Transforming Lives -> The Gospel

There can be no question, after reading Matthew 25, of how Jesus Christ expects us to live our lives. There can be no question about the importance that he puts on serving others with physical needs. Yet, to take care of the physical without attending to the spiritual would be a waste from both spiritual and social perspectives.

Most non-government organizations (NGOs) will feed or clothe or even give houses to the extremely poor, but they won't work with these families in community development; the historic lack of success cautions against it.

To keep 10 families engaged and constantly evolving over five years requires a huge carrot at the end of the stick. A house and land are substantial rewards, but when you consider that the families give up a significant amount of their freedom and agree to do what the project requires, and not do what the project forbids, the families have to stop and think sometimes as to whether it's worth it. This is a see-saw struggle that begins on Day 1 and lasts for years.

There comes a time when most of the families figure out that it's not what you have that is important, but who you are. You could make this argument from a psycho-social perspective, but from our experience, it wouldn't be a strong enough force to keep the people engaged. It's only when the argument is interpreted through the Gospel that people find it compelling.

Project Chacocente operates from a Christian perspective. [Although "Christian" in Nicaragua refers only to Evangelicals/Protestants, we teach an ecumenical interpretation that includes Catholics.] Unlike our other activities which are mandatory, all faith-based meetings, classes and field trips are voluntary. Yet, from the first day, our attendence has been high.

From the beginning, we have expressed ourselves spiritually by praying before sowing the fields, and holding thanksgiving services for our harvests. We begin every week with a devotional that interprets a Biblical story from the "campesino" perspective. ("Campesino" is a positive reference to someone who lives in the country, usually involved in agriculture; it is most often interpreted as a "peasant.") We also hold regular Bible studies and worship services.

In 2005 and 2007, we sent a total of seven members of our community to the Walk to Emmaus in Costa Rica.* We plan to send as many as six more people to Emmaus in January 2009, when it will be held in Nicaragua for the first time. The spiritual light that the Walk ignites is a major ingredient in the success of Chacocente.

Finally, it's important that the families learn to give as well as receive. Therefore, we have begun involving some of our residents in the prison visitation program sponsored by NPMI**. We have found that the opportunity to give of themselves significantly boosts their self-esteem and brings them closer to Christ.
* (www.upperroom.org/emmaus)
** We thank the Nicaraguan Prison Ministry, Inc. (NPMI), of Lexington, KY, which financed one of our Emmaus walkers. (www.npmi.org)