POST by LIZ: Staples

Always wanting to ensure I have ample amount of school supplies ready, I went to buy a box of staples at a local stationary store. 

Staples are a basic necessity for a high school teacher, they have many uses: they hold important papers together, they are a great asset for displaying important notices on the notice board, and they can even save a high school teacher major embarrassment by holding a shirt together when a button decides it’s time for a vacation (it´s a long story!)

So, I brought a box of staples, a BIG box, as I always have flustered students coming towards me looking like a tree with wild paper branches, seeking to borrow the stapler to bring order to their out-of-control essays.

I popped the brand new box of staples into my bag and went on my way.  A few days later I needed to reload my stapler.  I took out a stick of staples and inserted them into the stapler, and left the box in my bag.

I was happy stapling away: completed rubrics to essays, stapling students´ creative poems to the “WOW” board for all to enjoy, and using them to hem my frayed skirt (I was never a whizz with the sewing machine).

A few days passed and I needed to reload my stapler.  I reached into my bag to retrieve the box of staples, and to my horror I found that the lid of the box had opened! The “once sticks” of staples were now in fragments. I pulled out a handful of staples and tried desperately to insert the individual staples successfully into the stapler - but my efforts were useless!  I couldn´t use any of them - what a waste of staples.   

As I lamented the loss of the staples it started me thinking about spiritual matters. God wants His people to live in unity, like the stick of staples.  Unified staples are easy to insert into the stapler ready to use:  a stick of staples may all be used up to hold the same important paper together, or a stick of staples may be used for a variety of projects.  Regardless of the project, each staple has its own purpose.   

The sad fact is disunity amongst believers is common.  It is an all-too-well-known fact here in Nicaragua that missionaries often leave the mission field because of disagreements that occur with other missionaries. 

It´s like one staple, whose purpose is to hold together a very important document, then believes that all staples are to hold the same important document together, when in fact there are many different tasks for staples. 

As Christians, we must realise that God is calling his people to work in unity yet remember that unity does not refer to uniformity! Where would God´s people be today if we just started to appreciate and respect the extremely diverse tasks God gives to individuals instead of judging, condemning and basically expecting standardization.   

I do not believe we can complete the task God places before us in our own strength.  An individual staple is almost useless to the stapler if it breaks from the stick.  The staple has to go into the stapler and be pushed on in order for the staple to be effective.  

As I threw out the mass of individual staples I pondered on this analogy and prayed that I would be content with the destiny I have in God. I prayed I would appreciate that the “staples” next to me have a different purpose to fulfill and I prayed against the enemy´s plans to seek to kill, steal and destroy unity between God´s people.

Here are some scriptures that I´m dwelling on to help me stay focused and encourage me not to  allow myself to come out of protection and be broken…

Psalm 133:1 – How good and pleasant it is when Christians live together in unity!

I Corinthians 12:12-26 – The body is a unit… if the whole body were an eye, where would the sense be?...

Ephesians 4:1-3 - …I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Colossians 3:14 - …and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

1 Corinthians 13:4 - “Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one.
Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude;
never selfish, not quick to take offense.
There is nothing love cannot face;
there is no limit to its faith,
its hope, and endurance.
In a word, there are three things
that last forever: faith, hope, and love;
but the greatest of them all is love.”

Political: March in Managua, Demanding New Elections

The opposition had promised 80,000 protesters, demanding that the government host fresh elections, amidst claims of electoral fraud. There were 5,000. Either Nicaraguans really do want Daniel Ortega as President of Nicaragua, or they are too scared of violence or losing their jobs.

CLICK here to read article

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Social: Latinos Converting to Islam

Social: First Islamic Channel on Youtube

With the West focussing on economic issues, Islam is making headway in Latin America. Nicaragua is one of the first countries in Latin America to have a mosque, and there is a general acceptance of Islam in Nicaragua. There is now a channel on youtube dedicated to Islam in Nicaragua. Concerned? We should be. Nicaragua is extremely poor and open to all things political, social and religious, that will get them ahead.  

Political: Chavez of Venezuela, Buying Out Latin America

A regional summit, in Caracas, Venezuela, is excluding the US from talks and is being led by Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez. The goal of this summit is regional cooperation, and Venezuela has announced an array of intiatives, such as cheap oil, to draw in some of the region´s poorest nations.

