12/12 Nicaragua update

I just saw a truck drive over top another truck, head on, twenty feet in front of me. Praise God, somehow no one was hurt or killed! If those types of situations don't make you think about eternity I don't know what will. Scripture says our life is but a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow, and it couldn't be more true. While the average lifespan is right around 70 years who's to say I'm gonna live past tomorrow? And if I don't, then what follows? In our ministry here in Nicaragua, Pablo and I try to keep this eternal mindset as we are blessed to aid many in need.

"God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what he has done from beginning to end." -Ecclesiastes 3:11

In light of this pressing eternal need each of us has, God's word continually stresses blessing others in physical need. Tuesday we were able to bring a special meal to those at the trash dump. As we have typically been serving rice, beans, cheese, and tortilla, we prepared 101 plates of chicken with some cooked vegetables and a salad. It made me smile to see how excited everyone got as we pulled up to the dump and Pablo announced that we had a brought them a special meal of chicken for the holiday season. It's just crazy to me that something so simple could excite so many people. I've been able to eat chicken (or any other meat I've wanted) all of my life, so I quite honestly don't get too excited when someone offers me a plate of chicken. Then again I've never dug through a trash dump or gone weeks without showering. You can imagine the smell that the dump creates, so when there's an aroma of actual food it gets exciting for a lot of these people. Granted there are always some people who are less appreciative than others, but that doesn't take away from the smiles simple acts of service produce on so many faces.

What is Christmas anyhow? It's the celebration of the birth of Jesus right? In celebration of the holiday which remembers the most generous man to walk the earth, I would encourage all those reading not to make this holiday season about you. I've spent many holidays in my life with great expectation of what people would get me and how people would treat me, as if the holiday was a celebration of my life. This year let's not forget the opportunities available to us to serve those around us, especially those less fortunate,  in a special way, in honor of Jesus, who did it first.

I can't thank all of the supporters of this ministry enough for all the encouragement, love, prayers, and financial aid! I am greatly blessed to be on the serving end of such great generosity of so many. To anyone reading who would like to help financially, there is a donation button on the right side of the page available. You all are welcome to email or comment with any questions or thoughts in regards to this ministry, ike2307@hotmail.com. Thanks and God bless!

Below are some pictures of many we serve at the trash dump.