Back from the Jungle

It is the new year. The trip to Nicaragua is now behind me. It was an eye opening experience to see how people in third world countries really live. The lack of clean water, appropriate sewage systems, waste removal and highways made me realize how well off every American is. I mean every American, even the poorest among us is far richer than the people I saw in Nicaragua. No hot water and not able to flush toilet paper really makes you appreciate the things we take for granted here.

VicWallMap

The thing the Lord pointed out to me while on this trip is how self centered and selfish I’ve been. These people in Nicaragua are simply grateful for another day of life and another day of food, however meager it might be. We went to one village to do a couple of medical clinics and the whole village turned out. They had no electricity, sewer or running water. The school where we set up the clinics consisted of several buildings in a fenced in area. The rooms were barren except for a few student desk in bad repair. The windows were the same style common in Florida during the 50s and 60s. No light, outlets or chalk boards. Nothing. Most of the houses were on stilts because the rainy seasons usually brings lots of flooding. Only shutters on the windows, no glass. People wash clothes in tubs and hang them out on lines stretched from the house to trees. Malnourished cows and dogs roam all over. I did not see one cat the whole time I was there. One of the native nurses that went with us to the clinics told me people did have cats but kept them inside. If the cat got out it would end up as dog food. There were a lot of children who came to the clinics. They seemed very happy with the little they had.

At the orphanage where we stayed, most of the children there came from parents who could not afford to fed or clothe them. The orphanage was the only hope of survival for these kids. We had several folks with us who brought their children along on this mission trip. They got along well with the native kids. One little girl, Hannah, asked her mom, “Where are their toys?” The kids at the orphanage had no toys like American kids. A few balls were the only thing. They entertained themselves with whatever they had.

The people in Nicaragua get in no hurry. It felt good to be at a slower pace. Our team did well when our luggage did not show up for 2 days. We made do and just proceeded with our teams as planned. No one complained.

Would I go back? I believe I will, but it will have to be the Lord. I’m concerned for the future of America because the way things are going, what I’ve seen in Nicaragua might come here. It may be closer than we think unless we repent as a nation, every one of us from the president on down to the poorest of America.