CLICK here to read article

Political: Nicaraguans to March Tomorrow Against President Daniel Ortega

The opposition is to mobilise 80,000 Nicaraguans tomorrow, to protest the re-election of Daniel Ortega. The opposition has promised that the march will be peaceful but if the Sandanistas want violence, then there will be violence.

CLICK here to read article

POST by RAFFY: Love and Loss

Are you ready for the last story what I am going to tell you? Well I am going to tell you a story on the 29th of December. Here we go.

One sad day Lorenzy ,Sezni, Jed my dad, Billy, and me were going to pops. Lorenzy bought ice cream for us because she had the money. After the ice cream we were going home and we were also going close to Fran, and Liz our mom that’s when we had to stop. Lorenzy asked what happened?

Liz my mom said Lucky died she also said it with a sad face. Fran was about to cry because Lucky was her dog. We went to pops again. Fran had a BIG cup because she was sad.

Then our dad Jed had a great idea and he said it out laud so he said we can get a new dog for Fran. We liked idea. And we did it. We got a new dog for Fran.

So now we were a little bit sad and a little bit happy we were happy because we got a new dog we were sad because Lucky died.

First Fran named him river because Lorenzy had a bunny named river. After 2 minutes Fran looked in the internet Fran tipped names for dogs on Google the dog was a husky so she looked in husky names and she loved the name what was first and the name that was first was Cody. She loved the name so much that she called her dog Cody. 

POST by SEZ: Missing Mexico

I used to live in Mexico. In Mexico I played soccer with Carlos , Deray , and Jose.

I did a lot of stuff with my best friends in the whole wide world.

I played Mario Bros with Joel at his house.

I went to the movies with Joel s family at 8:30.

I played Star Wars with Hyun Sung and karate. I used to be so crazy in my mind with my crazy friend called Alex. I‘ve been crazy with my friends.

When we watched a scary movie called the secret weapon that’s when I fell off the chair and Alex said are you dead and I said ha no.

I remembered in Mexico I had the best team and we beated all the other teams. I remembered in Mexico from tasting Icecream with my friends. I remembered in a sound of a boy said wakadaka my teacher said what was that sound. I remembered seeing a color soccer team of Purple, Red, and Green.

Social: The Children of the Mercado Oriental

Nicaragua has the largest market in Central America, the Mercado Oriental. This market is host to a range of items for sale, though some of its sales force are school aged children. These kids should be in educational institutions, but are instead, from birth, working for the family business.

The following video has a "homemade" quality about it, but does showcase the range of kids ages and the areas the children work. The Mercado Oriental also has many brothels, some offering children´s services.

CLICK here to watch video

Political: A Detailed Look at Nicaragua´s President´s Track Record

There is no doubt that the World is very much divided over Daniel Ortega´s 2011 electoral victory. However, the progress Daniel´s government has made over his past term, despite horrendous economic data in most other countries, reflects progress for Central America´s biggest country.

CLICK here to read article

Political: Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism in Latin America

The following video is not representative of how the Brien family feels about the USA. However, important issues to leftist Latin Americans (specifically many people from ALBA countries) are raised and these sentiments are representative of how many Latin Americans currently feel. 

To our family, the issues raised in this video are quite interesting. In Mexico few of the problems mentioned in this movie were discussed with us by nationals. However in Nicaragua and El Salvador we have had many discussions with locals who do not feel that capitalist systems of government are functioning effectively in Latin America, and subsequently many Latin Americans governments are moving away from systems, which in Latin America, tend to prefer the wealthier classes.  

Our Local Rural Nicaraguan Church

In our latest video we´ve featured our local Church, here near Cedro Galan. The needs of this poor community are chronic. The people are unemployed, uneducated, and unmotivated. It´s the cycle of rural poverty in Nicaragua.

POST by RENZY: Onomatopoeia

So last Monday when we were in our homeschooling time, I could not think of anything to write about. I was trying really hard to think of something spectacular to write about but I just could not think of anything. That was when Billy inspired me. What he did was not fantastic but at least it is something.

