If The Shoe Fits, Wear It

I know you have all heard people say something about "walking a mile in someone else's shoes." Well someone is literally doing that here in Nicaragua, but he is doing it in my shoes. Before I left the States for Nicaragua I put a box of old shoes on a container to El Crucero. I knew I would never wear them again, and that someone here might want them. I gave a few pairs of them to my friend Cesar. This morning I went to his office, and he told me a touching story. He was in Diriamba (a town nearby) at a meeting for the Gideons. An old friend and pastor he hadn't seen in a long time just happened to be there. They spoke for a while and Cesar noticed the man's clothes and shoes looked very worn. Cesar happened to have my shoes in his car and asked his pastor friend if he might want them. They were a little too small for Cesar anyway. When the pastor saw the shoes and tried them on he began to cry. Cesar was a little overwhelmed. He asked the man why he was crying, and the pastor replied that for the last 2 months he had been saving up to buy new shoes. It just happened that he was on his way that very morning to buy new ones in Jinotepe, but while walking he saw the Gideon meeting (of which he is no longer a member) and was compelled to stop in and see old friends such as Cesar. The pastor knew the Lord had led him to the Gideon meeting for this very reason: to get new shoes.

My friend from the football team, Luis (#69), asked me for some help a few weeks ago. He knew a guy who was selling a pair of cleats, and Luis really needed some for the team. He asked if I could help him out with the money situation. At the time I didn't have enough money to help him and really didn't want to just give him the money. So, I asked if the guy might be able to do a trade. I took 3 pair of shoes with me to meet the guy with the cleats. Once there, we started bargaining. He ended up giving us the cleats for 2 pair of my old shoes and 100 cordobas ($5). Luis was so proud and excited about his new cleats. He said it was a blessing from the Lord. However, I walked away feeling even more blessed to be able to help a friend. Jesus was right when he said it is more blessed to give than to receive. How often I forget that.

So, now there is literally a pastor walking miles in my shoes to bring the Good News to people in the mountains of Nicaragua. And a good friend of mine is playing a sport he loves in his new cleats because of my old shoes that have been collecting dust in the attic for years. It is just another example to me of how the little things we have yet ignore are an enormous blessing to many here in this country.

God & Football: An Interesting Combination

Yesterday we had our fourth football game of the season. We had just finished resting for two weeks and were ready to play. The desire to get our first 'W' was in the air. We all knew we had the ability, we just needed to work together as a team. To keep the story short, because I would love to give you a play by play, I will just give the highlights. The other team got the ball first and easily drove down the field for a touchdown (8-0, with 2-point conversion). We then received the kickoff and went 3 and out. We were trying to run the ball and it wasn't working at all. They got the ball back and drove down for another score (14-0, no conversion). The thought of victory was vanishing. With just a few minutes remaining in the first half we had the ball and were driving down the field. With no time remaining we scored on a 50-yard touchdown pass, and I ran it in for the 2 point conversion (14-8). Our spirits were high at halftime because we were going to get the ball to start the second half. I am really glad we scored at the end or the team might have easily given up. To start the second half we drove all the way down the field and were in position to score. I had a receiver open in the end zone, and I was seeing an easy touchdown, but when I threw the ball it came out of my hand funny and was intercepted. So, it's an understatement to say that I was a little unhappy.

*Side Note*
I went to the sidelines very frustrated and angry with myself. I was walking off alone to calm down. (I wasn't playing defense anyway, so I had time to be alone.) My friend and teammate Luis (#69 in photos from previous blogs) called me over. He was in the van alone with his pads off. I guess he had been hurt. I got over there and he said "Vamos a orar." (Let's pray.) I honestly wasn't in the mood to pray, but I bowed my head with him anyway. He didn't start praying so I assumed he wanted me to pray. Trying to calm myself, I prayed a few short prayers for patience, calmness, and wisdom. We sat in silence for a while and then I went back to the sidelines a little more comforted.
*End Side Note*

