NICARAGUA explained

Today is a day I have taken a brake from my schedule and reflected thus far on my time here in Nicaragua. I have decided to explain my time here with the letters of this country. "N" is for NEW beginnings. I have started a new life, have met new people and have planted myself into a new atmosphere. I am currently in the process of helping to start a new church! God is bigger than anything and only with the power of him and his never ending love am I able to have the wisdom to help start a new church in Nicaragua where there is none. I was contacted by a person who was on the last medical brigade and he was thinking of starting a new church and I told him I was interested in helping. I know he and his wife are great people and his passion is life is bringing people into relationship so that they can learn and see God's love through what he does. Carlos and Luisa have an amazing story and are full of God's love. They live solely off of His timing and it has been awesome to meet them and get to know them on a more personal level while talking about this church planning. Today is the first meeting of discipleship and I will have to miss it because I am feeling sick. "I" is for INTERESTING. When i was first introduced to Nicaragua through orientation and was told there will be things while I am here that will be "different". I thought (well duh, its a totally new place) of course this will be different. At that time, I thought Americas ways of doing life were superior and much more sensible. Since I have been here, I have changed and my mind set is different. The way people live here is beautiful just like some lives in the states. Of course everywhere you go, you will have poor decisions that were made, leading to poor lifestyles, but as well you have people here that are left poor and make great lives for themselves. This can happen anywhere, but you see it much more when the odds are against you (a country like Nicaragua). I have fallen in love with the people of this country and the differences that make us each unique in our own ways. God has designed each of us individually and given us each our own way of coping. Since I have been here, I have learned that when someone asks me my take on something; for example, the work I do in the clinic, I say "it is interesting, but I love it". I don't always add in the little tidbit that I love it, but things that I have come to love, I definitely don't leave the sentence bland and empty with the word interesting. There are many interesting differences here all the way from raising children to caring for the sick. I have learned to accept each of them as interestingly different and think I may even adopt some of them as my own when I start a family one day. "C" is for companionship. I have had a few people that stick out in my mind that have become companions since I have been here. One has been by my side this whole trip; my mother here (Isabel) and one that I have recently met that has taken me under her wing (Esmeralda). The group of missionaries I work with also are people I consider companions in different ways. I have found these two individual people who have walked with me through my struggles and held me close when I needed it most. Without a companion to help you or people to listen to you, I think you might go crazy. I am in a totally unique environment and working under a different set of standards here that I need to express how I am feeling sometimes to people who live here. These two people have helped me learn more about the culture and explained it in words that are easily understandable to me in the language I am still learning each day. I have found that with close companions, I can share my heart and these people accept me no matter what. They are both Christians and are people I admire greatly. My mother here is a leader in our church and is very smart and strong in everything she does. My friend Esmeralda is studying anesthesiology and is interested to help me grow and learn more in the language and my career (she let me practice starting and IV on her). These people have gone out of their comfort zones to help me adapt more; trust me! "A" is for ANXIETY. I have had anxiety many times since I have been here that it would be unfair to write that only good things come when you are serving God. I think anxiety in small spurts is healthy for normal human functioning. You need a little of anxiety here and there to keep you human and help you realize that you are living in the same world most humans live in! I had anxiety starting my new job, meeting new people at church, work, and my family. I had anxiety my first time taking a taxi, the first time riding the bus alone, and many firsts I have had to do. The first time I have tried foods, a slight, tiny, itsy bitsy ounce of anxiety came over me because I didn't know if I would like it. I have thought to myself before I even tried foods (what if I hate this whole plate of food?). I have loved every food I have tried here and the things I am not so fond of are not common or are usually snacks that are purchased when desired. "R" is for RARE. There are rare things I have seen that have made me look twice. Like every new place you go, your always on the watch for things that are different. Here it is common for people to carry huge bags of plastic, or pushing large carts with the whole thing filled