Ready...Set...Go!

I’ve been listening to Christmas music for almost a month now.  Before you throw up your hands and utter under your breath how ridiculous that is I’ll tell you Anthony thinks the same thing.  LOL!  My response is this:  “I can celebrate Jesus all year round if I want!”  Honestly, the songs are a great reminder of so many wonderful truths about God’s love and the freedom, redemption, hope and joy we have because of Jesus.  One of my favorites is “All is Well.”  It basically says that because of Jesus’ birth everything is okay.  We can have peace and confidence because Jesus conquered sin and death.  Right now I desperately need frequent reminders that everything is going to be okay and that despite all that is going in my life the bigger picture is that I have peace and joy because I can trust a loving, strong and faithful God. 
One American girl who worked at Aqua told Anthony and I that Nicaragua is an endurance test.  Lately, those words have been ringing in my ears and this verse came to mind: 

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us RUN with ENDURANCE the RACE set before us, fixing our eyes Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  Hebrews 12: 1-3

How appropriate!  Carrie, Shauna and Toby recently participated in a physical race in Columbus, Ohio, but all of us whether in Nicaragua or in America are battling small and big endurance tests while also running in the bigger race of life. 

Anthony and I have both participated in physical races, but we chose to and we prepared and trained for them.  In life, we don’t always get a choice nor do we always feel adequate for what we are facing.  Nevertheless, there are some miles you feel a rush of adrenaline, you have the wind at your back and you enjoy the beautiful scenery on your route.  Other miles your legs feel heavy, other runners get in the way and the scenery is boring and mundane.  Lately, the latter is how I’ve felt in Nicaragua.  At times I do feel as if I’m running out of energy and endurance and just wish I could skip the last few miles and cross the finish line right now.

One of the biggest challenges that constantly wears on me is the sharing of a dirty, smelly kitchen.  I’m tired of heating up water to disinfect things, fighting off animals from getting our food and standing in line to use the stove.  The rainy season has begun, bringing with it a solid week of rain and a lightning strike that took out our internet.  While I’m incredibly thankful to have power, the rain has contributed to an even greater feeling of isolation.  The storms and vast amount of rain have caused a greater difficulty in traveling by foot and car, getting laundry done and connecting with family and friends.   Learning the language and conversing with Nicas is also a daily struggle and source of frustration.  All of these “endurance tests” can indeed add up and wear my patience thin. 

I have competed in various races, games, and contests throughout my life, and thinking of this time in Nicargua as a competition or race is motivating to me. In my many years as an athlete I hated being taken out of the game.  Although it is safe and restful on the bench you miss out on the action.  You can observe and even feel the excitement of the game, but you don’t get to feel the taste of victory or experience the joy of a job well done from the sidelines.  So, while I am ready to throw in the towel many days, in reality it is not an option.  The race still goes one whether I choose to fully participate or not, so I might as well lace up my shoes and join in. 

How do I endure and run the race right here in Nicaragua?  It’s been a difficult process to figure out and not easy to put into practice.  Paul gives great advice though by telling me to throw off the sin and things that entangle me.  Fighting lies, fear, anxiety, doubt, and physical and mental exhaustion is easier said than done, but it’s possible through prayer, reading and meditating on scripture, journaling, thanksgiving, and celebrating when I finish even just one lap.  It is crucial for me to stop and think about even the smallest accomplishment like getting a load of laundry done despite the rain and traffic of other staff members or finding a new and fun fruits and other fresh vegetables to eat.  Then, I need to keep my eyes focused on just one day at a time while keeping in mind the bigger picture.  While I know that I’m learning valuable lessons, I don’t necessarily know the purpose of this journey or where it will lead.  I am encouraged by the fact that God has led us here; He is at work and Christ has given me a great example.  Finally, I think about the great “cloud of witnesses.”  I’m not the only one who has lived in another country and all of us have various trials and challenges in our own particular race.  It is important to draw from those various communities and listen and learn from the experiences and wisdom of others.  I’ve also found it to be essential to humbly receive from those who are willing to give and sacrifice to help me in my time of need. 

Cheering for Carrie, Shauna and Toby from Nicaragua.

We got to experience horse-back riding in the jungle and on the beach.

Our new favorite fruit: Guyaba. It's like an apple and pear together.

 

A specific example of this is receiving a box of both basic essentials and special treats from many members of my family two weeks ago.  A lot of coordinating, effort and money were put into getting this box to Nicaragua.  It took over three weeks to get to us, but the contents of this box continue to bring us joy and encouragement, and make life here easier for Anthony and I.  It is with such love and appreciation I say thank you to my parents Mike and Cheryl, my sisters Carrie and Shauna and their families, my grandparents the MacGillivrarys and Fabians, my great-grandma Mary Richardson, my aunt Beth and the Parker family and my Ohio parents the Schetters.

At the end of a hard day I have to remind myself that it’s all going to be okay.  I may get winded at times, my pace may slow, and maybe I’ll even suffer an injury, but I’m still going to cross the finish line.   When I do make it through a specific hardship or season of life it is going to all be worth it. I will experience a great since of accomplishment and joy for not only finishing, but running the race with endurance and focus.  Truly ALL is really WELL.  I have a great husband and support system.  My God is strong, faithful, loving and in control.   I know there is a reason for all that happens in life and I have the ultimate example for how to run the race in my Savior Jesus.

