GDEV (Gracias Dios Es Viernes)

Roughly translated it means 'thank God it's Friday'.  I think that if you asked anyone on our team, the consensus would be the same.  We have loved every moment of this week but are a little tired.  Today began with the mental preparation that we would not return to the hotel until after dinner....in other words- a long day.  Our day begins at Villa Roma Church helping to entertain children as the women tackle the pillow case project.  So far this week the women have made a blanket, a purse, and a pillow case.  It is amazing to see how God has helped these women to learn how to use the machines we purchased last year.  When we started this project last August, it took multiple translators and people to help teach the women how to thread the machines and sew together the patterns we brought.  This year, the women work much more easily with the machines and rarely need help when putting together the projects.  

At lunch we were in for a special treat.  Pastor Manuel asked a band to come and play for us as we finished our food.  The band played for a long time- mis brazos (arms) would have died!  There was a young boy that couldn't have been more than 10 helping with the drums and I was amazed at his ability to remember the music and hit his beats.  Near the end we were in for an even bigger treat as our leader, Lori, stood up to dance with Pastora Rosa while the band played.  Lori is such a natural at dancing.....I'm sure Pastor JD wouldn't mind letting her teach a Zumba class or two up at the church when we return home.  

Our story for VBS was about Jesus healing the blind man.  I can't help feeling sometimes that this is a great parallel story for how we as missioners are transformed through mission.  I know personally that mission always seems to help me see people and the world in general with his eyes.  God's eyes see no color or class distinction.  They are not ensnared by what the world deems aesthetically pleasing but rather appreciate the beauty in all people.  Perhaps we are all beginning to wash our eyes with the mud of the Nicaraguan earth and in so doing restoring our sight and spirits.  

After we said our goodbyes to the families at Villa Roma Church, we drove to el campo (the country) to visit Patora Anna Patricia's church, Roberto Clemente Iglesia Metodista.  We were able to visit with Anna and her family for an hour or so.  It was a great time of fellowship for all of us as we were able to hear of the needs for this church and learn more about a different community in Nicaragua.  Anna prayed with us before sending us off and wished us safe return.  

We finished the night at Fridays.............I know can you believe it?  They have a TGIF in Nicaragua.....who knew?  We thought it was fitting to finish our week here since it really was Friday.  When we saw Donovan's sandwich come out we were all a little skeptical that he would be able to finish it......and of course even though he's a growing boy.....he couldn't quite manage it.  In fact I think he loosened his jaw just a bit by even trying.  

My roomies and I finished the night strong with 80's night.  We crooned to some Journey, Michael Jackson, and Guns N Roses as we looked back over pictures from the day.  We have been so fortunate to get to spend this time together.  It really does bond you in a 'special' way hahaha.  We had to bust out the glow in the dark bracelets and take pictures of our 'roomie night'.  We originally went outside and used the flash......yeah dumb.  Our room has no windows so all we really needed to do was shut off the lights. But hey!  It had been a long day!  We can't be held responsible for our less than brilliant thinking at 10 pm.......

Feliz Cumpleanos Vickie

On Wednesday we returned to Villa Roma church for more fellowship and VBS.  We always begin each day by worshiping with the congregation.  Nicaraguans sing with so much energy and passion.  I know they would wonder if we were happy to be at church if they experienced how sedate we are in the states.  However they might be impressed that we stay on pitch.........something that seems to be touch and go here.  My favorite part of the morning is to hear the Pastor lead us in worship that is becoming increasingly familiar.  Last year the songs were a little harder to follow and to my surprise, this year has been relatively easy to sing along.  At this rate I'll be fluent by next year.........well, at least during worship.  

After worship, Lori asked me to go shopping with Rigoberto for party supplies so that we could celebrate Vickie's birthday with the kids.  We had to visit a couple of mercados (markets) because cakes are not easy to come by in Nicaragua.  They are not overly expensive but they are a luxury many cannot afford.  We also purchased a piñata and candy to help entertain the kids.  Piñatas in truth are about three times the size they are in the U.S.  This Piñata would have easily been up to my shoulder.  It is interesting that the characters were almost all inspired by western pop culture.  So many princess piñatas......however, I don't think we were comfortable thinking about Cinderella taking a stick to the face so we settled for a ballerina cat.  

