Mission trip to Nicaragua

Recently, when I was on a mission trip in Nicaragua, I was struck by how subdued all the little children were at each of my stops. I could certainly understand. After all, I would be intimidated if strangers walked into my village. But one would think you would still meet one or two outgoing kids. Not so in Nicaragua.

Then it struck me. These children – who were all so desperately poor – were in survival mode. They had no toys. They played no games. Their lives were centered around fetching water and food for their families.

I thought, “how sad it must be for them.” And then, God reminded me who was in charge. Because at that moment, I heard something I hadn’t heard so far in the trip – the sound of children laughing. 

In rural villages in Nicaragua, children like these often travel on horseback to fetch water from remote wells and streams. In rural villages in Nicaragua, children like these often travel on horseback to fetch water from remote wells and streams.

I turned and saw two little kids on horseback, traveling down the road, on their way to fetch water. But they were laughing and joking as they passed me. It was like God telling me that even though these kids may be hungry and needing clean water, he will make sure that children remain children.

-Chris M.