August 2015

The month of August is a whirl in my mind.  I was so sick for the whole month, that everything seemed to be on auto pilot.  I really felt God speaking to me about many things during this time.   Partly about relying on Him for every single need – physical, mental, spiritual. 

I’ve always wanted to build and run the ministry in a way that is preparing it to be ‘owned’ and directed by my Nica counterparts.   Being out of pocket for weeks made me realize that I have been a little lax in keeping to that plan of action.  A renewed dedication to delegation, training and empowering has been ignited.  A more focus seeking of God’s plan and direction is springing forth.  Out of ashes are many blessings.

Jasmina was here for a couple of weeks while working for some ministries here in León and El Viejo.  Her mother joined us for one evening.  Mostly they are here just for sleeping, as her work days are long.  Also, Sofi and Victoria and I retire to my room right after dinner for some video watching and family time.  Our evenings are pretty quiet.  But we like them that way!

Veronica carried on the classes with help from Enia and some volunteer teachers.  Sofi kept the house running.  I had some visits from fellow missionaries who travel back and forth to and from the states.  Mostly I stayed in the house and tried to get my health and strength back.  I had to quit taking my morning exercise walks, because just walking the 5 blocks to the grocery store would make my bp plummet.  I miss my time out on the streets in the early mornings, getting some exercise and some sun.  But I still spend my special quiet time with God, it just happens in my rocking chair in my room now. 

The Co-Op ladies have been very busy all month working on items to sell at the Ferria on the 29^th.  This is the first event like this that the Casa Albierta organization has hosted.  We are very excited to be a part of it.

I went to the immigration office to extend my tourist visa for another 3 months.  I was once again denied (because I have done it so much in the last few years).  They want me to get my residency.  I’m working in it.  But it takes lots of time, hassle and money and will not be completed for probably another year.  Until then, I have to leave Nica every 3 months.  It’s expensive to fly to the states every time, so this month I opted to join some fellow missionaries in a trek to Costa Rica via bus.  What an experience!!

The bus ticket is only $58 round trip.  Not bad.  The bus is a nice charter type bus with a/c, reclining seats, bathroom, etc.  For normal people, it’s not a bad trip.  For someone who gets carsick – not so much.  We made the trip from León to Managua in 2 hours.  Then we boarded the bus and left about 11:30am.  Before we got out of the city, we were stopped by the police and everyone was taken off the bus and frisked.  Then we got back on the bus and headed out.  The highway riding to the border was not too bad.  It took about 5 hours or so and was pretty straight.  The bus has curtains on all four sides (the driver is sectioned off in front) and it was difficult for my stomach not getting to see where we were going.  The stop at the Nica border gave us time to stand and walk around for a while.  During that time, the bus people (who had collected our passports and money on the bus) took care of processing our documents for leaving Nica.  There were people selling some souvenirs, exchanging money, selling refreshments.  Mostly we just people watched. 

As we boarded the bus, our passports were given back to us.  Then we rode a few minutes until we reached the Costa Rica border facility.  We all got off the bus again.   There was a fee for here and some kind of process to enter Costa Rica, but I actually can’t remember much about it.  All of the stops (going and coming) seem to merge in my mind.  Once we were back on, we road a kind of winding highway for about an hour till we got to Liberia.  We were dropped off on the side of the highway and walked to our hotels.  I was pretty nauseous and was so glad to be walking and not riding!

After Tamara’s family got settled in their hotel rooms, we headed out to find my little hotel.  It was about a mile of walking into the center of town.  I loved my little hotel.  It reminded me a little of a 50’s motor lodge décor.  Old wood, tile, etc.  But it was very clean.  I had a room with 2 double beds, tv, cable, a/c, wi/fi and bathroom.  There was a pool and garden area, too.  Breakfast was free (gallo pinto, eggs, salchicha, bread).   All for just $35 per night.  I was pleased and didn’t mind the walk to the stores and restaurants.  We all had dinner and Tamara’s boys walked me home and I gave them money to stop at McDonalds on the way back to their hotel for ice cream.

