Health and nutrition in Nicaragua

The Rainbow Network works in Nicaragua in five areas: Health, nutrition, education, housing and micro lending.  Today a bit about health and nutrition.

The two main health problems that the people face are digestive issues from parasites and respiratory distress due to living in a dirt home with an open fire always burning.  The rainbow network provides indigenous doctors that meet with the people and help them as they can.  There is a dental clinic in the town of San Ramon about 45 minutes away.  Medicines are

             [children of Los Pinos]
provided but are difficult to come by.  The people have limited access to the doctor and dental facilities and no access to specialists.  The doctors and dentists have no continuing education and so any time medical people from the states go down to help, it is not only good for the people that get seen, it is good for the local doctors to be able to learn new things.

Nutrition is an issue.  The people are very poor and have access to a limited amount and variety of foods.  The government and the Rainbow network provide basic meals to children, pregnant women, nursing women, the sick               [doctor explaining to us the health issues]
and the elderly.

Our potential participation with this ministry can help in many ways.  Types and amounts of food can be increased.  Medical teams can help the people.  Relationships can be built and communications established that will allow us to do our best to care for needs as they articulate them.

If you have three meals a day and access to medical care, you are truly among the world's most blessed.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Nicaragua 2

The group that is running the ministry in Nicaragua is called the Rainbow Network.  They have been around for about 20 years. 

[boy picking up chicken feed from the dirt floor]



They have divided Nicaragua up into seven regions.  They are working in about 20 villages in each region.  They are headquartered in Springfield, Mo and their representative, Matthew E is willing to come up and talk to us at any time.

Rainbow network works with villages in Five ways: health, nutrition, Micro Lending, education and housing.  On the trip we visited Los Pinos, that needs a sponsor, and a village



[our interpreter - pictures of Jesus on the wall of a home in Los Pinos]



that has had a sponsor for ten years.  The difference between the two villages is quite astounding.

The people of Los Pinos are strong in their faith.  All of the people that we met on the trip were either Catholic or some version of protestant/pentecostal.  Their faith and their church means so much to them, partly because they have little else.  No mall, no cars, no vacations, no movies, no restaurants, just the good Lord and the church.  In some of the

[one of local churches]



homes the people would put up little pictures of Jesus.

We will be talking about this village in church on Sunday.  Please be praying about the opportunity to help these folks.  Let us be thankful for all of the blessings that we have received from our Heavenly Father.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Nicaragua 1

Last week, I went for a short visit to Nicaragua with Gina H and Sherri H.  Also joining us was Jeff from the conference office.  The purpose of the trip was to look at a village that our church might adopt.

The flight was about 2:15 to Atlanta and then about 3:15 to Managua.  The drive to the village took a couple of hours.  Very back woods.  Very dirt roads - rough dirt roads.  The name of the village is Los Pinos - "The Pines."


There we met beautiful people who are living in some very very poor conditions.  We will be talking about this on Sunday.  Please be praying about our congregations, and your response to the opportunity to sponsor this community.

May we be thankful every day for the blessings that God gives us.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

indiscriminate

Indiscriminate. love is indiscriminate. It is not given to some and withheld from others.  True love goes out to all.  As the lamp provides light to all, true love is indiscriminate.  As the scent of the rose is available to all, so love is blind.  The tree provides shade to the good and the evil, love is available to all.

When we are acting in love, the kindness goes out to all.  We love the friend and the foe. The home team and the rival. We love those who like us and those who hate us.  True love goes out to all.  Don't be bothered by anyone.  Don't be disturbed by anyone who is mean. Keep loving.  Keep caring.  Let the shade fall on them, the scent of the rose find them.  Let the light of your love go out to all.

Love cannot be contained.  It wants to come out of us.  It wants to forgive.  It wants to heal.  Don't be overcome by your hurts, find the love in your heart and give it out again.  Give it back again.  And again.  To the new person in the office, to the old curmudgeon, to the friend, to the surly, to the rich to the poor.  When we learn to love like God loves, everyone is the recipient.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.

in His steps

Several noticed on the Holy Land trip that I wear a pedometer.  This is not a requirement, but is highly suggested by the health arm of the United Methodist Church.

Friends in the Holy Land knew we were walking a lot.  They asked me how many steps I usually take and how many I was taking on this trip.

Now that I am home and have a chance to add it up, here is the answer to the question of how many steps.
Average steps while in the states is about 7,000.  Average steps in the Holy Land was 15,000.  So we did a great deal of walking in God's country.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

pain

There is something that I have noticed about pain.  You tend to get used to it.  Or, should I say, you can get used to it if you want to.

We can fight every pain that comes along and make ourselves miserable, or we can learn to relax and make friends with the pain.  This is true of most body pain and heart pain.  By heart pain I don't mean a heart attack, I mean a general sense of sadness.  Heart pain.

