J.

Today, was a great day back in the community.

We had our family time this morning, in which we debriefed each other on the week. These times are always special, and tomorrow will be our last morning all together as Barbara is leaving on Friday. Barbara brought $40 with her to bless the youth with a special "something," and we had a brainstorming session to decide what the "something" would be. We decided on having a fun food game night after the service this evening. We'd play crazy games like "Chubby Bunny," the "saltine cracker and whistle game," "eat a donut off a string without using your hands", the "egg rolling contest," and lastly a game where u stuck half an oreo on your forehead and tried maneuverer it into your mouth by contorting your face and wriggling your eyebrows.

Lisa, Barbara, and I walked to Pali (local grocery store) in Chichi Gulpa to buy the supplies for the games.

After spending some time with the kids, everyone filed into the living room for a "meeting." There had been some drama in the community surrounding the dance team. Everyday, a group of kids from the youth group had met to learn and practice dances that would be used for evangelism. These kids started the team by themselves and the leader was a seventeen year old guy named Jovanny. He has an obvious gift in dance and in leadership. Trouble arose, however, when jealously and gossip crept into the team. Jovanny was really hurt by the rumors and disrespect he received. He was on the point of leaving the church and dancing elsewhere. The Lord can take any scheme of the Enemy and turn it into good, however. While Diego took Jovanny aside and heard his side of the story, the youth met in the living room to discuss the problem. I saw openness, patience, and most importantly humility from the youth members as they talked it out for two hours. Then when Jovanny came in to the room, a few brave souls tearfully repented and asked Jovanny to forgive them. It was a wonderful process to witness. Linda and Tommy facilitated the meeting, teaching the youth how to reach healing and release bitterness that causes dissension in the church body. If the kids hold on to these truths and apply them to their lives like they did tonight, the rising generation of the New Song Church will be powerful and will make a great impact on Candelaria.

After a short break, Lindsay lead the youth service. It was her last youth service here for a long time. On Monday she leaves and will be travelling with a missions organization all over the world for eleven months. Pray for her as she makes her transition from her home here and prepares for her adventure around the world. She will be greatly missed by the community here.

When Lindsay finished sharing her heart, the games began; everyone had a blast stuffing their faces with marshmallows and using their noses to roll an egg across the ground.

Three more people will be joining the team tomorrow so more excitement awaits.... Pray for easy transitions and team unity.

I.

Home again! ...because this really has become home for me.

It will be hard to express in words all the good times, amazing sights, and feelings of awe the past two days have held. But, here goes nothin'!

Whitney, Meg, and Brianna (the new arrivals) slept over here on Sunday night and traveled along with Diego, Barbara, and I to Leon Monday morning. No rush, just ready for a chill weekend, hanging out. The girls went to their hostel to "freshen up" while Diego, Barbara, and I dropped our bags off at the Gable's house, where we'd be staying the night. Then, the three of us headed out on foot into the streets of Leon. Diego acted as a very effective tour guide and translator as we passed beautiful buildings with crumbling architecture and wondered through markets filled with new smells, most of which were not pleasant.

We got lunch at a sports grill/bar place where the World Cup was playing on a flat screen TV. It was also a good place to chill waiting for the afternoon shower to pass. I got to watch my first WC game in Nica among Brazilian fans donned in yellow jerseys and beating on little drums. Brazil smoked Chili 4-0. Woop!

Then, Jesus allowed about an hour of sunshine enabling Barbara and I to tour the largest Cathedral in Central America. It was huge... beautiful despite its mold and moss covered condition. Nicaragua does not have the funds for proper maintenance so the exterior part of the building is deteriorating in a big way. But I think it makes it all the more beautiful. Barbara and I climbed all over it... all the way to highest point on the roof. It was absolutely stunning! I couldn't take enough pictures to portray the experience, though I tried.

Next, we rejoined the other three girls at their place. Diego and Barbara stayed to visit with an American couple who moved down here 5 weeks ago, while "us girls" went to the local movie theater to see The Book of Eli. Daddy, even though you already told me the entire plot, I enjoyed it thoroughly! We all had a great time hanging out. I'm glad to have made a new connection with Whit, Meg, and Bri, because soon my team will be moving on.

Barbara and Diego met up with us at the pizza place and we enjoyed some great pizza! After that, we headed to bed, excited for the beach the next day.

Playa Roca (Rock Beach) was our destination for the day. We rode a bus... and another bus... and a truck to get there. The waves were huge and the current was extremely strong. Someone had actually died there being swept away by the current. But we found a safe-ish stop to play around and then went and sat in a thatched roof, beach-side restaurant to enjoy fresca and hamburgers. We finished the day gazing at the amazing sunset and daring surfers. Then we found a truck... and a covered wagon type vehicle to take us back to Leon. From there Diego, Barbara, and I went to the bus station. Barbara and I watched Diego play pool until a bus was ready to leave for Candelaria.

So... that was our weekend adventure. Now, for a busy week as the original team transitions on and the new family emerges.

"H" for 'hair'

Today I got my hair "did!" Diego, Barbara, Gato (Marvin), and I ventured out into Candelaria to find a lady who braids hair. We found her and proceeded to sit in her doorway for the next three hours as she pulled at our scalps and tied our brains up. I feel like someone from Star Wars, but I love it. Ha. Barbara is probably one of the coolest ladies I've met! She bravely allowed her gorgeous curly hair to be pulled into little tight braids that dangled around her ears. What a great experience!

onlookers (laughing at our hair):

BARBARA!!:

Diego's turn:

Lindsay and Lisa threw together a perfect Italian dinner, complete with bread and olive oil. Fettuccine Alfredo never tasted so good! Tomorrow, we're making American food for some of the boys... Tomato soup, grilled cheese, and apple pie with ice cream! I can't wait! :)

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I got to ride a motorcycle through the village!