We had one free day in CR.  I had a leisurely breakfast, watched CNN in English on TV, and then met Tamara’s family at a store that was running a half off sale.  We shopped a little bit and then split up at lunch time.  I had a nice lunch at a little Chinese restaurant on the way back to my hotel.  Then I just rested, read, watched TV, and enjoyed the a/c.  I had dinner at the little hotel dining room that night.  I actually got steak (that I could chew) and mashed potatoes for under $10.  It was very relaxing.

I left my hotel at 9:00am for the bus stop.  Tamara’s family met me there shortly after.  Our bus didn’t end up picking us up till close to noon.  As soon as we were on the bus, I started feeling car sick and this lasted the 8 hours until we were back to Managua.  We had the usual stop at the CR border, then at the Nica border, were had to bring our luggage to be inspected.  When the officials saw our US passports, they waved us on.  That was so surprising.  We are used to being treated differently here in Central America, but it’s usually in a bad way – waiting longer, more hassle, etc.  After we got back on the bus and started pulling out of the border facility, our bus was stopped and someone with a Salvadorian passport was pulled off the bus and searched, including all of his stuff.  They even inspected very closely his iron.  It took about 30 minutes.  He was fine and said that he is used to the treatment when he travels because of being Salvadorian.  Another thing we take for granted in the US, moving about and having rights.  We should appreciate it while we still have it!

Anyway, we made it back to Managua and I was so glad to see the bus stop!  I made it that far before I got sick.  Then I felt much better and just wanted to get home.  We went to PriceSmart (like a Sam’s Club) to pick up some items and Tamara’s family had dinner at the snack bar.  I opted for crackers and water.  I was going to pick up some things for Sofi and I.  When I got to the checkout, my membership card had expired.  So I could spend the $40 to renew it, but then I wouldn’t have any money to buy the food.  So I gave up.  Tamara got a few of the things she knew I wanted and then I paid her back.  That was nice. 

We made it home about 9:00pm.  I was so happy to see Sofi and Victoria.  We immediately went to lay on my bed and talk and play and go to sleep.  It was a long trip, but so much cheaper than flying to the states.  I am thankful to have options.

During the whole month of August, I had been feeling crummy from many things.  Sickness, fatigue, the relentless heat, the physically difficult trip to CR, lack of money for the ministry, preparing for a mission’s conference, family sickness in US, etc.  One day I had a meltdown.  I cried all night and most of the next day.  Sofi was so worried about me.  It was like my mind and heart just snapped and I was just raw emotions.  I’m not proud of it, but I write about it so that you can see that life in God’s will doesn’t guarantee smooth sailing and happiness all of the time.  I really feel that God was telling me to examine every minute detail of my life with Him.   I am so very thankful for every day and every minute, no matter how difficult.  As long as I know that I am in His will and that I’m being obedient, I can trust Him to lead me and direct me and provide.  As well as doing the needed long-range planning, I am trying to focus more on each day and make it through holding His hand.  I’d rather be an emotional mess sitting in the hand of God than a strong person on my own.  He is so faithful!

August 29^th was the day of the Ferria.  There were groups there demonstrating different types of yoga for adults and kids, natural medicine therapy, massages, organic products, acrobatics, swimming, etc.  We were the only group with lots to sell, so people weren’t prepared to buy much.  We were very grateful to get to share about our free classes and to meet new friends.  At the end of the day, they held a Zumbathon.  Sofi and Kenia participated.  I admire their dedication and energy to do an hour of Zumba in the heat and humidity!  Victoria enjoyed seeing all the people.  She loves water and was mesmerized by the pool.  She wanted to get in it so bad.   

Anyway, everyone was pleased with this first event and are looking forward to putting one together at Central Park before Christmas.  We are busy making more inventory for that.  I hope the ladies get to sell a lot of their items so they can provide for their families during the holidays!

God is Good!  All the time!

