Right now, I'm not completely sure that I have the words to write a blog - but I'm going to try because I have to complete the story before I get home... before I reflect too long, before I'm back into the pace of my life in the USA. So here I am in my last night in my beloved Nicaragua.
Up until today I have been anticipating and even anxious for the return home. I haven't been PINING, i haven't been dying to get there... but I've been excited to see the family, the friends, the pets, to share my experiences, to work at Curves ;) etc. etc. I've been missing things like American food, my Serta mattress, not having mosquito bites, not relying on unreliable public transportation, faster internet... you know the little perks in our rich lives.
Well today I didn't feel any of that (nor yesterday honestly). Today as I look back went far too quickly - although it was filled, and passed better than I could've asked for. Today I realized anew what an effect the past 4 months has had on my life. Today was the culmination of one of the greatest experiences I could ever have. Today was also the commencement of an obligation - an obligation to remain in contact with, and continue relationships that I have formed here. In four months I have become a member of many families, and a part of very special groups of people. I have made life long relationships and now that I leave to live in my country again, I realize how easily these relationships could falter.
Today every moment that I looked into the faces of one of the kids or parents at Chacocente, or one of the members of the church here, or one of my family members in Sabana Grande my heart ached, because I don't know when I'll get to see them again. It was such a big life change for me to come to Nicaragua and be a missionary here... well in 4 months I've become accustomed and completely adapted - this is my life right now... tomorrow I have another big life change: returning home. However, this mission to Nicaragua will most definitely affect my return... I'm going home, yes. I am not going back to my "old life."
Here I've been changed, I've been transformed, molded, matured...
and I hope that what God has done to me through these amazing people in Chacocente and Sabana Grande, he has also done to them. I hope that my presence here has had even a SMALL FRACTION of the impact that they have had on me.
Today I had so many goodbyes, so many hugs and kisses, so many wishes of safe travel and blessings, plenty of gifts: bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and letters. Today at El Proyecto I visited, played, took pictures, ate a delicious lunch made by Manuela, and said adios. This evening, I went to Church and was blessed and prayed over, just as I was at Chacocente. I packed my luggage... I wrote my journal entry... I had my nails painted by my little sister Belén so they look "tueni" when I come home...
Tomorrow I have a long day of traveling, and the next couple weeks are going to be absolutely filled. It's Christmas (I've nearly forgotten as it doesn't get below 75 degrees here!), and I have gifts to wrap... I have 4 months of luggage to unpack, and friends and family to see and visit, I am scheduled for Curves, I have to pack for COLLEGE!, I have appointments, I have a presentation to prepare, and letters to write... and then I'm off to Asbury. I'm returning to the fast paced American culture - where we do and do and go and go and are always on the run. I pray that although I return to this I don't lose what I've learned here... to slow down and enjoy the little things. To constantly praise God in everything you're doing. To find joy and purpose, to feel useful and helpful... without having a jam-packed schedule filled with frustration and headache. There is so much I'm bringing home with me (I hope my suitcases don't weigh too much haha!) my heart is overflowing. The love and the care - the warmth and the generosity - the unending blessings that I have been given from my family in Nicaragua... ¡A LA GRANDE!
Jehová te bendiga, y te guarde; Jehová haga resplandecer su rostro sobre ti, y tenga de ti misericordia; Jehová alce sobre ti su rostro, y ponga en ti paz. Números 6:24-26
viernes, 19 de diciembre de 2008
domingo, 14 de diciembre de 2008
Alabanza a Jehová
Es alabanza, adoracíon, lo que te ofrezco, Señor, en el nombre maravilloso del Jesús...
Thursday night I stayed at El Proyecto - as I have become so accustomed to doing. I had the opportunity for the first time, however, to attend culto with some of the families. We went down the road a little ways to a "church" nearby. I had met the pastor before, but I had never seen the "church". It really brought the words to the good old hymn to life... "The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple..." We arrived to a pavilion-like set up with just enough plastic chairs for the roughly 20 of us who were there, and a simple wooden pulpit. It was completely open to the outside, and it was a beautiful fresh night. We had no instruments for music, no hymnals or a screen for song lyrics, no microphone, no altar, no offering plate, but the Spirit was alive. We sang with joy using the instruments God made in us - and maybe we weren't in tune, or rhythm, or even altogether, but we sang with our whole selves - offering worship to our Lord. Our scripture reading was Luke 10:38-42:
38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
And then we had a brief reflection on it - reminding us of the importance of God's word. Of not busying ourselves with things of this world - things we think we have to do, preparations we have to make, obligations we must fulfill - and to slow ourselves down and take in the Words of Jesus.
We prayed, we listened to the word, we sang, we gave our offerings, we shared the Spirit. It was a small group of people, it was a simple set-up, we didn't have any technology, or great worship band, or drama team, or liturgical dance, or background music, or food/fellowship time, or special lighting... we just gathered and praised His name. For me, simplicity is bliss when worshiping.
So, last night was Saturday. And here at the church in Sabana Grande Saturday is Culto de Jovenes (Young folk's Worship). Well, Pablo's (my host dad/pastor) mother just had surgery. So, the Jovenes decided that it would be a good idea to go visit her. We met together before we left and prayed, then we gathered some money to buy some juice as a gift to the family. We walked over to Abuela Rosa Emelia's house and gathered in her living room. After everyone greeted her Hermano Pedro explained why we came we a darling little illustration: "If I had a hammer, and I hammered one of Rebekah's toes, would only her toe hurt, or would her whole body feel it?" And of course Abuelo went over and got the hammer for us to try... haha. And Pedro continued, "Of course, she would feel it in her whole body. Well it's the same with Christ's body. When one of our members is hurting, we all feel it."
