Lessons in Bluefields

The lessons I learned in Bluefields was so unexpected and so life changing. Kristie and I conversed that it was Bluefields where the Lord wanted us to be for some time. Because of all that was learned I am choosing to be a bit more vulnerable and have you read straight from the pages of my journal. The Lord really spoke to me in Bluefileds. From the pages:

            (Monday, March 30^th)

“Where you are hungry and thirsty there you will find understanding, there you will be open and desperate for me the Bread of Life, the LIVING WATER.”

–God’s Word to me Today

What a journey this trip is turning out to be. We are at Pastor Ed’s house now from Verbo church in Bluefields. This was a contact Barry gave to help us pick up our passports. We showed up here tired, thirsty, hungry and on a voyage. We first stopped by Verbo church and a man at the church let us use the restroom of the Church then paid for our taxi for us to go to Pastor Ed’s house. This was quit a humbling experience to have that Christian man pay for our taxi. It was a symbol of help is here, I am your brother in Christ.

When we showed up to Pastor Ed’s house we explained how we heard of him and how we thought he could help. He asked us if we had a place to stay and offered us a room to stay until Wednesday. Pastor Ed gave us water and food and let us use a phone.

An image I had while reflecting in a rocking chair on the family’s porch was the image of what it is like to sit at the door of the Lord and knock. Would HE let me in? Pastor Ed let me in to his house. His family gave us water and food. But the Bible says not everyone who says to me Lord will enter the kingdom. What a thought.

This is such a peaceful place.

Later today we went to the Verbo Orphanage that Pastor Ed’s church has just recently begun. We got to visit the seven orphans who live there currently. What a joy it was to be there and see them. We tried walking on stilts that Kevin, one of the adults living there, made for them. It was fun to all hop in the back of Pastor Ed’s truck with the kids. We took a drive to a nearby community that makes a living by smashing rocks. They do this in order to make concrete to sell. Wow!

Kristie walking on stilts with some of the orphans.

 

These are photos of the rock quarry we visited. Many families, including the children, would work here in the heat crushing rocks to make concrete. This was their source of income.

After that eye opening tour Kristie and I got a taxi to the airport. It was there that our passports would arrive from Managua. What a joy it was to open the package and see myself inside (my passport picture that is : ) HALLELUJAH! THANK THE LORD!  I loved Kristie’s comment after opening our passports, “Man, now everything will be easier and less of an adventure.” Her comment was an example of how our view has changed about the way this trip is not going according to our plan. We both loved where the Lord has led us…in unexpected eye opening places.

We finished the great day off with a dinner of real food from the town (as opposed to the ramen, beans, and rice we had been living off of while traveling). Danny a missionary escorted us to the Tasbpounie Village (near Bluefields) and Brother Henri a resident of the village. Both men were staying with Pastor Ed’s family for a few days before going back to the village. It was great to be around these Christian missionaries and to hear about the needs of this village in the bush. Danny apparently sleeps in a hammock to live and serve in this rural community. It was able to speak Mesquite to Brother Henri since Jasper (a friend from Pearl Lagoon) wrote down some of the language’s phrase for me yesterday while in Pearl Lagoon. “Pain Pain,” I told Brother Henri. He started to laugh hysterically! I suppose it was funny to him that a white girl from America knew some Mesquite! The phrase means: fine, fine.

I want to learn from them what life as a missionary is like in such a poor and desolate community.

(BACK AT PASTOR ED'S HOUSE)

Tashi was one of Pastor Ed’s grand daughters. She is beautiful. She wouldn’t talk at first then wouldn’t stop. She started asking me the names of all the colors on the porch in Spanish. She then showed me on the map where in Bluefields I live, and where my sister Melissa lives. It was so cute :) She even got to say hello to Melissa, my mom, and to Garret over skype.

Man today was so unexpected and so so wonderful. Your ways’ are far above mine God. “A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” This has been true of this week.

LORD I know you are calling me to abroad missions. Continue to guide me in this voice, in spirit and in direction. Speak to me through the people I meet, missionaries, and others I interact with. I want to be all in your will. Could it be to serve orphans? Could it be to bring water to the thirsty? Give food to the hungry? Show me. Give me a clearer vision. I want all of you, O GOD. I love this unexpected, not my way, difficult glorious adventure, because YOU are in control.

(Tuesday, March 31^st)

This morning Brother Henri helped Kristie and I maneuver to find if we could buy our boat tickets early. And to also get information about the boat back to Rama. It was so nice to be helped in this way and from a brother in Christ. God bless this man.

We later had the opportunity to go and serve at the feeding center at Verbo Church. There we met the coordinator, cooks, and a man that entertained the kids being fed. There was 50 kids fed today. They received gallo pinto, fish, and a boiled platano. We also served them juice. Kristie and I were there four about 3 hours.

At the counter of food. Looking at the 50 kids needing to be fed for the day.
The church provides one meal a day Monday-Friday for the kids of the Bluefield's community.

Kristie, Me, and two full time volunteers from Verbo church that work for the feeding operation full time.

This experience opened my eyes up to the simplicity of service within the church. There is no politics to be seen in this church, simply service. I love how Pastor Ed is able to be home and how people come to his house for their needs. The simplicity of his church enables him to interact with people and serve them in grace and in a home setting. You can ask for a taxi anywhere in Bluefields and tell them to take you to Pastor Ed’s house, and they know where to go. People come all throughout the day to get advice and help from this man. It is obvious that without him and his family the city would not be what it is. The way Pastor Ed pastors is against the norm of American churches. I think of my pastor in Waco. Great, great Pastor! He however is so busy, scheduled, and has even opened up to our church how it is difficult not being able to spend time with the people. He has to be at the office from 8-5pm. This is expected of him though. But how great would it be if he could be home with family and minister to other by opening up his home?

Me and Pastor Ed before we left in the morning. The white house behind the truck is their big white SHALOM house. 

Being here is making me see things that I want to be apart of my home and family. I desire to make my home a place of peace; a place of peace and comfort for the weary traveler. I want my home to be a place where they can be fed spiritually and physically. I want to be a wife that affirms my husband—he will be father to many, wise counsel to those who come to him. I want to be a noble wife to support my husband in the mission God has given him. I want to show love to others, collaborate by mission in my house. I want to find joy washing dishes, clothes and cleaning because by these things I will be serving others in my home. I want my house to resemble Pastor Ed’s family’s home—their Shalom. Don’t forget the blessing this family has been to you.