As many of you are experiencing quarantine or some sort of lockdown in your homes, here in Nicaragua things are very different. Below I have included an except from an article in the New York Times that does a good job of summing up the current state of things here in Nicaragua:
New York Times, Published April 6, 2020
The Nicaraguan government claims that the country has only four confirmed cases of Covid-19, plus one death.
But it has been widely criticized for its cavalier approach to the public health crisis. Public schools remained open, although this week and next, they are closed for Holy Week. The borders, too, are still open.
Instead of canceling large events, the government has organized and promoted them. The official government news site is filled with mentions of fairs, marches, religious processions and even a food festival held on Saturday.
Private schools were denied government authorization to close even as 98 percent of the children stayed home, said a private school educator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because speaking publicly could get him arrested. Eventually, the schools were allowed to conduct distance learning, with the parents coming to school to pick up academic materials, he said.
The public, he said, is deeply dubious about government claims that the outbreak in Nicaragua is under control.
Some are speculating that the numbers of people infected are realistically over 10,000.
Our team’s response to the coronavirus is far different than if we were in the United States or a first world nation. If we were in the United States we would be staying home as most of you are. However, we are in a nation where the government is encouraging people to go to work, keeping the schools open and not taking many measures to inform or protect the people against coronavirus. And we are not exclusive. Our missionary friends in some of the other third world nations are experiencing the same thing. In Nicaragua, we experience deadly viruses pretty much every year in a nation where most people don’t have access to proper medical care. Last year it was a deadly strand of dengue fever that was killing children and seniors. So the reaction to coronavirus for the people of Nicaragua is far different than most first world nations.
In the trash dump communities where we work and live, how does one respond to something like coronavirus? Most people don’t have soap to wash their hands throughout the day. They have no sanitizer or face masks. They live with many people in each home and their homes are basically on top of each other. Social distancing would be impossible to achieve. And lastly, most of them live hand to mouth. They have no way of stocking up on food. Most of them can’t stay home or else they won’t have food to eat. As a team, we have decided to respond by walking with them in this time and trusting the Lord’s Psalm 91 promises over us. For us this looks like delivering food, praying for the sick, worshipping together and bringing light and truth into a time of fear and darkness. We are filled with peace as we choose to step into what is considered an uncertain time with a Savior who we are certain in.
“When we live our lives within the shadow of God Most High, our secret hiding place, we will always be shielded from harm. How then could evil prevail against us or disease infect us?”
Psalms 91:9-10
We are seeing God move and He is forever faithful and eternally worthy! Our prayer for you during this time is that you would surrender yourselves fully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in your lives. That this time would not just be used to declutter your homes or watch Netflix but that it would be a time when you make history in heaven. The Lord longs to be with you and to speak to you and to transform every part of your life and heart. And not just you but your entire family. I pray that when each of you are released back into the world that you would re-enter burning with fire for the Lord and walking in great freedom and power to see the world around you changed for His glory. You are His beloved and this moment in history is waiting for you to respond. If you are feeling overwhelmed by fear or if you would just like to be encouraged or if you need healing in your body, please send me a message and I would love to pray with you. I have already had the privilege of praying for dozens of you this week via Facebook Messenger. We love you so very much Iris Beauty For Ashes family! We pray and thank God for each of you. We are here for you in this time as you have been there for us through many of our trials and hard times. Estamos juntos! We are together!
Endless love and hugs,
Kara Westermann and our entire team in Nicaragua