Thanks. -Joey
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
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Monday, September 10, 2012
We lost Don Salvador.
I will always remember exactly where I was sitting when I heard the words "Don Salvador se murio..."
Not only will I remember the place I was sitting, but the weather, temperature, the look on our accountant Alondra's face when she said it.
It was just the two of us in the office. I had rushed over once I heard the news of a bad accident. This was all we knew. When we arrived at about 3:30, the clouds from a thunderstorm were so thick that it seemed nearly dusk outside. It stayed that way until dusk actually came.
When I heard the news, I walked outside our office doors to watch the rain and I stared off into the distance, not knowing what to think. That somber moment was ended rather abruptly with crying wails from across the property as Patricia and our kitchen staff heard the news. I get chills just typing about it. It was a day, that I will never forget.
What followed Salvador's death was quite amazing.
Our local staff, made up of over 85 people, came together as a family like I'd never seen. If you've been to Nicaragua before, you know that we refer to each other as a family constantly. Nicaraguan culture is beautiful in the fact that it lends itself to tight nit community and trust. I could knock on any door and ask for a drink and they'd most likely invite me in and pull a chair out for me. We also joke, a lot. "The culture of busting balls" is usually how I describe it to friends and family. Any given morning, you can find 15 or so of our employees standing in front of our office laughing and carrying on. Every morning this happens. Inside jokes and nicknames pick up right where they left off. No one here takes themselves too seriously. It's actually a very humble and beautiful thing.
So all that to say, we're pretty close already. But what I saw from our employees after the death of Salvador was quite remarkable.
From the news of the accident, nearly 30 people rushed to the hospital. They were forced to wait outside in the rain and did so without thinking twice. They waited until they heard of his death, and what would happen to our other 2 employees that were in the vehicle. Staying strong, they encouraged and comforted each other as they supported those injured and their families.
When a death occurs in Nicaragua, there is no embalming. Everything is done within 24 hours of the passing.
I hoped in the back of a truck, still raining, and headed over to Salvador's house that night. When we arrived, the whole street was blocked off. Tents were up and hundreds of people, friends and family, had come to pay their respects and support the remaining family of Don Salvador. This was a site to see. Everyone that I knew from work, had stopped all of their plans, to come sit in front of Salvador's house in the rain, ALL night. We stayed 3 hours, but heard that a small crowd waited until sunlight to go home.
We held a memorial service for him in our Rancho the next day. His body was brought over and flowers from friends and family and co-workers decorated the Rancho as we sang and watched a video to remember him. Once again, all of our employees came and sat. The support was incredible. It was such a solemn state. We all just sat around the family to support them. It was in these moments that I realized how strong community is here. Put down the watch, take some time, and just be. I've been trying to learn this. Slowly but surely, my awareness and respect of being present for the person in front of me has become more important than keeping a perfect schedule. At first it annoyed and frustrated me, and at times it still does. But I have seen and experienced the wealth outside of money and security that comes from doing life together.
A mass was held in the early afternoon. When it was over, everyone who attended, over 200 people, walked behind the hearse all the way to the cemetery. For over a mile we walked in the pouring rain. As we passed, people came out of their houses, whom we didn't know, and walked with us. As they came alongside us they would put their arms around our shoulders and say "I am here to accompany you". So so beautiful.
About 30 of us helped bury him that day. We took 2 shovels and traded off throwing the dirt back in the 6 foot hole burying the coffin. It was an experience that is shared here. That all of Salvador's friends and family would be Paul-bearers together in helping bury him. It was our final goodbye.
I typed many words to describe the day, and left out completely what it was like to lose such a great man. All that needs to be said about Salvador is that he will be greatly missed. He had a deep love for the Lord and henceforth a deep love for those around him. He always had a smile and joke to go with it.
The Lord brought us together that day. I'm thankful for his life, and thankful that God causes all things for good for those who love him. That was evident in the moments following his passing.
We'll miss you Don Salvador.