So, we surrounded Abuela and read some scripture; we sang some songs; we prayed for her. It's sad though, because she can't really talk right now because her surgery was a removing a tumor from her neck that was causing her to lose her voice - and right now her voice is very delicate, so she can't even speak. But because of this tumor, she hasn't been able to sing for years. Isaac told me that she used to pass for specials in church all the time to sing. Last night we sang three of her favorite songs - two Psalms, 23 and 103, and El Gradacemiento.
Two things touched me significantly. First, the majority of the Jovenes did not know the words to these songs by heart, we used our Bibles for the Psalms, and then the final one was led by the few and the brave... we had no accompaniment with us, and sounded... well horrible I'm sure. But we sang, regardless... Second, Abuela... although she couldn't sing with us, was mouthing the words to the songs right along with us... and you could tell that although a sound didn't leave her mouth, she sang with her heart.
The love of the young people of El Buen Pastor was apparent as they gladly gave their Saturday night to a recuperating elderly woman who just needed a little lift up, a little prayer, and little extra touch of Jesus' love.
miércoles, 10 de diciembre de 2008
to lose everything...
On Tuesday afternoon I arrived at Project Chacocente to spend a couple days with my loves, my family, my friends. I went to Rosaura's house to visit, and found Migdalia (my current, very talented piano student!!!) picking up dried stalks of beans; so I went over to help. We stuffed a big bag full of the dried up bean stalks. Whenever we were done she tied it closed and grabbed a big branch and started to beat the bag. After about 10 minutes she dumped it all out onto a tarp - the vast majority of the beans had been beaten out of their pods! So then we de-podded those that hadn't. After this we would pick up handfulls of the bean stalks and beans and then drop them back onto the tarp. The beans, which were heavier would fall straight onto the tarp, and all the dust and dirt and stalk remains would fly further away into the wind. It took probably 20 minutes or more but we had all the beans gathered from this set of stalk. After that we de-podded other beans from more dried stalk - but she didn't beat these ones - I think she just was too tired, because she really had to put a lot of effort into it before. After a couple hours of working we had a big bowlful of beans - enough for dinner that night.
WOW! Never have I had to work so hard just to get a part of my dinner. If I'm having beans, I pull out a can, open it with my electric can-opener, stick it in a pot on the stove and voila - beans! Maybe I'm going old-school and having some fresh beans from some garden... so, oh it's really rough to snap a few beans stick them in a pot with some water, and voila - beans! Either is going to take me less than 10 minutes and didn't take hard labor in the hot sun.
Although, the labor in the sun wasn't all that bad; granted I don't have to do it everyday, but Migdalia and I spent the time talking. She is such a sweet and responsible girl. She's 15 years old, but she does the majority of the work around the house, because her mom is always off working to make some money. Migdalia has as much a part in raising her younger siblings as Rosaura.
I stayed the night with Rosaura's family. It passed really well. We had fun talking, playing with my camera, watching TV. I enjoyed myself very much... except while we were watching some Novela (soap opera) I decided to look through my pictures and sort of got lost in playing with my camera... I was discovering new settings that I had never taken the time to look through, trying new buttons, etc... and who knew, but something I pressed erased EVERYTHING! Now, don't worry too much, it was my second time filling this memory card, and I have probably 1500 videos and pictures safely saved elsewhere... but I lost 664 photos from the past 3 weeks. From Itamar's wedding (luckily I had 60 of these saved in the computer) until yesterday! This included the Sixth Grade Promotion, the Ballet Folklorico that I went to the theater to see, the trip to the Pool with some friends, two different reunions with the Youth in the Church, the trip with Madeling to her families' homes, the festival that just happened in church here in which I passed in three dances, a drama, and sang twice, and the video of Culto (worship) Monday night, where I gave the sermon - in Spanish, and of course three weeks of daily trips to Chacocente.
Now, to further depress you, but on a more serious level. We have a lovely family at the Project: Nelson, Vilma, Jonathan, and Chelsea. A couple weeks ago, Vilma and her two children went up north to visit Grandma because she's not doing well healthwise. On Friday while they were away, Nelson was down at La Casona in the Project and his house caught fire. When it was seen by his neighbors (I don't remember who was the first to see it) they went running to La Casona to let Nelson know. People tried helping, but EVERYTHING was lost. The house was burned out. So, a few days later, when Vilma and the kids returned they came home to an empty home. Vilma had gotten and been saving away new clothes for December (for Christmas!), she had a whole bunch of hammocks that she had made/been working on to sell when the Delegations come to work. The house still smells of smoke and the walls are black, the roof supports are ruined and are beginning to sag. The one thing that survived the fire is an orange blanket covered with the words "Jesús me ama." (Jesus loves me.) Half of it hangs in their window as a curtain, and the over half is hanging on a wooden pole that they erected, kind of as a memorium I guess. The family is sleeping on two cots that were purchased by the Project for a couple of Americans who are coming to stay in a couple months... they are borrowing them until they can do something about the beds. This family definitely needs all the prayer and support they can get...
You know, I was so mad, sad, annoyed, frustrated, when I lost my pictures and I was hoping that somehow the pictures could come back... that God would perform a little miracle for me, mostly so I would be able to send pictures that I had promised to the people here... and I'm still a little sad about it... but today when I saw Nelson, Vilma, Chelsea, and Jonathan I was reminded of their great loss, and yet they're still moving along, and sticking together... in comparison to their situation, the loss of my pictures is nothing.
