Donde Esta Pastor Mark

The foreman, Filemon, consulting with Pastor Mark.




Pastor Mark having lunch with the team today. Spiced baked chicken, rice and homemade tortillas. Oh, and cookies. Can't forget the cookies! We look forward to those each day. Mmm....mmmm!!




Pastor Mark taking a siesta in the hammock after lunch. He must have worked hard this morning, he's looking kind of blurry.

An old friend

I ran into an old friend in San Jose yesterday. <3 BIG,BIG SMILE :)




My buddy Alvaro.
I met him on my first trip to Nicaragua two years ago. He was so very shy that year. He didn't say much at all, but that sweet smile spoke volumes. He stole my heart that first visit.
Last year he wrote me a love letter and brought me flowers. Amazingly, he even remembered my name a year later. He will never know how deeply he has touched my heart.




March 2012




This year he declared that I am his novia (girlfriend). I do love that little boy.
Today is our last day in San Jose. He is not hanging out at the work site this year. I don't know if I will see him again before we leave. That might be a good thing as I'm dreading saying goodbye to that sweet little face again.
Every year I am amazed at how much I love the people here. Today we will say goodbye to everyone. It is so bittersweet. I am ready to be home again, I am just not ready to leave. It has been as always, a hard week, but in a good way. I will miss the wonderful people in San Jose.

Another installment of "Donde esta Pastor Mark?"

Pastor Mark on site today. It was blazing hot!! We had to borrow a hat for him. Looking good Pastor Mark. :)

Humidity

Suzy says with the humidity here in Nicaragua even with her hairbrush she still has no control.

Day 3

It's okay not to have all the answers. If you are frustrated that you don't know what to say all the time when it comes to talking to others about God, perhaps you are relying on yourself too much. God will give you the words....or the "not words" to get the message across.

 

 

 

 



 

 

It's easier not to look

In Nicaragua, like many undeveloped countries, traffic is insane. People just walk out into the street, horns are honking, stop signs are 'suggestions' and cars weave in and out of traffic. I got really nervous the first day, and Suzy said, " it's just better not to look." I'm not sure it's better, but it sure is easier.

It's easier not to look at the poverty in the world. It's easier not to look at the unfair wages. It's easier not to look at a sweet child that is suffering from malnutrition. It's easier to not look at injustice. It's easier not to see the downtrodden or the oppressed. It's easier to not love people half way around the world that you may never see again. It's easier but it sure isn't better.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells us to go and do, to whom? The least of these. The poor, the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned, and the naked. This isn't easier, in fact it is quite hard. Love is hard, but also fulfilling. Seeing joy and laughter in hard conditions fills your heart will joy, the joy and love of God. Look and see for it may not be easier, but it is most definitely better. "For in the end only three things last: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love." 1Cor. 13:13.

Tired Doesn't Begin to Describe It

Everybody is worn out. It was super hot and humid today. We started out cloudy, but once the sun came out it was blazing.

We got the forms placed and concrete poured early and then we started on the walls.

 

 

 

 

 

We finished up about 4 o'clock having placed about 70 blocks today.