POST by JED: California Dreamin (Part 10)

Being prayed over at Davis Christian Assembly (California)

Last night our troupe had a movie night with one of my favourite Californian Churches, the ever-radiating House, San Carlos. It was our last night in San Francisco, and so why not? I’ll tell you why not, because we HAD TO BE UP AT 7:30am the following morning!

“No matter”, I pompously told my owl-party self. I continued working happily away on the ol’ PC until the wee hours of the morn, “I’ll just sleep on the train tomorrow” (BAH! Yes, if you get up…). And so I enjoyed the quietness of this night, slipping under the covers at about 3am.

Just envisage my delight, at 7:30am, upon hearing Deanna’s chirpy, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah voice.  Deanna is nothing if she’s not a night person. In the morning, she hovers like a ghost and stomps like a trooper. In the morning she is WOMAN! Not the morning type of woman, but the brewed bevwa swillin, broom swingin (as opposed to riding), Bible swearing type.

She told me I was late, and to get my trucking mass up out of bed. I didn’t take this moment to subtly suggest alternative methods for communicating more hospitably with missionary guests, there was every chance I may receive an unpleasant boot appendage to my jaw line.

And so with that I was up - only taking roughly 2 minutes to arrive at standing altitude. I looked around groggily. “GETCHYACLOTHESOWN” I roared groggily, startled by my extremely gravelly, masculine voice, and wondering if the kids might possibly mistake me for some old, intoxicated, homeless person.

I clambered semi-naked to the bathroom. My body’s preparation took some serious work on this particular morning – the hair almost needed an operation to come under submission. The teeth requested brushing for nearly ten minutes in order to significantly reduce pongage. The shave, I HAD TO SHAVE – nearly took my lips off on account of blurry-eyedness…

I know I make “handsome” look easy. But trust me, you don’t throw a masterpiece together with just a click of the fingers – it takes precious time to get a body looking like mine in the morning. Just ask my good friend, Jenny Seaburg, how rough I can look these days as a blank canvas in the morning.

On her day in Managua, her comment was “Jed, you look like (rhymes with…) shell. Have a shave! Have a shower! Brush your teeth! Get some clothes ON!”

After becoming well and truly acquainted with the bathroom, I then ran around the Church, shouting orders this way and that. The truth is, I was so tired I just didn’t know where to begin. Of course Elizabeth had the easy job, systematically getting all 14 of us on the road by methodically organising us. She always takes the easy road, doesn’t she?

At 9:35am the final carload of Nicaraguassies filed out of San Carlos House Church, for the very last time (this trip). It had been a bit of a back-and-forth type jobby, but long-story-short we “arrived” at the Cal-Train station at 9:55am, our locomotion having already departed at 9:41am.

We trotted to the bus stop and waited there, crossing fingers and praying to almighty GOD in HEAVEN for another way of getting to the BART (Bay Area Rail Transit), so that we could make our connection with the AMTRAK.

The local bus came and we all got on. Lots of cranky, Saturday morning folk, also enjoying a smelly, stuffy, cross-town, public transport adventure. We alighted at the BART station and raced up the stairs to the vending machines. I bought $70 in tickets and practically soared down to platform 3.

A train arrived just moments later and we were whisked away, across the Frisco bay, to the beautiful world of Oakland. God love… Where was the Amtrak Railway Station? Not anywhere near the BART. Problem number 1 with AMTRAK.

Our enthusiastic troupe jumped into three taxi cabs, which were not sufficient for our transportational needs, so unbeknown to me Liz stayed with the last 4 bags and caught yet a fourth taxi.

I was first out of the cab at the AMTRAK railway station. I ran in and politely, though expressly, asked for our AMTRAK tickets to delightful Davis, to which the hoity toity attendant made comment that I was already holding valid tickets, I just needed to get on the train.

“Too kind, you’re just too kind…” I responded. (but really thought, “perhaps next time you could stop eating your lovely looking jam doughnut when chatting with the valuable customer??? AKA – me!)

I turned and peered through the glass walls. They looked similar to dazed deers as they wandered along, completely out of place, my precious Alien droids from a distant planet. I called out to them, “Nicaraguans and Briens, HEAD-FOR-THE-TRAIN!!!” I felt like a more masculine Kevin Costner at this point (Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves -  “The TREES, head for the TREES!!!”).