Getting back to the sideline I found that we had just started the fourth quarter. The other team still had the ball, and the very next play they fumbled the ball and we recovered it. 1st & 10, Knights!! I ran on the field in shock. Was God helping us out?! We drove down the field and scored on a QB scramble. The field is so poorly marked that I really didn't know I had scored. I thought we still had 10 more yard to go, but I wasn't going to argue. The two point conversion to go ahead went right through the recievers hands (14-14). We now had a chance to win. We just needed to stop them and get the ball back. I entered the game to play safety. They were moving the ball easily by running it. But I guess it wasn't enough for them to keep it on the ground, so they decided to throw. The quarterback was so easy to read, so as he released the ball I was in great position for the interception. As I was jumping for an easy pick, our other safetly hit me knocking the ball out of my hand, and I fell to the ground on my back. No interception and I went out because I had landed hard on my wrist. The other team ended up scoring on that drive (22-14, with 2 point conversion). We had less than two minutes to go all the way down the field starting on our own 5. I wrapped my wrist, sucked it up, and went in. We started moving the ball, and two big plays took us to the 10 yard line (at least I thought so) with 6 seconds remaining. The two big plays involved a "roughing the passer" penalty, of course, and a long pass. The last "long" pass had only taken 4 seconds, so I thought we might have two more plays. I called a play for the Tight End, said hike, and rolled right. And another busted play, no one was where I had hoped they be (man we need to practice!), so I started running trying to get a few yards and out of bounds. My best reciever was in front of me, and I thought he would release to the the endzone for an easy lob pass, but he stayed to block. I slipped, tried to get out of bounds, was tackled, but the ball went out so I thought we stopped the clock. But as I looked up the ref signaled the end of the game. I argued that we had stopped the clock to no avail. After a second and someone pointing it out, I realized that we were only 1 yard away from the endzone. This was the same side that was so poorly marked. I couldn't believe it! Had I known I might have been able to give it a little more effort to get that last yard instead of getting out of bounds. We were so close!! I wanted so badly to get a win for the team, especially the San Marcos guys who have become such close friends.

After all that, you probably thought we were going to win, huh? Well, me too. However, what stands out most to me was the prayer with my friend. I was putting the entire game on my shoulders, and God showed me that He is still in control, and all the glory is His. I can't necessarily say that the fumble recovery was His doing, but who knows? It would have been nice to give God glory through a win and not another defeat, but He is still teaching me and our team something. Maybe soon He will get all the glory for our victory.

Getting home from the game and licking my wounds, I found this picture on my facebook wall. I went 180 degrees from disappointment and pain to laughing hysterically. It's good to know I have such great support more than 1000 miles away!

Hermosa Granada

So this weekend I had another expense paid trip by Ave Maria. This time to the city of Granada. It is probably the most beautiful and most toured city in Nicaragua. I also think it is one of the oldest. I find it funny that even though my trip was paid for I still did everything as cheaply as possible. I think it's just in my blood. For instance, I could have easily taken a taxi around town and to the marina as I searched for water sport potential, but instead I rented a bike for $2 and rode it everywhere. I kind of enjoyed the exercise, but the roads here are not very smooth so some stretches were pretty rough on the body. Altogether it was a great trip and I found a great spot to do some water skiing, wakeboarding and tubing. Of course, I didn't miss the opportunity to do some siteseeing while I was there.

On my way back to San Marcos, I met up with some friends and we went swimming in the beautiful lagoon below. It is crater of a dormant volcano. I am pretty sure that is the first time I have ever been swimming in a crater. There were a few volcanic rocks floating around. It was a beautiful and peaceful experience. I felt like I was in a movie, not The Blue Lagoon, but something like that.

More Than a Carpenter

This is the bracelet that I wear nowadays. For a short time I thought these symbols would make a cool tattoo until I saw someone wearing it as a bracelet. For those who don't know, it means, "He came, He died, He arose, He ascended, & He's coming back." The entire gospel in 5 easy symbols. This bracelet has led to a few interesting conversations, and one happened just the other night.

I was meeting with some of my German and Peace Corps friends that I had met here in San Marcos. They brought some other friends along, so we were all doing the "Hey, so where are you from?" stuff. One of the girls eventually asked me what my bracelet meant. So, I told her.
"Are you a faithful person?" She then asked.
"I'd like to think so," I answered.
"Are you a Christian?"
"Do you want the short or long answer?"
(Also for those who don't know, my short answer is 'yes' but I normally like to answer in a different way because so many people have bad stereotypes for Christians.) I gave her both answers.
"And you?" I asked.
"I grew up Jewish but have kind of formed my own faith."
"Hey, the best man to ever walk this earth was Jewish."
"Yea, I think so too, but I don't think He's my Savior or anything like that."
That really made my heart and mind start racing. I can't just sit here and not tell her the truth. But is now the right time? How aggressive should I be? I decided I had to say something. I couldn't just let that go.
"Can I share my thoughts about that?" I then said.
"Sure."
"Well, there are really only 3 possibilities for who Jesus is and was." I continued to explain the 'Lord, Liar, Lunatic' expression that Josh McDowell writes about in his book, More Than a Carpenter. I told her that Jesus doesn't give us the option to think that he was simply a very righteous man with good teaching.
"That is very interesting," she responded, or at least she said something like that.

