I returned from our latest Nicaraguan mission trip three
days ago. My mind and heart are still catching up with my body. This year, in
addition to the medical mission team, the three of us my church sent to Clean Water
U, the education program of Living Waters for the World, travelled as the water
team to search for a community with whom we could partner to install a clean water
system. During our ten-day trip, I spent two and a half days bouncing around
the province of Matagalpa in Juan’s truck with his assistant and translator,
Nestor, and Eric and David, the other two members of the water team. It was a
blessing to see more of this beautiful country than on previous trips, and to
meet new people and make new friends.
Eric and I were anxious about having to choose one community
as well as the need to make a decision in the three days we had to check out
potential and existing water sites and sign a covenant agreement. Both of us were
touched by the gracious hospitality of Consuelo, the community leader who
invited us into her home in the tiny community of Las Lajas, the first site we
visited. Neither of us wanted to tell her no. David, the young engineer, was
more pragmatic. After we said goodbye to Consuelo to travel to two other
potential water sites, I prayed urgently for discernment and clarity, and texted
La Jefa, our group leader, to ask the
members of the medical team to do the same.
God answered our prayers in an unexpected way. When we
arrived at one of the two remaining sites we visited after leaving Las Lajas,
Juan went in search of their community leader. He returned a few minutes later to
tell us they had decided they were not interested. At the final prospective site,
we met with another community leader under a tree in her
front yard high in the mountains. She was interested in our proposal, but said
she would need to gather her community later to make a decision. We left her to
visit the building she had in mind for a water system and to obtain a water
sample for testing. When we arrived at the building, no one had a key. David
could not evaluate the site for an installation. Eric and David turned the handle
on the faucet at their water source, but no water came out. There was nothing
to test.
Thus we chose Consuelo’s community of Las Lajas as our
partner in this new venture. God had answered our prayers for discernment and
clarity: locking the door and shutting off the water faucet! We could only
laugh and celebrate this new partnership. As we said goodbye, Consuelo had told
me that the water in the well at Las Lajas originated in a spring that flowed
from a rock up in the hills. I responded, “water from the rock, just like
Moses provided!” Now, with God’s help, we will work with the people of Las
Lajas to make that water clean and safe. God is good.
Grace and Peace,
Donna