Of course Lorenzy, my smarty-pants, called out “which train?” And I emphatically started my losing-it dance, whilst simultaneously pointing to the only train in sight, “the one with the doors WIDE OPEN!” I screamed… (not so masculinely)

The mob started crawling along, like ants on a war path. I managed to get everybody on the train, told the conductor I would return in a jiffy – and explained that I just needed to assist my wife with the remaining bags, to which she responded “yeah sure, take your time…  we’ve still got a few minutes.”

I ran as fast as my athletic legs would carry me, humiliated when a senior citizen overtook me in one of those driveable wheel chair/dodgem car/shopping trolley type contraptions – which should be made illegal, in my opinion.

And so imagine my delight, halfway between the train and the place where Liz was getting out of the cab, when I heard a strange, train pulling away from the station, type noise! I cocked my head slightly and saw the AMTRAK machine charging along.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOO!” I screamed, with all the fury of Russell Crowe in the Gladiator. I ran into the AMTRAK office. “You’ve just put…” I stopped, knowing I was beginning my second interaction on the wrong foot. It was too late.

Her head elevated ever so slightly, she wiped the crumbs of the delicious doughnut away from her mouth, and I was to NOT receive eye contact again.

“Oh! I’VE JUST PUT YOUR KIDS ON THE TRAIN!?” she questioned aggressively. I hesitated, “No. I didn’t say that.” She looked at me with wild eyes “BUT YOU WERE THINKING IT!?” She was right, I had thought it. As Deanna from the HOUSE says, “you’re not wrong, but you’re not right either.”

“Well…” I stated firmly, “your train just left with my kids on it!” She huffed. “I HAVEN’T GONE ANYWHERE!” Good gracious, the ego… Yes, we’re all so special! “I’m not referring to YOU, I’m referring to your company. You represent your company!”

She glared at her co-worker “I’M NOT HELPING YOU ANYMORE!” and slammed a CLOSED sign down, blocking visual access between us.

I approached a portly fellow who wore an AMTRAK uniform and explained our sad predicament. He went over to the naughty AMTRAK lass and asked her for assistance. Upon sight of this bloke, her countenance changed and instead of removing the sign, she got down on her hands and knees and spoke through the baggage access hole above the conveyer belt.

Capital on the Edge Performing CREATED at Davis Christian Assembly (California)

“So sad” I lamented - professionalism and maturity right there... A ticket sales clerk on her hands and knees, unable to hold a conversation in plain eye sight. “She should try working in an airport” I thought to myself.

“I didn’t like how he was speaking to me” she chided gently. “I’m sorry” I half-called out. Her sudden dog-look, stopped me in my tracks and I decided to let the jolly chap take care of the rest.

Before long I was advised that my children and our Nicaraguan youths would be attended to and helped off at Davis – our final destination.

Relief! Whilst waiting, I visited a nearby shop. I ordered some coffee and breakfast for Liz and I. The Korean shop owner cooked our food and we struck up a cool conversation. Compassion oozed from my heart for this bloke and his family. The immigrants of America – the people’s hard work that this country was built on.

Upon my return I learnt from Liz and Shane Seaburg (who lives in New York) that AMTRAK had offloaded our group at the very next stop, and were calling the Police. “WHY?” I implored. “They don’t have ID” Liz answered.

The problem to AMTRAK, was that our troupe did not hold valid train tickets. The fact that I’d shown the very same AMTRAK train conductor our paperwork, seemed to be irrelevant. The Police, however, were never called.

Capital on the Edge performing CREATED at a public school in California

I had secretly hoped that the Police would have been called. ‘Cause I was just ever so curious to know what a bunch of legal, responsible, polite youths, who hadn’t committed any crime, would be charged with.

I learnt through our travels with AMTRAK that we should put our travel business elsewhere. It wasn’t just our experience that made me think this, I also observed many problematic incidents between AMTRAK and other customers. To me, it was just the attitude of not really caring that sent me into an internal rage.

Whilst waiting I contacted Bensie, a ray of light in the city of Davis. We explained our situation. She was cool. Cool as a Cucumber. Bensie coordinated our time in Davis. Because of our time in Davis, there is now no surprise to me that we experienced this sort of nonsense upon our day of travel to the east.

