Re-entry into Nicaragua

After a whirlwind tour in North America during the month of September, I was ready for my normal life again. Don't get me wrong - it was a great trip. However, I drove roughly 2,000 miles, flew a distance of 1,735 within North America, and didn't stay longer than 4 consecutive days in one town. I presented in three churches, spoke with leadership of six others, and introduced myself in a few college classes. Visits with family and friends filled the rest of my time though I did squeeze in a few days of housecleaning and carpentry. At the end of the month put my logistics skills to use as a bridesmaid for one of my best friends from my time at grad school. By the end of the month, I felt like a chicken with my head cut off, and I was ready to return.

Nicaragua greeted me with muggy heat. The nights have cooled off since I left, and it gets dark earlier. The skies are often overcast with the seasonal rains (thank the Lord!) and the smell of water evaporating off the pavement mixed with fresh manure dropped from oxen going to market fills my nose. Occasionally the scent of jasmine or some other flowers wafts through the air, or food cooking on a barbecue. Buses honk as if to market their presence to passengers while the cars give a friendly beep to alert others of their presence. Motorcycle engines rev loud as they speed past and semi-truck transmissions growl through their gears. Vendors (mostly women) call out their wares in words difficult to distinguish: tortillas, atol, papaya, mousetraps... I'm eating rice and beans again, fresh fruit juices and iced coffee. Hanging clothes on the line and washing the small stuff by hand. Riding my bike or public transportation everywhere I need to go. Paying with cash instead of a card. Rocking in a rocking chair, typing away on a computer, watching the hummingbird visit our bush that's more like a tree. It's good to be back.

The sensory experiences welcome me, but so do the people. My first week back in Nicaragua I was tied up in an organizational evaluation of the Nehemiah Center so I was in Managua a majority of the days. It was great to be back with the Ezra Team and other colleagues of the Nehemiah Center, but I didn't feel like I was really back. I stayed near Managua for a week so that I wouldn't have to travel so much. Finally on Wednesday I returned to León and started catching up with life here. I've been meeting with my bosses, talking to fellow Cohort members, and visiting pastors and communities. Last night I went to IMPACT Club for the first time, and several youth showed up that I didn't expect to come. It's been good to return to Nicaragua. I'm encouraged by people's welcoming smiles, comfortable with my life, and expectant for the future.