Nicaragua 2009: Kim's Story

I have not done a post on Nicaragua for a while but I had asked the team members to submit stories that were particularly touching to them during the trip for inclusion as a guest post. Today I would like to tell Kim's story. Kim came on this trip like many of us not really knowing what to expect and afraid of flying, I think it turned out to be a wonderful and terrific trip for her. I know I really enjoyed watching and listening to Kim on this trip, she has a tremendous heart for the children and being a nurse was able to clean and care for some of the children's wounds while we were there. The following is Kim's story:

I heard the voice of the Lord saying: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for US?" Then I said "Here I am! Send me." Isaiah 6:8

The trip to Nicaragua was a great experience. I feel God called me to be a part of this wonderful team in spreading the love and word of Jesus Christ. I have to admit I was scared but I didn't let that stop me. I was scared to fly and even go to a foreign place with people that I really didn't know. It was such a bonding experience and now I have 8 great new friends here in Virginia and many new ones in Nicaragua because of it.

It is hard for me to express the emotions and feelings that I have for the trip. No words can truly express what I have seen and experienced during my time in Nicaragua. “The Dump” is a trash dump that some Nicaraguans live in. The photos don’t allow you to have the full experience. The photos don’t allow you to smell the stench or to experience breathing of the infectious air these people breath on an everyday basis. I have to say we Americans are spoiled. I feel blessed for everything and everyone in my life.

If I had to pick another moment of the trip that stands out it is the first feeding station we went to. It was in a remote village and we all helped to prepare the food. When it was time to feed the children they all line up with what ever they have to put the food in, some had nothing. The children with no dish or plate to eat off of are what I remember the most. The fact that, we had to pull leaves off of the trees around and use them as plates for these children to eat off of, has left a lasting impression on me. All I could think of was we throw away paper plates, cups, etc in our country. No more paper plates, cups, bowels or silverware for this girl.

I have to say I miss the beautiful smiling faces of the Nicaraguan people especially the children. I also miss the singing, and wonderful church services we attended. I can’t wait to return and hope all who have pondered the idea of doing a mission trip; have the courage to respond to the call. It will be an experience you will never regret and you will return a changed person.

Nicaragua 2009: La Chureca (The Managua City Dump)

On Wednesday we went to La Chureca, I think John described it aptly when he said, "words alone can not describe just how bad this place was....It is probably the closest thing imaginable to 'hell on earth'!" What we saw and experienced there changed my perception of poverty, it destroyed my idea of need. Growing up in a military family I thought I had seen poverty, we lived over seas and traveled to many places including Korea and Bali where I visited and experienced how some of the poor in these areas lived. Even with these memories I was completely unprepared for what I experienced at La Chureca. I had never seen young children, the same age as mine, running around barefoot through trash, rusty metal, broken glass, and medical waste.

The following is what Kelli saw and experienced at the dump that day and later at Masaya where we went to "recover":

"The dump was excruciating to me. It felt like someone took my heart out and stomped on it and didn't stop there. They then picked it up and put it in a blender and turned it into liquid. It hurt my soul and mind. I will never be the same because of it. The kids have no choice, it seems to me that a parent would find a way, any way out or make another choice than to have their kids in a place like that. There should be NO reason to raise kids in a place like that! God knew that I was hurting deeply after that. I wanted to grab all the kids I saw digging in trash and take them home with me. I physically felt like I could not walk and by the grace of God, He walked me out of that place."

Once out of the dump and at Masaya a rain storm came raging across the lake that fills the old volcano. The wind was incredible, in fact I would say it rivaled some strong tropical storms I have been in, and was really driving the rain. The rest of the team got under cover and joyfully watched Kelli.

"During the storm I felt like God was washing me through and through. He cleansed my soul and spoke to me. The wind was not pushing me down or knocking me over. It was picking me up and surrounding me like arms would. I felt like fingers rubbing my back letting me know that it would be okay. That those kids would be in Heaven and have a wonderful, clean, place next to Jesus. Right next to Jesus, not down the block or around the corner, but right next to Him. That Jesus is wrapping His arms around them day and night and that He is looking after them when no one else is. I felt like if I let go of the rail I would have be whisked off the Heaven. I felt that as long as I held on to the rail I would stay on earth. That is why I had one hand up and one on the rail. I really wanted to be with Jesus in Heaven at that particular time. I wasn't thinking about anyone or anything just Jesus. I was thanking and praising Him for all He has given and not given me. I didn't feel like I was even there for a minute. I felt kinda like on another dimension (if that makes sense). It is something that will always be special to me and I can't wait to get to Heaven to have it again."

Nicaragua 2009: "It's the Kids Man!"

Nicaragua 2009: John's Story

I asked the team members to submit stories that were particularly touching to them during the trip for inclusion as a guest post. Today I would like to tell John's story. As I mentioned before, John is the associate pastor at New Life. While I was worried about leaving a wife that was 4 months pregnant, John went on this trip with a wife that was almost 8 months pregnant. The story John tells is an event that impacted me deeply in Nicaragua, through John's actions I saw his heart and his heart is good. The following is John's story:

"Chris asked me to put some thoughts down about a specific event or time in Nicaragua that really impacted my life. There are too many to mention here but since this is his blog I will share with you a moment that we had together in the local dump.

