Light and Salt Ministries (LASM) has a few programs to help meet the needs of the community. One is the boys formation school (see previous blog), one is a sewing program for abandoned and single women, and the last is Mercy In Action, which feeds the elderly. In addition to helping with the formation school, last week I also had the privilege to be a part of Mercy In Action.
Unlike the US, in Nicaragua if you can‘t bring in money to help the family they don’t think you should get to eat from the families money. Mercy in Action came from a need in the community where the elderly who cannot work anymore are still able to eat. Typically once a week, but with COVID it’s been every two weeks, food is brought to the elderly in the community. We carried pounds of beans, rice, and oil to different people and got to pray over them and encourage them. It was so eye opening.
The first house we went to, the man who we brought food to lived out behind the house in a shack that was falling down and wasn’t bigger than a port a potty. It was hard to see. The man struggled to come out to get the bags of food. I was shocked at how he was being treated. He cried and talked about how hard things were and my heart broke for him. I prayed for him, but wasn’t sure how else I could encourage him. As we left the house, I was completely silent. How can people let their parents live that way? How am I supposed to process what I saw as we continue to go love on others like this? What else can I do to help? I wish I had answers for the questions, but I don’t. What I do know is while we were there I got to love on people who had been forgotten. I got to tell them Jesus saw them and pray for them, but it doesn’t seem like enough.
I came on the Race expecting to help others, but it isn’t looking like I thought it would. I’m realizing why we partner with long term missions, to come along side those who live the day to day and help support the efforts they are already doing. People need to know they are cared for and need to hear the gospel.
I am so glad you got to pray with that man. It can be hard when we see things that seem unjust and unkind. But that man will remember y’all and he will remember the kindness and love y’all showed to him! I am so proud of you for going out there and showing people all over the world God’s love. Keep up the good work! I love you! ??
Shelby, I’ve been dealt some very challenging serious of events lately and seeing your blog post tonight has certainly lifted my spirits. I’m so glad God is giving you the opportunity to be a light in someone’s darkness no matter where you are. Keep up the incredible work you’re doing!
It was heartbreaking to hear of that man’s situation, I can only imagine how deeply you were impacted by it! However, God has given us the power to pray for His Holy spirit to rain down on those we ask Luke 11:13
King James Version
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? — The most powerful, helpful thing we can do is pray for God’s spirit to rain down on him and his family. Ultimately, that is what will change the hearts of people.