Frozen Treats and a 5 year old

As I prepare to depart to visit our sister church in Nicaragua, I am struck by the striking differences in our people. In a country where the average household salary is more than $46,000.00, the pollsters are reporting that on this election night, the number one concern of our citizens is the economy and personal prosperity. That’s amazing to me. Our 401Ks sink by 10% and we’re fearful to face tomorrow. Are we afraid we won't be able to buy a new car this year or that we won't be able to get that upgraded flat screen TV? Maybe we're concerned that we won't be able to eat out more than once a month or have to scale back on our vacation plans. Compare that to the economy of Betel and Trojilo, Nicaragua where the average salary is some where between $2.50 and $5.00 per day in an economy where the cost of living is roughly equivalent to that of ours. Speaking of new cars, most folks who live in these villages walk. In fact there may be 2 cars and 2 motorcycles per 1000 residents. The food that they eat is grown and harvested from the wilderness. Most of them have never taken a vacation to visit an amusement park or rent a cabana at the beach. They can't afford to go out to eat at a restaurant.... even a soft drink is a HUGE treat. Their education system is severely lacking and the opportunities for the average citizen can’t begin to compare with the opportunities available for us. Yet in the midst of hardship, they’ve found a way to be optimistic. Their outlook is positive if they have enough food for today and time to spend with the kids around an old radio listening to some preacher on a distant channel. Their faith in God is strong… they’ve had to depend on Him for survival, not just a raise in pay or a new car. Somehow we’ve gotten off track in the United States. Our lives are a dream for most third world countries, yet we want more and more and more… We’ve forgotten how to be content and have become greedy, selfish, and caring for few people other than ourselves. One event in Betel, Nicaragua I’ll never forget happened when I bought a frozen juice treat for a young boy. He ran to his house and gathered all his friends to share what the treat. When all was said and done, he had nothing left for himself. Sort of gives a fresh perspective to Paul’s exhortation to give preference one to another doesn’t it? I think I spent every Cordoba I had that day buying frozen treats for every kid in the village. I learned a powerful lesson that day from a 5 year old… One that speaks straight from the heart of God. I’m sure I will learn another dozen or more this trip as well. It’s funny how we go to minister to these “poor” people and come back home having been blessed beyond measure and enriched by their ministry and love. I wish you could all go with me….

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