POST by JONNY: Aprender a sobrevivir por mi propia

Jonny at the Assemblies of God Family Camp in Minnesota

At the age of eight, I watched my family struggle with financial problems and learnt a lot about the harsh realities of life in Managua, Nicaragua. I saw that my parents worked hard, providing food to eat and paying for us to attend public school.

After observing the financial pressures of life in our house with my parents, I felt really bad inside. My older siblings contributed to the household expenses by working jobs, yet I was the only one who was not helping, because I am the youngest member of our family.

After witnessing my family’s many economic problems, I made the difficult decision of seeking out a job. However, I was only eight years old and I could not find employment. I had friends who worked as garbage men (kids). So one day I decided to go and ask my friends if they could help me get work with them.

The very next day I started working with my friends, but I did not know how or what to do, and so one of my friends said “Hey, you have to go over to that house and ask if they have trash that they want to throw away.” I responded to him by saying, “You are crazy. That is embarrassing!” However, he replied back to me, “Then go home and don’t be here earning easy money.” I thought about it and then decided “Fine! I’ll do it.” So that is how I started working, earning money to help my family.

Some time later, after having worked in the garbage business for a while, I began to realise that I felt really tired. Some of my work friends asked “Hey! Why do you give your money to your parents? They work and should support you. Why are you making it your responsibility to give to them?”

I answered, “My parents do not know that I am working.” My friend looked at me with a curious expression on his face and then said “Let’s put our money together and buy some drugs.” I was not impressed with this stupidity and said “Hey, you are crazy! It’ll be better for you if you leave me now and don’t ever talk to me again!”

After a long period of time my parents found out I was working as a garbage man. They sat me down and asked, “Jonny, why do you go around the town, throwing away other people’s rubbish?” I explained to my parents “I want to help you guys with supplying enough food for the family, because you two work and I feel bad about how difficult things are for you.

When I had finished sharing with my parents about my reasons for wanting to work, they started to cry and said “you will not continue to work on the streets.”

Many years later, I realised that I needed to learn to support myself. Even if my parents did not provide a good life or a good education for me, the one thing they did give me was the ability to live for other people in humility and with respectfulness.

I thank God he has led me in his path, giving me direction and showing me his purpose for my life.

Thank you for reading my story!                           

Jonny, a boy with GREAT potential...

                

Hola mi nombre es JONNY

Tema . Aprender a sobrevivir por mi propia cuenta .

A la edad de 8 año . Yo mirava que en mi casa habia muchos prolemas economicos .Y tambien mirava a mis padres que se esforsavan para poder mantenerlos comiendo y para que pudieramos ir al colegio . despues de mirar todo lo que pasaba en casa de mis padres yo mensentia muy mal . Porque todos mis hermanos trabajavan y yo era el unico que no estava trabajando porque era el mas pequeno de todo mis hermanos .

Despues de mirar todo lo que pasaba , tome una desicion la cual fue buscar un trabajo . Pero como solo tenia 8 año de edad no podia encontrar . Pero yo tenia unos amigos los cuales trabajavan botando basura . Y yo un dia me decidi a buscarlos a mis amigos para desirles que si me podian dar un poco de trabajo . Y miaamigos me dijieron que si que no habia ningun prolema .

Al siguiente dia comense a trabajar con mis amigos . Pero yo no sabia como hera el trabajo y derepente uno de mis amigos me dijo hey tienes que ir a esa casa a preguntar si tiene basura para para ir a botarla . Y yo le dije que estas loco eso meda mucha pena . Y el me respondio en tonces bete a tu casa y no estes aqui por dinero facil ..       Y yo le dije esta bien lo are . Y  asi enpese a trabajar por un poco de dinero el cual era para poder alludar a mi familia .

Luego de mucho trabajar me sentia muy cansado . y unos de mis amigos con los que trabajava me dijo hey porque tienes que darle el dinero a tus padres si ellos tranajavan y ellos tiene que mantenerte, porque tu eres su responsabilidad . Y yo  les respondi hey mis padres no saven que yo estoy trabajando . Y el me dijo en tonces mejor unamos nuestro dinero y vamos a conprar drogas . Y yo le dije hey tu estas loco saves mejor bete y no me buelvas hablar .

Despues de mucho tiempo de trabajar mis padres se dieron cuenta y me dijiero que porque hacia estas cosas de andar botando basura y yo les dije quiero alludarlos en la comidad porque ustedes rabajan mucho y yo me siento mal por eso . y mis padres cuando les dije todo eso , ellos se pusieron a llorar y me dijieron bente que tu no seguiras trabajando .

