Alright. As this is probably my last blog from Nicaragua, it is probably time for a confession. I have written each of these while sitting beside a pool. It's one of the best places to pick up a wi-fi signal here at the mission retreat center. Hey, someone has to do it.
As I write this one, there are about 15 girls from "Casa Havilah" and about five boys from "Casa Robles" swimming with most of the youth from our mission team. Casa Havilah and Casa Robles are girls' and boys' rescue homes, respectively, that are run by our missionary hosts, the Buzzbee family, and their ministry, Open Hearts (for more about Open Hearts, click here). The children live in these homes because they have been abused, neglected or mistreated. The children are orginally from La Chureca, the community on the city dump in Managua, where we have been putting tarps over shacks during the mornings this week.
Every afternoon, we have spent time at either Casa Havilah or Casa Robles - mostly Casa Havilah. We have painted, installed light fixtures, built shelves, taught VBS and generally loved on the girls. Today, all of the girls and boys boarded the bus with us and came back to the Buzzbees. We put on a puppet show, gave a concert and shared the Gospel with them, and now we are swimming and having a pizza party. I am pretty sure I have never seen a more missional use of a swimming pool.
Yesterday while we were at Casa Havilah one of the girls, Maria Eleana, had her eighth birthday. She moved to the home about 10 days ago. Melissa Buzzbee, the director of the school in the dump that the Buzzbee's run as well as the director of Casa Havilah, said that was probably the first birthday party or birthday cake Maria Eleana had ever had.
I've embedded a video from the party. As you can see, the look on Maria Eleana's face is priceless. The party was lifted up last night by several teenagers during worship as one of the moments yesterday where they most sensed and experienced the love and grace of God. I would second that.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
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2 comments:
That was great! Thank you so much for sharing! I've been praying for all of you and thinking about you constantly! It's so great to be able to read your blog and see the video! It's almost like I can be there with you guys! Thanks again!
Dios Te Bendiga!
Muchos gracias, Brian. What a wonderful story to help us regain perspective. Thank you so much for your leadership of our youth. Thank you Jesus for giving Brian and our youth and families the opportunity to show Your love to the people of Nicaragua. May that expression and their experiences improve their lives and draw them closer to you Lord.
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