We arrived in the next town and saw our group standing there. We beckoned them over and they came running. We were so excited to be reunited again. We hugged, kissed, laughed and cried. The doors closed once more, and we began to pull away…

But who should be standing on the receding platform, smiling innocently? You guessed it, absent minded BEYCKER! We screamed to him and he eventually heard our cries. He came running, but it was too late. Liz went to pull the emergency brake, but I told her off (BIG fines in the USA for that kind of behavior – We could possibly be imprisoned and become terrorism suspects.

I found the rail conductor and detailed our predicament. I asked him to call the station immediately and to put Beycker on the next train. The tall conductor said he’d do it and walked away with an urgent spring in his step.

Capital on the Edge performing at the University of California - Davis

The train conductor returned a good while later, with less spring and I asked him how he’d gone. Liz was on the phone with the train staff at Beycker’s station. She had relayed to me that nobody had contacted them – meaning that Beycker was still at-large in the East Bay.

The conductor told me that he’d be contacted as soon as there was information. I responded urgently “there won’t be any information, because you haven’t contacted them.” (I could just tell, he had that siv-like-look about him)

The conductor looked at me grimacingly. “WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?!” Oh yes, I forgot: everyone’s special, everyone’s important, nobody works or serves anybody… “I said, you haven’t done what I’ve asked.” Solutions. why don’t people look for solutions??? Everyone just looks for ways out of being held responsible.

He bore holes through my skull with his engorged eyes. I was furious, so not at all nervous – quite a feat, considering his muscle mass. He lowered his face to mine and brought it to within a few centimeters in a display of Mike Tyson intimidation. I was unmoved, far too cross...

He said cockily, “I’ve contacted the train station and asked them to let me know if anyone contacts them saying they’ve missed the train and need to go to Davis. I’ve told the station to let your friend on the train!”

I responded “and that would be BRILLIANT except for he doesn’t speak English, has been in the US only for a week and doesn’t know how things work here. You don’t even know his name or what he looks like, even though I asked you to give those details. What’s his name? What’s he wearing” I asked. The conductor snapped back “You could have told me those details before!”

Performing at a school for problematic kids in California

Charmed, I’m sure…

We arrived in Davis in record time. The conductor walked by “thanks” I called out. “You’re welcome” he said automatically, instantly regretting it. Why the anger? Why the fury? Why the protests? Where was the LOVE???

For me it was just another struggle. Another fight. I could have handled it better, for sure. Please don’t ever think of ol’ Jeddo as an image of Christ-like maturity – I’m not. However, the revelation I yet again received was if we’re going to believe for BIG THINGS, then we’re going to experience BIG PROBLEMS. Undoubtedly. It’s just the way it works.

Look at the life of Christ – he encountered problem after problem, issue after issue. Look at Moses. Look at Paul. Look at Noah. Look at David. Anyone significant in the Bible’s history endured much in order to inherit much.

She was waiting for us on the platform. Bensie!!! Her and our new sister friend from Guadalajara, Erica, were waiting for us and stole us away to our new beautiful home at the Davis Assembly of God.

A beautiful meal with Chili, beans and rice was served. The boys ate happily, completely in love with yet another American city. They then got our new sound system out and started dancing and tricking around the Church’s building. Pure joy…

Our message to the World is one of hope – Jesus Christ. A savior who forgives all. A man who gave all – a heart FULL of compassion and mercy – of love. Our message to the Church is one of urgency for the Great Commission – that all would know Jesus, through us, the Church. We want youth to be enthused with a passion to share Jesus with their world.

The following clip shows a little dude who has not stopped dancing since we were in Davis. He has a gift, and is a light. This is a part of our mission – get people excited about Jesus and using their gifts and talents for his glory and for the evangelism of our sick and dying world. 

If you would like to learn more about our ministry, please watch our latest update,CLICK HERE

If you would like to learn more about who our Nica-Youths are, or to support them, please visit their page, SUPPORT Nica-Talent

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 the House: San Carlos, please CLICK HERE 

To learn more about Davis Christian Assembly, please CLICK HERE

POST by JED: California Dreamin (Part 9)

Our Capital on the Edge Troupe, Praying at Hilltop Community Church in Richmond, California

The night to beat all nights! Richmond-bound... Honestly, in coming to San Francisco, I hadn’t quite realised the intricacies of this grandiose city.

In the center, the very heart of the city, the resonating sound was diversity, diversity, DIVERSITY! The boys, embarrassingly, laughed out loud, pointed fingers, held hands and trotted along.

