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 30th)
“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
31st)
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.
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.
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