I'm grateful to be a part of this organization and this family. It truly is a gift to be able to share life with my Nicaraguan brothers and sisters.
On that note, I have recently been domesticated a bit more. I bought my own Nicaraguan motorcycle and have a house of my own now. Just a few more signs that I'm going to be here for a while. From the story above, I'm sure it's not hard to see why I am leaning hard into the plans that God has prepared in advance for me.
Take care ya'll.
Joey
As a staff we have read a book "When Helping Hurts" by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert. It brings to light how social and development work can often hurt those whom we are trying to help. Pray for our organization as we have been revamping our approach to ministry over the last year. It is an ongoing struggle to do day to day good without causing long term harm. Our goal is to continue to host 1500 people a year in a way that is helpful to the local communities. We have great responsibility to be culturally aware in all situations and not show up as the great white help from the north. Slowing down to do life a little differently and embracing the local culture is step one. If you join us at any point for a short term trip or plan on going to serve somewhere else, I HIGHLY recommend reading this book beforehand.
Thanks for checking in and praying for us always.
Not only will I remember the place I was sitting, but the weather, temperature, the look on our accountant Alondra's face when she said it.
It was just the two of us in the office. I had rushed over once I heard the news of a bad accident. This was all we knew. When we arrived at about 3:30, the clouds from a thunderstorm were so thick that it seemed nearly dusk outside. It stayed that way until dusk actually came.
When I heard the news, I walked outside our office doors to watch the rain and I stared off into the distance, not knowing what to think. That somber moment was ended rather abruptly with crying wails from across the property as Patricia and our kitchen staff heard the news. I get chills just typing about it. It was a day, that I will never forget.
What followed Salvador's death was quite amazing.
Our local staff, made up of over 85 people, came together as a family like I'd never seen. If you've been to Nicaragua before, you know that we refer to each other as a family constantly. Nicaraguan culture is beautiful in the fact that it lends itself to tight nit community and trust. I could knock on any door and ask for a drink and they'd most likely invite me in and pull a chair out for me. We also joke, a lot. "The culture of busting balls" is usually how I describe it to friends and family. Any given morning, you can find 15 or so of our employees standing in front of our office laughing and carrying on. Every morning this happens. Inside jokes and nicknames pick up right where they left off. No one here takes themselves too seriously. It's actually a very humble and beautiful thing.
So all that to say, we're pretty close already. But what I saw from our employees after the death of Salvador was quite remarkable.
From the news of the accident, nearly 30 people rushed to the hospital. They were forced to wait outside in the rain and did so without thinking twice. They waited until they heard of his death, and what would happen to our other 2 employees that were in the vehicle. Staying strong, they encouraged and comforted each other as they supported those injured and their families.
When a death occurs in Nicaragua, there is no embalming. Everything is done within 24 hours of the passing.
I hoped in the back of a truck, still raining, and headed over to Salvador's house that night. When we arrived, the whole street was blocked off. Tents were up and hundreds of people, friends and family, had come to pay their respects and support the remaining family of Don Salvador. This was a site to see. Everyone that I knew from work, had stopped all of their plans, to come sit in front of Salvador's house in the rain, ALL night. We stayed 3 hours, but heard that a small crowd waited until sunlight to go home.
We held a memorial service for him in our Rancho the next day. His body was brought over and flowers from friends and family and co-workers decorated the Rancho as we sang and watched a video to remember him. Once again, all of our employees came and sat. The support was incredible. It was such a solemn state. We all just sat around the family to support them. It was in these moments that I realized how strong community is here. Put down the watch, take some time, and just be. I've been trying to learn this. Slowly but surely, my awareness and respect of being present for the person in front of me has become more important than keeping a perfect schedule. At first it annoyed and frustrated me, and at times it still does. But I have seen and experienced the wealth outside of money and security that comes from doing life together.
