All day today, I have thought it was Monday. I’ve been so confused! Yesterday was a holiday and all the Nica staff had the day off. They came back to work today and it made me think that it was Monday. But then again, I’m easily confused!
I took the morning off from walking today. I knew I would be walking a lot this afternoon. So I got right to work on Feeding Center stuff. I was excited to be so close to checking off some very big items from my to-do list.
We had a driver available, so I didn’t have to take Lesly to the store for the meat for the Feeding Centers for next week. Nor did I have to drive Mayela to the San Jacinto Feeding Center. I got a ton of work done in the morning.
Mary was sweet enough to stop by On the Run and pick me up some of my favorite juice on the way home. She got me 10 bottles. Yay! I love the Carrot/Orange juice!
After lunch, I picked up Estefanie at her house and she gave me the translated notes for Bible Study. I got them ready in English and gave them to her last week and she worked on them all day Thursday to get them translated into Spanish for me. I’ll spend most of Saturday and Sunday typing up the Spanish version so they are ready for the ladies. That’s another big item on the to-do list that will get marked off!
Estefanie and I went to a museum that she has been wanting to show me. It used to be a small prison. There were many mosaics on the walls and drawings depicting scenes of all kinds. Then there were rooms filled with mannequins and other items. We walked up these small, steep stairs to walk around the concrete walls that the soldiers/guards used to walk on to guard the place. I don’t like heights at all, but I enjoyed the excursion. There was a tank there from the revolution in the ‘70s. This prison was a place of much torture. I’m glad that it can be turned into a place to share history and culture.
We then went to the main Cathedral at Central Park. I’ve been to the Cathedral many times, but had not been up on the roof. Part of it was blocked off for repairs, but we still made it up to most of the roof by going up very narrow and steep stairs. It was really pretty up there. Next time I hope to get to go up to the very top and take some pictures. Estefanie was a great tour guide.
I ended up taking about 129 pictures from the afternoon. I’ve downloaded them all on Facebook. It was such a wonderful afternoon for me. I enjoy Estefanie’s company and it was fun to do something totally unrelated to work. We stopped at Eskimo and I had some ice cream and she had a special juice drink. I then took her home and thought about how it feels closer to the mission house all the time. I’m getting more and more used to driving around León. A very nice afternoon, indeed.
I got back to the mission house and got on the computer. Jeremy and Charlie were finishing up the new website and it looks great! It has taken MANY, MANY hours over the last couple of weeks to get it done. Jeremy is very talented and his work was invaluable! I took Jeremy home and Mary rode a long. It’s just a mile or so, and the ride was refreshing.
I had some leftovers for dinner. I love leftovers of any kind, especially cold. I was very happy.
I retired to my room and got my shower and am posting some blogs. Next it will be time for a movie or reading (I haven’t decided yet) and then time to go to bed early so I can get up to walk early in the morning.
The next team will arrive here about 11pm tonight. I’ll probably stay in my room and meet them in the morning. This is our last week of teams until October. This past week has been such a blessing of resting and catching up on other work.
This next week will be very busy and I’m sure will go by very fast. It’s a Crusade, so there should be many salvations by the end of the week. I’m praying for everyone involved in the preparation over the past months and for the workers this week and for the local church people who will follow up with the new Believers after the Crusade is over.
God is so good to us! I love that He allows me to serve Him. I cannot think of anything better!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
I got up and walked 4 miles. I didn’t feel like it, but I told myself that I deserved to do it for myself and that I needed to be obedient in taking care of myself. Of course, once I’m out the door I’m loving it, it’s just that part about getting ready and out the door…
I started 2 loads of laundry before I left. We now have 2 washing machines, thanks to a wonderful team, and we really need them! I even stripped my bed and washed up the sheets and bedspread and towels, too.
I got back from my walk and showered and had oatmeal again for breakfast.
I was planning on doing a little sewing and also spending the day just doing personal stuff, which I am very much behind on! I didn’t get to the sewing, but I did get a ton of work done on blog posts and starting my newsletter and other things like that. It was a very productive day.
Sherry and Manuel came over for the day. Actually, Manuel had spent the night with Charlie. Sherry got to spend some time in the pool, which she loves. She fixed some yummy Mexican chicken casserole, green beans and salad for lunch. It was so good!
After lunch, I laid down on my bed with my Kindle for a nap. I awoke almost 2 hours later and I hadn’t moved a muscle from when I laid down. I slept hard! I needed that rest and it felt good! Sherry and Manuel had just left, so Mary and I retired to our computers and quiet rooms. Charlie headed to church.
I was so happy to get so much caught up. Especially, the personal stuff that I put on a back burner. God was very gracious to me by giving me exactly what He knew would make me happy! I am blessed.
DON’T FORGET TO GO TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE TO SEE THE LATEST PHOTOS OF LIFE HERE IN NICA.
I started 2 loads of laundry before I left. We now have 2 washing machines, thanks to a wonderful team, and we really need them! I even stripped my bed and washed up the sheets and bedspread and towels, too.
I got back from my walk and showered and had oatmeal again for breakfast.
I was planning on doing a little sewing and also spending the day just doing personal stuff, which I am very much behind on! I didn’t get to the sewing, but I did get a ton of work done on blog posts and starting my newsletter and other things like that. It was a very productive day.
Sherry and Manuel came over for the day. Actually, Manuel had spent the night with Charlie. Sherry got to spend some time in the pool, which she loves. She fixed some yummy Mexican chicken casserole, green beans and salad for lunch. It was so good!
After lunch, I laid down on my bed with my Kindle for a nap. I awoke almost 2 hours later and I hadn’t moved a muscle from when I laid down. I slept hard! I needed that rest and it felt good! Sherry and Manuel had just left, so Mary and I retired to our computers and quiet rooms. Charlie headed to church.
I was so happy to get so much caught up. Especially, the personal stuff that I put on a back burner. God was very gracious to me by giving me exactly what He knew would make me happy! I am blessed.
DON’T FORGET TO GO TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE TO SEE THE LATEST PHOTOS OF LIFE HERE IN NICA.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
July 15 - 18, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Well, I woke up feeling sick this morning. I think describing the busy-ness of the past 5 weeks did me in. haha I didn’t fell like walking or even getting ready for church. I told Mary that I was staying home and then I went back to bed for a while.
I did some reading, watched a couple of movies on my computer, cleaned out some of my clothing to give away, had some soup for lunch, took a nice nap, joined Sherry, Manuel, Charlie and Mary for some taco salad for dinner and then went to bed early (7:30pm!!) The sleep did me good!
Monday, July 16, 2012
I didn’t walk again this morning. I was still feeling a little bit yucky and I also was needed at the team house early to take care of some things, so I just stuck around for the morning. I did some computer work and then scheduled some dr appointments for the when I return to the states in August.
Mayela, Lesly, Mary and I went to the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center to provide a celebration for the kids. Eddy is the director at the Feeding Center and our newest employee of VOH. He was introduced and procedures were repeated for the kids and parents. Then the fun with the piñata began. It was like a mosh pit once the candy fell from the piñata. I got a little bit of a video of it for my facebook page, but I wasn’t fast enough to catch when the candy fell. It was crazy!
Then the kids got their food. As they were leaving the serving table, Mary handed them a little toy as a special gift. Pastor Pedro was sick, but attended the celebration. Everyone had a great time.
After lunch, I spent the rest of the afternoon on the computer doing Feeding Center stuff. By the end of the afternoon, we didn’t have internet. Charlie, Manuel, Sherry and Mary went to the movies. I took Jeremy home after a long day of him working on the new VOH website with Charlie.
I watched a movie on my computer and then went to bed early. I’m kind of liking these earlier bedtimes!!
It was a nice day of celebrating what God is doing here and how blessed we are to be a part of so much ministry. We are blessed to serve!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
I got up and walked 4 miles this morning. It’s a holiday in León and some of the streets will be blocked off near the Cathedral La Mercedes. I walked down to Central Park and it was already blocked off at 7am. I got to wave to my favorite money changer guy, Luis, and came back to the hotel.
After some computer work in the morning, Mayela and I went to La Quimera Feeding Center. We had to go way around downtown because of the street closings. Since the streets are alternating one-ways, it can be crazy. We finally made it out of town and enjoyed the long, hot drive.
After lunch, I finally got the chance to print off some major files that I had been working on over the last few weeks. That sure felt good!!!
Charlie and Jeremy needed info and a pic from me to put on the new VOH website (which they have been working many, many hours on). I got that sent to them. I used a picture that my friend Mindy (photographer) took of me for the wall display at FBCR. I think it’s cheesy, since it’s me, but it’s a good quality picture, so we’ll use it.
I downloaded the pictures that I had taken at Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. And I gave my brain the rest of the afternoon off.
Mary taught her sewing class in the hot sewing room and then retired for the evening.
I went to my room and had some leftovers for dinner and then got on the computer to do some NYC tourist research for my trip with my sister in Sept. Before I knew it, it was time for bed (8:30 – I told you I was going to bed earlier these days). I put the movie away that I had been planning on watching and went to bed to read for an hour or so before I fell asleep. It was a good day.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I got up and walked 4 miles again. It sure feels good! I’m so hot and sweaty when I get back to the team house, but the cold shower feels wonderful! I had oatmeal for breakfast. I’ve been trying to do the oatmeal thing everyday again like I did when I was taking better care of myself.
I worked on – you guessed it – Feeding Center stuff on the computer during the rest of the morning.
