The amazing lake we got to swim in, complete with a pier and float
The day after we arrived in Nicaragua was our free day. We had the lovely opportunity to go to this gorgeous lake in a wildlife preserve.It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The restaurant/resort had a pier that jutted out over the lake that made a perfect jump for swimmers. Naturally, I jumped down instead of out and scraped up my entire leg. But it was still incredibly fun.
I’m in the pink, flying off the pier!
And of course God had a plan. If I had not scraped my leg, I would not have had the chance to talk with our amazing busdriver, Milton. I learned that he is very much a family man, has 3 children whom he loves dearly, and is deeply loyal to his country. His dream was to be a pro-baseball player, and his favorite team is the Red Sox.
Throughout mission, many of us got to know him, and we left him a parting gift of some candy, literature, and a t-shirt. He told us that no one he had driven before had ever treated him like he existed, like he was a human being, like he mattered. But he did. He does. That in itself was our mission.
Me on the left, my wonderful mission team, and Milton in the middle
Another amazing chance for us to share our faith by simply living it was one night, when we stopped at a grocery store while wearing our mission shirts. One of the workers asked if we were Catholic missionaries. He explained that he was an Evangelical Christian, and didn’t understand why Catholics pray to Mary since she’s not God.
Myself and a few of my fellow missionaries had a wonderful conversation with him about how she is certainly not God, but we revere her because she is the Queen of Heaven. His view of Catholics seemed a bit more at ease when we left. Praise God for Christian unity!
Even as mission progressed, I continuously met people that astounded me. Their love and courage were so strong in the face of severe poverty, homelessness, and so many other struggles.
At the Missionaries of Charity home, where I would spend the next three days working, we discovered that besides running a home for girls, the sisters also run a daycare and a soup kitchen. One day, I headed over to the daycare where the most adorable tiny pre-schoolers were playing and preparing for nap time. I was wearing my crucifix from my mission to El Salvador four years ago. The kids were fascinated by it, and kept asking about it. I repeated to them that it was Jesus on the cross, who died for them and loves them very much. They wanted to play with me and didn’t want to go to sleep. Goodness, they were precious.
My new little friends ❤
What a princess!
That same day, I worked in the soup kitchen, serving rice, beans, chicken, grilled plantains, and juice to about 100 homeless men and women. After serving, I sat down at a table to talk with one lady. It turns out she loves Arnold Schwarzenegger. We had a lively conversation about the “Governator,” her love of action movies especially Terminator, and how he was governor of my home state of California.
Later, as they were leaving, I got to say goodbye to the men. They were such beautiful people. So sweet, so authentic, and so kind. They were very excited to meet me and shake my hand (blue eyes and blond hair are a rarity in Nicaragua hehe). As I introduced myself to each man, he would clasp my hand in both his hands, tell me it was a pleasure, and remark on my “gorgeous eyes” or “beautiful face.” One man even took my hand and kissed it. I couldn’t help but blush at their genuine kindness.
They asked if I would be there the next day, and I told them I could not. So they said their goodbyes, and we each asked God to bless the other. It was so short – just an introduction and parting. But every one of us was touched by the humanity of the other. We each loved each other as brother and sister in Christ, and I for one will never forget that.
All the girls in da house!
Flood The World 