July 2015

This month started out with an exciting opportunity for our Co-op.  There is a business here in León called Casa Albierta (Open House).  It is a little like a hostal, café, natural juice bar, swimming pool, organic garden, swap store, yoga class venue, and much more.  Through a friend, we were introduced to the owner, who is French (I believe) and we went to a meeting to discuss a ferria (fair) they were planning with some other organizations here in town. 

Veronica and I went to the meeting and only one other person was Nica, I was the only North American, everyone else seemed to be from either France, German or thereabouts.  Everyone spoke Spanish, albeit with some interesting accents!  The plans for the fair were coming along nicely.  There would be scheduled yoga classes to try, swimming classes to try, organic produce and herbs and honey to purchase, exhibitions (like circus acts that are taught by a guy who works with youth), etc.  Our ministry/Co-op will be given an area to sell our wares and to teach some simple techniques for handcrafts.  How fun!!!  The ferria will be the last Saturday in August.  The plans are for doing some good advertising at hostels, cafes, stores, etc., to get the word out about coming to experience all of these things.  Our ladies are hard at work making items to sell.  Whatever we have left will be a good inventory for our other sale venues.  We’ll see how well things go with this ferria.  The culture here is not as organized as other places and with all of the different cultural influences on the team, it will be fun to see it all come together.  Here’s hoping!

We cook by propane here.  Our tank usually lasts a few months, so we never really know when to expect it to go out.  Of course, it’s always in the middle of using it.  Then you just call the phone number on the tank and within about 15 minutes a guy shows up on a motorcycle (with a custom built box to haul the tank) and you are in business again.  It’s kind of funny sometimes, depending on what you are cooking at the time that the gas runs out.

I seem to always have multiple projects going on at the same time.  Usually, it’s not a problem.  But depending on scheduling, internet access, electricity service, and various other crazy things, it can get quite frustrating when trying to accomplish something.  My friend Kervin, who lives and works in California, is helping me with the ministry website.  It seems to be taking forever.  We have a timezone difference, as well as busy lives.  I’m not tech savvy at all and he tries to be very patient with me.  It has been months and we have still just a few more things to do to launch the site.  I’m ready to get it done and stop obsessing over it.  Lol

My friend Luis has offered to help tutor me with Spanish grammar.  Our schedules seem to be at odds every week, also.  There is always something coming up for each of us.  Of course, I’m not all that sad to miss grammar lessons….

Three teenagers from Rogers AR came for 3 weeks in July.  They spent about half of their time with us and the other half with the father of the 2 sisters.  It worked out well.  They were troopers about participating in the sewing and handcrafts classes, even though that is not their talent.  They also got the blessing (?) of cleaning all of our white plastic tables and chairs with bleach.  I’m sure that was not their favorite thing, but they worked all day long on it and I’m so thankful. They did put together a little drama and work on items needed for the children’s event that we did for a small church.  It was a lot of fun.  We got drenched in a thunderstorm at the end of the event.  We took taxis to the Chinese restaurant and got our bellies full of warm, yummy food before returning home to get dry and cozy for the night.

Some friends from the states donated some money to purchase a few sewing machines for eligible participants to receive the machine, use it in their home to make items to sell and then repay the loan (interest-free) on the machine.  The money will then be used to purchase a machine for another eligible person.  Anival, our instructor for making school uniforms, doesn’t have a machine at home.  He was the recipient of the first machine for this project.  He was smiling sooooo big when we went to the store and picked out his machine.  He kept saying thank you to me and thank you to God.  He is making and selling items from home to help support his family (in addition to his fulltime job).  He is paying off the machine by his hours of teaching twice a month.  It’s been a great opportunity for all of us.  I’m so happy to be a part of this.

Some old friends came by for visits one week:  Brian and Marcela, Alberto and Hubert, Hamilton, etc.  I love those drop in visits.

