The Day Before I Leave
I'm so nervous. My stomach was upset earlier. I got to spend the day with Jimmy, & it was very hard to say goodbye to him.
My parents & I ate hamburgers for dinner. Well, they were really turkeyburgers, & my last taste of America for a while. Afterwords, we played Scrabble.
I'm so scared & nervous & excited about this trip. This is something I always hear others talk about. It's going to be life-changing, I know. I pray God will move mountails within me. I know I've got a lot of people here at home praying for me, & that's so comforting.
It was difficult to say good night to my parents, knowing it was the last time until next Sunday. I feel badly, but I'll be counting down teh days until I get back.
The hardest thing tonight was hanging up with Jimmy. He's so worried about the trip. I know I comforted him, though, when I told him that Nicaragua is in Central America, not Africa. He was relieved to know that I'd be on the same contenent & in the same hemisphere (barely).
I'm sad to say goodbye to my guitar, my car, electricity, cleanliness, & air conditioning. But I kow it's temporary & totally worth it.
I'm still nervous.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
June 2
In Flight
The whole thing still seems surreal. Maddie & I still haven't grasped that we're about to land in a foreign country to do mission work.
I'm starting to get excite, though, rather than the itinal dread I felt yesterday. I'm trying not to focus on what I'm giving up, but on what I'm gaining. The things I'm leaving behind--my family, Jimmy, the luxuries of America--are really what I need to give up for Christ anways. I'm experiencing in a physical way what I need to be doing in a spiritual way. It's hard. But I'm gaining so much. I'm going to learn about another country & do something I've always wanted to do. I know this will be life-changing & I can't wait to se how.
My First Night
This is so hard.
The bus ride was...we were in an old school bus. After exiting the plane, we had to wait a little bit for the bus, but that's how it works in Nicaragua. The airport is tiny. There are two baggage carosels with several ads in English.
We stood outside for a while waiting for the bus.
The twomost used parts of vehicles around here, I'm convinced, are the gas pedal & the horn. Our bus driver honked at everything. There are no real road names or speed limits here.
We stopped at a gas station to get some food & water. I bought a five pack of gum, a 1.5 Liter bottle of water, a small can of Pringles, & a Milky Way candy bar. My total was $2.97.
The house is called Casa Blanca, White House. It's a stucco off-white color with windows everywhere. The long-termers came out to greet us, & that was cool.
The main room of the house has huge windows. The showers are outside. When we arrived, the water wasn't working. It just started.
I'm so homesick. I had to "use the bathroom" earlier for crying. Maddie is really homesick, too. Stephanie is happy to be away. I'm envious yet heartbroken for her. I wish I could do this with no problems or tears, but I love that I miss my parents & Jimmy so much.
Dinner consisted of steak, salad, strange blackish beans, rice, & tasteless wrap things. I didn't eat much, & now I'm super thankful I packed so much food.
Everyone gets one cup for the week & is responsible for keeping up with it & keeping it clean.
I can't wait for this time next week.
I came upstairs after dinner before the devotion time & found my bed covered in bugs. My bed happened to be right under the light. One of the hair cutting ladies, Angie, helped me move the bunks away from the light & me move beds. I can feel every rod through my thin mattress. Luckily Stephanie had three extra pillows, so I got one & now I have two. Small comforts.
I wish so much I could email or call (for like 5 minutes) my parents & Jimmy to say how much I lvoe & miss & take them for granted. Ok, Jesus, I understand how much I do love them...can I got home now?
There are so many different reasons that people are here. Most of them are here for the kids. I'm eager to meet the kids who make it so worthwhile...
I was reading in Lamentations & found this verse, which really helped me...
"You came near when I called to you, you said, 'Don't be afraid.'" (3:37)
The whole thing still seems surreal. Maddie & I still haven't grasped that we're about to land in a foreign country to do mission work.
