God is in Control

If there is one thing that God has been teaching me through this trip, it's been that He is in control. Yesterday I thought that I would have 3 more weeks in Nicaragua. Three more weeks at the special school, three more weeks to teach bible studies to the kids at Bethel, three more weeks to help the women participating in Another Chica's Treasure, three more weeks to build relationships with people. But my time here has been cut short. My grandmother passed away yesterday so I changed my flight to come home on Sunday to be with my family for her funeral. I love my family and can't wait to see them, but the circumstances are not ideal. I'm not ready to leave Nicaragua. I have started so much here and I will depend on God to finish it. He is in control and I trust Him with Another Chica's Treasure, with the feeding, with the spiritual growth of the ninos, and with the kids of the special school. Though I am sad to leave, I am excited for how God will get all the glory in the end. I appreciate the month that I have spent here and I'm looking forward to sharing stories with you all at home.

One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

We start Another Chica's Treasure today! Be praying for the lives of these women to be changed by the gospel and for them to be excited about this process to help provide a better livelihood for the women! God has already prepared some amazing young women and I cannot wait to share more with you when I have internet next! My time here has really picked up and we have two teams coming to be with us these next two weeks. I can't believe I only have a little over 2 weeks left here. AH! Making every day count!  

Medical Missions in Matagalpa

This weekend we traveled 4 hours by bus to the mountains of Matagalpa to help with a medical mission team from Houston. Matagalpa was beautiful and so cool! Staying there for a few nights was refreshing! Corinne and I worked as Pharmacists, filling prescriptions for about 250 people. We had doctors, nurses, dentists, and pharmacists all coming together to fill a big need in this community. The team had prepared about six months in advance to bring numerous medications, toys, and evangelistic materials for the people. They set up the clinics in three different schools around this village in the mountains. Each day about 250 people were seen. It was great to be able to help and serve a different population, but its good to be back in Rivas to feed the ninos of Las Piedras!

Gringa Probs

Corinne and I have coined the term "Gringa Probs" for all the funny problems we've come across here. For example, the bugs here either really hates us or are infatuated with us. Either way, we are being attacked by Nica flea-like creatures and mosquitoes. The "gringa prob" is that the bug spray is started to smell like perfume to me. Gross, right?! But it's almost as important as our salvation here! Thanks to a medical team from Houston for supplying more bug spray! 

Other "gringa probs" revolve around our poor Spanish speaking abilities. In one of our first English lessons I called cheeks, "machetes" instead of "cachetes." Haha! The kids still haven't let that one down. Corinne thanked our taxi driver for "cooking us" rather than driving us haha! And in another English lesson I said "Tengo hombre" (I have man) instead of "Tengo hambre" (I am hungry). Our gringa problems keep things interesting and comical for sure. 

Miracle

God is so faithful. Thank you for all of your prayers and for all of you who sent me messages of encouragement. It means so much to have friends and family that have my back wherever I am and whatever I'm doing.

Today God completely blessed my morning at the Escuela Especial. I was working with one little girl who is not so coincidentally named Milagro which means Miracle in English. She has broken my heart since day one and I've wanted to help her any way I can, but I feel so inadequate. The teacher in her classroom says I can't move her because she's afraid that I'll break her bones she's so frail. So my goal has been just to make her smile by giving her some attention. Today, however, was a new day for Milagro. Her mom came to visit and despite my prejudice against her, she was an amazing mom who was fighting for her daughter's quality of life. She was excited to meet me and wants me to come to the PT clinic tomorrow to see how they move her there so I can implement the same thing at the school. I am even going to visit her home tomorrow.

God has also encouraged me today through His word. One verse particular is Psalm 138:8 which says "The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever -- do not abandon the works of your hands." Great reminder of how God is in control of everything here. Everyone that knows me understands just how much of a control freak I am so this is very stretching for me. I'm beginning to realize that I cannot accomplish all that I set out to do here in my own strength. Little by little I am releasing my grip, remaining faithful in working hard, and trusting that God is working all things out for his purposes. God is so good and I cannot give him enough praise and glory.

Estoy Muy Triste

I had to say "see you later" to this guy today. I'm so thankful Travis got to come and get a taste of what Corinne and I are doing in Nicaragua. However, watching him leave today made me so sad. I'm typically not a worrier, but on the way to airport I had so much anxiety I felt like I could throw up. Distance truly does make the heart grow fonder. Travis is safe back in the states and I am safe here in Nicaragua.

I'm so excited for what the rest of this mission has in store. God has me here for very obvious reasons, and I have faith that He is going to romance me like no one else could ever in these next 3 weeks. So with my chin held high, I will finish out this trip well. Please pray for the homesickness to diminish. This is the longest I've been out of the country, and I want to make the most of every moment here. I miss you guys back at home! I'll update you again soon!

Happy Father's Day from Ometepe Island

Happy Father's Day, Dad, from Ometepe Island! 

Yesterday we took a ferry to Ometepe Island. Ometepe Island is home of two breathtaking, absolutely stunning volcanoes. We stayed at a quaint little hotel near the shore of Lake Nicaragua called Chico Largo and relaxed for the night. I had a very American meal; fried chicken tenders and french fries served with a Chic-fil-A like sauce. It was muy rico (very delicious)!

We woke up early this morning to discover the Island. Anita took us to one of her favorite beaches, Santa Domingo where we played in Lake Nicaragua. Then we went to a fresh water spring called Ojo del Agua (The Eye of the Water). Apparently, this natural pool makes you feel 20 years younger! It is definitely one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to.

All in all it was a great weekend!

