Fingerprints of God
Some of us worked “36 weeks out of the year to come” others waited 380 days (yes, I know there’s only 365). Most if not all developed knots in their ropes, maybe from ten days prior to ten years. We went down to build homes and fix up these people’s broken lives. In a way, they fixed us, and in a way, we fixed each other. We developed friendships that will last a lifetime and beyond.
When I was down there, I saw the fingerprints of God everywhere. You see the lifestyle that they live in and you want to give them everything you have. But as someone had said, ” they are poor in things but rich in spirit.” Many Nicaraguans worry about if they are going to eat today. It changes you perspective on things and makes you think twice before complaining on how your pickles are cut.
– Jessica Gussiaas
Seeing Jesus
Dave spoke often of seeing Jesus this week, and though I did not speak up during our devotion times, I was thinking about it often. I knew that my tendency for selfishness often blocks my spiritual vision, so I had to slow down and consider what Dave was asking. Here are my thoughts:
I saw Jesus this week. He showed up when I did not expect Him.
He showed up in a squealing sound system prone to uncontrollable spurts of misplaced sound. He appeared in a sweaty, sticky hand that ran fingers through my hair and told me it was pretty while braiding and giggling. He showed me how to tie rebar and insisted I do it right even though another way would work. He made me wonder at my insistence of efficiency when, after a night of organized packing, the distribution was long and arduous. He was there when I said no, when I said yes, and when I didn’t know what to say. He let me taste dirt and feel the sweat soak my clothes even though a check mailed from my comfortable home might have seemed a better way. He showed up to help when my heart was weak. He showed up in brown eyes, dirty faces, worn out shoes, cardboard shacks and brilliant smile, each time asking me to look and touch. He would not let me off easy; He would not leave me to my theories and ideas of how I think work should be done in His name.
I saw Jesus this week and though it was difficult to look at Him sometimes, I know I’m better off because I did.
– Julie R. Neidlinger
