Moments of Crisis in Nicaragua

Chinandega, Nicaragua. Photograph by Thomas Winger.

by Odily Neyra

Friday, May 8, 2020

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with each of our Lutheran brothers and sisters in Canada.

My name is Odily Neyra. I am a wife and the mother to three beautiful children. I am also a deaconess of the Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (ILSN), serving the congregation of Jesús Nuestro Salvador (Jesus Our Saviour) located in the community of Santa Patricia where I teach Christian Doctrine to the children (Matthew 19:14). We also make home visits to bring the Word of God to families and show them that they are important before the eyes of God (Mark 16:15) and we meet with our youth on Wednesdays to share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with them (Ecclesiastes 11: 9). I watch over the care of the temple, help with the readings in worship services and coordinate different activities in the church, always bearing in my mind and heart the deaconess’ motto: “What is my want? My want is to serve.”

My dear brothers and sisters, Nicaragua is currently experiencing moments of anguish and uncertainty, like many other countries in the world, in the presence of COVID-19. The only difference is that, in Nicaragua, we do not count on the support of the government. Our government does not want to close schools and they ask the population to continue going outside, pretending that everything is normal, and that we are in no real danger. Despite this, it is the same people who are taking their own precautionary measures, as it corresponds. All private schools, colleges and universities are now closed, and classes are being taught online. Some businesses have closed, as well. It is said that there are many positive cases and many deaths of COVID-19 in the country, but these are not made official by the government. According to the government, there are only 16 cases and a total of five deaths. The population is worried about the people who are dying and whose bodies are not given to their relatives as the real number of cases are not being counted.

The situation has become quite difficult. Apart from the fact that some businesses have closed, some companies have already cut staff, and other people still must go out looking for their daily bread, taking their own precautions. It is at this time that the pastors and deaconesses here are united in prayer and looking for ways to bring the Word of God to families, and assure them that our Heavenly Father is a God of love and mercy. Both pastors and deaconesses are working with devotional brochures in Spanish, sent to us by Rev. M.L. Smith, Rev. Dr. David Somers and others involved with Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) Missions; and some of our pastors are also sending online and audio devotionals to the phones of their members.

We thank our LCC brothers and sisters who have sent us financial aid in these times of great need for pastors and deaconesses. Many of us were able to buy food for our families with it, which is a blessing since the price of food has increased dramatically; others preferred to buy personal protection products, such as alcohol gel, masks, gloves, etc.

In my case, I am going through the crisis in this way: first of all in prayer, and second, taking precautionary measures both with my family and at work to try and keep people safe. Diaconal service has been difficult at this time, but with God’s help we will be able to accomplish what He has given us to do.

Just as you pray for us, we also pray for you, because we know that God hears our prayers and that He does not leave his children alone (Psalm 46:1-3). May our Heavenly Father take care of you and protect each of you and your families from all evil and danger.

Blessings, my brothers and sisters.

Deaconess Odily Neyra

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Deaconess Odily Neyra is a deaconess of the Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (ILSN), serving the congregation of Jesús Nuestro Salvador (Jesus Our Saviour) located in the community of Santa Patricia in Chinandega, Nicaragua.

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