Here I stand, a foreigner in the midst of a joyous throng of
Nicaraguans. Hands raised high, my
neighbors sway and dance, much like an anemone under water (though less
tranquil I suppose). They sing praises
to the One above, thanking Him for life, love and hope. I join in song, my tongue stumbling on the Spanish
words that are on the projector screen.
I clap and I sway just like my neighbors, but I know that in reality I
stick out like a sore thumb.
My eyes become momentarily distracted by the elderly man
sitting next to me: skin dark and leathery with age and sun exposure, his eyes
closed in prayer, his mouth moving in song, his hands raised high to feel the
Spirit in this place. He does not notice
me, a stranger, sitting next to him. He
is completely absorbed in the moment, worshipping the God he loves. Inspired, I decide to join him.
In this moment, I feel peace. I don’t feel awkward that I am an outsider; I
don’t feel weird that this is definitely not
my style of worship; I don’t feel unwelcome in the slightest. In this moment, I know that this is where I
need to be.
The church I had this experience at is my host family’s
church, Rosa de Sarón. It’s a large
church with a few hundred members, and is located right next to one of the
biggest outdoor markets here in León. To
put it simply, it’s a bustling center of energy and movement, both inside the
church and outside. For the next while,
I’ve decided that this is the church God wants me to be at. The 3 hour long services seem daunting, as
does the heat, but when I feel that sense of belonging I’ve learned not to
question it :)
I have to say, I still feel like a traveler in a foreign
land. But, each and every day I feel
myself growing used to my surroundings. I’m
no longer startled by strange sights, like 3 people on a motorcycle. I am no longer taken aback by strange noises
and smells, like fireworks and outdoor markets (which are smelly, let me tell
you). I am no longer unnerved by strange
places, like my room, my home, my neighborhood, my city. Nicaragua is growing on me, folks. And what a strange feeling that is! To know that I am on this journey of living a
new life here, waiting patiently until the day where everything seems
familiar. My journey from foreign to familiar
is a long and sometimes strange one, filled with many curves and hills and
sudden detours. But, I know that if I
stay on this path, I will eventually reach my destination: belonging. So, lace up your boots! There’s a long walk ahead of us :)
This week, the Dordt students arrive for their semester
abroad here in Nicaragua. To say the
least, I am excited! This is what I’ve
been preparing for these past 2 months and I find myself giddy with
anticipation and worried with last minute details. These next two weeks or so are going to feel
like a never ending marathon, running from one obstacle to the next.
Please pray for safe travels for the students
as well as for endurance, patience, and joy for all of us during these exciting
moments of change and newness.
Stay tuned!
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