And thank you God that when it all comes down to it the material doesn't matter... the material can be erased, or burned in a fire... but what do I have?
Amazing memories and experiences from the family-bonds I've formed with the people in Project Chacocente and Sabana Grande - and I will never lose that.
WOW! Never have I had to work so hard just to get a part of my dinner. If I'm having beans, I pull out a can, open it with my electric can-opener, stick it in a pot on the stove and voila - beans! Maybe I'm going old-school and having some fresh beans from some garden... so, oh it's really rough to snap a few beans stick them in a pot with some water, and voila - beans! Either is going to take me less than 10 minutes and didn't take hard labor in the hot sun.
Although, the labor in the sun wasn't all that bad; granted I don't have to do it everyday, but Migdalia and I spent the time talking. She is such a sweet and responsible girl. She's 15 years old, but she does the majority of the work around the house, because her mom is always off working to make some money. Migdalia has as much a part in raising her younger siblings as Rosaura.
I stayed the night with Rosaura's family. It passed really well. We had fun talking, playing with my camera, watching TV. I enjoyed myself very much... except while we were watching some Novela (soap opera) I decided to look through my pictures and sort of got lost in playing with my camera... I was discovering new settings that I had never taken the time to look through, trying new buttons, etc... and who knew, but something I pressed erased EVERYTHING! Now, don't worry too much, it was my second time filling this memory card, and I have probably 1500 videos and pictures safely saved elsewhere... but I lost 664 photos from the past 3 weeks. From Itamar's wedding (luckily I had 60 of these saved in the computer) until yesterday! This included the Sixth Grade Promotion, the Ballet Folklorico that I went to the theater to see, the trip to the Pool with some friends, two different reunions with the Youth in the Church, the trip with Madeling to her families' homes, the festival that just happened in church here in which I passed in three dances, a drama, and sang twice, and the video of Culto (worship) Monday night, where I gave the sermon - in Spanish, and of course three weeks of daily trips to Chacocente.
Now, to further depress you, but on a more serious level. We have a lovely family at the Project: Nelson, Vilma, Jonathan, and Chelsea. A couple weeks ago, Vilma and her two children went up north to visit Grandma because she's not doing well healthwise. On Friday while they were away, Nelson was down at La Casona in the Project and his house caught fire. When it was seen by his neighbors (I don't remember who was the first to see it) they went running to La Casona to let Nelson know. People tried helping, but EVERYTHING was lost. The house was burned out. So, a few days later, when Vilma and the kids returned they came home to an empty home. Vilma had gotten and been saving away new clothes for December (for Christmas!), she had a whole bunch of hammocks that she had made/been working on to sell when the Delegations come to work. The house still smells of smoke and the walls are black, the roof supports are ruined and are beginning to sag. The one thing that survived the fire is an orange blanket covered with the words "Jesús me ama." (Jesus loves me.) Half of it hangs in their window as a curtain, and the over half is hanging on a wooden pole that they erected, kind of as a memorium I guess. The family is sleeping on two cots that were purchased by the Project for a couple of Americans who are coming to stay in a couple months... they are borrowing them until they can do something about the beds. This family definitely needs all the prayer and support they can get...
You know, I was so mad, sad, annoyed, frustrated, when I lost my pictures and I was hoping that somehow the pictures could come back... that God would perform a little miracle for me, mostly so I would be able to send pictures that I had promised to the people here... and I'm still a little sad about it... but today when I saw Nelson, Vilma, Chelsea, and Jonathan I was reminded of their great loss, and yet they're still moving along, and sticking together... in comparison to their situation, the loss of my pictures is nothing.
And thank you God that when it all comes down to it the material doesn't matter... the material can be erased, or burned in a fire... but what do I have?
Amazing memories and experiences from the family-bonds I've formed with the people in Project Chacocente and Sabana Grande - and I will never lose that.
un parte de la familia
Madeling Mercedes Arellano Obando is one of my friends at Proyecto Chacocente. She is 16 years old and a daughter of Manuela (so she's like my little sister). We spend a lot of hours working the family store together; so, we spend a lot of time talking. Last week she invited me to accompany her Saturday to visit some of her family who live elsewhere. And of course, I accepted. I had already met the family we were going to visit - and enjoyed them so much; therefore, I was excited for the chance to get together with them.
(Earlier in the week her Aunt and Uncle came to visit the Project. When Manuela was introducing the family to them, as it had been awhile since they'd seen her kids, she introduced me as well and said "Ella es mi hija, también." ("She is my daughter, too.") I don't know how to describe the feeling her words gave me. I felt so loved and accepted, and sort of wanted to cry... so I almost tackled her with a big hug!)
So, on Saturday, I met Madeling at the roadside to catch the bus and off we went to Tipitapa. We arrived at her Tío Marcos' and Tía Conny's house and were welcomed with open arms. Her Great Uncle Marcos' is Manuela's Uncle and he and his wife Conny were so hospitable. They sat us down in rocking chairs and just started talking away.
Then they put a DVD in to watch- El Niño del Oro (The Child of Gold) it was a music video of a 10 year old Nicaraguan boy who sings. They say he has a "voice of gold." He sings Christian songs and preaches, too! After watching it, they gave it to me to keep, along with their phone number and address, and they expect me to keep in touch!
I was also fed so much food! It began with a plate of watermelon... then an hour later a glass of coke and a piece of cake... then maybe an hour and a half later it was time for lunch. We had grilled pork, rice, fried plantains, and a cole-slaw-salad. It was absolutely delicious, as is pretty much all food to me... haha.