Consider this story........The first time I twisted my ankle, it hurt and I thought I would not live.  I complained to my mother.  I limped for a week.  The second time I twisted it, it hurt and I limped for a few days, I still complained to my mother.  The third time, I limped for a day and did not tell my mother.  Now I am old.  I still twist that same ankle.  I try not to limp.  I don't want the attention.  Most people would never know.

My kid twisted their ankle the other day.  They are complaining and limping.  That is ok, they will learn.  In time, you can make friends with all kinds of pain.  Body pain and heart pain.  You can fight it and make every moment a misery, or you can look past the clouds and see the sky.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

the Good Samaritan

We have read the story of the Good Samaritan many times.  Today I invite you to read it again.

 

Jeff, today I saw something I never have seen before. I saw a homeless girl at McDonalds. Yes I know we see the homeless everyday. We always see people begging for money or looking for something. Generally I do not acknowledge them. But today I saw more than I ever care to see again. She was wearing a ragged pair of basketball shorts, tennis shoes that looked like they had come out of the trash, an old AC/DC concert tee shirt that was in just awful shape. She wasn't even wearing under garments. She had lost all of her teeth from who knows doing what, but she tried to have some sense of dignity. She tried to just blend in with the rest is society but yet she stood out. She sat outside doing the best she could to eat a hamburger and fries, you could tell she was going through some sort of withdrawals by her body action. But yet, my Lord and Savior moved me to do something. It was nothing that I would truly think of as anything other than a gesture. So I bought her a gift card so she could eat another day. But yet all I did was try to make life for somebody a little easier for a day. For whatever reason....it tore me up. Generally I have my emotions in check but yet I am having problems containing myself.

I Guess I could not stand by and do nothing.

 

This was sent to me by one of you.  I am glad that you folks cannot stand by and do nothing.  In the original story of the Good Samaritan, the religious folks pass by and do not help.  Thanks for being different.

 

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

a good laugh

Last Saturday I stopped at Lowes for a couple things.  I sat there for a while in the car and read a text on my phone.  Then I went into Lowes.

After my purchase, I am walking toward the car.  I start reaching in my pocket for the keys.  This pocket, that pocket, opps... I don't have the keys.  Maybe I left them in the car.

I get to the car and open the door.  Yes the keys are there, in the ignition, and the car is still running.  Running the entire time I was in Lowes.
Bahaha.... what is happening to me?  It is always good to be able to laugh at yourself.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

abandonment

For some reason I have been thinking lately about the concept of abandonment.  It is probably one of the most painful things that a human can experience.  To be abandoned by a friend.  To be left to die on the battle field.  A spouse leaves.  Parents give up on children.  Ouch, on so many levels.

I think that many humans live with a fear of abandonment.  If you smell any of this in your heart, you have to know that it is a very painful fear to live with.

Thank God for friends that stick with us.  Thank God for God who has said in Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Jodi Arias

You may be following the Jodi Arias trial.  She is the one that lied about, then admitted to killing her boyfriend.

It drives me nuts to think that we are spending millions to put this person on trial.  That there is all of this "evidence" being presented to try and get her off.  How many times did she stab him and then shoot him in the head?

When I was a kid it wasn't like this.  The bad guys admitted their guilt and went to jail.  Also, no one got off because of a tiny spec of reasonable doubt.  Cases like OJ and Casey Anthony make me wonder if this gal is going to get off as well.

I know that there is a lot of gray area in life, but sometimes I think that there should be a little bit more black and white.  Thou shall not kill.  Period.  You can break up with someone or divorce someone without killing them. 

Now, how do I take you from these thoughts to "it's a beautiful day?"

Look at the people around you.  The ones that you like, and the ones that you don't like.  They are all good people, dearly loved by God.  Let's be among those who love, not those who hate.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

to agree

To agree

GK Chesterton would disarm his opponents by agreeing with them when they attacked him personally.

So, to the ones who have said, Jeff you sometimes make very bad decisions, Jeff you sometimes misbehave, Jeff you sometimes are not there for me, Jeff you sometimes are hard to understand, Jeff you sometimes lead us down painful paths, Jeff you don’t pay enough attention to me, Jeff you take afternoon naps, Jeff you have been married before, Jeff you have made a number of painful blunders over the years, Jeff you don’t preach enough Bible, Jeff you are not conservative enough, Jeff you are not accessible, Jeff you did not come to see me in the hospital……….

And I am sure there is more, but just let me say.  You are right.  I am all of those things.  Everything that you have said is true.  But let me also say, that I am working very hard at being a good human being, a good pastor and a faithful Christian.  I do fall short in many ways, but please be assured that I am pursuing the path persistently.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.

music that others listen to

Music that others listen to

Fiona Apple.  Fun.  These are two groups that I have recently learned about from other people.  If you want to learn about folks, find out what they listen to.  Find out what they love.  When you listen to someone else’s music you delve into their soul.  Do you want to get closer to someone?  Find out what they listen to.  Your kids, your spouse, your friends.  Ask them what music they like and then check it out.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.

laughing

Laughing

 

Did you hear about the pony that couldn't talk?  He was a little hoarse.

