Bethlehem Lutheran Church Nicaragua Mission: Dias Cinco: Our Final Day in Barrio Sor Maria Romero..

Since today was our last day of work here in Matagalpa (for now), I have decided to write more about the highlights of the day rather than walk everyone through it.

On Wednesday night around 9 o'clock, we lost our running water here at the hotel. Ironically, it was pouring rain outside all night long and yet we couldn't get a drop out of our faucets or showers. This continued into the morning and afternoon. Without being able to take a shower or flush a toilet, we all got a bit frustrated with the circumstances. In all honesty, it's difficult not to because it's not what we're used to. However, it was yet another reminder of how many blessings we have. The people we've spent this entire week with live without running water every single day. They don't have any of the luxuries that we do and yet there is pure joy in their hearts. They make the most of what they have and it's the most inspiring part of this trip.

We had many goals set today knowing it would be our last day of work for the week. There were cabinets to finish, shutters to be built and put up, painting to get done, lights to be installed, lunches to be made and served, hair to be deloused, and games to be played with the kids. Rather than get overwhelmed by what hadn't been done yet, we continued our great team work and put our best foot forward. By the end of the day, the kitchen looked completely transformed from the day we arrived. The pastor and his wife, Thelma, showed more gratitude for what we accomplished than I've ever seen from anyone. We all prayed together before we left and it was a special moment that will be remembered.

Our plan today was to play baseball with the kids once our work was done. We were just as excited as they were and all of us got ready to go... and then the rain came again. Since it became too intense to go outside and play, we had no choice but to improvise. It was really incredible to see Megan come up with a little art project on the spot and make it fun for them. I honestly felt devastated for the kids and it was a tough moment for me, until I realized I was more upset about it than they were. They took the circumstance as it was and made their own fun out of drawing with markers on paper plates. I've honestly never seen anything like that before.

Then Chuck came in and made a very kind and generous gesture. He bought an ice-cream from the ice-cream cart outside for every single kid who was in the church with us. As much as they enjoyed their art project, this really put a smile of their faces.

The rain cleared up in the evening and we were finally able to attend service tonight, hallelujah! We were also very grateful for Megan and Wayne for treating us to pizza and ice-cream tonight (especially because it was the best ice-cream we've ever had)! At the service, we sang our four songs as Wayne and Bill accompanied us with the guitar and drums, Chuck gave the sermon, and the pastor led us in prayer. Chuck spoke about the notion that what we want is not always the same as what God wants. We all love the same God and serve the same God, no matter how different we may seem to be. Amy brought something up tonight during the debrief that I thought a lot about this week. She spoke about the fact that these people have nothing except for their faith, and they hold onto it through everything. I think we could truly see that when we watched them at service tonight. The way they prayed together was so beautiful and moving. Chuck was right when he said that they have given all of us far more than we could ever give to them.

It was not easy saying good-bye when we left the Barrio Sor Maria Romero for the last time today. They were a group of beautiful people with bigger hearts than any of us have ever seen. I am so grateful that God brought me into the lives of everyone involved in this mission project. I believe this trip has changed us for the better and has reminded us of what really matters in life. We pray that we will continue to grow in our relationship with God, the Tingles, and the people of Matagalpa.