Lots of Frisco people racing around, busy as little bees, with work far too important, the complexities of which you and I could never even begin to fathom. Oh my… The scene was akin to something out of Sydney’s CBD, as close to Circular Quay as possible – without getting your tootsies wet.

Head further south and it starts out with “posh”, but ends up in “middle-America.” We still have pedigree dogs, but you come across less snooty bling-clad restaurants and more golden arches, if you know what I mean. It’s kind of like you go to Sydney’s Bondi Beach, then head south, every kilometer taking you towards the inevitable, Cronulla – the Sharks…

Over on the other side of the bay, and just over the hill, you arrive in Silicon Valley’s Legolanburbia. It is wealth, but the opposite kind of wealth to that of south San Fran.

Stuff is valued because it’s antique in southern SFO, whereas in the dizzying delights of Dublin, new is the prized possession.

In Fris-sur we want convenience, whereas in Walnut Creek we’ll go an extra mile for imported this and handmade that.

In suburbia adjoining the metropolis we take trains, ride bikes, catch the bus… In Concord, we drive Corvettes. If we’re in Sydney, then we’re cruising through the newer parts of the Hills district.

Last but not least is the east side of the bay. Oakland is the hub, but there are many other parts with a similar type of carefree wonder, Richmond being one of them. And yes, in Sydney, the name would possibly remain the same. Get on a train at Central, head out through Strathfield, Parramata and Blacktown… Eventually you’ll hit Richmond, or vice versa.

It was a LONG trip. We left salubrious San Carlos at 4:40pm, and didn’t make it to Richmond until just a little after 7pm. We were moving at all times, and managed to make tight connections, but somehow just took forever to get there. Kind of like getting on at Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains, and catching one of Sydney’s notoriously slow trains to the city’s center, stopping at every station along the way, for the convenience of one or less passengers.

But it didn’t matter, we amused ourselves in any case. Sez, of course, humiliated me time-after-time with his incessant train(ing) gymnastics, utilising every metal bar aboard the lazy LOCOmotion to fling himself from near-to-far.

Sezni, on the BART (California)

Yet most of Sezni’s beautifully executed sequences ended in fail, thumbs down, due mostly to the rattling movement of the train. The reproduction of many daring feats inevitably annoyed most of our fellow passengers. Of course I was left to mouth insincere looking apologies, whilst simultaneously and invisibly, disciplining the loveable little critter.

Our travels in the BART (Californian Bay Area Rail Transit) with Sez going LOCOmotion...

What do you do with a child for 3 hours on a train? (please don’t answer this, unless it’s only in your head, or unless you’ve got a kid with Asperger’s  Syndrome or ADD. And I especially don’t want to hear from you folk who’ve only spawn girls,  or if you’ve read your Growing Kids God’s Way book, or worse – done the 4 week course, and now think you’re an expert!)

On the BART (Francesca, Jonny & Lorenzy)

One of our train rides was made especially enjoyable by an overly friendly “homeless man.” I honestly don’t know what was said, the stench was that deafening. My eyes watered for the entire duration of our train trip and the impulse to heave was overpowering.

Then I wondered if I’d remembered to brush my teeth... Perhaps that horrible odor, permeating throughout the carriage, sickening me to the stomach, originated from me. If true, boy was I in trouble. It couldn’t have been. My fellow commuters were far too repulsed, and so I knew it had to be the friendly homeless man. And that’s what I continued to tell myself until we arrived at El Cerrito del Norte – where I whisked my way past my entourage, nearly trompling them all to death, heading straight for the chewy-selling kiosk.

But still, how come all of my boys and kids were so engrossed in this scary looking, homeless man? Why were they all smiling, laughing, chatting, relating, lovingly. I hadn’t specifically told them to love the unlovely. They didn’t even know a lick of English, and yet the conversation flowed.

