6:30am – I wake up and do an Insanity workout with Luke, Tia, Joan, Eddie and Haley
7:30am – Breakfast – Usually we have a Nicaraguan traditional breakfast called “Gallo Pinto” which is rice and black beans, mixed with some spices. Sometimes we have a fruit salad or dry cereal.
8:15am – I hand-wash my clothes at the washing station and hang them on the line to dry in the sun
9:00am – We start work on the property. We are working on clearing the soccer field from grass, weeds, and rocks. Some of us are also clearing weeds and grass from a walkway that connects the soccer field, preschool, and playground. Luke, Eddie, EJ and I also clean the insides of the water tanks on property.
12:30pm – Lunch – Typically its rice and possibly chicken or avocado on the side
1:30pm – We walk about 1 mile into the nearby town of Diriamba to do ministry in the central park. On our way, we stop at the pulpería (the name of a small snack shop in Central America) to buy a bottle of Big Cola for 5 Córdobas (about 20 cents). In the park we pass the guitar around, Haley plays violin, and many of us sing. Many times we end up seeing Gladis, a Nicaraguan woman who has taken us under her wing. We pray for people in the park, many of whom have physical illness, family problems, or just need encouragement. There’s also a group of kids that we play with sometimes, ages 9 to 12 or so.
4:00pm – We usually spend time at Quinta Esperanza with Emi, Samuel, Marvin, Angela, Maria Elena, Sebastian, Patricia, and Erika. The girls love having their nails painted and their hair straightened. Marvin helps the guys get fresh avocadoes and coconuts from the trees on property. We usually spend a good amount of time teaching Maria Elena to be nice to the kitten and puppy, and that it’s not OK to pick them up by one leg and drag them around.
5:20pm – Luke exposes Marvin and Angela to peanut butter for the first time. The look on their faces when they tried it was priceless; they have a new favorite food. We can’t believe that they have never eaten it. Your welcome, Nicaragua.
6:30pm – Dinner – Rice, beans, fried cheese, and plantains is typical. One night we had quesadillas and we all thought we had died and gone to heaven. I’m planning to make Buffalo ranch chicken grilled cheese sandwiches for everyone some night, but we have to get our hands on some ranch dressing.
7:30pm– Girls’ and Guys’ Bible Study –Sometimes we separate the girls and guys to have a Bible study. Usually someone shares their testimony and we focus on a specific topic, such as love or redemption.
8:45pm – Bonfire! We make S’mores for everyone and many of the kids try one for the first time.
10:00pm – Bedtime
1:00am – We are awakened by the whistling of Carlos, our guard, as he deters robbers from the property. He carries a rifle, a machete, and a whistle for intimidation.
4:00am – An avocado drops from the tree and hits our tin roof. We all think we are being bombed.
