Mama Martha

Meet Mama Martha. She is incredible. She received this name from me because she loves me like a Mom does. In other words she is my Nicaraguan Mom. 🙂

I met Martha doing Mercy in Action week one of being here in Ciudad Dario. Mercy in Action is a program at Light and Salt Ministries where they go out into the community and give food to elderly. The elderly here in Nicaragua are not treated well and unlike the United States there are no homes or facilities you can just put them in. If the family doesn’t want to take care of them then they often end up on the streets trying to make money. The staff here have relationships with some of the elderly in the community and actually do house visits every two weeks. They provide food and encouragement in this time of covid. I got to do this the first week, so yes I did this before I fractured my ankle. Haha Anyway, my friend Kendell and I loaded up our big packs with 32 pounds of rice and beans and oil and went with Martha to help deliver them. This is where Martha and my relationship began. 

She was so patient with us that day as we tried to communicate with her in broken Spanish. She laughs often at our attempts and teaches us the correct way to say things. That same day after we made all our visits we sat at her house and shared a coke with her. She knew my birthday was on Saturday and she wanted to celebrate with me. She also invited us to her house on Saturday where we had more coke and ate snacks and she and her sisters prayed over me. 

The following Monday I fractured my ankle playing soccer. Martha was one of the first to check in on me and ask how I was doing. When it was time to go to the doctor for an x ray she helped me get a taxi to the clinic and was by my side helping the entire time. When the first clinic didn’t have an x ray, she called her pastor who speaks English fluently to come get us and he ended up helping us translate and drove us to another clinic. Her pastor was also an answer to prayer but that is another story. 🙂 Martha prayed over me when I cried and was such a support. That weekend I got to go to her church and see the pastor preach. 

The following week, Martha invited a few of us over to meet an evangelist that goes to her church. I had been really struggling with faith and trusting God that week and the guy we met at her house had a message specifically on faith for us. Wow, thanks God for allowing that, as it was so encouraging to my heart. 

Martha works at Light and Salt Ministries a few days a week and when I would see her she would make sure to ask me about my foot and give me a hug. At one point I got pretty sad about how things were with my foot because I could not walk very far on crutches which limited where I went. I just wanted to get out and about and Martha was so willing to call a taxi for me in order to get around. One Saturday we went to ice-cream with her and we got to know her even more. Every morning she greets us and whoever is at the table she makes a point to hug and ask how they are doing. She is so so kind and intentional. Here is a picture of Martha and I the day we went for ice cream. 🙂 We visited a few corner stores while we were out too.

I’ve been reflecting a lot on the week I met Martha. And if I had not gone and done mercy in action that week, I would have not developed the relationship I now have with her. What ya’ll don’t know is that I did not really want to go do mercy in action that first week because of some insecurity and I thought I could go later in the month. Ha jokes on me, I fractured my ankle the second week and would not have been able to go later. There were multiple times I said no to going that week. However, they needed one extra person and I heard the Lord whisper “I want you to go and see, I will take care of you.” I shortly changed my mind and went.

I am so incredibly grateful that I decided to go and be obedient. The Lord knew what I needed in that moment and He had so much for me that day. Not only did I meet Martha, but the Lord also showed me his people that day whom he loves very much. The Lord knew I needed that experience and Martha this month. All I can say is thank you Lord, you amaze me and I want to continue to trust that you have what’s best for me. 

I don’t know where ya’ll are at spiritually, maybe you just say “Yeah everything happens for a reason.” Though I believe that statement is true, I think God is really behind that reason. God has ordained experiences and interactions to help you and show you his love. When something happens to you and you feel incredibly grateful for it, thats Him at work. That is His love. He taught us what love was. I can’t sit here and believe that it is just coincidence, or that random forces brought things or people together. There’s something greater and I’m tellin ya’ll it’s Jesus. He loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. Life is so sweet with him. His heart is everywhere and in everything. Maybe it’s time you give him a chance and start this journey with him? It is okay if it begins with questions or doubts, everyones journey starts somewhere.

Also, I am just thinking of all of you and how God has brought you ALL specifically into my life. You know how much had to take place in order to meet you? So much had to happen, think about it. haha Each of you have played a beautiful role in my story and I’ve shared many experiences with you. You display Gods love in more ways than you think. Thank you! Thanks God for being in everything, especially these people reading this right now. 

Till next time,

Cass aka Cassimira y Nicole (I adopted new names in Nicaragua because Cassady is pretty difficult to say) haha

P.S. Made it to Colombia for month three. Woo! That being said here is a little update on my foot. I have had my cast on for three weeks now. I will be going to the doctor this week in Colombia to have them look at it and see if she is healed up. Please pray for complete healing of my small fracture so I can begin walking again and be able to participate in ministry fully here. Love to you all! <3