Well, my team and I have been in Nicaragua for about two weeks now. We flew out of Atlanta on the night of the 26th, arriving in Nicaragua's capital city, Managua, just a few hours later. After spending the night at a church in Managua, we travelled to San Jorge, a small city on the coast of Lake Nicaragua, the world's 10th largest lake. From San Jorge, we took a one hour long ferry ride over choppy waters to Ometepe Island, where our ministry location is. Ometepe Island is the largest island that is located within a lake at 106 square miles, and is composed of two volcanoes (one extinct and one active). The island is beautiful, but due to geographic and economical isolation, the vast majority of the island is undeveloped and in poverty. The majority of Ometepe's population lives on less than $2 a day.
For our three months, we are serving at CICRIN Primary School and Child Refuge Center. Located right on the water, CICRIN hosts a primary school for local children, along with offering a secure, stable place to live for children who's parents cannot financially support them. In the morning, following a beautiful 6am run, our team branches off into different ministries, such as working in the kitchen, construction, cleaning, or gardening, while the afternoon is spent investing in the children that live on the property. It may involve crafts, Uno, or of course, playing soccer. Customary to where we live, a siesta, or rest period, is taken immediately following lunch.
To be honest, we are a bit spoiled when it comes to living conditions. The girls live together in dorms which each boast their own shower and toilet, while the men share a room which comes furnished with bunk beds (with mattresses, pillows, and a towel!!) and four fans, along with two bathrooms with showers just outside our door. Most everything is clean and seemingly new, with the only lapse in luxury being no water heater (but as hot as it is here – who needs one). Our food is prepared for all three meals by cooks, who make delicious food and like to change it up a bit; though rice, beans, and plantains are certainly a dietary staple.
This being my first time in a Spanish speaking country, I've already found it very interesting that I'm able to speak to locals more so than only "hello" or "thank you". Now I'm certainly no Spanish guru, but in high school I did take two Spanish classes, and I'm surprised (and impressed) by how much has stuck with me. While I can't have a full blown conversation, I am able to convey simple verbal communication to the children, which can me effective in giving directions or just getting to know them a little better.
For those who know, yes, I celebrated my 22nd birthday here on our first full day in Nicaragua on the 27th. While the majority of the day was spent transporting by bus and ferry to CICRIN, my team did treat me to ice cream in the evening in the island's largest town, Moyogalpa. I did enjoy it, and am glad to say I've spent another birthday outside of America (though it was a stark contrast to last year's birthday when I was in Japan and went to Universal Studios and Bubba Gump Shrimp in Osaka). I remember asking myself in Japan what my next birthday was going to look like, and certainly I didn't have getting ice cream in Nicaragua on my mind, so I won't even begin to think about what next year's will be like.
Please keep me in your prayers as this 3 month journey continues. Prayers for encouragement, peace, and a willingness to grow would be great! I'd also like to note that I am fully funded, so thank you very much to those who have financially helped this ministry become a reality! I really appreciate all the donations I have received, knowing that this isn't my ministry, but God's, and it takes way more than one person, but the body of Christ, to expand the Kingdom.
I'm safe, I'm happy, and I'm excited. So 'til next time,
Mahalo,
Jake
