Felix

Most men around these parts work in the sugar cane fields.  They leave at 6 in the morning get home at 7 at night.  It’s low paying hard labor work in the really hot Nicaraguan sun surrounded by the pesticides used in the fields.  Because of these poor working conditions many men suffer from a fatal kidney disease. Once a year everyone employed by the sugar cane cooperation is tested for the disease. If it comes back positive you are fired and can no longer work.  The sickness is treatable but not curable. Although men know the disease is a risk they chose to work there because it is the only way to provide for their family.
This past Monday afternoon we arrived in Bethel like usual.  For some reason me and my two teammates Nash and Naynay began walking around together.  We talked to a few people and then decided to go down this cute little path.

 With kids holding our hands and our backs, because it is impossible to walk anywhere without that happening we continued down the path and stopped at this house.  We asked if they need prayer.  They graciously declined but pointed us in the direction of their friend who was sick. And that is where we met him.

  
This is Felix.  He is 45 years old, has 4 kids, a wife, and is completely filled with joy. We walked up and he was reading his Bible. He pulled up some plastic chairs and told us to sit down. We started just ya know chillin with Felix and talking to him because that is normal around these parts… well really Naynay was talking to him because she speaks Spanish.  So he is all happy reading his Bible and praising the Lord for everything and then he lets us know that he is going to die in 2 months… 2 months! So we were like what the freak this dude is awesome. He continued to share that he started working in the fields 5 years ago and has now developed the sickness.  He does not have enough money to afford the treatments for the sickness only enough to treat the pain.  So he is now living his last two months here on earth, yet he is so happy. I cannot describe how many time he said “Gloria a Dios”, glory to God, and how much peace he had. After our conversation we prayed with Felix for a while.  He was so thankful we came to see Him and praised the Lord for our presence.  We have gone back to visit him a few times now and every time he welcomes us with joy.  Yay for Felix and his joy.  I told him that I was going to share his story with my family and friends in America… He was pretty happy about it.  I think everyone should know about Felix and his peace in the midst of his struggle and well maybe we should all be a little more like him.