POST by ERICSON: Disobedience and Death

Ericson and Jose, cooking up a storm in the Ohio Valley

This story is about Jose and was written by Ericson.

Rodrigo and I meet in school and we were really good friends, inseparable.

I studied with him all through primary (elementary) school and we grew up together like brothers. We looked after each other.

One day I went to his house to hang out for the whole day and mess around and have fun. We were playing together when we saw his mum faint. She had passed out on account of concerns that were troubling her. She shared these feelings with her son, but Rodrigo ignored his mother.

Rodrigo’s girlfriend came over later, inviting him to go with her to the beach. Of course he wanted to go and so he agreed to the plans.

We were both 10th grade high school students. One average Friday, Rodrigo told all of his classmates that he was going to the beach with his girlfriend and he explained that his mum didn’t want him to go because of the feelings she’d earlier. But he didn’t care and so the next day he went to the beach.

He was at the beach with his girlfriend and her family and her friends. They lit a bonfire in the evening and after they started to drink alcohol. He decided to go swimming in the surf, so he told his girlfriend to go with him and both of them went in. They were already out quite a way when he told his girlfriend that he was going to go in deeper.

When he had swum out to where the waves were breaking, a big wave overcame him and smashed him into some rocks. He didn’t come out.

Rodrigo’s girlfriend’s family had the difficult task of explaining to Rodrigo’s mother that he went into the water but never came out. Twenty four hours later, his body was found floating in the water, completely destroyed. His face was deformed, his body beaten and his eyes were no longer in his body. They took Rodrigo’s body to his mother.

The family held a funeral for his body and his mother told everyone, “He didn’t obey me.” His poor mother was brokenhearted along with the rest of his family.

This horrible tragedy occurred because Rodrigo didn’t obey the Bible, which tells us to honour our father and mother and our days on Earth will be long and prosperous.

Ericson and Jose

  

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.

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 SUPPORTINGsomething significant?

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

rodrigo y yo nos conocimos en  el colejio  y  eramos muy buenos amigos  inseparables y unidos

yo estuve con el estudiando toda la primaria y crecimos juntos heramos   como hermanos  y nos cuidadamos uno a otros

un dia yo fui a su casa a pasar todo el dia con el para  y divertinos  estaba jugando con el y de pronto vimos a su mama que se desmayo  por que a via tenido un precentimiento y ledijo a su hijo y pero rodrigo  la hinnoro a su madre y de pronto llego  su novia y lo hinvito  para que fueran al mar y el le dijo que si

ya estabamos en cuarton ano de la segundaria y un dia normal a todos era un viernes y los dijo a todos los conpaneros de clase que iba a ir al mar consu novia y el dijo que su mama no lo queria dejar ir por un precentimiento y fue  el dia siguiente y se fue al mar

es taba en la playa con la familia de la novia y a migos y el en sendieron una fogata el y des pues comenso a tomar al col y el ebrio se desidio meterse al mar y le dijo a su novia que lo a conpanara y los dos se fueron y cuando esava en el agua el le dijo a su nonovia que y ba a meterse mas a demtro del mar y cuando estaba dentro de pronto lo golpio una ola muy grande y lo tiro donde estaba unas rocas y no selio  y la familia de la novia le dijeron que rodrigo se metio al mar y no salio  y paso 24 oras y el cuerpo salio a flote salio de truido la cara de formada el cuerpo con mun chos golpes y el cuerpo tenian los ojos  lo llevaron donde su madre el cuerpo

y comenxaron velar el cuerpo y su madre le dijo a todos porque no me hisocaso  y su madre kedo dextrosada y toda su familia 

todo por una dexovediensia  la biblia nos dice onra a tu padre y a tu madre y los dias el la tierra seran mas largos y placenteros . 

POST by ELIEZER: Stivey's Sad Suicide Story

Stivey mucking around in the Ohio Valley

Hello my name is Eliezer and this time I am going to tell you a story about Stiven’s family

My friend Stiven is a funny, nice, and very good friend but like everyone, he has a lot of problems in his life. 

