In China dog soup is considered a delicacy. I remember Casey coming into the room one day and telling us about this street he went down dedicated to the meat of dogs. I wouldn’t let him tell me anymore so you’ll have to ask him if you want more details. Here in Nicaragua turtle is the specialty. 
I’ve seen turtle heads for sale on the side of the road and huge turtles lying upside down waiting to become someone’s meal. I feel bad for the poor things.
Do you see the turtle head in the picture here (hint it’s to the far right on the table).
Most of the houses here are about five feet off the ground to prevent flooding and many use whatever they can find as walls. I’ve noticed that there are many abandoned works of architecture all over the place that have become overgrown with vegetation. Lots of animals especially chickens and malnourished dogs roam the streets. We even had a stray dog jump on stage at church the other day.
If you own a lawn mower, be very grateful! Most men here cut the grass with machetes. As you can imagine this takes a very long time and it’s all done in the blazing sun. Speaking of time, there is lots of it here. People move slower and when you say be ready at 8 expect them to arrive at 9 or later.
In the afternoon the boys/men play baseball and soccer out in the field in front of our house. Often it rains for a little while cooling everything down. Yesterday there was a massive rainbow in the sky. At dusk, the sky turns all sorts of beautiful colors and that means it’s time for dinner, where you will enjoy rice and red beans (which you will also have for breakfast with your coffee and for lunch). We like to smother our rice and beans in ketchup. Check out our beans and rice in the red tub below!
All the people we’ve met in Nicaragua have been so friendly and kind. We’ve gotten to participate in each church service doing drimes (a combination of drama and mime), giving testimonies and teaching God’s word. On our last Sunday the Pastor had us all gather up front to pray over us as we continue our journey elsewhere. So many people were there praying for us. Sometimes you just feel so unworthy. They look at you like you are amazing but really anyone could do what we do and maybe even do it better.
Then there are the orphans. These precious kids come up to you all hours of the day and just hug you. You could be sitting at the table eating and one will come up and wrap their arms around you or give you a kiss on the cheek. They are so loving especially the 6 and 7 year old boys. I want to take them all home with me. Most have grown up at the orphanage and it’s amazing to watch how well they get along. They share, they play together, and they encourage each other. We could learn a lot from them.
Yesterday (February 28th) we flew back to Granada and were reunited with our 7 missing squad members. It was so good to all be back together. Tomorrow we leave for a place right outside of Jinotop for a time of debrief. After that we will be splitting up in to different groups to go wherever we feel God calling us for the next month. I will be going to Antigua, Guatemala.
Here is a picture of my friend Isabel that I had been visiting in the hospital.
Nicaraguan sunset
