The Team of Fourteen
By Paula Peterson

Fourteen were called to Managua in June,
Some of us felt the trip came way too soon.
Others kept praying and struggled with fear
Not sure God meant they were called to come here.
Yet we persisted in finding God’s will
Letting His spirit, our waiting hearts fill.
So were ere gathered, this group of fourteen,
Walking by faith toward places unseen.

Plane rides and baggage and sodas and snacks
Brought us in late with our heavy backpacks.
Dinner was over before we arrived.
Into our bunk beds each one of us dived.
Cal was the host with the most, that’s for sure,
But, even so, showers seemed most obscure!
Married or not, we all roughed it a bit,
Rooms were assigned, hoping for the best fit.

From Indiana a team had arrived,
Buoyant and youthful, on God’s Word they thrived.
So many gifts they displayed every day –
Music and drama and sports they would play!
Jessica helped Cal with all the events.
But of a stick shift she couldn’t make sense!
Robert gave lessons on driving the van,
He told her to practice as much as she can!

Fires were stoked in the kitchen by Jorge,
On his fine cooking each day we would gorge.
Coffee was constantly flowing for us
Cause if it wasn’t we made a big fuss!
His beans and rice were a popular fare,
We ate it up ‘till the cupboards were bare.
Karen assisted with all of the meals,
Cooking and shopping for all good deals.
Everyone noticed the effort she gave,
Working so humbly as our galley slave!
Chicken and beef dishes, pizza as well,
Funnel cake, omelets – all of it swell!

Trips to the Pali delighted the group.
Many times over to that place we’d troop.
Making the journey again and again.
Eating ice cream and then saying Amen!
Pinkie stood watch ‘till the heat made him droop,
And we all side stepped his big doggie poop!
We were family, working as one,
Finding so many good things to be done.
Robert laid concrete, the girls washed the chairs,
Kathy scrubbed clean all the rails on the stairs.

Meanwhile, in dental then cleaned and they drilled,
All this for Jesus – no patients were billed!
People were scheduled by Lety so well
None had to wait too long of a spell.
Robert kept order as patients were screened,
(For dental appointments were highly esteemed!)
All equipment worked well, we were blessed,
And our endurance was put to the test.
Hours flew by and from morning ‘til night
Dental folks labored with all their might.
Although the X-ray stand didn’t arrive.
Roberto’s genius was well and alive,
He used a rope, made a special contraption –
Took all the pictures with this small adaption!
Bruce and Damaris called several to serve,
Needed assistants who had strong nerve.
Suzy, Marissa, Veronica too
Stepped up to help and show what they could do.
A-Plusses soon were awarded to all,
They earned high marks and were having a ball!
Paula was happy to be in the game,
Sterilization was her claim to fame.

Faithful were all the fourteen to their call,
Through many gestures both mighty and small,
Working together through thick and through thin,
Cleaning and washing, both women and men.
Tony hates painting but couldn’t escape
Helping the guys get the kitchen in shape.
He gave devotions each morning to start,
Speaking God’s Word from his mind and his heart,
Studies he taught in the church made their mark,
His gift of preaching lit many a spark.

Injuries multiplied day after day,
God’s grace sufficed through our work and our play.
Elbows and ankles and noses and throats
Healed by the power of biblical quotes!
Trips to the dump and tent city were planned,
Rain came along but we made a strong stand!
Tracts were distributed, so were the glasses,
All this resulted in thanks from the masses,
Though it got dicey when lines grew so long,
God’s Holy Spirit kept our mission strong.
Peace was maintained as the Word was proclaimed,
Boldly, in love, and we were not ashamed.

Teachers were many, each using their gifts,
Working with children on alternate shifts.
Lessons on fruit and God’s love were expounded,
All to inspire the kids to stay grounded.
Kathy and Luis and Suzy all taught
Biblical messages that every kid ‘got!
Marissa and Veronica had their own style,
Doing so much to make every kid smile.

God’s love has so many ways to be preached,
Sports were another way kids could be reached.
Running the soccer field, pushing the swings,
Baseball and volleyball make up those things,
Ankles were twisted and knees they were strained,
(Old age is mostly the thing to be blamed!)
God kept His message alive all the while,
And every sore muscle was masked by a smile!

Side trips to Manchester, bat caves and malls,
The produce market with vegetable stalls,
In Nicaragua our presence was felt,
In Nicaragua our heats surely melt…….

Dinners with families inside their homes,
Could be the subject of many more poems…
God touched us all as we sat down together,
Knowing those memories will last us forever….

To Nicaragua we came with a goal:
Let them see Jesus in our heart and soul.
God knew ahead what would happen to us
When we first boarded Cal’s minivan bus.
God let us see things we never would know
Sitting back home and refusing to go.
Once we stepped out we were blessed through and through,
Thank you Lord Jesus, I know we all grew!

Praise be to you, Lord. Amen!!!!!

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For more information call:
626.584.9992

or email:
tony@ccpas.com

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