It’s crazy to me that over three weeks have gone by since our team landed in Nicaragua! How the time fly’s! It has been a great first few weeks as we begin to dive into the heart of this three month journey.
(Our team: Rylee, Noah, Anna, Mack, Isaac, Tye, April, & myself)
This month we are serving alongside a ministry called Cicrin. It is located on an island, named Ometepe, in the middle of a huge freshwater lake in Nicaragua. Cicrin has been around since the 1970’s and began as an orphanage. However, since undergoing a transition some years ago it now consists of two programs. The first is a school for children from lower income households who cannot afford to attend regular school. The second program takes in kids who come from “high risk” households where their family cannot provide for them or there is abuse. These kids live here at Cicrin and then visit home or other family members, such as aunts or grandparents, a couple times a year.
(One of the two volcanoes on Ometepe Island)
We have loved getting to serve the children here, along with the people who love the kids so well everyday and keep the ministry running. In the mornings and evenings of each week our team is usually paired off to help serve in a number of ares. This includes, helping in their two kitchens, one at the school and the other near their dorms, sweeping and moping the floors, food prep, and serving food to the kids. Maintenance around the campus, such as sweeping, sanding, painting, and lots of raking. Lesson planning and teaching English at the school. And my personal favorite construction!
(The left side of the construction sight)
Cicrin is building two new classrooms to the school so that they can add 10th and 11th grade. I have absolutely loved getting to work with the two construction workers Mariano and Gabriel. The little bit of English they know, with the little bit of Spanish I know, along with our charade skills allows us to communicate at least a little better than one may expect. They are very funny and quite the characters!
(Mariano on the left & Gabriel on the right)
Every time I leave the construction sight I am covered in dirt and concrete, and absolutely drenched in sweat! And I mean capital D Drenched! It looks like I jumped into the lake as their is not a single dry spot on me including my shorts and even shoes. When I walk it feels like I just jumped into a rain puddle with my shoes on but it really is just sweat! This is probably too much information at this point, but I want to stress that I have never sweated this much in my entire life and I grew up in Georgia running track and cross country in high school. It is just so humid here!! Nevertheless, I absolutely love it!
(The right side of the construction sight)
On our off time we get to hangout with the kids, playing games, sitting around talking, and getting to have a weekly devotional/worship time. They are super cute and a ton of fun to hangout with.
(The kids from the school put on a talent show!)
Our team has been sharing testimonies with each other throughout the month. I have super appreciated getting to know my team more in depth and getting to do life with them these last three weeks. I cannot wait for what God has in store for us in the weeks to come. They are a mature bunch that love to have fun and all of them have hearts absolutely on fire for Jesus!
(Our team hanging out at the pool on our off day)
(The guys at a local church service; the power went out!)
The weekends have been a time for rest and a few awesome adventures. We have had the privilege to hangout at a popular pool that is filled by a natural flowing spring, chill on a beach with some gorgeous views, and as of this past weekend go zip lining!
(Isaac, Noah, Anna, Rylee, Mack, April, Tye, our guide, & myself in the back)
To add to all the great things God has been doing this month, He has been teaching me personally a lot about what it means to hear the voice of Holy Spirit and how to walk with Him daily. I still have a ton to learn, but I am so thankful God is a good Father with so much love and patience for His children as they strive to walk with Him. Also, I’ve gotten to watch a beautiful view of the sunset nearly everyday. It’s been so sweet getting to just watch in amazement as God paints the skies with the most brilliant strokes of color!
That’s it for now! Thank you so much for reading and as always prayers are so important and appreciated as my team continues in this journey!
God Bless!!
