Well, I only have 4 days left here in Jinotepe, and I have mixed feelings about it...but more on that later.
On Monday, we went to Francisco and Erica's again, but not for the Children's Church this time. Instead, we had another job to do. Their family lives in a small two room home. Pretty much all homes here are made out of concrete, and theirs is no exception. The thing is that their house has never been painted, leaving the bare gray concrete walls throughout their home. So, our job on Monday was to paint! I don't have before and after shots posted quite yet, but let me just tell you that it looks amazing. The paint job completely transformed their living area, which serves as their bedrooms and living room. Their 3 year old son, Caleb, kept coming to check on us while we were painting and kept saying, ''Tan bonita esta casa!'' It means 'This house is so beautiful!'' He, along with his brother and parents were super blessed by it...as was I because Erica made fried chicken, rice and tostadas for us for lunch. Yum!
While we were there a couple of the girls from the Children's Church stopped by, Lea and Karin. Karin needed help with her English homework and I was more than happy to help. However, by helping her I realized how weird our language is. Her homework was a fill-in-the-blank-with-the-correct-word problem. The correct word was 'neighborhood', and I didn't have the heart to make her sound it out. But, even with all of English's exceptions, I was able to help her finish it. Lea's homework was to do conversions between metric and American units, so I got to brush up on my numbers in Spanish. It was a great time to spend with the girls. It was a little difficult for me to keep up with them because they spoke so quickly, but it was a fun time for me for sure.
Later today we will go back there again, probably for the last Children's Church I will go to...which brings me back to my opening statement about how leaving will be bittersweet. Although I do miss all the people back in Kenosha, if I was given the chance to stay in Nicaragua for the rest of the summer, I would take it in a heartbeat. I would love to have more time to really get to know the kids at the Children's Church and to really be able to connect with them on a different level. Also, when I think about leaving in just a few days, it almost feels like I'm leaving home again. The Euceda's have come to be like family to me. They've poured into my life while I've been here, probably more than they realize, and I'm going to miss them greatly.
However, upon returning home I know that my life will never be the same. My Father has taught me so much in the few short weeks I've been here, it's impossible not to be changed. I'm also really excited to get plugged back in with all that's going on at Prayer House this summer, and to be reunited with my family there. I thank the Lord all the time for all the support I've had from my Kingdom family throughout my experience here. Thank you all so much!
As I only have a few days left here, this will probably be my last post before I return home. I will return to the States on the 20th, but I won't be back in town until the 27th. So my first Sunday at church will be July 3rd. I look forward to seeing all my church family then. :)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Learning to Love the Culture
This week has been full of kids! On Sunday Roger and Rhonda dropped me off at Francisco and Erica's children's church. Yep, all by myself. :) I was able to rely only on my Spanish, rather than asking for a translation from someone. It's been an adjustment for me here with my Spanish. Learning Spanish in class and hearing the accents that are spoken back home (Mexican and American accents), it's been hard to adjust to the Nicaraguan accent here. However, I'm starting to get it I think. There are times now when I will understand what was just said, but I won't remember if it was spoken in Spanish or English. If you remember, this is one of the things I was hoping for on this trip (to become more fluent in Spanish.) Anyway, back to the children's church. On Sunday, after worship and a little message for the kids, we helped them finish up their Mother's Day gifts. They separated the girls from the boys to work on things and so I sat with the girls. I was able to learn a few more names and make a couple new little friends. There were two girls in particular that I was able to spend some time with. One is a 6 year old named Jamie and another is an 8 year old named Julia. The kids love to talk here and it was fun to be able to communicate with them and have some fun with them while helping them make cards and flowers for their moms.
Yesterday (Thursday) we traveled to one of the schools that we had delivered school supplies to earlier. There was an event going on for Children's Day. Children's Day is just like Mother's and Father's Day, but for the kids. As we were waiting for it to start, since nothing here starts on time, I was just introducing myself to some of the kids, saying hi and giving smiles. There were two little girls that were following me around everywhere. One of them was 6 and the other one I'm not sure. I asked the other one if she was 13, just to play with her a little, and she said yes. Then she wouldn't give me her real age. :) But I'm guessing she was around 6 as well. They were absolutely adorable and would not leave my side until the events started. I wish I could tell you their names, but I can't remember them. I've noticed that many times when I ask a child's name, they will give me their entire name. Here in Central America, most people have four names (first, middle and two last names) and the kids rattle them off so quickly, I usually can't pick out where the first name ends.
There is something interesting I've learned about the culture here. You know how in the States we have our personal space bubble? That rule doesn't apply here in Nicaragua. In a way it can sometimes be uncomfortable, like when I'm in the market or in the grocery store, but in another sense it's better. In the States, it seems like we are hindered from loving on kids with hugs and such when we don't know the child. We're afraid that the parents will be uncomfortable with it or whatever else. Here, it's totally different. At the Children's Day event, one of the little girls I was talking about would not leave me alone (in a good way). I was just standing and talking to Rhonda and all the sudden I feel her just leaning against me. Then she wanted to hold my hand. She was adorable. If you look through my new upload of pictures, I took a picture with her and the other little girl. They also enjoyed playing with my hair. I don't think they get to see blonde hair very often. haha. But, it's nice to have the freedom here to purely love on kids. I love it!
