FBC Nicaragua 2013

Saturday, June 22, 2013

What did we accomplish?

The F250 truck is still not running... After all the effort to find and bring the part from the United States, the truck will still need to go to Managua for where there is more diagnostic equipment.

Another team from FBC Cornelia has returned safely home after a busy and meaningful week of work in Matagalpa. We saw 500 people in the clinics and even more in VBS. We dispensed over 1500 prescriptions. This year we saw hundreds of women attend health and hygiene classes, including potentially life-saving instruction on self breast examination. Our prayer station in the clinic was constantly filled with people being prayed over (sometimes in both English and Spanish). We worshiped, prayed, and worked with multiple faithful members of FBC Matagalpa (many of whom had to get time-off from their jobs to come and work along side us).

While it's pretty easy to tout a variety of "numbers" to measure the "success" or the "impact" of a ministry effort like this, I think that those really miss the point. After working in Nicaragua for 12 years I can see that there have been some overall improvements, yet it remains the second poorest country in the hemisphere - kind of like the truck that is still not working... Some (usually those who've never been) might ask, "Why go to all that expense... Surely there are more 'cost-effective' ways to help." I would answer that Jesus reminded us that "The poor you will always have with you..." (Mat 26:11). I would argue that the real enduring value lies in the relationships that have grown through this work. Jesus also said, “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:34 The Message) This love doesn't happen in a vacuum. It requires relationship. This work allows us to model that love for "one another" in a variety of beautiful relationships as we come together from all over Georgia as a team, as we serve side-by-side with members from FBC Matagalpa and MVI, and as we meet and serve and love those people in the surrounding communities. Paul reminds us in his great Love chapter in 1 Corinthians that while prophecies and tongues and knowledge will all pass away, "Love never fails"!
Gloria a Dios!
Hasta próximo año
Rhett

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Reflections on the week...

Home!!! The thought of going home is always, for me, bittersweet. As I am going home, I also feel as though I am leaving home. Nicaragua has become a place of quiet solitude for my spirit. For several years I asked myself the question "what do I have to offer"?? Then, our Heavenly Father spoke to me, saying....."maybe I am calling you to go there, not because of what you have to offer, but, instead what they have to offer you"! And what blessings I have received from these wonderful people!!!!! When life has completely drained my bucket, and I am feeling spiritually dry.....it's time to visit Matagalpa! I always leave with my bucket replenished and overflowing! They teach me more and more every year about what it is to be a servant of Christ.

Describing one of our mission trips is rather like describing an incredible sunset. I can tell you all of the colors, demonstrate with my hands and voice the glory and splendor of the vision, but really you're just getting the barest hint of the true beauty. However, without the description some may never see it at all, so I will do my best.

Imagine, if you will, 28 people. Some of whom have met, others may know no one on the trip. All with a strong heart for Jesus and all with one goal in mind.....becoming servants for God. At the helm of this ship is Rhett and Tammy Weaver, leadership second to none! Together, they assess the needs of each village being served and assemble the work teams for the medical clinic, Bible school and the health and hygiene instruction for ladies.

Bright and early every morning we are served breakfast by staff looking after us, followed by devotional time and prayer. Then.....on to the mission field. A typical day for our medical Team is 120-175 patients. Bible school will have 100-150 children in each village with each child receiving prizes and play-time with Team members following a Bible story. The children also receive sandwiches, cookies and a drink all prepared by our Team. And finally, a health and hygiene class for ladies. This class averaged 80-100 ladies each day with each one being instructed in self-breast examination, proper handwashing procedures and correct cleansing and hygiene of their personal / private parts. After which, they were given a new pair of underwear and some personal items.

After a day of service, it's back to our housing for showers, dinner and some Team-Time. This is a time of gathering and reflection of the day's work. We all like to share 1) What we gave today? 2) What we received today? and 3) Where did we see or experience God today? This is the time of day when words sometimes would not even come. Hard work and being an obedient servant had left our hearts softened to Jesus' calling, but also left us bewildered and hurting. Tears would tumble as well. But, God knows when tears need to come, and good crying can bring healing and wholeness and can open our hearts up for new experiences.

9:00 p.m. Prepare for next day!

Next Morning.....Repeat it all over again!

Now.....I have shared with you what has proven to be a life-changing experience for me. I strive everyday to be an obedient servant of Christ, but in my service to the people of Matagalpa I feel that I am the one being served. I have learned so much from their community about what it is to have a True Servant's Heart!!!!!

Until next year my friends...........

Denise

Monday, June 10, 2013

Reflections On Our Experience (The Eyres)

We're home. I mean back in "Ohio-home". I just resumed my morning routine of walking my dog the usual 40 minute loop, and thinking through my responsibilities of the day ahead. Like I do every morning when I'm at home. Today's walk, however, was different. My thoughts were of my past week spent serving in Nicaragua. My dog wasn't there. The path I usually take walking wasn't there. The usual sounds, sights, and smells were not there. And my daily responsibilities were of a completely different nature while I was away.

We listened to roosters crow through the night, and woke up to dogs howling (most probably) because of starvation. I woke up this morning to the birds of Westlake, Ohio, chirping and my dog having jumped on the bed to welcome me back home.

We travelled roads of stones, mud, bumps and obstacles. We were distracted by people of all ages.... completing tasks such as roadside work, hauling bananas, nursing their babies, and sitting in chairs. It was "sensory overload" for me in every direction. After all, we travel our roads of smooth pavement, wearing clean clothes, completing fairly routine tasks, and knowing a meal would soon satisfy my appetite.

We wash ourselves with clean water each day, and never think twice about where our water comes from, or whether it is safe for us to consume. This past week, our water for everything came from the bottled water tanks we filled our Nalgene bottles with. Our toilet paper was deposited in the waste baskets, to avoid seeing it come up through the shower drains.

We went into a different Nicaraguan village each day to serve the people waiting for us to offer medical care, recreational activities, Bible stories, and Christian fellowship. They were joyous people, and knew no different than the lifestyle they were living. We kept thoughts of our own "lavish" lifestyle to ourselves. After all, we were there to serve the one God that we all share. Their smiles of love and appreciation followed us each day of our week. It didn't matter that their language was Spanish, and mine was English. We all smiled in the same language.

I asked a few people on our team a question that I struggled with all week long..... "how in the world do you describe to someone asking about your trip once you arrive back home exactly how it was? What words do you use?" I decided best to share the idea that my experience was truly one that was beyond any realm of my understanding......UNTIL this trip had happened. An experience forever now in my heart. I move forward now feeling like a week of incredible personal growth has occurred. Not for only myself, but for the other 27 people I was with. What a team it was. And what a week we experienced.

When a strand of leftover yarn from a craft project offered to a small child at the end of day was received like I had offered a nugget of gold, I knew in my heart that we had been loved, and our love had multiplied during our time spent there that day. We packed up our supplies and drove away from the villages knowing that God had been with us all. Our caravan that had come to the village had the responsibility of now keeping our travels moving.

God moves in mysterious ways, and it was a week he found ways to keep us alert to his ever-presence in our lives.

Lee Ann Eyre