A letter from Justin Sundberg serving in Nicaragua
October 2014 - Orienting: Up, Out, and Back
We have now been in Nicaragua for four months. We are finding our way, but not without challenge. We shared with you in our Summer 2014 Mission Connections letter that we were looking for a permanent home. Now we are settling in!
Here is how to find us:
“At kilometer 14.5 on the old highway to Leon, go 150 meters up from the “Los Altos” bridge, then 70 meters past the "Puro Pinolero" restaurant, take a right on the partially paved road and go 100 meters back toward the lake, then look for the blue house.”
It has been fun to experiment with Managua’s address system, one without street names or numbers. It has been this way since the earthquake of ’72 destroyed most of the capital. The challenge, however, is that we don’t know 99 percent of the landmarks that are referenced in addresses. And it is not uncommon in these addresses to refer to buildings and businesses that no longer exist. Google Maps has a beautiful map of Managua, complete with street names, but no one knows these street names, nor are there street signs on Managua’s roads.
But not being able to use maps to drive around Managua means we need to find our way around the city by asking for help. And by asking for help, we are reminded of our general state of need—our need for relationships, for learning, even for trusting Jesus . . . for his patience, mercy, love and grace.
Christ has encouraged us through you. And we want to thank you. We have depended on you as a foundation from which to grow here. You have prayed for us. You have sent us notes of encouragement. You are supporting us financially. We have even received gifts of school and medical supplies. Thank you so much. We love and miss you.
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Jack and Cassie's new friends
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Ethan's new friends
So how are Autumn, Jack, Cassie and Ethan doing? Great is the short answer! They have now attended the German Nicaraguan School for three months. Ninety percent of its students are Nicaraguan and nearly the remaining 10 percent are German. And then there are our kids, totaling 0.5 percent of the school and about half of the U.S. population represented there! Though in primary school they change classrooms for each of their eight subjects. They have had sad moments along the way in Nicaragua and miss their family and friends and church in Seattle, but Skype calls and emails have helped with this. At times, as their parents, you can imagine that we have felt inept as we try to help them. One friend of ours, however, pointed out that our inability to assist them with their German homework, for example, gives the kids a chance to spread their own wings, a forced independence that might be just what they need when so much is beyond their control. They seem to be taking initiative with their homework and projects. And we have the opportunity to pray for them and cheer them on, but ultimately must trust God for their social and academic development at school. We are getting, perhaps, passing grades in parenting. Passing grades seems to be a good new goal for us in all things!
There is one part of Nicaragua we know very well, but wish we didn’t—the region that houses Managua’s Metropolitano Hospital. Renée’s first week in Nicaragua, the last week of June, was fever-free, followed by more than 100 days of nearly daily fever, among other ill effects. She has endured a dozen hospital visits, the same number of trips to labs and at least six antibiotics and antiparasitic meds. And ultrasounds, CT scans and a colonoscopy. It has been grueling for her and difficult for us. What we know for sure is that she has had some urinary tract infections, in spite of always drinking lots of water, her usual custom. And we know that a recent second round of Cipro, a 10-day prescription, helped to stem the tide of daily fevers. She has had pain in her back for three months, pain caused by ulcerations in her colon. We don’t know why these ulcerations exist and persist. It could be the result of the medications she has been on or it could be something more severe and long-term. This, too, has caused us to feel disoriented here. But, to be sure, we have been carried. We have sensed God’s love through you. Thank you!
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Old friends walking alongside us
And we know many of you are just getting to know us but have loved this country and her peoples for a long time. Thank you for making such a difference here, for being God’s hands and feet not just in the United States, or wherever you live, but also in this wider and great big needy world. Here I have very good news. Here I can share from a perspective of great clarity. And that is this: the need in Nicaragua for good education, for training, for the gospel, for employment opportunities, for hope to keep fighting each day is great. But alongside this great need there is a clear arc of goodness and love launched in this direction each day to help meet this need. The government seems, at times, to be taking its country’s needs very seriously. There are many ministries and NGOs playing important roles here, each laboring as it is able, day to day, to lift this country. Nicaraguans are remarkably resilient and resourceful and generous and fight admirably to stay alive and even to celebrate life. It is a wonder to watch them live and work.
And then there is the Council of Protestant Churches of Nicaragua (CEPAD). What an exciting time to join in the work of this amazing ministry. CEPAD just finished working in 40 communities for a five-year cycle and now begins for another five years in 40 new communities. Many churches and groups will continue in relationship with the communities that have just rolled off the official partnership calendar and many more will soon enter. Pray for us as we begin to find ourselves increasingly at the center of this. The role of a North American on this team is so vital, something until now that I, Justin, appreciated more in theory than in practice. Pray for us as we help to facilitate relationships and try to encourage relationships that build up everyone’s capacity for life, for trying to make each day as bright with hope as possible. And pray for the lives of North Americans, Europeans and Canadians who come in groups of 10-30 throughout the year, ready to learn, build relationships, and serve. And when they return home they are changed and built up in ways that develop them into the people they want to be, generous and disposed to serve their families, schoolmates, co-workers and neighbors. With your continued prayers, correspondence, visits and financial gifts we can together carry out God’s mission for wholeness for our Nicaraguan neighbors. What a great partnership we share! Thank you so much.
Justin and Renée
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, Nicaragua, p. 44
The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 65
Read more about Justin and "Renee Sundberg's ministry
Contact: Renée Sundberg
Contact: Justin Sundberg
Individuals: Give online to E200391 for Justin and Renee Sundberg's sending and support
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Churches are asked to send donations through your congregation’s normal receiving site (this is usually your presbytery).
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