We had another slow start to our day, but there were experiences I had today that I wouldn't trade for anything. It seems as if the Lord is guiding us to the places we need to be, and allowing us to take a small glimpse into these people's lives.
The fortitude for life I am experiencing is amazing. Today we had a chance to go around an interview people who have received Mico-credit Loans, help with vocational training, missionary assistance, etc. Their lives would be so much different without this training and help Cause for Hope gives to them.
One of the biggest lessons I learned today was the importance of self-reliance. The day began with a talk from President Marion G. Romney, "The Celestial Nature of Self-reliance." It is an excellent talk to read and share with whomever!
President Romney teaches, "Since the beginning of time man has been counseled to earn his own way, thereby becoming self-reliant... Man cannot become an agent unto himself if he is not self-reliant. Herein we see that independance and self-reliance are critical keys to our spiritual growth."
Our first interview was at a chapel that was more beautiful than any chapel I ever saw in Chile. Benicio Mayorga is a return missionary who is studying accounting and working for the Church. His life has been blessed because he is able to start the process of rising above poverty as a result of going to school. He speaks English and has a wonderful spirit about him. It was such a fun time being in his pressence.
Hno. Jaime Cruz works as both a mechanic and a transporter. There are people who run around in backwards tricycles and take people from place-to-place for about 10-15 cents. He received a loan and was able to get some mechanical training and buy some machinery. Now he has a large contract and is one of the more affluent members.
When I talk about affluent, I am talking about $300-350 a month. That would barely make my car payment... yikes! These people have so few temporal things, but they are so rich in ways that are much more important than that.
We visited a few more people, but the real treat came when we were able to visit with Hno. Wilber Cordoba and his family. There are seven of them, which is probably one of the largest Latin American families I know.
This family was living on 30-40 c's a day. That is the equivalent of 15-20 cents a day... Can you imagine trying to feed a family of seven for 20 cents a day? He broke down as he talked abot how his family was lucky to have one meal a day.
I listened to his two older sons share their experiences and testimony and I saw the future of Nicaragua. It is a bight future full of strong leaders who will have amazing spiritual power. Many of these people have talents, they just don't have a way to realize them, or someone there to point out to them that they can do something that will effect a change in their lives.
The spirit was so thick in that room as they bore testimony of knowing that God will bless them as long as they are obiedient, as they pay tithing first, and of how their faith in the gospel as kept them grounded. This is certainly a special family who the Lord is watching over and helping to grow in the gospel.
Their change came because this brother was able to get a job with the Church and received a loan to help him get transportation. They were barely making it as is, but they took a leap of faith and asked for help from CFH. Their lives have completely changed for the better.
Today was a testimony to me that being self-reliant is so important, not only for your physical mind, but for your spiritual self. When we are able to concentrate on the spiritual, we are greatly increased. But when we are dependant on something, it destroys is little by little.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Day 1
Our first day started off slow as our driver was taking us to the wrong city. In an effort to make up time he sped back through the streets of Managua and I felt like I was in a Chilean micro all over again.
Stop signs mean nothing down here and I watched a motorcycle come less than two inches from losing his life. At about 3 p.m. is started to rain and within minutes the streets were filled with water. I had to have a pictures of myself in it, so risking my life of being swept away I stepped out and got soaked. It was a blast.
We also had the opportunity to go to Paolo's house. He is a street vendor who sells fried banana's in little plastic bags. His life has changed for the better as a result of getting a loan from Cause for Hope.
His house is down by the sewage river and it used to be made out of plastic and sticks. He would always worry for his families safety because anyone or anything could enter at any time. At one point he had a machete at his house to beat off the dogs who would come and steal his bananas (his lively hood).
Because of the loan he received from Cause for Hope, he has been able to increase his business and make some upgrades on his house. It is now comprised of used plywood and has a lock on the front door.
Their living was so humble and yet I have never seen a man with more joy in his eyes. He got to know the Church through CFH and was baptized two years ago. When he talks about the joy he feels in his heart in getting to know his Father in Heaven and studying about the gospel it seems as if all the cares in the world go away for him.
It broke my heart to see so much abject poverty. Not more than 200km from the National Assembly there was a slum village where people had sticks in the ground and they used whatever plastic, metal, or wood to make a house. They lived there without doors, without walls, without much of anything. This country is in such a poor economic situation, people are leaving the country to work and bring the money back.
My day, however, brightened when I got to see the future of Nicaragua. In a room sat about 15 future missionaries. They were bright-spirited and had so much hope and anticipation to serve the Lord. In watching them talk about how the gospel had changed their lives, the Spirit touched my heart.
I wanted to cry as I watched a young lady talk about how she is the only member of the Church in her family. She has fought to move forward in her life and will be going on a mission alone. It amazed me to see so many girls who were preparing to serve missions and it made me happy.
The experience thus far has been amazing and I love the feeling I have among these people.
Stop signs mean nothing down here and I watched a motorcycle come less than two inches from losing his life. At about 3 p.m. is started to rain and within minutes the streets were filled with water. I had to have a pictures of myself in it, so risking my life of being swept away I stepped out and got soaked. It was a blast.
We also had the opportunity to go to Paolo's house. He is a street vendor who sells fried banana's in little plastic bags. His life has changed for the better as a result of getting a loan from Cause for Hope.
His house is down by the sewage river and it used to be made out of plastic and sticks. He would always worry for his families safety because anyone or anything could enter at any time. At one point he had a machete at his house to beat off the dogs who would come and steal his bananas (his lively hood).
Because of the loan he received from Cause for Hope, he has been able to increase his business and make some upgrades on his house. It is now comprised of used plywood and has a lock on the front door.
Their living was so humble and yet I have never seen a man with more joy in his eyes. He got to know the Church through CFH and was baptized two years ago. When he talks about the joy he feels in his heart in getting to know his Father in Heaven and studying about the gospel it seems as if all the cares in the world go away for him.
It broke my heart to see so much abject poverty. Not more than 200km from the National Assembly there was a slum village where people had sticks in the ground and they used whatever plastic, metal, or wood to make a house. They lived there without doors, without walls, without much of anything. This country is in such a poor economic situation, people are leaving the country to work and bring the money back.
My day, however, brightened when I got to see the future of Nicaragua. In a room sat about 15 future missionaries. They were bright-spirited and had so much hope and anticipation to serve the Lord. In watching them talk about how the gospel had changed their lives, the Spirit touched my heart.
I wanted to cry as I watched a young lady talk about how she is the only member of the Church in her family. She has fought to move forward in her life and will be going on a mission alone. It amazed me to see so many girls who were preparing to serve missions and it made me happy.
The experience thus far has been amazing and I love the feeling I have among these people.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Home Again
The day started out super stressful and I thought if this was going to be any indication of how our trip was going to go, I didn't want to get on the plane. But I had to be optimistic and tell myself things were going to be ok.
Seven hours after leaving Salt Lake I looked out the window from the middle seat. I saw the lights of Managua and I felt a peace. I was home again. There is something about being south of the border that moves me inside and makes me feel calm.
Just now as I sit on the patio at our hotel, I look around me with the crickets singing, stray cats running to-and-fro, and feeling of the pure simplicity of this country. I love it.
I am home.
Seven hours after leaving Salt Lake I looked out the window from the middle seat. I saw the lights of Managua and I felt a peace. I was home again. There is something about being south of the border that moves me inside and makes me feel calm.
Just now as I sit on the patio at our hotel, I look around me with the crickets singing, stray cats running to-and-fro, and feeling of the pure simplicity of this country. I love it.
I am home.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
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