country. I remember telling a friend I had made there and they turned to me and told me one thing only.
“Don’t trust anyone.”
The words fell like glass. “But why?” I thought to myself. I didn’t understand what he meant by saying that. In Jaco, where we lived in Costa Rica it was known for being “The Las Vegas of Costa Rica.” I just didn’t get it. I would be lying to you if I told you I wasn’t nervous to go to Nicaragua after the conversations I’ve had within my local friends of Jaco.
I remember we arrived in Granada. I felt like the bus would never get there. Our bus just stopped in the middle of the street. We exited the bus all of us exhausted. We all got out of the street corner and a man in helmet approached me. “Missionarios?” He asked. “Si, si missionarios” I replied.
We got on a school bus. Right before we started to move a man with a beard and a sweaty pulled back bun hopped on the bus.
We made our way to where we were staying the locals constantly waving at the bus full of Americans. Their smiles gave me so much energy. There was a warmth in this city, there was something special and I was picking up everything it was putting down like a high school boy at CiCi’s.
Our bus stopped in front of big gates and the bearded man hopped out and opened them. Later on we met our hosts for the month Scott and Jenn Esposito. Their smiles were contagious and they walked with such confidence. Now, I know it wasn’t just confidence but authority.
When they spoke, eloquence and wisdom just fell out like it was natural. It had all of us sitting in awe. Curious to know more. We lived in a dorm style building. It had a wrap around porch and big columns to hang our hammocks from. There were wooden bunk beds and the rooms smelled new and fresh with a hint of wood. I can say now being in month seven it was the best bed I’ve had on the race!
Our ministry looked so different each day.
We went to the local community center and the first time we wrote letters and journaled. The next times the sweet children of Pantanal flooded in. Ready to play and love us just as much as we loved them.
We got to do manual labor with Oscar, Eduardo and Bernardo. We would plant things in the hot Central American sun. I told some people on my squad. “The Lord has truly redeemed manual labor for me this month.” Spending time with these men was worth it. I don’t think I know harder workers. I’ve always had an appreciation for farmers. Now, I have a whole new respect for them. These men work so hard and it almost seemed as if nothing could steal their joy. I couldn’t figure it out.
We got to go to the dump. A mountain of pure trash. The locals come here to make their way up through the mountain of garbage. They rummage through the trash to keep things to make ends meet. We got an opportunity to meet some of the humans who come here everyday and feed them. They looked at the corn tortillas as if they won the lottery. My heart broke.
We went to “Hogar de Ancianos” which translates to nursing home. Jesse, a Granada local and a man who truly changed he way I think brought us to this nursing home. We walked in and there was sheer silence and then an elderly woman waved eagerly at us. We got to feed a lot of people in Nicaragua. “Lets go to the women first” he told us. We walked into the room with a bunch of women who looked like they just saw their best fiend for the first time in years. You see, for some of these people Jesse is the only person who comes to visit them. Ever. We met a woman who had lost a lot of her memory. She was American. Her son took her to this nursing home and left her. It was heart breaking.
We had sports ministry on Sundays. The Ronaldos and Messi’s of Granada showed up and we had World Cup right in our backyard! The kids of the neighborhood showed up early each Sunday in their Barcelona jersey ready to win a game. They wore bright, beautiful uniforms and it felt like the whole neighborhood was on our property. In a weird, unique way it felt cozy… it felt like home.
One day it was our off day. We went into town. I was walking down the street when I heard “Isaac” shout across the way. (For most of my time in Central America they couldn’t say Zach at all so they called me Isaac) I turned around and it was Michel and Alex two brothers wandering the streets together. Where these kids live is not close to town these two walked there alone. I told them we had to have a pizza party to celebrate running into each other. We sat at telepizza and ate pizza together. After we walked to Casa Del Cafe a cozy coffee shop down the street and ended up FaceTiming a lot of my friends back home. At the end, we face timed my mom and after we hung up they she was very beautiful.
On one of the last days Eduardo invited me on a trip. I wasn’t sure where we were going but he pointed to the mountain. We ended up going to Bernardos house. Bernardo saw us and welcomed us in warmly. He gave me a tour of his land that was full of cool farm animals and he showed me his house he had built himself. We rode a horse and carriage off of the property and when I crawled into bed that night I got choked up. I realized something. I didn’t see these people as my friends, I saw them as family. I was sad to be leaving my new family.
On our last day in town I walked to Subway and said goodbye to Julio. I made my way over to The Garden Cafe’ and said goodbye to the staff who had welcomed us as friends. Sweet Flor walked from behind the front counter and gave me the biggest hug. “Ah, mi amigo.” She sighed. “I will miss you.” I walked out of The Garden Cafe with tears in my eyes and walked to the Selina hostel and said see you later to my new friend Ismael. The hardest goodbye in town.
Again, being in month seven I realized that
Dear REAP Granada,
Theres so much to say that would make reading this blog go on for hours.
I don’t think I’ve felt more alive than my time in Nicaragua. I’m so thankful for every moment. On the farm, in the field helping Eduardo, at the community center.
There is a love here that is unlike other places. A people who see you and love you for who you despite your faults. There is something new in the air that is happening here and I love it.
I often reflect on that amazing month and all I saw and experienced and ate. And I just realize… nothing can compare. Nothing. Thank you for inviting me into this amazing place with open arms.
Thank you for loving our squad so well, like we were family. The more countries I go to the more I know theres nothing quite like Granada.
Thank you for showing us hard things but then showing that our God is faithful.
Thank you for the stories I’ll tell my children for years to come.
Thank you for inviting me to be apart of all of your own stories.
Thank you for teaching me that it doesn’t have to be goodbye.
Jenn and Scott- Thank you for your huge investment in us in such a small amount of time. You two are so amazing and I am beyond proud to know you both.
Eduardo- My dear friend, I pray for you daily and am so grateful for you and your story and the impact you left in my life.
Caitlin- Thank you for showing me that gentleness is powerful. I admire your faithfulness. Your kindness is contagious. Thankful for your honest, sweet words.
Nathan- Thank you for just asking what my story is. Making me feel seen and known. Your creativity is a whole other level of its own and I am so excited to see what you do next. Proud to call you brother.
Mario- Your story is so powerful and you loved our team so well. Thank you for your investment in us.
The children of Pantanal- So many of you hold such a big piece of my heart. Thank you for all the hugs and laughs and memories I’ll carry for a lifetime. You are loved so so much.
Last but not least, Hannah- I didn’t meet you in Nicaragua but I’m thankful God made our paths cross. Thankful for your heart and the love you poured into our team.