Stivens aunt, named Luisa, is a very kind and humble lady. She had a son named Jonathan and he was 19 years old. He was Stiven’s best friend but he had a problem with drugs and alcohol. He would always be with people that were involved in gangs and he would not listen to his mum.

About four years ago, around Easter time, Luisa decided to take a trip to the beach with her family. They decided to rent a mini bus that would make the trips to the beach, together with others from the community who also wanted to go. She did not know that it would be one of the worst trips of her life. The day of the trip, everyone was really excited, but the day before Jonathan had had a fight with his mum. He was high on drugs and acting crazily.

The time to go to the beach had arrived and Jonathan was mad at his mum. He went to Stiven and told him what had happened with his mum and Stiven pleaded him to not be mad with her. He gave him an idea to ask for forgiveness but Jonathan didn’t want to so he did not  listen to him and he went to the back of the minibus and started to drink alcohol.

When they got to the beach, Jonathan got into a fight with his mum but this time he went too far and he hit her with a bottle of alcohol that he had in his hand. Her head started to bleed and she started to cry and so Jonathan ran away.

Jonathan’s mum asked Stiven to go and look for him with the help of other people and so they searched for him for two hours. When they finally found him, he was on the rocks where the waves were crashing down.

When Jonathan saw the search party, he jumped off the edge of the rocks calling out “Sorry mum” and he died. The waves cut his body in half. It was impossible to get him out. Even a police boat tried to get him out but failed.

Stiven was really upset because Jonathan was his best friend and he did not know how to tell Jonathan’s mum because it would be difficult for her to take.

Stivey’s experience shows us that addictions and bad company make us do stuff that we might regret. Thank you for reading my story.

Stivey playing "God" in CREATED. Francesca, Eliezer, Aben, Lorenzy and Jonny in background

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.

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 SUPPORTINGsomething significant?

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

SUICIDIO POR DECEPCIONAR A UN SER QUERIDO

Hola mi nombre es Eliezer esta ves les vengo a contar una historia que le sucedio a un familiar de mi amigo stiven

mi amigo stiven es un chico gracioso amable i muy buen amigo pero como todo chico pobre de nicaragua tiene muchos problemas en su vida .

Ase aproccimadamente 4 a;os la tia de stiven llamada luisa era una se;ora mui hamable y muy humilde ella tenia un hijo llamado jonathan el tenia 19 a;os y era el mejor amigo de stiven pero tenia un fuerte problema de drogas y alcool el siempre se mantenia con personas de pandias i no le asia caso a su mama

En semana santa do;a luisa desidio aser un viaje para ir ala playa con su familia pero como no tenian suficiente dinero tubo que alquilar un auto bus  que iba a aser el recorido con alluda de personas de la comunidad

pero sin saber que ese viaje iba a ser uno de los peores de su vida el dia de el viaje estaban  todos emosionados pero un dia antes jonatan abia tenido una discucion con su mama el andaba drogado y estaba como loco .

llego la hora de ir ala playa i jonatan estaba enojado con su mama se aserco a stiven i le conto lo que abia pasado con su mama stiven le pidio que no estubiera enojado  le dio una idesa para pedirle perdon a su mama pero jonatan no estaba conforme asi que no le iso caso i se fue a tomar licor en la parte de atras de el auto bus .

cuando llegaron a la playa jonatan bolbio a discutir con su mama pero esta bes llego mui lejos el la golpio con una botella de licor que tenia en la mano i le rajo la cabesa el comenso a llorar i salio coriendo

la mama le pidio a stiven que lo fuera a buscar con alluda de otro amigo pasaron 2 oras cuando alfin lo miraron en unas rocas donde pegan las olas cuando nos bio se lanso i grito “perdon mama” el murio. las olas le destroso la mitad de el cuerpo i fue imposible sacarlo asta que llego una lancha de la policia a sacarlo stiven estaba destrosado porque era su mejor amigo i el no sabia como desirselo a su mama iba a ser un golpe mui fuerte para ella .

Esto nos ense;a que los bisios i las malas compa;ia nos lleban a cometer cosas que delas cuales nos arepentimos i el cometio malas con su mama el un ser querido que debemos respetar i querer .