I'm starting to get excite, though, rather than the itinal dread I felt yesterday. I'm trying not to focus on what I'm giving up, but on what I'm gaining. The things I'm leaving behind--my family, Jimmy, the luxuries of America--are really what I need to give up for Christ anways. I'm experiencing in a physical way what I need to be doing in a spiritual way. It's hard. But I'm gaining so much. I'm going to learn about another country & do something I've always wanted to do. I know this will be life-changing & I can't wait to se how.
My First Night
This is so hard.
The bus ride was...we were in an old school bus. After exiting the plane, we had to wait a little bit for the bus, but that's how it works in Nicaragua. The airport is tiny. There are two baggage carosels with several ads in English.
We stood outside for a while waiting for the bus.
The twomost used parts of vehicles around here, I'm convinced, are the gas pedal & the horn. Our bus driver honked at everything. There are no real road names or speed limits here.
We stopped at a gas station to get some food & water. I bought a five pack of gum, a 1.5 Liter bottle of water, a small can of Pringles, & a Milky Way candy bar. My total was $2.97.
The house is called Casa Blanca, White House. It's a stucco off-white color with windows everywhere. The long-termers came out to greet us, & that was cool.
The main room of the house has huge windows. The showers are outside. When we arrived, the water wasn't working. It just started.
I'm so homesick. I had to "use the bathroom" earlier for crying. Maddie is really homesick, too. Stephanie is happy to be away. I'm envious yet heartbroken for her. I wish I could do this with no problems or tears, but I love that I miss my parents & Jimmy so much.
Dinner consisted of steak, salad, strange blackish beans, rice, & tasteless wrap things. I didn't eat much, & now I'm super thankful I packed so much food.
Everyone gets one cup for the week & is responsible for keeping up with it & keeping it clean.
I can't wait for this time next week.
I came upstairs after dinner before the devotion time & found my bed covered in bugs. My bed happened to be right under the light. One of the hair cutting ladies, Angie, helped me move the bunks away from the light & me move beds. I can feel every rod through my thin mattress. Luckily Stephanie had three extra pillows, so I got one & now I have two. Small comforts.
I wish so much I could email or call (for like 5 minutes) my parents & Jimmy to say how much I lvoe & miss & take them for granted. Ok, Jesus, I understand how much I do love them...can I got home now?
There are so many different reasons that people are here. Most of them are here for the kids. I'm eager to meet the kids who make it so worthwhile...
I was reading in Lamentations & found this verse, which really helped me...
"You came near when I called to you, you said, 'Don't be afraid.'" (3:37)
Sunday, June 3
My First Full Day. One Week Left.
I can't wait to get out of here. I can't stop thinking about my parents, Jimmy, & home. I almsot wish they hadn't allowed me to come.
Dawn came quickly & early. I think I woke up around 5 a.m. There were many strange sounds outside. I think they sounds were coming from birds, but I can't be sure.
I'll probably shower tonight. The water still isn't working, so it'll be out of a bucket.
We're walking to church in a little bit. My homesickness wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't so much free time for my mind to wander back home. Only six more full days.
Stephanie forgot church clothes, so she's going to use my shirt. I'll wear a skirt & a t-shirt, something I promised myself I'd never do. But I guess that's what happens when you're roughing it.
I have full cell service here. It's so tempting to call him, but I know I'll loose it if I do.
Breakfast was crepes, mango, raison bread, pineapple, watermelon, & (what do you know) rice & beans. The pineapple was amazing.
I smell like sweat & bug spray. Apparently tis' working, though, because I haven't been bitten yet.
The humidity has already caused the pages of my Bible & journal to start curling.
Mass today will be in Spanish, so I may take my Bible & read by myself the whole time.
I've been sweating since I got here. It's not so bad upstairs, where the girls sleep, because of the fans. There are no fans downstairs, & there is a section of "outside" in the main room, where we eat. So there are lots of flies & other insects.
There is already dirty under my nails & we haven't done anything yet.
I've decided to try to do things day by day this week. Conquer one thing at a time. Today: no crying, less thinking of home, make it through Mass, climb the volcano. I hope I can do it.
I can't believe how much I miss home. Not home so much, by my mom & dad & Jimmy. Maybe God's purpose for me was to show me how much I love these people but how little I show it.
