It's dark at 6:30 in the evening as I write about the past three days...
What was conceived as an idea almost ten years ago is now in the revealing process. My eyes water as the power of His Spirit overwhelms my soul. My dear friend and hermano en cristo Tom Roth, has made multiple trips to Nicaragua over this time. Finally, like the rivers of Spring…I flow into a new and uncharted land.
Yesterday, my first ever full day in the Central American country of Nicaragua, had me PERFECTLY placed at Nicaragua Christian Academy, where I had the privilege to take part with 20 other presenters for their ‘Career Day'. What are the chances that I would be there exactly on that particular day? If you're not convinced that there is a God Who orchestrates, continue reading.
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| Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua |
When I originally began planning to finally join Tomas, I decided that I would fly into Managua for two days, then fly into Puerto Cabezas instead of a direct flight into Waspam, where we have determined to put on a ‘baseball clinic’. The thought was to experience a little of PC, and then likewise experience the 85 mile, 5 hour Nicaraguan bus adventure to Waspam. So was this the right decision?
David says, “Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”. And the prophet Jeremiah says, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
So…was it the right decision? I did say something about a ‘baseball clinic’, right? I arrived at ‘Verbo', the Spanish word for ‘word, or The Word...His Word, around 1pm today, November 1st, 2017. I was quickly shown to a lovely cabin like room. Returning to the main kitchen/dining/living room I was offered a delicious fish, rice and beans meal. ‘Junior' (Randolph Gordon) joined me. The following four hours were beyond amazing!
Junior, a Miskito, Creole Nicaraguan, is ten years my junior (no pun intended). He has an infectious smile and a beautiful concept of life. Sixteen years ago his life was and still is radically changed as he does not only call Christ his Savior, but walks with Him with exacting precision. He has both played and coached baseball since he was a young boy, including playing on championship teams in Cuba and coaching young men’s teams that finished nationally in both third and first place. If you could only see the area where I'm at you too would be amazed at this possibility.
As we talked it was immediately evident that our coaching philosophies are so incredibly inline that you would assume that we are one and the same person. He speaks of coaching boys and young men to know that discipline and a pure journey with The Savior will always make them champions, regardless if they win or lose the ballgame.
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| Casa Bernabe |
He then showed me about the ‘Verbo’ campus which includes a school, an orphanage, a church and many housing units. Started by a fellow Miskito, Creole Nicaraguan Earl Bowie Fox, 25 years ago, it is an amazing place of respite and service to God Almighty.
After this we talked a bit more over a cup of coffee. Then, pulling out some baseballs and gloves from the bag that has traveled with me these 4,500 miles, we went off to play catch. He said, “Watch, we will walk into the playing area and see how quickly boys will come”. We barely threw the ball twice before we had the attention of a couple teenage boys and several young boys and girls. Nearly 45 minutes later, my 59 year old right hand slightly swollen from the throwing of Ebner, we returned the gear, said hasta luego, and I was off to another lovely meal.
After the meal Earl and I would talk. With Him was a medical doctor and we likewise would discuss possible options with health care providers coming to areas here on the Caribbean side of Nicaragua that have the worst of the poor. The connections of today…there is NO WAY that I could have placed these pieces together!
I am thinking that this first meeting with Junior, with Earl, with this doctor will likely not be my last. How will The Father orchestrate tomorrow? How will He likewise orchestrate a reunion with Junior? I can not begin to imagine. All I know right now…I'm in the right place. And tomorrow…the next day…He will place in my way the right people and right circumstances.
As the evening thunderstorms begin...my day comes to a peaceful ending. Good night!
