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!