Last month, I enjoyed a spur of the moment trip to Nicaragua, where my folks and I hail from. Mi familia has been through a lot since last October. Popping up lifted everyone’s spirits—especially my three younger siblings.

I flew down alone; no one accompanied me from the states. Mi familia—that is, the crew here in the States—is known for traveling “school of fish” style. Not this time. Plus, I packed lightly and resisted the temptation to play Santa Claus. Carrying gifts isn’t at all a bad thing. It does, however, make one’s trip hectic.

I took it easy, though, since no one knew that I was traveling down. This low-pressure, practical approach freed me to connect. Despite being teased for “acting tourist-y,” I was able to kick it with my siblings—Beverly, Andy and Marvin. Mi familia and I painted Managua (the capital) red…well, as red as you can get without sinning, I suppose.

We ate well, hugged often and obsessively teased one another. Beverly moved to Managua to start college so we got her situated. Andy starts in a few weeks. We prepared him, as well. (Incidentally, the only things I lugged down were school supplies). I was also blessed to help a cousin who is building a house for his familia.

Separating from my laptop and cell phone was refreshing. And, talk about getting lost in nature! We zigzagged from the coffee bean farms near Jinotega to the Caribbean port town of Bluefields (where most of mi familia lives) to the mountainous Matagalpa. I admired Nicaragua’s famous string of five volcanoes; trekked through the Selva Negra mountain resort; and visited a few of the beautiful ancient cathedrals in Leon. I laughed deeply, read voraciously (four books in a week), and slept deliciously.

Nicaragua was splendid.

It bums me out, though, that mis hermanos think I live “The Good Life.”

~Channeling Kanye~

Of the four of us, I am the only one who was raised in the U.S. I explained to them that, although fascinating, America is far from paradise. While we enjoy comforts of life here in the States, quality of life is often compromised. Here’s why:

In America, it’s easier to make a living, but harder to make a life.

Progress—a value that’s central to the American fabric—is bittersweet. Cars, gadgets, music and fashion morph 24/7. Folks work to keep pace, acquiring debt and brokenness in the process. It’s a lifestyle of being hooked on makeovers. Going back to Kanye—I’m reminded of a line from All Falls Down that says, “It seems/we’re living the American Dream/but the people highest up got the lowest self-esteem…Single young female/addicted to retail.”

Perpetual upgrading essentially says, “There’s never enough.”

Too few clothes.

A meager shoe collection.

One degree shy.

Two cup sizes too small.

Here in the States, contentment is seen as weakness. Simplicity is primitive. Despite all of the entertainment and recreation, people escape less. Consumerism strangles them and their lives are cluttered. For this reason, clinical depression, anxiety attacks, mid-life crises, fits of rage, violent murder streaks, and paranoia abound more here than in any other part of the world.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain.” I Timothy 6:6

It’s quite simple to attend church, but it’s hard to live for Jesus.

Sex. Drugs. Crime. Scandals. Inner meltdowns. Arrogance. Vanity. Gambling. All of these are rampant temptations in America.

This reality, though, is no different than any other country.

What is different is America’s religious fiber.

Christianity is glamorous. Our sanctuaries are air-conditioned and fabulously decorated. Churches are hi-tech and jumping with programs for everything:

“Singles Mingle”

“Sister’s Circle”

“Kicking Kid’s Korner”

…and so on.

Congregations come big or small, black or white. Sermons hail in all their catchy, feel-good glory. There are “faith-centered” books and music…”faith-based” movies and theme parks.

In America, everyone does the church thing.

Yet, it’s hard to find tabernacles, or places that preach the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, our Lord. It’s difficult to come by an organic, get-down-to-business, uncomplicated service.

Could it be that in America, we’re choking on religious freedom and being suffocated by innovation?

Don’t get me wrong…I thank God for America. In the words of President Obama, “No where else in the world would my story be possible.”

Yet, I often wonder whether mi familia is richer than me.