Field Trip

Well I can't say this one was anything like the field trips I took as a student, but we had fun :) Thursday the entire school participated in its yearly field trip. Four buses, about 15 school staff and teachers and over 220 students and parents embarked on a day long adventure through the greater Catarina/Masaya area.

I mean it shouldn't have surprised me, we are in Nicaragua, but I expected there to be a count off, or a division or groups, or teachers being held accountable for x students, but nope. . . none of that. You pay attention, and when the whistle blows, you get on your bus. If you're left behind, tough luck, its your fault! that lesson was quickly learned when we went to leave from our first stop and a student and his mother came running out as the buses were pulling away. Fortunately the last bus spotted them and picked them up, otherwise, bummer.

The students had fun adventuring, seeing the sights, and playing soccer wherever there was space. At our house, we made lunch before leaving, plus each ate a little something along the way. The girls enjoyed being able to spend time with their friends outside of school :)

 

Water fun

Last week in preschool we studied sinking and floating. How fun! The kids loved guessing whether a given object would sink or float, and by the end, they were really getting the hang of it :) We also had some fun mixing oil, dish soap, maple syrup, and juice.

V is for Vanessa

Yelka: What letter is this? (gesturing with her fingers)
Me: "X"
Yelka: No. Its like for Vanessa!

You're right my precious girl. You are so smart! You just need to move your hands a little bit closer together ;)

Preschool classroom

This year we switched preschool classrooms. Elizabeth has it all decorated so cute :) Its tough with cement walls because we can't get stuff to stick very well, but its definitely come together.

Last week the big kids didn't have school one day, so a couple joined in on preschool class(that's why a couple of the kids in these pictures look a little bigger than preschool age!)

Caleb's Birthday

A couple weeks ago was Caleb's birthday! I haven't had a chance to post about it, but we had a blast. I love the evenings when we all end up together (little kids, big kids and adults) not because we have to be in the same place, but because we want to be. That was how this evening was. I love sitting on the back porch just watching, and feeling so blessed to be surrounded by so many people that I love. It is humbling.

 

Also, in case you were not aware. . . Twister, Sack Races, Wheelbarrow races, and pin the nose on the clown are perfect for every age group!

Yelka jumping

half on the ground

Ruby wanted to participate

Ale too :)

Twister fun!!!

the peanut gallery

the grown up sack race

and the little girls

wheel barrow races!

Some how they decided pin the nose on the clown would be more effective using each other as a mask than the bandana. . . and that everyone needed to be blindfolded the whole time. . . Its the fun that matters, right?!

Also, in case you were not aware. . . Twister, Sac Races, Wheelbarrow races, and pin the nose on the clown are perfect for every age group!

Thank you Lord for nights like these.

Don Jose's Miracle

Wednesday night Dona Mayra sent word with her daughter that she would probably not be coming in the morning because her husband was sick and they were thinking about taking him into the hospital. Depending on what the doctors said, he may have to stay the night.

After hearing that, it wasn't much of a surprise when she didn't show up to cook breakfast in the morning. We didn't even think much of it after the day had passed and we hadn't heard any more from her. It wasn't until Friday after she didn't come again that we called to check in on her and her husband.

She broke down on the phone. Her husband (Don Jose) had gone into the clinic because of a fever that he had had for a couple days. They sent him to the hospital. Once at the hospital they put him in observation and went through a series of tests. It was determined that he had infections in his kidney and spleen; his spleen was swollen and enlarged and his kidneys were failing. The doctors told Dona Mayra her husband would not live, that there was nothing they could do for him; that she should take him home so that he could die there. They told her they were not going to admit him because there was nothing that could be done, they were going to write up a letter for her to sign, releasing the hospital from responsibility for his death.

What are you supposed to say to a woman who has just been told her husband's death is inevitable. Especially when you see so many deadbeat dads and husbands in this country, to know that this fate was being declared to one man who did not fit that norm. She was heartbroken to say the least. But she was not ready to give up, and she finally managed to convince a nurse to have him admitted. We began to pray for Dona Mayra and her husband, praying for her strength and for his miracle.

Saturday night a group of us went to the hospital to visit and pray for him. He had been put in the men's orthopedic ward. We walked in the large room. There were about 15 beds in the corridor, each with a plastic chair by its side. Men in varying conditions and varying ages filled the room. Each one with someone by their side. The lights were dim and it was fairly quiet. We walked up to Don Jose's bedside. He was aware of what was going on but struggled to speak. His stomach was bulging and he was visibly uncomfortable. Dona Mayra looked nearly defeated. The well kept, always put together lady who came to cook for us daily was at a loss for what to do. She was staying strong for her man, but she was close to breaking. We began praying for him: prayed for his healing, for God's miraculous touch to come upon him, and most importantly, we prayed for his salvation. Pastor Oscar prayed with him the prayer of salvation and he accepted the Lord as his savior in that moment. Pastor Oscar told him we looked forward to seeing him when he got home. His response, "If not, we'll see each other in Heaven." We prayed with several of the other men in the ward before leaving for the evening. As we walked out of the hospital, tears welled up in my eyes. I just couldn't hold back. I had faith yes, I believed God could heal him. But was it his desire? We would just have to continue praying in faith that his healing was in God's plan.

Monday Dona Mayra called. Don Jose had begun responding to treatment. It was the first promising words she had been told. Every day we received more good news. The following Monday he was released from the hospital. His body still slightly weak, but now completely free of infection. The doctors didn't know how it was possible, but the tests showed his organs were not functioning normally. The doctors may not know, but we do. God preformed a miracle in his life. God is not ready to be done with him and has now given him a new chance at life. A couple of weeks have passed and he continues to get even better.

We serve a mighty God. A God who listens to our prayers and a God who heals.

Access Graduation Ceremony

Last weekend we had the honor of celebrating a graduation ceremony with the English Access class that I taught for a couple of various levels. It was a beautiful ceremony, and all the students were recognized for their achievements. I even got a certificate for teaching too!

 

 

And our class sang! :) I tried to upload the video but it wouldn't let me, and unfortunately I'm not tech savvy enough to figure it out. They sang Imagine by John Lennon. If we're facebook friends you can watch it there.

 

Have to say I'm so proud of the kids in my class. It was a long two years with class 2 hours a day 5 days a week. . . but it paid off and I think they will all have some great opportunities ahead of them.

hot

This week has been hot. . . Fortunately we have an awesome breeze up here on top of the mountain so its not as miserable as it could be!

Easter weekend/Birthday celebration

Sunday we had two reasons to celebrate. 1. Our Savior who is ALIVE and 2. It was Bizzy's birthday! The kids loved passing the day at Shirley's house/finca. We had all sorts of fun and took the whole afternoon to relax and enjoy each other's company. Plus with all the people around, I was able to let the kids loose! Here are some pictures of our delightful day.

The Birthday girl!

Our long table!

Delicious lasagna made by Ms. Shirley :)

 

Our new friends from the US even brought eggs for the kids to go on a Egg Hunt. They have NEVER experienced anything like that before, and were a little confused at first. . . but in the end, they caught on quite well.

 

 Bizzy breaking her own personal piñata!

Our friend for the weekend

This weekend we had a special visitor come! She only stayed a couple days but in that time she got a name, a bath, and lots of lovin :)

Meet Missy!

 

Although everyone was sad to see her go, she now is happy at home with Paulina.