Mayela, Lesly and Mary went to do the Celebration at the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. The kids got a piñata and toys along with their meal for the day. They had a great time.
Charlie and Jeremy worked all day on the VOH website. It’s going to be really nice.
I made some bookmarks with the Fruit of the Spirit on them for the Women’s Bible Study. I was almost through laminating and cutting them when I realized that I had misspelled a word. Oh well, I told the ladies that I was just trying to see if they were paying attention.
Estefanie got here right after a downpour. We left for La Quimera and go to the church just before the ladies arrived.
We had an AWESOME Bible Study. They ladies are participating in it so much. They love coming, I love teaching it and Estefanie is loving translating it. God is really blessing us ALL in this study.
I stopped by On the Run for my favorite chicken sandwich to bring home to eat. I was so excited to see that my yummy V8 Splash Orange/Carrot Juice was back in stock!!! Woohoo!!! Then I took Estefanie home. The roads were already getting crazy crowded for tomorrow’s holiday, so we went a different way to her house. She got to show me the church that her sister attends. After dropping her off at home, I got back to the team house and enjoyed my sandwich!
Mary, Sherry and Manuel had went to Suyapa for dinner. Charlie had stayed back to work with Jeremy some more on the website. Mary brought him a shrimp dinner home from Suyapa.
I worked a little with Charlie on tracking which church has which Feeding Center book. I’ll get with Mayela on Friday to see which version we’ve sent. It takes a team!
I went to my room and got my shower and got on facebook for a little while. Then it was time to read and settle in for the night. Tomorrow is a big holiday here in Nicaragua. It’s Independence Day and thousands of people are heading to Managua for celebrating. Those still at home are celebrating, too. Of couse, there are fireworks. They do fireworks for everything down here! All the staff are off tomorrow, so we’ll just have a nice day of hanging around the team house. Another good day.
Well, I woke up feeling sick this morning. I think describing the busy-ness of the past 5 weeks did me in. haha I didn’t fell like walking or even getting ready for church. I told Mary that I was staying home and then I went back to bed for a while.
I did some reading, watched a couple of movies on my computer, cleaned out some of my clothing to give away, had some soup for lunch, took a nice nap, joined Sherry, Manuel, Charlie and Mary for some taco salad for dinner and then went to bed early (7:30pm!!) The sleep did me good!
Monday, July 16, 2012
I didn’t walk again this morning. I was still feeling a little bit yucky and I also was needed at the team house early to take care of some things, so I just stuck around for the morning. I did some computer work and then scheduled some dr appointments for the when I return to the states in August.
Mayela, Lesly, Mary and I went to the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center to provide a celebration for the kids. Eddy is the director at the Feeding Center and our newest employee of VOH. He was introduced and procedures were repeated for the kids and parents. Then the fun with the piñata began. It was like a mosh pit once the candy fell from the piñata. I got a little bit of a video of it for my facebook page, but I wasn’t fast enough to catch when the candy fell. It was crazy!
Then the kids got their food. As they were leaving the serving table, Mary handed them a little toy as a special gift. Pastor Pedro was sick, but attended the celebration. Everyone had a great time.
After lunch, I spent the rest of the afternoon on the computer doing Feeding Center stuff. By the end of the afternoon, we didn’t have internet. Charlie, Manuel, Sherry and Mary went to the movies. I took Jeremy home after a long day of him working on the new VOH website with Charlie.
I watched a movie on my computer and then went to bed early. I’m kind of liking these earlier bedtimes!!
It was a nice day of celebrating what God is doing here and how blessed we are to be a part of so much ministry. We are blessed to serve!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
I got up and walked 4 miles this morning. It’s a holiday in León and some of the streets will be blocked off near the Cathedral La Mercedes. I walked down to Central Park and it was already blocked off at 7am. I got to wave to my favorite money changer guy, Luis, and came back to the hotel.
After some computer work in the morning, Mayela and I went to La Quimera Feeding Center. We had to go way around downtown because of the street closings. Since the streets are alternating one-ways, it can be crazy. We finally made it out of town and enjoyed the long, hot drive.
After lunch, I finally got the chance to print off some major files that I had been working on over the last few weeks. That sure felt good!!!
Charlie and Jeremy needed info and a pic from me to put on the new VOH website (which they have been working many, many hours on). I got that sent to them. I used a picture that my friend Mindy (photographer) took of me for the wall display at FBCR. I think it’s cheesy, since it’s me, but it’s a good quality picture, so we’ll use it.
I downloaded the pictures that I had taken at Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. And I gave my brain the rest of the afternoon off.
Mary taught her sewing class in the hot sewing room and then retired for the evening.
I went to my room and had some leftovers for dinner and then got on the computer to do some NYC tourist research for my trip with my sister in Sept. Before I knew it, it was time for bed (8:30 – I told you I was going to bed earlier these days). I put the movie away that I had been planning on watching and went to bed to read for an hour or so before I fell asleep. It was a good day.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I got up and walked 4 miles again. It sure feels good! I’m so hot and sweaty when I get back to the team house, but the cold shower feels wonderful! I had oatmeal for breakfast. I’ve been trying to do the oatmeal thing everyday again like I did when I was taking better care of myself.
I worked on – you guessed it – Feeding Center stuff on the computer during the rest of the morning.
Mayela, Lesly and Mary went to do the Celebration at the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. The kids got a piñata and toys along with their meal for the day. They had a great time.
Charlie and Jeremy worked all day on the VOH website. It’s going to be really nice.
I made some bookmarks with the Fruit of the Spirit on them for the Women’s Bible Study. I was almost through laminating and cutting them when I realized that I had misspelled a word. Oh well, I told the ladies that I was just trying to see if they were paying attention.
Estefanie got here right after a downpour. We left for La Quimera and go to the church just before the ladies arrived.
We had an AWESOME Bible Study. They ladies are participating in it so much. They love coming, I love teaching it and Estefanie is loving translating it. God is really blessing us ALL in this study.
I stopped by On the Run for my favorite chicken sandwich to bring home to eat. I was so excited to see that my yummy V8 Splash Orange/Carrot Juice was back in stock!!! Woohoo!!! Then I took Estefanie home. The roads were already getting crazy crowded for tomorrow’s holiday, so we went a different way to her house. She got to show me the church that her sister attends. After dropping her off at home, I got back to the team house and enjoyed my sandwich!
Mary, Sherry and Manuel had went to Suyapa for dinner. Charlie had stayed back to work with Jeremy some more on the website. Mary brought him a shrimp dinner home from Suyapa.
I worked a little with Charlie on tracking which church has which Feeding Center book. I’ll get with Mayela on Friday to see which version we’ve sent. It takes a team!
I went to my room and got my shower and got on facebook for a little while. Then it was time to read and settle in for the night. Tomorrow is a big holiday here in Nicaragua. It’s Independence Day and thousands of people are heading to Managua for celebrating. Those still at home are celebrating, too. Of couse, there are fireworks. They do fireworks for everything down here! All the staff are off tomorrow, so we’ll just have a nice day of hanging around the team house. Another good day.
July 8 - 14, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
I got up and walked 2 miles before getting my shower and breakfast and then got ready for church. The team was up and eating breakfast and left early for their church service. I went to La Quimera, as usual, so I didn’t have to leave until a little later. It was a nice quiet morning for me!
After church and lunch I typed up some blog notes and posted them on my site. I’ve been lax in getting these posted in a timely manner, but with teams here, the schedule is crazy and I’m not the best at discipline sometimes.
I also sewed on some aprons and table/pot covers for the Feeding Centers. The team practiced their drama and also got things ready for the week.
I typed up some of the Bible Study notes for the next set of lessons and went to bed early. It was a very nice day.
Monday, July 9, 2012
The team went out on their first day of ministry; fiestas, VBS, English Club, etc.
I didn’t feel really great when I woke up, so I didn’t walk. I did get up and start working right away. I printed off the Bible Study notes so that Estefanie could start translating them into Spanish for me to type up.
I took Lesly to the market by the terminal to get veggies for the week for the Feeding Centers. That always takes a while.
I got back to the team house and worked on some emails. Then Mayela and I visited the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. It was a good visit. Mayela got some things straightened out with the Pastor and plans are being made to run the Feeding Center more smoothly.
I talked with the step-daughter of a friend. She is beginning her career as a social worker and she was interested to see if there was an opportunity to work with our ministry. The requirements for her project do not line up with how we work, but we had a very nice time talking. Mayela translated for me, but I think the girls understood English pretty well. They have been studying it in the University, too.
I picked up some sewing supplies from Bazar Jerry (one of my fav little stores) and then had a meeting with Mayela, Lesly, Mike and Sherry about the Feeding Centers and plans for the future ones. It was a very good meeting.
We went to Suyapa (restaurant on the beach) for dinner. It was a nice evening and yummy food.
I did some Bible study and worked on memorizing some scripture in Spanish. Then time for bed!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I got up and walked 2 miles. I like walking farther, but I need to get up earlier to make that fit into my schedule. Baby steps…
The team set out for another busy day of ministry.
I ran Auxiliodoro to the Monte Horeb Feeding Center with all her veggies for the week. I asked her when we got in the car if she wanted the windows down or the airconditioner on. She was like a little girl and excitedly told me that she wanted the airconditioner on. I love to bless her. She is very special.
I worked on computer stuff for the Feeding Centers and also some emails regarding upcoming teams. I got to talk to Kellie from FBCR on the phone. We were discussing the GIC Missions Conference at my home church (FBCR) in October. It will be great to get to see everyone that week.