with plastic so they can make some money. It must not be much, because these people have a full bag or full bin and are still collecting. I also find it rare that children are juggling mandarin oranges in the streets for money rather than eating them for nutrients. I find it rare that IM injections are given in the butt all the time here no matter what! I find it rare that men claim to be Christians and leave their family to have another mistress and start a family with her and then return to the family he once had and act like everything is ok. There are many rarities here but I know that God has shown me what he has to learn from them and pray to accept them with a non judgmental heart. "A" is for ALIVE. Since I have been here, I have realized that the city is alive during all times of the day and even through some nights. On December 7th and 8th, fireworks are shot off at all hours. On December 24th, fireworks are also bounding throughout the city and especially on December 31st, the whole country is alive. The town is alive. Every time I have been running at 5:00 AM in the morning there has been at least one person up and one bus running, showing me that this city is never dead. There is always someone working somewhere making money for themselves; whether its my host sister coming home at 2:30 AM from work, or a drunk man begging for 1 cordoba in the middle of a 3 lane highway at stop lights to buy his next drink, or a prostitute waiting for her next client to make money to bring home the next meal for her children. I have seen many different instances and heard many stories that have allowed me to see the variety and severity of the meaning of this word. Some people may take it as a bad thing, but others may be thankful for the job they have that keeps them alive. I have been thankful to be in the city to see the celebrations and the culture light up the night on certain occasions. "G" is for GRACE. I recently explained to a couple that I never pictured myself as missionary. Even growing up in the church; the term missionary was never appetizing to me. I always thought the biggest house, the nicest car, and the most expensive clothes was what pleasing God was all about because that is what society tells you. Of course this isn't the devout, loving, and disciples following Christ religiously kind of people I used to admire. It was television, movies, music that brought these thoughts into my mind. Here I have received God's grace and he has allowed me to see that through relationships I have formed and the person I am becoming is not possible without him and his love. I am nothing without him and I am saved by his grace. It has allowed me to be here and blessed by the things and people in this country I have come across thus far. "U" is for UNITED. I have found this term used specifically for families all throughout Central America. People here whether you are related by blood or through marriage, you stand as a united unit through everything. As a family grows up here, the mother and father have a house in a particular neighborhood. As the children bro up, they purchase houses across the street, or on the same street or even next door to the main person of this family. This process continues through any generations, therefore you have generations either living together or side by side and everyone is around all the time for all events. It is a beautiful site and I love watching cousins being able to play with one another by just crossing the street. It wasn't as easy for my sisters and I to play with relatives considering our family based themselves in Florida and everyone else was in a difference states hundreds of miles away. I may find it so interesting and be mesmerized by it because it wasn't easily attainable for me. I appreciate the unity of families here. Even if they may be broke, they are still mostly accepting and united. I love that! "A" is for ANSWERED prayers. God answered my prayer and allowed me to be in this country which I have absolutely fallen in love with. I am doing his will for my life and I would desire nothing more. I have met amazing people, people that have lifted me up, have helped me get to where I am. Supporters who have helped answer my prayers with their prayers and continued support. I have learned so much thus far. I am so thankful for a faithful God. He has answered so many of my prayers from a suitcase being returned and have covered every expense I have needed. A little update on things that have been happening: Liam and Gorge Luis started school in February. I will be traveling to Costa Rica the 28th of February to renew my visa (AKA; I have been here for 6 months!). I will have one of my friends (Kate) come to visit March 8th-15th. I will be helping a medical brigade on the 16th-24th of March from South Carolina. I attended a medical bridge in Esteli with a Mennonite team from Ohio on February 17th. My missionary friend here (Shelby) may leave soon because she doesn't have much funds to last her another month. I am not looking to get my residency anymore. Please pray for my stomach it has been upset and not well the last couple weeks. I hate being sick and I stayed home from my usual Thursday meeting because I felt nauseous and had a fever this morning. Thanks for your continued support and prayers. I appreciate you all so much. May God be glorified through all we do! AMEN!