One thing we’ve learned over the years of working here in Nicaragua in ag-development is that we can only relate to people from a position of trust. We’ve worked hard at the actual programs that we deliver for the betterment of rural families, but we’ve worked even harder at building relaionships.
This has been as diverse as potable water improvement programs to involvement in community sports. 
Lately we’ve been keeping ourselves active in communities by sharing a movie night in each of the 20 some communities where we work. This accomplishes 3 things:
- Sharing an event like this is unique in these communities. We always have our portable power plant along, since some villages don’t yet have electricity. Sitting together watching a movie is something that in most cases, has never happened before in their community. A juice box and little pack of cookies goes a long way to put a smile on everyone’s face!
- Showing our faces in the communities outside of «normal work» proves that we care more than just about delivering an agriculture development program. It also an opportunity to announce different activities currently taking place. (you can’t image what a challenge communication is when there’s no newspaper, no internet, and sketchy cell phone service!)
- The movies we share always have strong biblical teaching. In some cases, we show an entertaining film like «Facing the Giants» or «Courageous» that really challenge us to live out our faith in our ordinary circumstances. Or, in other communities that are less evangelized, we’ll show a version of the JESUS film, or some other historical period film that depicts the events of the Bible. What a joy to share in this way – sometimes I pinch myself realizing that my current surroundings don’t look a whole lot different from those of Jesus’ time that I’m seeing on the screen!
There is so much opportunity to bring a little joy to the lives of people here, so many ways that we can lend a hand.
