I miss those beautiful children!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

"Jocelyn"- I wanted to bring this one home with me....

Jaralyn

Hard at work!

Working at the orphanage school. We all really fell in love with this place.

The guys were reinforcing the shabby roofs at some of the "homes" in the dump so they could cover them with plastic to keep the rain out.

Us gals were busy doing lice treatments on the girls at the dump school. I think we were scratching our heads for several days! Afterwards we washed their hair, gave them a haircut if needed, and styled their hair- just like at a beauty salon! Jaime had the awesome idea of washing their feet while they got their hair done, a sort of "pedicure". It was a privelege to be able to do this for these beautiful girls.

PS: Does anyone have any pics of our wheelbarrow day? Jaralyn

One big, happy familia!

Wow, what a trip that we had. God blessed our time with each other and the people that we were there to serve. I think God really spoke to each team member in such a purposeful way. I'm sure none of us will be the same. Thank you soooo much to all of our church family who kept us in your prayers before and during our trip, it means so much to me. Continue to pray for us as we reflect on everything that we did and experienced. I know each of us on the team desires to hear from God, how He wants to use this experience to radically change us.

To all my fellow team members, I miss you guys! What fun we had together, what teamwork! Jaime and Mary, you guys are the best roommates ever, I would gladly share a room with you again you're awesome!

Love you all

Jaralyn

This trip will be with me always!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

How was I to know how much this trip would touch and tear at my heart. I loved these kids, and the Villa, and my team. I love knowing that my "rockin" team is out there in Bend and Portland loving others and praying for all of us and our Nicaraguan friends. The girls moved into the Villa today. I wish I were there in person, but I know that we were there in spirit and in prayers. This is a place that I do not think that I could stay away from. The Spirit calls me to do something more than just one week of work. I am excited to get back. I love you all--and thank you for being my friends and team.
Jaime

I miss these kids

Thought I would share some of the kids I fell in love with while in Nicaragua. First was 7 year old Miguel from the orphanage in El Canyon. He has no parents and clung to me from the first night we showed up. He loved to show me around and play simple little games. He usually wanted to be held or lifted up high and loved to climb on the monkey bars. The hardest part of the trip was saying goodbye to him on Tuesday, when I realized it might be the last time I would see him. The rest of the week was to be spent at the dump and we would not be back to the school. He cheerfully left that day, said goodbye with a hug, probably expecting to see me again the following day. Wow, that hit my heart like a rock.


We spent the end of the trip at the school in the Dump outside Managua. We played with the kids for quite a while. Dottie 'found' me after a few minutes. I turned around and there she was, looking up at me and instantly thru her arms up wanting to be held. Who wouldn't say yes. Long story short, she stayed in my arms until I had to leave. She was content just being held and looking around.

Villa Esperanza

The girls move into the Villa TODAY!

This is where we stayed last week. They have completed construction on two Homes for the girls. (Unfortunately my camera card had a read error on it and I lost all my pics of the girls homes. Maybe one of my brilliant teammates has some...?) They are beautiful little homes though and we can't imagine what it will be like for our precious girls to go from the dump to this dreamland! 16 of them move in today. We got to meet them all and have a party with them on Thursday. (I think Jaime has those pics...wanna post some Jaime?)

Anyway, these buildings are the rooms we stayed in and it really is a beautiful place...hope it doesn't seem too much like we were on a high-style vacation (grin...we really did work hard!) There are plans for 4 to 6 more houses and a playground. They will eventually put in a swimming pool (it gets crazy hot there) and soccer field. The girls will live here in "families" of 8 with a house mom or couple. They'll still go to the school in the dump though and while the Villa will be their home, many of them still have families in the dump. That will be the tricky part, I imagine.
The dump school only goes to 6th grade though, and that is when education stops for most children in Nicaragua. Wilber ,the Villa's director, is looking and praying toward putting together some types of vocational training. This is the part that is really drawing Steve's and my heart. We're realizing we may have more than a little bit to offer these children in the way of technology training and are praying that God will direct us in ways we can help with that in the coming years. I had my first real understanding of how valuable my American education is. I guess I've taken it for granted and not understood what so many others don't have. I can't even imagine getting to the end of the 6th grade and realizing that now I make my life decisions about what I'll do and be, because I now have all the education I'll ever have. 6th Grade! That's impossible to imagine. So I want to give them more. Even just my limited abilities to type this page, post these pictures, write this blog could mean a world of opportunity to them if I taught them. That's inspiring!

So...if you're still praying, pray today for the girls. I wish I could see their faces when they see the bright, beautiful linens and towels, get their own bunk bed and pillow and realize that you actually take your clothes off and let the water run all over you in the shower! It'll be lots of big adjustments for them. Pray also for the parents they're leaving behind in the dump...that somehow this opportunity for their girls would be used by God to create blessing and opportunity and healing for them as well!
thanks.
More soon...