Lesly and I went to town to buy me a new phone. I didn’t like my previous one (too fancy after all) so I decided to get a simpler one and gift my old one to Lesly (who will gift her old one to someone else). We stopped in at Eskimo for an ice cream and ran into the team.
I got back to the team house and spent many more hours on the computer doing Feeding Center stuff. There is a lot of work to be done, but when I think of those awesome kids that are getting fed, it’s worth every minute!!!
I went to bed fairly early. I think the walking at 6:30am is changing my body clock to an earlier bedtime. That’s okay by me!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
I got up early and walked 4 miles this morning. It felt good! I was very hot and sweaty when I got back to the team house and the cold shower was wonderful! Oatmeal for breakfast and busy to work on the computer again. The team went out for more ministry.
Mayela and I visited Noah’s Ark Feeding Center again. It’s always interesting there. Some of the kids are such dolls!
After lunch, I worked on more computer stuff for the Feeding Centers and finished typing up the Spanish version of the Women’s Bible Study notes. I got things printed off for me and Estefanie and also the women.
Estefanie and I went to La Quimera for the Bible Study. It was really good! The ladies are so interested in this discipleship series. They are really paying attention and asking questions and giving input. It makes my heart sing!
The team was out for dinner for the evening, so I had the team house to myself. I made some salmon patties with canned salmon that I had brought from the states. So yummy! I shared a couple of them with Alberto and he liked them, too. I like to put them in a flour tortilla with oliveoil mayo, lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Yum! Just as I was fixing everything on my plate, the electricity went out. I got out my flashlights and finished dinner. Then I went to bed early to read my Kindle.
The team got back while it was still dark. After about an hour, the electricity came back on. It wasn’t bad at all. Didn’t even have to start the generator for the fridge.
I love spending time in my room by myself. Especially, when we have back to back teams. I really like my room and I’m so thankful that God has provided me with a comfy place to live and the peace of mind to live in a small room as my house. He is so faithful!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
I walked 4 miles again this morning. I usually see the same things each day, but like to look for something different. There are shopkeepers that get to know well enough to say hello to. I like to visit my painter friend. Someday, I hope to be able to buy one of his paintings. They are so beautiful. I was neck and neck with a garbage truck for most of my walk. That part was not very pleasant. Also, there were some people carrying large bundles of balloons tied together. I HATE balloons and get very anxious around them, waiting for them to pop. These people were dragging these bundles of balloons down the street. I hurried up and passed them and kept walking fast until I was far ahead of them. That was a good cardio workout for me!
The team is out doing their last day of ministry. They have had a great week. Hundreds of people have accepted Christ at the Fiestas and school visits. VBS and English Clubs have went well, too. They have visited a couple of churches in the evenings and shared music, drama, messages and testimonies. It’s been a good week for them.
After breakfast, I got busy (you guessed it) on the computer. Then Mayela and I visited Noah’s Ark Feeding Center again. We’re getting the last of the kids on the list set up with their ID cards.
I talked with Cathy Krupka by phone about the women from FBC Rogers coming in October to do some Women’s Ministry. It was good to talk with her.
Another team is working on getting a dentist down here for a trip. We really have a need to work on these people’s teeth. I can’t wait to see how God provides the people and supplies/equipment for us to minister in this way.
Sewing Class was small, but fun. We’ve been working on different projects to help teach different kinds of skills. Lately, we’ve been making hair scrunchies and headbands. Some of the ladies are taking the classes seriously and trying to get better. Some of the ladies are just using the class as entertainment. It can get crazy in there sometimes. We have a small room dedicated to the sewing ministry. It is extremely hot and we have 6 fans in it, but we can’t blow the fans directly on us or they will blow away the fabric and thread, etc. We come out of there knowing that we have been working in a ‘sweat shop’. But we are very thankful for the space, the donated machines, the sturdy tables and the electricity that was wired for us. We hope that in the fall, we will have women ready to make some marketable items to help support their families.
I spent the evening relaxing and watching a video. The team went to their last church service. Everyone had a great evening.
Friday, July 13, 2012
I didn’t get to walk this morning, but I got ready early and took Lesly to La Unión grocery store for some items and then to Palí grocery store to get the week’s worth of meet for the 4 Feeding Centers. After I got back to the team house, I took my shower (I always feel nasty after dealing with the bags of meat) and got busy on the computer.
The team was enjoying their Fun Day adventurers. They went to Cerra Negro, a volcano about an hour or so away. You walk up the side of this rocky, hot and dirty volcano carrying a heavy wooden board. It takes about 45 minutes to walk up. Then you ride the board down the volcano. It’s hot and dirty and can be a little bit dangerous if you fall off of the board. Any time a team has done this on Fun Day, there have been a few people with road rash and some with gashes. It doesn’t sound like fun to me, but some people like it. They got back to the team house about 1 and got showers. Then they headed to town to have lunch and do some more shopping.
I worked on the computer more and then after lunch, Mary and I went to town to get some sewing stuff and have some ice cream. It was a nice little get away for us. As much as we love having teams here, we suffer a little from ‘visitor overload’ since Mary and I live here at the team house. It was a nice afternoon.
I watched 2 movies on my computer while cleaning out some clutter in my room. It was a very nice evening.
The team finished packing for their departure tomorrow. They ordered pizza for dinner and brought it back to the team house. They were having a great evening.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
I went for a 2 mile walk and then came back to say goodbye to the team, who left at 8:00am. I got my shower and had my oatmeal. It was such a peaceful morning!!! We had had 5 teams back to back and were ready for a little tranquility.
I worked on Feeding Center stuff on the computer and got a major chunk of work done. I rewarded myself with a nice 2 hour nap in the afternoon. Ahhhhh…
I love being a part of VOH ministries and I love the work that God accomplishes through the teams that come. I love the hustle and bustle of the work that goes on here. But I have to say that I really love the time with it’s just us who live here, doing our own thing, in our own time and in our own way. God blesses us in many ways.
I got up and walked 2 miles before getting my shower and breakfast and then got ready for church. The team was up and eating breakfast and left early for their church service. I went to La Quimera, as usual, so I didn’t have to leave until a little later. It was a nice quiet morning for me!
After church and lunch I typed up some blog notes and posted them on my site. I’ve been lax in getting these posted in a timely manner, but with teams here, the schedule is crazy and I’m not the best at discipline sometimes.
I also sewed on some aprons and table/pot covers for the Feeding Centers. The team practiced their drama and also got things ready for the week.
I typed up some of the Bible Study notes for the next set of lessons and went to bed early. It was a very nice day.
Monday, July 9, 2012
The team went out on their first day of ministry; fiestas, VBS, English Club, etc.
I didn’t feel really great when I woke up, so I didn’t walk. I did get up and start working right away. I printed off the Bible Study notes so that Estefanie could start translating them into Spanish for me to type up.
I took Lesly to the market by the terminal to get veggies for the week for the Feeding Centers. That always takes a while.
I got back to the team house and worked on some emails. Then Mayela and I visited the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. It was a good visit. Mayela got some things straightened out with the Pastor and plans are being made to run the Feeding Center more smoothly.
I talked with the step-daughter of a friend. She is beginning her career as a social worker and she was interested to see if there was an opportunity to work with our ministry. The requirements for her project do not line up with how we work, but we had a very nice time talking. Mayela translated for me, but I think the girls understood English pretty well. They have been studying it in the University, too.
I picked up some sewing supplies from Bazar Jerry (one of my fav little stores) and then had a meeting with Mayela, Lesly, Mike and Sherry about the Feeding Centers and plans for the future ones. It was a very good meeting.
We went to Suyapa (restaurant on the beach) for dinner. It was a nice evening and yummy food.
I did some Bible study and worked on memorizing some scripture in Spanish. Then time for bed!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I got up and walked 2 miles. I like walking farther, but I need to get up earlier to make that fit into my schedule. Baby steps…
The team set out for another busy day of ministry.
I ran Auxiliodoro to the Monte Horeb Feeding Center with all her veggies for the week. I asked her when we got in the car if she wanted the windows down or the airconditioner on. She was like a little girl and excitedly told me that she wanted the airconditioner on. I love to bless her. She is very special.
I worked on computer stuff for the Feeding Centers and also some emails regarding upcoming teams. I got to talk to Kellie from FBCR on the phone. We were discussing the GIC Missions Conference at my home church (FBCR) in October. It will be great to get to see everyone that week.
Lesly and I went to town to buy me a new phone. I didn’t like my previous one (too fancy after all) so I decided to get a simpler one and gift my old one to Lesly (who will gift her old one to someone else). We stopped in at Eskimo for an ice cream and ran into the team.
I got back to the team house and spent many more hours on the computer doing Feeding Center stuff. There is a lot of work to be done, but when I think of those awesome kids that are getting fed, it’s worth every minute!!!
I went to bed fairly early. I think the walking at 6:30am is changing my body clock to an earlier bedtime. That’s okay by me!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
I got up early and walked 4 miles this morning. It felt good! I was very hot and sweaty when I got back to the team house and the cold shower was wonderful! Oatmeal for breakfast and busy to work on the computer again. The team went out for more ministry.
Mayela and I visited Noah’s Ark Feeding Center again. It’s always interesting there. Some of the kids are such dolls!
After lunch, I worked on more computer stuff for the Feeding Centers and finished typing up the Spanish version of the Women’s Bible Study notes. I got things printed off for me and Estefanie and also the women.