Since mosquitoes are so bad here and there are 4 major diseases from mosquitoes, the government sends fumigators around to do all the houses and businesses.  What this entails is a combination of diesel fuel and insecticide mixed and burned in what looks like a leaf blower or flame thrower.  It is nasty!  The smoke is horrendous and you can smell it for blocks.  I opt to not have it done here in the mission house.  We just use regular bug spray, which is bad enough, but at least it doesn’t leave the black residue of the diesel fuel. 

This month, when they came around we told them no.  That did not make them happy.  Even though the house was full of women for the classes, they stuck the nozzle towards the door and blew the smoke at the ladies.  Then they stuck the nozzle in the drainpipe at the street (this is where the rain drains from the house to outside) and blew smoke in.  There were 2 babies in the house at the time.  I was livid!  I chased the guy down the street yelling at him.  Sofi made me come back into the house.  The neighbors (who were all outside waiting for their houses to clear from the smoke) all thought I was crazy.  But I will not allow anyone to hurt the people in my house, especially baby Victoria!

Of course, I ended up getting one of the mosquito-born viruses.  I think it was retribution from the guys with the smokers.  But I really believe that I got the bites from being out in the brush where we held the kids event.  No one else at my house has gotten the virus.  Anyway, I think the smoker guys are a little wary of me now.

The rest of July was filled with me being very, very sick with the Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever virus from the mosquitoes.  Sofi and Veronica literally kept me alive and out of the nasty hospitals here.  The sickness went on for weeks and I have never been so sick.  One trip to a clinic that a fellow missionary uses, ended up with blood tests, an IV and meds for pain.  I had to quit taking my meds for high blood pressure because the virus was making my bp tank so drastically.  It was very scary for a while. 

Our used fridge went out for the 3^rd time in the last year, so my home church was very generous and provided us with a new one.  We are so thankful.  In the states we tend to take so many things for granted.  Here, we carry our thanks on every time we remember the blessing.  I like living in a condition of being more thankful.  And every time we open the fridge door, we are very thankful.  What a blessing!

I want to praise God that He is in control of all things.  He put me in the good hands of Sofi and Veronica during my illness.  He kept the ministry running smoothly with the teachers in charge.  I was able to hold a few meetings from my bed, but here that’s not as awkward as it sounds.  God is good, all the time.  Through every circumstance.  He is worthy to be praised and worshiped and honored!

June 2015

The ladies of the Creative Cooperative started having meetings.  Officers have been elected and work has begun on making items to sell in our first event at the end of August.  We are all very excited to see how this will go as a larger group.

Even though rainy season started in May, we have only had a couple days of rain so far.  Very unusual.  We need the rain so much.

We celebrated a few Saturdays by buying delicious nacatamales from Zenelia’s family.  They are sooooo scrumptious!  But so fattening!  This will have to be a special occasion thing from now on.

Sofi and I worked some on receipts for the ministry.  This is one of the least favorite jobs, but one of the most necessary ones.  We are hoping to get our system figured out so that we can keep up with this weekly.  We’ll see…

We had some meetings with potential new students.  It’s always exciting to meet new people and talk to current friends.  We have a husband and wife team who want to learn everything and start a little store of their own.  And how wonderful that they are good friends and we will get to spend time together every week!

Sofi saved up some of the money from her sales and we got the process completed for she and Victoria to receive their passports.  I wanted them to have possession of them for the future.  The process is much less complicated here in Nica and cheaper, too!  Now they can travel with me to Costa Rica for a visa run, and hopefully, travel to the states with me one day.  At any rate, they will have them in hand for their future.

While walking through the central market, I was carrying Victoria’s diaper bag on my shoulder.  Someone thought he would score stealing from a Gringo and unzipped the bag while I was walking and took the wallet out.  Unfortunately for him, it was Sofi’s wallet and didn’t have any money in it.  But it was sad for us that she had to go through the hassle of getting her cedula (like a ss card) renewed and she lost her receipts for school.  I was so mad at that guy.  I couldn’t go after him because Sofi and the baby were around the corner and I needed to find them.  Oh well.  I doubt he ever robs me again. 

