I feel spoiled this month.
Although the World Race is about a personal journey of abandonment and growth, we are so blessed in getting to experience beautiful parts of Creation. Mountains, volcanoes, palm trees, and beaches are all parts of our normal lives on the Race. It may seem, from the way we rave about these things on blogs and status updates, that we are on vacation.
This is definitely not the case. I think we have just had a paradigm shift in what captivates us. We are so overwhelmed by the beauty of the world around us, and by the lives that we get to live, that we want to share it with stories and pictures.
This month, we live on a volcanic island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, called Isla de Ometepe. When we pulled up in the bus to get on the ferry, we couldn't believe our eyes. In front of us was a lake that looks like an ocean. The water may be lake brown, but the waves roll in on a sandy beach. The breeze blows through your hair, and you can see Ometepe from the mainland side. The island is made up of two volcanoes, and the little bit of land that surrounds them.
While we waited for the ferry, we sat in a little restaurant and enjoyed Cokes and fries. After our rural life in the mountains of Honduras last month, we kept saying, "Guys, is this real life?" We were so excited to get on the ferry, and as we traveled across the lake, the sun began to set over the mainland side.
When we got to the island, we unloaded from the ferry, and were met by a driver with a paper that said "CICRIN". After strapping our packs to the tops of the vans, we loaded up, and drove for about 10 minutes. City streets gave way to dirt roads, and we eventually ended up in what felt like a washed out riverbed road. Tree roots were level with the top of the van, and a few times, it felt like the van was going to tip over sideways.
Eventually, we pulled into the orphanage, and came to a stop. By now, it was dark, so we could barely see the kids as they ran up to the vans to greet us with hugs, and to help us carry our bags. Once we set our stuff in our rooms, our contact, Hellen, showed us around the orphanage.
We walked down to the rancho, which is a large, covered patio, and she told us that we were welcome to hang out there anytime we wanted. As she was saying this, that's when we heard it. The sound of waves hitting the shore. We asked, "Is there water down there?" "Yes, that is the lake." "The lake? As in the one we just crossed in a ferry?" She laughed and said, "Yes." The next five minutes were spent in disbelief, with several people "No way"ing, and "Oh my gosh"ing. When we rode in the vans, we thought we were driving inland. We had no idea, especially because it was dark, that our ministry site is literally feet off the lake.
Afterwards, we ate dinner, hung out, and went to bed. I was really excited to see what the view looked like the next morning. After breakfast, I walked down to the rancho to see, and this is what I was greeted with:
CICRIN has been in operation since the 1970's, with the exception of a time during the Sandinista revolution, when it was used as a training base. It was returned to CICRIN after that, and has been caring for orphaned, abandoned, or neglected children since then. The orphanage currently cares for 20 kids, and has a staff who cares for them, some of which are volunteers.
Our role at the orphanage is one of support. The staff is well equipped to care for the kids, but other projects tend to pile up. Our job is to help with these projects, and to relieve some of the stress on the staff. We help with cleaning and renovation projects, painting, tending the garden that provides many fruits and vegetables for the meals, helping to cook the meals, teaching English at the school, and hanging out with the kids.
So far, we have absolutely loved it at CICRIN. The staff is wonderful, and the kids are wonderful. Not to mention that we live on a tropical island next to the water, and we get to watch the sunset every night over the lake.
Sometimes I am just so blown away by the blessings that God has given me, Josh, and the rest of my team. He is a good Dad, who loves to blow us away with His love. I know that this month is going to be filled with lots of good memories, and lots of growth. (Spiritual growth as well as overcoming fears. The island is also home to tarantulas, scorpions, roaches, and coral snakes. You know, the red touches yellow kill a fellow kind). I'm excited for the opportunity that we have been given here to be a part of the story of CICRIN, and how the kids and staff can change our lives as well.
Love and peace.
