Screen Shot 2021-04-12 at 11.47.11 AM
Gratitude Coordinator. Sabrina has been a part of the Amigos story since it began, and she is truly grateful that she is able to tell the story of impact to our family with photographs, videos, stories, and art. Though trained as a nurse, she believes her work now is the same- she can bring healing and hope into people’s lives by allowing them to see their involvement in Amigos as God does – with deep joy that they are bringing about the Kingdom here and now for families in Nicaragua.

We Never Stop Learning and Leading

Oscar is a quintessential patriarch. He is humbly grateful and typically proud of his family all at once. He lives close to almost all of his children, and grandchildren meander in and out of his house during the interview.

During the 2 years that he has worked with Amigos, trust has been formed, and so when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, he naturally took the advice of the staff when they first visited and handed out the packs full of masks, soap, alcohol and Clorox. 

“I never used to REALLY understand the reason that we should wash our hands, especially since I am a man,” he stated. “But I now use the mask whenever I am away from my house and use the [alcohol] gel too.” He is especially grateful that his family has running/clean water and a bathroom. “I never realized how much just washing your hands helps and how I was doing it wrong,” he said, as he jokingly laughs.

Oscar is now adamant that his grandchildren maintain good hygiene and cleanliness. He makes even the youngest- 5 year olds Muriel and Haley, watch the latest health talk about animals and the diseases that they may transmit from ticks, fleas and feces.

He hopes that Amigos continues to teach and guide. “I want to learn how other diseases work now! Not only to keep me and my family healthy, but also my neighbors and community”

To date, Oscar says that very few people have gotten sick of COVID-19 in their community, and if they have, symptoms have only been mild. He is not aware of any deaths attributed to COVID-19.

As we visited, I witnessed the trust between the Amigos health promoter and the family. It was evident that there was deep affection and even a renewed sense of enthusiasm. Massiel Velasquez, a talented health promoter, used the time to chat with Oscar about his fields and his family, intentionally being a friend, before she began talking about other health issues. She explained the need to cleanse the house of animals, explaining that they are disease carrying vectors. Massiel spoke to the family in a way that was educational, but also understandable. Even the youngest granddaughter, Muriel, could understand the lesson. She now says she doesn’t want pigeon OR chickens in the house! Muriel and her cousin Haley happily showed off her “clean” doll’s home to me.

The entire family paused in mid-day to listen, learn and ask questions. There was no rush, no disgust at the dirt – only self-effacing laughter as Massiel talked about the filthiness of chicken’s feet and how they should NEVER be in the kitchen…just as a rooster jumped on the earthen stove to crow!

“I guess I need to shoo her off,” said Oscar’s daughter as she got up and waved a broom at the offending rooster.

While showing a picture example on the iPad, Massiel suggested making a simple fence out of local branches.

“I could do that,” said Oscar, as they all nodded along.

As we were leaving, Massiel simply stated the beautiful truth underneath the whole visit. “I love being with these people. They want just what I want – to be healthy and happy.”

Share this story

Related Posts

Christ More Visible
Morgan Coil

Taking Chances

God Using Partnerships for His Good In June of 2018, I wondered if I would ever be able to move to Nicaragua. I was eager

Read More »
Baseball Academy
Luis Esquivel

Building Character

Francisco Jesús Flores Barba is a star baseball player, and he was one of the first student athletes to participate in the Amigos for Christ

Read More »
Christ More Visible
Laura Myers

Leaders in Action 2022 Retreat

Dreams, goals, the future…these are common themes in the lives of high school and university students all over the world and especially in the lives

Read More »