Village Day 3

June 29, 2010

Great day in the village. Started low as Caleb Mckee was sick all last night. Poor thing! It was his first trip to Nicaragua, and it was his birthday. He laid low most of today and seems better tonight.

I got the chance to work in the clothing ministry today. I so enjoyed picking out dresses and outfits to give the little girls. A lady in the states started a ministry that she calls "Hemmed in Prayer." She and a group of ladies take one pattern and sew numerous little cotton dresses in various sizes and fabrics. As they sew, they are praying for each little girl who will receive a dress. We took a number of these dresses to Nicaragua, and I loved seeing the little girls' faces light up when we handed them their new dress.

I also got to teach in youth girls' ministry today. Since I'm married, the other two leaders designated me to give the sex/true love waits talk (smile). Sexual promiscuity is rampant among teens and adults in Nicaragua because it is viewed as a cultural way of life. I talked to the girls about God's design for sex and the physical and emotional consequences that result from sex outside of marriage. I told them that without Jesus in their lives, they would struggle to keep themselves sexually pure. I think they understood. At least they didn't have blank stares on their faces. Several responded to the Gospel message. Praise the Lord! I must not allow the busyness and craziness of life to keep me from praying for these precious girls as they began their journey of faith in Christ.

Today was not quite as busy as yesterday (for me), since I was not working in the pharmacy. I had more breaks and opportunities to interact with the people. Got to talk to lots of children. A tiny bit of Spanish came back to me after four years of Spanish classes---not enough.

In the afternoon, the youth girls came back and we cut and fixed their hair. I volunteered to fix. Cutting hair is probably not a good idea for me! Most of the girls did not want any of their hair cut. Apparently, long hair is the "thing."

Loved church tonight! We sang a lot of the familiar Spanish songs that I've learned through the years. Adolfo and the band were fabulous, as always. I really missed my Dad being with us tonight. He LOVES worshipping with Adolfo and the band. Today, someone sneezed really loudly and obnoxiously, and I turned around expecting to see Dad standing there (you will understand this if you've ever heard him sneeze). It's so strange not having him here, but we fully trust that it is all part of God's perfect plan.

Mom has been talking to Philipe', the interpreter in the pharmacy. She learned that he does not know the Lord. He seems to be searching. This is his first week working for BMDMI and going out with a team. He came to the church service tonight. We are praying for his salvation. May God move in his heart and open his eyes to truth, drawing Philipe' unto Himself! He sure is hearing the Gospel---a lot! He is such a nice, out-going guy. We've really enjoyed getting to know him and pray that he will see the difference in our lives.

Today we saw 941 patients and filled that many prescriptions. Hard work! Good work!

Showers were quite an experience. While I was in the shower, completely lathered in soap, the water and the light-bulb hanging over me cut off. AHH! Help! Mr. Mike and Mr. Nick (our maintenance men) were already in bed. Someone called them and they were out in a jiffy to fix the problem. One of the water buckets (providing our shower water) had just run out of water, so they had to switch the hose to another bucket. I'm not sure what happened to the power. Anyway, they got it all fixed, and I finished cold shower (that doesn't feel so cold by the time you're done).

Another funny nightly incident: Mom and I decided to avoid the disgusting experience of the bano. It's just such a pain to trudge through the tall, muddy grass in the dark with a flashlight to go into a stinky, roach infested little box JUST to quickly use the bathroom before bed. So, we took styrofoam cups and headed out to find a deserted spot behind the school building. Ha. Much quicker, easier, and less stinky than the whole bano experience, I must say. However, we were a sight to behold (that, hopefully, no one beheld)!

Church Service

Sex talk
Excited about her new dress!