“Therefore we do not lose heart, even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen eternal.” II Corinthians 4:16-18

A Thankful Heart

This past Friday marks a very big milestone for Anthony and I.  We have officially been in Nicaragua for one month.  The culture shock is wearing off and we are getting “used to” living in the jungle.   By no means is living in this environment ever going to be the “norm,” but we are more acclimated to how things operate here and are less surprised by the turbulent storms, power outages and the wide variety animals in our living space.  Anthony and I are getting used to the painstaking task of hand scrubbing our clothes (humorously enough our washing machine decided to break down the second week we were here) and how and where to get food.  We’ve been able to buy fish and lobster tail right off the boat!  I guess you can say I am more settled.  Now that I’m less worried about survival and able to let my guard down, I’ve become more contemplative and appreciative of many things.

It can be a challenge to describe the area in which we live, because it’s really a combination of many types of topography.  We live in a “dry forest” where the mountains are covered with tropical plants and deciduous trees.  It’s rugged and rocky, but there are beautiful flowers and even some random banana trees.  Several miles out from Tola (a small town to the northeast) the topography flattens into farmland and you can see a number of ranches and fincas dotting the landscape. A five minute walk from our doorstep will take you to the sandy beach of Gigante where we often have the privilege of watching the sun’s paintbrush light the sky in marvelous hues of crimson, gold, and cobalt blue each evening.  We often hear the crash of the ocean waves from our hotel. 

We really just have to chuckle at the hodgepodge of various animal sounds and scents of the farm and jungle wafting through our windows here at the “Hotel Brio”.  One morning I was awoken by the loud mooing of a cow followed by harsh “CawKOW” of Nicaragua’s version of the blue jay.  During the day it isn’t uncommon to hear the howling bark of the mono congos (howler monkeys) or the rustle of the caballos, (horses) eating anything green they can find.  At night, it’s the bark of dogs and the meow of this cat who is constantly begging for food near the kitchen, harmonizing with the random chirp of the colorful geckos on the wall- How’s that for a concert?  Then, there are the smells….  Growing up in the Midwest the stench of farm animals is nothing new, but when you have to avoid stepping in those smells up close and personal, it gets a little annoying.  The other slightly hilarious (or annoying depending on my mood) aspect of living here is trying to keep the super-tonto (stupid) cows away from our clothesline.  Finally, we can’t forget about the smell of trash that is prodrido (rotten) and moldy food that frequently wafts from the trash container down the road. However, those scents are offset by the sweet fragrance of the flowers (some type of delightful nightshade) that line the ramp leading to the cocina (kitchen), and of course, the great Nica food other staff members are making.     

Example of the beautiful and unpleasant.  Top left is a passoin fruit!  Bottom left is a simple bucket that holds the kitchen trash which is often scattered by dogs.  Bottom center and right are two of several thorn-ridden plants/trees.

There are days I pinch myself wondering if I’m really living in this place.  It’s a place filled with stark contrasts of the beautiful and unpleasant, tranquil and fierce, and fragrant and foul.  We have the ease of a slower pace and laid back society, but the constant challenge of trying to just live and the feeling of isolation.  It can truly be a jungle at times.  Sometimes the magnificence takes my breath away and other days I’m not sure I can make it through another day.   

Living in the Nicaragua and experiencing a new way of life has definitely made me appreciate all I have in America.  It will be interesting after returning to modern life which amenity will mean the most.  It is hard grasp how much you have until you go without it.  Even after just one month I have a long list in my head of what I’m thankful for that so often I took for granted.   Over this past week I’ve found myself giving thanks for some of the following things: a whole week without losing power, air conditioning in the vehicle that takes us on the rough 30 minute ride to get our groceries, oh and to have food in the cupboard and in the freezer is such a wonderful thing as well!  Side note:  On Tuesday we received a small refrigerator from one of the managers at the resort.  This will help us be able to keep our food, fresher and longer, and enable us to have cold water on a regular basis.  Another small thing I’m very glad and relieved to have. 

This is the longest I have ever been in a foreign country and I do have days of feeling very homesick.  The excitement and newness of Nicaragua is fading and I’m missing the familiar.  I’m yearning for the smells and tastes of fall in the Midwest, the cool nights, and the sound of the wind rustling the drying leaves.  I’m longing to be with my family and friends or at least have the ease of calling and texting.  Thank the Lord for technology and skype, because when I feel sad nothing lifts my spirits like talking and (sometimes) seeing my family- especially my nieces and nephews.  I hear Caris in her sweet and energetic voice tell me about her most recent activity and see Addy coloring a Hello Kitty picture and asking if this is my home. 

I have become even more grateful for my family, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.  Anthony and I feel so blessed by the support, prayers and encouragement we have received.  It’s hard to describe the connection I feel several thousand miles away.  Many of the resort workers at this hotel live 2 to 3 hours from their families.  That may not seem like a big deal, but in Nicaragua it’s a heavy burden to bear when you don’t have a car, work 7 days a week, and it’s very expensive to travel.  It brings a whole new meaning to working away from home.  Many of the men and women here have spouses and children they rarely see, all because they are desperate for work.  Another example of how living here has given me a new perspective. 

I’m also incredibly thankful for a wonderful husband who I can learn, laugh and cry with, who works so hard and does all he can to take care of me.   You would not believe all that thought to bring here to keep us safe, healthy and to make our lives easier.  Hah, he even brought duct tape! 

Tears frequently come to my eyes when I thing of the love and prayers coming our way.  I get emotional when I read emails or comments from my blog.  You all make my heart full and my soul feel content.   To each one of my family and friends I say muchisimas gracias.  Te amo mucho.   Estoy entusiasmada para verte pronto.

Anthony making gallo pinto.  A rice and bean dish that is a Nicarguan staple.

Anthony kayaying and stand up paddle boating with the guide Ernesto.  I joined him later!