By Barbara Coupe

Friday, April 21, 2011

We buried one of our young men Thursday April 21. His name was Anthony Cadena and he was 16 years old. He had the biggest smile I've ever seen. He loved American Football, which was very unusual for a Nicaraguan youth. He could cook really well. He was saved, baptized and slowly growing in The Lord. He had a smart-alec type of humor, with a cocky grin that made you laugh at times and irritated at others. He loved to take care of his hair. He was studying English. He was very proficient at computers and loved using them. He was being trained to do the powerpoint presentations in church. He was always here and loved playing jokes and games. He hated to go in the water and could not swim.

On Tuesday April 19 a group of our youth went to Corinto, a beach that is close to New Song. Our staff was in Leon on a day off. Around 1:00 we received a phone call that 8 of our youth had almost drowned and that Anthony was missing. We immediately drove back and went to the beach where our youth still were. They were crying and hysterical as you might expect. We learned that the ocean was wild that day, and the Nicaraguan undertow is always bad. Christopher, Christian, Anthony, Gabriela, Gato, Emerson, Jovanni and Rosita were in the water. Ariel and Abel were nearby. Only a few could swim, most badly. The water grabbed them and pulled them out. A wave threw Rosita back on the shore. Others were rescued. Emerson pulled out Christian and another youth, and had his hand on Anthony's hair and tried to pull him out. The waves ripped them apart and Emerson almost drowned. A passing random drunk pulled him out of the water.

We comforted as best we could. As custom is here, some of the youth spent the night at the beach, because when a person dies, people sit outside their house the entire night. We hired a boat, so the next morning (Wednesday) they could search for him. Even getting a flashlight is hard here. Wednesday they searched all day, but no body was found. That night, instead of Bible study we had all the youth come, and we had a time of sharing, crying, comforting and prayer. So much brokenness and grief. And guilt, especially for Emerson, who had his hand on him and was the last to see him alive. And Christian, who was pulled out by Emerson. The anguish expressed would have broken anyone's heart.

Yet in the midst of this, I looked across the room and one of our youth, Abel, was worshipping The Lord, on his knees, with his hands raised. He began to comfort the others, in the midst of his grief. It was a long evening. When it ended, most of the youth went to Anthony's mother's house and spent the night there.

Early Thursday morning we were notified that Anthony's body was found on an island off Corinto, far from the beach where he was. He was found by his real father, who spent the night searching for his son. All of the youth and us immediately went to the place near where he was found, to wait. Diego and a small group of youth took a boat and a casket to where the body was, and prepared it. They had to wait until the tide rose until they could bring him back to us. We all waited, and around 2:00 in the afternoon, they sailed back with Anthony's body already prepared and in the casket. We followed behind them. There is no embalming here, and so we went immediately to the cemetery to have a burial. Our youth were alternately crying and singing worship songs. So were we. I cannot explain the level of pain and joy that we all felt

-- When we arrived at the cemetery, Anthony's casket, as well as many people from Candelaria and Nuevo Amanacer were already there. Our youth surrounded the casket, crying and holding on to each other. Emerson, our youth who saw and touched Anthony last, threw himself on the casket, crying out "Anthony, Anthony, Anthony." Even hardened people were crying at this. Our youth and Pastors surrounded him and comforted him, but it took a long time. We went around, holding and comforting our youth. Strong young men were crying their hearts out.

A worship time and time of Preaching the Word of God was held. No doubt where Anthony was and what he was doing. He was laughing and running into the arms of Jesus. We were still here, feeling the pain and sorrow.

When it came time to bury Anthony, the grave was dug by men. Four of our youth helped: Emerson, Gato, Abel and Dennis. We had to wait until that was finished, then he was laid to rest. The grave was covered by cement blocks and cement between, flowers were put on top, then covered with dirt and more flowers. Then we all left.

I cannot explain to you the grief, shock, sadness and joy that is present. He was only 16 years old, with his whole life ahead of him. Yet, our God took him home early. Who can understand the mind of God? We have such a short life. Why do we think we can presume on God for a long life? Who says we live for 60 or 70 years? What if this is all we get, just today? If so, what kind of people should we be and how should we live our lives for The Lord?

The youth have taught me a lesson. Today, they are smiling, looking at Anthony's pictures. Tonight, we will get together and share more time and comfort and smiles. Sunday, we will remember him during our Resurrection Day service. Our hope truly is, that Jesus rose from the dead, and so will we, if we believe in Him.

Emerson says that he doesn't blame himself anymore, that if God saved him, then he knows that God has a big plan for his life. I am seeing some of the others feel the same way. I know that God is doing a huge thing here, and I will see it and God's plan unfold. Out of the pain and suffering, our God will turn it to good, as He promised.

Pray for us during this time, that we can see Jesus' Hand in all of this. Pray for comfort for our youth, for Diego, Lisa and myself. The enemy would like to discourage. God is in control. As Jesus says, "I am the Resurrection and The Life. He who believes in me, though he should die, he will live." John 11:25.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

By Jim Bob Norman

As many of you have probably already seen in news feeds and wall postings and other blogs, New Song Mission Nicaragua was hit with a tragedy this past tuesday, april 19

a 16 year old male, Anthony Cadena, was pulled out into the Pacific Ocean around 10:00 AM in front of friends and family. It took 46 hours of searching by land and water to finally find his body

The burial took place on thursday, april 21.

Funerals are expensive as it is. They are very expensive for people in a community where the daily household income is around $5 a day, if they even have a job. Funerals are expensive when you need a casket, coffee and bread for the wake, and the materials and land for the burial, but in this case the expenses were much higher.

In 46 hours, boats were being rented to search for the body, taxis and other vehicles were being rented by the family to make trips to and from the beach (about 45 minutes outside of the village). Cell phone minutes to keep everyone in touch, through some of the the longest 46 hours we have ever been through. Boat rentals to cross an estuary with an empty casket to a remote island where the body washed up. Snacks and drinking water for 2 days for 30 plus people. Transportation costs for family members to come in from all parts of Nicaragua and El Salvador.

Please let me tell you, this family did not ask one time for a cent from our church or mission. They did not ask me to make this event. Of course our mission has helped without them asking, along with individuals that are here during this time, but I know the family has spent a lot of money this week, and money they do not have. I am sure, as the Nicaraguan custom, this money was borrowed, and they will do their best to pay it off in the longest amount of time they are given, which also means they will end up paying a ridiculous interest rate for it.

Please help this family in this time. If you are able, please send money through our mission, earmarked anthony cadena. These donations are tax-exempt as NSMN is a 501c3 non-profit.

http://newsongmissionnicaragua.com/donate

or mails checks to:
New Song Mission Nicaragua
c/o Atlanta City Church
3355 Old Jonesboro Rd.
Fairburn, GA 30213

If you want the money to get here faster for this family, you can send a check to my bank account in boone, NC and ill withdraw it..these donations are not tax-exempt.

paypal: jimbobnorman@gmail.com

checks made to Jim Bob Norman, earmarked Anthony
mailed to:
Jim Bob Norman
c/o Martin Real Estate
1069 Blowing Rock Rd.
Boone, NC 28607

thanks to everyone!!!
Jim Bob / Diego