Maybe it’s Weird

 

Maybe it’s weird that I wanted to spend 7 weeks in Nicaragua this summer.  After all, summer in Michigan is the best time to be there.  The weather is gorgeous, every town has a festival of some sort, and the skies are blue!

Here in Nicaragua the work is hard.  The days are long.  I come home each day covered in sweat and dirt.  And when we’re done working and I get back to where I’m living, there is work to be done there too, so that usually by 8:30pm, I am ready for bed.  And though I am physically and mentally exhausted, I am also quite peaceful and happy, as there is something quite satisfying about leaning into work I know will have a meaningful and lasting impact. 

I’m going to be 60 next month.  Much of my life has been lived in a very sheltered, very pampered way.  I have been blessed to have been born in America.  I had a terrific career.  I have a great family.  We live a comfortable life.  I get my water by turning on a faucet.  I use “modern” bathrooms with flush toilets that can “handle” toilet paper.  There is air conditioning. 

These things are considered luxurious in rural Nicaragua.  And yet….and yet…

The people here are loving, and gracious and kind; and they are genuine in their appreciation for my willingness to be here and help, so it doesn’t feel weird at all to be here.  In fact, it feels pretty awesome.

This week I was invited to lunch at the home of one of the Spanish speaking members of the community in which I am working.  There he introduced me to his wife who is 7 months pregnant.  She had made us a chicken rice soup, and for dessert he had bought rum raisin ice cream (my favorite).  We ended up eating it all on his porch under the breeze of a fan.

I have been asked more than once why I would consider doing something like this at my age.  And while I am happy that my work is part of the effort that will help these communities get water – what I am receiving in return feels far greater.

I believe the Bible author Luke had it right when he wrote, “Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38

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