One week and a day...

I leave for Nicaragua in one week and a day. I am incredibly excited. I went through a period of time a few weeks ago during which I was SCARED. I kept thinking and dwelling on the unknowns and uncertainties. I wondered how I would communicate adequately with the Spanish speaking physicians and patients, since I am an intermediate Spanish speaker? What if I have health problems while I am there? How will I adapt to the culture and language? How will I deal with changes in independence? Will I become close friends with anyone there? How will I finish everything I need to by the time I leave? At times, these insecurities consumed me and I lost focus on my Lord.
In the book My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers states, "Keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you round the obstacle or remove it". The most difficult part for me is to keep focused on the Source, the One who has called me. I had to remind myself time and time again to remain in the Source. Trust and submit to the One who is faithful and has called you by name. Slowly, I worked through the fears and insecurities while continually reminding myself to fix my eyes upon Jesus. And now, God has blessed me with an attitude of peace and trust. Although I do not know all of the details, God is always with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. There will be difficulties, yet the One who has called me is faithful.
I am excited. I cannot wait to meet my hosts at CDCA as well as the Nicaraguan people I will come into contact with. I am reading a memoir called The Country Under My Skin by Gioconda Belli. She is Nicaraguan that was heavily involved in the Revolution in Nicaragua during the 1970's. I am soaking up her story and the story of the Nicaraguan people who have survived natural disaster, injustice, poverty, and conflict. I am excited to get to know people who grew up in a place so different from my own and who have different experiences. I also recently watched a movie called Sin Nombre (Without Name). It is in Spanish and has optional English subtitles. This movie tells the stories of a teenage Honduran girl and a Mexican young man and their subsequent meeting and travels together. It is an eye-opening movie and one that I highly recommend.
During my stepdad's surprise birthday party last night, I spent some time with family. I couldn't help but think about how I won't be seeing them again for a long time, and how thankful I am for such supportive, wonderful people in my life. As I take hot showers and sleep in my large, comfortable bed, I thank God. As I eat foods such as dried cherries, granola, blueberries, and chocolate brownies, I am thankful for the abundance of food I have had all of my life. Although I won't be eating many dried cherries and chocolate brownies, sleeping in a large and comfortable bed, or taking long hot showers in Nicaragua, I have no doubt that it will be worth it. I will learn and grow in numerous ways, and will appreciate these blessings even more when I return home. I will be able to more fully understand what poverty means and our responsibilities towards the poor as Christ followers. I will see God alive and at work in the people that I meet, and God will teach me so much through them.
In closing, Confucius said, "wheresoever you go, go with all your heart". I say, "Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart, and go with God". God is already in Ciudad Sandino. Yet I can choose each day to abide in the Lord or to go my own way. I will strive to go with God.

26 Days and Counting!

I leave for Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua in 26 days...wow! I am very excited but still have lots of details to pull together before I hop on the plane on Monday, September 20th. I keep reminding myself that somehow, it will all get done.

In Ciudad Sandino, I will be joining the Center for Development in Central America (CDCA) as it serves the Nueva Vida community. The CDCA's mission is "seeking to address human needs created by poverty in the Western Hemisphere's second poorest nation by helping communities become self-sufficient, sustainable, democratic entities by working with Nicaraguan communities to help them realize their own goals, rather than bringing in 'ready-made solutions'".
The CDCA focuses on the following areas:

• Sustainable Economic Development: Women's Sewing Cooperative, Cotton Spinning Plant Cooperative
• Sustainable Agriculture: Farmers joining together to share the burden of lowering crop prices; CDCA helps export the product and secure a customer base
• Health Care: Health Clinic, Green Pharmacy (sustainable medicinal herbs), People's Pharmacy (medication donated and purchased by CDCA including medications for chronic conditions, antibiotics, anti-parasite medication, and birth control)
• Appropriate Technology: Biodiesel produced from used cooking oil, new Aquaponics fish farming system
• Education: Educating the global north through health brigades, delegations, and speaking tours throughout the United States.

I have the privilege of serving in the Nueva Vida Health Clinic as a RN alongside two part-time Nicaraguan physicians, a North American social worker (who is off September through January), and a part-time Nicaraguan dentist who attend to the people for a one-time fee of about US $1.58 or a half-day’s labor per appointment. My role will be to assess patients, administer nebulizer treatments and injections, provide wound care, provide education, and assist the physicians as necessary. I will be serving a wide variety of individuals, including pregnant women, sick or injured children and adults, and those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes or asthma.

Although I will share God’s love and provide physical help and healing to those I serve, I am entering Ciudad Sandino with an attitude of humility. The people I will meet and the culture I will enter into will teach me immeasurably more than I can give.

I am excited to share stories and insights into my preparation for and time in Nicaragua. I hope that you will follow my entries and reply to my posts. ¡Hasta luego! (Until later).