The homeless man’s face seemed full of pride – he had an audience, he was being friended. My heart swelled with pride too. I loved seeing those with a new hope, giving it away so freely - confident in an unending supply, no worries there…

And as luck would have it, the vagrant turned out to be Father Christmas! (except not groomed, nor as hygienic – but I’ve never met Santa, so it’s all guesses on my part) Not only was he being doted upon, he was also giving away phones. “MEEEEEERRY CHRISTMAS!!!” ho ho ho ho…

Rene was the lucky fellow who received an i-something-or-rather, but the joy amongst the group was almost as tangible as the cloud of stench that hovered around – have I mentioned how RIDICULOUSLY DISGUISTING SOMETHING SMELLED ON THAT TRAIN? If we hadn’t been running so very late, I would have jumped off and caught the next train. Yet because of time constraints, I merely poked my head out of the carriage doors every time they opened at a stop. Unforgettable memories… Cherishable!

Capital on the Edge crew with a homeless man on the BART in San Francisco

Now the one thing you HAVE to know about San Francisco’s Bay is… it’s freezing cold, all year round, the day and month being completely irrelevant. We were quite unprepared for the Arctic conditions of Richmond’s BART station. Who could have foretold that we’d need our mittens, beanies and thermal underwear?

Well, we waited and waited and waited and waited. Of course, I still hadn’t purchased my telephone at this point (thanks Liz!), and so I wasn’t able to call our Church contact, Pastor Corey.

Long story short, Corey was also at the same station as us, but waiting for us at the other end (2 entrances). I approached several people, asking for a loan of their phone, most of whom looked at me like I was some kind of deranged pervert. Eventually a lady, who appeared to be blind, allowed me to use her telecommunicative (I think I just made up my second word in this blog!) device and of course Corey and I were both surprised to learn that we were both there, waiting for each other.

Corey was a cool, bald headed, athletically good lookin lad from San Diego (I liked him in an instant!). He was a nice bloke, softly spoken, but clearly distracted on account of our lateness. We cruised into the Hilltop Community Church parking lot somewhere around 7:30pm, Corey on the phone with his leaders, gently guiding.

We left our Latino and Caucasian World in the van which sat snugly behind us. My eyebrows nearly lifted the toupee from my scalp upon observation of my new friend, Corey the youth pastor, who just seconds before was a white chap from suburbia.

His pants went down about 6 inches and his cap swiveled around 180 degrees. All of a sudden he was wearing sunnies and talking like a gangbanger! His lingo became lazy, he was indeed my brother from another mother…

As a travel agent I learnt that I had to mirror the person in front of me to get the sale. If I was talking with an elderly lady, then out came the tea cups. If I was with a groovy, hip young couple, then I talked everything pop culture. If I was with a mother and her toddler aged children, then hey-presto, I was indeed the daddy-daycare center. And so it was with Corey – he mirrored the culture of his youth and was HIGHLY effective because he did so.

Our troupe COMPLETELY went for it, singing and dancing with all their might. It seemed like a tough crowd at the onset, but from about the 10 minute mark not a word was spoken from the audience. Those on-looking eyes became as big as saucers with plenty of oooohs and aaaahs to-boot. At one point I chuckled to myself, it was like a rock concert. Every hand was in the air with cellular devices capturing every movement.

Praying for Pastor Corey at the end of our night at Hilltop Community Church, in Richmond, California

In the end, we found the people at Hilltop to be quite phenomenal and cannot wait to return there next year. This Church is clearly bent on evangelism and loving their world. The people being brought in were evidence of this love. Yet in my plans to return, I must stipulate and make it quite clear that my pants will always cover my bot-bot, so sorry I’m not hip enough, I hope you’ll still have us... By way of side note, yet again there was a bunch of Nicaraguans in attendance! HELLO to you, thanks for having us…

The BART was full of loons, Yordy & raffy being two of them - check out Fran's interest level to the rear...

And of course our 3 train trip home was hysterical. We laughed and enjoyed the good times – again, plenty of smelly homeless people to love, and yes, Raffy felt the need to witness to each one of them. God love that child!!!

Jed, Raf & Sez, on our INFAMOUS night in Richmond, BART, San Carlos

We arrived at San Carlos without a phone to use (Rene’s newly acquired needed to be charged up), and there wasn’t a soul around to harass for a lend. And so we kicked up our heels up and began to walk. Whilst we started off rather chipper, we nearly crawled through the doors of that San Carlos House. Of course the lads and my darling daughters raced home, but I was left to plod along with Sez and Raf.

Sezzy is always fine, until he’s not. And at that point his problems become everyone’s problems. He becomes intolerable. Of course, Raffy is the all-knowing, all-seeing philosopher when he doesn’t have any problems of his own, or when he wants to be entertained by the problems of others – he’s human too. 

