Overflow

The desire to help another human being is not enough.
Some are naturally inclined to help those in need. For a period of time, this can be exchanged for the ultimate purpose for meeting people’s basic needs.

Jesus used meeting people’s basic needs to show His love which ultimately opened doors for Him to meet spiritual needs as well. His ministry was filled with miracles.
We are innately selfish. The most selfless, kind-hearted individual doesn’t have enough stamina to love others in and of themselves over a period of time. 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us”. We are only capable of loving one another because we have first been touched by his love and we use that as our example and standard.

There is a great need where I am. Most families live on less than $2 a day. The majority of initial reactions to seeing extreme poverty are selfless. We want to help immediately. The problem is that the simple desire to help someone is not enough. The Lord desires us to see peoples needs spiritually as much as we do physically. Matthew 9:36, “When He saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

I’m trying to understand what it means to meet peoples needs outside of myself. Coming to an understanding of Christ’s love overflowing from my heart is key. Biblically, we should care for those in need because Christ cared for us in our deepest hour of need. What the world sees as Christ like behavior in our lives should be directly related with Him being the complete satisfaction of our hearts. If He alone fills our cups, they will overflow to those around us, just as He intended. Because He loved us first, we are now enabled to do the same.

We have fun

...what most of our bus rides are like.


We had a 90s dance party when Purdue and Ga Tech were here. There were many great costumes, but the Oregon Trail quartet took the cake. They also brought a mattress outside while it was pouring rain and made everyone watch them "ford the river" with it.




We climbed another volcano today. The walk down is very steep at about a 45 degree slope. It's hard to walk down because the surface is tiny bits of rock and people actually end up sliding and running down.

My shoe broke on the climb up. A quick sidenote: me ad Jeremy play a lot of blackjack in our spare time. So naturally we played through a deck on top of the volcano. If I won, I got his right shoe and he got my busted one for the walk down. If he won, I would have to wear the same shirt for a week.







I won.

Another group got in late last night. Please pray specifically that they would embrace the love of Christ and be open to be changed from the inside out. We've had 3 incredible groups come through already. It's tough to wave goodbye to people that you've become close with only after a week and immediately greet a fresh group the next day. It has been ultimately rewarding to see the Lord work in the lives of the people that come down. There is a level of vulnerability that seems to be unlocked in a sense. When people are taken out of their comfort zones and put in an unfamiliar place it is a welcoming atmosphere for God to
Change people. It's incredible to watch, and it's also been incredible seeing it in my own life.

I will be coming home in a week, for a week, for Jay Dillards wedding. I cannot wait to eat whatever American fast food is in the airport.

More to come
Joey

Location:Chinandega

Paging Dr. Howser

Our latest Iguana, Dr. Doogie Howser escaped. I'm in the process of finding another one.
Third time's a charm.

Location:Chinandega

Tired

We went on an adventure last night, 50 of us camped on top of an active volcano. I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.
I'm tired.







Gearing up for our hike after our 1.5 hour ride up a 4x4 trail.







Up the side of the volcano. Note how small the people in this pic are. BIG hill.







I'm pretty happy about the climb.





Our camp was located right below the crater...sulfuric smoke constantly coming out of it.






Sunset.

Location:Telica Volcano

Dr. Howser

The first group to come down, consisting of Purdue and Mizzou students, is almost done. Purdue will stay for another week, and another group will join them on Sunday.
We visited the Chinandega dump on Monday. Over 300 families have been moved from there to a village called Villa Catalina which Amigos started. Still, there are over 300 families living at the dump as a way of life. They collect 100 pounds of metal for $5 and that gets them by for a week. Amigos has plenty of room left in the Villa for families to continue to move out, but it is hard for them to see the long term benefits of doing so. It would require them to adapt to a whole new way of life. Pray for the families to be courageous to move out of the dump.

Our first Iguana is no more. After I found out that we couldn't keep him as a pet, I sold him to a Nicaraguan man who took him home for food. We have since then, found an "Iguana Verde" that is not instinctually malicious like the first kind we had. His name is Dr. Doogie Howser. I'll keep you informed.

It is hot. 91 degrees today with a heat index of 107. That means that it may as well be 107. I am adjusting to the heat pretty well though. I was sick for a day and half because of dehydration. Drinking 2 gallons of water a day apparently is not enough for my big frame down here. I am now trying to drink around 3 gallons a day.

Lastly, all the kids in the Villa, call me "Gordo". This is because, well, I'm fat. They all run up and play with my stomach like a punching bag. They just don't see too many well fed Gringos down here.

More to come.




Joey







Families looking through the dump for cans and scrap metal.







At Villa Catalina







Group Devo time.

Location:Chinandega

Muy Caliente

I Made it to my new home safely. Showering before bed and after I wake up will be a part of my daily routine, as it is very hot here with no air conditioning.
Last night was my first night here and me and some of the other amigos staff had an interesting time with our new pet and friend Mr. Feeny. He is a 3ft long iguana that I bought on the way home from the airport. He almost escaped, we almost got tail whipped, and after capturing him again, we made a home for him only to find out we have to release him because it is illegal to keep them as pets.... Apparently it's too dangerous.

The first group comes in this Saturday. Until then, we'll be preparing the Amigos house for their arrival. Pray that God would prepare our hearts and theirs for the week ahead.

Love Yall
Joey





-posted from iPhone

Location:Chinandega, Nicaragua

Goodbye Bham

Otey's on Tuesday was a huge success. I think everyone I know in Birmingham was there, what a great night. We raised over $800 as well. I can't show my gratitude enough for the friends I have. You all are truly one of a kind. Tonight I'll pack up my car and drive to Ft. lauderdale, Fl to spend mothers day with my mom. Then after the weekend, Ill be flying out of Ft. Lauderdale next Tuesday to arrive in Managua, Nicaragua shortly after lunchtime on Tuesday. This will be followed up by a 2 hour taxi ride to Chinandega which will be my home for the summer. My next update will be from there.

In the coming week pray for the short term groups coming down each week, that the Lord would prepare their hearts to experience incredible things while in Chinandega.
For safe travel, and that I don't die of a heat stroke.

Love y'all
Joey

I'm gonna miss these guys