POST by RENZ: Aben's First Flight

Aben in Fancy Dress

When Aben was a child, about 13 years old, he liked to watch a lot of action movies and movies where people would be flipping all around the place. He would say to himself "Ah that is really cool, but what they’re doing is not real."

One day, at Aben’s house, he was having a lot of problems that were humiliating and offensive to him. So, he left everything and went to his aunt’s house.

When Aben got there, his cousin, who is more like a brother to him, was already at the house. Having Aben’s cousin there was like a gift from God because at that moment he did not know it, but his life would have a new beginning because he did a flip, which was the first trick that Aben had seen in real life.

When Aben saw his cousin flip he could not believe it, but it made him feel excited and he liked the tricks a lot. Aben did not know what gift God had given him but through his cousin he found out that his gift was an acrobatic sport called “tricking.”

Aben Tricking

The best thing about being able to do tricking is that he can teach other people how to do the gift that God has given him and now there are a lot of people that do tricking, because of our Nicaragua boy, Aben.

God loves all of us the same and we all have a place with him but we have to find him.

Aben performing with Stivey, Lorenzy, Jose, Eliezer & Jonny

POST by NATALIE (GAP YEAR LEADER): A Collage of Blog Posts

Me & my new friends at Pochomil

When I arrived in Managua a few weeks ago, I was greeted by children riding piggy back, people running around and a car that was so full to the brim I was surprised that they could fit one more person in. I met Billy, an awesome little 4 year old who sat in my lap while we zig-zagged through the back streets of Managua. Most of the guys were quiet, but one of them, Rene, is a show-off.

All of a sudden, when stopped at one of the boyz’ house in a shady part of Managua, Rene began doing back flips. I watched in amazement as this group of unlikely fellows came alive. First they were super shy about greeting me, but one by one they grew out of it.

In the week to follow they went to El Salvador to perform, so it wasn't until this past week that I really started to get to know them. Along with Rene, there are seven other boys who each either break dance or do tricking (aka back flips to the extreme). Though most of them were injured in one way or another, I loved watching them perform. They are a super-talented group of guys.

Capital on the Edge is a mission located in a part of Managua that isn't as hot, because it isn't located in the city and also has a nice bit of breeze going through.

I also taught classes on my full first day in Managua at the Project in Barrio Loco. This was a surprise since I was handed the materials for class in the morning and was asked, "Do you mind?"

It was a good bit of fun though and the kids were great. I had a class of about eleven kids who were each about eleven years old. Our class consisted of english bingo, followed by a girls vs. guys spelling game and to finish we sang the itsy bitsy spider and hokey pokey!

The primary class I have, at Capital Edge Community School, consists of 4-6 year old kids and I have a second class that I will be taking over once the teacher goes back to the States.

Today was my first day in our new and improved convertible school bus! That's right! It was horse and cart! Previously I had been in the car when collecting the kiddos, but, since the horse is feeling better (it was bitten by a dog), we took it instead.

The kids were awesome, laughing at my attempts to speak in Spanish and also my constant complaining on how much the ride wore on your rear end. I was able to say a friendly hello to the parents of my awesome little students, see the country side and experience my own "Little House on the Prairie" episode. All I needed was Laura Ingles to come running down a hill with braids or pig tails and things would be set!

I am having a great time and little by little I am settling in.

Last Sunday, to have fun and kinda celebrate their trip to El Salvador, we took a trip to the beach. Now, I have to tell you, with my hair dyed a shade of red, my blue eyes and my light skin, I felt like the little mermaid (minus the fish tail and seashell bra).  The beach was full of amazing views and waves that seemed to never end. 

Anna, Ericson, Lorenzy & Natalie at Pochomil

Somehow though, I got into a mad sand war. People were making balls of sand and just pelting each other with them (I have the bruises to prove it). With both hands full of sand I charged, only to be met with at least four of the guys also with their hands loaded. Needless to say, I lost.

