I imagine it is becoming nice and chilly in Vermont these days-this is not the case in Nicaragua. Humidity is like 900% and if sweat from our team could be sent online, Panton would be engulfed in a sweaty tsunami like none experienced before. Right now I am working on not focusing on running or anything that defines me as a person because I am trying to find an identity in Christ!
Camping down in Georgia was phenomenal. It was full of all the classics that you would want in a camp. We had “Camp food,” experienced early mornings (pretty much 3am), conquered the dreaded Spider Web, climbed all those famous mountains in Georgia, worshiped in the evenings, and had time to be with the lord and read the Gospel. One of the last days we split up into groups and went into this town coined “Little Mexico,” for it’s abundance of Mexican immigrants. We talked with the locals, asked them questions about their lives, and asked them if we could pray for them. Most of the time we prayed for Gods hand in opening up places for jobs and they were very thankful. It was a very uncomfortable experience, especially when we realized that one of the guys had a tattoo of a tear for every person he wacked, but I am glad we were able to share the love of Christ.
As for my time in Nicaragua, I have found out from this guy named Carlos that Gorilla Warfare no longer exists. Too bad for me, sorry guys I can’t join them. Yep looks like my trip is a failure. Other than this major setback very cool things have been happening. The guys on our team and I have been attending a men’s bible study in the mornings and we have seen five different people commit their lives to Christianity, which is HUGE. The other day, two girls from my team and I were passing a soccer ball around and making some noise, and I guess the neighborhood heard it. We had 30 kids from ages 6 to 19 swarm us in excitement! Of course my team dominated, but only after one of the kids yelled “GRINGO, sienta se!” Which basically means Bill O’Neil was right about the Nicaraguan soccer skill level (I was subbed out). They had a good time making fun of me, but more importantly, I was able to talk to many of the kids about Christ. One Nicaraguan in particular, asked me in English if I drink or smoke. I didn’t want to lie because I have been to College and drinking is literally like breathing for many so it was easy to get caught up in different events. I told him this, but I explained to him that Christ forgives and that I am a Christian and Christ loves us all. Other than this, we have been touring the city and I am feeling more and more adapted to city life each day.
