Perfect in Weakness

Today I am reminded of 2 Cor 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."  I had planned on conducting health interviews with families in the village of El Chonco with the other healthcare interns today, but I had to stay home and rest because I've been sick the past couple of days (congestion/ear ache kind of sick).  It's frustrating because I feel totally useless at the house by myself and I don't want to be sick.  But I know that God has a plan and that even in the midst of my weakness He will be glorified.  I slept for most of the morning, but I have gotten a chance to work on some "charlas" or health lessons, that we can use in the future.  I am at least thankful that I have a chance to get better before the summer really gets going. 

On Sunday I faced my nemesis, Cerro Negro for the second time.  Cerro Negro is one of the most active volcanos in Nicaragua. It last erupted in 1999 but it is seismically monitored so in theory there would be warning before it erupts again.  There are basically three options for climbing it: hard, harder, and hardest. Two years ago I climbed the harder way but since I'll have 12 opportunities to master it this summer, I took the "scenic" route this week, which was less difficult, but equally rewarding.

Yesterday I think I discovered which Nicaraguan kid I'll be adopting and bringing back with me...I wish.  While we were working on a retention wall for the new water system in El Chonco, one of the boys that was working with us who was probably about 10 years old, ran up to me and started making armpit fart noises! I'm pretty sure he and I thought it was equally hysterical.  It's funny which things are universally entertaining haha.

When we came back from working in El Chonco, Casa Blanca had lost power which meant our well didn't work, meaning we couldn't flush toilets, wash our hands, clean dishes, or have drinking water.  Fortunately the electricity came back on after dinner, but it was powerful to consider exactly what life without clean water is like, which is a daily reality for the "Chonconians."  It reminded me of the Campus House sermon Brandon gave this semester about the difference between sympathy and empathy.

I can share a few more details about what I think my summer will look like now that I have been here a couple of days.  On Mondays I am going to be with the mission groups that come down as a go-to person for nursing knowledge.  On Tuesdays I am going to work in a local clinic called Fe y Alegria. In a couple of weeks I'm going to start working the Wednesday night shift at the maternity hospital in Chinandega.  During the day on Wednesdays I will be volunteering at the handicap orphanage in town.  Thursday is my day to rest/work in the Amigos office (on charlas, etc).  Friday morning the other health interns and I are going to set up a "Curacion" clinic in different villages for treating minor things.  Those are the plans at least but as always our plans are subject to change.  Regardless, I am really excited to see what's in store and I know I am going to grow in so many ways.