In the afternoon Madeling and I went off to Managua to visit another Aunt of hers - Manuela's sister. She lives near La Churreca (the dump) in a neighborhood that is awful, but at least it has clean air and they aren't scavenging through garbage. The house they live in though was two rooms and had black plastic for the inside walls. There wasn't much to it, but they didn't hesitate to find me a seat, give me a glass of soda, and proceed to show me all of the family pictures they had (which were few). Materialistically, they had so little - but they were filled with love and hospitality.
(Earlier in the week her Aunt and Uncle came to visit the Project. When Manuela was introducing the family to them, as it had been awhile since they'd seen her kids, she introduced me as well and said "Ella es mi hija, también." ("She is my daughter, too.") I don't know how to describe the feeling her words gave me. I felt so loved and accepted, and sort of wanted to cry... so I almost tackled her with a big hug!)
So, on Saturday, I met Madeling at the roadside to catch the bus and off we went to Tipitapa. We arrived at her Tío Marcos' and Tía Conny's house and were welcomed with open arms. Her Great Uncle Marcos' is Manuela's Uncle and he and his wife Conny were so hospitable. They sat us down in rocking chairs and just started talking away.
Then they put a DVD in to watch- El Niño del Oro (The Child of Gold) it was a music video of a 10 year old Nicaraguan boy who sings. They say he has a "voice of gold." He sings Christian songs and preaches, too! After watching it, they gave it to me to keep, along with their phone number and address, and they expect me to keep in touch!
I was also fed so much food! It began with a plate of watermelon... then an hour later a glass of coke and a piece of cake... then maybe an hour and a half later it was time for lunch. We had grilled pork, rice, fried plantains, and a cole-slaw-salad. It was absolutely delicious, as is pretty much all food to me... haha.
In the afternoon Madeling and I went off to Managua to visit another Aunt of hers - Manuela's sister. She lives near La Churreca (the dump) in a neighborhood that is awful, but at least it has clean air and they aren't scavenging through garbage. The house they live in though was two rooms and had black plastic for the inside walls. There wasn't much to it, but they didn't hesitate to find me a seat, give me a glass of soda, and proceed to show me all of the family pictures they had (which were few). Materialistically, they had so little - but they were filled with love and hospitality.
jueves, 4 de diciembre de 2008
La Promocíon de Sexto Grado
Sunday was a special day at Chacocente... for the school and teachers, the students, the families of the Project, and really the entire neighborhood.
Sixth grade graduation is a big deal in this country. Finishing Primería and heading off to Secandario is what the ceremony signifies... but to the people here it meant so much more.
Four students graduated sixth grade at La Escuela Cristiana Chacocente this year: David, 13; José, 12; Yomara, 14 (but her 15th birthday is this month! the day after i leave, im so mad im missing out on the Quinceñera!!!) and Kevin, 14. Kevin is not from the Project - but he lives in the neighborhood.
Isaac (my brother from Sabana Grande) and I arrived at the Project a couple hours before the ceremony to help set up. The cafeteria of the school was soon completely transformed, with streamers and banners and balloons. People from the Project and neighborhood, family members, even some from out of town, arrived early (Nicaraguans don't get places early) and found themselves seats. Even if they had no relation to those graduating, they were in attendance for the program.
The four graduates were announced and escorted in and blessed. Then the Program began with different drama and song numbers by each class. I played the piano and led the Second Graders in "El Niño y El Tambor" (the Little Drummer Boy). They did so well! After countless practices that weren't always so fruitful, they pulled it off spectacularly! There was a drama about music notes with a combination of students all the grades. The Pre-scholar class had an awesome set up with great props as they acted the song "La Chinita" and three of the teachers sang it.
One part in the Ceremony the graduating 6th graders passed the Nicaraguan and the School's flags onto the upcoming 6th graders as a symbol that they are now the ones to care for the flags and lead the school. It was interesting because we don't do that in our culture, but it's standard for Promotion ceremonies here.
One part of the promotion that I really appreciated was when the director had me stand up to thank me for being there and for all I have done. It felt really good to be recognized - even though in comparison to what everyone else there has done for these kids and this school up until their graduation - I have done hardly anything!
At the end of the ceremony there was food for all and lots of pictures taken, hugs given, congratulations all around... it was a beautiful day.
Education is not highly valued by the average Nicaraguan; yet (as with everywhere) it is essential in order to become successful. These graduates are the third group to complete 6th grade at Chacocente's school, and among the first in their families to have graduated. (Knowing where their families have been, this is such an amazing life moment!) I am so proud of the 4 graduates, as they have worked so very hard to get to where they are. In January they will begin Secandario (High School). Chacocente's school is the best elementary school in the neighborhood, and the quality of education as well as the curriculum is significantly superior to that of the High School where these kids are headed. The Project hopes to some day have a Secandario as well... this would be such an advantage to our students. So, please keep this vision on your hearts and in your prayers.
Sixth grade graduation is a big deal in this country. Finishing Primería and heading off to Secandario is what the ceremony signifies... but to the people here it meant so much more.
Four students graduated sixth grade at La Escuela Cristiana Chacocente this year: David, 13; José, 12; Yomara, 14 (but her 15th birthday is this month! the day after i leave, im so mad im missing out on the Quinceñera!!!) and Kevin, 14. Kevin is not from the Project - but he lives in the neighborhood.
Isaac (my brother from Sabana Grande) and I arrived at the Project a couple hours before the ceremony to help set up. The cafeteria of the school was soon completely transformed, with streamers and banners and balloons. People from the Project and neighborhood, family members, even some from out of town, arrived early (Nicaraguans don't get places early) and found themselves seats. Even if they had no relation to those graduating, they were in attendance for the program.
