Nicaragua Trip - March 22

Day 3 of trip. Monday

Woke up about 6am and jumped in the shower!!! yay for water! The thought of no hot water sounded ominous at first, but the water feels wonderful! Like taking a dip in a swimming pool.

I spent my quiet time on the patio, listening to waves. The sound of the waves was strong, then there was a brief moment of quiet and then another strong wave. It made me think of life in two different ways. On one hand, God speaks in a powerful voice and the quiet in between helps me to hear the next time He speaks in His powerful voice. On the other hand, life can be like a crashing wave, then God calms the waves with a peace, and then another wave comes crashing. No matter how you look at it, or what stage your life is in, the truth about both scenarios is that God is powerful in noise or quiet alike. He is more powerful than any thing in this world, whether it is a huge good thing or a huge difficulty. I treasure that morning on the patio listening to the waves.

I was blessed to have the first of a few awesome chats with Ricki on this trip. God spoke to me many times through our conversations. It was good to have some time to chat with John and Vanessa, missionaries who moved their 4 kid to Nicaragua last Sept to serve with Voice of Hope.

We went to help with a feeding of over 100 people. Pastor Calderon, his wife and congregation cook tons of food to share with a community down the road from their church. We got to help serve. I was dipping rice from a pan using a scoop made of coconut shell. My thumb was well done by the time we left. These people have so little. I can't imagine a life like that.

We went back to the Team house for lunch and a little rest. I took the time to call John Caubble back at FBC Rogers. I was trying to give him a verbal picture, but I know I wasn't doing it justice.

We went back into Leon that afternoon to do 2 Fiestas. At these events we start out by walking up and down the 'streets' of the village yelling 'Fiesta de caramelos' 'Cinco minutos' Para todo la familia'. Kids come running. Moms with babies come. The men show up and kind of hang around the outskirts to see what we are doing. Once we get back to the designated spot (hopefully in some shade), the Fiesta begins. Pastor Miguel does a fine job joking around with everyone and making them feel welcome. There are some funny questions, which result in prizes to the participants. (usually a toy or hygiene items) Then there is a contest for girls, who are paired up facing each other with a balloon in between them. Which ever team pops the balloon first wins prizes. Then there is a contest for young boys. The first part is to see who can take off their shirts and throw them in a box first. Then the box is taken away while the boys do some military maneuvers. (at this time their shirts are tied together and hidden for the moment) Then the box is brought back and dumped upside down on the ground and the boys are supposed to see who can put their shirt back on first. When the box is taken away they are surprised to see their shirts are missing. Then the tied-together shirts are tossed in the middle and they scramble to get their shirt untied and put on. Everyone is laughing and cheering them on. The winner gets a prize. Next it's the women's turn. Pastor Miguel jokes that their contest is the same as the boys. Everyone laughs. Actually, the women have a contest to see who can drink a bottle of soda first. Another time of laughing and cheering. The winner gets a prize.

Next comes the drama. Sin-box Sally (or Sam). A plastic tub is placed on the ground. Sally comes along and notices it, tries it out and loves the fun of being in 'sin'. Then she wants out, but can't get out of sin by herself. A strong man comes along. (he's pretty goofy showing his muscles and such) He tries to get her out, but can't do it. Then he picks a helper from the crowd (usually a scrawny kid who loves playing along). They exercise to get stronger, but can't get Sally out of sin either. Then they see that the box is sin and they run away. Next comes along a couple of singers. They try to party Sally out of the sin-box, but they can't help her either. Then they see that the box is sin and they run away. Next comes a couple of drunks. They are carrying bottles with lids slightly askew so that water splashes on the crowd. They make 2 attempts to 'save' Sally, but can't and then they also see the sin-box and run away. Now a Pastor comes along and explains that he can introduce her to someone who can get her out of Sin. He tells her about Jesus and leads her in a Salvation prayer, and with one hand easily helps her out of the box. This is all very simple, but it is very effective in explaining how simple Salvation is when you put your faith in Christ. The team members take turns being the actors in the drama.

While the games and dramas are going on, some of the team members and translators go street witnessing through the little village to talk with people who can't come to the Fiesta. When the drama is over, the boys go to one side and the girls go to another side while the adults stay put. Each group is talked to by a team member who recaps the drama and gives their testimony. Those who are ready to make a profession of faith are prayed with. The Pastors (and their workers) get personal information on everyone so they can follow up. When it's all over, the kids all get candy.

Fiestas are hot and dirty and sweaty and WONDERFUL! We did 2-3 each day. The team really got into acting out the drama. Many of them were excited to do street witnessing.
On the way home, we stopped at a Texaco station for some cold sodas. When we got back to the house, I waded in the ocean a little, had a shower (woohoo) and then rest time on my bed before church. We had dinner, and then headed back to Rosa de Saron church for a special Youth service.

The music was great, but I missed the regular dancers and flag people. Some of the youth danced during some of the songs. It was extremely hot and I couldn't believe people were dancing without passing out. It felt good to stand up and swish my skirt during the songs. On one of the songs, many people ran around the church in circles. Some of our team joined in, even Miss Mary! We kept hoping that they would cause a breeze!

Daniel gave his testimony and Blake preached! It was a great service. So festive and happy. Real worship with a joyful heart. That church is wonderful with participation in the worship.

As a result of the 2 Fiestas and the church service, 85 people made Professions of Faith this day. What an awesome time! God is soooo good!