NICARAGUA

March 13 – 21, 2010

After teaching our discipleship course at San Leon Community Church during the summer of 2009, Pastor Bob Gibson invited us to travel with him to Nicaragua to present it to churches there.  We agreed and started making the necessary preparations.  Our passports had expired so we had to apply for new ones and we needed certain immunity shots.  The date was set for spring break of 2010 so our grandson Daniel could accompany us.  Tickets were purchased early for March 13^th from Houston to Managua and return on March 21^st.

Saturday March13, 2010:  The time finally arrived and Mammy had everything packed.  Don, Tracey, and Daniel pulled in early on this Saturday morning and the entire set of traveling luggage was packed into the Yukon.  Arrangements had been made to pick up Pastor Bob at the Academy sporting goods store in League City.  He was waiting with wife Carol.  The temperature was in the high 50s so we wore long sleeve shirts and a light jacket.  Due to some hasty flight changes over the Internet, Dan, Mammy and I were assigned to first class seats.  Pastor Bob was a standby passenger and was able to get on just before the plane door was closed.  Dan had to sit with a pretty, young girl. 

The flight to Managua was delightful.  After landing around noon time and after leaving the plane, we cleared customs and immigration with no problems.  The temperature was in the low 90s and we were not dressed for such weather!  We did not use our jackets again until we returned to Houston.

A rented van was used to move about Managua for the week.  Pastor Bob drove us to a very nice restaurant where we enjoyed a great lunch.  He told Mammy, “Things will be going downhill from here!”  He was trying to warn Mammy that the accommodations would not be as nice for the rest of the trip; and he was right.

We then met Pastor Rudolph Francis and his very sweet wife, Sylvia who joined us for the trip to our eight room hotel; La Posada De Maria La Gorda.  The streets were unlike those we were accustomed to.  They were narrower and not as well maintained.  Graffiti was everywhere.  Viva Daniel and FSLN (Sandinista) were the two most common signs.  Dan said that the people must have heard that he was coming to town!  Actually the national elections were soon and Daniel Ortega was running for reelection as the President of the Republic of Nicaragua. The Sandinista party was in office and Pastor Bob told us that our hotel was owned by the Sandinista.  We were guests of the government and were not charged for our use of the hotel!

Ralph King joined us at the hotel and indicated that he would be our driver and interpreter for the duration of our stay in Managua.  Following a brief rest, Ralph drove us to the home of Col. Silvio Palcio where we were joined by several other friends of Pastor Bob.  Col. Palcio is known as the Audy Murphy of Nicaragua.  We enjoyed a first century style church meeting in the home with a meal of fried chicken.  Christian testimonies and related stories were exchanged, laughter, and prayers were shared.  This was a very beautiful and delightful experience.  Mucho hugs were given as we left to return to our hotel for the night.

Dan and Pastor Bob shared a room next to where Mammy and I were located.  We were in for many new experiences and taking a shower was one of them.  Only one pipe was needed to bring the warm water into the shower and sink.  This was lukewarm water due to the outside temperature but it was much colder than we were accustomed to taking showers with.  An electrical gadget was attached to the shower head to warm the water for sissies.  It had three settings; very hot, too hot and no heat!  I thought that shaving the next morning was going to be interesting since the sink faucet did not have such an electrical gadget.  There are very few air conditioned facilities in Nicaragua but fortunately our hotel rooms did have AC. 

I reviewed the discipleship slides that I was scheduled to present at 10:00 AM at the Baptist Theological Seminary the next morning.  We slept well.

Sunday, March 13, 2010: I was up early and read Acts 25 from Mammy’s Bible.

We enjoyed breakfast at our hotel this morning and left early for the church at the Baptist Theological Seminary.  With time on our hands, we drove to the Calvary Chapel and made a brief visit.  We drove past other interesting historical sites.  Along the way, we noticed lots of poverty and slum conditions.  The government is building small homes for the people but it appears the population is outpacing the rate of construction.  The small homes were certainly a lot better than living in cardboard and tarp shelters on the ground.

We set up and presented our discipleship course at the church and it appeared to be well received.  I agreed that I’d provide Pastor Rudolph a complete set of course materials.  Dan was a big help in setting up and taking down the equipment.

Back at the hotel, I took a one hour nap before we set out for San Marco where we attended a Spanish speaking church.  (We had to make a brief stop at Eskimo’s ice cream parlor along the way!!)  The music and praise dancers were very worshipful.  Afterwards, we laid hands on the pastor, at his request, for spiritual protection. 