The four graduates were announced and escorted in and blessed. Then the Program began with different drama and song numbers by each class. I played the piano and led the Second Graders in "El Niño y El Tambor" (the Little Drummer Boy). They did so well! After countless practices that weren't always so fruitful, they pulled it off spectacularly! There was a drama about music notes with a combination of students all the grades. The Pre-scholar class had an awesome set up with great props as they acted the song "La Chinita" and three of the teachers sang it.
One part in the Ceremony the graduating 6th graders passed the Nicaraguan and the School's flags onto the upcoming 6th graders as a symbol that they are now the ones to care for the flags and lead the school. It was interesting because we don't do that in our culture, but it's standard for Promotion ceremonies here.
One part of the promotion that I really appreciated was when the director had me stand up to thank me for being there and for all I have done. It felt really good to be recognized - even though in comparison to what everyone else there has done for these kids and this school up until their graduation - I have done hardly anything!
At the end of the ceremony there was food for all and lots of pictures taken, hugs given, congratulations all around... it was a beautiful day.
Education is not highly valued by the average Nicaraguan; yet (as with everywhere) it is essential in order to become successful. These graduates are the third group to complete 6th grade at Chacocente's school, and among the first in their families to have graduated. (Knowing where their families have been, this is such an amazing life moment!) I am so proud of the 4 graduates, as they have worked so very hard to get to where they are. In January they will begin Secandario (High School). Chacocente's school is the best elementary school in the neighborhood, and the quality of education as well as the curriculum is significantly superior to that of the High School where these kids are headed. The Project hopes to some day have a Secandario as well... this would be such an advantage to our students. So, please keep this vision on your hearts and in your prayers.
miércoles, 26 de noviembre de 2008
Compartiendo Corázones
Here I am at home - El Proyecto Chacocente - surrounded by my loves... I can't totally express how much this place means to me. My family here is one of the greatest blessings I could have - and I really mean overall in my life - and not just here in Nicaragua... (excerpt from my Journal - November 24th)
Although I won't be in the United States for Thanksgiving, I still plan on celebrating it within myself. For I have a wealth of things to be thankful for - especially as I look around me here in Nicaragua and see how very blessed I am.
I spent a couple hours on Monday and Tuesday at the Project working with the Second Grade class on "El Niño y El Tambor" (the Little Drummer Boy). Because on Sunday is the 6th Grade Graduation Ceremony, and the second grade is going to be singing this - and I will be playing/directing.
School is out now, (except for Practice for La Promocion on Sunday) but I still go to the Project daily to see my extended family members, to give piano lessons to the few ambitious, to play with the kids, and to teach ballet to the girls who care to learn.
Monday I had the pleasure of working with Darling on the piano - boy she is a fast learner! She is also great at memorizing; so, in this last month here I hope she can absorb a lot!
Last week I taught some ballet to a few of the girls... we were just playing around and they were trying the moves that I was doing. The only ballet they are familiar with is from the Barbie Princess Ballerina movie that they've seen on TV. So, whatever I do is pretty amazing to them. Well, on Monday Rosa and Margarita were bored, and wanted to dance with me. After a few minutes Rosa gave up, but Margarita stuck with it.
She really wants to dance - and that excites me. She tried each move so hard, and so carefully, watching my every move. And each time she fumbled two words came out of her mouth, "No puedo." ("I can't") Well this took me right back to ballet lessons with Traci McClafferty a decade ago. Traci would NOT hear the word "can't" in her studio, ever. There was no excuse for such an attitude. Well Traci, I'm proud to say I've passed on your legacy. Each time Margarita said that awful phrase, I retorted positively: "¡Si! ¡Puedes!" and she would try again... and again...
To teach the little skills I am familiar with, whether ballet or piano or singing or even art class, introduces them to something that is extremely rare in this country. The arts and creativity are not widespread or available to the average person here. As the first grade teacher Yamileth put it... These types of things are just dreams for us; things that we would love to know, but know we'll never have. These are also things that I have taken for granted my whole life: music and art classes in school, dance lessons, piano lessons, voice lessons, chorus, musicals, dramas, church plays... again, I'm finding myself overwhelmingly thankful here.
The kids here get bored a lot... so they do things like play with their slingshots. They're all really awesome at them - I would say playing with a slingshot is like their videogames. José taught me how to do it. I have no aim, at all... and can get little distance. But even the 4 year old Deyvín can aim at a treebranch and hit a leaf off! I just hope that my presence at the Project relieves some of their boredom. I realize that kids get "bored" everywhere - but growing up in the United States, you have countless TV channels, toys, games, computers, videogames, sports, clubs, music, activities out the window to keep you unbored... here in Nicaragua the kids have significantly fewer resources with which to entertain themselves.
I had the pleasure of staying the night at Basilia and Pedro's home, with them and their kids: Juan, Amelia, José and Deyvín. When I arrived I joined Basilia and Pedro in peeling beans from their garden for dinner. Deyvín, who is 4 and my favorite Pre-schooler, helped me out, and I spent probably two hours sitting outside with them bean-peeling and visiting. Deyvín and I had a great time playing together - teasing each other, tickling each other, oh and getting the beans ready... ? haha
He is really something else - the calm, shy, quiet boy who've I've written about before is transforming everyday - and not just as he opens up to me, but as he opens up to the world. After all this young one has been through it's truly a miracle that he is still alive; and furthermore, a Godsend that he's becoming this outgoing, funloving child.
