Quite morning in a Crisis

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Shut down Oriental Market
Thirty-seven days have passed since we arrived in a completely changed Nicaragua. A national economic strike is going on today, on day fifty-eight of the Nicaraguan political conflict.This has been the quietest morning I have ever awoken to while living here. We live a few blocks from a main highway and you can always hear cars, buses and trucks blowing horns and engine braking in the morning rush hour. Today is peaceful, with only the songs of birds.

This national economic strike was called for by the major labor, business boards and associations of Nicaragua in response to stalled national dialog with the president and government. Another reason for the strike is the demand for an end to the violent oppression of protesters. To date an estimated 150 people have died, many missing and thousands injured. To put the number of dead into population perspective, it would be 6,900 deaths in the United States.

Mercado Israel Lewites - close to our home

Local markets in the capital city of Managua are closed. Even the largest market in Central America, Mercado Oriental is closed up. Markets in northwest cities of Chinandega and Leon are closed as well. In these cities is where we have been doing our mentoring. Leon held a local economic strike Tuesday, June 12, 2018. The following day I spoke to our friend and Christian entrepreneur Lesbia. She runs a fruit jams and preserves business in Leon.

"We have not made a single cent in thee days, haven't sold anything. A good thing is we haven't needed to use electricity and we have enough fruit and milk for production. But I can't sell anything and we are running low on sugar.
I cant go and buy sugar because we cant go anywhere. There are roadblocks at every exit, (of the city). A good thing happened today, the police have made an agreement not to harm anyone and let in food and medicine through the road blocks. They have released nine prisoners too. 
Yesterday there were injuries, (at the road blocks) but no deaths. Para-military groups are driving around intimidating people in the neighborhoods. 
Tomorrow we hope to restart sales and production, God is great, and we have prayer and faith!"
Lesbia understands her business is important and essential during this political crisis in Nicaragua. Her company's fruit preserves and jams provide preserve food to cities that are being cut off from local suppliers due to roadblocks. She knows her faith in God provides hope to all her customers, employee and neighbors!

Please pray with us for a peaceful solution, God's way, to this political crisis in Nicaragua!
Location: Managua, Nicaragua

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