Eufemia can hardly walk because of some kind of a spine decease. She is about 55 years old, but looks like she is 65. In addition to this, Eufemia just married her long time boyfriend. He is about 81 years old, and can hardly walk, see, or hear. I asked Eufemia if there was anything we could do for her while we were there. To my surprise, all she wanted was her floor swept and her dishes washed. I grabbed the broom and swept her floor and back yard while Linda washed the dishes. Once we finish she said to me "Do you know... when the floor is clean, I am happy". I asked her if there was anything else we could do and she said "what else do I need? I have everything I need here". Then she said "You can pray for us... then... one thing you can do for me is make a window in my bedroom". So we went to her bedroom. Eufemia's bedroom was maybe 7 x 7. The temperature in there was easily 105 degrees. I hope I can add a window to her bedroom before I go home.
Before we left both Eufemia and Claudias' home they thanked us for coming. It really got to Linda and I when they said "You have made me feel so important, you made me feel that I exist." Something as simple as a friendly visit to do a small chore or to talk and pray is all that they wanted. This was an eye opening experience. It made me feel that none of us appreciate what we have, and I pray that we in America can be stop being so arrogant and selfish with all that we have. Even though Eufemia's needs were great, she asked for nothing. I looked at her home and asked myself how could anyone live in this condition? How can she survive? If I don't have a clean pair of socks in the morning, I am unhappy. In reality, I am the one that is in need. The faith that these ladies have is incredible. I pray to God that I get just a little of their faith.
On Friday, July 29th, the whole team worked very hard in the morning doing projects around the church. In the afternoon we went to the city dump. John, Stig and I were having the time of our life, even though the smell was horrifying. We were so pleased to be there right in the middle of everybody, feeling out side of our comfort zone. We wanted to serve God by bringing His word to these people with the simple gesture of a cup of water. With the water we were giving away bible tracks to those who wanted them. We were walking through the dump responding to people calling for water when all of a sudden it started to rain.
While we were going back to the van I saw a young man looking at one of the tracks we had given out. I asked him if he understood what he was looking at and he said no. So I asked if he wanted me to read it to him. He said he did, and we both got wet as I read through the whole tack with him standing in front of the van. The rest of the team ended up in the van waiting for me... but it was well worth getting wet to be able to share the simple message in this gospel track with someone who wanted to here it at the Managua dump.
On Saturday, July 30th, the team went to the orphanage. What an experience it was to be surrounded by all of these kids with the energy of a lion. We played a baseball game and they killed us 13 to 0. They were so happy to be winning that no one wanted to stop when they called us for lunch. While some of us played baseball, Joe, Michaela and some of the girls from the orphanage cooked hamburgers and hot dogs in the kitchen. The girls from the orphanage helping Joe were confused. They could not understand why a man was cooking with them. When it was time to eat, the team served the food. I'll tell you, I have never seen smiles that big before; smiles for a hamburger and a hot dog.
After lunch we all danced. The saddest part of the day was when we all had to leave. You could see the smiles drop, and all of the kids were asking me why. But we had a good reason for leaving a little early. We had to go to the pharmacy to pick up some medical supplies for a 91 year old lady at the church, a member of the congregation who we wanted to help. We wanted to get to the store before it closed.
Victor
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