Amelia is 14, and she taught me how to make the bracelets that the women make to sell to all the American Mission delegations that come to work at the Project. I made four - and must say I'm pretty good at it now. Although Amelia can do one in 10 or 15 minutes, and the first one I did took me an hour! They sell them for a dollar, and can make a pretty good profit. It's a great way for them to get some extra cash to support themselves.
Later that night, after most everyone was in bed, I sat outside under the spectacular starry night sky, with the balmy palms framing the cloudy, deep, dark, blue heavens... talking of matters of the heart. Basilia and Pedro had three other children. Four years ago, about two months before they and their family moved to Project Chacocente, they were living in the City Dump and it was just after the New Year's Celebrations. This is prime picking for young children - because people may have thrown out their Holiday goodies. Well three of Basilia's young children found what they thought were some good-eats. They had themselves a very merry little New Year's treat - and it cost them their lives, because it was poisoned. Just two months before they were safely out of La Churreca and into the loving supporting life-saving community that is Project Chacocente. Basilia was sharing this with me, and how it is so difficult for her each year around January 8th and 9th. She still doesn't understand why three of her children were taken from her, and it hurts so much to think of it. But she is strong, and she keeps living happily and working hard and loving her husband and her four children. She almost lost little Deyvín that year, too. The death of his brothers had such a horrible effect on him as only a 1 year old. He wouldn't eat, he couldn't walk, and it took the grace of God and the determination of Charito Avery and Basilia and the family to bring Deyvín back to Health, and now to the glowing, growing child he has become.
Here I am to serve these people, but what can I offer? A little bit of my artsy talents? My time and energy to entertain their children? A helping hand with dinner or watching the store? What I do is so little, and yet maybe it is enough. Maybe sometimes all people need is someone to tell them I love you and I care about you. Someone to really listen to their life's stories. Someone to be there. Someone with whom they can share their heart.
Here I am, Lord. You sent me.
Although I won't be in the United States for Thanksgiving, I still plan on celebrating it within myself. For I have a wealth of things to be thankful for - especially as I look around me here in Nicaragua and see how very blessed I am.
I spent a couple hours on Monday and Tuesday at the Project working with the Second Grade class on "El Niño y El Tambor" (the Little Drummer Boy). Because on Sunday is the 6th Grade Graduation Ceremony, and the second grade is going to be singing this - and I will be playing/directing.
School is out now, (except for Practice for La Promocion on Sunday) but I still go to the Project daily to see my extended family members, to give piano lessons to the few ambitious, to play with the kids, and to teach ballet to the girls who care to learn.
Monday I had the pleasure of working with Darling on the piano - boy she is a fast learner! She is also great at memorizing; so, in this last month here I hope she can absorb a lot!
Last week I taught some ballet to a few of the girls... we were just playing around and they were trying the moves that I was doing. The only ballet they are familiar with is from the Barbie Princess Ballerina movie that they've seen on TV. So, whatever I do is pretty amazing to them. Well, on Monday Rosa and Margarita were bored, and wanted to dance with me. After a few minutes Rosa gave up, but Margarita stuck with it.
She really wants to dance - and that excites me. She tried each move so hard, and so carefully, watching my every move. And each time she fumbled two words came out of her mouth, "No puedo." ("I can't") Well this took me right back to ballet lessons with Traci McClafferty a decade ago. Traci would NOT hear the word "can't" in her studio, ever. There was no excuse for such an attitude. Well Traci, I'm proud to say I've passed on your legacy. Each time Margarita said that awful phrase, I retorted positively: "¡Si! ¡Puedes!" and she would try again... and again...
To teach the little skills I am familiar with, whether ballet or piano or singing or even art class, introduces them to something that is extremely rare in this country. The arts and creativity are not widespread or available to the average person here. As the first grade teacher Yamileth put it... These types of things are just dreams for us; things that we would love to know, but know we'll never have. These are also things that I have taken for granted my whole life: music and art classes in school, dance lessons, piano lessons, voice lessons, chorus, musicals, dramas, church plays... again, I'm finding myself overwhelmingly thankful here.
The kids here get bored a lot... so they do things like play with their slingshots. They're all really awesome at them - I would say playing with a slingshot is like their videogames. José taught me how to do it. I have no aim, at all... and can get little distance. But even the 4 year old Deyvín can aim at a treebranch and hit a leaf off! I just hope that my presence at the Project relieves some of their boredom. I realize that kids get "bored" everywhere - but growing up in the United States, you have countless TV channels, toys, games, computers, videogames, sports, clubs, music, activities out the window to keep you unbored... here in Nicaragua the kids have significantly fewer resources with which to entertain themselves.
I had the pleasure of staying the night at Basilia and Pedro's home, with them and their kids: Juan, Amelia, José and Deyvín. When I arrived I joined Basilia and Pedro in peeling beans from their garden for dinner. Deyvín, who is 4 and my favorite Pre-schooler, helped me out, and I spent probably two hours sitting outside with them bean-peeling and visiting. Deyvín and I had a great time playing together - teasing each other, tickling each other, oh and getting the beans ready... ? haha
He is really something else - the calm, shy, quiet boy who've I've written about before is transforming everyday - and not just as he opens up to me, but as he opens up to the world. After all this young one has been through it's truly a miracle that he is still alive; and furthermore, a Godsend that he's becoming this outgoing, funloving child.