GRACIAS POR LEER MI ISTORIA.

POST by JOSE: Let's go to the Beach, Beach...

Orlando & Jose of Capital on the Edge

Something important happened in my life about two years ago. We were organising a trip with some friends. We were just about finished packing for our journey when a 57 year old neighbour gave us a pound of rice and vegetables to take with us.

One of my friends made fun of the gift that the lady was offering, laughing at her, but my other friend told him off, and said that he shouldn’t be rude to her, because she is elderly and in any case, we might need the food for our journey.

And so we thanked the old lady for giving us the food, the rice and the vegetables. We then left on our journey. We went to the coast and the people we were staying with didn’t want to give us any food to eat. When we became hungry, we remembered that we had the food from the nice neighbour lady

And so we asked the people that we were staying with if we could using their cooking facilities to prepare our food, as we had no money spare. The only money we had, we needed for our transportation on the bus.

In the following days we were very hungry.  We had nothing to eat. We arose at 5am and went to the beach and gathered crabs and coconuts, and ate them raw.

We went to the beachside restaurants and danced for the foreign tourists. None of them gave us any money. The restaurants didn’t give us food either. However, one of my friend’s aunts kindly gave us food to eat: fish and salad. She also gave us a fizzy drink each. We were so grateful to her, because she gave to us when we were really hungry.

The next day we hitch hiked home. After a few months went by, we found out that the kind lady who had helped us with food in our time of great need, had passed away on account of a heart attack. This lady had been very overweight.

We were very sad, because my friend’s aunt has in Heaven with God. If it were not for her, in our hour of need, who knows what would have happened to us. Thank the Good Lord that he put her in our way at that exact moment. We really appreciated her kindness and we hope that she rests in peace with God.

Obesity is a terrible disease that affects most people and it takes away your life bit by bit. However, trust in God who is the only one who can truly help us. Thanks for reading my story.

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,ContemplatingSUPPORTINGsomething 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. 

Algo crucial que paso en mi vida hace como dos años atrás. Estábamos armando un viaje con unos amigos, íbamos  de paseó donde un familiar de un amigo, éramos tres por todos nos estábamos preparando y alistando todo cuando una vecina de 57 años de edad nos regaló una libra de arroz y una verduritas para llevar fue algo inesperado uno de mis amigos se burló de lo que nos estaba dando la señora y la bulario diciendo ni que fuéramos pordioseros que nos da eso pero yo y mi otro amigo dijimos mala honda que tal si necesitamos ese arrocito y esas verduritas y se rio nosotros le dimos las gracias si y nos llevamos lo que nos avía dado llegando a nuestro destino que es una costa nos comenzaron a negar la comida no nos querían dar nada de comer y nosotros con hambre pero nos acordamos de las cosas que nos dio la señora y les dijimos que si nos hacían eso y con eso comimos el primer día nosotros solo aviamos ido con el pasaje y no teníamos dinero.

En los días siguientes estábamos con mucha hambre nos levantábamos a las 5:00 am de la madrugada para ir a la costa y recoger cangrejos para comerlos crudos y cocos nos poníamos a girar en los restaurantes para que nos regalaran comida los turistas pero una señora que era tía de uno de mis amigos muy amable la señora que se lo agradecemos de corazón nos dio de comer pescado con ensalada y nos llenamos y nos regaló fresco gracias a ella y su amable gesto mejor dicho sobrevivimos. Al día siguiente  nos venimos pidiendo que nos llevaran en el camino y llegamos a nuestro hogar, al pasar los meses nos dimos cuenta por un amigo que la señora que amablemente nos sirvió, había fallecido le había dado un ataque al corazón porque ella tenía sobre peso nos sentimos muy tristes por ella que dios la tenga en el cielo si no hubiera sido por ella quien sabe que nos hubiera pasado en ese momento dios puso en nuestro camino a esa señora se lo agradecemos mucho que descanse en paz.

