My "beard" is longer, as is my hair, and I haven't showered in a couple days. There is a shower Brandon and I's room, but it doesn't have a shower curtain. We could use the girl's shower, of course, but I haven't walked through the streets of Nicaragua and been able to discern that the foul odor was me… yet.
To say that Nicaragua is a beautiful country doesn't even scratch the surface. I've been to many countries, and nothing beats the natural beauty that is the sprawling landscape of Nicaragua. Most of the time, you can't see through the trees; large trunks and huge palm fronds, or slender, bamboo-like trunks that hold finger-like leaves.
We're staying at a place called Nueva Vida, "New Life," about five minutes outside of Jinotepe, Nicaragua. Our ministry contact is a former Jewish couple named Glenn ad Lynn who have been in Nicaragua for roughly 15 years. They run a hotel for missionaries named Casa Mateo. They orchestrate numerous service projects and organizations in the surrounding cities, all led by local Nicaraguans to avoid the feeling of American dependency.
It's been hotter than we've experienced, and the beginning of continued hot weather for most likely the duration of the Race. Internet is a rarity, which is why this blog is only going to have text. I know that's a let down for people reading, trust me, it's a let down for me too, I want nothing more than to be able to upload 1000 pictures for you all to see.
One area of our ministry is work projects. Brandon and I are going to be stripping the metal roof from a small, single room house and replacing it with a new metal one. Glenn said that the caustic, volcanic air could put holes into sections of the roof. Brushing away the leaves that had piled up on the old roof revealed numerous small holes. Brandon may have fell through the roof and paused work today due to mild injury (cuts), but I promise, we’re being careful.
The home, once its roof has been repaired and the interior cleaned, will house a family who is currently living elsewhere, much more humbly (Picture to come).
On the morning we went to see what we'd be doing was truly when I noticed the beauty for the first time. We were walking on an immaculate dirt path, lined with green plants on either side. Branches hung over our path, palm fronds providing solace from the sun which cast dappled light onto the path. To our right, coffee plants, banana trees, and a variety of other crops grew, their lanes were enclosed and guarded by the ever-encroaching jungle.
At Nueva Vida, we are involved with children’s ministry, and as I type, a van is coming to pick up the team and take us to La Quinta, where we expect almost 200 kids to show up for ministry.
Yesterday, we watched a 15-year-old boy, Jason, give an impassioned sermon (in Spanish) about Jesus walking on water to probably 14 or 15 young kids. Afterward, we watched the local kid’s team play in a soccer tournament. They won 4-2.
Real Madrid lost 3-1. I may have shed a tear.
One local, Carlos, graduated two days ago from high school, and is probably one of the smartest kids I’ve met. He learned chess in one game and gives me a run for my money. I’m going to teach him poker and he’ll probably take some of my fake money. He speaks English and is an honorable man. He hates that the culture embraces cussing and it makes him uncomfortable when people do. He is what the Bible calls people to be; atypical, in probably one of the hardest countries to do it.
The woman in charge of the place where we stay, Bonnie from Pennsylvania, is amazing. She says her heart breaks nearly every day, and she cries herself to sleep probably three nights out of the week. She said when she stops crying it means she stops caring, and she'll ask to be pulled from the field. In the meantime, she is an exceptionally genuine person who has been a good slice of home. And home cooking. Brandon, with some history as a chef, has enjoyed being able to whip up something every now and then, much to the approval of the team.
We were originally scheduled to be with another team (Shanna’s), but we’re on opposite sides of the city. We see each other often enough, and have plans to go to the beach (finally!). I plan to teach Tressa and Taralah how to swim, two of a surprising amount who need to learn on our squad.
Being alone as Spicy Mustard has it’s own challenges, but we’re working through them as we’re supposed to. We have a decent amount of free time, which is needed, especially when working through those types of issues. If we were “go go go” like we were in Guatemala, we would be in trouble.
I realize this blog was a little disjointed, and I apologize for that. I’ll post more when I can. I miss you all and love you all, keep praying and keep the e-mails, words of encouragement, and views coming. Tastes of home are like manna.
Pictures to come! I won’t forget. Trust me, I’m more frustrated than you to be able to stretch my creative muscles.
