Laura

Where to start... well, yesterday was quite a day. While Michaela, Alysha and I successfully finished painting the church roof and bathrooms, the guys fixed lights and fans and computers, doing all manner of other necessary work that I can't remember. :) In the afternoon, we paid a visit to Martha, who is 60 years old. We then took her shopping to supply groceries, shirts and shoes for her and her 6 grandkids. The smile on her sweet face was far, far more than happy, and she felt so blessed that she cried when we prayed together and dropped her back at her dirt-floored home.

Today, we traveled to the local trash dump to pass out tracts and cups of water to the people who live there. Yes, they livethere! Hundreds of Nicaraguans daily scour acres of garbage, simply because they have no better venue. Every one of them appeared malnourished, and the air was barely breathable. Many people gladly accepted free drinking water and some curiously flipped through the tracts we distributed. I was able to personally approach one little girl (who was there, alone, in the dump!), and afterwards dearly wished I knew more Spanish. That experience was an eye-opener. They have so little, and we have so much. How can we then not cling only to Christ, who is all that we really need?

I recently came upstairs from the church sanctuary, where Youth Group was wrapping up. Three of the young people led us in worship, and then Victor R gave an excellent sermon in their language. I was approached afterwards by two older girls, who kindly introduced themselves and made me feel rather welcome. Funny how close it was to being in Youth Group at home. On the other side of the language barrier, I can plainly see that they're all normal teens, just like me.

One thing that God has shown me this week began at the mid-week prayer service on our first night here. After worship, all the ladies took seats together in the sanctuary – and just prayed. We prayed back and forth, in English, in Spanish, in voices both old and young. Listening, I realized that even though I could not understand in words the prayer of the woman next to me, it didn't matter, because God speaks in a way that goes beyond the tangible things of this life. That was really quite amazing...and I'm sure others felt it, too.

Hhhhm. It's late and I'm running out of words. Hope you enjoyed this update.

Until later...keep praying. :)

Laura C