Nicaragua 08 Day Eight

Traveling Home




We started our morning by saying goodbye to our friends. These birds could talk, but they didn't make much sense to us.



We had a hour and a half drive into Managua to catch our flight. This volcano in the distance is just another of the many beautiful sights in this area.




Once we reached Managua, we had to find the local Harley store( who'd a thunk it?) for a couple of our team members. It was a little after nine o'clock and we had a flight to catch about noon. There was some disappointment when we read 10:30 on the locked door. However, while we pondered and moaned, a couple of guys came down the street (I think from a nearby garage) and opened up for business. You can't turn away a van and pickup full of tourists.

Even the girls found a way to pass the time, and after an hour on the highway, this is a good way to stretch your legs.




I look more tired than Julianna. I'll never understand where all of her energy comes from.


Has anyone ever read the safety card in the back of the seat? Julianna studied every one. Not for her own knowledge, but to see if there is anything they could have done better. She also enjoyed picking up a few extra Spanish words.


Now here is an interesting "lay-over" during our last layover in Houston.


"Mom, I am finally on the ground in Oklahoma City!" " ... and are my arms tired!"


A thousand words.




This trip was wonderful. I highly recommend mission trips. Julianna has already said she'll be going back.


Of course, we hope and pray that things continue to grow in Nicaragua for the church. David and Kim Romero are doing a great job and God is blessing their work. They went to Nicaragua with an unusual business plan where they were going to use a coffee farm as a business to employ church members and fund the mission work with little to no outside help. Things have evolved and David and Kim are now doing full-time mission work and the farm activities have been all but removed from the plan. I personally believe God needs them to sow his crops and He will take care of the business.

Keep Mission Nicaragua in your prayers.

Check out missionnicaragua.org for more information.

Nicaragua 08 Day Seven

Beach Day!!!

We spent this day at San Juan Del Sur. Another first for Julianna.
What a great beach! The sand isn't perfect white, but there aren't yet crowds, very good waves, and perfect weather this day. It was a little drive from Diriamba, less than two hours, but half of the highway could have been confused with a really bad alley in the States.



The day is starting out great for JLee. Another ride in the back of a pickup to go rent boards.



We are learning that Julianna doesn't do anything without sunscreen. We did multiple coats with many reapplies throughout the day and we survived with only a couple of minor patches. Julianna helped me with my back and I was well covered in a six inch stripe down the middle of my back, I got two red stripes in that area you just can't quite reach yourself. Julianna got two patches about two inches wide just below the swimsuit on her bottom. I suspect the wet swimsuit rinsed the reapplications off, because we were diligent and generous in the sunscreen use. Last year there were many bad burns and we heeded the warning.


Isn't this just adorable. Julianna and Bethany really got the hang of this body boarding sport. It probably helps that they float so well. I sink like a cartoon anvil when I try to catch the top of a wave. These girls at times would just lay on the boards in just an inch of water and the incoming wave would pick them up and carry them all the way in.



Julianna was also set on finding some seashells and we did okay during one nice walk down the beach.



It should come as no surprise that I really enjoyed having Julianna come along on this trip. We had fun, we worked together, and she made me very proud over and over again with how well she handled herself. I'll remember this time together for a very long time.









After awhile I convinced JLee (and Bethany too) to venture out at least waist deep and try to hop onto the waves. They made that look easy too.








Just after cleaning up and drying off, we called home to report on all the fun. Of course, she's in the bed of the truck again.



Dinner


Take a close look. This is the entrance to one of the best restaurants in the world. Really! Sorry, but I can't offer much help in finding the place. It is not far from the beach, but that's all I know.
We pulled up about 4:45 and noticed they didn't open til 6. But we knocked and the woman who owned the restaurant explained that her staff was off for their dinner break, but she would serve us drinks and appetizers while she tried to get them back in. She and her staff provided better than good service and the food surpassed that.



I really enjoy eating outdoors, especially in that weather.


Even Julianna loved her pasta.


After finishing dinner while the rest of us mingled and had desert, Julianna made a friend with another patron. I seem to recall she was from South Africa?? They got along really well. Julianna is really developing quite a talent at making friends.



I have uploaded all of the photos of our trip, good and blurry, into an online album. If you are interested, let me know and I'll send you the link. I think Julianna and I ( and Manny, too) took over 400 photos.



PS. Juan Pablo was the other young man from the Day 5 post whose name I couldn't remember. He and Gabriel and Jose are attending the Bible college. This is great for the local congregation. These are good guys.

Nicaragua 08 Day Six

This, the last work day, started with entertainment by the hotel cat at the expense of a local caterpillar.



The ladies planted in the garden at the church building today. Julianna took this picture of the soil I assume they had recently completed. I'm surprised you can't see the seeds sprouting already in this fertile land.


After lunch, Julianna decided to stay at the cement job and we put her right to work!



Yes, if Julianna is working in a picture, that means her Daddy is not working because he is behind the camera. ( No offense to the professional photographers out there...)



One of the family members at this house was Zerling, a new friend of Julianna's from VBS. Here they are enjoying the crayons and coloring book from the care package she received at VBS. Each child at VBS got a T-shirt and a package with school supplies and coloring books, etc. We also passed out a care package to the church members that included food and cooking oils, and medical supplies, etc.

Zerling taught Julianna how a household structure can double as a jungle gym. This combines strength, stamina, creativity, risk, and shade. Not a bad idea.



This is the victory lap, the last cement slab of the trip. I'm sure the backs are quite tired at this point.


After cleaning up, while waiting for dinner, Julianna and I hung out on the hotel grounds.




She said this flower looked like a popcorn ball.



If you are ever in Diriamba, Nicaragua, I can recommend this hotel.


The hotel also has a bird exhibit just out the back door.

Nicaragua 08 Day Five Pt. 3

Sunday Night Dinner

First a couple more shots from just after VBS wrapped up.
Rabbit ears are timeless and they break any language barriers. Julianna had no idea and it sure brought a smile to my face and the adults around me as I took this shot. The local kids loved posing for pictures and digital cameras supplied many smiles this week.


This is Cruz Guido with Julianna. She is very active in the church and community. She is in her second year of psychology studies at the local college. She really took a liking to Julianna. (I can't blame her.)


The next two shots are for all the family from Texas who can appreciate a good ride down the highway in the back of a pick-up. This was another one of those firsts Julianna got to experience on this trip.




This small three wheeled taxi has been nick-named a "mosquito" by the members of our group. The name stuck sometime last year since they were always buzzing around. Julianna, Bethany and I were able to catch a ride after dinner one night back to the hotel for 15 Cordobas ( about 75 cents ).





Dinner Sunday night was at the local preacher's house. Giovanni and Carolina put out quite a spread. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, and homemade ice cream for desert. Ummm, Ummm, good!!!


After dinner, Carolina showed the girls her pet birds. A couple of them were especially defensive protecting their eggs, but these two were very friendly.





Here is a group shot. Giovanni and Carolina, son Gabriel and (maybe someday soon, daughter) Cruz. Cruz and Gabriel seem to be an item. Gabriel, along with two other young men, Jose Guido (Cruz's brother) and Juan Pablo, from the congregation are attending the Bible College. All three of these men are good hard workers and are a bright future for the church in this area.