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!
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