Amelia is 14, and she taught me how to make the bracelets that the women make to sell to all the American Mission delegations that come to work at the Project. I made four - and must say I'm pretty good at it now. Although Amelia can do one in 10 or 15 minutes, and the first one I did took me an hour! They sell them for a dollar, and can make a pretty good profit. It's a great way for them to get some extra cash to support themselves.
Later that night, after most everyone was in bed, I sat outside under the spectacular starry night sky, with the balmy palms framing the cloudy, deep, dark, blue heavens... talking of matters of the heart. Basilia and Pedro had three other children. Four years ago, about two months before they and their family moved to Project Chacocente, they were living in the City Dump and it was just after the New Year's Celebrations. This is prime picking for young children - because people may have thrown out their Holiday goodies. Well three of Basilia's young children found what they thought were some good-eats. They had themselves a very merry little New Year's treat - and it cost them their lives, because it was poisoned. Just two months before they were safely out of La Churreca and into the loving supporting life-saving community that is Project Chacocente. Basilia was sharing this with me, and how it is so difficult for her each year around January 8th and 9th. She still doesn't understand why three of her children were taken from her, and it hurts so much to think of it. But she is strong, and she keeps living happily and working hard and loving her husband and her four children. She almost lost little Deyvín that year, too. The death of his brothers had such a horrible effect on him as only a 1 year old. He wouldn't eat, he couldn't walk, and it took the grace of God and the determination of Charito Avery and Basilia and the family to bring Deyvín back to Health, and now to the glowing, growing child he has become.
Here I am to serve these people, but what can I offer? A little bit of my artsy talents? My time and energy to entertain their children? A helping hand with dinner or watching the store? What I do is so little, and yet maybe it is enough. Maybe sometimes all people need is someone to tell them I love you and I care about you. Someone to really listen to their life's stories. Someone to be there. Someone with whom they can share their heart.
Here I am, Lord. You sent me.
martes, 25 de noviembre de 2008
Good Ol' Downhome Casamiento Nicaragüense
"It's not every Northamerican who comes here who gets to actually be in a wedding!" -Charito
Saturday was an awesome cultural experience. One that I've actually been planning for, for awhile. My "cousin" Itamar got married. About a month or two ago she asked me to be one of the damas in her wedding. This really surprised me, because I didn't know her very well. However, I immediately accepted. What girl doesn't love to get dressed up and be in a wedding? (Well, I guess I know many, but I'm not one of them!)
Sandra - a lady in the church, my neighbor, and my friend Joel's mom - made my dress after I bought the material in the market. The material cost 65 cordoba per meter. I bought 2 meters. For Sandra to make my dress it cost me 110 cordoba. So I spent 240 cordoba on a brand new, handmade formal dress, fit to my body. (Divide 240 by 29.5 and you get US dollars... I love spending money in Nicaragua!)
Here the bride chooses the damas, and then each dama chooses her caballero. I chose Joel because he had originally been asked to go with someone, but then she ended up not being able to go to the wedding, so he was free and had been planning on going, plus he's my friend! So, the groom actually has no say in the men at all - except for his best man or caballero de honor. Isaac - my brother - was the caballero de honor. This is because Itamar was his favorite cousin and Guillermo (or Memo) was his best friend, and he brought them together. (cute, eh?) My sister Belén wasLa Esperanza (Hope) and wore green; Itamar's sister, Sharon, was La Guía - she led the procession carrying the Bible, and wore red. There were 18 damas and caballeros, as well as a whole group of young girls, and then one little girl and one little boy who carried the rings. Talk about a huge wedding party.
My preparation started the night before when Belén painted my fingernails and toenails, along with Itamar's and a handful of the other damas. Then I plucked Itamar's eyebrows - so I feel like I contributed something to her special day, haha. On Saturday everybody was crazy getting ready, but we all arrived at Itamar's house at 2:30 en punto dressed, beautied, and ready to line up. Except for Joel - my caballero. He wasn't there yet. When we all lined up everyone had their pair, except for me. It was three and even the people who had come late were there and lined up. I was a little nervous he wouldn't make it; however, totally thankful that I'm tall here and therefore was lined up as the second to last person. Well we were all taking our first steps and the mariachi band had begun to play when Joel came running. :) Just in time.
The entire processional, beginning with Sharon, La Guía, and ending with Itamar, accompanied by her brother, Enoc. A mariachi band played, and we walked through the town from her house to the church. It was like a parade, and people who were going to the wedding joined in the processional walking beside us. People who weren't going to the wedding came out of their houses and watched as we walked by. I've been in far too many parades, so it didn't feel awkward at all, but it's definitely a difference in culture.
When we got to the church the entire congregation stood for the processional from beginning to end, not just for when the bride entered. We walked to the front of church and then the damas filed into the first rows of seats on the right, and the caballeros to the left. La Guía, La Esperanza, y El Caballero y La Dama de Honor all sat in chairs off to the right as well. In the center up front were chairs for the bridge and groom, as well as one to the left of the bridge where her grandfather sat (usually it's the father) and one to the right of the groom where his mother sat.
The ceremony began with music from the Mariachi band, then Pablo and Janeth (the uncle and aunt, as well as the pastor and wife) led us in praise music. Isaac read the scripture from Genesis 2. We sang more praise, and Pablo gave a brief reflection. Then they had the lighting of the unity candle, the vows, the exchange of rings and a blessing. Between the ring exchangement and the blessing they had a part where first the groom has a handful of coins, and places them one by one into the palms of the bride. She then repeats the same thing. It's symbolic that in their marriage are going to share their benefits. After the blessing everyone in the church went forward to greet the new couple and their family - rather than the couple proceeding down the aisle. After all of the salutations, the wedding party lined up in the aisle and made a tunnel with our arms for the bridge and groom to pass under, and then each pair in the processional followed them to their house for the reception.