Estefanie and I went to La Quimera for the Bible Study. It was really good! The ladies are so interested in this discipleship series. They are really paying attention and asking questions and giving input. It makes my heart sing!
The team was out for dinner for the evening, so I had the team house to myself. I made some salmon patties with canned salmon that I had brought from the states. So yummy! I shared a couple of them with Alberto and he liked them, too. I like to put them in a flour tortilla with oliveoil mayo, lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Yum! Just as I was fixing everything on my plate, the electricity went out. I got out my flashlights and finished dinner. Then I went to bed early to read my Kindle.
The team got back while it was still dark. After about an hour, the electricity came back on. It wasn’t bad at all. Didn’t even have to start the generator for the fridge.
I love spending time in my room by myself. Especially, when we have back to back teams. I really like my room and I’m so thankful that God has provided me with a comfy place to live and the peace of mind to live in a small room as my house. He is so faithful!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
I walked 4 miles again this morning. I usually see the same things each day, but like to look for something different. There are shopkeepers that get to know well enough to say hello to. I like to visit my painter friend. Someday, I hope to be able to buy one of his paintings. They are so beautiful. I was neck and neck with a garbage truck for most of my walk. That part was not very pleasant. Also, there were some people carrying large bundles of balloons tied together. I HATE balloons and get very anxious around them, waiting for them to pop. These people were dragging these bundles of balloons down the street. I hurried up and passed them and kept walking fast until I was far ahead of them. That was a good cardio workout for me!
The team is out doing their last day of ministry. They have had a great week. Hundreds of people have accepted Christ at the Fiestas and school visits. VBS and English Clubs have went well, too. They have visited a couple of churches in the evenings and shared music, drama, messages and testimonies. It’s been a good week for them.
After breakfast, I got busy (you guessed it) on the computer. Then Mayela and I visited Noah’s Ark Feeding Center again. We’re getting the last of the kids on the list set up with their ID cards.
I talked with Cathy Krupka by phone about the women from FBC Rogers coming in October to do some Women’s Ministry. It was good to talk with her.
Another team is working on getting a dentist down here for a trip. We really have a need to work on these people’s teeth. I can’t wait to see how God provides the people and supplies/equipment for us to minister in this way.
Sewing Class was small, but fun. We’ve been working on different projects to help teach different kinds of skills. Lately, we’ve been making hair scrunchies and headbands. Some of the ladies are taking the classes seriously and trying to get better. Some of the ladies are just using the class as entertainment. It can get crazy in there sometimes. We have a small room dedicated to the sewing ministry. It is extremely hot and we have 6 fans in it, but we can’t blow the fans directly on us or they will blow away the fabric and thread, etc. We come out of there knowing that we have been working in a ‘sweat shop’. But we are very thankful for the space, the donated machines, the sturdy tables and the electricity that was wired for us. We hope that in the fall, we will have women ready to make some marketable items to help support their families.
I spent the evening relaxing and watching a video. The team went to their last church service. Everyone had a great evening.
Friday, July 13, 2012
I didn’t get to walk this morning, but I got ready early and took Lesly to La Unión grocery store for some items and then to Palí grocery store to get the week’s worth of meet for the 4 Feeding Centers. After I got back to the team house, I took my shower (I always feel nasty after dealing with the bags of meat) and got busy on the computer.
The team was enjoying their Fun Day adventurers. They went to Cerra Negro, a volcano about an hour or so away. You walk up the side of this rocky, hot and dirty volcano carrying a heavy wooden board. It takes about 45 minutes to walk up. Then you ride the board down the volcano. It’s hot and dirty and can be a little bit dangerous if you fall off of the board. Any time a team has done this on Fun Day, there have been a few people with road rash and some with gashes. It doesn’t sound like fun to me, but some people like it. They got back to the team house about 1 and got showers. Then they headed to town to have lunch and do some more shopping.
I worked on the computer more and then after lunch, Mary and I went to town to get some sewing stuff and have some ice cream. It was a nice little get away for us. As much as we love having teams here, we suffer a little from ‘visitor overload’ since Mary and I live here at the team house. It was a nice afternoon.
I watched 2 movies on my computer while cleaning out some clutter in my room. It was a very nice evening.
The team finished packing for their departure tomorrow. They ordered pizza for dinner and brought it back to the team house. They were having a great evening.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
I went for a 2 mile walk and then came back to say goodbye to the team, who left at 8:00am. I got my shower and had my oatmeal. It was such a peaceful morning!!! We had had 5 teams back to back and were ready for a little tranquility.
I worked on Feeding Center stuff on the computer and got a major chunk of work done. I rewarded myself with a nice 2 hour nap in the afternoon. Ahhhhh…
I love being a part of VOH ministries and I love the work that God accomplishes through the teams that come. I love the hustle and bustle of the work that goes on here. But I have to say that I really love the time with it’s just us who live here, doing our own thing, in our own time and in our own way. God blesses us in many ways.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
July 1 - 7, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The team split into 3 church groups to share messages and testimonies. I went to La Quimera church and delivered meat for the Feeding Center for Sunday’s lunch. There was a celebration for birthdays and Pastor Brian had asked me to take some pictures.
There were 2 clowns there to do the message and they did a great job. Everyone laughed and paid good attention to the story. After church, there was a trampoline and a bouncy-house thing. The kids absolutely loved it. I got to meet some nice people who don’t usually come to the church. It was a really nice time. The clowns made some balloon animals and gave me a bear. I got my picture made with them. I had to leave before the piñata and food, but I really enjoyed myself.
We had a great lunch of grilled chicken (our normal Sunday dinner) and then had orientation for the team. It was Charlie’s birthday, so we had chocolate cake. It was a nice afternoon. I got to take a nice nap.
The team split into 3 church groups again for evening service and I went with one group. I really enjoyed the service.
Monday, July 2, 2012
The team went out to do Fiestas, School visits, Street Evangelism, etc. I ran errands with Lesly most of the morning. On the way back to the team house, we stopped and picked up Manuel, Jaasiel and Jorge, who were walking around town for exercise.
After lunch, Mayela and I went back to town to look for picture albums (for the Feeding Center). I picked up some paper for my printer, markers, notebooks for Bible study and some wire for sewing class. We also went to one of the fabric stores and spent a lot of time (and money) on fabric to make the banners for the churches. Bismark, who has waited on me before and knows a little English, had a lot of patience cutting out all of the pieces of fabric that I wanted. He gave me a discount, too.
We all went to Poneloya Beach to see the ocean and then to Suyapa restaurant for dinner. It was a nice evening. Everyone loved the view and the food.
Back at the team house, I worked on the banner sketches some more, assigning colors to the pieces according to the fabric choices that I had made.
I started thinking about how bad I had been over the last year about not exercising, so I got out one of my workout videos and declared July a definite starting point to changing my lifestyle back into one of healthy choices.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The team went out on Fiestas and such again in the morning. I walked 2 miles and stopped on my way home at my favorite Libreria to buy some large pieces of paper, pens for Bible study and graph paper for sketching.
When I got back to the team house, I got my shower and ate oatmeal. I ran Auxiliodoro to the Monte Horeb Feeding Center, since she was picking up her weekly veggies and was needing a ride. Then I got a little bit of laundry done before the cleaning ladies got here. The electricity was off and on all morning, but I finally got my one load of clothes washed and dried.
I made an excel spreadsheet for Lesly for her recordkeeping and then I work on the computer most of the rest of the morning.
In the afternoon, I went with the team shopping downtown. The Cathredal is closed during the day because of construction around the grounds. We did find some souvenirs and then had ice cream at Eskimo. It was a fun time.
I typed up over due blog notes and posted them. I get very behind when there are teams here and so much going on.
The office computer had a major melt down which gave Maylea a minor melt down. Very thankfully, Jeremy’s wife Kelly is a computer tech and she got it hooked up to use Charlie’s laptop (with a smashed screen) as the processor and using the desktop screen, keyboard and mouse.
Mayela spent the night to be able to print out the picture book of Feeding Center kids for the team to take home.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
It’s Independence Day in the states, but we didn’t miss fireworks too much, since they set them off down here all the time for various reasons. The sound of them sets off Buster the dog, who barks like crazy and then attacks the plants, trees and bushes, sometimes pulling them up completely from the ground.
I talked to one of my sisters and my mom in the morning after my morning walk. I also called Kellie at FBCR to discuss dates for my flight back to Nica after the GIC (missions conference) in Oct.
I got cleaned up and ate my oatmeal. Bah. Mayela and Lesly and I went to town to look for more photo albums, which are very hard to find here. The traffic was horrendous, much worse than usual. There was some big-wig political person downtown, so they had many blocks barricaded from traffic. Since León is mostly one way streets, that made it crazy to try to get around. We finally found a place to park (a God thing) and walked to the different stores. We found a few photo albums at one store, but could not find any more.
I got back on the computer for a while and then got ready for Bible Study at La Quimera. Tina, Erin and Hannah from the team went with me and Estefanie (translator) for the class. We stopped at Maxi Palí for cookies for the class. The girls got to see the new grocery store this way. They liked it.
There was a big storm that blew in at the beginning of the Bible study class. And I mean it BLEW in! Strong winds were kind of scary. It started raining and blew in through the metal lattice work that is the top of the walls. The sound of the rain on the tin roof was very loud. We went ahead anyway and drew our chairs up really close together and Estafanie had to yell her translations. But we had a great share time. The rain ended about the time we were leaving to come back to the team house. I was glad not to have to drive through any storms. It had also rained and blew in León, but had quit by the time we got back.
