In a house where there are 16 inhabitants under the age of 16, they is bound to be lots of noise at nearly all times. Not because they are necessarily yelling and screaming all day, but simply because they are just living. But right now we are in a rare moment. All the babies are asleep, the little girls are cleaning up the lunch dishes, the big girls are back in their room, and I am here enjoying the peace of it all :)
Today is Teacher's Day, a holiday celebrating who else but the teachers! So today the kids had off school. It has the feel of one of those summer days when you are out of school and get to just enjoy the sunshine and warmth. The last few days have been identifiably 'Rainy Season' days. Its been foggy and misty in the morning leading to torrential down pours in the afternoon, and clearing up just in time for the sun to go down. But today is different. Today, Wednesday, was put here in the middle of the week by God as a gift. It was his way of bringing an even stronger sense of peace. Life here can be crazy and hectic and busy, but God knows what we (I) need, and I have realized even more since spending my time here, that it comes in simple, unexpected things. He is Faithful, always, and whether its a tube of tooth paste given by someone who didn't know you had run out, a new unopened package of underwear when all yours are dirty, a sunny day to wash (and dry!) clothes that happens to be the day you are wearing your last clean shirt, or a donation of new clothes that happen to fit you perfectly, (check, check, check, and check) He has met every one of my needs and provided so much more. So take advantage of the moments of tranquility, and enjoy them while you realize that it is a one hundred percent God given gift.
Job 22:21-22 "Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart."
Psalm 29:11 "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace."
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
the zoo???
Does Nicaragua
Wednesday a team from the States decided they wanted to bless our kids with the opportunity to spend a day out doing all sorts of adventurous activities : ) So the day started with a trip to the zoo. The kids loved it! Everyone from the oldest down to the babies got to go, and I think some of the tiniest ones were the most in awe. We went through the butterfly garden (where if you look ahead, will see that one landed on my back), we saw lions and tigers and cheetahs, and monkeys, and snakes, and birds, and rabbits, (yes, you read that right, rabbits. . .) and goats, and pumas, and crocodiles, and turtles and even more that I can’t remember. But regardless of everything we saw, it was a blast! From there the kids all went to Papa Johns (one of the few in the country!) and had pizza, plus got to play in the big jungle gym play area.
This was where my travels had to split away from the rest of the group. In order to get back in time for the English class at two, Ezequiel and I headed back up to El Crucero while the others went on another adventure.
The group is staying in an area with a swimming pool and playing areas, so they spent the rest of the afternoon swimming, doing crafts and activities, and (as far as I was told) just enjoying themselves. So although I can’t share with you pictures from the afternoon portion of the trip, here’s what we saw at the zoo :)
Do you see the little baby hanging onto its mama :)
Those rabbits! Although I will say that maybe they should be in a zoo when you don't see them otherwise in the country??
Friday, June 24, 2011
Kermes
So a kermes is kind of like a carnival fun fair type of activity for the benefit of the school.
I had never heard of this type of an activity until coming to Nicaragua
All the different grades have food that they make and sell (example my lunch was chicken and tortilla with salad for $20 cordobas- a little less than $1 US money :) and in addition to lunch style they had Nicaraguan juices, and treats such as arroz con leche (rice with milk). The kids had a blast watching the soccer games that went on all morning, and the main event of the day. There were students representing all 11 grades in the school that got up on stage to perform something distinctly Nicaraguan. Some students sang, some read poems, and others danced. Our very own Solimar was one of those dancers : ) Some of the students in her class all performed together the traditional Nicaraguan Folkloric dance. She got all dressed up and put on makeup and the kids helped her do up her hair. I went early with her to help her get dressed at the school before she danced. Although we all may be biased, they did great, and she was the prettiest of them all!
Do you see that crazy cool braid that she has too, its a hair piece with ribbon braided into the hair!
You can't get enough of cute babies :)
Well it’s the truth right. And although I originally was going to put this post up to show you how much little Selah has grown, I might as well show you some of my other cuties too!
Here is Jhoselin holding Selah. Can you believe she gave birth to that baby almost 3 months ago!
And in case you were wondering, nearly every one of the kids would hold that baby every moment of the day if given the opportunity! Even the littlest ones (who are not so little compared to her) love to be as close, and as big a part of it all as possible!