We returned to the church and I was finally able to pull out my beading project that I had brought for the women.  I hadn't really thought the women would enjoy it as much after my initial two days of watching them with the sewing project.  After about two minutes, so many of them were crowded around the table that I was hard-pressed to find let alone reach beads for the bracelet I was making.  Pastora Rosa was very excited that we had the cards to thread the earrings through for sale.  These women have an innate eye for color and design.  They make the most beautiful things.  Pastora Rosa gifted me one of her sets of earrings as a thank you for bringing the supplies.  It was one of my favorite fellowship moments with the women.  

For dinner we were able to eat out with Rigoberto and his family.  Not only do you have to call ahead for a party as big as ours (18+) but if you don't they won't accommodate you at all.  No waiting.........just no comida (food).  Cheese is NOT cheddar in Nicaragua......it tends to have a rubber consistency and be either goat or stinky feta.  Their queso must be served by pulling with a fork as opposed to scooping with a spoon.  I noticed this year that Lori steered clear of the fish......as last year it was served to her blackened on a spit......eye glaring at her.  We were able to ride back to the Hotel with Franklin in a smaller car........first time I've FELT the AC in a vehicle here.  Lori was able to practice her spanish and really perfect her go-to-word response- si.  

Raining Perros y Gatos

Breakfast was a treat as it is every morning!  They have a hard time keeping toast on the table at the rate we consume it.  We had a great conversation about Cuba and the people there.  I know what you're thinking....CUBA?!  I thought they were in Nicaragua.  We are, but Lori is leading a trip to to Cuba in December and we of course had to hear all about this fabulous opportunity.  Jayne led us in a great conversation where we discussed the ins and outs of communism and the Cuban people and the history of their relationship with the United States.  Nothing like starting the day out with the easy subjects! :)


We left for Villa Roma church where we spent the morning in worship and women's sewing classes.  The women are using the machines we purchased on our last visit and they were so proficient.  We didn't hardly have to give any instructions for the blankets they are making.  It is so wonderful to see how much they have learned in one year.  While Jayne, Kristin, and Lori led the sewing project, the men headed out to the back of the church to help build an additional toilet stall.  Andy and John worked hard all morning and well into the afternoon to help mix concrete and put the walls up.

For the rest of us, the morning was spent doing what we love to do most.........play with the kids!  We saw familiar faces, Nelly and Alejandro, who were there last summer.  The kids passed time playing with the chalk we brought and tracing each other on the concrete.  I did find out that the children enjoy games and iPhones....I had to translate Temple Run which I believe came out roughly as 'the run of the monkeys'.......it seemed to work.  They played it all morning.  The children are so good about sharing.  One minute my phone was gone and the next they had created their own gaming community as they sat in a circle and cheered each other on taking turns passing the phone.

After lunch, 8 of us left for another church in the city to help lead VBS.  We stopped along the way at a gas station for bebidas (drinks) and a bano (bathroom) which was under construction and apparently required a security guard to make sure we only went one at a time.  We made it to the church across town and led VBS.  The children loved watching one of our missioners, Donovan, interpret Goliath who fell after David hit him with the slingshot.  We were making God's Eyes for a craft with the kids when the heavens opened up and perros and gatos rained down from above.  The tin rough of the church even started lifting after a few moments.  I was vaguely aware the Rigoberto mentioned tornado activity and seemed genuinely surprised not to have a bigger response from us........little did he know that Oklahomans don't get scared when someone mentions a tornado.  It was probably the only natural disaster that he could have mentioned that was guaranteed not to send us into an immediate panic.  We headed back into the van to pick up the rest of our team before they blew away and came back to the hotel.

PS......Hot Dogs are just Hot Dogs here.....not perros calientes.

Plantains!!!!

It has been one year since our team left Nicaragua and I was so excited this morning about coming back.  For months I have been praying and anticipating the amazing ways God is going to move in our hearts and lives this week.  Although I will say I hadn't planned on Him moving quite so early.....waking up at 3:30 am for our 5:45 red-eye flight was an adventure to say the least.


Meeting up with everyone from our team in Houston we were excited to see familiar faces and meet new team members.  The flight from Houston was uneventful mainly due to the lovely United Airlines tv's that were available but only worked for the first 20 minutes of the flight.  

