Hi from Chichigalpa, Nicaragua!
(Well, technically, we're in the little village of Candelaria…)
This is our main mode of transportation here, in the back of a truck. In this big blue truck, we often pile in as many people as can possibly fit, standing up!
One thing that I have learned about this country is there are quite a few cultural differences from America. Maybe these things were present in Guatemala & Honduras, and I just didn't pay attention, but I am definitely learning a lot here in "Nica."
Besides piling an abnormal amount of people on buses and trucks, when you walk down the "streets" (read: dirt roads), and you see friends or strangers, in America you would say, "hi," "hello," or "how are you?" Not so in Nicaragua. To greet someone as you pass by, you say "adios" instead! If you say "hola," it means you are going to stop and chat a while. So they probably have thought it was rude when I have said "hola," and then just passed on by… whoops! The little Nicaraguan boys are pretty cute though, when they poke their heads out from behind a fence to yell "Goodbye!" in their little Nicaraguan accents as the Gringos pass by.
Also, a common greeting here in Central America, especially in churches, is "Dios le bendiga," or "God bless you." In the South at least, we often only say this as a method of masking feelings of pity toward another person "Bless your heart!" But here, they really mean it. My first reaction when someone offered this blessing was to thank them, but that's not how it's done! The appropriate response to "Dios le bendiga" is actually a simple "Amen." Meaning, I approve of what you've said; I agree. Yes, I am blessed, and I believe that God will continue to bless me. What if we all spoke God's blessings over one another regularly?
This month at New Song Ministries has been amazing so far. Besides the added blessings of real beds and hot showers, Team ZOI has been given freedom to design our own ministry opportunities for the month. We participate in the church activities and youth worship and bible studies, but have much time left over that we were asked to fill. It's been a neat opportunity to explore our unique giftings and talents as individuals and see where God could use us this month. A sneak peak into our activities:
-Running a World Cup soccer tournament for local kids and teenagers (France won!). Kids here play barefoot more often than not. No shinguards, no socks, no jerseys, and they sometime wear their sandals on their arms so they won't be taken!
Little futbol prodigies
-Teaching English again! This time I am teaching young men & women ages 16 to 21. It is a completely different experience! They actually listen (most of the time), and they ask great questions like, "What is the difference between 'to leave' and
'to go,'" or "What is the difference between Coca-Cola LIGHT (a.k.a. Diet Coke) and a LIGHT (like a light bulb)?"
-Hanging out with the children at Sunday school, trying to teach them a little song/dance in English (they didn't get it), trying to translate it into Spanish (they just stared at us)… maybe next time!
Sassy little Nidria
-Going on prayer walks and visiting homes around the village of Candelaria. Homes consist of one or two-room buildings made of concrete walls, dirt floors, and tin roofs usually, with a few naked babies, skinny dogs and frazzled-looking chickens running around.
-My teammate, Channele, met a woman, Maria, who had a stroke, and has lost feeling and mobility on her right side. Channele felt God calling her to start massage therapy with Maria so that she can gain back her mobility and so that her muscles do not atrophy.
-Hanging out with and building relationships with the youth. You are considered youth in Nicaragua as long as you are still single. The youth range from about 14 to 25! Last week at church, we got to see one of the young men, Emerson, who used to be involved in a gang and street-fighting, be baptized.
-Taking cooking lessons from the local women. Danae had lessons from a woman named Rosa this week, and I will be learning how to make chicken and rice from my friend, Consuelo, this week!
-Participating in a Biblical Womanhood bible study led by one of the permanent missionaries here, Barbara. I am learning a lot about what a true woman of God looks like, what kind of wife God calls women to be, and what a life truly surrendered to God looks like. It is some tough information to swallow, when all our lives women have been pushed by society to be independent and strong in and of ourselves. Definitely growing a lot!
On our weekends, we take off from the church property to visit other cities around Nicaragua. This past weekend we went to the city of Grenada where we enjoyed some amazing food, a beautiful boat tour of Lake Nicaragua, and had an amazing pedicure! Here are some pictures from the Grenada:
This monkey, Lucy, jumped on our boat and ate our Cheetos.
Beautiful church in Grenada
Little pet turtle at the spa where I treated myself to an $8 pedicure
This weekend, we are in Matagalpa, where we'll explore coffee plantations, a waterfall, and a rainforest! Pictures to come!
