Settling

There's this odd sense of déjà vu and yet the same feeling of anticipation of new things coming back to Nicaragua. I took a shower this afternoon and as the cold, cold water cascaded over me, I just smiled. My favorite part of last year's trip were these quiet moments to reflect and be refreshed. A seemingly insignificant thing like cold water spoke to my heart, "You are here."

I've struggled a lot leaving behind the things from home. Stress, tasks, busyness... Somehow it's been hard to not allow those things to dominate my mind as we settle in Nicaragua. But I'm reminded to be present. Be present in the moments we have here in Nicaragua, focusing on what God has for each day and minute rather than worrying about other things.

As we spend the next two days here at the Isaiah House, it feels like we are preparing for the days of outreach to come. In ways, it doesn't seem as if we are very far from home as we are enjoying the same sorts of conveniences the developed world is accustomed to. But in ways, my mind is shifting to that be present mentality and gearing up for why we are here.

Today, Sheldon at the Isaiah House shared with us a brief overview of why they do what they do and why we are here to help them. I was struck by the fact that all these areas of injustice or lack -- hunger, poverty, disease, and more -- that we are not the answer. There are so many physical needs that people have. Jesus healed people. Jesus fed people. But Jesus healed souls and changed lives also.

Jesus is the answer. Medicine, food, and education are all so important. But in and of themselves, they won't last. Unless we seek to glorify Christ in our work, and unless we act from His compassion and will, what we are doing is ultimately temporal. I am praying that as we seek to do ministry like Jesus -- meeting physical needs and spiritual needs both -- that His kingdom will be furthered and lives will truly change.