It started when I was thinking of something to write about and Billy was in lala land drawing a picture. Every two minutes he would stop and say to me “Lala look. Look lala.”(Lala is what Billy calls me). When he was finished, he showed Francesca and I. Then he went to show my dad but he showed him the back of the paper. Dad did not realise because he was too busy with his work on the computer.  He realised it was the wrong way when Francesca said “Billy it is the wrong way. Dad cannot see the picture.” We all started laughing, even Billy. Then we went back to work.

A few minutes later Sezni yelled “BOOM!” and then Francesca said “Do you know what that is called? It is called onomatopoeia.” Then she sang a song from Winnie the Pooh that has the word onomatopoeia in it. Billy heard what she was singing and started to sing it too.

He sang it for the rest of the day. When mum got home from work, Billy was still singing the onomatopoeia song. When mum heard it she was shocked. She started to laugh and said “Who showed him that song?” then we all started laughing again.  

Social: A Beaut Outcome for the People of Rocky Point

Culture: Proof that These Kids have Music in Their Blood...

POST by LIZ: Self-Indulgence

I´ve always thought of myself as someone who gives unconditionally to my family, who would lay down my life for my kids, but even I have been shocked by my selfishness and deceitful ways during these three and a half years that I´ve lived in a developing country, away from my comforts.

From the moment I became pregnant I became subordinate.  I gave up my body to store my precious babies, embracing the stretch marks; viewing them as an antonym of the word ´ugly´, because they represented the ´life´ occurring beneath them.

I became conscience of what I ate and drank – perhaps this was largely due to my first gynecologist, who broke the news of my first pregnancy by grabbing my size 10 waist and saying, in her ´I´m-a-doctor-listen-to-me´ tone of voice, “remember  - you still eat for one okay – only one, you hear!” and then came the sleepless nights – OH! Those sleepless nights need I say more?  

As my precious ones grew, I found myself changing my life for them.  Instead of saying yes to the wild party ways one experiences in college, I found myself attending five-year old birthday parties - which would definitely fit into the “wild” party category, and would take days for me to recover from due to sheer physical exhaustion!  I would give up my half-eaten-warm-butter-melted-lightly- covered-in-Vegemite toast for a blurry eyed child who just awoke to a new day.  

A family movie often resulted in huge sacrifices: giving up the luxury of spreading out on the lounge in order to make room for little elbows and toes, and losing the rights to snuggle under the blanket with my beloved watching a chick-flick (Jed´s choice of course!).  Instead I allowed my offspring to have enough blanket while they watch an age-appropriate movie such as Bambi.

Just at the part where Bambi softly says, “I´m awfully hungry mother.” I´d blindly reach into the popcorn bowl to find only kernels left. Then I´d look over to see my children´s cheeks stuffed like they belonged to a hamster and the mother´s day choccies devoured before my very eyes.    

Did this bother me? Not really – YES, they were sacrifices but after all, I had the local shops just a mere two minute walk away to restock my comforts.

But now the rubber has hit the road!  I am in a country where Vegemite, Cadbury´s and anything that can be classed as decent chocolate, does not exist.  Okay, so there is Hershey´s, but seriously, I cannot bring myself to the place where this substance, which tastes like someone has vomited in my mouth, could be classed as chocolate!  Needless to say, it´s sufficient for my kids and even my husband for that matter, but for me there is just one chocolate and that is CADBURY´S.  

I am constantly surprised at my reaction when some loving soul brings it upon themself to send a “care packet” my way which contains a block of Cadbury´s – “what type?” it doesn´t matter what type – any Cadbury´s is Cadbury´s! 

When I first received this sacred package I realised it had been 3 months since the last time I had tasted real chocolate!  I proudly presented the DHL pack to my family proclaiming that the Lord had placed us on the hearts of another and was blessing us for our efforts so far.  

We were so excited to receive anything from the outside world - we opened the paper vessel in awe like it was some treasure chest containing gold, and I shared out the block piece by piece, watching as my kids and husband swallowed  it down like baby birds devouring a worm offered by their mother.   

In less than 5 seconds, and only personally consuming 2 pieces of the 500gram packet, it was all over, though I tried to savor the taste for hours after by not eating or drinking anything which would contaminate my taste buds´ memory of the chocolate.

