Our trip began with a discussion of the social, economic and political reality in Nicaragua. I learned that the country is deeply in debt, and that 33% of its economy goes to paying off the interest on that debt. (The original loan amount has been paid but the interest rates are so high that the Nicaragua continues paying off the interest.) This money is sorely needed for health care, education, roads and emergency reserves. When hurricane Mitch hit for example, the government did not have the financial resources to respond to the crisis. Now the government has taken out a new 14 million dollar loan to build a new presidential palace and the President of Nicaragua we were told, claims that, there is no hunger in his country. Many Nicaraguans expressed to us, their frustration with the current government and their fear that such policies are unlikely to change in the near future.
The situation in Jiñocauo, is worse I think. The community suffered a terrible loss when hurricane Mitch hit. The rains caused the river to flood, sweeping away everything in its path including houses, animals, clothing, savings, and seeds necessary for planting. I went to see the site of my host's old house, but the only thing visible was the cactus fence, which has since grown back.
And now there is a drought. These last two years has been especially hard for the community. Crop after crop has been lost; and not everyone still has the resources to plant a full field. Noel, my house-father has only half a field of corn to plant this season; and he will only plant that, if it rains. Several of the men have left the community for places where they can find work. They go to work in the free-trade zones or the fields of Costa Rica and Honduras. Some return after a season or two bringing home what they have saved, a few send for their families, but others never come back. It is hard for this close knit community to lose their fathers/husbands/sons but even harder to watch their children go hungry. I think that is part of the reason alcoholism is such a large problem in Jiñocauo, but they face it as they do all their troubles, with strong faith in God and love for each other.
Love, of God of their community and of us, is a powerful force in the lives of the people of Jiñocauo. In the midst of all their troubles they greeted our delegation with elation, opening up their houses and sharing their lives with us. They asked only that we share ourselves with them. Several people who did not have the opportunity to house a delegate traveled to the houses where we stayed or invited us to visit so that we could learn more about each other. Carlitos, a new but dear friend walked from the other side of town to lead me to his house. He is blind, but he wanted to make sure I didn't have trouble crossing the river. Our brothers and sisters of Jiñocauo are the most caring people I have ever met.
Being in there has helped me to focus on what really matters to me; living joyfully, in the midst of tragedy and adversity and knowing that God gives me the strength to face whatever comes. I am grateful for my trip to Jiñocauo; not just thankful but full of the greatness of God. It was an experience that I hope I can share at least in part with each of you that read this article.
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