Pastor Larry Johnson gave me a book last March.  In it is a description of the faith I saw manifested by Greg & Vickie while observing a typical week in their lives as missionaries in Esteli, Nicaragua.  Born in 1675, French preacher and teacher Jean-Pierre de Caussade wrote, “There is nothing more generous than a soul which, afire with faith, sees only the working of God in all troubles and the most deadly dangers.”  “It is delight in the friendship of God and confidence in his protection which makes everything acceptable and to be received with good grace.  Faith also produces a certain detachment of soul which enables us to handle any situation and every kind of person.  With faith we are never unhappy and never weak.  The soul, with its living faith in God, always sees him acting behind happenings which bewilder our senses.”

It comes as no surprise then, that Vickie would ride six hours over primitive roads on the motorcycle with Rafael to deliver Sunday School materials for children who may not otherwise learn of God’s love for them.  This insight to faith lessens the bewilderment of an experience that happened back on August 21, my last full day in Nicaragua.  Cargill (my employer) sent a driver, a young man named Leslie, to pick us up across the road from the airport.  In a white shirt with a familiar logo, Leslie’s job was to drive us to the poultry plant near Managua to see the operation first-hand.  Because of Greg’s openness with his faith and his compassion for others, we learned that Leslie plays guitar and sings in the praise band at his church, and he is learning some praise music in English.  Greg asks if he knows of any music and electronics stores near our route to the chicken plant.  He does.  On the surface, the days events seem unlikely…Greg and Leslie playing guitar and singing, “Forever God is faithful, forever God is strong” in the music store near the armed guard at the front door, Greg leading the plant maintenance crew in prayer before lunch in the cafeteria and making arrangements for the maintenance manager to come to Esteli later this year to help with a water project.  It seems that God opens doors, and Greg & Vickie walk through them instead of questioning whether or not they should.  On the surface, these events seem unlikely.  With faith, it is clear that God is acting behind these happenings.  Some see Nicaragua as a place with “troubles and the most deadly dangers”.  Greg & Vickie Stout, with confidence in His protection, see the working of God.

P.S.   I promised in report number 3 there would be more information about Leno’s Christian radio station’s need for a mixing console.  Greg & Vickie purchased a Yamaha mixing board from that music store and presented it after I had departed back for the U.S.  Leno and his team expressed great appreciation for the gift and the capability to provide reliable and effective sharing of the gospel to the many radio listeners in and near Esteli.