Tom Sawyer … in Nicaragua?

Team from Grace Fellowship in Lake City, Colorado

It started innocently enough, a team of seven short-term missionaries visiting from Grace Fellowship in Lake City, Colorado wanted to provide VBS-type programs, clothing distribution, and a project to the school and students at Oasis de Esperanza. That’s easy, the kids at school love VBS stories because they often get to participate in them as well as learn more about the Bible and clothes are always a blessing. The team also wanted a work project, something they could do that would help the school. Because it was a small group, two of the seven weren’t even teenagers, we couldn’t choose anything that would be labor or time-intense. Elaine suggested painting the inside wall of the school compound and truthfully it was a great idea but a formidable task to such a small group. A team from Perryton, Texas painted the classrooms, restrooms and kitchen last July, but the wall surrounding the school had never seen a drop of paint. In spite of the size of the task and time constraints the team agreed. My confidence level wasn’t too high, but God’s was and He had a great plan in mind.

The first order of business was to clean out everything along the base of the wall, something that had not been done since the school moved in five years ago. The next task was to prime the entire wall. Having never been painted, we knew the concrete blocks would soak up the first coat of anything. With primer, brushes, rollers, telescoping sticks, and ladders we set out to conquer the 12′ wall. Our labors were sincere but given the length and height of the wall and essentially two afternoons to complete, we soon became overwhelmed at the challenge, and then God provided the solution (He always does)! In the midst of our sweating and priming the afternoon recess bell rang and the area was flooded with students talking, laughing, playing kickball and watching us. Little by little they closed in around each team member and as their curiosity piqued they began to ask if they could help with the painting. Before we knew it they had almost taken over the project! They found extra brushes and rollers and began priming the wall, and enjoying it! Soon our 6th grade teacher, Carolina Alvarado, and most of her class had taken shovels, machetes, and wheelbarrow and not only clearing the base of the wall but also chopping down a plantain tree that had never produced as well as all the junk behind it. For the most part, classes were still in session after recess but most if not all the volunteers chose to stay to paint and clean up. The team, as well as Elaine and I along with the school administrator stood in amazement as these kids took ownership of the project and began helping. We worked until well after school was out and there was little light remaining, the kids and their teacher didn’t want to stop. In the team’s defense, the students participation pretty much ceased after the primer was applied and the Lake City team finished the wall with two coats of paint but the students, mainly 5th-9th grades, helped with a lot of the cleanup and priming. In the eight years of Oasis de Esperanza’s existence it was one of the most encouraging and emotional moments we’ve had. In our eyes, to see our students want to help instead of simply watch was God’s way of showing us that they are learning, that the school is instilling a “work/help” mentality in them and equally important is that they are proud of the school and want to make it look nice. Ownership, stewardship and accountability: “When someone has been given much, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). We are trying to install those attributes in our students and while progress is slow this past week’s experience was an encouragement to all. Yay God!!!