If you ever find yourself in search for the importance of life, leave behind everything you consider to be important. Somewhere in this foreign land, I seemed to have discovered it.
After one month of living here in Nicaragua, my perceptions seemed to have slowly changed from my self-centered life style that I was so accustomed to into something much greater than myself. Everything I ever wanted was right at my fingertips and catering to myself was, sadly, a top priority. Of course looking back, I would have never thought that was the case; at least I would not have admitted it.
In one month I believe to have accomplished a lot. The wolf spiders in the showers aren’t as scary, the geckos on the walls aren’t as gross, the green mangos that the kids pick from the trees aren’t as sour, and the sun isn’t as hot. All of these miniature victories have taught me that my personal comfort isn’t all that important.
The most important thing that I have realized on this trip is the importance of relationships. After being apart from my family and friends, I have come to appreciate them more and more. They are a huge part of my life and I don’t ever want to take advantage of them. Also since being here, I have been falling more in love everyday with the amazing man that is waiting for me back home. God is teaching me so much about the beauty of love.
I am simply amazed at the appreciation that the older teenagers have towards education. It has truly inspired me and made me realize the importance of education. It has given me motivation to continue increasing mine when I return home.
Being down here and only getting to talk to people from home once a week, I have seen the impact that words can make. They have encouraged me every time that I have talked to them which has made me want to be uplifting to others also. Words are powerful and can bring life or death, so I have learned to use them wisely.
Finally, I have understood putting others needs above my own. There are a vast amount of people that we come into contact with every day. We see them at school, at work, passing them on the street, and at the grocery store. I have to quote Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” because songs can have powerful lyrics that make us think…and who doesn’t like MJ? The words that come to mind are, “I see the kids in the street with not enough to eat, who am I to be blind, pretending not to see their needs?” People are always in need of something and I want to be used as a vessel to help in whatever way possible instead of ignoring them. “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so some have entertained angels without knowing.”
This language barrier here is nothing short of frustrating. I can only ask so many questions, but I yearn to go deeper with them. I just do not know how to do that in most situations. Through this, God has stirred up a desire in me to be bold in reaching people when I get back to my country, where there is no language barrier to battle.
God has given me new eyes to see through that look beyond myself. I refuse to be selfish, I refuse to ignore, I refuse to stay comfortable, I refuse to not appreciate, I refuse to give up.