And so Sezni whinged for the duration of our walk home, Rafael countering every complaint with a useful little tidbit or suggestion, each of which only infuriated his older brother all the more. Somehow I managed to fall into the pattern of telling-off Sezni, whenever Rafael spoke, and telling off Raffy whenever Sez spoke. By the end of our trail I was ready to string them both up in complete frustration. Brothers! Who needs 'em! We all do... 

We fell asleep before our heads even hit the pillows - we needed it, the next day was to be one of our most trying.

If you would like to learn more about our ministry, please watch our latest update, CLICK HERE

If you would like to learn more about who our Nica-Youths are, or to support them, please visit their page, SUPPORT Nica-Talent

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 the House: San Carlos, please CLICK HERE 

To learn more about Hilltop Community Church, please CLICK HERE

POST by JED: California Dreamin (Part 8)

Capital on the Edge's Yader at the House, San Carlos

Today was just sensational! I know every day is sensational, but today was just a “step up” from greatness. We dragged our feet in the morning. For me the “slow” was a combination of no sleep and not knowing where to begin. We were meant to meet Pastor Joel by midday at 24th Street & Mission, in San Francisco’s CBD, but didn’t make it until nearly 3pm. “No surprises there” I hear you mutter. Well shoosh please, this is MY story!!!

We had been given the honour of a tour guide whilst at “the House” Church: San Carlos, in San Francisco (extension campus of Modesto – every “good” Church needs an “extension” don’tcha reckon?!).

Anna is the Youth Pastor at “the House.” She’s a gorgeous African American gal, adopted by Caucasian missionaries, who went on to spend many years serving in South America. Needless to say, this lass did a marvelous job in communicating and supporting our little band of merry men, and on this particular morning Anna’s darlingness superseded our expectations entirely. The princess ferried us back-and-forth to the bus terminal on this crazy morning (1pm) and then surprised us completely by jumping on the bus with us.

Anna is the Youth Group Leader at the House - what a bundle of fun is THIS girl...

 

I was in a chatty mood on this cold San Friscan morning (1:30pm) and just couldn’t stop myself from spreading a little Yuletide cheer (in April). A seemingly delightful young fellow, whose name I can’t recall, boarded the busking-bound-bus and before he knew it we’d signed him up for a day with Capital on the Edge!

From the bus we switched to the train – yikes, expensive! The bus only cost us $32, however the train demanded a whopping $80… Eeeek, one day out in the Golden City was going to cost us more than two hundred Golden Coins! On the shinier side, we managed to make it to our destination before the sun began to dip. 

Fran & Raffy on the bendy-bus... Please notice the difference between childhood and teenage years - my oh my...

The boys were a wee bit shocked upon our arrival in Baghdad by the Bay. The hospital had apparently released their psychiatric ward’s patients. Some of Everybody’s FAVOURITE City’s most fruitiest of loops were meandering around the town square. 

The Capital on the Edge boys having a bite to eat before the performance

Elizabeth and I weren’t at all shocked. The last time we’d arrived via the BART (Bay Area Rail Transit), we’d encountered a fight between a couple of old winos, clearly bent on killing each other with smashed bottles. Mental problems, it’s a tough one for inner cities and it’s no different in the City That Knows How. These people clearly needed medical help and God, only one of which we could deliver…

Now our precious son, Sezzy… I don’t want to labour the point but he left the one thing he was meant to bring for our street theatre production – his stick! However, no problems for Pastor Joel Roman of South San Francisco’s Casa de Oracion (he’s my age), he went right ahead and made friends with the scary looking Copper who just happened to have a MASSIVE stick strapped to his moto.

Pastor Joel of Casa De Oracion, working with the Police - AWESOME men...

We asked him for a lend of his riot control instrument, clearly and understandably expecting the response “no.” However, the reply was nothing but positivity and support – he willingly handed over the bat, looking suspiciously around whilst he did so. Hooray!!! Sezni would be able to deliver a truly rousing evil act for our production after all (praise the Lord!!!). The Policeman? He also gave us a $20 donation – cool as, aye?

Capital on the Edge performing "Created" at the Mission, in San Francisco...

