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| 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.
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| 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.
