Day 12 - Feb 3rd

Monday, February 3rd

Hi everyone

Today, we had a lovely breakfast of bacon and eggs.  Then to devotions.  Barb read the email and devotional that Joyce sent after returning home to Canada.  It was lovely.  Thank you, Joyce.

So, I worked with Jessikha this morning on more advanced crochet techniques and we set up the bags for the other ladies that would come this afternoon.  We made up 6 bags with yarn, hooks, needles, etc so they could work on their own as well as with Jessikha.  Her little girl, Samara, was with us until almost 1pm.  Then she was getting tired so she called her husband to meet her and pick up the little girl.  She is adorable (age 2) - dos anos.  We worked out on the patio in the morning but moved into the dining table area in the afternoon as it got quite windy.

Larry and Jonathan went for the children and the crochet ladies.  We had turned it around to afternoon as the younger children have school in the morning.  We did have 5 ladies but 2 were brand new.  So Jessikha taught the new ones and I helped the other 3.   They are doing very well, they just need practice.  About 2pm, I was getting a headache, we think from the varnish they were putting on the posts.  So we moved out to where the children were at the end of the field.  We were there for about an hour and a half before it was time for them all to go home.  I would have loved for them to stay longer but we have to coordinate trips in the van and there were others heading out then.  This is their last day.  It just seemed too difficult to work around school and other responsibilities.  

For school, the younger ones go in the morning, the older ones in the afternoon and the teenagers in the evening.  They all use the same classrooms.  We will need to remember this for future considerations as it made timing classes much more difficult.  With promises of connections with Jessikha for further teaching and help, we all said good bye.  With hugs and kisses, and crochet bags, we loaded them up in the van.  After a bit of a rest on the porch in front of our rooms, I went in for a shower to refresh myself.  Feels so much better. 

I have started to pack to go home, wash up clothes and give them away and generally organize myself.  Tomorrow, I am going with the Apoyo team on their co-op visits, if there is room for me.  Wednesday is our trip to Granada and the boat tour and then it is the final hours before heading out to the airport at 3:30am on Thursday.

See you all soon.

Susan (aka Suzie)

Day 6 - Hard at Work!

Oh what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day!  The rooster crowed, the world began and we started another day.  Here it is Tuesday and it seems that we have been friends forever.  Yet most of the team, I only met on the way down here!  We have experienced some truly moving moments together.  

Again we started with breakfast of pancakes and pineapple at 7am (toast and peanut butter is also an option) and then a lovely devotional by Sharon from John 15 about the vine and branches bearing fruit and the fruit of the spirit as described in Galatians.  Beware the vine that chokes rather than bears fruit, as a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  We prayed and headed off to prepare ourselves for the groups coming in.  Again, the build team  went back to Pan de Vida to continue working on the Pastor’s house.  I need to get back there and take a look at the progress they have made.  Yvonne and Wynne prepared for their second group of sewers to come for the sewing seminar.  

Today, Judy would have the children at the long tables in the dining hall and, since we would be sharing a translator today (Jonathan), we put our crochet group just in back at the patio of the kitchen gardens.  I had help setting up, that is always nice.  Those of you on Facebook will already know that I had 8 ladies today!  I shared Jonathan’s video of our work and the children’s activities.  Two ladies, Jesika and Ramona, returned and the other 6 were all new!  It was a busy time getting everyone started and showing the stitches to the new young women.  We began with prayer and thanksgiving for the opportunities that we are all given to learn from each other.  Jesika and Ramona helped with teaching quite a bit and I was very pleased that they did.  Some people catch on right away and others struggle longer.  I emphasized that it is new and not everyone learns the same way or at the same speed.  

The ladies were shown how to crochet onto an elastic band and add some extra touches.  Because of teaching the first steps again, we did not complete a granny square but they did learn how to join in the round and that is the beginning.  They were all sent home with yarn and hook and an extra elastic to work with...I need to get more of those.  I also gave them each a small cross engraved with “I am always with you”.  

Since everyone is working in a different area, we try to touch base with each other when we can, especially at meals.  The driver for my crocheters was delayed and so, I did not want to leave them to go eat lunch.  Instead, I bought them all a drink out of the canteen we have and we chatted and took pictures while we waited.  When someone was available to take them home, it was close to 1pm.  While I was eating, Jonathan and Judy cleaned up my work area for me and that was very nice of them.  We had a good visit then too.  Judy had a really good day with the children and they were very well behaved.

Tara, Sharon, Cecilio and Myrna went this morning to see a farmer in the area about seedlings and an irrigation system for the gardens.  It was very interesting and they came home with some great ideas and seeds and seedlings that he gave them.  Tara got to work right away planting things when they came back.

In the afternoon, we planned out for the next few days as some trips were re-worked.  Tomorrow, 5 (includes Allan their driver ) will go to Rivas where another Canadian group called Commit works and they will learn what kind of projects that they have been working on.  This is at least a 2 -3 hour trip each way, so I am happy not to go as my back has been sore off and on.  

This afternoon, we were all invited to the Bethlehem Centre where the sewing ladies had out some items to sell and to see what they had accomplished.  Both Wynne and Yvonne were very pleased with their work and the efforts they put into the day.  They accomplished a great deal.  Their little girl dresses, boys’ shirts, pillows and pillowcases were very lovely and well done.  One lady brought some dresses she had crocheted and she was pleased to show me.  Big hugs were received from Sofia from my last trip here in 2018.

