Nicaragua June 2010~Day 7

Today was our last day at Arms of Love. It was pretty crazy but not at the same time. Most of the team had things they wanted to do with the kids, things to accomplish but with no real way in doing it. We did our usual morning with the kids, getting up early, taking them to school and then coming back to eat breakfast. It was obvious when the conversation was non-existent that something was going on in our hearts. We all had things to process through. Some of us were angry we had to leave; others were feeling attacked by the enemy and didn’t know how to deal with the emotions. As the day progressed the tension grew more and a lot of us were starting to feel it big time! After lunch 8 members on our team went to Alfredo’s farm and got a tour of the amazing fruits that Nicaragua is home to. We got to drink fresh coconut milk and two of us (Hannah and Kevin) got to chop parts of the coconut away, which was really scary.

When the kids got home we took on the task of helping the all of them write sponsorship letters. While the older kids knew what they were doing, it was much harder to keep the focus of some of the younger kids who were longing to go outside and play or just trace their hands. We eventually finished with a majority of the cards done, as frustrating and as cute as it was, many of us we happy about it.

Before we went off to dinner a situation occurred that presented an opportunity for our team to pray for a child. As we stood in the little kids’ house, holding hands and praying, God did something amazing. Several of the little kids watched and soon assumed the position in the circle with us and were even led to pray for their sibling. What struck most of the team was the powerfulness of the kids’ prayers? It’s odd how we know God won’t leave a child’s prayer unanswered and how we long, just like children to see Him move. After a good half hour to forty-five minutes of prayer, we solemnly headed down to Casa Grande for our dinner and our good-bye party.

It was odd how our attitude and overall energy changed once the fiesta started. Many of us were still overwhelmed with the prayer circle, but once the kids arrived we had to set our feelings aside to be present and focused on the kids. The kids quickly broke the piñata, the candy scattered and little hands scoured the floors for it. After that we enjoyed some dances that the kids put together and listened to them sing. At one point Fernanda, a little girl had fallen asleep in Kaeli’s arms causing us to remember how much we will miss all the kids. We ended our party with final goodbyes and long hugs.

After that the group met for a devotional/ process time. Many of us were overwhelmed and some of us were shocked that things had changed so much in just hours. By the end of the night, many of us had faced the truth that we would be leaving Nicaragua on Friday, but that many of us would continue our love and friendships with the kids.