Serving Manna Packs

Today I took Travis to the Rivas City Dump. We brought Manna Packs to give out to the women digging through the trash and we came across this beautiful family. We gave them two Manna Packs that contain about twelve meals. The Manna Packs have rice, soy protein, mineral salt, and chicken flavoring. All you need to do is boil the pack with water. We feed Manna Packs with eggs, chorizo, beans, chicken, and vegetables to the children at the feeding center Monday through Friday for dinner. It's a blessing to serve these people.

SURPRISE!!

So last night I was just chillin in the hammock on the porch and up the driveway comes Rosita (that's what Ana named her car). And then I thought I was hallucinating. The next thing I knew, I was hugging the neck of the best boyfriend of the whole entire world! I'm so excited to have Travis here for the next 5 days.

Also, my OT class sent a suitcase full of supplies to help the kids at the Escuela Especial. Thank you so so much to my classmates and their enthusiasm to help me on this Independent Study! I can't wait to start using the supplies with the kids and see how they improve in the month I have left here! 

Time flies when you're having fun. I absolutely love it here and this week is going to be so great to have Travis experience this with me. 

Brian y Elisabet

These precious kiddos are Brian and Elisabet. Brian is seven years old and takes such great care of his three year old sister. Siblings here really look out for one another, especially the big brothers. It is so sweet! Elisabet loves hugs and kisses! Yesterday I played with her all afternoon, bouncing her on my knees and spinning her around in the air. She is too much fun! I'm going to visit their house soon to meet their baby sister.

Dumpster Diving

This whole trip God has shown up in amazing ways! First of all, I had no idea I would have the opportunity to volunteer at the Escuela Especial. Second, Corinne has found her niche teaching English in our neighborhood school. And third, we have clicked with the kids at the feeding center so well! It's been awesome! Thank you so much for all your prayers. Please continue to pray because God is blessing this trip in abundance!

Today I put on my scrubs and rain boots, got out my gloves, and mustered up the courage to dumpster dive at the Rivas City Dump. And wow, did God provide! The aim of dumpster diving is to find some material that can be sterilized to make a craft like a headband or bracelet and sold back in the states. All I can say is I hit the jackpot.

What I have in my hands is clothe! All over there is shredded t-shirts! Perfect for braiding into headbands or weaving into a bracelet! We gathered two bagfuls to see what we can make of it. I can't wait to see what God has in store! Beyond excited!

San Juan del Sur

This mission trip has been the best of both worlds. I feel so fulfilled by serving the children of Rivas and sharing God's love with them through word and deed, but God has been so gracious to allow me to have internet access, a very comfortable bed, delicious authentic food, and weekend adventures like this one to San Juan del Sur.

This weekend we hiked in the pouring down rain to the Jesus statue, we traveled through the jungle to Hermosa Beach, we surfed, we made friends, we saw the most beautiful sunsets, we saw a parade for the international surfing competition, we saw a funeral procession, and we were stopped by a herd of cattle in the street. Many adventures. I don't have much time to blog today, but I will catch you up manana!

Meet Jennifer

This beautiful girl has come to the feeding center every day. She is so sweet and helps me with my Spanish. Monday through Friday we feed about 40 kids at dinnertime. The kids come about 2 hours early to play and we lead bible studies and English lessons for the kids. I absolutely love these kiddos. All the time they come up to me saying, "Quiere la photo, la photo!" Translation: "I want a photo, a photo!" Needless to say, there will be many more pictures like this to come. Buenos dias!

Escuela Especial

When you enter OT School you sign this document that basically signs your life into the OT schedule for 3 years. As grateful as I am for this education, sometimes I resent not being able to make summer plans or enjoy extracurricular activities like some of my other friends in school can. But this summer, God made a way. I am receiving an elective credit for this trip to Nicaragua and I will be volunteering at this Escuela Especial three days a week. There are no OTs at this school, and I'm a little overwhelmed with the need. Please pray that God will give me guidance in how to help these children with special needs.

Yum Yum Yum. Nom Nom Nom.

One thing I am most excited about is the food in Nicaragua! I'm a foodie at heart and I love love love mexican food. At Ana's house we can pick avocados, limes, mangos, and plantains. Ana took Corinne and I to the street market today and we got 2 pineapples, cantaloupe, potatoes, tomatoes, cilantro, onions, 2 lbs of beans, 1/2 lb of green beans, green peppers, and 1 lb of cheese for only 214 corbodas which is about $8 US dollars. So cheap! Then, we stopped a cart on the road to get fresh shaved ice. Literally, the man shaved the block of ice on the spot. And the chicken...so tender and juicy! I made the best chicken nachos last night with fresh guacamole. Yum Yum Yum. Nom Nom Nom. 

Making Every Day Count

First day in Nicaragua and we are already working! The project is to build an addition to Ana's house to create room for the family's children that lives with Ana. I now know how to make mortar from sand, cut metal for frames, and use my muscles to transfer clay bricks!

Travel Adventures

Mission: Make it to Nicaragua on June 2.
Corinne and I have had an interesting day of travel. I must say if it wasn't for my amazing boyfriend, I don't know if we would make it to Nicaragua today. We took a slight detour to Miami and will be landing in Managua at 7:10 this evening! Thank you again, Travis! The next time I will be writing will be from Rivas, Nicaragua! Until then, buenos noches!

Blessings in Preparation!

Last Tuesday I hosted a pilot session to experiment with DIY headbands made from natural dyes. It's a possibility that these headbands could be made by women at Bethel Center of Hope and sold at Pitza 42! Today I am taking off to Nicaragua to begin my adventure implementing Another Chica's Treasure! God has been faithful in all the preparation for this trip! With His blessing, I can't wait to share with you all what God does through Another Chica's Treasure!