Day 14 - February 5th

Wednesday, February 5th

Buenas Dias, everyone.  Here it is our last full day.  Where has the time gone?  It seems such a short time ago that we met in Toronto airport and I only knew Kurt and Sharon.  Now, we have become friends, and developed a camaraderie.  Truly, it has been an emotional journey for many of us.

This morning we had scrambled eggs with bacon in it and cantaloupe!  It was lovely!  The fruit is all the fresher here with a natural sweetness that surpasses all expectations.  I led devotions this morning spoke of healing, reiterating last Sunday’s sermon by Pastor Ernan about not waiting for tomorrow to do what can be done today.

Today, I am going with the Apoyo team to the last co-op visit.  Most others are going on the boat ride at Granada and out for lunch.  A few have meetings and little projects to finish up before we head home.  The Granada group headed out at 9am sharp!

The first photo I want to show you is the new stove that this team has pitched in to purchase for Jardin Shalom.  The stove is $200 u.s.d. And the tank to go with it is another $80 u.s.d.  By purchasing this one, the older one has been promised to go back to Pan de Vida for their kitchen.  They still need to do some finishing touches on that kitchen before it is ready for the stove installation.  Also, if you remember the day we fed the children out there, we ran out of bowls and cups and spoons.  So there was a donation to purchase more.  So, the second photo is the old stove with the new bowls, cups and spoons  all cleaned up and ready to go.

 I had a tearful goodbye with Jessikha and gave her the last of the crochet bags for the rest of the ladies that didn’t make it on Monday, Daysie, Jebelka and Ramona.  Then I joined Whinne and Yvonne as they discussed future seminar options with Dolores and Samuel (translator).

Yvonne and Wynne went to tidy up the last items from the Bethlehem Auditorium from the seminars and started to pack things back in the bodega (warehouse).  Dolores, Samuel, Alvin and I helped sort and pack the boxes and bolts of fabric and other notions for this last co-op visit.  We headed out about 11am to go to Primera Iglesia de Cristo.  There are only 2 sewers in this co-op currently, Jenny and Salvadora.  They have help when they need it, so we need to encourage them to work together and help develop each person’s skills.  They are currently making bed tops, sheets, cushions, bags, oven mitts and child’s skirt made from a man’s shirt.  These are good projects.  They are able to sell outside the church one day at mid month and another day at end month.  I guess this is the timing of paycheques which makes perfect sense.  They have good ideas.  We left them with their work projects and headed back.  We made a last stop at Maxi Pali (owned by Walmart) for treats for tonight.  

This afternoon, I popped over to the build at Pan de Vida, gave the men some treats, took some pictures and said my goodbyes.  Afterwards, I went with Wynne to clean up the bodega, re-sort some boxes and separate out the two deliveries that will be made after we return to Canada.  We were drenched in sweat and ready for a shower when we finished but the bodega looks good and all our boxes are labelled and there is room for the shipment that will come in April/May.

The others had returned from their trip to Granada and the boat tour and they were happy to have seen the monkeys on one of the islands.  It is a beautiful tour option if you are down here, I highly recommend it.

Our last supper together was enchiladas (rice & beef inside), carrot/cabbage cole slaw and cookies for dessert.  The rest of the evening was spent in great fun and laughter and laundry.  Marta came and prayed for us and asked for protection from the storms forecast for tomorrow in Canada.  

As I finish this blog tonight, I should warn you it will likely be a couple of days before you receive my wrap up notes.  I may be shovelling the first day I get there!  

Love to all and may the peace that I know in my heart be yours also.

Susan (aka Suzie)

Final word:  Volveré which means I’ll be back!

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)