El sobre peso es una enfermedad terrible que afecta a la mayoría de las personas y les va quitando la vida poco a poco pero confiemos en dios que es el único que nos puede ayudar. gracias

POST by JED: Evangelising El Salvador - Part 3

Performing "Created", at our Baptist Church in El Salvador

Our performances at the little Baptist Church in Apopa, El Salvador, went off without the slightest glitch – except for the aforementioned issues with our triumphant handstand-walking, throat-of-Christ-clutching, break in the breakdancing routine, demon – Sezni. 

Our street theatre production, “Created”, was well received by the El Salvadorian Church folk and their invited guests, and although I wasn’t able to finish my alter call on account of too much raucous applause and hoo-haa, the wet eyes told the story of hearts having been touched. 

Performing "Created", God & Jesus Look with a Heart of Love upon Humanity

Our Nicaraguan youths were a little perplexed. They understood the theme of the production, but have practiced and practiced this thing to death, and have never visually seen their efforts. I don’t think they understood just how powerful our dramatisation of the Gospel message was to the viewer. But once they saw the people’s faces, and with the extreme gratitude that was displayed after the performance, the dots became connected and they were deeply impacted, gaining a deeper respect for the effects of their production on lives needing hope.

Pastor Mario with Some of our Troupe

Of course, at the very end of, and straight after the service, once eyes were almost dry, the competition for who could eat the most pupusas began to be organised. The pastor hadn’t even finished praying when a row of tables were swiftly set up on the new, make-shift stage.

Pupusas Eating Competition - the stars of the Show, Ericson & Jonny

I chuckled quietly. The “Amen” for the prayer was pronounced, and eyes sprung open and the congregated people leaned forward, ready for action. The fever built, though it was hushed chatter that circulated throughout the building. It felt like we were on the set of an El Salvadorian Gladiators Competition Television Shoot!

Pupusa Eating Competition - Saying "GRACE" before Commencement

“This would NEVER be done in a Nicaraguan church” I contemplated, without a drop of judgment this way or that. I’ve really learnt, in my time abroad, that I used to make too many judgments on what was Christian, or unchristian when examining individuals in other countries.

Mmmmm, Jonny, moments before he ended up with Head in Toilet Bowl...

Specifically I used to think Nicaraguans were always late, Americans were self-important, the Brits complained too much and Aussies were crass as (don’t say that too fast). I now know quite differently and a lot of what is perceived, just isn’t there – it comes down to national identity and what is truly valued.

Eating Pupusas in El Salvadorian Church Competition

If I hear the phrase “Kingdom Culture” one more time, in context of what another nationality should, or should not be doing as Christian people, I’ll knock somebodies block off (which is quite acceptable behaviour in Australian Christian Churches – so don’t judge me! Ha ha).

Tiny Ericson, the CHAMPION! 15 Pupusas in 15 Minutes!

  

After the service on Saturday, I raced to the Church’s one computer and kicked off Jonny, our Nica-youth, on account of my needing to orchestrate highly executive work, far too difficult for his uneducated brain to understand. Once facebook was loaded I whirled into action, posting this photo and that. The notifications icon lit up like a roo’s eyes caught in the glare of a car’s headlights.

Within an hour I had a hundred people commenting on our photos, and liking everything I’d posted. I noticed one comment from Camila, our good friend whose step-father is a Guatemalan evangelist based in El Salvador (who prophesied that a family from a distant land would come to our barrio - and HERE WE ARE), and whose mother is Nicaraguan – from just down our street. TOP people…

It was strange that Camila hadn’t been to our Saturday evening service. I’d embarrassed myself, once I had been introduced to the gathering in our small Baptist church and had the mike, because I’d asked if Camila was in-the-house by name. Not only did I ask for her, I didn’t accept the Pastor’s head shaking and “no” mouthing motions, I think because I truly believed that she’d want to see our creation and must have slipped into the building unnoticed... “Noooo? Not theeeeeere?” Pregnant awkward pause and then “No, not there. Let’s begin…”

Camila is the niece of Yader, our gardener. Yader welcomed God into his life, whilst living as a gang member in El Salvador and experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

Camila had introduced me to Pastor Mario via good ol’ facebook. I flicked her a quick message. She sent one back. The Church we were staying with wasn’t the Church she regularly attended. She merely knew Pastor Mario from Church functions around San Salvador.

