What I have chosen....

Let´s see. This last week was Semana Santa (Holy Week). I spent the first few days just spending time with the Lord and relaxing. The time to rest was much more needed than I thought. It was good timing, too. I have now been here in Nicaragua for almost two and half months. I can´t believe it. My time here in Nicaragua is going to fly by!

This last week I spent time with Mir’s family in Barrio Villa Libertad (her neighborhood). I also spent time with Rosario, Omar, Staci and the rest of their family as they were somewhat reunited with their older brother after a time of 4 years separation. I was a great time to just relax and eat “chicharon”- which is fried pig skin. :) Yep, for those of you at the YMCA that are reading this, yes... I ate it! Salty!

Photo 1:
Stacy, Rosario and Alberto's granddaughter (can´t remember her name)

Mir´s church had another fast that I participated in and we had a feast at the end. I really love and appreciate the people in this church. It reminds me a lot of Servant´s Community Church in GR. They love people where they are at and allow God’s love to be revealed through real life and a supportive community. After the feast there was a celebration. I danced with the children and it was so much fun, as always!

Photo 2:
Part of the fast at Mir's church/house.

Photo 3:
Me dancing with the niños.

The Monday and Tuesday after Resurrection Sunday I had meetings with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Nicaragua workers. The first day was an all day meeting, but the second day was a fun day! We went to Volcano Mombacho and decided to do a 4 hour hike in 2 1/2 hours. Yep... I have´t worked out in almost three months. My calves are still sore! Besides the fact that it felt like I was running a marathon that I didn´t train for, it was really beautiful.

Photo 4:
A view from the top of Volcan Mombacho.

Photo 5:
Seth, Sarah, Matt, Me and Greta at the top of Volcan Mombacho.

Oh, another comment for the YMCA folks... I may not have technically worked out in three months, but let me tell you that I get a great workout trying to hang on while riding the buses. I also have a decent hill that I climb every day on my way to work. I actually get plenty of walking in around here. Oddly enough, even without working out I have lost almost 15 pounds since being here. Losing muscle mass and getting intestinal bacteria works great... but, I would no recommend it! Also, Acción Medica Crisitana (AMC) has asked me to start teaching an exercise class, so in May I am offering my first session of “clases aerobicas” for 6 weeks. Let me know if you want to sign up! :)

The other thing that I did this week was go to a concert in Malecón, which is where the old center of Managua was before the earthquake in 1973. Miriam, my host mom, treated myself, Enrique (her grandson) and Araseli (her youngest daughter) to the music of the amazing, Latin artist that sang beautiful Christian music: Jesus Adrián Romero.

Photo 6:
The concert of Jesús Adrián Romero

Photo 7:
Miriam and I at the concert.

I have had some many opportunities since being here. I AM SO VERY BLESSED!

I can´t begin to tell you all the thoughts that go through my mind daily here in Nicaragua. I am constantly learning, observing, making mistakes, praying and thinking about the differences between the the two cultures which I am now merging into my life. I come from a first world country! We have all heard the term “first world”, but what does it mean? And how is it different than a “third world” country? These questions are the basis for other more detailed questions that go through my mind almost on a moment to moment basis. It’s no wonder that I am tired at the end of each day. My mind is constantly going: learning a new language, culture, trying to figure out how my last 30 years of life in the USA fits into this new season of life.

I´m not telling you because this is too challenging or that I am struggling with it, but to give you a glimpse of what moving to another country is like. I always thought I lived a pretty simple life, that I focused a lot on relationships and that I came from relatively humble beginning and family. Being here in Nicaragua is allowing me to appreciate these things and learn how to integrate them into my new life here.

What does this all mean for the call God has placed on my life? Well, here is the answer:

“Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Then your light will break forth like that dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call , and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help and he will say: Here am I.” - Isaiah 58:6-9

Who am I in this passage?
....the poor wanderer who easily get caught up in the first world desires...
...the hungry who is desiring more of the Lord...
....the oppressed who has allowed my own paradigm to think I was living a simple life...
...the naked, as I chose to lay myself fully before the Lord, hiding nothing....
...justice because I have chosen to STRIVE for something greater; a kingdom that Christ says is possible, even more that it is present even now...
...the light because Christ is in me and I in Him!

THIS is the fast that I have chosen!

So... who are you and what do you chose?

Bendiciones y mucho amor.

Beth Ann

.......Here´s a shout out to you Rushalicious!