The team did not have any services to go to at night, so we hung out at the team house and visited. I was so glad to get to visit with Ric for a while.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Charlie and Gannon joined me on my walk this morning. Since they are big strapping men, we walked down the highway. I’m not allowed to walk down the highway by myself anymore for safety reasons, but it is the route that I prefer, so I was happy to have them along as my personal bodyguards! We walked down to German’s house and I introduced them to his wife. As we were coming back to the team house, we met a big herd of cattle being herded down the road. I grabbed a few pics. I used to see lots of horses and cows and pigs along the streets on my walks when we lived in Poneloya. I miss that sometimes.
The team went out for Fiestas and such. I got cleaned up and worked on emails and messages for a while.
Mike needed to take the car back to his house for Sherry to drive, so he had me follow him in the Explorer to his house and bring him back to the team house. I had been looking at airfares on the computer before we left and was ready to purchase some when Mike interrupted me to pick him up. When we got back and I got back on the website, the fares had dropped. Cool! With using my skymiles, I got my ticket for just $80, so I was very happy! I confirmed my flight details with my sister. We’re all set for our Sept adventure!
Mayela and I visited the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. Pastor Pedro was on a retreat, so we didn’t get to talk to him, but we checked out records and spoke to some of the workers. I video-ed a song by the kids to put on my FB page. It’s The Lord’s Army in Spanish. I loved that it’s the same song as the States!!
I got all set up for the Sewing Class and Estefanie came early to help me. This was her first time translating for the sewing class since the very first one. Now we have machines set up in our own little sewing room. She doesn’t know how to sew, but she is a great translator and ready to help out in everything! I’m blessed to have her working with me. We made hair scrunchies and headbands. One of the youth from the team, Gracie, came in to work with us, too. She made a headband and I put her picture on FB.
The team went to church for the last night and I stayed back at the team house to rest and see if I could help with dinner.
Friday, July 6, 2012
The team left about 6:30am for Fun Day. I walked about 4.5 miles downtown and back. I just went to exchange some US money on the street corner. There is a guy named Luis there that I used twice in one day when driving by. He saw me coming and said hi, so I walked over to him and asked his name. I got back to the team house and had oatmeal and showered and got ready for the day.
Mary rode with Lesly and me to get the Feeding Center cheese at the Terminal market. We met Mayela there (she arrives on a bus from Chinandega). We all went to Palí to pick up the week’s meat for the Feeding Centers. Mayela and I stayed in the car while Mary and Lesly went in. It’s a long wait for all that meat to be packaged up and I was glad to let Mary go in this time.
I forwarded the info for School Supply Sponsorships to Donna, who will work on wording some documents to share with people. I did more airfare research and finally bought my tickets for Oct 2012 thru Jan 2013. I got a pretty good deal.
Mary and I went to town in the afternoon by hitching a ride with Lesly’s taxi. Mayela hitched a ride to the bus terminal, too. I got my haircut and then Mary and I went to Eskimo to eat icecream. Then we walked around just a little bit looking at souvenirs because Mary wanted some Nica t-shirts, which are pretty cheap.
I made some macaroni in my little hot-pot. It was very tasty. We relaxed until the team got back from Fun Day. They weren’t hungry for dinner before leaving Managua, so they waited until they got back and ordered pizzas from Hollywood Pizza (which is very good here). I visited with the team and enjoyed a slice of pizza, too. I will sure miss Ric and his team when they leave. They are always such a blessing to us.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Highland Baptist Church team left for the airport at 8:30am. It was too hot by then to walk, so I washed my sheets and had oatmeal for breakfast.
I spent the biggest part of the day drawing out the full-size patterns for the banners. I was really excited to get that part done. Jaasiel and Mary helped to cut out some of the letters. It will be a big job to cut out the fabric pieces, but if I take everything in steps, it will be done before I know it. This first batch is the most time-consuming. After that, all the decisions will be made and it will just be a matter of reproducing them.
Beth’s team from Westside Baptist Church in VA arrived about 4pm. They got settled in and had spaghetti dinner.
Mike, Sherry and Manuel came by and I measured some pants for Manuel so I could hem them for his exercise/dance class.
I got my shower and hemmed the pants and watched part of a movie and went to bed. I’ve been really tired lately. Maybe because I’m walking in the mornings again. The heat here zaps you more than you know. I could really use a nap now and then!
It’s been a really busy summer and the teams have been great. After this coming week, we have 1 week off from teams. We will do other ministry type stuff during that time. Then we have 1 more team for the summer. It’s flown by. There have been over 9,000 Salvations this summer since June 9. Awesome.
God is so good! He is so faithful!
The team split into 3 church groups to share messages and testimonies. I went to La Quimera church and delivered meat for the Feeding Center for Sunday’s lunch. There was a celebration for birthdays and Pastor Brian had asked me to take some pictures.
There were 2 clowns there to do the message and they did a great job. Everyone laughed and paid good attention to the story. After church, there was a trampoline and a bouncy-house thing. The kids absolutely loved it. I got to meet some nice people who don’t usually come to the church. It was a really nice time. The clowns made some balloon animals and gave me a bear. I got my picture made with them. I had to leave before the piñata and food, but I really enjoyed myself.
We had a great lunch of grilled chicken (our normal Sunday dinner) and then had orientation for the team. It was Charlie’s birthday, so we had chocolate cake. It was a nice afternoon. I got to take a nice nap.
The team split into 3 church groups again for evening service and I went with one group. I really enjoyed the service.
Monday, July 2, 2012
The team went out to do Fiestas, School visits, Street Evangelism, etc. I ran errands with Lesly most of the morning. On the way back to the team house, we stopped and picked up Manuel, Jaasiel and Jorge, who were walking around town for exercise.
After lunch, Mayela and I went back to town to look for picture albums (for the Feeding Center). I picked up some paper for my printer, markers, notebooks for Bible study and some wire for sewing class. We also went to one of the fabric stores and spent a lot of time (and money) on fabric to make the banners for the churches. Bismark, who has waited on me before and knows a little English, had a lot of patience cutting out all of the pieces of fabric that I wanted. He gave me a discount, too.
We all went to Poneloya Beach to see the ocean and then to Suyapa restaurant for dinner. It was a nice evening. Everyone loved the view and the food.
Back at the team house, I worked on the banner sketches some more, assigning colors to the pieces according to the fabric choices that I had made.
I started thinking about how bad I had been over the last year about not exercising, so I got out one of my workout videos and declared July a definite starting point to changing my lifestyle back into one of healthy choices.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The team went out on Fiestas and such again in the morning. I walked 2 miles and stopped on my way home at my favorite Libreria to buy some large pieces of paper, pens for Bible study and graph paper for sketching.
When I got back to the team house, I got my shower and ate oatmeal. I ran Auxiliodoro to the Monte Horeb Feeding Center, since she was picking up her weekly veggies and was needing a ride. Then I got a little bit of laundry done before the cleaning ladies got here. The electricity was off and on all morning, but I finally got my one load of clothes washed and dried.
I made an excel spreadsheet for Lesly for her recordkeeping and then I work on the computer most of the rest of the morning.
In the afternoon, I went with the team shopping downtown. The Cathredal is closed during the day because of construction around the grounds. We did find some souvenirs and then had ice cream at Eskimo. It was a fun time.
I typed up over due blog notes and posted them. I get very behind when there are teams here and so much going on.
The office computer had a major melt down which gave Maylea a minor melt down. Very thankfully, Jeremy’s wife Kelly is a computer tech and she got it hooked up to use Charlie’s laptop (with a smashed screen) as the processor and using the desktop screen, keyboard and mouse.
Mayela spent the night to be able to print out the picture book of Feeding Center kids for the team to take home.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
It’s Independence Day in the states, but we didn’t miss fireworks too much, since they set them off down here all the time for various reasons. The sound of them sets off Buster the dog, who barks like crazy and then attacks the plants, trees and bushes, sometimes pulling them up completely from the ground.
I talked to one of my sisters and my mom in the morning after my morning walk. I also called Kellie at FBCR to discuss dates for my flight back to Nica after the GIC (missions conference) in Oct.
I got cleaned up and ate my oatmeal. Bah. Mayela and Lesly and I went to town to look for more photo albums, which are very hard to find here. The traffic was horrendous, much worse than usual. There was some big-wig political person downtown, so they had many blocks barricaded from traffic. Since León is mostly one way streets, that made it crazy to try to get around. We finally found a place to park (a God thing) and walked to the different stores. We found a few photo albums at one store, but could not find any more.
I got back on the computer for a while and then got ready for Bible Study at La Quimera. Tina, Erin and Hannah from the team went with me and Estefanie (translator) for the class. We stopped at Maxi Palí for cookies for the class. The girls got to see the new grocery store this way. They liked it.
There was a big storm that blew in at the beginning of the Bible study class. And I mean it BLEW in! Strong winds were kind of scary. It started raining and blew in through the metal lattice work that is the top of the walls. The sound of the rain on the tin roof was very loud. We went ahead anyway and drew our chairs up really close together and Estafanie had to yell her translations. But we had a great share time. The rain ended about the time we were leaving to come back to the team house. I was glad not to have to drive through any storms. It had also rained and blew in León, but had quit by the time we got back.
