This week was another week full of work, personal time with Jesus, group bonding, and TONS more painting for the roof of the house that a group of Costa Rican men are putting on the house that is being built.
Climactic events this week included:
1) One of the precious boys here was kind enough to throw a stick at a wasps nest encouraging over 25 wasps to chase me. Thankfully I was only stung by one; but my ear swelled up like crazy! First sting: CHECK
2) As to be expected there are an unlimited amount tarantulas and scorpions on this glorious island we call home. While Kat and I painted this week, one of the men that works here was welding metal 2x4s together for the roof. We found a scorpion on the table where our paint was… he came over, snapped off its stinger, the welded the rest of its body into the metal 2x4s. The scorpion was officially scorched. The poor thing was burnt to a crisp. It was absolutely hilarious to say the least…
3) I was sick this week. Major sick. With that being said working in the blistering heat was a big no at the beginning of the week. However I didn’t want to just be lazy and lay in bed so I found some of the kids reading books and running around. One sweet boy named Jessil always asks me to get the guitar and play for him.
DISCLAIMER: I know like 5 chords on the guitar, which is enough to play basic worship songs, Taylor Swift jams, and well that’s about it haha.
Anyways, there is a song called “Trading my Sorrows” that is pretty popular in children’s ministry in churches. I played around with chords and figured out how to play it; since we had sung it in church I knew he would know how to sing it. If you don’t know, the song is about trading in your pain and hurt for joy in the Lord. The songs chorus is “Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes Yes Lord.” Simple. So there we sat on the wall by the boys bedroom… I would move my fingers to the correct chord and he would sing and strum the guitar for me. Pretty soon a couple of other kids (Gustavo, Jose Antonio, Julieta, Duna, and more) wanted to try playing and singing too. It was incredible just me and a bunch kids sitting around singing “Si Senor, Si Si Senor…”
I love being here because it reminds me of my love for children. It has also reminded me the importance of teaching children at a young age to say YES to Jesus. Everyday I get older I grow more and more thankful that my parents raised me knowing God and the saving grace we find in Jesus.
When we say YES to Jesus, we are not guaranteed a perfect life but we are guaranteed a personal relationship with the ruler of the universe. I am humbled that He choose me everyday to serve him in Nicaragua with an amazing group of college students who love the Lord. I am also thankful God continues to remind me that when I say yes, He will always guide me down the best path.