Despues de mucho tiempo llegue a comprender de que mi vida era aprender a vivir por mi propia cuenta . Y aunque mis padres no me dieron una buena vida no me dieron un buen estudio  . Pero me enseñaron algo que me enseño a vivir entre medio de todas las personas en respeto y umildad . doy gracias a dios que me a yluminado en su camino para poder salir a delante en todos sus propositos  .

GRACIAS POR LEER MI HISTORIA.

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To learn more about our street theatre production, "CREATED", please visit our page,NICAVANGELISTS: "CREATED", North American Tour (2013)

If you would like to see a video of some of our Nica-Youths practicing, please CLICK HERE

We are not up to budget, and travelling with 14 people is very expensive. We need an investment from Christian people for our next evangelism tour to the Midwest. To support us or make a once off donation, please visit our page, Contemplating SUPPORTING something significant? 

To learn more about our home Church in Australia, please CLICK HERE
This story was written by a Nicaraguan youth, and was voluntarily given to Capital on the Edge for publishing. The subject choice was his entirely. He has elected to write about his experiences for the glory of God and so that others may learn from his experiences. The translation of this work is performed voluntarily and not professionally, hence there may be some errors. Any decisive deviation from the text is in consultation with the author, and is done so to make clear the life events written about and to provide further information so that the story is more understandable.  

This story was translated by Lorenzy and edited by Jed.

POST by YORDY: Vida Sin Sentido

Yordy working hard on his BLOG POST

Since I was 8 years of age, I thought bad thoughts which were caused by the people around me. I thought that my life did not mean anything, that friends did not truly exist, because the friends that I had would just fill my head with bad thoughts.

They showed me how to do bad things. When people would try to help me, I always tried to make their life a living hell. I did not trust anybody.

My family turned their back on me and I never had love that a kid should get when they are that age. Everything that happened every day would just make it worse. I would cry with hatred for all people, mainly my family and my so called ‘friends’ that would laugh at me when they saw what would happen to me.

I was around 8 or 9 years old and living on the streets. I smoked marijuana since I was little. I would go and rob people with an ex-friend. I was lost on the streets.

I had dangerous jobs like killing cows. I would cut their heads off and then take their skin off. It was not a pretty sight. It was an experience I will never forget. I would earn just enough to eat, even though some days I would not eat.

I was exposed to death in everything that I did. I also had problems with depression because I knew that no one would give their life for me. The main problem for me at that time of my life was that I was so close to committing suicide by jumping in front of a moving car. However, I thank God because he gave me the strength to keep on moving forward.

Today I am alive because of the grace of God. When I accepted Jesus into my heart, my life changed. He showed me how to live life through him. My point is that it does not matter who is with you, it does not matter how many bad things have happened to you, if you have done something bad it is your turn to ask God to forgive you and show you how to live a life with him, the only true source of happiness.

Your life will be real and I invite you to give your problems to Jesus.

Brother, if Jesus came to die for us on Earth, it was not so that we could suffer. He has a purpose for each and every one of us. Believe me, everyone has a marvelous place in Heaven - but stop thinking about yourself. Help people that need it, give your love to other people.

God bless you, Amen!

If you would like to support this fellow on a monthly basis, please CLICK HERE

To learn more about our street theatre production, "CREATED", please visit our page, NICAVANGELISTS: "CREATED", North American Tour (2013)

If you would like to see a video of some of our Nica-Youths practicing, please CLICK HERE

We are not up to budget, and travelling with 14 people is very expensive. We need an investment from Christian people for our next evangelism tour to the Midwest. To support us or make a once off donation, please visit our page, Contemplating SUPPORTING something significant?

To learn more about our home Church in Australia, please CLICK HERE

This story was written by a Nicaraguan youth, and was voluntarily given to Capital on the Edge for publishing. The subject choice was his entirely. He has elected to write about his experiences for the glory of God and so that others may learn from his experiences. The translation of this work is performed voluntarily and not professionally, hence there may be some errors. Any decisive deviation from the text is in consultation with the author, and is done so to make clear the life events written about and to provide further information so that the story is more understandable. 

This story was translated by Lorenzy and edited by Jed.

Yordy, one clever tricker

Vida sin sentido.