There was a part of me that wanted to tell her that I wasn't leaving until she admitted that Jesus was THE Savior and even more, HER Savior. The Chinese Christian Brother Yun from the book The Heavenly Man (an amazing true story by the way) wouldn't have let her walk away without getting a full confession, prayer of repentance, and then baptism. I struggled with what was my role and the Holy Spirit's role in this situation. I know the Holy Spirit is the only one who can convict the soul, but we have a very vital part to play. And I didn't want to use that as an excuse not to push her to realize the truth. Well, we talked a little further about faith and other things, but that was about all. I just hope that those words of truth about Jesus resonate in her mind, and she chooses to search for the truth on her own.

After 2 Whole Years!

Earlier today, Joslynn and her 3 boys (Melios, Rosendo, and Beto) left El Crucero and Nicaragua for good to reunite with Ryan, the father, in Florida. (Side note: Ryan had just left El Crucero after being here for a few weeks. They were actually able to start living as a family here.) After a long two year adoption process, the Heath family is now together in the States. A lot of tears where shed this morning at MQV as we said our final goodbyes. The boys are really excited. This is their first time to fly, and as soon as they set foot on American soil they are officially U.S. citizens. They will be spending the next few weeks visiting family in Florida before heading home to Chicago. It is going to be a big adjustment getting used to the cold up there. It is a blessing to have been there to see them leave and to have been a small part of the process. I remember my first trip to Nicaragua in October of 2008. We flew to Waspam to find the boys' grandparents, get some birth certificates, and start the adoption process. A full 2 years later I am saying goodbye as they depart for their new home. I hope to be able to visit them in Chicago sometime and see how they are doing.



A few more pics of the Ave Maria Knights and a video of our first touchdown of the season.

Progress is happening.

Two things here are really moving forward. First, this weekend I took an all-expense-paid trip to San Juan del Sur for Ave Maria University. Actually, they gave me $50 and I had to spend less than that. But that wasn't a problem for me since I am so good at being thrifty. Ave Maria wanted me to investigate the possiblity of bringing groups there for weekend surf trips. They had a hard time convincing me to go, because there were so many other things I'd rather do than go to the beach and surf. Are you kidding?! I was ecstatic. I went by myself, and it was a very successfull trip. I found some great places to stay with a group of about 15 to 20 and transportation to all the great surf spots. The only downside was that I left my rash guard on the beach, but hopefully my new friends from there picked it up for me because I told them exactly where I left it. I can actually see it laying on a rock far down the beach it in one of the pictures I took. The pictures are from Playa Romanso, and the waves were beautiful. However, the purpose of me telling you all this is because the University is seriously considering a paid position for me as a "Water Sports Excursions Instructor / Sports Director." I really just made that title up, but it will be something like that. And this trip was the beginning of making that all happen. It would be so amazing to bring a group of students here and be able to surf and play during the day and then have worship around a big bonfire on the beach at night.

Second, the Ave Maria Knights football team is getting better. We had our second football game this past Sunday. And when I say we were so close to winning, I am not just saying that. We were SO close. It almost hurt worse when we lost. We had two touchdowns called back, and at the end of the game we were on the 5 yard line and all we needed to do was punch it in the endzone, but we have no running game. The offensive can't push the D-line back or give us any holes to run through. The final score was 14-8, and I know we gained more yards on offense than the other team. The one good thing that is coming from all this is that the students are hearing about our games and know that we are getting better. Our next game is this Saturday at home (the Ave Maria Campus), so I am sure we will get a lot more support for this one. Hopefully we come out with a victory.