The next package arrived 4 months, 1 week, 3 days, 7 hours, 29 minutes and 44 seconds after the first.   This time I wised up and opened it when Jed left for the gym and after I had confirmed that the children had entered that unconscious level of sleep. (I checked their sleep levels by banging Sezni´s bass drum and observing for any reaction).

I carefully, and s l o w l y , unwrapped the purple foil. Not wishing to make a sound.  Sweat forming across my brow, fear surrounding me. Knowing full well that the slightest sound of the wrapper would awaken the four chocolate monsters from their slumber.   

Safe!  I allowed the chocolate to slide down into my digestive system like it was velvet.  The taste was divine.  It was like the world stopped spinning.  I should save some for the kids – for Jed.

JED… suddenly I could see the lights from his motorbike reflect on the window.. HIDE IT.. argh – sheer panic stuck my body – I knew Jed would gulp down this edible gold like it was just chocolate! 

I wrapped it up the best I could, given the time constraint, and threw it into my undies draw.   I had no time to take a breath before Jed bounded in, swooped me up and kissed me. 

Uh oh.. there had been no time to brush the evidence away! “CADBURY´S!!!” he excitedly said like a Labrador puppy wagging his tail. “where is it?” his eyes glistening…  and like a sniffer dog used to detect illegal drugs at the airport, he found the half wrapped substance within seconds.

“Noooooooo” I shrieked and my arms and legs moved in slow motion towards him,   but it was too late, I had already lost two pieces.  Suddenly, 1, 2, 3, 4 heads popped into view… the monsters had stirred, and were ready for action. 

“Mum!” – well, actually it was more like “Mom!” – “how could you?” they cried. I did feel ashamed of myself!  How could I? but I could and I did – or attempted to anyways! 

I´d like to say that the next time I received some Cadbury´s I was changed, but alas, I cannot lie. I could continue telling you of my shameful acts of keeping treasured comforts sent from afar for my sole purpose, but I fear you´d judge me too harshly.

I´m learning that I am selfish, and not just when it comes to chocolate. I´m seeing that when I had Cadbury´s available at my finger-tips, I took it for granted like many other comforts and luxuries I once classed as basic necessities.  

Living here in this poverty stricken country, I am constantly confronted with the haves and the have nots.     Not having totally sucks! Excuse the coarse language, but it´s true.  

Seeing those who are deprived of education, food and proper health is just overwhelming – but how do you eat an elephant? One mouthful at a time.  My daily prayer is that I will push my selfish desires to the side and do my utmost to share what I have with others – even if that means sharing my Cadbury´s. 

Political: Sexual Violence in Nicaragua

With Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega doing so much for the poor, it is difficult to comprehend that he has molested his step-daughter for over twenty years. However, he has axed spending on social reforms that benefit female victims of domestic violence, has abandoned processes that aided women in making complaints about sexually violent crimes, and was made immune from prosecution by Sandanista judges.

CLICK here to read more

Social: La Fem Working with Rural Women in Nicaragua

La Fem, a non-government organisation, is working with rural women in Nicaragua, and assisting them to be proactive about their future. Activities they are involved in include education, loans, training, healthcare and more.

CLICK here to learn more

Tourism: Flora and Fauna

Nicaragua is arguably one of the MOST beautiful countries in the World. This video shows some of the natural beauty of Nicaragua's Flora and Fauna.

CLICK here to watch video

POST by FRAN: An Ode to My G-String

Last year after 7^th grade exams was summer, obviously, but before summer I had to fill in a white piece of paper that said what alternative classes I would like to be in when I got to 8^th grade. I picked intro guitar for the first semester and choir for the second semester.

It had been my dream to learn to play the guitar and my point is that I’ve learned and have been playing for at least four months, and I’m still playing, and I love it. It is exciting , but it’s difficult! I’m dedicated to play with my family and friends at church or at youth group.

My instrument is an ordinary nylon guitar, a very cheap nylon guitar! It has three metal strings and three plastic, six strings in total.

As I already said: guitar is exciting, but difficult; most of the hard part is tuning this funny shaped piece of wood! I just can’t hear if the guitar sounds the same as the piano. I try really hard to get it right, I even change the piano setting to a nylon guitar setting and I still can’t get it!