The backyard of the house was filled with plastic tables and chairs decorated with candles and there were balloons and streamers and strings of lights brightening everything up. There was a live band and plenty of food and pop, and of course a huge wedding cake to celebrate. They even had the tossing of the bouquet. There was no dancing, and no garter... but the reception was a lot like one in the United States - only a little more "down home, country" type of thing rather than a fancy wedding. Honestly, I felt like I was at a family reunion, only everyone was dressed up.
I feel so blessed to have partaken in the wedding, though. So many people from the States who know Itamar because they came to Nicaragua for the same reason I have, have expressed their jealously and their wishes that they could have been at the wedding. So I feel pretty lucky to have been in it! Also, it was such a testament to the love and community within the church El Buen Pastor of Sabana Grande. I felt loved and accepted, as well as a part of everything - and it wasn't even my wedding!
Saturday was an awesome cultural experience. One that I've actually been planning for, for awhile. My "cousin" Itamar got married. About a month or two ago she asked me to be one of the damas in her wedding. This really surprised me, because I didn't know her very well. However, I immediately accepted. What girl doesn't love to get dressed up and be in a wedding? (Well, I guess I know many, but I'm not one of them!)
Sandra - a lady in the church, my neighbor, and my friend Joel's mom - made my dress after I bought the material in the market. The material cost 65 cordoba per meter. I bought 2 meters. For Sandra to make my dress it cost me 110 cordoba. So I spent 240 cordoba on a brand new, handmade formal dress, fit to my body. (Divide 240 by 29.5 and you get US dollars... I love spending money in Nicaragua!)
Here the bride chooses the damas, and then each dama chooses her caballero. I chose Joel because he had originally been asked to go with someone, but then she ended up not being able to go to the wedding, so he was free and had been planning on going, plus he's my friend! So, the groom actually has no say in the men at all - except for his best man or caballero de honor. Isaac - my brother - was the caballero de honor. This is because Itamar was his favorite cousin and Guillermo (or Memo) was his best friend, and he brought them together. (cute, eh?) My sister Belén wasLa Esperanza (Hope) and wore green; Itamar's sister, Sharon, was La Guía - she led the procession carrying the Bible, and wore red. There were 18 damas and caballeros, as well as a whole group of young girls, and then one little girl and one little boy who carried the rings. Talk about a huge wedding party.
My preparation started the night before when Belén painted my fingernails and toenails, along with Itamar's and a handful of the other damas. Then I plucked Itamar's eyebrows - so I feel like I contributed something to her special day, haha. On Saturday everybody was crazy getting ready, but we all arrived at Itamar's house at 2:30 en punto dressed, beautied, and ready to line up. Except for Joel - my caballero. He wasn't there yet. When we all lined up everyone had their pair, except for me. It was three and even the people who had come late were there and lined up. I was a little nervous he wouldn't make it; however, totally thankful that I'm tall here and therefore was lined up as the second to last person. Well we were all taking our first steps and the mariachi band had begun to play when Joel came running. :) Just in time.
The entire processional, beginning with Sharon, La Guía, and ending with Itamar, accompanied by her brother, Enoc. A mariachi band played, and we walked through the town from her house to the church. It was like a parade, and people who were going to the wedding joined in the processional walking beside us. People who weren't going to the wedding came out of their houses and watched as we walked by. I've been in far too many parades, so it didn't feel awkward at all, but it's definitely a difference in culture.
When we got to the church the entire congregation stood for the processional from beginning to end, not just for when the bride entered. We walked to the front of church and then the damas filed into the first rows of seats on the right, and the caballeros to the left. La Guía, La Esperanza, y El Caballero y La Dama de Honor all sat in chairs off to the right as well. In the center up front were chairs for the bridge and groom, as well as one to the left of the bridge where her grandfather sat (usually it's the father) and one to the right of the groom where his mother sat.
The ceremony began with music from the Mariachi band, then Pablo and Janeth (the uncle and aunt, as well as the pastor and wife) led us in praise music. Isaac read the scripture from Genesis 2. We sang more praise, and Pablo gave a brief reflection. Then they had the lighting of the unity candle, the vows, the exchange of rings and a blessing. Between the ring exchangement and the blessing they had a part where first the groom has a handful of coins, and places them one by one into the palms of the bride. She then repeats the same thing. It's symbolic that in their marriage are going to share their benefits. After the blessing everyone in the church went forward to greet the new couple and their family - rather than the couple proceeding down the aisle. After all of the salutations, the wedding party lined up in the aisle and made a tunnel with our arms for the bridge and groom to pass under, and then each pair in the processional followed them to their house for the reception.
The backyard of the house was filled with plastic tables and chairs decorated with candles and there were balloons and streamers and strings of lights brightening everything up. There was a live band and plenty of food and pop, and of course a huge wedding cake to celebrate. They even had the tossing of the bouquet. There was no dancing, and no garter... but the reception was a lot like one in the United States - only a little more "down home, country" type of thing rather than a fancy wedding. Honestly, I felt like I was at a family reunion, only everyone was dressed up.
I feel so blessed to have partaken in the wedding, though. So many people from the States who know Itamar because they came to Nicaragua for the same reason I have, have expressed their jealously and their wishes that they could have been at the wedding. So I feel pretty lucky to have been in it! Also, it was such a testament to the love and community within the church El Buen Pastor of Sabana Grande. I felt loved and accepted, as well as a part of everything - and it wasn't even my wedding!
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