Nicaragua 2013 - Saturday Coming Home

When I set my alarm last night, it was for "3 hours and 36 minutes from now". That was sobering. We missed the alarm at 3:30 AM, but thankfully Doris woke to the smell of Jolydia brewing coffee at 3:52. We were dressed, packed, and quickly on our way. But obviously tired.

Duckie's last appearance on the plane:

As we were landing in ATL, we spotted another plane in the air next to us, so Stephen filmed part of the landing for Sydney.

A picture of Atlanta for Sydney:

 Once we exited the plane we flew through customs.  We were all so grateful for how efficient it was. It was great to be back in the U-S-of-A!

Stephen and the guys were "surfing" in the ATL airport:

As I reflect on the week, on the way home, I'm most grateful to have seen God's hand in so much of this trip. 

I saw Him in His people, and the way they showed gratefulness for the class. 

I saw Him in our team, enduring suffering and sickness with a joy that can only come from Christ. He was in the laughter, that gave us cheerful hearts.

He was in our friends and family, praying for us and calling on others to join them.

I saw Him in our translator, Mario, and his humility.

He was in Jolydia, who cooked us meals, cleaned our rooms, and made our beds - quietly and cheerfully.

I saw him in Stephen's courage to lead worship for the first time...in another language. To preach his first sermon, even though he had to completely change what he'd prepared at the last minute. I saw Christ in Stephen's determination to persevere on the panel, even though he had a fever.

I saw Him in Ken's perseverance in teaching long mornings and then again in the afternoon, even though he was sick.

He was in Lee Anne's delight of all things beautiful. Then in her quiet suffering and patient endurance in affliction.

I saw Christ in Doris and in the way she was nurturing to me as a roommate, and a great example of a wife who loves well. And shares her things.

And in Fabricio, who encouraged us to persevere and brought joy in tense moments.

I saw him in Matt, and his joy to serve and love the people and to speak their language.

He was evident in Carrie Franklin, and her desire to nurture us with a home-cooked meal. And WiFi!

Kyle showed Christ to us in his humility and transparency in sharing with us. And by caring for us all, while he was sick himself.

I saw Him in Tyler, and his joy for life - sitting in the back of the church, gnawing on an enormous carrot.

And He was in our fearless leader, Wes, who protected us, and was determined to make sure we had a fun day, even though he was throwing up in the car.

God was in each of our stories. His story of rescue and redemption was obviously woven throughout our testimonies.

He was in every sunset, reminding me He loves me and was in control.

He was and always will be good. I'm so thankful to have seen His goodness this week.

And when I get home I will be even more grateful to brush my teeth with tap water, take a hot shower, and to flush toilet paper. I don't want to take any of our little blessings for granted.

Nicaragua 2013 - Friday

Friday was our day to rest, have fun, and recharge before going home.  We began the day with a great encouragement from Kyle.  To not allow "walls" or distractions to keep us from our relationship with God, no matter what challenges our current season of life holds.  This was a great reminder for each of us before returning home.

Fabricio is a special guy.  He had lots of great "Fabricioisms", which he agreed to share with us on video so we may never forget them. And then Kyle took a stab at his Fabricio impression.

 

We enjoyed Mantequillas, Nicaraguan butter cookies.  Kyle bought some to take home.

On our way up the mountain to see the Masaya (pronounced "Messiah") Volcano, we stopped at a little museum, which had this view:

And inside the museum, was this depiction of the 1772 eruption:

While at the Masaya volcano, we had the opportunity to go on a guided tour in a bat cave.

 Our tour guide:

Once inside the bat cave:

Unfortunately, that was my last photo in the cave.  Claustrophobia set in, unexpectedly, and I had to leave the guys to the tour and wait for them OUTSIDE the cave where I could breathe.

So I listened to some Laura Story and enjoyed the view:

The "jungle" we walked through to get to the bat cave.  (That makes it sound so much more adventurous.)

 It wasn't long before the guys returned from the cave tour:

 And we were able to see the volcano more closely:

Looking down into the volcano:

 

The guys at the top (with Moises' girlfriend):

And the guys having a rock throwing contest, into the volcano. 

 

Stephen claims he won. :)

 

 

Afterwards we did some quick shopping in the Masaya market then ate at a Papa John's for dinner.  Several members of our crew were struggling with sickness, but they were troopers and battled through it.

Stephen and I gave Gumby to Fabricio.  He drove us around, even though he was battling a fever.

