Last Day


Wow! Today is Friday, July 21st and I am writing at 5:00am.  The property is pretty quiet right now - just me and the kitchen ladies (who seem to be ALWAYS up and working at this hour),  and as I look back on my time I can hardly believe that 7 weeks have gone by.  

They say, "time flies when you're having fun".  And though I'm not sure that my days were always "fun", I can say that EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. of them was rewarding.

There is a wise man who works for Amigos who often says, "We are blessed so that we may bless", and I think that is what this whole adventure has been about.  I have been blessed in so many incredible ways:

  • For sure - I won the "look where I was born" lottery.  
  • I was fortunate enough to have parents who stayed married, and who poured love out onto me and my sister.  
  • As a family, we didn't have a lot of money - but we always seemed to have "enough".  
  • I grew up surrounded by wonderful neighbors and people who cared about me.  
  • I was priviledged enough to have gone to college
  • When I graduated I got a good job working for a big Nationally-known company with terrific benefits. 
  • I am married to a wonderful man who supported this mission trip with encouragement, and sent me off with a stack of weekly "I love you" notes/photos and bible quotes."  
  • I have 3 great kids, and friends I have missed
  • I lead a comfortable life with little hardship or difficulty.  
I am blessed.  And I supposed - the whole, "so I can bless" is what I wanted to do with this trip.

The Bible says "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

These are words I have experienced fully - however, rather than the measure that I have been using, God has bue using the biggest, most amazing scoop he could find.  

I have now have friends in Nicaragua and many states throughout the country.  I have shared laughter and tears with people have welcomed me into their homes, shared meals with me, and blessed me with their presence.    

When I think about my time in Nicaragua I envision a series mobius strip - loop upon loop.  Blessing - leading to shared blessing - back to more blessing - and more sharing...on and on it goes.

This trip has taught me that if you give of your time, treasure or talent - you will experience incredibly joy and satisfaction - knowing that we are blessed so that we may bless.

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