The day at the beach ended with a very different type of playing in the sand. Liz, the "director" of the ministry, decided to play a prank on her husband (Jed) by driving the car to the other side of the beach. We accidentally hit some very soft sand and sunk up to the axle on the car!

Thankfully, there were some very nice beach-going Nicaraguans to the rescue and one of them had a shovel! We eventually dug our way out. We were tired, sore and slightly sun burnt but it had been such a great day that even the car ride home (when Jed almost killed us) was enjoyable.

Now I mentioned there were eight guys that did tricking, but I only mentioned Rene. He was the only one I remembered from the first day because of the back flips, but now I have the pleasure of knowing the rest. Eliazer, Beycker, Jonny, Yordy, Ericson, Stivie, and Yader.

They will have to forgive me if I spelt their names wrong, but I think I got it right. These guys are so funny, always putting on gel and looking in the mirror to make sure that even if they don't go anywhere, that they are prepared to.

Now there are two gap year girls along with myself and they are Anna and Jocasta. There is a new girl coming, Monica, but she had to return to Mexico for a family emergency.

Right now there is a clinic going on so things have been pretty busy. This morning we were short staffed and I had a migraine and stomach issues... yeah I know, no fun. I am so thankful however that they pulled together so that they could march on without me. The people here are just that awesome!

Also today, the guys just got approved for their visa's and they will be touring California in the United States! They are super excited (as they should be!) and once I return to the United States I might have to take a road trip to see them perform and reconnect.

Things, though crazy, have been awesome and I cannot wait to see what God is going to do through me here. Being an English teacher is awesome, and teaching is definitely my passion, but I still want to know if I am making that deep impact to the people I am surrounded by.

Well, that's the short version from the past few weeks. I hope y'all keep me in your prayers! I will be returning to the states in June and after that I don't believe I will be returning to Nicaragua. It is all in the hands of God, but I hope to start helping people in the States in my own community.

POST by SEZ: Good Mooning

Sezni learning HOW to trick on the tramp

Aben was teaching me tricking. I was practicing a new trick called a half moon flip. A half moon flip is that your legs go two steps and your legs are turning to the side it’s like your doing a backhand spray, but very different. I practice a lot , but it was so hard. I’m practicing it for a month.

I’m a kid who’s only ten years old. And I practice tricking a lot. I’ve been practicing for one year.

I practice outside my house where the sawdust is. The sawdust is like a convfy pillow. I started to practice the moon flip on Monday and I practice tricking because my mom and dad want’s me to be a tricker kid.

I trick with other trick kids and  five trick teachers. Aben, Stivey, Beycker, Rene and Yordy are my teachers. We all trick together like a big team, but I have a bad arm and leg, because it feels like I’ve been practicing forever.

POST by RAF: FLIPPIN TRICKIN!

Rafael & Jonny

One day I was practicing my back Hand sprang the my mom called me to do math. 

Then the next day I was busy doing my math then I went to play Wii Supper Smash Bros Bawl and I Just noticed that almost everyone in Super Smash Bros Brawl can do flips so  I practice outside.

Then when I had to go to tricking class my teacher tell me do your back hand sprang so I did my back hand sprang then he asked me do you want do double back hand sprang I said ok and he said I'm going to help you.

So the first time I did it was fast. The second one it was the same as the first one. The third one was slow. The last one was perfect.

That day was the coolest day in my life. 

POST by SEZ: Titan Trickster

Sezni Tricking

On Tuesday I practice a flip on the floor it's a back hand spray.  I practice it sideways and a little forward. I can even do roundup it's running then kart wheel then a back hand spray.

Now I learn  tricking with five trickers. Aben, Stievey , Beycker, Rene, and Yordy my  trick teachers. Aben is practicng a new trick, Stivey is practicing a double front flip, Becker is practicing triple back flip, Rene s practicing a three sixty double front flip, Yordy  double back flip.

  

I'll do tricking  at school.   

