August Update

I am blessed to be writing this report from beautiful Costa Rica. Benny and Donna sent us on a vacation to get away from the grind of the work so we are relaxing near the beach and in the pool for a few days.

wow!

As soon as our last summer group left I headed to the Rio Coco. This is a place with great need. We distributed parasite medicine to about 600 children and delivered about 2,000 T-shirts and dresses. We also took fortified soup mix to the residents of the Rio Coco communities in which we work. We spent time in two communities on this trip. Although I enjoy the work on the river in spite of its difficulty, I continue to struggle with the behaviors of desperate people. I am happy to report that we are making progress. There is such a distinct difference in the two communities in which we served this last trip.

In Pankawas, the people are very much removed from even the comforts that are experienced in San Andres. San Andres is a very large place. Although they have no running water and still cook with fire, there are some who have generators and who enjoy a slightly more modern life. On exceptionally small levels, the people of San Andres have internet access and telephone service via the internet, expanding their reach beyond the most primitive levels. Although they have a long way to go before they are recognized as “modern” they have made a few steps to further their status. Their small taste of a life outside and the vast gap they see between their world and the outside world leaves them pretty frustrated and dissatisfied. This is what makes serving In San Andres so difficult. There are many gracious recipients, but others in the community tarnish the work trying to be completed there.

In Pankawas, where life continues to move at a far slower pace, the people are appreciative, thankful and graceful as they receive the gifts we are bringing as God has provided. They wait patiently for their turn to revive the goods – without pushing, fighting or being less than truthful about what they have received previously.

Groups that visit are a blessing in all God is able to accomplish while they are here. For three months- mid-May through mid-August – we accomplish much and prepare the work for the immediate future as groups come and go and set the table for the periods of when there are no groups here.

If there is a downside to groups being here it is that many of the issues needing attention are put on hold while we work with the groups. That seems to bring them all to the top of the list of what needs attention once the groups have left. Personnel issues, challenges facing the local church, management changes that are needed, but not necessarily accepted, all must be addressed. Chauffeuring this bus through these storms is not so much fun. Over the course of the last three weeks we have devoted ourselves to dealing with such issues. But, by the grace of God, we have survived these, even when we see the face of Satan himself at the forefront of these challenges. It is tiresome, endless and necessary. The only way to escape it is to get away…all the way away. So we find ourselves relaxing in the sun in a tropical paradise on the Pacific side of Costa Rica.

Our Sunday program for the children of the market is continuing to grow. This past Sunday the Jinotega church provided supper for the families. We had about 260 in attendance. The children acted out the parables they had been learning about and sung the songs they had learned. Our cast of directors took the bull by the horns and showed their new leadership skills. The parents were into it and the families were welcomed. All in all, God was glorified and doors to the Kingdom were opened.

this is only about a third of the room

We have an official baseball team: Los Cardinales. Jesus loves the little children and this is in spite of baseball talent. They are truly horrible. Okay, that is harsh. Don’t get me wrong. Their level of preciousness as souls far outweighs their importance as future professional athletes – a fact not wasted on this missionary/coach. They are truly in need of divine intervention in the form of angels in the outfield, the infield and at bat. While I volunteered to help coach without committing to the every Saturday double-header for 20 weeks, I have been deep into practice with these 7-to-12 year old boys. There are a few marginally talented players among the 20 boys. I would stop short of saying gifted. As of his writing they have never scored more than three or given up less than 16 runs in any one game. While the other teams show up in professional-style uniforms our boys show up in the borrowed baseball pants and semi-matching T-shirts. They use borrowed gloves. Most of the boys play in their dress uniform shoes required for school. Two play in cleats that have no cleats left on them. A couple players wear actual tennis shoes. One plays in aqua socks, one in sandals and one in sliders. Until recently, one of the boys played in mud boots with holes in the sides. These boys are children who participate in our Sunday program. They are the poorest of the children in the city of Jinotega. They have few baseball skills and fewer social skills. They have bad attitudes and little support from home. More important than their personal trials is that these boys are God’s children and we have a unique opportunity to teach them sportsmanship, manners, and a love that surpasses baseball abilities, proper etiquette, and what appears to many as a marginalized existence.

Prayers of Thanksgiving:

·         A chance to rest

·         Continued spiritual support through prayer from all corners of the world

·         Continued financial support for the work God has placed in us

·         Fairly good health

·         Finances to purchase a SPOT early childhood vision screening machine

Prayers of Supplication:

·         Continued spiritual support through prayer

·         Continued financial support as long as God wants us working here

·         Continued Nicaragua personnel to follow-up with the contacts made through vision clinics

·         Continued growth on the parts of Nicaraguan leaders as they lead the children’s program each week