We gave our first EVER live street theatre performance (actually on the street!) the best go at it we could. Yordy, at the very last minute, refused to go on. All the eye balling, ice cream buying, “I’ll give you a knuckle sandwich if you don’t” type gestures/promises/threats did nothing to persuade the stubborn chap. However, it turned out to be a good thing. After the performance Yordy said “it’s a pretty cool play!”

Yordy watching our Production "Created" for the very first time...

Liz, in true Lizzie form, raced around the crowd giving out the local Church of God’s contact information, chatted with onlookers and offered to pray with people. It was a great time – success in fact. We were able to spread a LOT of Jesus sunshine amongst a deeply disturbed population. “Viva the City of Freedom & Fog!” 

Capital on the Edge performing "Created" for the first time on the street

After performing the production we went back to our local Church of God’s building for some pizza. It was a great time. Yet still, it was here that we had another confrontation with Yordy. We were in an upper room of this inner city building and were at another impasse. Yordy would not help clean up. This was something that became a theme with Yordy, his laziness. 

Francesca enjoying a FUN peice of wall in San Francisco

The friend from our bus ride into the city, what’s his name, finally said goodbye and it was then that we headed home to the beauty of San Carlos. Another answered prayer, Pastor Joel organised to drive us home. What can I say? The man is a giver. In addition to the ride, he also brought with him some scrumptious-didly-dumptious Nica-Cuisine. The boys were SO grateful. They love trying new food, but never feel full until they’ve eaten rice & beans. It’s not so bad… Keeps you regular…

Praying over our pizza

The very next day we were up and at it by sometime o’clock. We needed to promote the evening’s service. We went and met the principal of the local school, who looked a smidge nervous at the sight of us (me and 8 Nicaraguans, all in their black uniforms). Upon learning of our reason for being there she couldn’t have been more helpful.

We danced in front of the House (Church), causing a spectacle and hence drawing attention to our advertising. We danced on the sidewalks in downtown San Carlos, where a policeman drove by offering me nothing but a friendly wave. We danced on the streets and in the intersections, the boys doing flairs and double backflips, only halting traffic momentarily. Golly-Gosh you should have seen the people’s reactions! I felt like Whoopy Goldberg in Sister ACT 2 (Back in the Habit) – “Give me some of that money!!!”

We talked to people at the traffic lights, and I even left flyers on people’s cars (advertising the evening’s service at the House). Some people were enthusiastic, others less receptive. One lady I spoke to was talking to me in what sounded like a whisper, but through her wound up car window. I asked her to repeat what she’d said and she did so, but still with her window up!

Then I prodded Rene to speak with a young lady who was sitting on the Church steps (no less) and she completely ignored him and kept texting on her phone. I called out to her and said “Hey, someone’s trying to talk to you!” She looked up, shrugged her shoulders at me and went back to texting. Renes big eyes… It took everything within me to NOT stomp up to the child, rip the phone from her, toss it over my shoulder into the dumpster, and ram a flyer down her throat. But… Alas… In all things God must be glorified, and from whatever angle, I couldn’t work that bit in. We walked away…

Then there was the woman who screamed abuse at a chap who was propping a flyer behind her windscreen wipers. The car was parked and the windows were tinted. He walked up to the car, unaware of a looming presence, raised one of the wipers, and immediately felt the piercing spray of water to his eyes. And all the while… the wipers on the bus went swish, swish, swish! The sophisticated sergeantess had clearly had a gutful and undressed poor Yader, with her berating words.  

All you can do is laugh. This kind of activity is humbling AND makes you stronger. The boys looked to me for support in these moments and all I had in me was “ha ha haaaaaaaaaar!” Hilarious…

Well, it came time for us to do our performance and it was about the worst to-date. Rene was still in the toilet (bathroom) when it was time to go on. Eliezer looked like he was constipated when he was meant to be “loving God.“ God (Beycker) did his usual double back flip and instead of landing on his feet, landed on Jonny’s back instead. Grrrr! I sang “Let Creation Sing” like I was singing “I’m in Chains” and vice versa.

Capital on the Edge performing "Created" at the House: San Carlos

However, the Senior Pastors applauded the boys and with emotion shared that the Church currently doesn’t have missionaries that they support, and that we are to be the first! Wow! I felt humbled. Even when we’re at our worst God can still use us to move people. We went to sleep, deeply contented…

The House in San Carlos filled our cups to overflowing. The day after our constipated “Created” concert, the Church folk organised to buy us all a couple of hours of fun at trampoline-world (I made that name up! Not sure what the real name is… But basically, trampoline everything... Trampolines with foam pits, trampolines with basket balls and hoops, trampolines and dodge balls, you name it, they had it!)

