*I am in need of $1,550 to be fully funded for this Mission. If you’re looking for a special tithe, you can support me on this site by clicking the “support me” button on the upper left side of this page.*
Journal Entry: January 27, 2014
“There’s a strange sense of freedom in simple living. As soon as we stepped out of the airport in Nicaragua and started our 3 hour truck ride to our ministry location, a familiar peace washed over me. My breathing became light and my heart was happy. I‘ve always been a lover of nature; I don’t think I’ve seen God more clear in anything else. The people we passed along the roads all lived amongst God’s creations; villages in the trees and vast empty fields in the near distance.They walked barefoot along the road or rode bicycles, disappearing in our dust.”
It’s funny for me to hear the girls discussing the locals living in “shacks”, light bulbs hanging from trees, and church offerings being collected in plastic bags. Yes, these things are all notable coming from westernized Americans, but I hadn’t yet noted the differences. Starting to feel somewhat apathetic, and afraid I had become numb to the struggles of those facing hardship, I prayed for God to break my heart for them again. Instead, He reminded me that most of these people aren’t in need of someone to grieve for them. They’re not living in acknowledgment that they live amongst poverty, and they don’t need us to acknowledge the fact. While they appear to have nothing to those consumed with materialism, what is more note worthy is the fact that they are satisfied with the “little” they do have.
When did possessions and advancement of technology begin to determine the quality of a person’s life? We’ve come to a place where we go above and beyond to do what we can to acquire the essentials, (shelter, clothing, food), and a few extras. In the midsts of busying our lives, slaving to provide for ourselves, there is no room for a loving God to show himself as our sole provider. Furthermore, because we have what we need, we’ve stopped depending on God. We have stopped calling on Him and He has almost ceased to exist to us at all. But God offers us more than what is physical.
“…it is written, ‘man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” -Matthew 4:4
Most people would agree that a house without someone to share it with is not a home. Finding happiness in the possessions of the world is an endless goose chase, and acceptance from people still results in searching for something more. Eating well fills the stomach, but leaves the heart hungry for love. Made in the image of a loving God, we were intended to receive and give love. However, when we stop believing in the One who loves us, we cease to receive what is most essential to life in itself, the fuel of our soul.
The people here endure the day with a little dirt on their feet, and sit through church services amongst 40 foot trees. They sing along with acoustic guitars and crying, half naked children crawling under their chairs. The joy in their hearts shines through the love in their eyes. It’s plain to see that they are not living in poverty. They are full of life and love as they are in tune with their creator, the giver of life and love. We “go to the nations” to serve, but “the least of these” continue to teach those who leave the comforts of western life the truth about freedom from man, and the fulfillment of a life lived in full dependence on Christ and his love.
They’re not living in acknowledgment that they live amongst poverty, because they have all that they need. They are satisfied by being in complete inflow of the Lord’s love for them and outflow of love for the people in front of them. We were meant to live in relationship with God; receiving a love so full and powerful that we can’t help but love others in return. But, its hard to have faith that the creator of the universe will provide for us if we never give him the opportunity to prove that he will. And it’s impossible to receive love from a God we don’t believe exists.
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Why spend money on what is not bread and work for what does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
Give ear and come to me; listen, so that you may live.
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on him while he is near.” -Isaiah 55:1-3, 6
Update for the Parents! (This includes you, mom 🙂
We have had so much downtime here in Nicaragua. Many of the girls appear to have grown somewhat restless, but are adjusting. Jacq, my co-leader, and I have encouraged them to take advantage of quiet, stillness. When you don’t have school, internet, text messaging, television, a job, appointments, or errands filling your days, 5 hours of ministry a day leaves a lot of downtime. It takes a while to learn what to do with yourself! Without the ability to depend on these things for entertainment, or titles giving identity, etc. you’re forced to look toward the only thing that remains constant, God. They have time to actually sit and think about life, who they are, or what their place and purpose is. Weird concept, I know.
I’m not worried about God throwing us some curve balls in ministry. We’ve come to serve, and he won’t let open hands go to waste. The girls are learning their identities as daughters of the Father, which in my opinion, is the most important aspect of this 3 month journey. Jacq and I are are excited about the growth we’ve already seen in individuals and as a team. There’s definitely been some healthy growing pains, but God is so good, and his timing is beautiful. The girls are shining his love from the inside out a little brighter everyday.
*I am in need of $1,550 to be fully funded for this Mission. If you’re looking for a special tithe, you can support me on this site by clicking the “support me” button on the upper left side of this page.*