G.

Days are starting to pass very quickly, yet each day brings something entirely new. Today, three young girls arrived from the States and they will be here until August 14. They are staying in Leon and will ride the bus in each day. They bring the arts, dancing, and drama to bless the community. Thursday three more people come to stay on the property, and Barbara leaves to go home on Friday. Barbara and I have become good friends and I will miss her presence in the dorms. Hopefully we'll meet again on my next visit ;) Lisa and Lindsay are leaving in a week on Monday. So the air is filled with a sense of newness as new people shift in, and old teammates move on. Bittersweet. I'll miss the team we have here so much... in just a week we've really become family. For now, we're trying to get the most out of the time we have.

This Friday evening, we had a worship service instead of the normal "youth activities night." We danced the night away! It's been somewhat difficult for me to engage in worship during the services since everything is in Spanish, but this evening I let loose despite my lack of understanding. There's nothing like being free in the presence of the Lord... especially when you're dancing with a community just as excited as yourself. It's a beautiful thing! :D

On my agenda for tomorrow I have a full day of 1) family meeting and devotions 2) Skyping home 3) learning to make bracelets 4) swimming 5) getting hair braided :) and then an evening of "fellowshiping."

The lifestyle here is wonderful, despite the random water and electricity shortages. Everything takes longer and is not as hurried; everything is a process. Taking a shower, for example, does not require simply turning on the hot water and jumping in. Here, you have to boil the kettle (twice, if you want a decent amount of water); fill up buckets with water; then, while sharing the bathroom with three other people, jump in and turn on the cold, low-pressure faucet and see how long you can bear it. And, when the water's out, you've gotta get water from the well to flush the toilet with. Things like that force you to take your time and not rush through the day. I think my lifestyle when I return to the States is going to be different somehow and that makes me glad.

Well, as the kids here say, I'm peacin' out! Time to rest my feet!

F: more pics from monday and tuesday

Our taxi that fit 5pple:

last night's ride home:

great market:

riding home - Kenia and Barbara

Diego:

bed 'n breakfast:

Lisa, Marvis, and Lindsay

F.

It's Wednesday morning, and I'm sitting on my top bunk reflecting over the past two days.

Monday morning we left the property at 8:30AM in a taxi, heading to Linda and Tommy's house. From there, we loaded up the truck and set off on our exciting adventure. The crew: Barbara, Lindsay, Lisa, Kenia (19, a girl from the village who hangs with us often), Diego, Tommy, Linda, and myself. Josh could not join us since he was sick. Pray for him!

To my joy, I got to ride in the back of the truck along with Kenia, Diego, and Barbara. Standing in the sunshine with the wind in your face, travelling at top speed is utter elation. Though, be prepared for your hair to be in knots by the end of the ride. And... and adventure is never complete without car trouble. About an hour into our travels, I start to feel water stinging my face. At first I thought it was rain, but no. It was coming from the engine of the truck. After pulling over we discover we have a problem and pull over at a random radiator shop. The radiator cap was broken, and the truck was going to have to stay at the shop until 7 that night. Nothing was gonna deter us, though, and we caught a bus into the city, where we walked around the market and admired the beautiful architecture. No two cities in Nicaragua are the same, and this one was very unique.

Linda, Lisa, Barbara, and myself had some great girl time shopping and eating. A little boy selling cashews on the street befriended us and tagged along with us for over 2hours. He, Marvis, was a great little conversationalist and we learned a lot about him and had many laughs at his jokes. He attends school from 6AM-12PM and then works on the street until 10PM... everyday.

Later that evening we met up with the rest of the group and had ice cream. I had a wonderful conversation with Tommy and Linda. They gave me good insight into my heart and their wisdom is blessing me. I became even more excited about what the Lord is going to do in me in the next few weeks. I will leave here a much freer person.

Next, we piled into the truck and headed to the bed and breakfast for the night. By that time it was dark, and it was only when I woke up in the morning that I realized how incredibly beautiful everything was. I truly was in the lap of luxury. Beautiful house on the side of a volcano, overlooking an enormous crater lake. Everything was green and the water was warm and crystal clear. After a great breakfast, we jumped in the lake to soak up the sun. I certainly soaked up the sun, burning my back and shoulders. But it was so worth it. I paddled out on a long board into the middle of the lake, hundreds of yards away from anyone. I kinda felt like a tribal lady in the middle of the rain forest. There, I was able to pour my heart to the Lord in a way I haven't done for a very long time. After about an hour, I came in, and we headed out to the local market. This market was full of creative art, clothes, bags, jewelry, shoes, and much more.
When we finished up there, we piled in the newly repaired truck to head home. Physically exhausted but spiritually refreshed I was ready to climb into bed. The water was out here at the dorms so I got in bed as I was and attempted to get some sleep. Sleep evaded me though, and I awoke in the middle of the night to find the bathroom floor flooded, since the faucet had been turned on when the water returned. When morning came, I felt pretty weak and my stomach had been hurting throughout the night. So here I sit, resting and getting ready for the busy week ahead. Tonight the new clinic opens and we have a special service. Also, we have many new-comers arriving this week, so the dorms are going to be full. We have a lot of exciting things planned, so keep checking in to see the new adventures ahead!