I know a lot of jokes.  Lots of people don’t like my jokes, but I like my jokes.  I have collected them over a lifetime and I love to tell them.  Just ask me to tell you one.  I used to keep categories.  Bird jokes.  Dog jokes.  Wife jokes.  Jokes about worms.  Politically incorrect jokes.  Dentist jokes.  On and on they go. 

One of the great things about meeting new people is that you suddenly have a new audience for your jokes.  New people to tell your same old stories to.  And when no one else is there, you can just think of your jokes and chuckle. I love to laugh at my own jokes.  Someone else may not understand the joke, or like the joke.  I can still enjoy it, and I always do.

I hope that you have some jokes.  Really all you need is one.  Just keep telling it, over and over.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.

faith

Faith

I was reading some G.K. Chesterton the other day, and I think that most of these ideas came from him......

Someone suggested that I write more about faith.  Issues of faith and the Christan faith.  Well, isn’t all of life about the faith?  Isn’t every moment of encounter, every moment of question, every moment of love about our faith? 

I would encourage the readers to cease from separating faith and life.  They are one in the same.  They are inseparable.  We are all living out our faith every day.  The larger question is, “what do we believe in.” And hence I have many questions and thoughts about God, life and love.  It appears to me that all of these thoughts are about life, so all of these thoughts are about faith.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.

a dear friend

On my heart

This is an odd post, but I am feeling it today so I am just going to do it.  I love Dan Horn.  That’s it.   That’s all.  I am so blessed to know this guy.  I remember the first time that we had lunch together.  He can be hard to get to know, but when you do, this is a guy that runs deep.  I often think of friends, neighbors and church members.  Today I am thinking about Dan.  He is great.  If you don’t know him, you are missing out on a treasure.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.

work

Brains and work

I learned a long time ago that I am average.  Average height, average weight, average IQ, average test scores.  But my Dad pounded something very important into me, the willingness and the ability to work.  Over the years I have learned that average people can do well by working hard, and very smart people will fail if they do not work.

So here come my kids.  Not exceptional test scores, but long on personality and drive.  Long on work ethic.  When we can teach someone to work, to get after it every day, we create people that change the world.

Never chastise yourself because you are average.  The world is full of very average, yet successful people who just learned to work hard.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.

funny people

Funny people

Do you love funny people?  I love funny people.  I am not talking comedians, although some of the funny people that I know could have made it as comedians, I am talking about funny people.

People who have a personality.  It pops out and they let you see them.  They are alive.  They are ornery.  They are great.  I think of them and I smile.  I love ornery, funny people.  The dryer the sense of humor the better to me.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.

New Friends

Making new friends

Oh the joy of new friends.  Whether you find them by luck or if you are stuck with them on a long trip.  It is a great joy to get to know people better and make new friends.  I have made some new friends recently.

If a man would have friends, he must show himself to be friendly.

It’s a beautiful day in God’s world, be sure to see the good.

a little more info

Someone posted this comment on a post a few weeks back..........

Such an interesting thought. This is not asking you to share your own particular behaviors that come off as an insult to life. But what kinds of things could any of us be doing that would be insulting to life. Are we insulting the gift of life?

So is it worry, or failure to appreciated the simple things of life, or is it not taking care of our bodies, or is it not guarding our thoughts? Is it getting stuck in routine and not breaking out?

Would love to hear you elaborate on this just a bit

So, to elaborate a bit....... I guess what I was thinking with the original post is that life is an enormous gift.  That every day, every moment is so special.  Some of the things that we do are harmful to life, insulting to life.  Each item mentioned by the comment I would agree are insulting to the gift of life.  Here are some other things.......

Polluting the air, killing each other, killing animals, abusing children, abusing anyone, drinking too much, driving in a hateful manner, disrespecting parents, not paying attention to the beauty of the sky or not smelling the roses.

Maybe if we personified life itself, we would live in a manner that was more kind.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Easter, pt 2

Is it a sin to be glad that Easter is over?  Thank you choir, staff, HT team members and everyone who volunteered.  It was a great day, as near as I could tell.  Attendance was about the same as last year, we are still working on the numbers. 

One of the things that I notice on Easter are the people who have recently had a loss.  Someone is sitting alone, his wife died last year.  Someone lost a child.  Someone lost a job, lost a house, lost a love.

Unto these particularly, the resurrection screams out a message of hope.  He is risen!!  Death is not the end.  God will wipe away every tear. 

Easter is more than family time.  Be sure to take time to encourage those who are hurting.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.