chains and tires

Chains may break
and tires may blow,
but the Lord will not leave you
by the side of the road.

That's what Jim Sikkema told me over breakfast one morning while I was home for Christmas. While a lot of what we said had stuck with me, I had sort of forgotten this phrase until he reminded me about a week ago by email. Looking back, it couldn't have come at a more relevant time! One of the things that impressed me most throughout the Sea-to-Sea trip (and it also impressed others a great deal, too) was the constant provision and protection of the Lord. In fact, chains did break; tires did blow. But the Lord never left one of us by the side of the road. I had a tire blow. Many others had chains and tires blow. Some fell off bridges while others went tumbling after a high speed collisions with dogs. But through it all, we saw the mighty hand of God upholding us, providing and protecting in a vast array of different ways.

Not only did He not leave us by the side of the road, He blessed the us richly throughout the event. Here is one slideshow and another is here of some photos from the trip as taken by April. By the way, if you're interested in hearing some more stories of the trip, take some time to browse the Sea-to-Sea website. We've set up a new page called "Reflections" where riders and participants are sending in their answers to some reflection questions. You'll also find some post-trip updates on the blog page. The rider's page also has some links to personal blogs of participants with extended reflections and photos. Some of them have fun photos of me on them!

Since the ride has ended, I've been cought in a whirlwind. I got thrown back into a video project for Hand in Hand Ministries. Some filming and a lot of editing have to be done during the next week. The video will be aimed at drumming up local support for the ministry, hopefully encouraging Nicaraguans to take responsibility for the challenges facing the poor in their own country. I'm working on the project with two Nicaraguans who recieved training in videography through the Nehemiah Center. I've also been thrown back into the computer/networking world at the Nehemiah Center...and it's been keeping me busy. Our main printer/copier died this week, and while trying to sort out a temporary printing situation, two more desktop computers mysteriously died. Frustrating! It's a good thing I know about chains and tires. :)

In the midst of my busy schedule I also pulled the Systems Team together for another much needed meeting this week. We made some important decisions. I'll be presenting and introduction to open source software, OpenOffice, and Ubuntu to the Nehemiah Center staff a week from Monday, talking about its benefits and why it's a good idea of us to make use of these things instead of Microsoft software. Then next month I'll do a similar presentation to the steering committee. Also very soon I'll be starting some more in-depth trainings on specific software including OpenOffice and Scribus. Pretty exciting for me to see these things coming together. Also makes me a little nervous.

Answer to prayer! Lennin and I found another place to live. If you'll recall, we were told that we have to move out of the "apartment" that we're in now. After looking at a dozen places, we finally found one we're comfortable with. It will cost a little more, and will be slightly more out of the way, but nonetheless it was a blessing to find such a nice place so quickly. We're moving in on Monday. I'll post some pictures of the new place.

And of course, my shoulder. I'm seeing clear progress in the regaining my range of motion and strength on my right shoulder. The would is healing nicely with no signs of infection. The doctor was really pleased with how well I was doing when I saw him early this week. He called another doctor in to show him all that I could do just three weeks after surgery. Then he sent me down to set up my first PT appointment, which is set for Tuesday.

This afternoon I'll be going to get the keys to the new place and then I'll have lunch with Breyling and Mauro, the two Nicaraguan boys that I've commited to spending time with. Should be a fun afternoon!

Sorry, no time for photos today! They're coming soon!

Prayer Items

-Praise God for continued recuperation in my shoulder, and please continue to pray that there are no complications, and that healing continues!
-Pray for Breyling and Mauro as they're at the beginning edge of another school year. They face many challenges. Pray that I can be a meaningful part of their lives.
-Praise God for providing a place to live.
-Pray for focus in my work, and the wisdom to balance so many things.

continued progress

Good Sunday afternoon. It's been a beautiful day. Not too hot. Nice breeze. Good lunch with good friends.

It's not hard to feel blessed when things seem to be going your way. Despite the tiny little accident a 14 days ago and the subsequent little surgery I'm doing awesome.

