Just in case any of you were wondering, I’m LOVING Nicaragua! Costa Rica was hard at times in the aspect that we were always in the city, it rained almost constantly, and we spent the majority of our time indoors. With how much I love sunshine and the outdoors that definitely began to wear on me by the time the end of the month started rolling around. I am pleased to tell you that (though it has rained just about every night) we have plenty of sunshine and time outdoors every day here! I am beyond thankful for that good, good gift from the Father!
The view from the top of one of the hotels were we often go to use wifi.^^
After debrief, my team went straight to Isla Zapatera on Lake Nicaragua for four days with one of the other teams on my squad. It was about an hour boat ride from the mainland of Granada, so fairly remote. No wifi, minimal solar power (just two lightbulbs on the only building), lake baths, the works. I loved it.
On the boat for the first time, heading for the island.^^
We had rice and beans and whole fried fish (skin, bones, eyeballs etc intact) for just about every meal (breakfast was just eggs and rice and beans instead ;)). It was SO GOOD though. The fish was probably the best fish I’ve ever had and tasted a lot like fried chicken honestly. YUM. Haha. Though I have to admit, it was a little weird at first – literally staring your food in the face as you’re about to eat it, haha. I kept forgetting to take a picture but hopefully I will remember to next time we go.
The backyard view of the lake, complete with volcano Mambachu, was absolutely stunning and one of my favorite things about the island. We would go down to the lake at the end of work every day to wash off and the temperature of the air and water literally couldn’t have been more perfect. There weren’t usually any bugs down by the water either so that was definitely a plus (the same couldn’t be said for the house area). This was also the perfect spot to soak in the brilliant sunsets.
Our ministry contact told us that it probably wouldn’t rain (it hardly ever does) so I set my hammock up in the trees. He lied. It’s actually rained every night we’ve been here, so there’s that, haha. And like legit thunderstorms too, not just a sprinkle. So needless to say, I was awoken at around midnight that first night to rain falling on me. I ditched my hammock and slept on the porch. I don’t even want to know how many bugs were crawling over me that night. All part of the experience right? 😉 The next night I just moved my hammock to a spot under the roof. I still got a little wet though because the roof above me was where two pieces of metal met and they just barely overlapped so some of the water still dripped down on me. I quickly realized why waterboarding is an effective form of torture.
Some simple beauty found on one of my walks along the beach.^^
Exploring the island.^^
Another thing I loved about the island was the intense physical manual labor outside: we went by boat to other islands to get gravel and rocks, hauled it by hand into the boat and then hauled it out again to the main island where we were staying. The amount of weight the people on the island can carry is truly mind blowing. My team and I would carry bags around 30 pounds each, the men helping us would carry up to FIVE of those bags at one time and little six-year-old boys would be carrying at least the same weight we would carry. Needless to say, I was impressed. Throughout the time we were on the island, we also tied re-bar together, hauled cinder blocks and sifted through gravel. All of the work we did was prep for the foundation of a church we were helping the native islanders construct.
My team on the boat headed back to Granada (minus Brittany, who was taking the picture)^^
For the past week we have been back on the mainland of Granada again to work with other ministries. We will be going back out to the island later today (for five more days) with a different team from the squad. While we are here on the mainland, we are staying at El Puente (The Bridge) church, which is a lot like a hostel with separate dorms, bathrooms and a common kitchen, eating and living area.
My team’s ministry for the past few days has been more manual labor. We are helping to clear cut some land that was previously used as a city dump-site so there is a lot of trash pick up included. We have also been responsible for cutting grass and shrubs (I can add “machete skills” to my resume now) and chopping up tree stumps with an axe. It’s definitely been challenging work and we’ve woken up with very sore bodies, but it’s also been very rewarding.
One of the days, we also helped with a feeding program for an after school program; it’s been a blessing to get to know the kids here. Their joy is something to behold. I love seeing their faces light up when we talk to them in Spanish. Even if it’s just saying the colors of wooden blocks in Spanish and English.
The Lord has been revealing some things to me that have been hard but necessary to learn. Please join me in praising Him for that and asking Him to continue that work in me. Also praise for bringing a lot of healing and growth to my team as we learn to love, forgive, and extend grace toward one another. Another praise that more finances have started to come in and also continued prayers that I would continue to trust His sovereign hand to work all that out in His perfect timing.
Thank you all for your continued love and support! I love hearing from you!
Blessings,
Emily
