The breathtaking beauty of Nicaragua greeted us as we came to the kitchen for coffee and a breakfast of scrambled eggs, pineapple, fried weiners and the ever-present toast and peanut butter and jam. Juice options were callalla or hibiscus....both which I like. Devotions were led by Wynne with a reading from Colossians 1 and 3 and how creation continues to relate to us.
I was excited to go with the Apoyo team today to visit co-ops so I headed out with Yvonne, Wynne, Dolores (lead sewer), Samuel (translator) and Alvin (our driver). This morning we went to Pastor Norori’s church, Santidad a Yhvhweh. This is where we did the sewing co-op in October 2018 the last time I was down. Some of the ladies recognized me and we chatted a bit about the conflicting schedules of the young ladies still in University that made it difficult to get them together as a group to crochet. Yvonne and Wynne discussed with the ladies their successes and difficulties in the year and a half since their sewing training. They gave some advice of how best to deal with problems that arise and how to rely on God for His guidance. We promised to visit again when Pastor Norori and his wife, Sofia, are available to sit with us. We also picked up the P. O. M. (Peace of Mind) Project completed bags which are hygiene bags for ladies sponsored by a private donors from London-Guelph area.
Back to Jardin Shalom for lunch and some joking with the guys painting the tables. Like the chairs, there was a lot of sanding and clean up first. Also, the posts were cleaned up and re-cemented. Then we were off to Iglesias del Cristo.
Meanwhile, quite a few others went to visit Blue Bird in Jinotepe for mentally-challenged adults. They have an agronomist there as well and they were looking forward to discussing more gardening plans with him. This trip was 1-1/2 hour each way. On the way home, they stopped at a Canadian mission retreat from Waterloo specializing in bringing in medical teams to do clinics for the poor. When they returned some went down to Huembe’s marketplace to do their shopping. This is always a fun place to go to as it is full of tradespeople selling their wares and is huge!
Our visit to Iglesias del Cristo was very good. There was quite a bit of construction going on and we headed up to the back and up the stairs to where the sewing area is. Part of the expansion will see a full second floor put in and more room given to the sewing co-op. They are doing very well there and are working up products for their church bazaar coming soon. I bought a lovely tote bag from them. They also had the last of their Palm Project bags to turn in. It was a lovely visit and they served us lemonade and pineapple waffles and turnovers that were very good!
Upon returning to Jardin Shalom, we dug some items out of the bodega (warehouse) for next week’s visit to other co-ops. Then off for a shower and down time until supper. Supper was very good..rice and beef and salad.
This evening we shared our days’ adventures with each other, packed our coffee that we had ordered and generally had a few laughs. We are getting along very well and the joking back and forth and laughter is contagious. I really feel that God has led me to this group at this time for a real retreat and refreshing of my soul. We take on so much at home that it is important to really feel refreshed from time to time.
May our Lord bless you and keep you,
Susan (aka Suzie)
“ He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” Psalm 23:3
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