So it’s different waking up in another country the very first time. You tend to wake up thinking the day before was a dream. Your bed is different. The other surroundings are different. Everything is different. For many of our students and adults…this was the case on Saturday.
Friday was a great day to travel. The weather was good and we had no trouble getting through the ticketing process, security and even customs in Nicaragua; although that was an interesting experience for most. We were picked up by our missionaries Bruce and Laura and then took off for lunch at the famous Melba’s. Well maybe not famous, but for former FBCV teams that have gone before…definitely a crowd favorite, and it didn’t disappoint for our students on this team either. A true Nicaraguan fare was had and our time of fellowship was great as well.
We then took off for Centro ABEM, the place where we stay while here in Nica. We had a time of orientation and got to know Bruce and Laura a bit, then a highlight after a long travel day…swimming and relaxing in hammocks! It was incredibly refreshing and enjoyable.
After all the fun we enjoyed a great dinner by the fabulous Chef Oscar. A beef dish with rice and beans. It was delicious…as are all of his meals thus far. We debriefed as a team and then made way for our dorms. The time – 8PM. Lights out at 8:30PM. No noise by 8:45PM. A long day was over. And a week of serving was about to begin.
Saturday we were awakened by a 5:30AM sunrise and the temperature and humidity on the rise. We had our quiet times and journeyed to breakfast. The menu – gallo pinto (beans and rice) and scrambled eggs…and the most blessed fruit on the planet. We had some of the best pineapple ever to be eaten. We met with Laura regarding our VBS plans (in the only air conditioned room at the center) and then had a little free time (more swimming and hammock(ing), of course). Lunch consisted of fried chicken (the absolute best – “sorry Colonial Sanders...you wrong, mama’s right!) and some rice and pico de gallo. Following lunch, our team of 25 broke into 3 work teams. There are some things at the center that needs attention and fixed up. So our team had the great privilege to serve and meet some of those needs.
One of the teams began to paint some of the small cabanas. They did a great job and were able to knock out 2 of them. A second team went out and worked on the dirt road leading up to the center. There were some areas that had been washed out and had some major potholes. They worked out in the punishing Nicaraguan sun filling each hole. The third team (which I was able to serve with) had to remove a hill. I know that sounds odd and may not even make sense. Let me explain a little. There is a hill that leads down to the pool and shelter house. Bruce wants to remove most of the hill to create a cliff that allows space for teatherball and a horseshoe pit. It will also create a concrete block wall with bougainvillea plants. (Note to all you parents of students on this trip – let me tell you how incredibly proud I am of your kids. They worked their tails off! They worked hard…and without complaining. It was hot and humid, but they pressed on and did everything we asked of them. You should be proud of them too).
I know that the title of the blog may be a little weird. Well here is the reasoning behind the title. Christian Carlson was working with us on the “cliff crew.” After using shovels and pick axes for a long while, we began to see some progress being made. And Christian being the wise philosopher that he is kept telling the team, “When this gets level, it’ll be easier.” He said it with such enthusiasm and passion. It became one of our teams “quotes of the day.”
Dinner consisted of beef stew and rice and beans. Oscar is definitely one of the best cooks around. He could start a restaurant in Vandalia and I would be there every day. Then again, maybe he shouldn’t…I’d be putting weight back on like crazy. Fortunately for me, we are burning a ton of calories a day, so for now I should be good. :)
Each night we have a time of debrief. I have given each student and adult a list of questions for them to answer. It helps with remembering the good (and bad…uh…character building) events from the trip. We went through them and it was neat to hear their stories. They have taken this trip seriously and are investing themselves greatly into the lives of each team member.
Bedtime was fairly early again…like 9:30PM. Interestingly enough, no one has complained about the time to cash out. After long hot days, everyone is looking forward to the rest.
Oh by the way…there was something else that was deemed “quote-worthy” on Saturday. I won’t go into much detail, but it went like this…"Ashley (Starry) ripped one!" I’ll let you ask for details when we return.
I’ll be telling about our days every day. However, due to the lack of internet access and relying on Bruce to upload, it may not be updated every day.
Please continue to pray for us! God is moving!
Pressing On,
Dale
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