A mass was held in the early afternoon. When it was over, everyone who attended, over 200 people, walked behind the hearse all the way to the cemetery. For over a mile we walked in the pouring rain. As we passed, people came out of their houses, whom we didn't know, and walked with us. As they came alongside us they would put their arms around our shoulders and say "I am here to accompany you". So so beautiful.
About 30 of us helped bury him that day. We took 2 shovels and traded off throwing the dirt back in the 6 foot hole burying the coffin. It was an experience that is shared here. That all of Salvador's friends and family would be Paul-bearers together in helping bury him. It was our final goodbye.
I typed many words to describe the day, and left out completely what it was like to lose such a great man. All that needs to be said about Salvador is that he will be greatly missed. He had a deep love for the Lord and henceforth a deep love for those around him. He always had a smile and joke to go with it.
The Lord brought us together that day. I'm thankful for his life, and thankful that God causes all things for good for those who love him. That was evident in the moments following his passing.
We'll miss you Don Salvador.
I'm grateful to be a part of this organization and this family. It truly is a gift to be able to share life with my Nicaraguan brothers and sisters.
On that note, I have recently been domesticated a bit more. I bought my own Nicaraguan motorcycle and have a house of my own now. Just a few more signs that I'm going to be here for a while. From the story above, I'm sure it's not hard to see why I am leaning hard into the plans that God has prepared in advance for me.
Take care ya'll.
Joey
As a staff we have read a book "When Helping Hurts" by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert. It brings to light how social and development work can often hurt those whom we are trying to help. Pray for our organization as we have been revamping our approach to ministry over the last year. It is an ongoing struggle to do day to day good without causing long term harm. Our goal is to continue to host 1500 people a year in a way that is helpful to the local communities. We have great responsibility to be culturally aware in all situations and not show up as the great white help from the north. Slowing down to do life a little differently and embracing the local culture is step one. If you join us at any point for a short term trip or plan on going to serve somewhere else, I HIGHLY recommend reading this book beforehand.
Thanks for checking in and praying for us always.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Somos Famosos
Game 4 of the Nicaraguan Championship Baseball game was in Chinandega last week. We were lucky enough to attend. I posted briefly on Facebook after it happened. Since the game, nearly everywhere we go in Chinandega we are recognized as the "crazy Gringos" that did the Macarena on national TV. Not only did the whole stadium give a round of applause when we were finished but apparently all of Nicaragua was watching their TVs at that very moment. Our bootleg version of the Macarena was broadcast all over the country and we have not stopped hearing of it since. We also rushed the field with about 1000 other people and gave high fives to the winning Chinandega Tigres. I may have ran around the bases and hit a fake home run too. We will never forget it.
In other news, we are headed to the mountains of central Nicaragua in a few weeks. Our whole staff (nearly 90 people) will head to a Young Life camp in Matagalpa for our annual spiritual retreat. This morning, a meeting was held to discuss specifics of what we will be teaching as the theme this year and other logistical stuff. This retreat is an important time of cross-cultural relationship building. We plan to have small groups throughout the week mixed with Nicaraguans and North Americans. Pray that the Holy Spirit will go before us and be in the very spaces that we will hold our services and small group discussions. Pray that God would continue to build strong, biblical relationships among the many workers that Amigos employs.
Until then,
Joey
On the field after the game with Tigres mascot and a few new friends.
Front row! Fellow Missionaries David Paperelli and Caitlin McCormick
Front row tickets!
In other news, we are headed to the mountains of central Nicaragua in a few weeks. Our whole staff (nearly 90 people) will head to a Young Life camp in Matagalpa for our annual spiritual retreat. This morning, a meeting was held to discuss specifics of what we will be teaching as the theme this year and other logistical stuff. This retreat is an important time of cross-cultural relationship building. We plan to have small groups throughout the week mixed with Nicaraguans and North Americans. Pray that the Holy Spirit will go before us and be in the very spaces that we will hold our services and small group discussions. Pray that God would continue to build strong, biblical relationships among the many workers that Amigos employs.
Until then,
Joey
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