Five Days Later

I have had a few days to try to process the 8 days we spent in Managua. I was really hoping to come to grips with the emotions and reactions of what we saw there. However, what I have discovered is that I am in a sort of grieving process. Initially, I was shocked and sad. Then, I was outraged. Now, I'm numb. However, the tears can still flow freely when I think about the 450 children we came into contact with. My heart jumps at the thought of going back. I get a huge smile on my face when I think about praising Jesus in Spanish with 3000 other believers I have never met, yet was intricately bonded with.

As I have mentioned before, Nicaragua is a paradox. The hopelessness of poverty is always present and heavy. Young girls under the age of 12 will prostitute themselves to the trash truck drivers at the dump for the opportunity to be first to dig through the trash. Children beg for money at every street corner. I met Udy, a boy about 12, who had been kidnapped and taken to Mexico so that his organs could be sold on the black market. By the pure grace of God, he escaped before he was killed. David, also about 12, was sold by his mom's boyfriend for a $2 crack rock. He was rescued by Wayne and Elaine, wonderful missionaries in Managua.

And yet, the presence of God is everywhere. Udy is in the constant process of healing. He is guarded, but liberal with hugs. David is a born leader and understands the depths of God's love. The Church in Managua is filled with true Christians. They suffer persecution. They give out of nothing. Their joy in the Father is just that. They have trouble, but rely on their Lord to deliver them. While the Church in the US has about a 20/80 tithe rate (that is 20% of believers contribute 80% of the church's budget) the church we visited has an 80% tithe rate. I don't like numbers when it comes to the kingdom of God, but these numbers speak volumes. Those that have much tend to give little and those that have little tend to give much. I am now praying for much that I may give much.

I'm amazed at the way Father put our mission team together. While I knew all 8 of my fellow members, I didn't know them. I have been touched deeply by each one of them. Cheryl, Claudie, Bradley, Brooks, Chad, Jay, Jason, and Russell: How can I thank you for the way you took me in and made me family? I want each of you to know that I thank our Father for you and for the amazing gifts you bring to the table. I know that all week we prayed that we would have Jesus's heart for the people that we met. On Thursday, we learned how dangerous that prayer is. As we walked through a children's cancer hospital, we saw children who were dying in terrible conditions and victims of extremely inadequate medical care. Each one of us was wrecked with sorrow. And yet, as we prayed for these children, there was hope because we felt the Father's love for even the least of these. One image I will never forget is the little two year old girl vomiting on the floor as her mother tried to hold her head up. No bed pan. No nurse. No sheets or pillows on the bed. I was compelled to pray for her. As I did, she relaxed and stopped vomiting. She turned her beautiful eyes up and smiled! I cried and she smiled. Crud. I'm crying now. How much God loves each and every one of us. And how much the children of Nicaragua need to know about His love!

Our friends, Wayne and Elaine MaGouirk and their ministry, Savior's Tear, are truly the hands and feet of Jesus to hundreds of children in Nicaragua. They don't do it for glory. They certainly don't do it for the money (there's no wealth building in missions). They simply do it because God told them to. I'm going to post the link to their ministry at the end. PLEASE visit the page. It is such important work. I have learned over the past few days that our Father blesses those who bless His children. And He certainly blessed me last week.

I think that I can speak for the entire team when I say that we are all forever changed by this trip. Our vision is different and our hearts have been altered. We experienced a compassion unlike I have ever known.

I have made lifelong friends and have met an entirely new family in Central America. Thank you for following our journey. I have linked to Mission 2540, Brooks Boyett's ministry blog as well. He does a great job with it and has a fantastic ministry as well. Please check it out.

Father, thank you that you don't turn away from us. Your love is always present and your grace covers us all. Please help us to recognize the opportunities to be You to others. Help us not to be distracted by our own selfishness and greed. Even the widow gave out of her need. May we give out of our abundance. Amen.

Savior's Tear

Mission 2540