The team did not have any services to go to at night, so we hung out at the team house and visited. I was so glad to get to visit with Ric for a while.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Charlie and Gannon joined me on my walk this morning. Since they are big strapping men, we walked down the highway. I’m not allowed to walk down the highway by myself anymore for safety reasons, but it is the route that I prefer, so I was happy to have them along as my personal bodyguards! We walked down to German’s house and I introduced them to his wife. As we were coming back to the team house, we met a big herd of cattle being herded down the road. I grabbed a few pics. I used to see lots of horses and cows and pigs along the streets on my walks when we lived in Poneloya. I miss that sometimes.
The team went out for Fiestas and such. I got cleaned up and worked on emails and messages for a while.
Mike needed to take the car back to his house for Sherry to drive, so he had me follow him in the Explorer to his house and bring him back to the team house. I had been looking at airfares on the computer before we left and was ready to purchase some when Mike interrupted me to pick him up. When we got back and I got back on the website, the fares had dropped. Cool! With using my skymiles, I got my ticket for just $80, so I was very happy! I confirmed my flight details with my sister. We’re all set for our Sept adventure!
Mayela and I visited the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. Pastor Pedro was on a retreat, so we didn’t get to talk to him, but we checked out records and spoke to some of the workers. I video-ed a song by the kids to put on my FB page. It’s The Lord’s Army in Spanish. I loved that it’s the same song as the States!!
I got all set up for the Sewing Class and Estefanie came early to help me. This was her first time translating for the sewing class since the very first one. Now we have machines set up in our own little sewing room. She doesn’t know how to sew, but she is a great translator and ready to help out in everything! I’m blessed to have her working with me. We made hair scrunchies and headbands. One of the youth from the team, Gracie, came in to work with us, too. She made a headband and I put her picture on FB.
The team went to church for the last night and I stayed back at the team house to rest and see if I could help with dinner.
Friday, July 6, 2012
The team left about 6:30am for Fun Day. I walked about 4.5 miles downtown and back. I just went to exchange some US money on the street corner. There is a guy named Luis there that I used twice in one day when driving by. He saw me coming and said hi, so I walked over to him and asked his name. I got back to the team house and had oatmeal and showered and got ready for the day.
Mary rode with Lesly and me to get the Feeding Center cheese at the Terminal market. We met Mayela there (she arrives on a bus from Chinandega). We all went to Palí to pick up the week’s meat for the Feeding Centers. Mayela and I stayed in the car while Mary and Lesly went in. It’s a long wait for all that meat to be packaged up and I was glad to let Mary go in this time.
I forwarded the info for School Supply Sponsorships to Donna, who will work on wording some documents to share with people. I did more airfare research and finally bought my tickets for Oct 2012 thru Jan 2013. I got a pretty good deal.
Mary and I went to town in the afternoon by hitching a ride with Lesly’s taxi. Mayela hitched a ride to the bus terminal, too. I got my haircut and then Mary and I went to Eskimo to eat icecream. Then we walked around just a little bit looking at souvenirs because Mary wanted some Nica t-shirts, which are pretty cheap.
I made some macaroni in my little hot-pot. It was very tasty. We relaxed until the team got back from Fun Day. They weren’t hungry for dinner before leaving Managua, so they waited until they got back and ordered pizzas from Hollywood Pizza (which is very good here). I visited with the team and enjoyed a slice of pizza, too. I will sure miss Ric and his team when they leave. They are always such a blessing to us.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Highland Baptist Church team left for the airport at 8:30am. It was too hot by then to walk, so I washed my sheets and had oatmeal for breakfast.
I spent the biggest part of the day drawing out the full-size patterns for the banners. I was really excited to get that part done. Jaasiel and Mary helped to cut out some of the letters. It will be a big job to cut out the fabric pieces, but if I take everything in steps, it will be done before I know it. This first batch is the most time-consuming. After that, all the decisions will be made and it will just be a matter of reproducing them.
Beth’s team from Westside Baptist Church in VA arrived about 4pm. They got settled in and had spaghetti dinner.
Mike, Sherry and Manuel came by and I measured some pants for Manuel so I could hem them for his exercise/dance class.
I got my shower and hemmed the pants and watched part of a movie and went to bed. I’ve been really tired lately. Maybe because I’m walking in the mornings again. The heat here zaps you more than you know. I could really use a nap now and then!
It’s been a really busy summer and the teams have been great. After this coming week, we have 1 week off from teams. We will do other ministry type stuff during that time. Then we have 1 more team for the summer. It’s flown by. There have been over 9,000 Salvations this summer since June 9. Awesome.
God is so good! He is so faithful!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
June 18-24, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
The team went out to do Fiestas in the morning.
Lesly and I went to the market by the bus terminal to buy the weekly produce for the Feeding Centers. The market is crowded and noisy and so interesting! There is one particular section that we buy most of our produce from. They are very friendly and honest. They will also carry our huge bags of veggies to the vehicle. I can’t imagine putting a bag of 50-100 pounds on my head and walking blocks. I get a headache just thinking about it! It takes a while to get this shopping spree done each Monday. It is hot and dirty and smelly. It makes me feel ashamed when I have complained about shopping for groceries in the states where it’s air-conditioned, clean and pleasant.
Anyway, I worked more on the lesson notes for the Women’s Bible study and gave them to Lesly to edit (in case Estefanie and I made mistakes). I also worked more on the picture books of the kids at the Feeding Centers, ran to a store to buy some cups and bowls ($ donated by team) for the kids at the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. Mary and Austin (intern) went with me and we had fun driving crazy and getting looks from people in the store when we bought so many cups and bowls.
Mary had went to pick up her passport from the authorities. When we get an extension on our visas (past 30 days), you have to pay a fee of $1 per day past the original 30. If you do this in León, they hold your passport for a week. If you do it in Managua, you get to keep your passport, but it’s an all day trip just to get it done.
While the team went to the beach and Suyapa restaurant for dinner, I stayed at the team house and worked on Feeding Center files and pinned more aprons to sew for the volunteer cooks. It was a very pleasant night.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The team left for Fiestas and a conference. I set up the sewing room for Mary’s class later in the day. We spent most of the day working on the picture books of the kids at the Feeding Centers. The Interns helped out a lot. The team went to the crusade and I stayed back to work, do laundry, make some calls to the states, etc. It was another pleasant night.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Team went out for Fiestas and again and another conference. They are making visits to Feeding Centers on their way home for lunch.
I went with Lesly to drive her on errands. Back at the team house, I worked on Bible Study notes and emails, and of course, more pics for the Feeding Center books.
Estafanie and went to the Ladies Bible Study at La Quimera. We always have a great time with the ladies there. I took Estafanie home and felt very comfortable as I’m learning my way back home from different places in the town.
One of the ladies on the team, Connie, loves to sew and she worked very hard making many of the aprons that we had cut out and pinned. I was so thankful to her for all of her sewing help!
The team went to do the crusade and it was a good night!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The team left for Fiesats and conference as usual. I chatted with Auxiliodor when she came to pick up the meet for the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. It’s nice to get to talk to Pastor Brian each morning, also, as he stops in to get the meat for the LQFC.
Mayela and I went downtown to take care of some business. I’ve been lucky to have access to a vehicle most of the time. It’s a hassle to drive and to park, but is very nice to have a vehicle on the long journeys.
We finally got the PayPal feature fixed on the VOH website and I could send some money down. I was excited!
Haley was sick and stayed back at the mission house while the team went to the crusade. We visited for a while. I fixed us some pasta for dinner and it was a quiet evening.
Mike needed to keep the Explorer here at the team house for the morning, so when he arrived we drove back to his house to drop him off and then I drove back to the team house. I made one wrong turn, which is not good at night, but I found familiar ground and made it home just fine.
When the team got back from the crusade, we got email addresses for anyone wanting to be on our newsletter list and also if they wanted to be considered for internships for next year.
Then everyone got packed up and ready to leave early in the morning. They would be staying in Managua after their Fun Day.
Friday, June 22, 2012
The team from the Highridge, Lifesong, and Temple Churches left at 6:30am for Fun Day and an overnight in Managua before flying back to the states on Saturday.
Everyone here at the team house was busy stripping beds, cleaning rooms, buying groceries, and getting ready for the Crosslife Church team that would arrive early evening. The changeover went pretty well!
I worked on Feeding Center files, emails, downloading pics to Facebook, etc.
Mayela and I went to visit the San Jacinto Feeding Center. It’s new and the volunteers are wonderful. I don’t know the ladies very well yet, but I’m very thankful for them! The kids are very thankful for the good lunch 5 days a week. God is really blessing!
On the way back from San Jacinto, Mayela and I stopped in at the La Quimera community. We didn’t go to the church/feeding center, because we didn’t want Pastor Brian to see us. We were dropping off some refreshments for a surprise party for him that would be held the next day. We weren’t sure where Syliva lived, so we stopped on the dirt road and yelled ‘Sylvia!!!’. One of her neighbors went to get her. It was kind of funny.
The Crosslife team arrived and got settled into their rooms.
Another funny thing that happened was that 2 of the Interns who went to escort the departing team on Fun Day, mistakenly got left with the group. The drivers had no idea that they were coming back to the team house. After a couple of phone calls, and just a short wait, they were picked up and brought back to León. That was a first!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Crosslife team went on their Fun Day at the beginning of their ministry week, instead of at the end. This was the first time they went on a Fun Day. They usually leave a day early. They had a good time, although there was a misunderstanding on the part of the Intern in charge of the group and they didn’t eat dinner before returning to the team house. It took a lot of phone calls and even more waiting time, but they ordered and picked up pizza for the group for dinner.
