Busy, busy!

I have not written in a long time. No, I did not fall off the face of the earth. I did not get sick. I did not get mugged or kidnapped. What I did do was start working!

Vacation ended last weekend, and I have been going non-stop since then. It's been great. I can't wipe the smile off my face. This is a slight problem because I don't want to encourage the men on the street, but I can't stop smiling because I feel so happy.

What has me so happy? Well, I'm almost done with my history and worldview classes, but that's not so joyful because I've been enjoying them, and I would have liked to dig into it deeper. But Tuesday, I started an internship/Spanish class/service-learning at the Nehemiah Center. I work with the Ezra Team, the national group of the Nehemiah Center. I thought that one day I would tell you all about the Nehemiah Center when I started my internship, but I haven't figured it out yet. So another day... haha

But my job: I work with the Ezra Team, doing what they need me to do. One aspect of my work with them is attending the workshops and conferences that they present and writing observations/reflections about them. This past week I went to one about HIV/AIDS. They told leaders of the churches in Managua about generalities about HIV/AIDS, and they'll follow up with another one in a month about a Biblical worldview on the issue. HIV/AIDS has become a widespread problem in Nicaragua, especially because of sexual promiscuity. It carries a great social stigma, and the Nehemiah Center is trying to teach the churches how to be places of hope and solidarity for the victims of the disease as well as educating their church members in order to avoid getting HIV.

Another part of my work involves the computer. The Nehemiah Center has "Congreso"s every year where they evaluate their work with the leaders of churches in different cities and encourage people to be agents of transformation. I made a directory of names of people who were most interested in different areas of capacitation from the Nehemiah Center. I also figured out the percentages of people's answers from 1-4 on a questionnaire about the changes that people and churches have undergone as a result of training from the Nehemiah Center.

Next on the list is creating a spreadsheet for a new area that the Ezra Team is working with, called Estelí, in the north of Nicaragua. I'm a bit intimidated because it will be a lot of work, but I'm glad to be of use to the people at the Nehemiah Center.

It is odd for me to be working there because they have been my "heroes" for a long time, since I came to Nicaragua two years ago. I think the Nehemiah Center has one of the best models for missions that I have seen, and I can't get over the fact that I actually belong there right now! I feel very grown up... Odd. But good.

Tonight, I'm having some girl bonding time with the Hannahs because we have missed each other! After being together for two weeks straight, we have been separated for a week, and it feels strange. So Hannah Ponstein is spending the night at my house, and we are going to catch up. Tomorrow morning most of us Dordt students are going to Roberto's church and house for lunch.

Roberto. I know that I have mentioned him before, but I would like to revisit this topic. Roberto is like our second-in-command. He is our main contact besides Alicia (program director) if there's a problem, and he is our contact in León. Because he lives in León, we commute to the Nehemiah Center together. He is my cousin through my host mamá. I have met his wife and two sons already. Roberto and I get along really well. The long bus ride offers us a chance to talk about a lot of things, and I would consider him a friend. I thank God for his presence in my life because talking to him puts me in a good mood, and he is willing to help me with anything - like traveling with me to and from Managua. So the social visit to his house tomorrow will be fun.

Thank God for good experiences. I have a lot to occupy my mind. I feel like there is always something I could do. In fact, I've had to turn my family down on some invitations lately because I need to focus on homework or something. Life is good. Rejoice with me!

But also remember those who are struggling. My papito - my mamá's father - is sick right now, something with his prostate. It's not getting much better, but the family wants to avoid surgery. Pray for wisdom, relief from pain, and healing for him. My church in Indiana has had several deaths, so pray for the congregation, please. They are being hit hard. Thanks for your support. I'm thankful to be part of the community of saints and the priesthood of believers.

The end of vacation...

I gave a brief summary of what we did in San Juan del Sur, but I thought I should expound on it a bit more. We three girls met up with the guys, and we stayed in a house in the mountains near San Juan del Sur. Although town was a half hour ride away, we could walk to several beaches.

The first beach we went to was Mayagual, where we had our surfing lessons. This beach was pretty empty because it is on a resort property. In the morning, we walked down the mountain, set up our umbrellas on the beach, and waited for our instructors. They brought our surf boards and taught us how to get up on the board. We practiced on land first, then we took our skills (or lack thereof) to the sea. During the 4 hours we were out there, I managed to ride a couple of waves. I never had a really good, in-control, long ride, but I had some success. I rode several waves into shore on my knees, I stood up several times but the wave ran out shortly, and a few times I caught a good one standing. They were long boards, so I just waited for the wave to break and stood as the momentum carried the board to shore. All in all, it was a very fun day!

The next day, our potential plans fell through. The boys decided to go to the beach and into town, but us girls stayed at the house. We had a relaxing time reading our homework and talking. We met up with the guys on the beach to watch the sunset. It was a great view, with rocks jutting into the sky and the clouds aflame with color.