The rest of them are right there too I just don't have enough space to put up pictures of everone!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Felicidades!
This week we celebrated two anniversaries. Joely celebrated her 16th birthday :) And Moises celebrated the anniversary of 5 years with the ministry!
So congratulations to two people who are pretty great.
Monday, June 13, 2011
The kiddies of Waspam
There had to be a post to only show the pictures of the precious children that we spent so much time with :) New Hope Children's Foundation also has a children's home in Waspam, so we spent plenty of time playing with the kids there, as well as bringing a couple back to live there on our trip up the river. So here they are!
the aftermath of the pinata :)
And the whole group together! Including the house mom Esmeralda
the aftermath of the pinata :)
And the whole group together! Including the house mom Esmeralda
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Wednesday in Waspam
Wednesday we had an amazing opportunity to travel up the river (Rio Coco) and visit a number of villages along the way handing out food, and taking in a couple of kids. The river is somewhat less than crystal clear water that is clean and refreshing (quite the opposite) but it is the only means of transportation to a large majority of the people who live along it. After about 2 hours on boat, you pass the last city that is also reachable by road. Anything further has no vehicle access, you can only come and go via the boats on the river. Me being someone who enjoys this type of ride, loved taking in all the scenery and atmosphere of riding down the river.
We stopped at one village where I talked to a guy that was 24 years old and had never in his life time seen a gringo (white person) in the village. That is somewhat the same impression we got from a majority of the people we passed by. People would gather on the banks to see us as we rode by, and the kids would do that hiding just far enough away thing so they could see you but didn't have to get too close. I'm sure they knew we existed, but we truly were like an 'alien' to them.
It was also a whole village affair every time we stopped (which really made it kind of cool, but here is one village that came down the bank to get the rice we were handing out (it almost had a baptism feel you know)
And over all it was a great day, long, but really good . . . up until the very last part. The boat ran out of gas. We traveled about 5 or so hours up the river, and on our way back, with about 2 hours left, we putzed ourself to a stop in the middle of the Rio Coco. Well then. Another thing I didn't mention, the town of Waspam was out of gas, in order to get the 45 gallons we needed to even take the trip in the first place, we got the mayor to release the towns reserve fuel to us. (Talk about friends in high places!) But unfortunately, that was not enough, miraculously though, we were nearly to the village of Leimus (the last village reachable by roads), so we paddled our way over and emptied ourselves out of the boat. The thought was (because of course Leimus doesn't have any more gas either) was to just call back to Waspam, and have someone send a truck to come pick us all up. If only it was that simple. . . Leimus doesn't have cell phone signal, so one person got a ride on a motor bike someone had 6 km out of town where they finally reached cell signal. Then, the only big truck in Waspam was broken down, so they finally got a hold of a little pickup that we decided would have to do (we didn't have any other options). So we wait and wait (then find out that the bridge over a little river has been washed over, so the ride will take twice as long between the villages because they have to go around and about out fo the way). So finally the truck gets there and there are 28, I think, in a pick up truck. Although that counts the 4 kids and 2 adults in the cab, so there were only 22 people in the bed haha. But we hadn't been on the road 10 minutes and we come across the border patrol military check point (you know where they want to see your passport, and know why you are so close between the Honduras and Nicaragua line) I just sat they praying and praying thinking about all those things you hear on the news about the hispanics trying to get into the states. I was just sure this was going to end in jail. But after a brief discussion, and talk about how we were a ministry, we went right on by (thank you LORD!) I would have loved for this to be the end of the excitement, but unfortunately that was not to be. The driver of the truck was insane. To the point that we almost made him leave us more than once to just walk home. (If we hadn't been in the middle of nowhere with no humans for miles, in the pitch black (except for the moon) I would have done it without a thought). So instead we (well at least I) just sat there praying. In the end, we did end up getting out when we got into the city of Waspam and walked the last maybe 1 kilometer or so back to our hotel. NEVER have I been so happy to get anywhere.
