The Nothing Givers: those who give everything when they have nothing. These are the people who live in single room “homes” with an outdoor “kitchen”, an outhouse, and a wheel they turn to get drinking water (which is rarely clean).
My team and I have been immensely blessed by these people. Specifically, we have attended several of their church services, few of which have actually been inside a building.
At these services, several things occur:
Everyone with a chair will offer you theirs until you sit in it – they’d rather stand knowing you are comfortable.
Everyone is dressed in their best
Mosquitoes always win
The worship is bold, deep, and fulfilling (& en español)
The service lasts at least 3 hours (no matter what they told you when you were invited)
Everyone is about to get really sweaty
You will more than likely leave sticky & smelly.
You will have sore feet and hands from clapping, dancing, and jumping (non-stop!) (My concerns for not being able to stay fit and healthy quickly evaporated prior to my first Nicaraguan worship service)
When the trash bag is passed your way, it’s meant for your tithe – not your trash
The locals love you even when your Spanish sounds more like a poor attempt at Pig-Latin
The Pastor’s yell their sermons – they are very passionate!
Worshiping into the night with a lightbulb dangling from a tree limb isn’t an unusual source for a night light
The locals will feed you after the service – even when they have no food to spare.
You’ll get hugged a ton
In summary, the people of Nicaragua treat us like they we are Jesus himself. He is certainly here with us; however, we have come here to love and support them, yet we are the ones being blessed.
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.’ ”(2 Corinthians 9:6-9 NIV)