Last week I was trying my hardest to get the instrument tuned to practice a song called la bamba. I got so frustrated that my Mum snatched the guitar out of my hands and said “oh, let me!” (My Mum is working on exams for school in the same room, and she couldn’t take it much longer) 

“Play E, Fran” she muttered as she played the first string to the top of the guitar. She gasped as a beautiful E sound came from the piano and a rather horrid B-miner sound came from the guitar, it was disgusting!

Mum managed to get the top three metal strings tuned and was going to do the other three plastic strings. She played the middle string and at that second as she turned the pin once: “PING!” Oh, that onomatopoeic sound made my heart skip five beats!

Mum yelled “OUCH!!!” and almost dropped the stubborn, wooden instrument! The third plastic string up, G, had snapped! I knew I would never love another guitar again… until the string was replaced.

RIP G string, you made my music sound good!   

Political: Nicaragua Pointing Fingers at Costa Rica again

Daniel Ortega is once again stirring the pot with Costa Rica. This time it´s over a 130km road that is being built on Costa Rican soil, by the Rio San Juan (owned by Nicaragua, but with navigational rights for Costa Ricans).

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Political: 900 Firearms Bound for Nicaragua Confiscated in Mexico

There´s one thing that Nicaragua doesn´t need - guns. It´s a good thing that a ship bound for Nicaragua, with hidden firearms aboard, was stopped in Mexico, with hidden items confiscated.

CLICK here to read article

Economic:Nicaraguan Government Working on Supply of Food for Citizens

The Nicaraguan Government is unveiling a host of economic policies aimed at reducing poverty and malnutrition for its citizens. A Russian ship has recently arrived with tones of wheat, enough to supply the country with bread for 3 months. Millions of dollars from the private and public sector are being funneled into effective agricultural practices on the land. And now the government is importing chicken, to place downward pressure on prices.

CLICK here to read article

POST by JED: A Tongue of Praise...

On Thursday we partook of thanksgiving with our Nica “families”, celebrating a ritual that holds little significance for our immediate family. We zipped from Gringo folk at the rich end of town, to Gringo folk at the poor end of town. Nicaragua worked, played and slept, unknowingly, through the entire, glutinous, lethargic affair.

Though our tongues are firmly pressed against our cheeks, we really are grateful to the Gringo community. For they have pulled us into their family affairs and make us feel special during moments which should make us feel far from home (even though for us, this was NOT one of those occasions…).

On Friday we had the youth group over for dinner, which was a HOOT and a half. The pool and basketball area received quite the workout. Whilst eating dinner and chatting with the youth group leaders, the power went off, and on, and off, and on, and off, and on and off again (VIVA Nicaragua!). Again, God has put some terrific people around us, and we feel very blessed.  

On Saturday our family helped the Church folk clean and paint their building (this project involved washing plastic chairs, cleaning the rust off of the bars that act as windows in the Church´s building, and then paining the “windows” black).

For me this was a tumultuous affair. On the outside I was simply shining Jesus everywhere… On the inside I was giving myself quite the what-for (I demanded TOTAL submission from my body: Clean faster! Work harder! Get that rust off now! Look at the 84 year old pastor, she´s finished 2 windows by herself and YOU´VE ONLY DONE ONE BAR!!! My stubborn self: But couldn´t I just pop over to town and relax over a latte for 25 minutes? My slave-master self: You heathen, wretched, frump of a man!!! Pull yourself up, (stubborn self) I´M UP, (slave-master self) suck your stomach in, (stubborn self) TOO HARD, (slave-master) now WORK IT SISTER, WOOOORK IIIIIIIIT!!! )!

Then in the evening we enjoyed a service in our nice, clean Church building. I sat by my three bars and admired them for the ENTIRE service.

On Sunday, today, we practiced our instruments and rehearsed our singing. Our pastor had requested on Saturday night that we sing tonight in Church. Our pastor, this dear old lady, will retire at the end of the year. She’s pooped.

Today went fast. Elizabeth and I both had mountains of work to do. The kids enjoyed taking time-out after so many days of eating, playing, conversing, late nights, too much fun, etc.