My favorte tricker is Aben becuase he teaches me many tricks. I like roundup because it makes me look like I'm flying. It looks like I'm a nerd.It makes me feel wiggley .  I can't wait to be able to be a tricker like Aben, Steviey, Beycker, Rene, Yordy. And I'm now practicing on kart wheel without hands.

On Saturday I had a tricking contest and I came second because Fran and Renzy were cheated because I didn't finish my trick.  I got cookies and gatorade.

Sezni Winning the Tricking Contest

POST by SEZ: Titan Trickster

On Tuesday I practice a flip on the floor it's a back hand spray.  I practice it sideways and a little forward. I can even do roundup it's running then kart wheel then a back hand spray.

Now I learn  tricking with five trickers. Aben, Stievey , Beycker, Rene, and Yordy my  trick teachers. Aben is practicng a new trick, Stivey is practicing a double front flip, Becker is practicing triple back flip, Rene s practicing a three sixty double front flip, Yordy  double back flip.

  

I'll do tricking  at school.   

My favorte tricker is Aben becuase he teaches me many tricks. I like roundup because it makes me look like I'm flying. It looks like I'm a nerd.It makes me feel wiggley .  I can't wait to be able to be a tricker like Aben, Steviey, Beycker, Rene, Yordy. And I'm now practicing on kart wheel without hands.

On Saturday I had a tricking contest and I came second because Fran and Renzy were cheated because I didn't finish my trick.  I got cookies and gatorade.

POST by FRAN: A Leg Up

Year after year, when I was little, I would always do gymnastics. I was in competitions and often at the gym practicing my routine to get better.

When I was 9 I was in the national squad level 4, so that meant that I was at the gym five days a week for four hours each day. This was the year that my parents decided to move to Mexico. At first I didn't want to leave, but I had no choice, my parents had already organised the plane tickets and everything.

So I took my Bible and went to my room for a few hours. I found a Bible verse that said something along the lines of 'I have set apart a separate piece for you.' I don't remember where the Bible verse is, but that one line spoke to me. so I went downstairs and told my Mum what I read and she was glad that I found the verse.

Four years have passed since I have seen and read that Bible verse and I still remember it! Although I have lost my flexibility and gymnastics skills, I still love trying.

On our 2nd year in Mexico we found one of the only gym clubs in the city so I tried it out and it helped me to remember my abilities. I loved it even though I wasn't that good at it.

Now in Nicaragua it has been hard to find a gym club. So it makes practice difficult. I can't do the splits anymore, when a I do a cartwheel my leg muscles hurt and weird stuff like that.

My Dad has been watching a lot of youtube videos lately of a group of young Nicaraguan guys that can do flips and craziness. Dad has been watching them for at least a year and every time he does he says "I need to find these boys!"

Mother's day here is May 30th and at a poorer mall here (Plaza Las Americas), from time-to-time, there is folk dancing for families that go to the mall to watch and enjoy. Since it was mother's day, Mum HAD to go. So Mum, Dad, Jocasta, me, Lorenzy, Sezni, Rafael, and Billy got into the car and drove off.

Plaza Las Americas is at least an hour's drive away. The drive is always fast when Dad drives because he is a psycho driver! When we finally got there the mall was crowded. We were about to leave  to go to a friend's house, but decided to let the boys play and to eat at the mall.

The mall had a rock wall and some blow up castles for kids to play on. I went to sit down with Mum, Jocasta, Dad, and Lorenzy, and as soon as we sat down Mum said "hey look over there! I wonder what those guys are going to do... they look like they are warming up for something." As she finished 

speaking I looked up and two Nica guys started flipping in the mall! I was amazed!

Dad went over and asked if they wanted to work for the school because my Dad is just weird like that, and they accepted. They were the guys he was trying to stalk down. Dad brought them home and chatted with them and they both agreed with everything.

Three weeks have passed since that night, and they are still here, but nervously thinking of leaving forever. They need spiritual help but they are really good friends and now I can do some flips because of them.