I believe the last post I wrote before I even reconnected with the C2C group. On the third day after my surgery I did end up making my way the four hours by car to see the cyclists for the firs time since they had set out from the Carribean coast 5 days earlier. We arrived in Matiguas just in time to greet the first group after their most physically grueling day of the event. They were exhausted. Even though I had been absent the first half of the trip, they encouraged me saying that it was almost as if I had been there. They thought of me and mentioned me often and were glad I could finally be joining them. That was neat to hear. Being with them also brought before me all the fun and joy and challenges that I missed out on...and now also facing my limitations (rather than sitting around at home) I did feel some frustration in being an invilid. But more than anything, it was good to be with them and helping out however I could. I was able to be an interpreter and helped with some logistical things. Check out the website that we have been updating to see some pictures of the trip and also read some of the moving stories from the ride (see the older blog entries). I'll let you know when there are more pictures there, too. They're coming soon. Also some video.

Actually, I should mention that I made national TV in Nicaragua for the first time... actually, probably the fist time since little league that I've been on TV. I had about 10 seconds, talking about my injury. I tried to convince them they didn't want to interview me, but after seeing my sling they went as far as sending somone to find me where I was hiding around the corner. :) I'm going to try to post the video as soon as I get it. Don't worry, I'll put some captions on it. We were covered by another channel the next day, and it was a great report aside from some humorous clip selections...which made it fun. I'll try to post both!

I visited the doctor this past week for the second time since the surgery. Gave me some more excercises to do, including moving my elbow out and up to almost 90 degrees and forward and back 45 degrees. I'll start physical therapy in the next two weeks I think, but doctor said the movements are basic enough at this point that I'll just do them at home for now. Below are a few pictures of the wound. It is incredible to me how fast it has healed. Thankfully there was no sign of infection when they took off the yellow sticker from the last post. And there has been relatively no pain--just some discomfort here and there--aside from one day when I felt a sharp and piercing pain in my ribs. For a few days I thought I was dealing with some broken ribs, hurting for the first time because my first round of pain meds had ended. But, I haven't had that pain now for many days. I've also been without the sling now for several days, too. So there is much to be thankful for.

From Surgery

From Surgery

From Surgery

And here's my favorite new background picture taken just before I left Michigan again. I miss that guy on the right.



Thank you to those of you who have been praying for my health and healing. The Lord has really made this easy for me. If you would like to help me get back on track financially or help me lay some tracks for the future so I can continue to serve the Lord in Nicaragua, send me an email or see the right side of this page where it says "online giving". Below are some more things you can bring before the Lord on my behalf.

Prayer Items:

-Praise God for the way he has responded to your prayers for my health and healing! And ask him to continue to put his hand on my shoulder and to encourage me through those around me.
-Pray that I will find some good options for new places to live. I need to be out of my current apartment before the end of the month. I've spent some more time trying to find leads and talk to people about possibilities, but nothing looks like it's for sure. Pray that we can find a place in a good neighborhood in the right price range.
-Praise God for how he has worked through the Sea-to-Sea event. It was a fantastic experience for all of those involved. And pray that Nicaragua will also be impacted through both team members and funds they raised. Pray that the Lord will be glorified as the affects of the event ripple through time and space.

recovery begins

Went to the doctor today. Second day after the operation. He took off the original bandage and put another one on. Moved my arm back and forth and out to the side at a 45 degree angle. Told me to do the same later. No problem, right? :) The pain also began last night as the numbness wore off, and there been at least a low level ache all day, with more focused pain at certain times. I know it's normal. I just need to tough it out and get through this stage. I had plans to go with a few others by car to meet up with the team which is about 3 hours (and 2 days on bike) outside Managua. At this point I'm really questioning that decision due to the level of discomfort.

I've been reading the book "Free of Charge" which speaks of God's character as a giver. It has reminded me to give thanks to God in all circumstances. Join with me in praising him for all that he has done and all that he continues to do. His gifts aren't always what we want, because the God of creation doesn't give just to satisfy our desires. He gives to create in us a character more like his. Join me in thanking him for what he has given us! May we learn to live as he would have us and give as he has given to us.

Here's a picture of the wound with a yellow sticky bandage covering it. Yellow because it's medicated.

From Surgery

From Surgery

From Surgery