One short spiritual note so you all know I am not here just playing around. I have been praying that God would give me opportunities to share His love with others. So, yesterday I was talking with two friends on campus. One of them mentioned how she had been feeling down recently, and that's why she was smoking a cigarette. We've talked before about our faiths, and she had shared that she is a relatively new Christian. I told her I was sorry she was feeling low but didn't know what to do to lift her spirits. Luckily, I had my iPod with me and was listening to my "Jesus Music" playlist. It was actually playing softly in one ear as I was talking with them cause I had been listening to it all morning, and one of my favorite songs (my mother's too) was playing - "The Old Rugged Cross." I told them that whenever I am feeling a little down I listen to this playlist and it makes me feel better. So, I gave them my earphones and let them listen to the song. I even told them a little story of how that particular song had impacted me deeply a few Easters ago in Costa Rica. So they sat and listened to a song that so easily, yet powerfully, explains the Gospel message. When the song was over the girl said that she honestly felt better, and the other guy with her said that he really liked the song too. I don't know about his faith, but maybe soon. I just really liked how God gave me that little opportunity and all I had to do was hit play on my iPod.

Football Americano (Nica Style)

This past Saturday the Ave Maria Knights had there first football game of the season. We have been practicing on and off for about 3 weeks now. What I mean by "off" is that you never know who's going to show up each day for practice. So, I believe that we have only had about 4-5 solid practices in those 3 weeks. Nevertheless, Saturday arrives and I am really excited yet nervous, because I have no idea what to expect. I don't know anything about our competition or my own team for that matter. About 20 guys show up (some from around San Marcos and a few from the university), we load up into a microbus which doesn't have enough room for us all, and drive 30 minutes to Managua for the game. There are a total of 4 teams in our league, including us, and the first two are playing when we arrive at 1:30 in the afternoon. I am only able to watch a little bit of the game, because I am busy telling everyone what position they will play, going over a few plays, and practicing snaps with my new center. Of course, these are all things that should have been taken care of weeks ago, but we are doing them one hour before our first game. As the first game starts winding down, we begin our warm-ups. We can see our opponents on the other side of the field doing the same with about 40-50 guys, and all in unison as they count every stretch. We, on the other hand, seem more like the three stooges times six, because we can't count in rhythm, much less do jumping jacks together. I couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. "We are going to get creamed," I thought. But I tried to keep my spirits high.

It came time for the coin toss, so myself and two other smaller guys from my team walked out to midfield. We were met by the 6 largest guys from the other side. We shook hands, won the toss, deferred to the second half, and returned to our sideline. We sent 11 guys on the field to kick-off, but we still didn't know who was going to kick. But since everyone here in Nicaragua plays soccer, it wasn't hard to find someone to do it. Luckily for us, he kicked a line shot. It hit of the shoulder of a guy from the other team, and we recovered the ball. First and ten, Knights!! I was quarterback and I had 25 seconds to explain to my team the play we were going to run, and I had to do it in Spanish. The first few plays were meant to be pass plays, but I was mostly running for my life. The offensive line didn't do the best job of blocking. I finally got a little time to throw and hit my best receiver (which is really just 1 of 2 that I trust to actually catch the ball) on a corner route for about a 30 yard gain. Now we were in the red zone! The next play we gained another 15 yards for "roughing the passer." Yes, that means I got killed. So, we had first and goal from about the 5 yard line. I just wanted us to run the ball and punch it in the end-zone, but running didn't work at all. So, I tried to pass and had no time. So finally on 4th down, I decided to run it myself. On the snap I took off to the right, had some room, there was only one guy to beat at the 2, he was a little smaller so I thought I could just run him over, but he went low and tripped me up. I fell over him around the one. And that was the closest we got the whole game to the end-zone. Actually, we had two other opportunities. One on a reverse where the receiver was wide open downfield but he slipped and missed the ball, and the other on more roughing the passer penalties that took us close to the end-zone. But, with the amount of guys we had and the lack of practice, the guys just weren't able to block late in the game. So, we got beat 21-0.

Another funny note. There was one guy on the team (#9) that for some reason I thought he spoke English. It wasn't until the 3rd quarter that I realized the truth. Normally, I'd explain the play in the huddle in Spanish, but once we got into formation I'd tell some of the other guys what to do in English. This particular time I told the team we were going to run to the right. I was going to hand the ball to #9. However, once we lined up I noticed that the defense had over-loaded the right side. Therefore, I told #9 that we were going to run to the left. I said it about 3 or 4 times and he kept nodding his head in agreement. Well, I snapped the ball and took off to the left and no one came with me. Needless to say, I got drilled again. The morning after the game my body had no desire to get out of bed. I hope that our next game this Sunday turns out a little better. I'm hoping for a better offensive line and more guys to throw the ball to. I am very busy recruiting this week.