Our Co-op of craftspeople has had many opportunities pop up at random times to make a little money.  We are awaiting the details to make the commissioned 40 school uniforms and 40 backpacks later this year.  Enia has had the chance to do some personal sewing for a friend of mine.  We can take on just about any job and someone from our group will be capable of accomplishing the task.  It’s fun for me to be able to assign paying jobs to the ladies!

Veronica and I spent some of the ministry money to buy supplies in bulk for the co-op.  We got lots of ribbon by the roll, zipper by the yard, yarn by the dozen, thread by the box, etc.  This way the ladies of the co-op can buy what they need from our stash and only have to pay the discounted price that we negotiated from the store.  It is cheaper for the ladies.  Once the money is paid back to the ministry, the co-op will purchase the future items with the percentage of sales that they are saving from each sale.  At some point in the future, the co-op will not be dependent on the ministry at all.  Yay!  A stand-alone Nica enterprise!

I love my early morning walks.  It’s hard sometimes to get everything done in the mornings before the classes start at 9am.  There are days when my stress-releiving walks cause more stress by trying to get back and get showered and dressed in time.  But I love being out when it’s not quite so hot and getting some exercise.  I also love getting to run into people on the street.  There is never enough time to visit with friends.

Sofi has been working hard on studying for her exams.  It’s really been difficult.  These review classes are intense, since they cover 2 years of high school at once.  And since she has not had the classes to begin with, the review doesn’t always help.  But she is determined to finish school (not at all expected here, especially since she has a baby) and keeps on moving forward.

Our friend Jasmina spent the week with us while working as a translator for a ministry here in León.  It’s always nice to see her.

We purchased a few more voltage regulators (surge protectors and backup for for when the voltage drops) for the house.  I got one especially for the computer and our cell phones and kindles.  Electronics don’t last long here and you can actually tell when the voltage is dipping by listening/watching the fans.  But I am very thankful for technology and want to protect it!

With the lack of rain for the most of 7 months, it’s been very dusty.  Sometimes, when they are plowing up the fields outside of town, the dust blows into town and we get it in our houses (since they are open).  At times the sky is brown/black with the dust and you can barely see down the street.  It’s horrible in the houses.  And people end up with sinus infections like crazy.  I’m very thankful that my doctor sends with me a Zpak to have on hand.  I usually only have to use it once a year, but it’s great to have it when I need it, like this month!

Sofi and Victoria have been able to visit her grandmother (mother’s mother) once or twice a month.  I’m thankful that they can reconnect.  Her family is very appreciative that I take care of Sofi and V.  They come by here to visit sometimes, too.

Since the floors are so dirty all of the time, we don’t put the babies down much, so they don’t learn to crawl like in the states.  We got a cheap, inflatable kiddie pool and blew it up and filled it with covers to make it soft on the bottom.  We put it on the big table in the dining/classroom and V gets to roll around and have fun while we are working at the table.  She has learned to roll over, sit up by herself and start crawling in that pool.  When she’s too big to hang out like that, it will be used as a regular pool for her to splash around in (outside).  And boy, does she love water!!!

Our friend Jalisa was back in Nica for a brief visit.  She came by to see Sofi and Victoria.  Sofi was at school, but V was happy to play.

We moved some stuff around in the different rooms to make things more efficient.  We need to make more classroom space.  Some times we have a small class and other times we are filling the 3 front rooms.  It’s fun to see women sitting in a circle of 8 rocking chairs crocheting and chatting.  I just love it!  We are thankful for our ladies and the fellowship we have together.

We are working on scheduling for more Bible Studies.  Finding a time that people can come consistently is very difficult here.  The studies need to be applicable to the attendance issues.  But there are so many nuggets of wonderful truth in God’s Word that each and every minute is valuable for sharing.

Life is hard here, compared to the US and a lot of the world.  It can wear you down fast.  But God is good and He is faithful and He is my strength and my Guide.  I love Him and want only to serve Him as best I can.  He is so worthy.  And I am blessed.