I really enjoy some of the people on the team. I got to spend some time chatting with a few of them during the day. It was great.
I worked a little more on Feeding Center stuff and pinned some more aprons. It was a good day.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
The team split into groups and went to several churches in the morning.
I went to La Quimer church as usual. It was decorated from the Father’s Day party the day before. It was a special party for Pastor Brian. The church loves having him as their spiritual Father. There had been 3 ladies doing some folk dancing for the party and Pastor Brian wanted them to do it for me (VOH) on Sunday. I took some pics and some video. It was fun.
When everyone got back to the team house for lunch, the electricity was out and stayed out until almost 9pm. In the late evening, we had to get gas for the generator to keep the fridges running. It was hot, sticky, sweaty and noisy. I did get a nap, though. I have a battery-operated fan that I use in extreme emergencies. It’s not very big and not strong at all, but it felt good moving the air across me a little bit.
I spent the rest of the day doing non-electric stuff like working on Bible Study notes and notes for my blog. Good ole pencil and paper!
The team went out to multiple churches in the evening. The cooks finished preparing the dinner by flashlight and generator. Everyone ate by flashlight. Very cozy!
We all cheered when the electricity came back on. We slept very well that night!
The team went out to do Fiestas in the morning.
Lesly and I went to the market by the bus terminal to buy the weekly produce for the Feeding Centers. The market is crowded and noisy and so interesting! There is one particular section that we buy most of our produce from. They are very friendly and honest. They will also carry our huge bags of veggies to the vehicle. I can’t imagine putting a bag of 50-100 pounds on my head and walking blocks. I get a headache just thinking about it! It takes a while to get this shopping spree done each Monday. It is hot and dirty and smelly. It makes me feel ashamed when I have complained about shopping for groceries in the states where it’s air-conditioned, clean and pleasant.
Anyway, I worked more on the lesson notes for the Women’s Bible study and gave them to Lesly to edit (in case Estefanie and I made mistakes). I also worked more on the picture books of the kids at the Feeding Centers, ran to a store to buy some cups and bowls ($ donated by team) for the kids at the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. Mary and Austin (intern) went with me and we had fun driving crazy and getting looks from people in the store when we bought so many cups and bowls.
Mary had went to pick up her passport from the authorities. When we get an extension on our visas (past 30 days), you have to pay a fee of $1 per day past the original 30. If you do this in León, they hold your passport for a week. If you do it in Managua, you get to keep your passport, but it’s an all day trip just to get it done.
While the team went to the beach and Suyapa restaurant for dinner, I stayed at the team house and worked on Feeding Center files and pinned more aprons to sew for the volunteer cooks. It was a very pleasant night.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The team left for Fiestas and a conference. I set up the sewing room for Mary’s class later in the day. We spent most of the day working on the picture books of the kids at the Feeding Centers. The Interns helped out a lot. The team went to the crusade and I stayed back to work, do laundry, make some calls to the states, etc. It was another pleasant night.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Team went out for Fiestas and again and another conference. They are making visits to Feeding Centers on their way home for lunch.
I went with Lesly to drive her on errands. Back at the team house, I worked on Bible Study notes and emails, and of course, more pics for the Feeding Center books.
Estafanie and went to the Ladies Bible Study at La Quimera. We always have a great time with the ladies there. I took Estafanie home and felt very comfortable as I’m learning my way back home from different places in the town.
One of the ladies on the team, Connie, loves to sew and she worked very hard making many of the aprons that we had cut out and pinned. I was so thankful to her for all of her sewing help!
The team went to do the crusade and it was a good night!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The team left for Fiesats and conference as usual. I chatted with Auxiliodor when she came to pick up the meet for the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. It’s nice to get to talk to Pastor Brian each morning, also, as he stops in to get the meat for the LQFC.
Mayela and I went downtown to take care of some business. I’ve been lucky to have access to a vehicle most of the time. It’s a hassle to drive and to park, but is very nice to have a vehicle on the long journeys.
We finally got the PayPal feature fixed on the VOH website and I could send some money down. I was excited!
Haley was sick and stayed back at the mission house while the team went to the crusade. We visited for a while. I fixed us some pasta for dinner and it was a quiet evening.
Mike needed to keep the Explorer here at the team house for the morning, so when he arrived we drove back to his house to drop him off and then I drove back to the team house. I made one wrong turn, which is not good at night, but I found familiar ground and made it home just fine.
When the team got back from the crusade, we got email addresses for anyone wanting to be on our newsletter list and also if they wanted to be considered for internships for next year.
Then everyone got packed up and ready to leave early in the morning. They would be staying in Managua after their Fun Day.
Friday, June 22, 2012
The team from the Highridge, Lifesong, and Temple Churches left at 6:30am for Fun Day and an overnight in Managua before flying back to the states on Saturday.
Everyone here at the team house was busy stripping beds, cleaning rooms, buying groceries, and getting ready for the Crosslife Church team that would arrive early evening. The changeover went pretty well!
I worked on Feeding Center files, emails, downloading pics to Facebook, etc.
Mayela and I went to visit the San Jacinto Feeding Center. It’s new and the volunteers are wonderful. I don’t know the ladies very well yet, but I’m very thankful for them! The kids are very thankful for the good lunch 5 days a week. God is really blessing!
On the way back from San Jacinto, Mayela and I stopped in at the La Quimera community. We didn’t go to the church/feeding center, because we didn’t want Pastor Brian to see us. We were dropping off some refreshments for a surprise party for him that would be held the next day. We weren’t sure where Syliva lived, so we stopped on the dirt road and yelled ‘Sylvia!!!’. One of her neighbors went to get her. It was kind of funny.
The Crosslife team arrived and got settled into their rooms.
Another funny thing that happened was that 2 of the Interns who went to escort the departing team on Fun Day, mistakenly got left with the group. The drivers had no idea that they were coming back to the team house. After a couple of phone calls, and just a short wait, they were picked up and brought back to León. That was a first!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Crosslife team went on their Fun Day at the beginning of their ministry week, instead of at the end. This was the first time they went on a Fun Day. They usually leave a day early. They had a good time, although there was a misunderstanding on the part of the Intern in charge of the group and they didn’t eat dinner before returning to the team house. It took a lot of phone calls and even more waiting time, but they ordered and picked up pizza for the group for dinner.
I really enjoy some of the people on the team. I got to spend some time chatting with a few of them during the day. It was great.
I worked a little more on Feeding Center stuff and pinned some more aprons. It was a good day.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
The team split into groups and went to several churches in the morning.
I went to La Quimer church as usual. It was decorated from the Father’s Day party the day before. It was a special party for Pastor Brian. The church loves having him as their spiritual Father. There had been 3 ladies doing some folk dancing for the party and Pastor Brian wanted them to do it for me (VOH) on Sunday. I took some pics and some video. It was fun.
When everyone got back to the team house for lunch, the electricity was out and stayed out until almost 9pm. In the late evening, we had to get gas for the generator to keep the fridges running. It was hot, sticky, sweaty and noisy. I did get a nap, though. I have a battery-operated fan that I use in extreme emergencies. It’s not very big and not strong at all, but it felt good moving the air across me a little bit.
I spent the rest of the day doing non-electric stuff like working on Bible Study notes and notes for my blog. Good ole pencil and paper!
The team went out to multiple churches in the evening. The cooks finished preparing the dinner by flashlight and generator. Everyone ate by flashlight. Very cozy!
We all cheered when the electricity came back on. We slept very well that night!
June 25-30, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
The team went out to do multiple Fiestas in the morning and a conference.
Lesly and I went to the market at the bus terminal to buy the weekly veggies for the feeding centers. Mayela travels by bus from Chinendega, so we called her and had her find us in the market instead of taking the little bus to the mission house. We also stopped at the grocery store, 2 bookstores and got ice and water for the mission house.
My money come in from the states, so I could finally go and buy the things that were on my ever-growing list.
After working on computer, including downloading pics to facebook, Mayela and I went to town to get some things taken care of. Mayela got a new phone and then we went to 2 stores to buy plastic chairs and a plastic table for me to use as an outdoor office just outside my room. I dropped Mayela off at the bus terminal and headed back home.
The team had decided not to go to the beach and Suyapa restaurant, so we had some yummy Mexican casserole (Sherry’s recipie) for dinner and everyone enjoyed the pool and relaxed.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
The team went out for Fiestas and conference.
I worked on emails and also put together a document for the Women’s Mission trip in October. I had been working on sketches for some banners for a couple of churches. I showed them to Mike and he picked 4 he likes. Now I can go forward with that project. (where will I find the time??)
We did more work on picture books (every team that comes down gets one to take back to their home church). Lesly and I did some shopping for the ministry in the afternoon, and I got some items for the sewing class.
I spent more time on the computer at the mission house, doing emails and messages. 5 people had to stay back from the crusade because they were sick, so I visited with them a little bit. When it starts getting dusk, the mosquitoes come out, so I retire to my room about 6pm. I like to have things to do in there (study, computer, Bible study, sewing, etc), so I was happy to have a dress of Sherry’s to alter. I enjoyed a video and sewed until bedtime. Good day!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The team went out as usual and got busy on the computer. I sent about 20 emails with the Women’s trip document attached. I’m excited to see who all God is planning on bringing here to Nica to minister during this special week!
I drove Lesly for shopping for groceries for Lydia and meds for me.
