So, I realized that I have not posted a blog about what we
are doing here in Nicaragua. This is
probably in part, that we have literally done something different every day,
and slightly in part that there is always something to keep you busy here
between playing soccer with the older boys, entertaining the little ones,
swimming in the lake, swinging in a hammock, or just enjoying the view… but I’m
getting ahead of myself…
When we first got the news that we would be working at an
orphanage, I had a mental image of a boring building, with cold white walls,
and unhappy, malnourished children under the age of five. When I heard that the orphanage was on an
island, I envisioned the same place, but perhaps slightly more Alcatraz like… Boy was I wrong.
Although, there are many annoying creatures everywhere here
(including our rooms), it is almost always hot (90 midday), and the food almost
always includes rice and beans and sometimes a meat that stares you in the
face; you almost completely forget about those things pretty quickly.
Cicrin is located on the island of Ometepe, which was formed
by two active volcanoes on each end and is in the middle of the ocean that is
Lake Nicaragua. Entering the front gate
of Cicrin, I had no idea what to expect. Down the long driveway, I began to realize that “the garden I might be
working in” could just as well be called a farm, and that I would probably not
be seeing any cold, boring buildings. After dropping our bags off in our rooms, with their brightly colored
walls, we made our way down to the “rancho.” Cicrin sits directly looking out to the west side of the Lake, and the
view is awesome. The Rancho is a big
open-covered-thatch-hut-patio thing with hammocks and a view.
right now:
From this point on I
will no longer refer to Cicrin as an orphanage, nor will I refer to the
children as orphans. The children here
have a very joyful spirit and are very well taken care of. The staff is great and their heart for these
children is evident. Cicrin has a small
playground, a basketball court used for soccer, The Rancho, Separate girl’s and
boy’s houses, a dining hall, a massive garden, and quarters for staff and guest
to stay. The grounds here are very large
and could easily house hundreds, although only about thirty staff and children
actually live here, giving it a roomy but intimate feel.
The children are well behaved and are given chores that each
does without complaint, and the children are taught skills, such as gardening,
fishing, or using the computer, to prepare them for when they leave. They attend bible studies or home groups
three nights a week and go to church on Sunday.
working with here, has some really great people. Which brings me to my next point, what we
have been doing…
