Nicaragua 2009

The stories Oliver brings would break your heart. He told me that he has never before seen poverty such as he saw this week. It wasn't just they had less than we are accustomed to, it was true poverty! In El Salvador, even the poor are able to plant a little something in their yard or have a chicken to get eggs from. Here they had NOTHING. It was heart-wrenching and brought me to tears just hearing about the situations he encountered face-to-face.


They worked with 4 churches and 2 orphanages that are supported by Niños Escogidos (Chosen Children) outside of Managua, Nicaragua. One pastor tells how he and his pregnant wife were beat up for his monthly salary ($100). When given a large bag of beans and rice because they had no money to buy it for that month, the pastor divided it among his congregation, saying he couldn't eat well knowing that his congregation were starving.


Another pastor is ridiculed by the neighborhood he serves in. He moved from a cinder-block home that he, his wife and 4 children shared with another family, to a home next-door to the church within the neighborhood to better serve his congregation and reach out. On Wednesday, Oliver's group built his home. It is approx. 12x12, made of 4x4s and 2x4s and plastic with a corrugated roof. They offered to build him something better, but he did not want to put on airs in his neighborhood, as everyone has homes like this. There is much envy within these small communities. I remember my concern upon hearing about hurricane Ida, even though it was off the east coast and not near them. I couldn't imagine being in this home during a downpour, let alone a hurricane. It truly is no wonder they are willing to crowd into a trailer here in the States to save money. The picture above is from the "pulpit" of the church. Its finished except for a door.


When they asked another pastor how they could serve him, he asked not for himself, even though he probably could use new clothes, shoes or food, but for pews for his church, as everyone stood on a sunday morning. So they built pews for the church.


Oliver says that these were the most humble men of God he has ever met. They never once asked for themselves or their families, but for their congregations.


The stories of the children are so sad. One little girl in the orphanage was sold by her sister into prostitution when she was 12. A 14-yr-old girl in one of the neighborhoods has a 2-yr-old. The missionaries believe her stepfather is the father.

The children in the orphanage are treated wonderfully. They are fed well and taken care of. They go to school and learn trades. The children in the neighborhoods are not so lucky. None have shoes. There feet are so worn from never having worn shoes, or even socks. The main goal of the mission team was to hand out 400 pairs of new shoes to all of these children. They go from this church 2x a year to bring shoes and to minister wherever they can.