We made it to Managua around 11:30 am.  We were so excited to see Rigoberto who greeted us and helped us load into a school bus.  That's right.......eleven missionaries and a school bus equals crazy good times.  It was so cool to drive down familiar streets and finally pull in at Hotel Casa San Juan....or as we call it- home.  We ate a marvelous lunch and then grabbed the zzz's we had been denied that morning.  


Dinner can be summed up in one word- PLANTAINS!!!! These are the most marvelous part of the meals.  I was able to nab 3 for myself.......let's be honest 4 would have been a gross infringement on everyone else who would have been deprived.  I have the best roomies in the world!  Shout out to Lauren and Luisa who have to be blessed by my presence all week.  

Dios es Bueno, Todo el Tiempo

This week Pastor Emmanuel has been teaching us to say God is good, all the time in spanish and we respond, "all the time, God is good".  It is especially fun to watch Lori try and say it as she is almost always a word or two behind.  Each morning we begin by repeating this phrase back and forth to each other.  It is amazing to see how even phrases we use in America are popular here, reinforcing that we aren't as far apart as we always try to imagine we are.

Friday was our last day with the children and we were so sad to see them go, but also excited for all that their mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers have made in the sewing classes.  Some of the children came to the church wearing the dresses and shorts that the women had made earlier in the week.  In this picture, the little boy and youngest girl are wearing shorts that were made earlier in the week.  The oldest girl is wearing the dress and matching headband her mother made Monday.

Bible school was bittersweet time as we made necklaces with the children and talked about the good samaritan.  Each of the children pay attention when the lesson is being given.  We are beginning to know them all by name.  It is especially moving to see so many of our team comfortable engaging with the people despite the language barrier.  On the first day with the children, there was an awkwardness that surrounded approaching the people and attempting a language we didn't understand.  It has been most humbling to find that the people want to communicate with us as much as we want to speak with them.  They are more than willing to help us learn and graciously look over our mistakes.

CJ brought his spanish-english dictionary on Friday and spoke for a while with a group of boys who passed by and were not initially part of our project.  They paused en route outside the church gate and the next time we looked over, CJ had all the boys inside the gate and they were teaching each other with the dictionary how to speak to one another.  God can always make a way when there seems to be no way.

Each morning we get up, eat breakfast and climb into our spacious mystery machine and drive to the Buen Samaratino (Good Samaritan) Church.  Remember the lovely mystery machine from Scooby Doo?  That is what our maroon van looks like each morning when it pulls up to the curb.  Full of promise for the days adventures, we actually fit.....perhaps I should say squeeze 22 people onto this van.  Packed tighter than a jar of pickles we don't really worry about seat belts because, well, there aren't any.  This would perhaps not be as scary if the people here observed turn laws but everyone seems to turn with the spirit......meaning you turn and pray to the Lord that there's no one else who decided to turn from an opposite direction.  Our mystery machine comes equipped with courtesy seats so that we actually sit 4 to a row instead of merely 3. It also has the best air conditioning around.........when the windows are open and we are moving that is.  We took a picture on the first day to show all of you at home what exactly traveling in style looks like in Managua..........

Today marks our halfway point in the mission.  Each  morning when we arrive at the church, Pastor Emmanuel leads us in praise and worship while his son Humberto plays the guitar.  Pastor Emmanuel gives us a brief thought or two on various passages of the bible and then JD takes over and leads all of us in adult bible study.  This week he has been preaching on John Wesley's three simple rules.  Yesterday was rule number 1: Do No Harm.  While JD preaches, our translator Rigoberto gives the sermon in Spanish for all the community that has come.  Today we heard about the second rule: Do Good.  JD did a very good job and was conscientious to include examples of well known Nicaraguans to help draw the community more fully into the lesson.  At the end, Lori was invited to speak since every aspect of this mission has been her idea and has been in her prayers.  JD closed the service by blessing the sewing machines that the women will use for the next year.

Bible School had just as many children today as yesterday.  We sang many songs and made God's Eyes for a craft.  The children learned the 10 commandments as Andy announced like a game show host and 10 women played the part of Vana White.  Undeniably, the best part of the day is the free time we spend with the children and their families at the end of each afternoon.  The girls grow especially close to all of us and desire to make friends with everyone they meet.  Each one has the face of God.  