The following morning, Pastor Mario organized for pancakes to be delivered to me in the Church building. The offer of breakfast after a hard night’s sleep was enticing, and there was also a note – “meet me outside.” I went and ate pancakes for breakfast with Pastor Mario. We sat fairly seriously, but with good humour – if that makes sense. I asked him if he minded us slightly changing our plans so that we could incorporate a trip to Camila’s Church also. He was clearly delighted by the proposal.

Posing with the Cook and her Grandson, just outside of our Baptist Church in El Salvador

I was just shoveling the last morsel of floury delight into my mouth, when Sez came walking up to me. This was not to be a pleasant exchange. Sezni had a look of frustration across his face. “Where’s my pancakes?” He asked. “Hoooh dear…” I thought to myself. “This is going to be a tough gig.” I looked at Sezni square in the face.

There aren’t any. You’re having Gallo Pinto (pancakes) for breakfast. Of course, I began to smile as I said the words, cause I knew that this would be a funny story one day, but certainly not on this day. “I ordered pancakes” he complained. This just made me laugh. Sezni, due to his Asperger’s Syndrome, is a routine boy, and quite often doesn’t realise his change of environment, if all other things are equal.

“Oh, you ordered pancakes did you?” He nodded his head, starting to see why I might find this a tad bit comical. “And just who is your waiter?” I inquired. He stomped his foot and tried not to laugh. I couldn’t help it, nor could the pastor and finally Sez couldn’t contain it either. We laughed and laughed and laughed ‘til we cried.

But time was ticking by and our day had blown-out into a scheduling nightmare. I grabbed Francesca and told everything we were going to shower (I had to take Francesca with me, as every male eye was on my little princess). I was told I couldn’t walk down the street. “Are you serious?” I implored. “The streets are just too dangerous.”

We jumped in a car which refused to start. Finally vroom, vroom, went the engine, with a billow of smoke losing itself out the rear. We chucked a “U-ey” and then turned the corner. “We’re here” hollered Pastor Mario. I looked at him in COMPLETE disbelief. We’d driven no more than 50 metres.

I jumped out of the car and straight into the shower. Rub-a-dub-dub and a bit of a shave – “all done!” I exclaimed jubilantly. I grabbed Fran by the arm and headed for the door. The beautiful little house owner called out to me “someone will be back to collect you shortly. Wait here!” I smugly replied in Spanish “don’t worry about it, we won’t tire on our trip back…” And with that we slid through the gate, shutting it briskly behind us.

We turned the corner and to our horror there were 5 army dudes, fully decked out, and holding massive guns in their hands. They prodded 5 young El Salvadorians with the ends of the guns, and pushed them up against a wall. The youths had their hands on their heads. I wondered what was the story. I asked in the Church and they said, “Oh, that’s normal here. Happens every day.”

I ran to grab my camera but the people asked me not to leave the building again. “What in the World could that be?” I wondered to myself. Apparently, gang activity in El Salvador has hit crises point and the government has issued special task forces to tackle the problem.

The people live in fear, on a daily basis, for their lives and their possessions. The gangs are mostly filled with young men and women who have been deported from the USA for criminal activity.  It seems to be a hopeless situation.  At night, in Apopa, there is not a soul on the street. I became nervous. Since I arrived, I had not once felt completely safe. Now I knew why…

Pastor Rodriguez and Camila arrived on time and with Yader’s sister too (Camila’s mother). It was like a family reunion. More hugs and kisses, more blushing Nica-youths, more chats about a whole lot of nothing – my best talent. I was, after all, a travel agent for many years. We were driven in yet another pick-up truck (dudes in the back otra vez) to Pastor Rodriguez and Camila’s beautiful, outdoor marquee Church.

Our Nicavangelists and Yader's Sister and Niece (with POWER voice)

Wow, their Church was televised. We had a tour of the facility and then there was the opportunity for me to sing with Camila. I snatched it up. We sung “How He Loves Us” and “Mighty to Save.” Camila’s voice is rich and full, and she’s such a tiny-weeney young lady!

