Update #5

A Su Nombre! GLORIA!

Thanks to all of you, we have safely returned from our visit to Apawas. Truly as Pastor Gomez put it, it was a Mission Extreme. We really appreciate all of your prayers for our trip because we really needed it. Even from the get go, our bus was delayed almost an hour because two buses were blocking the road. It turns out that two buses slightly nudged each other, but the delay was caused by the drivers refusing to move their buses out of the way. However, after police and local involvement, we were on our way to Apawas. And we were very lucky to have 6 brothers from Mount Olives come on this trip with us. The team leader and our favorite Nicaraguan grandpa Hermano (Brother) Sergio made sure that we were well taken care of.

The traveling was pretty harsh. Imagine one of those Blue Bird school buses elementary kids ride to school. Then add about 90 adults and some kids (max occupancy being 71). No A/C. But despite how rough the traveling conditions were, all of us were challenged to rethink a lot of the comforts that we have back in the states. For many people, this is how they travel everyday, for hours and hours at a time. Many didn’t have enough money to pay for the whole ride and were at the mercy of the bus attendant to take them to their destination. Needless to say, we realized how fortunate many of us were to own or have easy access to a car.

After two 5+ hour bus rides, we arrived in San Pedro where we were greeted by Hermano Orlando Torres from the Living Water church. After a quick bite to eat, we all purchased a pair of the local favorite footwear—rubber boots—and quickly loaded what would float us downstream an hour and a half to Apawas. These long and narrow boats barely fit our whole team. Any sudden movement would’ve emptied us all into the river.

Battling through many harsh waves, we soon floated into a makeshift dock. We were in Apawas. A long staircase led us up to a town that looked like it just came out of an old western movie, with wood boarded buildings and people riding on horses. It is mostly a farming community with many who own small convenience stores. The hottest selling item is Coca Cola. Electricity is available for the whole community only between 6 and 9 PM, so their days start very early and end early as well. It’s a very peaceful community. Most get their work done in the morning and then spend the rest of the afternoon chitchatting with friends and neighbors. Their main water source is a river that runs alongside the town. This is where they bathe, wash clothes, and even gather water for cooking and cleaning. It was so much fun running around the river with the neighborhood kids, jumping and floating down the river.

We had the opportunities to love on the kids through VBS. Many of the kids were very shy and even a bit fearful—many of them witness spousal and even experience abuse themselves. Many of the struggle with their self-esteem and accepting love from others. However, truly the love of Christ tears down all walls. Even in the short two days that we spent with them, we saw a transformation in the countenance of these kids.

More than anything, we were all so blessed by Pastor Robin. Having moved from the city to pastor this church in Apawas, he had to give up many of the comforts that he had in the city. However, being certain of God’s calling upon his life, he is serving the Lord faithfully and passionately in Apawas. We were challenged by the purity of worship that he offered to the Lord. Dancing and jumping, we saw a man almost double our age undignified before men because he knew that God was worthy. It was evident that he had such a humble servant heart as he was often first to start setting up chairs or sound equipment for service. As we walked through the streets of Apawas, you can tell he had the respect and love of the community, even those who don’t come to church. We are so privileged to have met Pastor Robin during this trip and will continue to pray for his ministry.

We are winding our time down here in Nicaragua. We can’t believe it’s already been almost three weeks since we left the states. And although only a couple more days are left here, we are fighting for every second that we have here, taking every opportunity given just to bless one more person. At the same time, all of us can’t wait to come back to you all and share many of the stories and testimonies of how God is moving in Nicaragua. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

To Him be the glory.