On the way back to the hotel for the night we stopped at La Casona restaurant for our evening meal.  Mammy and I shared a spaghetti and chicken dish that was just wonderful.

We were able to connect to the wireless service in the hotel so we could send out a message about our first two days in Nicaragua.

Monday, March 14, 2010:  Again, I was the first up and read Acts 26.  Though Paul was a prisoner, he continually witnessed to guards and anyone within earshot.  I’m deeply impressed with the multitudes of people in Nicaragua who are prisoners to the deceptive ways of Satan.  Even our churches are not freeing her congregates from the deception of this world.  Oh Father, have mercy on us!!

We tried to meet Cliff and Sonya Shearrow at the airport but they were on a different flight than the one we were meeting.  We then visited a shopping mall where we tried to get some cash at a bank.  Though we were finally successful, it took a while.  We got a mixture of dollars and Cordoba’s.

Cliff and Sonya arrived at the hotel via taxi.  They sure proved to be of great help and encouragement for the remainder of the trip.

We drove across town to the church mission home where Pastor Rudolph lived.  We set up and taught our discipleship course over a three hour period.

Following a refreshing shower, the night’s rest was very much welcomed.

Tuesday, March 15, 2010:  Acts 27 is the last chapter of the book and Paul was still a prisoner.  Here in Managua, thousands upon thousands remain imprisoned by Satan’s world system and the church seems so irrelevant!!  Poverty has driven so many to the streets!  Oh where is the church??

We missed our morning flight to Bluefields so with the time now available to us, we visited a market (Dan purchased a machete, Nicaraguan flag, and a hand bag for his Mom.)  We then drove to Masaya where we visited an active volcano.  It is called the Mouth of Hell.  Its last eruption was around 1977 and the lava fields were obviously new.  A sign alongside the road instructed the passengers that in the event of an eruption, the procedure was to get under the car!  We all agreed to do so but Dan was to remain outside to get a photo of us (that would have been the most interesting photo of the trip!)  Sulfurous gasses were rising from the mouth of the volcano.  Witnessing by Sonya, Cliff, and Pastor Bob led two people to Christ while we were there.

We caught the 2:00 PM flight to Bluefields and the flight only lasted about an hour.  We checked into the Mini-Hotel. 

That evening, we joined Pastor Austin and Daphne Lewin for dinner at a very nice restaurant.  At Pastor Bob’s request, Daphne stood and sang, “One Day at a time” with an angelic voice.  The restaurant was not crowded but those in attendance sure received a great witness for the Lord.  We expected to make arrangements to present the discipleship course at the Zion Baptist Church through Pastor Lewin but as we were explaining our mission to help hurting churches, Pastor Lewin interrupted us to confess that he was not in fellowship at the church any longer as a result of some hurt feelings.  Our discussions with Pastor Lewin resulted in his confession that he could no longer pray and even his family relationships were fractured.  We challenged Pastor Lewin and more or less rebuked him for letting pride separate him from the ministry.  After he was spiritually restored and we were ready to leave, Pastor Lewin prayed for Pastor Bob.  We knew then that his restoration was complete and we asked for a basin with which to wash the feet of Pastor Lewin and wife Daphne.  This did attract the attention of the waitstaff and it was a beautiful experience.  Pastor Lewin is interested in starting a Christian radio program in Bluefields and we provided sufficient funds for two months broadcast.  This wonderful couple was reunited as a Christian family that evening.  We retired to our rooms to rejoice and pray.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010:  We met Clayton Moody this morning at breakfast.  He has a very responsible position in several Central American countries.  Clayton is overworked and in much need of additional Christian leaders.

Afterwards, we traveled to Bethel Church to view the facilities and grounds.  They operate a daycare center for children whose parents are away for several months working as stewards for cruise ships.

As we were leaving the grounds, Dan found a dead bug (a very big bug!)  He was so impressed with its size that he kept it.

That evening, we attended prayer meeting at Zion Baptist Church where a deaconess lead with the theme, “God is the God of the impossible.”

Thursday, March 18, 2010:  The multitudes of lost people are overwhelming!  Oh where is the Church??

Daphne showed up for breakfast and invited us for lunch at their home. 

At 8:00 AM, Dan accompanied Clayton, Cliff and Sonya up the coast in a boat to visit several mission points.  They were to determine the state of these churches while on the trip.

We took a taxi to the Lewin home around 10:00 AM and enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship and then a great meal of shrimp, fried bananas, and salad.  We discussed many things but the topic of a new radio ministry seems to be firming up for Pastor Lewin. 