Our devotion for the evening was centered around judgements.  Who is the leaper in our society?  Homeless, illegal immigrants, muslims community.......who do we fail to see with the eyes of christ?  Are we the leapers?  In America we have so much and there is undeniably a push to be the best or have the best?  Does this make our hearts clean or just cloud our purpose here on earth?  Sometimes I feel that the women who make our lunch each day with one stove and one pot might laugh to enter an American kitchen. 


"What is this for?" they would ask.
"Oh, that's a pressure cooker.......it cooks food," we'd respond.
"And this?" they'd continue.
"That's a crock pot........it cooks food too," we'd explain.
"And this?"
"That's a microwave.....it cooks FOOD," we'd elaborate feeling a little exasperated that they didn't seem to understand what all these devices in the kitchen were for.
"So does this work?" they'd say pointing to the stove.
"Yes, the oven works fine." we'd say, probably looking at them like they were crazy for not understanding at this point in the conversation.


But who is truly the one who fails to understand?  Perhaps it is us for not realizing at times how much we have, and that what we have clutters our life and makes it difficult to store up our treasures in heaven.  Perhaps we are strange for 'needing' so much to be happy- for thinking that 4 kitchen apparatuses which perform the same task are necessary.  I find it ironic that we go on mission to be closer to God.  I believe sometimes we lose sight of his face in the clutter of materialism we surround ourselves in.  Essentially, we at heart recognize that happiness and closeness with God is not found in what we own but what we give of ourselves to others.

Siesta: Every day, Any Way

Nicaragua runs on what some call "banana time".  You may plan all you want but in the end you will leave and accomplish tasks when the spirit moves.  This means all that you do is approached with a mindset of flexibility.  There is ample time each day to enjoy each other's company and fellowship.  There is also time to siesta (nap).  Every day, any way you can it is good to fit a little rest into your routine.  Alejandro is a two year old boy who has been attending our bible school each day.  He comes early so his mother can take advantage of the sewing classes in the morning.  Even he finds time to siesta.........

We had twice as many women present for the sewing classes today.  As word reaches people of what we are doing, more and more come to learn.  The women patterned and sewed a dress today.  They are always attentive and willing to learn.  It is such a blessing to continue to watch Delphine, Ann, and Sandra instruct the women and complete new projects each day.  While the women sew, our local knitting expert, Monisha, has been teaching Miranda, Connie and Farah to knit.  Likewise, Steve has been teaching Lacey, Teranne, and Barbara how to crochet.  While the women sew, the other half of our team enjoys the fellowship of our knitting circle.  It is a blessing to see how each person contributes to the group.  

Bible School also saw increased numbers, so many we had trouble fitting them all around the tables we  had set up.  More and more children come with their friends everyday.  We taught them how to make a star out of string for the story of the Magi.  The children were extremely animated and taught us how to sing Jesus Loves the Little Children, Father Abraham, and the Monkey Song with hand motions.  We all were able to participate and they love to see us try and speak their language (even if we do butcher it).  We ended the afternoon in free time where girls had their fingernails painted by Connie, Farah, Lacey, and Lauren.  Teranne braided three heads of hair in french braids while Steve made balloon animals for all the boys and CJ created beats with the boys on the Djembe (drum).  

After leaving for the day, our group went home to prepare to go out to eat.  Our Pink Ladies all showed up for dinner looking lovely and inadvertently matching.  Barbara tends to be our ring leader with her pink sunglasses.  We ate wonderful food and enjoyed the music provided by a lone man and his guitar on the front porch of the restaurant.  When he started playing La Bamba, of course the whole table erupted into song and started dancing in our seats.  Then Lacey requested the Macarena and a few of us found ourselves dancing out on the floor.  I'm sure all who saw us were thinking, "Those crazy Americans!"  Even Charlie's Angels showed up!  All in all, we had more laughs and enjoyment from just being with each other than ever before on this trip.  

God continues to move in the hearts of the people of Nicaragua and in the hearts of our team.  Today helped us grow closer to each other and to learn more about each other.  I know that God has placed each member of our team here for a reason.  There doesn't seem to be any situation that we don't have a person gifted to help or instruct.  We feel so blessed and it is evident that God has been preparing this team for the betterment of his kingdom for a long time.  As a team, we stand amazed at his majesty and glory in his presence.