But regardless of all the chaos, the 3 or so hours we spent in Leimus were great. We were in this
little pavilion like thing the whole time, but we sang songs, we played games, ate the last of the snacks we had packed, and over all had some good bonding time (especially with the kids we brought back with us). Although I will say that the first hour or so of waiting was much more exciting than the rest :) But, if nothing else, the running out of gas gave us this fun time to appreciate all the memories we made that day!
We stopped at one village where I talked to a guy that was 24 years old and had never in his life time seen a gringo (white person) in the village. That is somewhat the same impression we got from a majority of the people we passed by. People would gather on the banks to see us as we rode by, and the kids would do that hiding just far enough away thing so they could see you but didn't have to get too close. I'm sure they knew we existed, but we truly were like an 'alien' to them.
It was also a whole village affair every time we stopped (which really made it kind of cool, but here is one village that came down the bank to get the rice we were handing out (it almost had a baptism feel you know)
And over all it was a great day, long, but really good . . . up until the very last part. The boat ran out of gas. We traveled about 5 or so hours up the river, and on our way back, with about 2 hours left, we putzed ourself to a stop in the middle of the Rio Coco. Well then. Another thing I didn't mention, the town of Waspam was out of gas, in order to get the 45 gallons we needed to even take the trip in the first place, we got the mayor to release the towns reserve fuel to us. (Talk about friends in high places!) But unfortunately, that was not enough, miraculously though, we were nearly to the village of Leimus (the last village reachable by roads), so we paddled our way over and emptied ourselves out of the boat. The thought was (because of course Leimus doesn't have any more gas either) was to just call back to Waspam, and have someone send a truck to come pick us all up. If only it was that simple. . . Leimus doesn't have cell phone signal, so one person got a ride on a motor bike someone had 6 km out of town where they finally reached cell signal. Then, the only big truck in Waspam was broken down, so they finally got a hold of a little pickup that we decided would have to do (we didn't have any other options). So we wait and wait (then find out that the bridge over a little river has been washed over, so the ride will take twice as long between the villages because they have to go around and about out fo the way). So finally the truck gets there and there are 28, I think, in a pick up truck. Although that counts the 4 kids and 2 adults in the cab, so there were only 22 people in the bed haha. But we hadn't been on the road 10 minutes and we come across the border patrol military check point (you know where they want to see your passport, and know why you are so close between the Honduras and Nicaragua line) I just sat they praying and praying thinking about all those things you hear on the news about the hispanics trying to get into the states. I was just sure this was going to end in jail. But after a brief discussion, and talk about how we were a ministry, we went right on by (thank you LORD!) I would have loved for this to be the end of the excitement, but unfortunately that was not to be. The driver of the truck was insane. To the point that we almost made him leave us more than once to just walk home. (If we hadn't been in the middle of nowhere with no humans for miles, in the pitch black (except for the moon) I would have done it without a thought). So instead we (well at least I) just sat there praying. In the end, we did end up getting out when we got into the city of Waspam and walked the last maybe 1 kilometer or so back to our hotel. NEVER have I been so happy to get anywhere.
But regardless of all the chaos, the 3 or so hours we spent in Leimus were great. We were in this
little pavilion like thing the whole time, but we sang songs, we played games, ate the last of the snacks we had packed, and over all had some good bonding time (especially with the kids we brought back with us). Although I will say that the first hour or so of waiting was much more exciting than the rest :) But, if nothing else, the running out of gas gave us this fun time to appreciate all the memories we made that day!
Oh the rain: Waspam edition
So you can almost with complete confidence, plan on a late afternoon rain shower (or pour) during the rainy season. This was no different as we rode back to Waspam after spending time in Kisalaya.
I guess in order to understand our situation you need to have a picture of our truck. We rented this truck because there were 17 of us in total who went together on this trip, so we needed to have enough space for all us and the things we were bringing from one town to the next.
Well that rain storm came. . . just as we were finishing up and getting on the road to head back to Waspam. (remember about a 15 minute drive). So with all of us in the back end. . . the rain came. But it didn't just come, it down poured. And all of us in the truck had nothing to do except get absolutely soaking wet. Fortunately it was a nice relief from the HOT HUMID weather, but I can't say its something I would plan as a daily activity for myself. This weather does not really do us justice as to truly seeing how wet we were when we arrived back to the hotel, but regardless:
Here are some of the guys helping the hotel staff by sweeping out the standing water from the main sitting area/entryway :)
I guess in order to understand our situation you need to have a picture of our truck. We rented this truck because there were 17 of us in total who went together on this trip, so we needed to have enough space for all us and the things we were bringing from one town to the next.
