Then & Now

Wake up in my oversized, extra comfy Tempur-Pedic bed. Walk to my crammed closet filled with an abundance of clothes and shoes, and pick the outfit for today. I'm sure I could never wear them all in one year! Finish getting ready for the day ahead, soaking up the air conditioning, depending on the lights, while using my multi-hundred dollar cellular device for music. Walk down the stairs, and cook breakfast, with the free choice from everything in the refrigerator, freezer, panty, and cabinets. Once a decision is made, I have access to the stove, oven, toaster, blender, and microwave to prepare my meal. Make coffee, brush my teeth, not worrying if the water coming from the faucet is clean, and head out the door. Enter my very nice car, push the auto start button, and use features like a back up cam to help me be on my way. I travel on paved highway systems, with enforced rules of the road to keep me safe. Along the way I have the choice to adjust the temperature, entertain my ears with the music of my choice, and am capable to use my cellular device with calling, texting, and internet access features wherever I go. Once I reach my destination, typically school, work, or church, I can easily communicate with others. I don't worry if there will be a restroom facility, or incase of foul weather, if I will become drenched from the poor construction of my home or building. On an ordinary day the biggest problem I may face is what I am going to eat for lunch. In that case I am overwhelmed by a plethora of restaurants and possibilities. I don't worry about not having enough money to pay for my meals on the days I chose to eat out. Possibly not having enough cash, but in that case I use my handy dandy debit card. After the days activities, I return to my two story house. It's well built, very big, and quite cozy. I eat dinner prepared by my mother, possibly enjoy a T.V. show or movie, and if I'm still hungry, grab a snack. Before bed, I am refreshed by a nice, hot bath, brush my teeth once again, and perhaps use my MacBook laptop. Then, I find myself sung in my bed once again. Without a care or worry in my mind, I drift off to sleep.

That was then, and this is now. Wake up hot and sticky in my twin sized bunk bed. Choose from 8 T-shirts and 10 pair of shorts the days outfit. Decide from the plastic tub under my bed what I am going to eat for breakfast. Usually I go for the cereal in a cup or peanut butter on bread. Sometimes I'm spoiled by a fresh piece of fruit like an apple, banana, or mango. I fix coffee and enjoy some time with Jesus on the "front lawn." After quiet time, I hand wash my dirty dishes, brush my teeth, and I'm ready for whatever the day brings. Sometimes we run errands in the morning. It never fails, every time we go somewhere it's accompanied by some sort of Nica expirence. Perhaps the air conditioner in the car goes out, so I kick it until it works again, (thankfully we got this problem fixed, at least for a while.) maybe it's paying to get your windows washed at a stop light from a precious face with a water bottle filled with a little soap mixture and a squeegee, or even rerouting because there is wreck in the middle of the road. (Either I've never payed much attention, or Nicaragua has a LOT more wrecks!) Other mornings I stay at the project and clean or craft. Around 12 I am served lunch. It always includes rice, sometimes soup, others beans. I'm privileged to eat lunch with lots of smiling tan faces. I drink water from bottles, because the water is not safe to drink. After lunch, to the outside sink we go to wash our plates. The food we don't finish on our plates is put into a bucket, which is used to feed the chickens later. Then, from 1-5 I play the role of Miss. Cassidy. Here I help kids with homework, answer questions the best I can, and sometimes teach crafts or a Bible story. After class, I help the kids clean the project. Then I'm escorted to Tom's house. (The neighborhood isn't safe enough for the gringa to walk alone.) At Toms I steal WiFi for a while, and mingle with his family. (Mingle time is limited because at 6:00 the soap opera comes on. These Nicans take their soaps very seriously!) I also eat dinner here. Typically I buy dinner from a street vendor. Food is cooked on what seems to be half of a metal trashcan with some wood inside for a fire. My favorite meal in chicken from the grill, gallo pinto (a red bean and rice mixture), and a maduro (a ripe, fried plantain.) After dinner I usually wash all the dirty dishes and am walked back to the project. I shower under the cold water, shutting it off in between washes to save water. Before bed I lock the doors, all seven of the locks, and read Psalm 5: 11-12, and trust that no evil will come during the night. I drift off with those precious faces flashing through my mind.

I'm not complaining. I actually enjoy the simplicity of my life right now, as a matter of fact, I like it a lot. I find pleasure in living like most of the world instead of pretending everyone lives a luxurious lifestyle. It doesn't bother me that I don't know when I may not have power. I'm okay with skipping the putting on makeup part of my old routine, because I know I would just sweat it all off the second I put it on anyway. I think it's fun when it takes me an extra minute or two, sometimes five, to figure out what someone is trying to tell me. I like wearing the same clothes every week, because I realize most of our kids wear the same clothes two or three times a week. I'm humbled when I pull out the buckets on the floor to catch the water coming through the roof. I look forward to hand washing my plates after a meal. Mostly because I know it will end with a little water fight. I enjoy the beans and rice on my plate for almost every meal. I'm even trying really hard to be okay with all the little creatures I share my room with, from mosquitos and lizards, to mice and rats.

My challenge to you, delight in simplistity. Try to go without one thing from your normal routine, just once. Instead of being mad when your order gets messed up, just smile. Remember lots of people are hungry without food. Or when your stuck at a long red light, keep your peace and be thankful. You could be riding a 50 passenger bus that's crammed with about 75, or catching a taxi. You could even be riding a horse, or imagine walking. These are all common forms of transportation here.

Instead of being caught up in the complexity of first world life, try to simplify it. You may really enjoy it. It might even change your outlook on life forever, I know it has for me.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing." Philippians 2:14