Nicaragua in Crisis

There are no words that can adequately describe what we are living through.  We have watched on television political unrest, destruction of cities and death in other parts of the world, but NEVER did we fathom experiencing it first hand.  This is the western hemisphere, this does not happen in our part of the world.  But it is happening and it is horrific.

It all started when the young people of family members stood up against the government to say they would not tolerate the reduction of social security payments and benefits to their relatives.  The majority of the people live on these benefits, it is a welfare society.

Then the government invaded one of the universities and took it hostage killing some students.  From this incident, the revolution began.  The government says that the country is staging a coup. The people are only asking that the president and vice president, who is the wife of the president, step down to allow for a fair election process to take place to choose a new president.

The people have called for national strikes that would bring attention to the seriousness of the situation.  They have stood united and a great percentage of the businesses have cooperated by closing for the declared strike days.  This is saying a lot because if one does not work he does not eat that day.  There are no extras stored in the house, they buy their groceries daily.  They are willing to depriving themselves the ability to provide sufficient food for their families.  That is sacrifice, that is a belief in a cause for a greater good.

Tens of thousands of people have left the country, Nicaraguenses, tourists, missionaries, and corporations.  There are less and less people out and about and definitely no one after dark.  Barricades or tranques as we call them are being set up at all intersections to stop the flow of traffic in and out of neighborhoods and to offer protection to the inhabitants.  However, that is when the paramilitary groups like to strike, after dark.  Those that are brave enough to stand guard at the tranques are being assassinated.  So many have lost their lives already.

Preston is going out only for a couple of hours mid day to do a little work at the shop.  It is difficult for him to drive into town because of the tranques.  He is able to drive down into the ditches with his moto to get around the tranques when he has been released to pass.  Depending on the amount of gunfire we hear in the distance determines if he leaves the house on any given day.

One of the greatest hindrances to the economy are the blockades prohibiting trucks to move within the country.  At one point there was an estimate of as many as 6000 trucks that were brought to a halt.  We ask ourselves how much discomfort are willing to endure when the necessary essentials are at a minimum or no longer available in the stores.

So far, we feel safe.  We moved outside of town prior to the beginning of the crisis.  We added extra security measures immediately to our house because gringos are targets for thieves.  The main gate to our community is manned 24 hours.   Our condo area has its own secured gate that is manned.  There is a lot of protection between us and the main road.

I ask that you pray often for us and our adopted country.