Well that rain storm came. . . just as we were finishing up and getting on the road to head back to Waspam. (remember about a 15 minute drive). So with all of us in the back end. . . the rain came. But it didn't just come, it down poured. And all of us in the truck had nothing to do except get absolutely soaking wet. Fortunately it was a nice relief from the HOT HUMID weather, but I can't say its something I would plan as a daily activity for myself. This weather does not really do us justice as to truly seeing how wet we were when we arrived back to the hotel, but regardless:
Here are some of the guys helping the hotel staff by sweeping out the standing water from the main sitting area/entryway :)
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Kisalaya
I am going to try to split up the trip into a couple posts, because there were just too many things that went on to show them all in one! First, I just needed to show you a picture of the hotel pet. Its name is Bambi and it just hangs around, drinks from a bottle and loves to be pet :)
Kyle sharing the gospel with the children before they ate (using Ezequiel as a translator). I think this part may have been a reenacting of the story of David and Goliath (the boy up on his shoulders :)
The town of Kisalaya is about 15 minutes west of Waspam. It is a relatively large village when compared to the other Miskito villages along the river, with a population of just under 2,000. This village came together and decided to give the ministry approximately 100 acres of land leading all the way north to the Rio Coco. The land is absolutely gorgeous.
And when we were walking around the land with the leaders of the community, measuring it off, for whatever reason they kept suggesting we take more of the land, and extend the area we would like to have. It was truly God working through these people. How else would the ministry obtain over 100 acres without paying anything. As you see in the picture, you can't even see to the other side of it. Through one of the days we were there 'surveying' we all sat and had lunch together under a big shade tree, and simply had to praise God for this amazing Earth that He had created, and I couldn't help but think about how no one had ever inhabited this land before, and how it truly is a little piece of heaven.
We also met our neighbors.
One of those events that really makes you feel like you are in an episode of National Geographic, as the local kids came out from hiding and watched from a safe enough distance to figure out what is going on, but not close enough to put themselves into any danger! Fortunately we were able to get to know them a little (remember they speak Miskito and we are somewhat limited in its fluency :) But we learned that the little house over (no bigger than my family room at home) housed 16 people. Two of the girls we met where sisters that lived there with other siblings. One was 19 and one 16 years old. The 16 year old had a 8 month old son, and the 19 year old had a 3 year old and a 18 month old. This is one of those things that has proven itself to be quite the norm. Sad but true, a large chunk of the girls were pregnant by 15.
Through the whole process we have really been trying to build a good relationship with this community. They are being so generous to us, we are hoping to be able to reach back out to them in ways of seed for planting, providing jobs in the construction of the buildings and clearing of the property. Beyond that we set up a feeding center for all the children in the village. Monday we had the first feeding and made 84 bags of a soy rice mixure that serves 6 people per bag.
Here are some of the kids gathering as the food was prepared.
Kyle sharing the gospel with the children before they ate (using Ezequiel as a translator). I think this part may have been a reenacting of the story of David and Goliath (the boy up on his shoulders :)
In the end we ended up serving nearly 500 servings. The kids were fighting over the food, and the chance to get up to the pot of soy. I was serving it out, and at the end, there was only the raspa (what the natives call the rice that sticks to the sides of the pot), and I couldn't even get myself away from the pot because the kids were all pressing so hard around me trying to the last little scraps. I have been at feeding centers before, and of couse all the people are in need of the food that is being supplied, but never have I seen kids fighting to get to the food. During the process I wasn't thinking much, I was in all honesty a little stressed and closterphobic from the kids swarming from all sides (regardless of our attempt to organize them). But afterwards I simply had to admire how God makes all things work together. The town had a plot of land, and we have access to FOOD. Food is something we think of so nonchalantly, and them in the same way, have all this land that no one is using or living on, and yet together God has a way of providing for all involved.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Waspam and Kisalaya
We have spent the last 4 days in this amazing region of the country of Nicaragua. The internet connection is not strong enough to load pictures, but I will be sure to put up pictures of this culture when we get back. The town of Kisalaya has decided to give us (yes, give) over 100 acres of land to build a home for orphaned and abandoned Miskito children and more than that, a location to organize and minister to the people of the community. We have seen God perform miracle after miracle since arriving here.