Sitting in the Church's Studio

After the singing, the church treated us all to a mammoth sized lunch; large amounts of chicken, pupusas for all, and the staple of Central America – rice and beans. Yummo!

Singing with Camila, my Nica-El Salvadorian Friend, at the Televised Church

The boys were overjoyed when individual bottles of fizzy drink arrived, enough for one each. Fantastico! They looked like Kings (though Kings of old, for they used their fingers to eat and slurped at their drinks – we’re considering postponing lunch with HRH Queen Elizabeth the second, until after completion of finishing school).

The Pastor treated the boys with such respect and from a heart of love. I was inspired. He prayed blessings over them and challenged them to be the men of God they needed to be. This was all to be a precursor for the evening service at our little Baptist Church. Oh, the Baptists!!!

In the Baptist Church on Sunday evening I was given the opportunity of speaking – something I struggle with, but do because it needs to be done! My issue was, although I can find the words to use, we couldn’t on this occasion find a translator.

Those of you who know me well, know that I can get by in Latin America on personality, charades, a bit of bachata and the little Spanish that I have. However, I most certainly cannot talk on a deeper, more spiritual level, in Spanish.

Francesca, our regular translator, wasn’t feeling well at all. She had a serious headache, probably as a result of the bus trip, sleeping on the floor, dehydration, etc. Lorenzy, our second child, is rather timid and quite unable to speak publicly. Her eyes widened with fear when I looked at her as a possibility.

Sezni, our third child, has Asperger’s Syndrome, and the times I’ve used him as a tool for translating, well it’s been comical to say the least (think of Homer Simpson when he gets mad at Bart). Our fourth child, Rafael, could have easily translated a very basic message, though had fallen asleep on account of the 15 hour coach trip, the performances on Saturday, and the long services already attended on Sunday.

I made the difficult decision of asking Lorenzy to translate. When I asked the dear child to step up to the podium, her words started off as a whisper and built steadily to regular speech volume, and the words went simply like this “no, no, no, no, NO, NO, NO, NO!” Poor poppit, she nearly threw up on account of nerves.

I put a couple of chairs behind the pulpit so that nobody would be able to see darling Renz, and had Yordy (one of our Nica-youths) hold her hand – he has the best English comprehension but sadly, probably because he was nervous too, couldn’t understand simple words in English like “no” and “pastor” and “chocolate.”

Renz continued to protest and consequently there were a few “do it or die” looks from me. We also shared a couple of sharp verbal exchanges with hands over microphones whilst faking smiles and laughing all the way. But by-and-large, besides 5 interruptions from Pastor Mario who begged me to let another person from the congregation translate, Lorenzy performed an INCREDIBLE JOB. She seriously overcame some fear of man stuff, which kept me bound-up and useless, until I was 35 years old. I was as proud-as-punch. I JUST LOVE THAT GIRL, Renzy-roohs!

After my message on the fruit of love (don’t judge me!) and the Great Commission, there was a short intermission and then another lonoooog service. I struggle at times with some of the religiosity in Latin America, but kept my attitude in-check at all times.

The pastor organised for me to continue sitting up the front, yet had each of the boys sit by the aisle, one at the end of each row of chairs. I found this to be odd, as it looked to me like he was separating our Nica-youths (and my own children too) in some attempt at discipline - to stop them from talking? HA!

In a Latin American Church, not having people in the congregation chat is like asking the Pope not to visit Church, or the Queen not to wear her crown, or the waves not to keep rolling in, or Elizabeth not to eat chocolate – do you get it? It’s just not possible!

But still, it was a Baptist Church, and I am not overly familiar with the inner workings of the Baptists, so I didn’t question Pastor Mario on his strange, strange course of actions, especially as the boys, and my children (except for Rafael - he was still at the front of the Church snoring his head off), seemed to be rather au fait and happy with the arrangement.

The Pastor reiterated a lot of what I had just said in my message, making sure to honour me at every point (?). And then he did something that was rather breathtaking and quite unexpected. I’m sure this has been done in other Churches, and I can imagine it being done in nearly every Pentecostal church during wild 70s services - after preaching from John 13, he had his pastors and elders wash our Nicavangelist’s feet. A lump formed in my throat.

