Horses at night

Before returning home at last night, we wanted to buy beans and rice.  So, we stopped at a little hut that sold just what we needed. Smoke poured out of the roof, and a woman laughed inside, a typical scene in Nicaragua.  There in front of the hut, surrounded by barbwire, were three children playing.  The little boy was just learning to walk.  The little girls called out to him, encouraging him to come to them.  He took one shaky step forward, then another, carefully making his way over the dirt.  When he finally reached them, they cheered loudly and he disappeared into their hugs.

It was a little reminder that we are all the same, regardless of where we grew up, or what language we speak, or the culture that we live in.  The scene that I watched could have played out anywhere in the world.  We are all children of God.  He is excited to watch us take our steps forward.  He encourages us, beckons us on, and desires more than anything for us to fall into His embrace.

The flooding has gotten so bad at camp, that we can no longer drive even a truck down the road.  We have to park the truck and then continue in on horseback.  Last night I climbed onto the saddle and started down the road.  As I left the light of the last house, a new world opened up before me.  I heard crickets and frogs singing into the night.  As my eyes adjusted, the skies revealed splendor that I have never seen.  The entire milky way shimmered brightly.  Stars seemed to pulse and grow larger.  More dots than I could have ever imagined illuminated the way home.  I looked down from the sky and saw thousands of fireflies dancing and twinkling.  I was in a fairy forest.  I was so completely taken by my surroundings that I forgot all about the snakes, the feces, the nasty that was in the flooded water.  It was a moment of magic, that I'm sure was prepared in advance for me to enjoy.

Both of these encounters from the night reminded me to slow down and take time to enjoy Nicaragua.  To be satisfied where I am and not to be frustrated when things don't go as planed.  

The Chanpa project continued...

Today was a very interesting day.  We are still really trying to get the Chanpa Project off the ground.  The situation has gotten quite a bit worse.  At one point, the school was a refuge for 15 families who were flooded.  At the present, there are 34 families living in the school.  If you do the math, that means 19 families that do not have flooded homes have moved to the school.

Why you ask?  The government has decided to provide free food to all the families in need.  The catch though, is that even every family living in the school receives the food.  Even those families that haven't been flooded.  AND even those families that have been flooded are still able to work and purchase their own food.  What seems like a nice gesture on part of the government is actually a much deeper problem.  They are not interested in reopening the school to the children.  In fact, they want to keep the families in the school for as long as possible.  This makes it look like they really care and are trying to help the families.  Their plan keeps all the families, without or without flooding, displaced until January at the earliest.  This means school is closed for at least three months.  There is no value on education.  Without getting to far into it, the Sandinistan government (on the verge of communism) are trying to win the votes of the poor.  After all, it is an election year.

We had a meeting at the school last night.  The mayor was present as well as the Ministry of Education and a Sandinistan Political Activist.  Everyone was all for moving out of the school, all except the Activist.  She stirred the mob bringing all sorts of reasons to the table, why they shouldn't move out of the school.  The crowd realized that this meant they wouldn't receive chanpas, they weren't going for it.  She then changed her tactics claiming that, "ALL families should receive Chanpas, whether they needed them or not!"  (Socialism at it's finest.)  Many people had already abused the system and were trying to abuse our desire to help as well.  We suggested that perhaps it was best if we just stepped out and let the government just deal with the problem.  At that, they all agreed that only people whom were flooded should receive the chanpa.

I don't know what will happen from here, but it seems as though we are finally going to help the families that are really in need.  Will this open the school, only time will tell.

The Chanpa Project

We have been working on this for about a week. We finally launched it last night around 11:00pm.  Check the website for all the details.  

www.thechanpaproject.com

Plans are changing

It's been a long long time since posting.  I like the idea of blogging, keeping a record of all that has happened.  In reality though, I find it very difficult to do.  Often times, the blog slips to the back of my mind and I never think about it.  Perhaps this is selfish of me.  In any case, the entries will come unexpectedly and intermittently.

The more time I spend in Nicaragua, the more I feel that I should return home.  I don't rule out the possibility of living overseas in the future.  I would just prefer to do so with a partner, hopefully a wife.  For the time being though, I think it's back to the states.  I'm not sure what to do or where to go.  I know that my job doesn't really matter.  God has given me gifts and talents, and it would be a shame not to use them.  All I know is that I want to use my gifts, talents, and opportunities to further His kingdom.

I've discovered many important things about myself.  I've discovered that I am pretty bad at communicating when not is close proximity with another.  That is not an excuse for my poor communication, only and understanding of what has happened.  The next step is to figure out how to work on it.  I haven't figured that part out yet.

I've also discovered that I always seem to be looking toward the next thing.  When will I be content with where I'm at?  Reading Proverbs 19:23 "The fear of the Lord leads to life, then one rests content, untouched by trouble."  Fear of the Lord brings a sense of being content.  Sometimes I think I know what this means, other times I'm not so sure.  The creator and master of the universe, who is, was, and ever will be.  That is certainly someone to have a healthy dose of respect for.


Further investigation reveals Philipians 4:10-13 "I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  Being content in any and all circumstances because I know my place with Christ.  It is He who lifts me up, fills me with joy and life.  When I look at it like that, I am comforted and DO feel content.  I am content to pursue Christ, and to encourage others do the same.  My life to honor Him.  I still haven't figured out the details or which road to walk, but I know my purpose.

Last Computer Course!

Today, was the last day of our computer course in Granada. All of the kids nervously lined up at the door, waiting to present their projects to the entire class. The kids have had several days to work on final projects. Each of them created a story in Etoys, the program that we have been working with for the duration of the program.

All of the chairs were set up in a couple of rows facing the a huge TV. One by one, each of the kids walked to computer in the front of the room to present their project. A few timidly and quietly clicked through their projects. Most however, very excitedly read and shared their stories. Applause and cheers followed each presentation.

The remainder of the day, the kids were free to explore and use the computers however they chose. To wrap things up, we all shared a little bit of ice cream. When the clock read four o'clock, none of the kids were to ready to shutdown and pack up. Some of our top students asked if they could take a computer home with them. Sadly, we could fulfill their request, but this is an indication that they program was a success! We look forward to having the students from the computer course out to camp for a weekend.

Computer Course Nearing Completion

The computer course is wrapping up. Daniel and I come in every day to setup tables and chairs for the course. We are greeted eagerly by smiling faces. The kids are excited to help setup, they want to boot up the computers as soon possible.

I teach for about and hour each day. The kids learn all sorts of things, everything from basic image creation and animation to basic scripting. After the lesson, the kids have a chance to practice their new skills. They have challenges to complete to test their abilities. Some are more difficult than others, but each new challenge builds upon the last. We have a board in the classroom that tracks the completion of the challenges. One small star is awarded for the easier challenges. A large star is awarded for the super challenges. After class the students all huddle around the board to count their own stars and the stars of their friends.

The goal is for the students to eventually create their own projects using everything they have learned through the course. We have several students already adding their own creative twist to the exercises and challenges. I am excited to see how these students apply their own ideas in upcoming projects.

Lack of Posting

There is so much going on that it is easy to become distracted. I have not posted in a about a month. I will try to do so in the next couple of days, hopefully to bring my blogg up to date. Sorry about that!