I have now lived in Nicaragua for 44 days. The first week I spent here this past summer was humbling. When I got back from that trip the comment I heard most often was "It really makes you appreciate how good we have it in America doesn't it". And for the longest time that was also my thought. As an American Christian I've even thanked God for the freedoms we have to worship him. My perspective is beginning to change. What if America isn't the more blessed country after all? What if the "blessings" we have as Americans draw us so far apart from God that our freedom of religion has become freedom of self-righteousness? What if instead of praying for good fortune we begin to pray for suffering? A friend of mine asked me before I left a couple months ago what the reason was for Nicaragua remaining a third world country despite the possibility for economic growth. It was an interesting question and my response was that I did not know. After living in Nicaragua for over a month I began to seriously ponder this question the other day. At first my mind was drawn to serious issues such as alcoholism, but I then began to think of the lifestyle of the people as a whole. There is not a great urgency to make a surplus of money in this country. I see thousands of people who work hard early in the morning to be able to relax amidst the blazing heat of the afternoon. The vast majority of Nicaraguans seem content. This explains why churches hold services six or seven days a week, and on the other end of the spectrum, explains why alcoholics have drank themselves to brain damage. Nicaragua will never become the United States because Nicaragua is content with being Nicaragua. While, ironically the United States strives to become a greater United States, only to face the inevitability of being rightfully humbled. Now don't get me wrong. I love the United States. I'm grateful for the freedom and blessing I've received being born a citizen. The problem I struggle with has to do with the fact that legitimate growth doesn't take place amidst freedom and blessing. Legitimate growth takes place amidst trial and suffering. And while the United States strives to give me peace and comfort, the bible I rely upon encourages me to seek peace in spite of hardship and joy in spite of suffering. After 20 years of claiming the title of "Christian", it wasn't until I began to suffer hardship that I began to understand the necessity of trials. Living here in Nicaragua, under a leaky tin roof, has not left me enviously yearning for my comfortable bed back in the United States, but has rather left me sympathizing with the villages I've visited who are far worse off than I am. I would be lying if I said I'm far more satisfied living here than I am in the states, but it is not a lie to tell you that it's is far more fulfilling to be living here. Yesterday I taught about God's word from the gospel of John to over 60 people crowded in a bedroom sized building. Back home it's difficult to get 60 people to even come to a church service. And I promise you we didn't bribe the people with Ritz crackers and Pepsi; they were hidden and we gave them away afterwards. Today we taught 61 students English in 3 different classes on a Saturday, and they show up voluntarily. As a young student, I had nightmares of Saturday class and a difficult time showing up to class on the weekdays. There is certainly a different perspective in a country that isn't emphasizing the phrase "get rich or die trying". Let me leave you with a few hypothetical questions. What if the United States took its 'tear down small barns to build bigger barns' philosophy and changed it to sell our bigger barns to help provide for those without barns? What if Christians weren't allowed to bear that name without being a true follower of Christ? What if Americans complained less about Obama and spent more time praising God? What if the biblical ideal of being content gave birth to the Christ-like attitude of sacrificial generosity? Things would be different, and lives would be changed. The reality of God's existence would be evident among people who couldn't help but tell everyone they knew about the joy of Jesus.
At the bottom of the page is a link to donate to the Nicaragua Ministry and help provide for those in need. God bless!
I wasn't kidding. We gave them Ritz crackers after they endured me speaking.
People piling into the little community building to hear God's word
Kids lining up to get snacks in El Delirio
These kids love seeing themselves in my phone camera haha
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