I really cannot express just how emotional I was at this point. Here were Churched people, the most respected in this community, washing the feet of my boys and girls. The lads in our program are unchurched, former child prostitutes, orphans, thieves, street-youths, the lowest class citizens in all of Nicaragua – in our attempt to integrate into Church circles here in Nicaragua, whether Gringo or Nica, we’ve experienced the turning up of several noses.

The boys’ reactions varied. Some refused at first to put their feet in the water. Others didn’t want to make a spectacle and verily plonked their feet in too heavily, causing miniature tidal waves and sending splashes to the 4 corners of the building. Some stared at me questioningly, their eyes concerned like they were thinking “are they going to ask me to take my clothes off and get in this small bucket?” And then there was Yader. He balled his eyes out like a wee-little tot.

Yader has a second grade intellect, but his spirit understood exactly what was happening. Yader’s father has several wives, and has never lived in Yader’s house. Yader is despised by his community for his sticky fingers and naughty behavior. Yet, God has sent Yader into the World, to proclaim the good news that Christ has come for all – the despised, rejected, broken hearted, etc.

Yader, a nothing, was being loved and served by a pastor, a “somebody.” Yader could not hold back the sobbing and I could still hear him much later that evening, as we lay in our separate “beds”, MANY LONG HOURS LATER, waiting to fall asleep – it was a tantalising God spectacle and I savoured every moment.

Yader was given a Bible, the first he’s ever owned (the boys have always had access to Bibles at our center, but ours are communal – for everyone to use). Inside the Bible the Pastor who had washed Yader’s feet wrote: “To Yader! Thank you for being a Missionary. Thank you for sharing the life of Christ with our World.”

Yader looked into my eyes, his own eyes extremely bloodshot from all the tears, and said “I’m a missionary?” I started to cry too. “Yes you are, Yader. You are going to other countries sharing with people who don’t know about the supreme love and hope of eternal salvation through Jesus.” He cried some more – every time I hugged him he broke down. I hugged him continuously, for the rest of the day…

Later that night, Pastor Mario requested that we go to the beach for the night. I was exhausted and not overly impressed with the idea, but Liz’s words lingered in my ears, “let them do something fun, Jed.” We went to the beach at 11pm. Invited guests included nearly half of the Church. We squeezed into a mini-van, a pick-up truck (ute) and on a motorbike. I trusted that Pastor Mario would organise the details and he did a great job.

All of our Nica-youths ended up in the water, but I lay there, deliriously exhausted, following my children with my gaze. Finally, Sez came up to me and asked. “Dad, tonight are we sleeping in a bus, or on someone’s floor, or on the sand at the beach?” I laughed uncontrollably. This is NOT the life for a kid with Asperger’s Syndrome. I looked at Sezni whose brow was furrowed and asked “Where would you like to sleep, Sezni?” He took a moment to respond. “Wherever you sleep, Dad.”

And so it was. Our very first tour abroad. What an encouragement to me and my troupe. We were originally sent by our Church in Australia (CapitalEdge.org.au) to Latin America to participate in ministry with children. I could never have imagined that someday I would preach. It’s just not me, I’m the joker.

But God has led us gently, to the point where we are working with youth (Every Church I’ve ever been in has asked me to be a leader in youth group – I’ve always declined. I have always loathed, ENRITELY, youth… I think I’m funny, but God has the supreme sense of humour hey?), taking Jesus to our World – is there any higher calling?

The Church would truly explode, I believe, if we would just follow Jesus’ example of making disciples. But we don’t. We want BIG. Big Churches, big services, big programs, big, big, big. We need to give away our desire for wealth and fame, that wasn’t the message of Christ. He loved us so much that he came and gave us his life. In the same way, we need to reach those we touch, every day, acknowledging the Lord and loving those he sends our way. It’s our calling – there’s no greater thing!

The cost of our evangelistic outreach tour to El Salvador was $2,000. If you would like to contribute to our outreach costs, and hence help us to secure our next evangelism tour, please visit our support page and make a contribution (CLICKhere) – you will be investing directly into the Christian crusade for saving souls…