Then I prepared for Women’s Bible Study. The ladies love having handouts to work from. And I love their interaction.
We had a wonderful Bible study! Estefanie said it was her favorite one so far. The ladies really got into it and we have wonderful discussions. I’m always so blessed on Bible Study days!
I took Estefanie home and returned to the team house to eat my yummy dinner of Monterrey Chicken sandwich that I got at On the Run on the way home. There were 2 people who stayed back form the crusade, so I checked on them. It was a quiet night and I enjoyed working more on the sketches for the banners.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The team went out for their last day of Fiestas and conferences. They have been making visits to the feeding centers and went to a school. It’s been a good week for them.
I worked on the computer some more while the team was out. I have better internet access when everyone is gone with their smartphones and I get a lot more concentration time, too.
Mayela and I visited the San Jacinto and La Quimera feeding centers in the late morning.
I taught sewing class in the afternoon. We made hair scrunchies and headbands with little petals. They were cute, but we didn’t have our measurements down quite right. The ladies said the little ones might work for kids, but one woman said if she put it on her baby’s head, it would kill the baby. Needless to way, these women have a warped sense of humor just like me!
One person stayed back from the crusade as sick, but we had a great chat. More computer work in my room completed my day.
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Crosslife team left early morning for the airport. Their week culminated in 1682 salvations from all of the Fiestas, school visits, conferences and 3 nights of crusade services.
After working on the team house to help get it ready to turn over for the next team coming, the Interns got ready and I took them and Mary to lunch at Al Carbon. It was delicious, but it did take really long to get our food. We got good and full and started walking back to the van, which was parked a few blocks away. It started raining really hard and we got drenched. It was funny. Right when we all got back into the van, the rain went from a downpour to nothing all at once.
We returned to the team house and relaxed. I took Lesly to do some errands and took her and Jorge home. Then I went back to the mission house and worked on the computer for a while.
The Interns cooked dinner (mac n cheese with velveeta) and cookies. Charlie treated us to Tip Top Chicken delivery. I talked to the restaurant guy on the phone and we had a good time with my Spanish and his English. I love conversations like that. We ended our interchange by complimenting each other on our language skills (no matter they were rough). We all ate way too much. Who can resist cookies hot out of the oven???
The Interns had a last night of devotions and prayer together. They will be missed very much! It has been a pleasure to serve with them this month!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
The Interns left at 3am and 8am for Managua for their flights. It was bittersweet seeing them go.
I started getting some laundry caught up before the workers started on the towels and sheets again. It’s always good to get laundry done. We carry our clothes out to the washer and dryer, which are outside of another building. Every time I do that, I think of how spoiled we are in the US to have a laundry room so convenient to us. And I think of how spoiled we are at the team house to have a washer and dryer at all. Most people here wash by hand. I’m thankful I don’t have to do all of my laundry that way!
Manuel was here for part of the morning, but left with Mike when he was getting a little hard to handle. I miss the days when Manuel could hang out with me and Mary for hours and we would have so much fun together. Maybe some day they will get his medicines worked out and we will have our old Manuel back.
Mayela came to work for the day directing the workers to get the house ready for the team. She was walking around with a clipboard so that she wouldn’t forget anything that Sherry told her to do. Mary thought the clipboard was funny, and followed Mayela around a little bit. I told Mayela not to take it personally. She and I actually work a lot a like, making lists and checking them off. I think that’s why we work together so well. Mayela left at 3pm and Mary and I rested in our rooms until the team got here about 4pm.
We had a brief team meeting and had dinner. We chatted awhile and the team broke up into groups to practice their songs for the week. It was such a sweet spirit here at the team house. I loved it!
I got the chance to sit with Charlie and chat a while. We’ve been so busy with our different responsibilities with the ministry that we haven’t had any good talks. It was very nice.
I went to bed listening to the team singing and talking and laughing. It was great!
The team went out to do multiple Fiestas in the morning and a conference.
Lesly and I went to the market at the bus terminal to buy the weekly veggies for the feeding centers. Mayela travels by bus from Chinendega, so we called her and had her find us in the market instead of taking the little bus to the mission house. We also stopped at the grocery store, 2 bookstores and got ice and water for the mission house.
My money come in from the states, so I could finally go and buy the things that were on my ever-growing list.
After working on computer, including downloading pics to facebook, Mayela and I went to town to get some things taken care of. Mayela got a new phone and then we went to 2 stores to buy plastic chairs and a plastic table for me to use as an outdoor office just outside my room. I dropped Mayela off at the bus terminal and headed back home.
The team had decided not to go to the beach and Suyapa restaurant, so we had some yummy Mexican casserole (Sherry’s recipie) for dinner and everyone enjoyed the pool and relaxed.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
The team went out for Fiestas and conference.
I worked on emails and also put together a document for the Women’s Mission trip in October. I had been working on sketches for some banners for a couple of churches. I showed them to Mike and he picked 4 he likes. Now I can go forward with that project. (where will I find the time??)
We did more work on picture books (every team that comes down gets one to take back to their home church). Lesly and I did some shopping for the ministry in the afternoon, and I got some items for the sewing class.
I spent more time on the computer at the mission house, doing emails and messages. 5 people had to stay back from the crusade because they were sick, so I visited with them a little bit. When it starts getting dusk, the mosquitoes come out, so I retire to my room about 6pm. I like to have things to do in there (study, computer, Bible study, sewing, etc), so I was happy to have a dress of Sherry’s to alter. I enjoyed a video and sewed until bedtime. Good day!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The team went out as usual and got busy on the computer. I sent about 20 emails with the Women’s trip document attached. I’m excited to see who all God is planning on bringing here to Nica to minister during this special week!
I drove Lesly for shopping for groceries for Lydia and meds for me.
Then I prepared for Women’s Bible Study. The ladies love having handouts to work from. And I love their interaction.
We had a wonderful Bible study! Estefanie said it was her favorite one so far. The ladies really got into it and we have wonderful discussions. I’m always so blessed on Bible Study days!
I took Estefanie home and returned to the team house to eat my yummy dinner of Monterrey Chicken sandwich that I got at On the Run on the way home. There were 2 people who stayed back form the crusade, so I checked on them. It was a quiet night and I enjoyed working more on the sketches for the banners.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The team went out for their last day of Fiestas and conferences. They have been making visits to the feeding centers and went to a school. It’s been a good week for them.
I worked on the computer some more while the team was out. I have better internet access when everyone is gone with their smartphones and I get a lot more concentration time, too.
Mayela and I visited the San Jacinto and La Quimera feeding centers in the late morning.
I taught sewing class in the afternoon. We made hair scrunchies and headbands with little petals. They were cute, but we didn’t have our measurements down quite right. The ladies said the little ones might work for kids, but one woman said if she put it on her baby’s head, it would kill the baby. Needless to way, these women have a warped sense of humor just like me!
One person stayed back from the crusade as sick, but we had a great chat. More computer work in my room completed my day.
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Crosslife team left early morning for the airport. Their week culminated in 1682 salvations from all of the Fiestas, school visits, conferences and 3 nights of crusade services.
After working on the team house to help get it ready to turn over for the next team coming, the Interns got ready and I took them and Mary to lunch at Al Carbon. It was delicious, but it did take really long to get our food. We got good and full and started walking back to the van, which was parked a few blocks away. It started raining really hard and we got drenched. It was funny. Right when we all got back into the van, the rain went from a downpour to nothing all at once.
We returned to the team house and relaxed. I took Lesly to do some errands and took her and Jorge home. Then I went back to the mission house and worked on the computer for a while.
The Interns cooked dinner (mac n cheese with velveeta) and cookies. Charlie treated us to Tip Top Chicken delivery. I talked to the restaurant guy on the phone and we had a good time with my Spanish and his English. I love conversations like that. We ended our interchange by complimenting each other on our language skills (no matter they were rough). We all ate way too much. Who can resist cookies hot out of the oven???
The Interns had a last night of devotions and prayer together. They will be missed very much! It has been a pleasure to serve with them this month!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
The Interns left at 3am and 8am for Managua for their flights. It was bittersweet seeing them go.
I started getting some laundry caught up before the workers started on the towels and sheets again. It’s always good to get laundry done. We carry our clothes out to the washer and dryer, which are outside of another building. Every time I do that, I think of how spoiled we are in the US to have a laundry room so convenient to us. And I think of how spoiled we are at the team house to have a washer and dryer at all. Most people here wash by hand. I’m thankful I don’t have to do all of my laundry that way!
Manuel was here for part of the morning, but left with Mike when he was getting a little hard to handle. I miss the days when Manuel could hang out with me and Mary for hours and we would have so much fun together. Maybe some day they will get his medicines worked out and we will have our old Manuel back.
Mayela came to work for the day directing the workers to get the house ready for the team. She was walking around with a clipboard so that she wouldn’t forget anything that Sherry told her to do. Mary thought the clipboard was funny, and followed Mayela around a little bit. I told Mayela not to take it personally. She and I actually work a lot a like, making lists and checking them off. I think that’s why we work together so well. Mayela left at 3pm and Mary and I rested in our rooms until the team got here about 4pm.
We had a brief team meeting and had dinner. We chatted awhile and the team broke up into groups to practice their songs for the week. It was such a sweet spirit here at the team house. I loved it!
I got the chance to sit with Charlie and chat a while. We’ve been so busy with our different responsibilities with the ministry that we haven’t had any good talks. It was very nice.
I went to bed listening to the team singing and talking and laughing. It was great!
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