Monday we opened up a feeding center in Kisalaya and fed nearly 500 children, handicap and pregnant women. We have spent ample time playing with the 9 kids who are currently living in the home we have here in Waspam, have sweat in bucket loads, and wrung a number of buckets of water more out of our clothing after we got stuck in a monsoon storm of a rain storm.
But above all, we are seeing the way God is moving in this land and opening doors for the Miskito people to hear about Him and enter into His kingdom.
Monday we opened up a feeding center in Kisalaya and fed nearly 500 children, handicap and pregnant women. We have spent ample time playing with the 9 kids who are currently living in the home we have here in Waspam, have sweat in bucket loads, and wrung a number of buckets of water more out of our clothing after we got stuck in a monsoon storm of a rain storm.
But above all, we are seeing the way God is moving in this land and opening doors for the Miskito people to hear about Him and enter into His kingdom.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Teaching
I'm a teacher! We'll I guess I have been off and on for a while now, But just this week I have started with a new class.
Last fall I taught Christian Education (Bible class) in the primary school, and starting in February I began teaching English to adults every Saturday morning at the Technical School we have here with the organization. Its a lot of fun (adults are so much different to teach than kids!) and it is only an hour of class every week, so I don't have to devote all that much time to it. But Wednesday the life of simple teaching one day a week ended, and I have embarked on a new and exciting adventure! The US Embassy has a program called the English Access Microscholarship Program where they select about 25 students to take part in an intensive two year English class to fluently learn the language. It meets for two hours/day, 5 days a week. There are only a hand full of cites around Nicaragua, and El Crucero happened to be chosen as a host city, and further more, the class is held at our school! So in addition to this being a great opportunity, they were also looking for teachers from the area. And that just happens to be ME :) We started classes Wednesday, and I am really excited for the potential that could come from this class. It is made up of 14-16 year olds, who are all genuinely excited to learn English. The program provides all the resources we need, a TV, CD, and DVD player, finances to take field trips, (even traveling stipends for the students who have a longer ways to travel to get to class).
And although I was nervous about it all at first, the excitement is really kicking in. I am still just as much a part of life in the children's home, and all I am doing there, this is just an added activity in my day! Also, In teaching, you only commit to two months at a time. So while I know I will be teaching the next two months, I can choose which of the 8 week units I want to teach, and they will hire others to teach the ones I don't
So anyways, just wanted to share that news, and ask for prayers over the whole program and process!
Last fall I taught Christian Education (Bible class) in the primary school, and starting in February I began teaching English to adults every Saturday morning at the Technical School we have here with the organization. Its a lot of fun (adults are so much different to teach than kids!) and it is only an hour of class every week, so I don't have to devote all that much time to it. But Wednesday the life of simple teaching one day a week ended, and I have embarked on a new and exciting adventure! The US Embassy has a program called the English Access Microscholarship Program where they select about 25 students to take part in an intensive two year English class to fluently learn the language. It meets for two hours/day, 5 days a week. There are only a hand full of cites around Nicaragua, and El Crucero happened to be chosen as a host city, and further more, the class is held at our school! So in addition to this being a great opportunity, they were also looking for teachers from the area. And that just happens to be ME :) We started classes Wednesday, and I am really excited for the potential that could come from this class. It is made up of 14-16 year olds, who are all genuinely excited to learn English. The program provides all the resources we need, a TV, CD, and DVD player, finances to take field trips, (even traveling stipends for the students who have a longer ways to travel to get to class).
And although I was nervous about it all at first, the excitement is really kicking in. I am still just as much a part of life in the children's home, and all I am doing there, this is just an added activity in my day! Also, In teaching, you only commit to two months at a time. So while I know I will be teaching the next two months, I can choose which of the 8 week units I want to teach, and they will hire others to teach the ones I don't
So anyways, just wanted to share that news, and ask for prayers over the whole program and process!
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