For those of us who have trusted Christ as our Savior we have the great honor of calling the God of this universe "Father"-- we are His children! This is such a special relationship, my relationship with the Father in heaven has grown to be the sweetest thing I know! I am a father of 3 boys and will soon have a daughter!

God has used these children to show me how much He loves us!

Many times I have watched my children running and playing without a care in the world and then all of a sudden down they go "ouch"! It doesn't take long before they are in my arms and in the midst of the tears, dirt, and blood all they can say is "daddy!" Why do they do this? Because they know their "daddy" is going to take care of them and make it all better and it usually only takes a kiss and a band aid and they are back in full swing.

With this thought in mind I want to share with you what I experienced in the dump with my "brother" Chris!

We were in the this dump and words alone can not describe just how bad this place was, the smell was horrible ,the people were covered in dirt and filth and it was obvious that they were probably all infested with disease from living in this place! It is probably the closest thing imaginable to "hell on earth"! There are pictures and videos of this place on this blog, take a minute to check them out.

Anyway, the group had moved ahead a little further in to the dump. Chris and I had begun to fall behind about 50 yards because we were taking pictures. The place where we were walking was full of trash and it was difficult to walk in because were literally walking on mountains of trash! As we were walking, Chris lost his footing and fell; breaking the skin and drawing blood on his arm. In any other situation we wouldn't have given it a second thought but in this dump I took this very serious!

The team immediately gathered around Chris and helped him get his wound clean. Thank God we had a nurse (Kim) on the team!

Anyway, as they cleaned him up the Spirit of God kept urging me to pray for my brother!
I saw something on my friends face that said he needed his "daddy". So I pulled him to the side and together we prayed! There are few times in our lives when we pray that we recognize that the Spirit of God is praying for us and through us and this was one of those times! I can tell you that there was not a lot said and I honestly can't remember much about the prayer but through the tears I do remember saying "Father protect him" over and over in my mind!

As we finished praying I immediately felt the peace of God and I knew my friend would be fine.
Looking back I can not help but imagine God holding my brother in His arms, cleaning him up and putting him back on his feet!

I praise my "daddy" in heaven for His love and compassion!"

La Chureca (Video)

Here is a video from our trip to La Chureca in Managua, Nicaragua. For a larger video (without the audio) visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN-lu0EMClE..

Nicaragua 2009: La Chureca (Pictures)

this boy was sifting through a huge pile of garbage

this little boy was grasping three ketchup packets

a little girl walking up between the homes

children living at the dump

houses at the dump

these homes were built on an old section of the dump, right on top of the trash

Josh looking out over the dump


this man was washing his face and DRINKING from this water

Nicaragua 2009: The Team

Left to Right
Top Row: David, John, Kim, Chelsea, Jason, Cheryl, Kelli
Bottom Row: Josh, Chris (Addie got in to show how cute she is)

We had an outstanding team in Nicaragua, we meshed really well and had an amazing time of prayer, fellowship, praising God, tears, friendship, and laughter. I really enjoy laughing and we did plenty of it. I was blown away by the team. As Kim said, I really didn't know everyone very well when we left but came back with 8 really great friends.

Church Leadership
Let me talk about our church leadership. Josh our head pastor and John our associate pastor both came on this trip. Talk about leading by example, these two guys didn't tell us we should go they went and asked who wanted to come along. Josh has a wife and three children, he has such a love for people and a real gift for telling people about Jesus. John has a wife, three children, and his wife is 8 months pregnant. I could talk about John for hours, he is a tough guy with a golden heart. One event on the trip showed me more of John's character than the previous 18 months I have known him.

Teens
Chelsea and David were our teenagers on this trip. To be so young and have already experienced something like this is awesome, and to top that I never once heard either of them complain about the food or the lack of sleep or the hard work. They went sold out to the mission and I am sure reaped the benefits of complete devotion. Chelsea was called upon to talk the first day we were there at a woman's conference and did a terrific job, both were called upon to give their testimony several times throughout the week. I pray that the experience deepened their relationship with Jesus and continues to mature them into the man and woman that God desires them to be.

The Team
Cheryl, Jason, Kim, Kelli.
Jason was someone I really did not know very well before the trip, but I really enjoyed getting to know him. Jason has a big heart for God and I was amazed at his love for the children and the children's love towards him. Cheryl is one of my wife's best friends, her son and our daughter are great friends. Cheryl has such a big heart, I saw this when we went into the dump (la Chureca) in Managua...Cheryl was unable to go in because of her asthma but I could see in her eyes it was killing her not to go. Cheryl never missed a chance to hug a child or hand out a meal. Kim was a unknown to me before the trip, but I saw enough of her heart and personality on this trip to know that I really like her. Kim spent a large portion of her time at the feeding programs feeding the children, dressing wounds, or giving hugs and comfort. Since she is a registered nurse, Kim was the only one able to go into the burn unit at the hospital. Kelli--what can I say about my friend Kelli? Kelli's heart is bigger than a house. Kelli loves children and it is obvious by her actions, she would rather feed and care for children than sleep.

I could go on about each person on the trip, every one of these people amazed and astounded me with their love and giving spirits. I don't think many of us knew what to expect, we just went down there with an idea that we were going to serve children and follow Jesus. We came back so blessed and humbled by such an amazing experience. Over the next few days I am going to try and explain what I saw, felt, and experienced, but I have to ask a rhetorical question: How do you put into words an indescribable event? I am proud to have served along side each and every one of my friends.