Nicaragua 2013 - Thursday

Wednesday night was a hard one.  Lee Anne and Stephen began vomiting violently all night, and several other men had "the other problem" in the night. (Most think it was lunch.) 

At 2:30 am, the men were laughing hysterically and it was heard in the ladies' room next door.  Apparently Stephen was really funny after he completely emptied the contents of his stomach.  Loudly. 

But our room was more somber.  Praying for Lee Anne to have strength in the suffering.  It was awful.

We woke a little early that morning because we had to pack up and leave Selva Negra.  This was my "parting shot":

And this was Stephen leading worship.  With a fever and not much strength at all.

The day was long for Lee Anne.  She suffered with nausea, terrible headaches, and fever.  It ended with two IV bags at the church.  We thought she'd have to go to the hospital because she was so dehydrated, it was difficult to find her veins.  But God had a nurse in the pastor's class who went to the local pharmacy to buy needles and equipment small enough to make it happen.  God is so good to have done that!  

So Lee Anne got an IV in front of the church, next to the pig.  How often does one get to say that?

Another picture from the church:

And another sunset, to remind my heart He's still got it all!

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Psalm 19:1 (NLT)

Doris got sick as soon as the graduation ceremony started.  At the church.  :(  I felt so terribly for her.

We opted out of dinner, so we waited as Fabricio paid Norman for preparing it and asked him to share the food with his neighbors.  Meanwhile Lee Anne finished her IV, and I love this picture because the two sickest ones were still laughing. 

A cheerful heart brings good healing, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  Proverbs 17:22 (NET)

I got a final picture with little Jessica:

Some of the sick ones still recovering, and doing it with joy:

And we finally got a team picture.  In the dark.

We stopped at a gas station next to a Tip Top so the CFCI guys could eat something substantial.  Wes, Matt, and I were still well so we opted for snacks for dinner.  Although I think when those two meandered into Tip Top, they got some real food there, too. 

I thought Brody would love this Mario image taped to the straw cup:

My dinner: Snickers, Cheese Pringles (because they have protein, right?), and a bottled water. The Coke and Powerade were for Stephen.

I think this was the hardest day for me.  But as I sat in the car between Stephen struggling and Lee Anne hooked up to her IV, I was reminded how God accomplished all that He wanted to through our team, in spite of the sickness.  His strength was displayed in our weakness.

Each time he said, "My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness."  So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

Thursday night, Ken gave Stephen and I the Gumby award for being flexible.  Stephen was super flexible in preaching a new sermon at the last minute and leading worship and helping on the panel while really sick.

Nicaragua 2013 - Wednesday

Wednesday morning began with pancakes (woo-hoo!) and I shared during devotion time.

I shared about how God is supreme over the universe, and has His rightful place there, yet I don't give Him that rightful place in my heart.  We listened to Laura's song, Keeper of the Stars.

Across the street from the church was this precious face:

Mario received the Gumby award that morning because our female translator didn't show on Tuesday, so he translated for Ken's Bible class in the morning, for our entire class in the afternoon, and then again for Stephen's sermon the night before.  This was a well deserved Gumby.

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Stephen played guitar for worship again. Fabricio and Mario sang, and Wes played drums.

Lee Anne, Stephen, Wes, Tyler and I were able to sneak away to run some errands during Ken's class and we realized Carrie's apartment was right beside Radio Shack.  Which meant so was her WiFi!  I wanted to get an update on my aunt's surgery back home, so we walked passed the driver and just said, "Carrie Franklin" and he let us by to her door, where we unashamedly stood sending and receiving emails for a few moments.  Isn't her door gorgeous?

Tyler, the CFCI "intern" from NC, is as skinny as a rail, but eats constantly.  He ate everyone's leftovers and was always leaving to buy fresh veggies off the street to munch on.  This day it was raw cauliflower.  He shared with Fabricio.  I think he's so thin because he walks all the time.  Tyler just loves life and sees God in all things.

Matagalpa from the backseat of Fabricio's van:

Stephen and Tyler deep in conversation outside the church:

Two green gringos riding in the trunk of the van on the way to lunch:

Wednesday we were still teaching on marriage and oneness, with an emphasis on restoration and forgiveness.  It was solid truth.

Jenny was given a Grace shirt for being the spokesperson for her breakout group. She was on staff with CRU and wanted a photo with Lee Anne and I.

For dinner we had steak with fried plantains, cole slaw (mayo free), and rice and beans.

Afterwards, we enjoyed some "recompense" again and some of the men tried some steak off the street.