Desde que tenía 8 años tenía malos pensamientos por causa de las personas de mí alrededor, yo pensaba que la vida no significaba nada, pensaba que los amigos no existían, porque los que tenía me llenaban la cabeza de malos pensamientos, me decían como hacer cosas malas. Cuando alguien llegaba y me quería ayudar yo siempre trataba de agredir su vida, no tenía confianza en nadie.

Mi familia me daba la espalda, Nunca tuve el amor que un niño a esa edad debía tener, todo lo que iba pasando cada día me afectaba más y más, lloraba con rencor hacia todas las personas más mi familia y los que decían ser mis amigos se reían de mí, al ver lo que me pasaba.

Tenía como 8 o 9 años y estaba viviendo en la calle, fumaba marihuana desde que era un niño, solía robar a las personas con un ex amigo, estaba perdido en las calles.

Tuve trabajos muy peligrosos como matar vacas yo les cortaba la cabeza para después quitarle todo era muy feo, una experiencia inolvidable, ganaba lo suficiente para comer, aunque a veces no comía.

Estaba expuesto a la muerte en todo lo que hacía, también tenía problemas de depresión al saber que nadie daba la vida por mí, la mayor parte del tiempo de mi vida estuve cerca de cometer auto suicidio pero le agradezco mucho a dios porque él me dio las fuerzas para seguir adelante.

Hoy en día estoy vivo por la gracia de dios, cuando lo acepte en mi corazón mi vida se volvió diferente, me enseno a gozar la vida, mi punto de este tema es que no importa quien este contigo, no importa cuántas cosas malas que te han pasado en la vida, si has hecho algo malo es tu turno para pedirle a dios que te perdone y te haga gozar y sentir que solo con el eres realmente feliz tu vida será muy real te invito a que entregues tus problemas a Jesús. Hermano si Jesús vino a morir a la tierra por nosotros, no fue para que sufriéramos él tiene un propósito para cada uno de nosotros y créanme todos tenemos un lugar maravilloso en el cielo pero deja de pensar en ti, más bien ayuda a las personas que lo necesitan dale amor a tu prójimo Dios te bendiga. AMEN

POST by ERICSON: Testimony

Ericson, in His Room at Capital on the Edge

I am from Nicaragua, a very poor country (in Central America).

The story of my life begins like this. I was born into a hardworking family. Our family was poor and humble.

One day my Dad went to work in Costa Rica. When children are little, they do not know how life will unfold. I was five years old at the time. My mum was waiting for my dad to send us money but the money never came. That’s when I started working for other people.

On top of working, I realised that my family had many problems. My family too began to worry, because of all our problems. All of my brothers ended up going to work. I worked at a famous market in Nicaragua, the Mercado Oriental Monte Negro.

I decided to work so that at least I could provide food for my family. But I realised my earnings were not enough. My mum told me not to work and so with time, I stopped working.

One day I noticed that my older sister was getting an attack of epilepsy and I asked my mum “What is happening to my older sister?” She did not respond to me and I was scared so I started to cry.

The next day, I asked my mum again about what was happening to my sister. She told me that my sister was experiencing an attack of epilepsy, and then she started crying because she did not have money to by medicine for her.

I woke up the next day and my mum asked my “Where are you going so early in the morning? It’s only 4am!” I replied “Mum, I am going to work.” Then she asked me “where?”  I told her that I was going to work in the market. “Why?” Mum, you said that you did not have money so I am going to go work and bring some money home.

She thought that I was lying but she let me go anyway. I worked when I was seven until I was ten. One day in that market a man asked me “Do you know where the lady that makes blankets is?” I told him that I did know and he said to me, “I will give you one hundred cords (a little over $4) if you take me to her.

I agreed because I used to earn that much money in one week and I went with him. He asked me if it was far away and I replied that it was and so he suggested that we could go in his car and I agreed.

In that time he said to me “This will be the last time that you ever see the light of day” I asked him “Why?” He told me “Because we are going to sell your organs.” I do not know where I got the strength from but I fought with the man and jumped out of the car and started running.

When I got home I did not leave the house for three months. After ten days, a man came to our house and he had gifts. I was wondering, “who is that man?” My mum eventually told me “that’s your father.” At that moment I went running. I was mad because I thought he bought me a gift so that I would forgive him. I started thinking “where was he when my mum and brothers were suffering? Where was he when we almost lost my mum’s farm? Where was he when my older sister got an attack of epilepsy? I am never going to forgive him because I have suffered so much.”