We drove to Church along the old dusty road. People were out in the cool of the evening, getting somewhere, though taking their time in arriving. The kids sat on the roof of the car as we drove, ducking the trees’ branches and greeting the people as we passed. Every now and then we’d pick up one of our fellow brethren, who was also heading to Church.

When we arrive, the Church members are smiling. We are the only Church folk who arrive on “wheels”. I think our transportation is peculiar to them. Perhaps it´s the kids on the roof? They always smile at us through furrowed brows. It’s like they’re happy to have us, but wonder why we´re unable to walk the 3 kms each way (Not 10 meters of the distance is flat. It´s not the getting there that is difficult, it´s the return. Who wants to walk a long distance, at night, after 3 - 4 hours of Church, with five tired children, over hills, on a bumpy dirt/mud road…).

We grab our instruments and head on in. We have a practice, which turns into the opening number. Liz and I are furiously trying to iron out the wrinkles of our songs, when we realise that the Church is full, and people´s furrowed brows, must now be permanently indented on their faces, they are THAT obvious to us. We take our seats.

In time, we get up to sing again, and what a marvelous time we have. Liz opens and does quite the trick. We all join in and belt out our heart-felt praise to God, and then again, take our seats. The congregation clearly love us, they´re only human, as they praise our efforts and furiously thank us for contributing to the worship of God in Heaven above, through this our local Church.

They also ask Sez to return to the drum-set, something we´re all quite unprepared for (furrowed brows returning, though this time they´re gracing our faces…). They start up with their particular brand of praise and worship songs, and we all join in. I´m clapping madly and enjoying the moment, when I look over to Sez and abruptly realize that it´s back… THE TONGUE!!!

I´m not talking about the Pentecostal tongue. I´m talking about the tongue of the mouth! That wobbly, slimy thing that we all share in common, though don´t too commonly share. It´s out and about like a loose cannon, though with no object of intention, it´s flipping and flopping, back-and-forth, over and under, like the tongue of a great horse. My heart stops it´s beating.

I remember as a child, my great-grandmother would greet me with such a thing. I´d be so excited to see “Nana”, I loved her Darth Vader impersonations! She´d talk ever-so-slowly and breathe like Darth. Her tongue would go out so far, that I dreamt she was part frog. The warm embrace upon arrival, would always involve a dog-like kiss (plenty of tongue, which is scary for any 5 year old) and to this day I don´t know why she breathed the way she did. BUT, I loved her all-the-more for her personality and the way she´d relate, via her retractable tongue.

My father continued the legacy. It used to repulse me and yet I couldn´t look away. He´d be playing squash, or a similar manly sport, and that TONGUE! It never gave up!! Why did it have to humiliate us all so!!!? There were many occasions whence the tongue would grace it´s presence. From driving the car, to preaching, to fixing things, and completing repetitive tasks. It always arrived to say hello and whilst I never learned to love my Dad´s tongue, I have since come to grow accustomed to it.

For me, the first humiliating experience arrived as I was sawing a piece of wood. I was 11 or 12 years old at the time. My good friend Andrew was with me. As I was sawing away he made a joke about my tongue, and then I realised. I had the same hideous beast of a tongue, as my father and great grand-mother. At that time, right there and then, I dropped to my knees and begged the God of Heaven, if he really existed, not to allow this human deficiency to be passed on to my offspring.

Well God does exist, but he doesn´t always answer our prayers in the way we might expect.

For there, right before me, was that same insidious tongue given to me. Sez, with all the concentration he could muster, was beating out a rhythm, courtesy of that rhythmic assistant, Sez´s mouth muscle.

But, it wasn´t as cruel and hideous as in previous generations. This tongue was handsome, strong and gifted. And though it made him look part-goose, it also made him endearing. Upon reflection, it added, rather than detracted, from the mighty beat that Sez was omitting. And it made my heart praise our God all-the-more. “My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long.” (Psalm 35:28) I like to think that the Brien family takes the scriptures VERY seriously…

CLICK here to watch Raffy practising the piano

Political: US provides financial support for destabilisation in Nicaragua

The US, a fairly capitalistic democratic society, has long taken political issue with Nicaragua for its arguably less than democratic communistic/socialistic values and political system. However, the US has a long history of imposing it´s value systems on others, and this is no less the case in Nicaragua. From mining Nicaragua´s harbour, to funding a decade long civil war, to sponsoring destabilisation plans, the US continues to interfere with the political framework of Nicaragua.

