From the fields

      The simplest things we take for granted can make such a huge impact on another person’s life.  Every day a parent, a friend, or co-worker will greet us warmly.  Often some one will affectionately place a hand on our arm or offer a smile or a warm embrace.  In the community where we interact we feel comfortable and loved.  We have our faith family to turn to in time of need.  Now imagine yourself in a culture or community devoid of such simple acts of acceptance and affection.

       I have had the opportunity this week to watch and participate as our youth have interacted with children and teens here in Jinotega.  Teen to teen is pretty normal, meeting new acquaintances, getting to know things about one another, finding common ground.  Sports and laughter are big this week between our youth and the youth in the schools at the camp this week.  Laughter is contagious and needs no translation.  But what I am struck by the most is the longing from the young ones for affection from our teens and adults.  I sat down on the gym floor and began to interact with a group of 4 or 5 girls and boys from 3 to 6 years old.  I used what Spanish I have and it was enough.  Soon they were just talking and I am nodding and they were loving the attention.  As our guys would play with the younger ones, soon Brandon and Stephen would have a pack chasing them around the schoolyard or the sport field.  I would then turn the other way and Dayse has Orrin by the hand leading him over to the side to play or Jackson stooping down focused only on the child clamoring for his attention at the moment.

     All of this seems very normal to us, but the thing that caught my attention was the impact that something as simple as unhurried attention was having on the children.  For whatever reason, in this culture, this type of attention is seldom seen.  One reason may be that older siblings become responsible for their younger siblings as young as 6 or 7 while mom and dad are out working.   “Children” parented many of these children and innocence was lost at an early age. 

     Pray for us this week that we will not grow tired of giving of ourselves, that we will be as Paul said, “poured out as a drink offering” upon these children who are thirsty for love and affection.  As pathfinders this week we are carriers of the banner of love and hope into a dark world.  Let us shine the light of hope through Jesus Chris to brighten the path for those Christ has given us.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can not be hidden.”

 

Marvelous Monday

July 2
Today was a marvelous Monday!  We started off the day with our individual devotion time with the Lord concentrating on Performance from our PATHS acronym.  1 John 2 teaches us about Jesus, how he walked, and how he instructs us to live our lives.  "...the one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked." 1 John 2:6 Our challenge this week, and for our lives, is to walk as Jesus walked and to perform as He did and continues to instruct us to do.
The morning quickly turned into planning, preparing, and practicing for our time at the orphanage and schools throughout the rest of the week.  Our translators taught us a few worship songs in Spanish, the drama team practiced their pantomime depicting the salvation story, and students practiced sharing their testimonies through the use of the translators.
After lunch (which was amazing, as all the meals are---thank you, Martha!) we headed off to the orphanage to set up for volleyball, basketball, soccer, bible story, and crafts for over 120 kids.  They arrived with smiles, sweet "hi's", and "holas", and excitement to play and be loved on.
Robin and Colby led the assembly with silly songs  and "the wave" followed by our students leading the kids in "Open the Eyes of My Heart" and "I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart" in Spanish.
The highlights mentioned from our day was a "tickle fight" with Brandon and the kids, children motioning for Jackson to get on all fours so they could jump on him, communication through the common language of drawing pictures, playing "dog, dog, cat" in lieu of "duck, duck, goose", and children saluting, marching, and coming to attention illustrating the story of the Centurion Soldier.  "No Matter Who You Are- Trust God!"
Looking forward to tomorrow--we head off to our first school to share testimonies, drama, songs and games with more beautiful Nicaraguan children!

Passport update.  We have spoken with the Embassy and are working on the correct documentation.  Angie has a few items to gather from the parents and then overnight to us.  Rosa at the Embassy assures us that when we bring in our information we will have our travel documents on the same day.  Thanks for your prayers and continue to pray for the remainder of the process.  We are looking forward to a great day at the sports camp as we kick off our week of ministry to students!

To the cross

To the cross, a set on Flickr.

Sunday in Jinotega. A trip to the cross, Giving out tickets to the sports camp in the Las Cruses community,Church,and hanging at the house

WE MADE IT! We left the church this morning with 16 students and 2 adults at 4AM. From there we flew to Miami and then from Miami to Managua! Honestly, it was so easy keeping (herding) 18 people through two separate airports including customs. God really watched over us as we travelled all day today.
As soon as we landed in Managua, we knew Satan was trying to put a damper on our mission here this week. Our baggage with our crafts and supplies was left in Miami and would only be able to be delivered to us in Jinotega by, hopefully, Monday. When we left the airport, we stopped to grab a quick bite to eat and one of our vans we are traveling in was broken into. 5 backpacks were taken which all included 5 different student's passports.

Most of you are probably thinking that at that point we would want to turn around and come back home. But, instead of having a negative reaction to our obstacles, the students kept a positive attitude and couldn't wait to get to work! They got to see first hand that we live in a world that is in need and seems to grow more into a place that is absent of all hope. The students understand their mission this week, to plant a seed to bring some sense of hope back into this world by showing the love of God and sharing the gospel.
READY TO WORK & SERVE!