Nicaragua 2010
Lessons in Faith & Generosity
Dorothy Harsen
Peg & Denny Baier, Mark & I journeyed to Nicaragua Feb 6-14th. We were joined by four others from Iowa. We visited a Rainbow Network housing project (www.rainbownetwork.org), then spent most of the week working with Safe Water International Ministries (www.swimforhim.info).
I have decided that God must live at the equator, because I feel a lot closer to Him in Central America than I do in the United States! When I am safe at home in Springfield, it is easy to buy into an illusion of self-sufficiency. My world is predictable and I somehow believe that my own efforts are the reason why. When I arrive in a 3rd world country and have a week to fully rely on God, I suddenly see how He can truly bless us if we just step out of the way and let Him. Our week was chock-full of “God moments” and my faith is much stronger now than it was before the trip.
We all have stories we would love to share. Please corner us at church or invite us to your Sunday School class or small group.
We worked on painting a Christian school, and soon learned that our real mission was to connect with the students. They taught me a lesson in generosity.
The girls loved my blond hair and took turns combing it. The next thing I knew, Francis took off her blue plastic headband and placed it on my head! It is very humbling to be given a gift by someone who has so little. I realize that while I am generous with my leftovers, I generally make sure my own needs are met before I give to others. In many ways, the people of Nicaragua are richer than I can ever hope to be.
I am thankful that God gave me this opportunity to draw closer to Him. I am still discovering how He wants me to respond. When I think of the poverty in Nicaragua, the disaster in Haiti, and the people right here in Springfield who struggle to put food on the table, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. If you ever feel the same way, let me recommend a great book: “The Hole in our Gospel” by Richard Stearns. I will close with an anonymous quote from his book:
“Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it.”
“Well, why don’t you ask him?”
“Because I’m afraid He would ask me the same question.”