Horses at night

Before returning home at last night, we wanted to buy beans and rice.  So, we stopped at a little hut that sold just what we needed. Smoke poured out of the roof, and a woman laughed inside, a typical scene in Nicaragua.  There in front of the hut, surrounded by barbwire, were three children playing.  The little boy was just learning to walk.  The little girls called out to him, encouraging him to come to them.  He took one shaky step forward, then another, carefully making his way over the dirt.  When he finally reached them, they cheered loudly and he disappeared into their hugs.

It was a little reminder that we are all the same, regardless of where we grew up, or what language we speak, or the culture that we live in.  The scene that I watched could have played out anywhere in the world.  We are all children of God.  He is excited to watch us take our steps forward.  He encourages us, beckons us on, and desires more than anything for us to fall into His embrace.

The flooding has gotten so bad at camp, that we can no longer drive even a truck down the road.  We have to park the truck and then continue in on horseback.  Last night I climbed onto the saddle and started down the road.  As I left the light of the last house, a new world opened up before me.  I heard crickets and frogs singing into the night.  As my eyes adjusted, the skies revealed splendor that I have never seen.  The entire milky way shimmered brightly.  Stars seemed to pulse and grow larger.  More dots than I could have ever imagined illuminated the way home.  I looked down from the sky and saw thousands of fireflies dancing and twinkling.  I was in a fairy forest.  I was so completely taken by my surroundings that I forgot all about the snakes, the feces, the nasty that was in the flooded water.  It was a moment of magic, that I'm sure was prepared in advance for me to enjoy.

Both of these encounters from the night reminded me to slow down and take time to enjoy Nicaragua.  To be satisfied where I am and not to be frustrated when things don't go as planed.