It was a good experience. From our house, we saw monkeys. We got to cook for ourselves. I could dress however I wanted without worrying about whether or not my shirst was wrinkled (they dress much more neatly in Nicaragua, and they think Americans are sloppy - but I was a tourist so I could fulfill their expectations!). I had a great time talking with Hannah P and Hannah C, and I learned more about the guys in our group as well.

Regardless, I was happy to be back in Managua on Sunday night. The trip was taxing because we were always having to plan what we would do, haggle with taxi drivers (and usually ended up getting ripped off and spending more than we wanted), and be completely responsible for ourselves. It's nice to be back in the routine (or lack thereof) of school, as well.

Monday we had history class in the morning, and in the afternoon we had our worldview and transformational development class. I have been learning a lot from these classes and the readings, but I feel like we've barely gotten started! In reality, we only have one more class, and then the final at the end of the semester. Unfortunately, it seems these classes will stir the waters enough to muddy my thinking, but not hand the answers to life's problems back to me in a neat package at the end of the course.

This week will be challenging, I think. I already have a lot of ideas swirling in my head from the books we're reading. I think I will witness hard situations this week. Now we are in Costa Rica (after a day of traveling on a coach bus), and we are going to study Nicaraguan immigration here. Tomorrow we go to a Nicaraguan neighborhood in San Jose, and we will talk to Nicaraguans and work with Christ for the City programs. Thursday we have meetings with development groups. Friday is a sight-seeing day, and Saturday we return to Nicaragua. I am praying that God will give me strength to see hard things, and that I will have discernment to know what He is calling me to do about the problems I witness.

A few days ago I realized that I'm going to graduate in May. By then, I'll need to have some direction for the next step! Right now, I don't really know what that will be. As I read books and talk to people, I agonize over how God wants me to help others and how He wants to use me to solve some of the problems in the world. I start an internship/class with the Ezra Team at the Nehemiah Center next week, and I'm hoping this hands-on opportunity will help shape some of my thinking about the future. Please pray that I will be patient and wait for God's timing. Pray for those around the world who are suffering from injustice. Pray that we will all find the place and the task God is calling us to in order to be His agents of salvation in a broken world. Thanks.

Yeah Man

We on vacation!

Last Thursday (when I wrote that I was getting over dengue), we had our last class for over a week! Friday we went to the beach at Poneloya, about 20 minutes from Leon. I went with the Hannahs and their boyfriends, who were visiting on their break. We spent the night on the beach: swimming, watching the sunset, arguing whether or not that boat out there was a cruise ship, freaking out over all the little crabs on the beach (I was mostly the only one freaking out), and laying on our backs looking at the stars. It was a great weekend! We swam and walked a lot on Saturday, and others met up with us.

Sunday, I had bonding time with my papa. He, Alejandro (the 2 year old), and I were the only ones from my family who went to church. He played guitar to accompany all the songs, and I liked it. It was the first time I'd been to church with him. Afterwards, we ate lunch together at a comedor (he had traditional Nica soup, and I had roast chicken. Yum!), and I watched as he and Alejandro got their hair cut. I really enjoyed spending time with him because we don't see each other very much. We have an amiable relationship even though we don't know each other very well, though.

After getting back to the house on Sunday, I packed my stuff for 2 weeks and took a bus to Managua with the Hannahs, their boyfriends, John, and Daniel. John and Daniel got off the bus before us, and the rest of us got off and walked to the Nehemiah Center, where we spent the night. The boyfriends left the next morning at 5 a.m., and we girls took a taxi to the bus station at 9. A bus ride, taxi ride, ferry ride, and microbus ride later, we were at Hacienda Merida, our home for the next three days.

Hacienda Merida is on the island of Ometepe, in Lake Nicaragua. Hannah P, Hannah C, and I shared a room. We brought our own groceries, but we ate supper at the hostel's restaurant. The first night all three of us laid in a hammock together (they had HUGE hammocks!), and we saw some very large spiders. Like the size of a saucer... They freaked us out so the first night, I kept waking up and shaking my sheet, imagining spiders in my bed!

The next day, we were going to hike the extinct volcano Maderas, but after reading signs about how it took 10 hours, required a guide, and was a very difficult, we skipped it. Then we were going to hike to the San Ramon waterfall, but when we woke up in the morning, we decided we'd seen several waterfalls in Nicaragua, and it wasn't worth a 5 hour hike. So we relaxed, took a little walk, and swam in the lake.

The next day, we kayaked to Monkey Island in the morning. Everyone told us not to get close to the monkeys because they are aggressive, and we believed them! But we saw them, and we took pictures. :) At noon, we baked bread with the staff in the kitchen, and they let us try our handiwork - so we got free lunch! Then we embarked on a three hour tour...

