I Hate John Bland

In truth, I do not...John Bland is one of the kindest, most big-hearted people I have ever met, and BOY can that man work!  I imagine if he were to compete on Survivor, the $1Million prize money would easily be his, because at 60 years old, he can ourwork, outplay and outlast most 20 year olds.

John is wiry, and sinewy.  His skin is tanned from hours in the sun, and John loves a "farm day" at Amigos for Christ because in his heart, I think he is a farmer.  

John and his wife, Sabrina, are the ones that started the organization Amigos for Christ.and yesterday John accompanied the group from Holy Spirit church in San Jose to the farm.

First, there was a 45 minute ride on the back of a flat bed truck through the "wild".  With diesel fumes spewing the entire way, and branches that threatened to "whap" everyone in the face, the terrain was is akin to a LONG Indiana Jones ride at Disney World.

When you finally get to the farm, you notice it is different than the communities in which we've been working because THERE IS NO SHADE, there are no children or community members, there is really just WORK in the hot, relentless sunshine.

Yesterday, the group worked from 9:30am until 5:30 pm with a one hour lunch break, planting ginger on the side of a steep hill.  First the hill had to be cleared of grasses, then rows needed to be cut in the soil, then the ginger needed to be planted (and in some cases replanted because the first planting was insufficient.)  And in all honesty, iit was the hardest day for me since I got to Nicaragua - even though I think I usually work pretty hard.

And as I was working, I was reminded of the story in Exodus 17 - where the Israelites are fighting the Amelekites and Israel's victory is only possible if Moses continues to hold up his arms.  Exodus 17:12-13 says, "When Moses' arms grew tired, Aaron and Hur brought a stone for him to sit on, while they stood beside him and held up his arms, holding them steady until the sun went down. In this way Joshua totally defeated the Amalekites."

I am grateful for the folks from Holy Spirit because we all helped one another. When it was evident that someone was struggling, another person stepped in, and isn't that the way God would want it?

When we notice the needs of others and step in to fill them, we are serving as Christ served.

John and Sabrina did that when they came to Nicaragua and decided to start Amigos.  The people of Holy Spirit did it for me yesterday.  Who will you notice and bless today?