After supper, I led those interested in a relaxation exercise.  That took us to 8pm and most of us were ready for bed and quiet conversation.

Blessings to all,

Suzie

Words of the day:  Moy bonito.   Very pretty.

“ 10 Jesus died for us so that we can live together with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes. 11 So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now.” 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11

Days 4 & 5 - Busy, busy

Oh what a labour of love this is!  It is exhilarating, touching, and moving.  It is sad to see the living conditions, yet the Nicaraguan people have such joy of life!  Their stories, their intense desire to better themselves, their strength as a community!  They are a beautiful people and I am both happy to help in any way I can and feeling so fulfilled to be a part of their lives.  It is humbling and deeply emotionally draining at times.  At night, we are exhausted and yet, excited to talk about our day.  

But let me tell you about yesterday.  First, I should apologize that I did not send last night.  Sunday was a full, busy day and we stayed up late with conversation.

We went to church at Pan de Vida which is directly behind our Jardin Shalom.  It is the newest project as the pastor’s house is being built right now as well as gardens for vegetables.  The church is an open air space with a kitchen at the back which doubles as a feeding station.    Pastor Cecilio spoke of our family of God and how he believes God is leading this church to be inviting and to encourage teaching others; that they share their gifts as we have shared what we have brought, that William would be able to teach music and guitar, that if one would know how to make bread that we share that knowledge with others.  It was a very moving service with beautiful music like I Want to see you (Holy, holy, holy).  I barely noticed the time go by.  about 1+1/2 hours.  This is what I wish for you back home, that you focus on the Word of God, sharing His love and glory and teaching others.

After lunch, we headed out for Mombacho Volcano and 5 of us chose to do zip lining while others did the coffee tour.  So surprisingly enough, I had a good time and only screamed a little!  This was great fun and what a view!  

On the way home, we were able to stop at Catarina Lagoon for the view and the market.  It is a popular stop on Sundays, family day.   From the top of Catarina, you can see the Lagoon and the Montombo volcano in the distance.  I believe it is Granada that is the town across the water.   As this area is also a popular tourist spot, there are plenty of little market shops up and down the hill and around the circle.  There is also horse back riding and music to enjoy.  

When we came home Sunday night, we had a quick supper and then picked up some others to go to POPs for ice cream!  Those of you that know me well, know that I was thrilled!  It was quite busy and the ice cream was good.  What a day!  We sure can pack a lot into one Sunday.  When we returned we helped Yvonne & Wynne set up for the sewing seminar in the Bethlehem Room and then went off to do our individual things and chat about the day and the week to come.

Monday morning came bright and early as we know that the coffee is ready by 6:30am and the breakfast bell goes at 7am.  There is a lot to get ready for, so we like to stay on schedule as long as we can.  For devotions, Pastor Ernan sat with us and spoke of making amends and growing as discussed in Titus.  It was a very good devotional and challenged me to work towards longer and more focussed prayer time.  

Afterwards, it was time to prepare for the day.  Some went to the build site next door at Pan de Vida to work on the Pastor’s house; others went to Bethlehem Multipurpose Centre to help out with the Sewing Seminar.  I was asked to set up for crochet at the breakfast area.  Ramona, Tanya, Jesika and Rosalina were my crocheters today.  Jairo (pronounced Hiro) was our translator.  We talked about the projects that we would try to finish and looked at project ideas that I had for them.  This always encourages them to try just a little harder.  The morning went well and then we packed up for lunch.  For most of them, it was a morning session only.  

Rosa was able to stay longer as her mother was in the sewing seminar until 3:30 and her father was the driver.  That worked out well for us.  We had a lovely afternoon crocheting together and getting to know each other.  Rosa spoke of the work their church is doing in Granada working with and feeding homeless children, it was very heartrending.  Jairo began to read from Psalms to us.  This helped us relax and also helped him practice.  I was able to help him with pronunciation and what some of the more unusual English words meant.  He read from a couple of different translations too.  

Too soon, our lovely afternoon came to an end.  Rosa finished a miniature dress (guided by photos only), started a purse and I finished my water bottle holder.  Since she would not be back (because of the distance and drivers), Rosa was sent on her way with extra yarn and hooks and pictures and a promise to messenger with her.  

After a good supper of chicken and rice, salad and plantain, we retired to our “porch” to do personal things, visit, FaceTime, WeChat, etc with family back home.  

Thank you all for listening.

Blessings to all,

Susan (aka Suzie)

Day 1 - Travelling Day

So here we are at the end of our travel day.  I was up this morning and on the road by 6am.  We wanted to make sure we didn’t hit noon traffic so moving out early made a big difference.  Lots of joking and laughing on the road, good travel day and no issues.  We were at the airport before 11am so I had time to find the ticket area/meet area, mail some cards etc before the others arrived.  Coming from London, Listowel, Guelph and Fergus there is a total of 11 of us travelling today.  

Everything went smoothly and I remembered how much I like flying Avianca.  They are lovely, professional and still feed you on the flight and the food is good too!  

So when we arrived at Jardin Shalom, the bags were delivered over to our deck area, instructions for the morning and off to acquaint ourselves with our roommates for the next 2 weeks and get ready for bed.

I am keeping this short today and will post pictures as we go tomorrow.

Blessings to all of you.

Suzie

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV)