Hurricane Felix

This is a long story very short, but the storm didn't hit us directly...it destroyed the Autonomous Atlantic Coast Region though. (It's like a country within a country). Nobody was doing anything to help...not even the Red Cross or government, so four friends and I called a shrimping company and started a supply chain for water and food. We were the first supply to hit the villages four days after the storm. The US Navy search and rescue was getting lists from us about what to do and where to go. Since we were the only ones that got anything done in a timely manner (you would not believe how many answered prayers that took), the President of the Autonomous Region has put us in charge of coordinating the relief effort. So I'm flying back up Tuesday to help him and to deliver more supplies. More adventure in one week than a lifetime should have. Things like buses sinking in Rivers and having to jump off and rescue the women and children...you know, that old chestnut.

Flat Tires and Garbage Fires

After having been here for three weeks I have changed 3 tires...and I don't even have a vehicle. I went with my friends Carlos and Melissa tonight to Pilar's house to watch "Pay it Forward" with the kids from the scholarship program. Finally got to hang out with Enrique and Pedro, and visited with their Mom, Patricia, for a little while. She makes this wonderful little snack called "Bunelos." New favorite. "Pay it Forward" is about giving to the next person rather than repaying the person that helped you. The movie was very poignant...given a story another missionary told me this week.

He said that in Africa, a man came up to a missionary and said, "You have been robbing us!" When asked how, he said, "You come and you give and give and give. But the Bible says, it is more blessed to give than to receive! You haven't taught us how to give, but to take."

Now, lets look at how Paul planted his churches. Did he go in giving tons to the people? Not exactly. He counseled them on how to be their own churches, but left the final decisions and the choice to reach out to the people within them. That's what we should be doing as missionaries (wherever you are). Yes, giving is important! But discipling others to give is much more important that just enabling a new group of takers. We should view them not as just poor, needy folk, but fellow workers for the truth. We should teach how to be Christlike by acting humbly and giving our own lives for the sake of the Name, and also guiding others to do the same. Allowing them to make the decisions of how their local church will reach out as the Body of Christ.

...and on the way home Carlos got a flat tire, so I waited with his car while he took it to get it fixed. The spare was flat too. Flat tires are pretty common when you drive in La Chureca. Tonight was the first time I have been in La Chureca at night. The garbage fires have a bitter beauty about them after dark. Anyhow while I was waiting by the car it was an unexpected chance to pray for my friends and their ministries. As Carlos dropped me off he said, "Thanks for the help, buddy!"

...and I actually got to say, "Hey, pay it forward."

I know he will. That's the way he lives his life.

This Morning

This morning there were ten people asleep in the floor of my apartment, because a pastor threatened to kill any white people that came back to the ministry where they were staying.

This morning I drove by a church that charges poor people money to pray blessings and healing for them.

This morning I walked past prostitutes that were working amidst piles of burning garbage.

This morning I had men ask if they could buy the white girls that were with me.

This morning I saw a little naked boy covered in dirt standing alone and crying in the road.

This morning I saw a fourteen year old girl who has HIV, syphilis, and several other STD's because her parents forced her into prostitution at the age of eight.

This morning I saw her smile and throw a water balloon at another child.

This morning I saw my friend pick up the little naked, dirty, crying boy and make it all better.

This morning the child that had just been hit by a water balloon gave me a hug and held my hand.

This morning a two year-old orphan walked up to me and gave me a piece of her candy.

This morning we got dirty.

...but this morning nobody noticed it because of all the love.

Two Weeks in Managua

Well...I have been in Nicaragua for two weeks now. There is so much to tell that I don't really know where to start. Electricity during the day is almost a rare luxury, even if you are somewhere that has a generator and a router, it doesn't necessarily mean that there is internet access...because the power is probably out at the cable company.

For those of you at the River, I have seen several of your favorite kids...but not all. I see Miguel and Yara (and her sisters) at church, and I have talked to Enrique on the phone. I saw Alejandro in La Chureca last week. My friend Dan offered him a spot at a autobody vocational school nearby there, but sadly he declined because he said he had too much work to do in Chureca. I'm going to go back there Thursday for a kids playday (school is out this week.)

As far as my personal arrangements...I am living with a missionary named Mark while his family is away. Dan and I are planning on getting a house in the beginning of August. My Spanish is improving, but is still not where I want it to be. I have been teaching in the school with Mike Deibert, and there are, of course, problems to deal with. On the whole, however, things are going well. The Nica HOPE directors are here this week, so we should see more about what the future of the schools will look like. I am definitely going to need a vehicle, so if everyone would pray that I can find something (and have the funds for it) then I would really appreciate it.

Mike has found a true man of peace named Freddy to help in the schools. He is Nica, and really a good example for the other boys to see. He has 7 brothers and sisters in the US, but believes that God wants him to stay in Nicaragua to help his people. He always has a smile and a hymn to sing while he is working. Right now they have a project putting a railing up around a house, and Freddy has really boosted their motivation in ways that Mike and I never could.

Anyway...pictures!

...sorry, I lost internet before I could put the link up before. Here is the new album.

Blacksmithing School and Flat Tire Night in the Village

The Places I Will Go (Fun with Google Earth)

If you play with Google Earth, you might find these interesting.

La Chureca (notice the yellow bus...that is most likely Guillermo and Open Hearts Ministry)
12° 9'52.72"N
86°18'12.06"W

Quinta Havilah (The Open Hearts Ministry farm)
12° 6'4.97"N
86°21'4.29"W

Condominio Allyson (The apartments I will most likely live in.)
12° 5'48.55"N
86°20'58.39"W

Monte Hermon ...to the best I can remember it is at least near here. (site of the next vocational school)
12° 4'45.26"N
86°21'49.08"W

Campo Alegria
11°29'7.43"N
85°47' 25.31"W

And for comparison...The River Ministry Center site
36° 8'2.26"N
85°31'23.20"W

Enjoy the "Flight!"

Blessings,
Eli