On the work front we continued to fill in dirt into the flooring of the building. We are sitting at about 8 or 10 loads of dirt delivered, shovelled, hauled and spread. We continued to lay block until we ran out... we are waiting for more. And several of us spent a lot of time wiring together rebar for the cement beams that will cap the block we laid. The women(Mary Jo, Linda and Marlene) have spent a lot of time sifting sand and connecting with the kids... that continued today.Over the past two days a young man named Hosia has helped us significantly. We fill the wheelbarrows and he hauls the dirt. He has gone non-stop. Yesterday we were able to give him a large bottle of coke and new flip - flops, he seemed really happy. Today we paid him 100 cordoba's which is about twice a days wages. 100 Cordoba's is approximately 5.00US.
During a slightly slow time of the day(waiting for more dirt) several of us went for a walk up the
mountain beside the church. Gus, a neighbor guy who showed us wall paintings in his garage yesterday and brought us lemonade today led us on this little expedition. It was an incredible walk. Besides being rigorous, we walked through some of the most horrific poverty we have seen. We saw squalid homes, mal-nourished kids, and the trail we walked on is used by laborers who walk over the mountain into the city of Esteli to work(sometimes taking up to an hour and a half to walk it). Tomorrow we plan to return to give to some of the kids flip flops. While on top of the mountain we saw a beautiful view of both the city and the church work site. It was a lot of fun and a great connection with Gus. He says he will be at the church service tomorrow night. We shall see. We are hoping.
We left the work site a bit early to go into town and purchase momento's and gifts. While there we were able to look into the Cathedral at a service taking place. It turned out to be a funeral. It was stirring to watch. After the funeral the casket was brought out and placed in the back of a pick up truck. The truck was proceeded by a car mounted with loudspeakers playing beautiful music and then the congregation walked behind the moving truck to the cemetary. It was something to see.We followed our shopping time by taking Pastor Noel and his wife Louisa to dinner at a Cuban Restuarant. It was good to have some time to connect with Pastor Noel and to just talk. They are a neat young couple doing so well in ministry in a tough context.
Tonight the team spent a few minutes talking about our experience. Much has been as we expected. The work, the poverty, the sense of compassion we feel for the kids(we see such potential in each but a social dynamic that makes it real hard for the kids to grow and reach their potential). But what we didn't expect was things like the food. It is so good and so plentiful for us. We realize that even here we are eating far better then most people who surround us here will ever eat. We didn't expect as comfortable a hotel as we have and I(Doug) didn't expect to be able to watch my favorite TV show... Corner Gas(A Saskatchewan TV show) in Nicaragua. Wow. Think about that - a Canadian who lives in the US watches in both PA and in Nicaragua a show produced in Saskatchewan.
1 comment:
It is fantastic to see all of the work and life long connections you are making with the people of Nicaragua. As you wrap up your week I pray that your team will continue to stay healthy and that God will continue to use your team to impact the city and people of Esteli!
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