Nicaragua Part 2: A better life?

Our first full day in Nicaragua was kicked off with an amazing breakfast consisting of gallo pinto, coffee, Nicaraguan orange juice (a diluted version of tang), and toast with gava jelly prepared by our two lovely cooks at “The Project” (i.e. Vision Nicaragua’s property which has a sleeping facility, cafe, medical facility, welding shop, tienda, and block company). After a quick meal, all 8 of us Gringos (what the Nicas liked to refer to white people), piled into the back of a flat bed truck complete with old rusty white metal railings as a means to keep us from falling off of or out of the truck. During the 30 minute drive I was exposed to many interesting scenic views… I got a great glimpse of a volcano that allegedly has been emitting smoke since since the 40s, I saw lots of open field with those random little African looking trees that made me be on the lookout for Simba look alikes, and even saw some open grassy areas with rolling hills that reminded me of Charlottesville.

Kevin, the leader of our trip whose 11th trip this was with Vision Nicaragua, explained to us that we would be spending the entire day at Campuzano. The main purpose for going was to witness the baptisms that were taking place in the lake, and also just show some love to the kids by spending time with them. As soon as we got to Campuzano we joined about 150 people that just arrived from impoverished village of Bethel and I proceeded to 1.) hear a sermon and sing worship songs, 2.) actively watch 20ish people get baptized 3.) play futbol, 4.) swim/play in the “lake” with the kids and 5.) eat “pappas fritas con ensalada’ which had the flavor of baked lays, but was tough like a dog’s raw hide, and topped with some type of white cabbage with some delicious vinegar/salsa sauce. The part I remember most distinctly about this particular day was during the sermon. Even though I haven’t taken Spanish since 10th grade and thus didn’t understand 99% of the sermon (except for when they said HOSH-UA UNO: NUEVE), I learned so much from just observing what was going on around me. Here were a bunch of people worshiping God, some with hands in the air, others slapping their knees or clapping to the beat of the current worship song, but all doing so cheerfully, with passion, and with joy.

I couldn’t help but think to myself, are these young adults better off than my peers in the U.S that don't know Jesus? I mean from a WORLDLY perspective, the answer would be an OBVIOUS no... after-all The Nica’s aren’t as educated as my friends—schools are highly disorganized and teachers struggle to keep the kids attention and have little to no consequences for disruptive or misbehaved kids, the Nica’s aren’t required by law to go to school so many will simply not go when they don’t ‘feel like it’, while others don’t go to school because they can’t afford the uniforms. The Nica’s don’t have as many material possessions as my friends---maybe they have 2-3 outfits total, 1 pair of shoes, no tv, no ipod, no ‘summer house’, no iphone, bedroom of their own, maybe if they are lucky they have access to a bike which they share amongst 10 of their friends. The Nica’s health care is dismal compared to US health care--- most don’t have access to a toothbrush and toothpaste, it’s considered a luxury to eat 3 meals a day (and the majority of the time each meal is the same, gallo pinto), most young male adults are destined, as their fathers were, due to lack of education and lack of alternative opportunities, to work in the sugar cane fields which are sprayed with a harmful pesticide that causes kidney failure and ultimately death.

But wait... the Nicas all come across as being genuinely content... always smiling, never complaining, and ready with unlimited amounts of hugs... but how can that be when from a worldly perspective they have none of the ingredients necessary for contentment? Maybe it's because they are like Paul... 'I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.' Philipians 4:13. Or maybe it's because they have been disciplined to be strong and courageous, because they know the Lord God is with them wherever they go (Joshua 1:9). Or maybe it's because they were about to publically announce via a baptism that they loooooove Jesus, recognize Him as their Lord and savior. Or maybe it's because they are 100% confident they have an eternal address waiting for them in heaven when they die because they have a personal relationship with the God of this universe and there is nothing they can do to lose their salvation (Eph. 1:13-14, 1 Peter 1:3-5, 1 Peter 3:18).

So I'm curious.... what is your measuring stick to assess whether or not you have a 'good life' ? and what makes you content/joyful and is it lasting?