Just beautiful . . .

This picture is beautiful. 
 
I love how this mother is lovingly kissing her son as if saying, I will never abandon you. I will always be here. You are special to me.

I love how this precious boy is gladly receiving her kisses and love. He not only receives it, but he is giggling. He is thoroughly enjoying this. He knows she loves him, and he in respond, loves her.

This week, is mother's day in Nicaragua. Holidays are usually BIG in Nicaragua, but Mother's Day is one of those that is highlighted the most. So, in Tesoros de Dios(where I work) we have been celebrating mother's day since last week. :)

For this particular picture, one of the groups of students sang a song to the mothers, told their mothers "I love you," gave them some arts-and-crafts, and ended with them giving them a hug and kiss.

Let me share a little background:
One of the requirements for a child to be in Tesoros, is for an adult to accompany the child in the therapy process (and at times education) so that at least someone in the house may know how to do the same therapy strategy in their homes, and the child may progress.

I would say that 85% - 90% of the adults that come with the children are the mothers. Some of the mothers carry their child that is heavier than them because they don't have a wheelchair or the buses are not made for wheelchairs to fit (only a few out of the 80 children have a vehicle). But that does not stop them. The fact that they may be single mothers, or that they do not have finances, or that their child looks and acts weird does not stop them at all. They strive and live for their son/daughter to reach the full potential God has made them to be. Because they know their child is special, wonderful, God's handiwork.

These mothers portray strength, patience, sacrifice, and love that comes only from the Lord.

It is beautiful.

My praise to the Lord is that these children have mothers that love them in a sacrificial way. My prayer is that more and more orphans around the world may experience the love of a mother somehow. Every child deserves to be kissed like this little boy. Every child deserves to giggle as they are kissed.

Thank you Father for allowing me to celebrate with those children that can be thankful for the love of a mother. Please provide maternal love to every orphan in Nicaragua, India, Haiti, and everywhere.

His lenses

This week:
First day of work, grandpa's stroke, youngest brother's chicken having little chicks, feeling anger towards the injustice with the insurance medical companies one of our students is facing, learning how to do physical therapy on some of our students, being reminded of the need I have of the Holy Spirit.


Some of these events are exciting, wonderful, a blessing. Others are challenges, more difficult, a blessing.
I have been reading through Job, and listened to a John Piper sermon on the first few chapters of Job. In the first chapters, Job says "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." God gives every single exciting event, person, thing. But Job makes it seem like the Lord also allows the injustice, sickness, weakness. He is sovereing, and He promises to be with us in trouble, as we walk any valley. And in that time, we are also called to bless His Name.

(Here is the sermon in case you are interested in listening: http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/job-reverent-in-suffering )

Anyway, having that revealed to me through the Holy Spirit, and wearing the Spirit's lenses, I am able to see His sovereignty in every situation. this is what I got to see how the Lord was present in the two bigger events.


First day of work: I was nervous, but oh so excited! This was a blessing more than anything. Through His lenses, I saw the glory of God that every single child portrays. I cannot believe God has chosen me to see that, and actually be able to serve them.

Grandpa's stroke: God has been healing Him, and He is now spending time in our home. yay!! When he was in the hospital, ALL my family was in the waiting room and then in his room. When I say ALL my family it is uncles, aunts, cousins, cousin's friends, cousins children. . .everyone! My grandpa was having a ball with them, and them with him. There was laughter. It was beautiful to witness. Laughter is medicine to our heart. I saw the truth to that.

Injustice: One of our students is in a critical condition, and the doctors are not wanting to allow her to have the medicine she needs because they say it is useless. If we take that to court, because this family is a humble family and they would be facing the director of the hospital, then the case would be lost. It is the discrepancy of power that unfortunately exists in my country. However, as we went to visit her and her family on Friday, her family's trust and joy and strength in the Lord in this valley is beautiful! God is a just King, and He will bring justice when the Lamb returns as a Lion. And He will bring restoration to our dear girl.

My prayer is to be able to have His eyes, wear His lenses,  be like Job and trust and bless Him every season in life. 

In Nicaragua!!

This past week has been a whirlwind. It is hard to believe that it was a week ago that I was done with student teaching, and was traveling with my family to Dordt for graduation.

Now, I am home. I am home in Nicaragua with my family; with what is familiar to me. 

Landing in Nicaragua on Monday afternoon, heat and humidity welcomed me. A big daddy hug and Nicaraguan Spanish also welcomed me. But also, as we stepped outside of the airport, a little boy with ripped shirt, no shoes, and a flower he had made out of a palm tree leaf welcomed me. He showed the flower to me and asked us for money.

I know there is poverty in Nicaragua. I went to the States with a underneath assumption that there is no poverty in America. . .which, yes, it does exists in America and many ministries are thankfully reaching out to them. Hence, I student-taught in a public school in the city of Chicago and worked with the Hispanic immigrants in Sioux Center. However, poverty in the States is a little more hidden, behind the walls, personal (homeless people are an exception). In my beautiful tropical country, poverty is so visible and right on your face.

Seeing once again this reality, I relate more with my mother's emotions during graduation. Being able to graduate from a private, Christian school in the United States of America without leaving a debt behind is ONLY God's handiwork and grace. It is a miracle, really. Never could we afford it; never could my grandparents think of a gran-daughter studying in America; never had I imagined completing this.

So, returning to my country, where many dream the American dream to work in America to help their families in Nicaragua, is a given opportunity to declare God's goodness and grace in our lives granted through His salvation. 

"Why would you return? Why are you working there? Why didn't you marry and stay there? "

These are some questions already asked to me. People want the best for me. And for some, living in America is the best (not my parents though. . hehe). But, God cares even more for me in a perfect way. Hence, my response to these questions:

God has called me here.

Our Lord cares for this nation so much. He longs for their hearts, and desires to give them Hope in Him. I happen to be an instrument that He has decided to use to share that hope. He chose me for this task! It is humbling, my friends. So humbling. I'm so imperfect and have yet so much to learn, but still He entrusts me. So, like Job, I will bless His name at all times. When He gives and when He takes away. I will bless His name always.

So, here we go!