We kayaked to the Rio Istiam, in between the two volcanoes on Ometepe Island. It took us about an hour and a half to get there, but we made pit stop so I could take a dip in the water. The river is actually more of a swamp, and we manuevered our way through plants, trees, and narrow passages. It was an interesting experience! We paddled back to Hacienda Merida, very tired because we were fighting the waves and wind, and relaxed that evening. The next morning, our microbus driver picked us up and we left the island.

Us girls had a great time hanging out together. I really appreciate the Hannahs. It is easy to lump them together because they have the same name, but they ARE actually different people, with different personalities. :) They have really blessed me here in Nicaragua, and we are becoming good friends. I could not have asked God to provide better companionship for this trip. I really enjoy spending time with them. We have our funny experiences, shared quotes, etc. Therefore, we have had a great break, hanging out with just the three of us.

Yesterday, we met up with some other guys. Evan, his friend Mike, and Alex, plus us girls, are at San Juan del Sur, a beach in southern Nicaragua on the Pacific. We have rented a house together, up in the mountains. Today we learned how to surf. Plans for tomorrow are pending. We go back to Managua on Sunday. I think that all in all, it has been a great break, and going with other students means that we are all scrambling to finish our homework!

So I'm thankful for good friends, good views, good times, and a good God!

P.S. The title is what Hannah, Hannah, and I say a lot on this trip. :)

The Saga Continues...to the end

I had dengue! I found this out after going to the doctor again yesterday. I woke up in the morning with weird blotches on my legs, and after they didn't fade or go away by lunch, I texted Maria, our nurse. She suggested I go back to the doctor. So I did.

I took a taxi all by myself, gave the directions to the office, waited for the doctor, and had a visit. He took my temperature, looked at my limbs, felt around a bit, and said it was the dengue leaving. He told me not to scratch (it's itchy), and keep drinking a lot.

Praise God! I had been feeling nervous, but I was glad to pay the doctor just to tell me I was getting better. :) It feels like quite the health saga, just emotionally. I was feeling afraid of what would happen, getting better or worse. I'm so thankful that my experience with dengue was minor, and that I'm getting better now! See, they call dengue the breakbone fever because it is very painful, and most people who have had it have been in the hospital with it. I only had sore muscles and a high fever one day!

And I'm better just in time because today begins our fall break! Tomorrow we are going to the beach, and we're going to spend the night there. On Sunday, the Hannahs, their boyfriends, and I will go to Managua. The boys go back to Dordt, and we chicas embark on an adventure to Ometepe, an island in Lake Nicaragua. Then Thursday we'll go to San Juan del Sur to meet up with the guys at a beach house and finish up the week there.

It will be exciting. We still have to plan the trip - good thing it's Nicaragua! :)

and in health!

Well, life never seems to go quite like I plan. I thought I would go to the finca on Saturday, but I didn't. I was tired, and I thought I would recover better if I just slept at home. So I stayed at the house, and throughout the day, I talked to a nurse who takes care of us Dordt students here - Maria. She took me to the doctor in the afternoon because I still had a fever. The doctor thought it might be dengue because I am taking pills to protect me against the other mosquito viruses. I wasn't sure because I only had a fever and fatigue, not severe muscle pain or other symptoms of dengue. The remedy for dengue is to drink a lot of gatorade and water, take tylenol, and rest. So, I did that. Sunday morning I went to the clinic for a blood test, and the doctor didn't say much about the results. If I continued to have a fever, I was supposed to get another blood test and see him again.

I was home alone Sunday afternoon. My family went out with a visitor, and I was able to have the house to myself. It was great! I enjoy being alone in the place I live, and this was the first time I've been home alone in Nicaragua. I was able to relax.

Thanks be to God, Monday morning the fever was gone! I went to class in Managua, and the fever hasn't returned. I'm so thankful because I was beginning to feel discouraged. I was sick because I had a fever, but I didn't really feel sick. It was a disconcerting state of health, not getting worse or better for days... Praise God for his healing touch!

Because of my illness, I wasn't able to join my class on a trip to Santa Maria and Somotillo today and tomorrow, but I think the rest will be good for me. This weekend starts our fall break, and then I will have a nice combination of relaxation and busyness, I think.

In Sickness...

Wednesday, I felt fine. In fact, Alex's host dad had just commented how I hadn't been sick at all because I was "fuerte" (strong). But then Thursday night, I was shivering, and I woke up sweating with a fever - 102 according to my disposable thermometer that I still had from the H1N1 breakout. So I stayed in bed, sick-sick-sick yesterday. When my fever was higher at night, I was afraid I would have to go to a clinic. I called the nurse who takes care of us students here, and she told me to push the fluids and try to stay cool. So, I did, and I felt better.

Thanks be to God, my fever was gone this morning! Throughout the day, it's risen a bit. I'm a bit nervous about a relapse, but I think I'm on the mend. Tomorrow I'll go to the finca with my mama so that the mother hen can keep an eye on her chick. :) God is good, and I'm thankful that I don't have more symptoms than the fever today. Please pray for health to be fully restored to me and the others in the group who are under the weather.