Well the boys went NUTS! In fact, so nutty were their antics that one of the fellas, Eliezer, had an accident and snapped/sprained his BIG toe… He was crying like a baby but a couple of panadol, an icy pole, and lots of loo paper later, he was still crying like a baby. These hard “men” from Nicaragua – not so tough all the time... I think I actually recall him asking for his mummy. When asked for a pain-gauge out of ten, 1 being the least and ten being the most pain you’ve ever experienced in your life, he came back with “ten.”

The rest of our time at Trampoline World was a hoot. My most FAVOURITE memory was watching Pastor Deanna cutting into the queue, running as fast as she could so that she wouldn’t get told off, and flinging herself into the foam pit. 

Yader "helping" Pastor Deanna of the House: San Carlos, out of the foam pit

Deep, deep, ever so deep into the foam pit did she fall. Eventually a little hand was found and we knew that she was okay. But she wasn’t okay… She couldn’t get out! Is it even possible to drown in a foam pit?

Yader "helping" Pastor Deanna of the House: San Carlos, out of the foam pit

The “pool” staff didn’t seem too concerned. No, they didn’t let any more kids jump in, but no they didn’t throw her a lifesaving ring either. Yader-the-GREAT went to Pastor Deanna’s aid. He pulled, which was horrifying, but when he started pushing, well that was just terrifying!!!

Yader "helping" Pastor Deanna of the House: San Carlos, out of the foam pit

She eventually made it out okay, and the rest of the day was filled with fun and hilarity without any more injuries or people making fools of themselves. Got to LOVE Pastor Deanna! 

Yader "helping" Pastor Deanna of the House: San Carlos, out of the foam pit

The very next day… We got our computers back!!! For those of you who don’t recall from my last blog post, we lost our computers when Francesca put her computer into our computer bag, along with two other computers, and then walked confidently off the train, leaving the computer bag behind! Well, we all make mistakes – but THAT??? Ridiculous…

We were telephoned by Cal-Trains at midday to say that our computers were in the rail network’s lost property office – which was located just down the road from where we were staying in San Carlos. Yippee!!! I jumped in the ol’ car and toot-sweet, was able to clutch our computer bag, with all the previous contents still snuggly sitting inside.

Still, with the victories there are also the battles. On this day in San Carlos we had a wee bit of a struggle and a fight with Beycker. Long story short, his Father did/does NOT want him travelling the World with us, and blames Beycker for his family’s lack of nourishment and poor educational discipline.

Beycker’s father has two wives, two families, a girlfriend and visits prostitutes regularly. Even within the words of the last sentence, are so many other factors too heart wrenching and problematic to punch into a paragraph.

Before we left Nicaragua I had a confrontation with this fellow and was SO MAD I had to walk away. Shameful fact is, he regularly attends a church within my own denomination – the largest Church in Nicaragua. He is a poor example of Christianity, charging his second wife (Beycker’s mum) rent (FOR HIS OWN BLINKIN CHILDREN!!!).

In any case, Beycker believes he is different from his Dad. He believes his flirting with every girl he meets is something that will instantly stop when he becomes committed to a permanent relationship. When looking around Nicaragua, you’ll see that this is a thought pattern that is prevalent amongst the population. It fails 90% of the time. There are never any fathers - they all leave. The country is a fatherless land, with basically nobody raising children from a paternal perspective.

Beycker’s behavior began to escalate in San Carlos. He was consistently rude and he began to have “unhealthy discussions” with girls on facebook. Basically he adopted a bad attitude. We saw notes from Beycker’s proud father on facebook, telling the lad not to trust us, and that we’re not his true family, etc…

Well, the problems still exist with Beycker, even now that he is back in Nicaragua. We are praying for this chap, but have suspended him from touring until his heart can be restored to a place of repentance. It can’t be about us, it has to be about Jesus We continue to disciple this precious young man in Nicaragua and believe that he can make it, if he decides to look upwards…

If you would like to learn more about who our Nica-Youths are, or to support them, please visit their page, SUPPORT Nica-Talent

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 Casa de Oracion, please CLICK HERE

 

To learn more about the House: San Carlos, please CLICK HERE