As time passed, I started to trust my father and our family became pretty normal. One day my Mum said that she was going to go to her farm to take care of it, but I said “no Mum, don’t go.” I said, “I will go.” So I went and took care of the farm by myself. I was out there for one whole year. My mum only came to visit me twelve times. She used to come and visit me on the weekend, once per month, every month, at the end of the month.

Ericson Performing with Capital on the Edge, on Nicaraguan Television

I needed to take care of myself that whole time. I would plant fruits, take care of the cows and sell wood. That’s how I survived. One day I saw in the news that a man had been killed on a farm right behind where my mum’s farm was. My family did not know about it.

One night at 1am, I heard a sound and a bunch of voices. I started to pray. Then the voices went away. The next day all of our dogs were dead. One of my neighbours said that people had come and shot the dogs. He knew this because when the voices came he went outside to see who was there and he had seen what was going on. He didn’t see them very well though.

On another day, whilst I was still on the farm, I heard lots of shooting and thought that people must have been having a fight. I didn’t know who was shooting. I couldn’t see anyone.

Two days later and I went to Managua. Someone kept telling me that something had happened. My father was at work and had been shot in the leg. My Dad was a security guard and I told my Dad “I’m going to go in your place.” I worked in my Dad’s place for 2 months until my Dad’s leg healed.

A brother of mine was put into prison for 3 years. My older brother trained to be a pastor at university, so that he could preach the Gospel.

My Dad took care of the farms and took care of his parents, because they were very sick. Then I had to start working again in the market. At this time I suffered, because my brother was in jail.

I worked to give money to my older brother, so that he could complete his qualifications at university. I always have given money to my Mum and continue to do so. After finishing work I would cooked for everybody else in my family. Everyone would get home very late and so I cooked dinner every night for 3 years.

Thank God, because he has changed my life.

I have been practicing breakdancing for 3 years and now I am helping Capital on the Edge.

My family now has a lot of blessings. We are all Christians.

I didn’t have a fun childhood, because I had to work, but I am proud, because I wanted to kill myself when I was taking care of my mother’s farm, but I didn’t do it because I knew that God had a purpose for me. So I resisted. Now my family and I are blessed.

God opened the doors for me. 

If you would like to support Ericson on a monthly basis, please CLICK here

Ericson and Jonny, Working on their Studies

un dia en la noche como alas 1am  escuche un ruido y un monton de voces y  yo solo co mense a orar y des pues se fueron y al dia siguiente amanecieron muertos todos los peros y u vecino que le dieron un tiro por que el salio a esaora praber kien andava a esa ora y segui un tienpo mas y des pues un dia yo decia en mi mente a alguien le dieron un tiro pero noce kien es y pase un dos dias asi u mefui a la capita y solo algo medecia que avia pasado algo y al que le avian dado un tiro a mi papa en una pierna y el era vijilante y yo ledije papa yo boy a ir por ustep y pase dos meces trabajando como viji lante en la noche en una en presa asta que el serecupero de la piena y de pues un er mano mia cae preso por tres anos  mi otro ermano mayor estaba en el intituto biblico para cer un pasator para predicar el ebajelio y otro en la uni bersidad y mi papa cuidando las fincas y asus padre por que estaban muy en fermos y otrabes comenso mi es clavitup y yo comense a trabajar otrbes en el Mercado y en todo eses tienpo yo sufri en toda mi vida pasada por que a mi ermano que estaba preso le pasaba dinero cemanal ami er mano pastor le dava una ayuda para que ter minara su curso de 5 anos ami ermano de la unibercidad tan vien y ami mama sienpre le edado dinero y en todo ese tienpo ami ernano pastor des pues de trabajar yo tenia que cosinarle a el porque yegaba muy noche diario port res anos metoco eso gracias a Dios que a canviado mi mvida tengo tres anos se praticar break dance  y ando apoyando esta obra micionera y mi famila es muy abuntante en bendiciones por que todos somos salbos por que tenemos a cristo en nuestro Corazon  y en mi paiz no exciste nines pero estoy orguyoso por que yo kise asta colgarme de un mecate cuando cuidaba la finca y no lo ise por que yo savia que Dios tenia un propocito para mi y yo resisti y aora mi familia y yo bendecida prosperada y en Vitoria talve suno dice abeseces que estamos asiendo en este mundo asta que terminamos en dexescion y nu estro auto estima se baja eso me paso amia y yo serre esos malos pensamientos y dios me abrio sus puertas  gracia por aber leido mi istoria primera mente Dios ante todo.  

Ericson at the Beach, with Capital on the Edge