CLICK here to learn more

Social: Women´s Health in Nicaragua

In Nicaraguan society, a myriad of problems exist in relation to healthcare for women. In many cases women do not choose when they have children, or how many. Girls as young as 9 years old give birth to babies, as incest and rape are prevalent. Some organisations, from Nicaragua and abroad, are taking action. However, not enough is being done.

CLICK here to learn more

Tourism: Volcano Boarding

Check out what it´s like to board on the World´s most active volcano. Invented by an Aussie, volcano boarding is apparently heaps of fun...

Political: Massive Election Protest on December 3

Nicaragua´s opposition party is mobilising 80,000 people, on December 3, to send a message to President Daniel Ortega, and the World, that they want free and fair elections in Nicaragua. The government will more than likely try to inhibit efforts.

To read article CLICK here

Political: The World in Economic Meltdown, leftist Latin Countries Moving Ahead

An interesting article/blog about the benefits of fair trade, cooperation and solidarity between leftist Latin American countries, breaking ties with powerful debt ladened countries such as the USA, UK and Germany, and creating synergies and alliances for the betterment of Latin Americans.

To read this article CLICK here

Political: Nicaragua Seeks Friends in Asia

Whilst most of the World is turning their back on the new/old Nicarguan Government, some are extending a welcoming hand. Who´s the latest? Good ol´ Vietnam.

To read this article CLICK here

POST by SEZ: Thanksgiving Dinner in Nicaragua

Hi its Sezni. Im going to tell you a story about a thanksgiving dinner I had.

One day I went to the Kolbs house for a Thanksgiving dinner. When we got there I was playing hide and seek, then I was tired of playing hide and seek so I went on their D.S.

I got characters for Raymond on star wars. I know how to win all the levels, but not level five. I played on the D.S.I for just a while and in a while I got Dark Vader.

I needed more characters, General Grievous cost 8,000 coins, but I got his guards. I was on the D.S.I for an hour and we still didn’t have almost all the characters, we only had a hundred more characters left.

I had played levels one, two, three, four, and six, but not level five it’s very hard to play, and no one has ever won it.

I ate turkey, bread, Ice cream, and all those types of food, but I didn’t just eat three foods at the thanksgiving dinner.  

Now that is how I spent my thanksgiving.

POST by RAF, A Day in the Tree

Rafael is talking again. You know Rafael Brien. This Friday and The next Friday I am going to tell you a story. So sit back and enjoy. Here we go.

Another exiting day Lorenzy, Sezni, Fran and I were playing on a tree that was super-duper big,  But the tree needs more things added to it, like a name, more decorations, a thing to get up like a ladder, maybe you can read in it, And we can look inside our stockings at Christmas, and maybe fairy lights. Anyway let´s go back to our story. Shall we? Okay.

So we did all the things I just told you about the tree. All of the things, except I didn´t go on the tree so much. But we enjoyed it. So we named it the fun tree. And we made swings and lorenzy did things to get up like a ladder or a rope with my brother sezni.

And I looked if it looked fun. The end. Now I am going to tell you a Bible Verse that I invented Psalms 1 thru 20. The Lord is so good that he made us in he´s hands. He is also warm in heaven and

Not painful so if you know the lord you know he´s word and the bad angles attack and the good protect so you not be painful to if your in the good sid. Thanks for reading good bye.

Social: Keeping Crime Off the Streets

In Nicaragua, the crime rate is steadily increasing. Drugs are transported from South America to North America via Nicaragua. However, Nicaragua is fighting a battle to reduce the number of gangs on the streets and to keep crime rates low.

To watch this report CLICK here

Political: Nicaragua Heading for a Power Struggle

In this latest article, it is argued by former comrades that Nicaragua´s President, Daniel Ortega, will become just like Nicaragua´s previous dictators, the Samoza family, and will eventually be ousted in an ugly power struggle.  

Click Here to Read Article

Social: A Man is Arrested in Granada for Crimes against Children

Unfortunately, Granada, the oldest city in Latin America and a picturesque place in Nicaragua´s south, is also home to many of the World’s pedophiles. Most go undetected, as Granada is a cheap place to live and pedophiles are able to prey on the poor and the innocent. 

