Looking for a Location
We had a wonderful, blessed week. Oh so blessed! As people have asked me where we will be, I have told them that we have seen many excellent opportunities to help, but I didn't yet have the Lord's benediction on the location. I do now. Let me tell you a bit about it....
As we traveled east toward Miskito Indian territory, we were surprised to find a long stretch of beautiful country. It's mostly light jungle terrain, which is, to my eyes at least, very pretty. As we traveled, we saw that there were many poor people for a long way. It was clear that these people met the demographics of where we needed to be. We talked about whether we needed to continue into Miskito territory and decided that the time would be best spent turning back and talking to the people.
Kari saw a school. She asked whether Anna and I would like her to talk to the principal. I had intended to talk to common people, but since Kari offered, Anna and I both agreed that it would be good for Kari to talk to the principal. As Kari talked to the principal, the principal offered to call the Director of Education for the public schools. The Director came about an hour later. That man, whose name is Walter, has a very responsible position. He is responsible for the public education for 6,600 students.
I talked with Walter (he is Nicaraguan, but he speaks English). He explained that Nicaragua is a socialist country and that schools cannot promote religion. Kari and I explained that we understood that, and that we agreed that public schools should not indoctrinate students into a religion.
But then this child of God surprised us. He said something like this:
"I have told you that I cannot allow you to promote Christianity, but....
"I am Walter."
Neither Kari nor Anna nor I knew what he meant. He went on....
"I too am Christian.
"I too love God.
"We need what you want to do.
"Nicaragua needs such a school."
As we talked further with us, he shared that he prays every day. And he loves God from the bottom of his heart.
He also told us that his girlfriend was sick and in the hospital. We asked if we could pray for her. After the prayer, Walter rubbed his eyes with a handkerchief. He offered to help us. Now, here comes an amazing thing: The Director of Education for the Muy Muy district for the socialist government of Nicaragua offered himself to write the letter for us to the higher government officials in order for us to gain approval for our school. If approved, we will have the only, the one and only Christian school in the Muy Muy district of schools, which includes 71 public schools.
Is that not important? If this is approved, should we not move forward with deliberate but speedy obedience to this opening from the Lord?
It's too early to know whether the application will be approved, but surely the Lord who opened the waters of the Red Sea has sent His angel before us again, as He did in the Congo.
