Sunday Morning in Nicaragua

Sunday morning, the streets of Managua are quieter than usual. There are people walking in clothes that reflect a "sunday-go-to-meeting" flair....there's lots of colour. The church our team attended was called the True Word Church, which was celebrating its 30th anniversary. The atmosphere is casual, people seemed to know each other as they greeted regulars at the church door. There are no ushers to bring you to your seat. It's a "find your own" seating. The building is a rented(?) facility that apparently used to house some kind of factory. The worship band was very well well rehearsed and led by younger members approximately 30 plus years in age. The music was loud and energetic, with older men dancing in the aisles. This struck us as unique, men expressing themselves with this delightful passion. The singing lasted only for 15-20 minutes and then there was time for testimony and prayer for healing. The preaching of the Word was from the prophet Jeremiah - "I know the plans I have for you...." The theme of the message was on God's promise to bless and give blessing, despite humble circumstances the child of God may be experiencing. The message was of reassuring promise. The congregation came forward from their chairs for the offering.
It was a blessing to share in the worship with the Nicaragua congregation. The instantaneous translation we were offered was a tremendous help in making us feel as participants in the service.
As soon as we cleared the auditorium, the second service was beginning. It is apparent that God is building His Church in this place.

Our Host Mike and Tess Tigchelaar

This is a picture of our host couple where we went
for a barbeque and also celebrated Tess' Birthday.

Today we had a day off from working at the school. Mike and Tess Tigchelaar took us on a tour of Nicaragua. We first went to a lake that was made from a volcanic crater. Then we stopped at a local pottery maker. He explained how they make pottery and his son gave us a demonstration. We were then able to browse through some finished product.

One of the highlights of the day was zip lining. Here Pete Hansma is playing superman and flying down the zip-line.

Joyce and John are hanging out after completing the upside down zip-line.

Below you will see that Linda was a great inspiration for us all. The guys who ran the zip-line called her "Mama"!

This is the potters son spinning the potters wheel and forming a vase.

The cross at the opening of the volcanic crater was erected in the 1700's by a Bishop who claimed it was the gate to Hell.

The active volcano we went to see is called Masaya. It smelled strongly like sulfur. The last time it erupted was in 1772.

This whole day was an amazing cultural experience. Nicaragua is a beautiful country!!

The "Tres Amigos" or The THREE PEDROS

Below is Boyd doing the electircal work at Vida Y Esperanza.

Boyd and Bernie have done the electrical work and have started their own company called B & B Electrical. They take very good care of each other.

February 26, 2010 2nd post

The school kids are served a basic lunch of rice and beans every day and of course have to brush their teeth when they are done.














A little girl performed a dance as part of a welcoming ceremony.













The children are so very loveable.






















The hard work of twice weekly washing of the clothes.

The local women have their own time to work and socialize and were very encouraged by the ladies on our team joining them under the trees and signing them songs while they washed the sheets.

February 26, 2010

Full of energy at the beginning of the day, Pete and Hank have just cut off their shirt sleeves to bear the heat.
The parents and teachers of the El Jordan school invited our team to join them in one of the classrooms to express their gratitude. A father spoke with tears in his eyes. Humbling.
As we finished our work day we saw several of the mothers of the students carrying their wash home. They dam up a local creek and wash the clothes on rocks carved to serve as washboards.

Feb 25 2019

Wednesday Feb 24

It was very hot today again. Michelle is enjoying a cold cloth around her neck. the girls were twisting again today. Looks like that is going to be our job for the week. We have to make our own ties now. Hank was so hot that he dunked his head in the water barrel. Pete V. sweated so much his pants are filthy. The cool showers at the end of the day are very appreciated.
Bernie and Boyd spent there day at a different school doing electrical work in a new classroom.
Continue to pray for our health and safety as sanitary conditions are less than desirable. Pete D. bought a roll of t.p. for the women and we thought we would leave it in for the day well it was gone for the next person. Tommorow we will do things differently

Today we met the parents of the kids. They were very thankful for what we were doing. One father thanked us for what we were doing with tears in his eyes. He was thankful for a Christian education and what that would mean for their children and the country. That was a highlight for us.

Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010

After a somewhat restless night, we enjoyed a hot breakfast at 6:45 and were soon on o\ou|r way to the jobsite at 7:30. We had a 30 minute ride to the school we would be working on. It is very simple with only 3 rooms and classes from preschool through grade 6 with about 60 kids. The grounds are very small and very dry and dusty. The children are so happy to see us and look beautiful with their white shirts and navy bottoms. They were getting ready to present some songs and poems and dances for us, which were beautifully done. The principal/directora had been teaching at the school for 20 years and was very enthusiastic and excited to be doing the work she was for the children. She spoke of helping the kids to become all that they could be for their future. The other teachers were alumni. While we waited for supplies, the kids came out for recess and we joined them for an exercise class as well as baseball with a soccer flavour. It was great fun trying to understand their commands and calls. We all had a good laugh. Since we are the first team to work at this school, we have the opportunity to start from scratch. Our supplies arrived and the guys started to dig holes for the foundation walls while the girls tied rebar. We are no longer the pointer/painter sisters, but the twister sisters! We were very thankful for the bit of breeze since the temperature is 37 degrees Celcius. The holes are dug with a pickaxe and had to be 80 cm deep. |VERY hard work! There are 5 hired men as well, who are working along with our guys. The children were done school at 12:30 so the afternoon was a bit quiet. We were served a hot lunch and plenty of fresh cold juice to keep us going. By 4:30 we were all looking forward to our cold showers back at the Nehemiah Centre.

Monday Feb 22

After meeting at church at 2 a.m. Arend brought us to the airport in Toronto where we arrived with all of our bags and soup. We left on time and arrived in Nicaragua at around 1:30 Nicaragua time. The heat hits us all like a shock! It's very busy here with lots of "porters" trying to help with our luggage, so much that we ended up with someone else's bag which we were able to return. We met Mike Tigchelaar (the HANDS coordinator) who with his helper Lester, drove us to the Nehemiah Centre in Managua. So far, the city reminds us of Guatemala City, although not so much exhaust and honking of horns. The Nehemiah Centre is a complex where different christian organizations work out of with a gradeschool and highschool also a part of the complex. We were shown our sleeping quarters. The guys are in one and girls in the other with bunk beds to share. A bit like camping. |Very comfortable though. Thus far the food is great, lots of rice and beans.