Today was amazing in Nicaragua.  There are so many “firsts” that occurred for me and two of my children today.  They definitely left a lasting impression.  Before we left Casa de Shelly this morning, my son, Trey was given a bracelet by Noami.  She made this bracelet specifically for him.  He expressed that it made him happy and grateful that she would take the time to do something for him.   We started the day by going to the radio station.  My daughter, Taylor, sang “Our God” and I gave my testimony for the very first time ever!  After we left the radio station, we went out with Emily and the other members of our Zion Hill Baptist Church team to meet some of the children that our church is sponsoring for school.  What a humbling experience that was.  Erica was one of the girls that we visited and she was incredibly grateful as well as her grandmother.  I have never been one that is comfortable with praying aloud and in a group of people, but God told me that I needed to pray for this young lady and her grandmother.  I was obedient.  Another house that we went to visit was the home of a young man named Obi.  He made the biggest impression on Taylor.  Before he would come out and talk with us, he went back in to bathe and change clothes.  This may not sound like a big deal to people in the U.S., but when you don’t have running water, it’s huge.  He told his mother that he saw a pretty young lady and wanted to clean up for her. 
Another first that occurred today was that my son Trey, who is 11, blessed our meal for lunch.  What a blessing for me to hear him give thanks aloud.  We visited the village of Pascuala this afternoon.  I almost am too overwhelmed for words.  We made butterflies out of coffee filters, magic markers and pipe cleaners with the children.  Emily, Pam, and Taylor worked with the children on this project while Darlene and I painted fingernails for the ladies and little girls.  To see the smiles on these faces is a feeling that could never be expressed.  Trey interacted with the boys in the village by throwing a Frisbee around with them.  It didn’t matter that we didn’t speak the same language.  Trey also helped Donald in cooking the meal for the village.  We handed out Silly Bands to the children and you would have thought we were passing out money!  As we lined the people of Pascuala up to receive their meal, I blessed the meal for them without hesitation.  The line looked as if it wasn’t going to end, and it reminded me of the Bible story where Jesus fed the 5000.  Never once was I afraid of running out of food.  I just somehow knew that there was going to be enough, and there was.  As we were leaving the village we stopped and prayed for one of the men in the village who has a piece of wood stuck in his eye.  How humbling….the inside of their home has dirt floors and they were sharing it with baby ducks.  We have barns and stables in the U.S. that is nicer than this home.  Donald is helping this man get to a doctor soon so that he doesn’t lose his sight.  What a blessing for me to witness such unselfishness.  As we walked out of the house, there was a little girl named Claudia.  This little girl is 12 years old and she said no to accepting Christ into her heart.  My prayer is that anyone reading this will stop and pray for conviction on her heart to accept Christ. 
I can’t express or put into words how my heart feels right now.  There are no words.  I have laughed, cried and been heart-broken at some of the things that I have seen over the past couple of days.  I am proud to say that being here has made me grown tremendously with my own walk with God.  I know that I can do all things fearlessly because of God.  I am already in anticipation of coming back next year!! God Bless to all.
Vanity Hall

 

Dr and Mrs. Donald M Gillette
Because We Care Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 21806
Roanoke, VA. 24018
WWW.BWCM.ORG
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