Full Steam Ahead

The train is full steam ahead and I have not had time to write.  Here is a quick catch up . . .

We started Spanish Immersion School yesterday and we are all loving that and doing well.  I'm even thinking in Spanish now and can carry on conversations with people who speak clearly and succinctly.  Several of the students have said that they have learned more in these two mornings of immersion school than they did in 3-4 years of high school.

Campamento de Amor was amazing on Monday.  We had a smaller group of children than expected so it went really smoothly.  The children were attentive to the Bible message and very participative.  They enjoyed the crafts and games and most of all the attention we are able to give them.  Our students prepared very well with Faith and Abby at the helm and everything went really well.  The highlight of the first day of camp was at the very end of the afternoon when Oliver showed up.  Joel saw him in the distance and went running toward him arms wide open - Oliver did the same at the other end.  It was a scene out of a movie and such a sweet reunion.  For those of you who followed my blog last year, you may remember Oliver.  He was the boy who was so problematic at the beginning of the week that we actually had to ask him to leave.  When he was ready to come back and participate without causing trouble, we let him back in.  We learned that his father beats him and this broke out hearts.  We decided to give him extra attention and we all prayed for him.  It was amazing how he responded to the love we showed him.  Joel had a tremendous impact on this 10 year old boy (now 11) last year and they now have a special bond.

The construction on the kitchen has begun.  Senor Adolfo is our "general contractor".  Liz and I both think he has honest eyes.  Even so, here in Nicaragua, you never trust someone by prepaying so we had to go to the feretteria to purchase supplies with him.  You might find it interesting to know that all of the building materials to build the kitchen cost under $1,600.00 (US).  It will be exciting to watch the progress each day we return to the barrio.

AND today was the Birthday Party!!!  All of our prayers were answered and la fiesta could not have gone any better.  We had about 60 children in attendance.  We set up stations (face painting, finger nail painting, coloring - which they LOVE, a stamping craft, and a few others), and we also had roaming clowns giving out stickers, balloon animals, blowing bubbles and just being silly.  We interacted with the children for about an hour and then it was time for the program.  GdL performed a few dramas and then Revolution Dance troupe performed (they are amazing!).  The Gospel message was given and just about all of the children in attendance (ages 3-16) raised their hand indicating they wanted to accept the free gift of salvation.  We prayed with the children and some of the parents in the room as well.  It was a beautiful time.  After the program, it was time for dinner.  We served the children Arroz Valencia (rice mixed with vegetables and a bit of chicken).  After dinner, Joel was blindfolded and beat on the pinata (a giant hippopotamus!) that we had purchased from one of the women in our barrio.  She makes them as a cottage business to feed her family.  After the candy, it was time for the birthday presents.  We had filled 60 large, colorful gift bags with clothes, toys, books and stuffed animals that were donated by many of you reading this blog.  Thank you!  The bags were personalized for each specific child, with clothes to fit them and toys we thought they would enjoy.

I wish you could have seen the absolute delight on the faces of these children when they received their birthday gift.  I know those expressions of joy will forever be etched in my memory.  These are the children from the nearby barrio that I wrote about previously.  They live in simple huts with dirt floors.  Most do not even have a mattress to sleep on.  I would estimate that all the earthly possessions of each family would value less than $500.00, including the "house".  I am grateful that more than the physical gift that was given to them today, we were able to give them an eternal gift.  Pray for these children, would you?  Pray that the seeds that were planted today would take root and grow strong.

After the party, our day was not over yet.  We set out with Generation of Light and Revolution Dance and handed out invitations to a Festival they will hold in Granada this weekend!  This is just like the one they did in Messiah last weekend when we first arrived.  We walked all over the city inviting people to come.  Revolution Dance Troupe was actually dancing on top of the bus as it was moving down the streets!  We should have a big crowd on Saturday.

It has been a full week and it is only Tuesday.  Can't wait to see where this train will stop tomorrow.

With Great Joy,
Naomi