13 long, incredible days

I’m sorry for my long absence from the blogging world.

For the last two weeks, every waking moment of my life (some of which I wish I had spent sleeping) was dedicated to Jordan, Emily, and Prof. Jeff, a delegation from Trinity Christian College who came down to help the Nehemiah Center film, edit, and produce a video on church transformation and community impact (for course credit).

I know what you are thinking—how on earth is it possible to do all of that in 13 days? Well, this was no ordinary trio. These incredibly talented, dedicated, and servant-hearted young people endured a grueling 16 hour day schedule for the majority of their 2-week trip, which included a day of orientation, 6 days of travel to 4 communities to film interviews with pastors and community members, as well as other material needed for the video, 4 days of editing, and a day and a half of semi-vacation.

As part of the coordination team for this project (which included me, 2 Nicaraguans, and another international staff member), I had the privilege of witnessing interview after interview where pastors and their wives shared how their marriages and ministries had been transformed by the ministry of the Nehemiah Center. Mothers and fathers sincerely grateful for the community outreach programs churches had started as a result of the expansion of their worldview. Children being attended to in a wholistic way through well-thought out after school programs. Community leaders (including firemen and even a mayor!) expressing their support for these churches who had become their allies in meeting critical social needs. Couples describing the healing and restoration made possible by the ministry of the pastoral association coordinated by the Nehemiah Center.

The final product (burned to DVD at midnight last night), a video of just over 16 minutes, is a remarkable combination of these testimonies, which will be used in the future, not only to illustrate past ministry impact but also to encourage the future involvement of new pastors and churches in the Nehemiah Center’s programs.

Even though I am exhausted, it was an incredibly rewarding experience, not only hearing the community stories (those of you who get my newsletter will read some of them next week) but spending time with los muchachos, as Hultner and I affectionately nicknamed them (even Jeff was younger than us!). So many unforgettable experiences shared in such a short time…we worked, played, ate, rode public transportation, told stories, and talked sports, politics, faith, music, history, and culture until the wee hours of the morning in my living room (our editing home base). By last night, we were practically roommates (sorry about the shower, Jordan!). And while I am happy to have my ordinary life back, I was actually a little sad to see them go at 5:45am this morning when they headed to the airport.

A huge, public “Gracias” to Jordan, Emily, and Jeff! And, as we say in Nicaragua, “nos vemos!” (Until we see each other again…)