However, at times there are arrests, as in the following article details. Please pray for Nicaraguan children, that the government would pool greater resources to combat these filthy crimes against their country’s weakest and most vulnerable. 

The Sun´s Article: Former Durham resident, convicted rapist, arrested for child porn in Nicaragua

Social: Check out These Kids

Watch the following 2 videos. These kids have to be some of the cutest and most talented kids I´ ve ever seen. They need support and love, the right kind of love. Check out the videos and note how these kids have clearly been exposed to adult concepts at too early an age. Pray for the kids of Central America!

POST by RENZY

Hey, it’s me again. Today I am going to tell you about something extraordinary that happened to Francesca, my mum, Sezni, some local people, their horse, and me.

Last Saturday My Mum, Sezni, Fran and I were all taking a walk because it felt like a good day so we wanted to be outdoors. We were walking down our street. Our street is a dirt road with lots of hills and bumps.  

Something you might need to know is that down our street we have a lot of really big steep hills. Now because of that, it is hard for a skinny horse to take a big cart full of wood up a really steep hill. I know because I’ve walked up and down it a million times.

Ok, now I shall tell you my story. So we were on our way home from taking a walk and we were going up a big, steep hill. Halfway up the hill we saw that some local people’s cart AND horse had fallen over because it was such a big hill and the horse was such a small horse with a lot of wood in the cart.

All the wood had fallen out of the cart and onto the ground but some were still tied to the cart. So we offered to help them. They needed to get all the wood off of the ground and off of the cart and then lift the cart up and then put the wood back onto the cart.

So we helped them and it was sort of fun because I like helping people and lifting the cart was fun just because it was. When we got the cart up right, we started to put the wood on. The man said to us “I think we should take two trips to make it easier for us and the horse. We should do it also so that the cart will not fall over again.”  I think that it was a very wise thing to do.

The man said that we should put the rest of the wood to the side so that people will be able to pass if they are in a car or a truck. That also was a wise thing to do. When we got enough wood to go on top of the cart and put it on, we saw two other people with carts. They were coming our way and when they got to us, they offered to help. That way they did not need to make any more trips. 

So the wood we had put to one side we put on the other carts. It was funny but nice that they offered to help. It seems like everyone knows almost everyone in Cedro Galan (where I live) because it is sort of small town.  I like it. And now my friends, this is the ending of my extraordinary journey.

POST by FRAN

Well, as you probably know already from reading my dear daddy’s post that my dog, Lucky, passed away on Monday 21^st at 2:50… how do I know this you might be asking… well, I will tell you.

It was not a good day for me on that particular Monday; you know Mondays are always stressful! I was sick with a stomachache, I had a weird rash all over my arms and face and I was about to receive the biggest shock of my life… death.

I had read at least two entire hours of Wrinkle in Time, a book about a girl whose father has gone missing, but that’s not the point!!! I had fallen asleep on my bed and I was woken with a soft voice “Emmm… Francesca…”it was my empleada. I wearily opened my eyes and she continued “Emm… La Perra se murio…” (TRANSLATION: The dog has died)

I was thinking ‘she probably means a dog on the street’ so I follow her outside and my heart skipped at least four beats when I realized that the dog she was talking about was MY dog… LUCKY!

There she was lying there, getting stiffer and stiffer by the second. I walked over to her, I wanted to touch her, but she was covered in flies. Blood was coming from her mouth… I don’t know what she died of but I know that she lived a good life.

I remember when my dad had to carry her home on his bike when we first got her, because she was recovering from surgery. I remember that I got in trouble because she had wondered off and I went after her. I remember when the gate was left open and she had ventured out and was waiting by a trash can until we came looking for her. I remember how she always felt like she was a human baby. And how we won 2^nd place in the pet show! She was amazing!!!

Rest in peace my old and faithful friend! I loved her so much! Now I’m crying!

But the happy thing is that we found a man who gave a husky puppy to us… I called him Cody. He is a beautiful creature, he is two months old and he is a pretty good shoefiller for Lucky. He has two different coloured eyes! One eye is a light blue and the other brown. Well, See you next week!