The last few days have been deeply demanding. Not particularly physically demanding (although it was nearly 100 degrees every day and this northerner hates the heat) but certainly emotionally and spiritually. I have been in Managua, Nicaragua the last few days with a team of other speakers and artists from around North America that have a ministry partnership with Compassion.

Like you may be able to imagine, seeing children in poverty — the state of being without — is overwhelmingly wearing on your heart, mind and soul. Some of these children are without hope, some without love, some without food, some without shoes and clothing, some without Jesus, some without a place to call home and the list could go on… It is wearing on me. It is killing these kids—literally.

I am still intensely reflecting on my experience and I am still to close to it to collect my thoughts enough to post about what I am currently wondering around. I can say this much though; seeing children in poverty pushes me to consider who I am, what I have, what I do and what to do.

One of many highlights was the opportunity I had to meet one of the children that my family sponsors. His name is Eliezer. He is 6 years old and lives with his mother and father and his little brother Michael. Eliezer’s father is a baker. He makes about $30 USD a month and their rent is about $27 a month. You do the math… there isn’t much left over.

I visited Eliezer’s home. His home is not much bigger than my college dorm room was, has one small bed, a dirt floor that the boys sleep on and a tin roof in need of repair. I was thrilled to have the chance to spend about 30 minutes with him. I don’t speak Spanish so it was a bit awkward at first but fortunately Compassion supplied a translator. I loved on Eliezer, gave him some gifts and then prayed for he and his family. It was an experience I will cherish forever. It is hard to describe what I am feeling having said “adios” to him.

Do me a favor? Stop what you are doing right now and pray that Eliezer’s father would get more work. If he can get more hours at the bakery he would be able to fix the roof, build some beds, etc. for his family. Thanks for praying. More to come on my experience in Nicaragua.

Often I will arrive at my office in the morning and take a few minutes to start my day by reading an excerpt from one of the authors who I happen to keep on the shelf above my desk… (St. John of the Cross, Williard, Foster, Nouwen, De Sales, Matthewes-Green, etc.)

I have found that this rhythm engages my mind and quite frequently my heart as well. I have found that just taking 10 minutes provides me with a thought, idea or prayer to reflect on throughout the day.

Today I selected a book entitled, The Hungering Dark by Frederick Buechner. Buechner, a Presbyterian minister and the author of more than 30 titles, is a very well respected writer. Perhaps you have heard of him?

The Hungering Dark was given to me by my close friend Mark Patrick a few years ago. It moved me when I read it then — and it moved me when I read an excerpt today. Here is part of a prayer that I was re-introduced to this morning… (page 33)

“…Be present especially with the young who must choose between many voices, Help them to know how much an old world needs their youth and gladness. Help them to know that there are words of truth and healing that will never be spoken unless they speak them, and deeds of compassion and courage that will never be done unless they do them. Help them never to mistake success for victory or failure for defeat. Grant that they may never be entirely content with whatever bounty the world my bestow upon them, but that they may know at last that they were created not for happiness but for joy, and that joy is to him alone who, sometimes with tears in his eyes, commits himself in love to thee and his brothers. Lead them and all thy world ever deeper into the knowledge that finally all men are one and that there can never really be joy for any until there is joy for all. In Christ’s name we ask it and for his sake. Amen.”