Another part of the culture that I'm falling in love with is the food here! On Sunday afternoon, Francisco and Erica came back home with us for dinner. Erica and Rhonda cooked some great authentic Nicaraguan food for us. We had pollo tapado (a chicken and vegetable soup), tostones (fried plantains) and fresh tortillas. Then, since I've been here I've also tried other foods too. One night the family and I went to a Fritanga. There are a few of these around the city. What they are is a mini outdoor restaurant. There's a huge grill and they cook your food outside. From there we had tajadas (fried plantain chips), arroz con frijoles (rice and beans), and either chicken or pork. And just this morning I tried some Nicaraguan tamales. They are different than the tamales that we are used to in the States. They are wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks and are cooked a little differently. They are also not spicy...well, until Roger and I add jalapeños to them. :) Needless to say, I'm loving the food down here! (I've learned to cook some of it too.)
This week we also went to Managua for the day and visited some historical places. I learned a lot about the former condition of the the government here as well as how it is now. The people here have been abused by their government. They really need people to love them and be trustworthy with them and to bring them to Jesus.
I've really been able to soak in the culture here. From birthday bands at 3am to the food to the devastation of the government, I've learned so much. I'm almost sad that I have only a little more than 2 weeks left here. God has shown me a lot so far since I've been here through the relationships I've made with the Eucedas and all the Nicaraguans I've met. through the times I've spent with Him alone and even just through my observation and introspection about all that has been going on around me. Though I may be here to serve, I know I'm also here to learn. It's hard to express in words all things I've been learning, especially if I want to keep this shorter than a book. :)
Thank you all for your continued support even while I've been here. I placed a link for my new photo upload. Enjoy and be blessed!
Yesterday (Thursday) we traveled to one of the schools that we had delivered school supplies to earlier. There was an event going on for Children's Day. Children's Day is just like Mother's and Father's Day, but for the kids. As we were waiting for it to start, since nothing here starts on time, I was just introducing myself to some of the kids, saying hi and giving smiles. There were two little girls that were following me around everywhere. One of them was 6 and the other one I'm not sure. I asked the other one if she was 13, just to play with her a little, and she said yes. Then she wouldn't give me her real age. :) But I'm guessing she was around 6 as well. They were absolutely adorable and would not leave my side until the events started. I wish I could tell you their names, but I can't remember them. I've noticed that many times when I ask a child's name, they will give me their entire name. Here in Central America, most people have four names (first, middle and two last names) and the kids rattle them off so quickly, I usually can't pick out where the first name ends.
There is something interesting I've learned about the culture here. You know how in the States we have our personal space bubble? That rule doesn't apply here in Nicaragua. In a way it can sometimes be uncomfortable, like when I'm in the market or in the grocery store, but in another sense it's better. In the States, it seems like we are hindered from loving on kids with hugs and such when we don't know the child. We're afraid that the parents will be uncomfortable with it or whatever else. Here, it's totally different. At the Children's Day event, one of the little girls I was talking about would not leave me alone (in a good way). I was just standing and talking to Rhonda and all the sudden I feel her just leaning against me. Then she wanted to hold my hand. She was adorable. If you look through my new upload of pictures, I took a picture with her and the other little girl. They also enjoyed playing with my hair. I don't think they get to see blonde hair very often. haha. But, it's nice to have the freedom here to purely love on kids. I love it!
Another part of the culture that I'm falling in love with is the food here! On Sunday afternoon, Francisco and Erica came back home with us for dinner. Erica and Rhonda cooked some great authentic Nicaraguan food for us. We had pollo tapado (a chicken and vegetable soup), tostones (fried plantains) and fresh tortillas. Then, since I've been here I've also tried other foods too. One night the family and I went to a Fritanga. There are a few of these around the city. What they are is a mini outdoor restaurant. There's a huge grill and they cook your food outside. From there we had tajadas (fried plantain chips), arroz con frijoles (rice and beans), and either chicken or pork. And just this morning I tried some Nicaraguan tamales. They are different than the tamales that we are used to in the States. They are wrapped in banana leaves instead of corn husks and are cooked a little differently. They are also not spicy...well, until Roger and I add jalapeños to them. :) Needless to say, I'm loving the food down here! (I've learned to cook some of it too.)
This week we also went to Managua for the day and visited some historical places. I learned a lot about the former condition of the the government here as well as how it is now. The people here have been abused by their government. They really need people to love them and be trustworthy with them and to bring them to Jesus.
I've really been able to soak in the culture here. From birthday bands at 3am to the food to the devastation of the government, I've learned so much. I'm almost sad that I have only a little more than 2 weeks left here. God has shown me a lot so far since I've been here through the relationships I've made with the Eucedas and all the Nicaraguans I've met. through the times I've spent with Him alone and even just through my observation and introspection about all that has been going on around me. Though I may be here to serve, I know I'm also here to learn. It's hard to express in words all things I've been learning, especially if I want to keep this shorter than a book. :)
Thank you all for your continued support even while I've been here. I placed a link for my new photo upload. Enjoy and be blessed!
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