I jumped aboard
this venture to Nicaragua at the last minute with some reservations but since
being here have found many new and interesting aspects about the country, the
people, the experience, and most importantly what we can achieve working together
for one common cause. It is day 3 and
today our schedule was quite full, but our Mission is love - demonstrating the
love of God to those we come in contact and to pray for the sick so they may be
healed.
With love at the
forefront, we set out early for our first destination, Berta Calderon, a
women’s hospital to visit women plagued with Cancer. The adjoining quarters is where they stay
during their treatment and when we arrived we were greeted with a most
energetic spirit filled dynamo named Marta.
Marta is
instrumental in helping the women cope by encouraging, bringing mission teams
to the hospital, bringing gifts, songs, laughter, and encouragement to these lovely
women who find themselves in this situation.
I made my way to
the back, which I often do, of an open styled patio where the women were
gathered to join together in praise and worship. As always, my heart and mind were drawn by
the spirit of God to one or a few individuals that I feel lead to pray for, as
Kim was leading by example and teaching the women how to pray for each other -
instructing that God’s word is not just for us who come to visit but for all and
that all can be in that relationship with our heavenly father…encouraging them
to know they have the power over their illness and life in Christ. I started to
pray for a woman on my right … I love how the Lord will direct each of us when
we are willing to hear his voice … you know exactly who he wants you to pray
for. The unction of the Holy Spirit is a marvelous guide - and one I could not
do without. Many women were released of their pain and I am confident, in the
weeks to follow, we will hear good reports of complete healings.
After praise and
worship gifts were handed out and we said our goodbyes with hugs and tears.
We moved on to a
Church in a town in the north called Ticuantepe where we were greeted by
Pastora Doras and Pastor Erman.
No words can describe
the journey between destinations - all five senses are exaggerated by the
sights, sounds and smells. Our eyes were
inundated with images of devastation, homes made of tin roofs and clay or
concrete; smells of open fire pits and sounds of horns honking. The ride in most cases is bumpy and rough
because of the erosion from the rainy season which leave the roads a somewhat
horizontal corduroy formation and in some cases, roads were washed away. You
see shoes everywhere stuck in the mud from this wet season and debris that gets
washed up. This is a country where the
rich are hidden but poverty is all around.
But with that said,
in the midst of all the unpleasant and devastating imagery and smells - glows
the hearts of warm and caring people - filled with acceptance, and gratitude. They so blessed us with their show of love. I
truly feel, even though we think we were there to help them, that they were the
ones who helped us to see things in a new light. I thank God for this
opportunity and all associated with the PAN Mission and all these gracious dear
people I have met here. And as for the
routines and busy details of the day’s events – all that remains is remembering
the love we shared one with another for we are all one in the Lord … His
presence and love moves mountains … And I feel so blessed to be here … 
Elke Dietz
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