We presented our discipleship course at Zion Baptist Church from 2:00 PM till 6:00 PM.  Pastor Bob stayed with us.  The discipleship training went well and it appeared that the audience of approximately twenty accepted the importance of serious discipleship for the church.  Both Pastor Lewin and Daphne attended.

Even the Christian school principle participated as the children performed their physical exercise class.
     Though exhausted at 6:00 PM, Sonya and Cliff wanted us to join them for a service at a Spanish speaking church across town.  Upon arrival, we were ushered to the very front seats and the folk welcomed us most graciously.  In addition to time of much praise singing and speakers, Cliff was asked to preach.  He preached in English while Sonya interpreted in Spanish.  We were seated right next to the praise band drummer.  To celebrate the Assistant Pastor’s birthday, we were served first with spaghetti, two crackers, and red drink in Styrofoam cups and plates.

Friday, March 19, 2010:  Upon completion of reading the first two chapters of Romans, I asked God for clear identification of how best to use the remainder of my life.  At this time I do not believe it is to make mission trips such as this one to Nicaragua; though I certainly remain open to such opportunities.  Perhaps the development of discipleship materials, making disciples, and emphasizing discipleship to local churches will be most fruitful.

We flew back to Managua where we were met by Ralph and Pastor Rudolph with the van.  We checked back into the same hotel.  We returned later to the airport to meet Cliff and Sonya who could not get on the same flight that we were on.

We then drove to just south of San Marco where we met with Miguel Lopez at a drug rehabilitation center.  Miguel told us about how the center was started and how it ministers to only those that are serious about breaking the bondage of addiction.  We then met with nineteen men and boys for a spiritual service.  Pastor Bob spoke of the plan of salvation as Ralph interpreted.  The men and boys were very attentive.  Sonya sang acapella in Spanish.  We shared our Christian testimonies and Dan led is a closing prayer.  All nineteen of the men and boys slid from their chairs to their knees on the hard concrete floor to accept Jesus as the Lord of their lives!  What a desperately needed ministry of discipleship for some local church to follow up with!

On the way home, we stopped again at the La Cosona restaurant in San Marco for a delightful meal.  Pastor Bob and Dan purchased some bags of coffee for gifts.

Saturday, March 20, 2010:  We had no meetings set up for today but we were scheduled to have dinner at Miguel Lopez’s home.  We did do some shopping at a Wal-Mart store.  Dan noticed a man crippled with what appeared to be palsy.  He could not control his muscles.  Dan was so touched that he asked Cliff to go with him to witness.  The man indicated that he was a Christian.  Dan gave him some money and prayed for him.  We drove across town to where we enjoyed a great time of fellowship at Miguel Lopez’s home.  It was son Jonathan’s 24^th birthday.  We stopped along the way to purchase cake for the occasion.  Mrs. Lopez’s table was spread with all sorts of Nicaraguan food which was delicious.  Jonathan and sister Joanna sang a couple of beautiful songs and Sonya also sang for the occasion.  A couple of cousins joined us for the birthday celebration.  One just graduated from medical school and will be providing two years of free service to communities in the bush.  He is a deep spiritual Christian young man.

Sunday, March 21, 2010:  Ralph arrived at the hotel at 4:15 AM to take Pastor Bob, Cliff and Sonya to the airport.  He returned to the hotel to take us to the airport at 8:00.  Ralph had to drop us off at the curb and return the rental van.  It was really hard to give him our final hug and wave goodbye as he drove off. 

We had no difficulty in passing customs and our flight was on schedule.  The time passed fast as we left Nicaragua behind.  Dan made a couple of photos of a volcano as we flew overhead.

We had to wait in a very long line to pass through immigration but we had no problems passing.  Don and Tracey met us at the airport and drove us to a good ol’ Texas barbecue restaurant where we met up with Samuel.  Then the final drive to Dickinson took us back to where we started our fantastic voyage to Nicaragua.  Our memories of the dear people we left in Nicaragua will always be with us.  It was good to be home.

Later:  Thinking back on our trip to Nicaragua, it is difficult for me to re-vision the trip.  It passed so very fast due to our being so active.  But for the photos, I have a hard time recalling the sights and sounds of the streets and the extra loving kindness shown us while in that third-world country.  During the time we spent in Nicaragua, we taught our discipleship course to two churches, we helped restore a dear minister to active ministry, we participated in ministering at a drug rehabilitation center for men and boys and our team won at least 24 new souls for the Kingdom of God!  We will never re-live such an experience during this lifetime but we will, one day, meet these dear people again and we will have much more time to rejoice and fellowship with each other and with our Savior.