An Encounter in Nicaragua

My anxiety was building as travel day approached. I found clothes, my wife Jenny got us the needed stuff I hadn’t thought of... I had everything I was supposed to have. I was praying for all the missionaries, I was praying for my prayer buddy. I thought I was prepared - I was not. Barely 30 minutes into digging into the hard soil of Casa Blanca on Monday morning I nearly passed out. I found shade, drank water, and poured water over my head. I took it easier the rest of the day (still took the opportunity to dig when the clouds showed up). After lunch we listened to how Plan 7 worked, why there are no machines (to dig in moments that people take a month to accomplish by hand). It is all about people. “People over Progress” is the motto at Amigos for Christ. We came to help. Help the people of Casa Blanca (and other communities) build a water system. When I dug, I was helping them - I wasn’t giving them my labor, I was adding my labor to theirs. I helped the people of Finca Dulce Nombre de Jesús (and other farms). When I planted, I was helping the farmers, Donald and Rigoberto were right next to me in the field. I got so dirty, but I got so much out of that day, praying for each little pineapple plant in Donald’s farm. I helped the families of the Academia Amigos for Christ build a 7th grade. It is not handed to them.

I have to admit that there were a couple times I doubted why I was there. I realized I was doubting God, and God set me down. First, by letting me overwork and having to stop. Second by putting me in a beautiful Mass in a beautiful place. While at Miguel Christiano, I was asked to pray for the children who go north for work. Could I send my children looking for work? Could I leave my family to do it? This prayer request will stay with me the rest of my life. God also put me in a place of immense healing. Migdalia was travelling 5 hours one way to get cancer treatments. Seeing the results of God’s healing work to the point that Father Jack didn’t even recognize her - that was another experience I will never forget.

Thank you for your prayers and love when we were on the mission, it was an awesome feeling knowing you supported us!