Since 2003, when I gave up my life for Jesus, I'd always wanted to go on a Mission trip. It seemed a "mission trip" was something really, devout Christians did (what I understood from my previous life.) Deep down, I never felt worthy to go on a mission trip. You know why? Shame. Shame kept me under the veil of "unworthiness" for many things. But this past January, I got some great freedom from Mr. Shame and I felt worthy to go on a mission trip. Bree and Daniel were planning on going with Arbor Christian Academy, the high school at Trinity Fellowship. I couldn't imagine a more divine trip than taking a mission trip with family members. After much prayer, Gary and I decided we'd fore go our anniversary trip and go to Nicaragua instead. I was so excited! I immediately emailed the missionaries: Wayne and Elaine MaGourik on their website: www.saviorstear.org to ask them "novice mission trip" questions.
Wayne responded very quickly and thus began a sweet friendship between he and I via email over our decision to come to Nicaragua. He and his precious wife, Elaine, have lived in Nicaragua for the past three years and have been ministering over there for some 9+ years. It truly has become their Life Mission.
In a nutshell, because I could go on and on forever about Nicaragua...let me tell you about the precious ones over there...
The day after we arrived, we visited the "Dump Ground" for Managua, Nicaragua. A city of about a million people. The dump ground was quite vast...we drove in Wayne's vehicle, which thankfully, is recognized by the people scavenging through the dump ground. This is their life-everyday. They wait for the trash trucks to come and go through the trash looking for anything of any value or food for the day. This is their daily job. This is how they provide for their families. One day at a time.
While driving through, I catch the white teeth of a beautiful young boy, looking up at me while we slowly drive by. I quickly snap a photo and then put my camera down and wave hello to him. He held onto an empty plastic bottle, possibly a Gatorade bottle. He gleams his pearly whites and I am overwhelmed by his smile. I ask God, "Lord, what on earth does he have to smile about?" The Lord whispers to my spirit, "He has everything he needs for today. He doesn't know to want for more. I meet his daily needs and he worries none for tomorrow. He's content. He has his health, his family, and his daily needs." I wondered why I couldn't be as content. I have much more in way of materialism, yet, catch myself wanting more! It's insane.
The next day, we went to the Orphanage/Boarding School. Many of the children from the dump ground end up at the orphanage. There were about 30 children there that day and we held a large birthday party for them...complete with cokes, birthday cake and gifts. These gifts were nothing more than boxes wrapped with dollar store items in them. When we gave each child a gift, they all looked at them very carefully. Slowly, they began to open the gift, trying not to tear the paper so they could save it. As they pulled out one trinket at a time, they examined it carefully, then put it back in the box. Eventually, they closed the box back up with all its' contents and put them away in a safe place. They said, "Gracias!" more times than I could count. I imagine if I went back there today, those boxes would be in the same pristine condition they were when I left.
We played games with them, like the Limbo, jump rope, and put barrettes in the girl's hair. The guys went out to the yard and played soccer with the boys...and yes, the Gringos got stomped!!! There was no Wii, no video games of any kind, no iPod, no iphone, no technology of any sorts and we ALL had a splendid time together.
Upon time to go, a sweet little boy, Noe, had been discovering stickers in his gift box. He began to put them all over himself and then all over me. He stuck a Cross sticker on the front of my t-shirt. As you can imagine, it was hard to leave these precious ones. All of them had a different story as to why they were there. They were the kindest, most gracious children I've ever been around. So grateful for our time and attention, if just for one afternoon. It's no wonder Wayne and Elaine are so attached to them. On days when they're feeling down and missing home, they go see the children at the Orphanage to lift their spirits...and I truly see why now. They are little, beautiful angels dressed in clothes.
Oasis de Esparanza is the school that Wayne and Elaine started to get the dump ground children out of the dump, if even for half a day. There are children from kindergarten through 6th grade and it's growing every year. There's approximately 420 children attending everyday. The school provides two nutritious meals, a clean uniform and a Christian education for each child. About $30-35.00 dollars a month provides that daily for one child for a month. Is that hard to believe? It's amazing to me. The teachers are those who should be praised! They have a tough job and gratefully do it every day for about $150.00 a month salary. Over there, that's a pretty good salary.
We were there for six days. For Oasis, we had 6 stations with about 3-4 people working. I had the "sports" station. We played soccer, baseball, jump rope, and the Hokey-Pokey dance, among some of the activities. Gary had the "hygiene" station. They showed them how to brush and floss in a fun way. Bree did art and Daniel did Math and Science. The program was fabulous and was so productive every minute of every day.
I truly left a part of my heart in Nicaragua. I can hardly wait to go back, Lord willing, next June. Wayne and Elaine have become best friends and my heart desires to help their ministry any way I can. I encourage you to look at their website and see from their perspective... www.saviorstear.org
Since my return home, I've asked myself many things...one of which is this: Are we missing the mark over here in America? We think we have it all figured out with our high speed technology, 60 hour work weeks, stress and busyness like it's common nature. In Nicaragua, they have their own set of troubles, no doubt...but it's a much simpler life. Much simpler. They don't yearn for more and more because they don't see 50 commercials everyday speaking to their fleshly desires..."more....more....more...." Having seen Nicaragua, I know without any doubt, I am blessed beyond belief. I asked God why it's so out of balance...they are so poor, and we over here are so rich....God replied, "I don't know Dawn, why is it?" Those who have been given much, shall give much. For me, it was impossible to go over there and not be changed internally forever. I've seen "poor" like I've never seen it before in my life. I know we have "poor" in America, but we also have a welfare system, soup kitchens and homeless shelters. Gary and I gladly support our hometown missions for the poor. However, over there, poor is poor. They truly don't know where their next meal will come from. Because I have been changed by Nicaragua forever, several of those meals will come from us, quite gratefully indeed.
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