We climbed the volcano today. I went the "easy way," which proved to be very difficult. About 1/2 way pu I decided I was finished. It was raining on & off & it was so hot. But although I wanted so badly to be done & I was seriously crying (though no one knew because of my sunglasses), my group wouldn't let me go by myself, so Mr. Dubus helped me.
We walked through some gross sulfur air. It was hard to breathe. I had forgotten my inhaler.
We made it to the top & it was freezing. Several clouds blew over us & it was like a blizzard, but without the snow. I was suprised to see so many bugs at the top of the volcano, but they were everywhere. I kept having to smack them off my bag & legs.
When almost everyone made it to the top, we went down. I clutched Mr. Dubus's hand, & he taught me how to climb (ski, really) down, sideways, filling my shoes with volcanic ash & rock. I rubbed some of the skin off my ankle from it.
I took my first shower when we got back to Casa Blanca & it was very cold.
I'm so tired & homesick.
I can't wait to get out of here. I can't stop thinking about my parents, Jimmy, & home. I almsot wish they hadn't allowed me to come.
Dawn came quickly & early. I think I woke up around 5 a.m. There were many strange sounds outside. I think they sounds were coming from birds, but I can't be sure.
I'll probably shower tonight. The water still isn't working, so it'll be out of a bucket.
We're walking to church in a little bit. My homesickness wouldn't be so bad if there wasn't so much free time for my mind to wander back home. Only six more full days.
Stephanie forgot church clothes, so she's going to use my shirt. I'll wear a skirt & a t-shirt, something I promised myself I'd never do. But I guess that's what happens when you're roughing it.
I have full cell service here. It's so tempting to call him, but I know I'll loose it if I do.
Breakfast was crepes, mango, raison bread, pineapple, watermelon, & (what do you know) rice & beans. The pineapple was amazing.
I smell like sweat & bug spray. Apparently tis' working, though, because I haven't been bitten yet.
The humidity has already caused the pages of my Bible & journal to start curling.
Mass today will be in Spanish, so I may take my Bible & read by myself the whole time.
I've been sweating since I got here. It's not so bad upstairs, where the girls sleep, because of the fans. There are no fans downstairs, & there is a section of "outside" in the main room, where we eat. So there are lots of flies & other insects.
There is already dirty under my nails & we haven't done anything yet.
I've decided to try to do things day by day this week. Conquer one thing at a time. Today: no crying, less thinking of home, make it through Mass, climb the volcano. I hope I can do it.
I can't believe how much I miss home. Not home so much, by my mom & dad & Jimmy. Maybe God's purpose for me was to show me how much I love these people but how little I show it.
We climbed the volcano today. I went the "easy way," which proved to be very difficult. About 1/2 way pu I decided I was finished. It was raining on & off & it was so hot. But although I wanted so badly to be done & I was seriously crying (though no one knew because of my sunglasses), my group wouldn't let me go by myself, so Mr. Dubus helped me.
We walked through some gross sulfur air. It was hard to breathe. I had forgotten my inhaler.
We made it to the top & it was freezing. Several clouds blew over us & it was like a blizzard, but without the snow. I was suprised to see so many bugs at the top of the volcano, but they were everywhere. I kept having to smack them off my bag & legs.
When almost everyone made it to the top, we went down. I clutched Mr. Dubus's hand, & he taught me how to climb (ski, really) down, sideways, filling my shoes with volcanic ash & rock. I rubbed some of the skin off my ankle from it.
I took my first shower when we got back to Casa Blanca & it was very cold.
I'm so tired & homesick.
Monday, June 4
My Second Full Day. 2/7 of the way through.
Most of the group are going to another city, El Capulin, until Wednesday. I feel sick, so I'm staying home. I'm not hungry or thirsty & I feel clammy, & my stomach hurts. Several women are staying to cut har & wash clothes, so I'll have plenty to do, & a good bit of rest time to recover from whatever I have.
I'm excited about the hair cutting thing. There will be children to play with. Maybe I'll find the joy everyone else gets from being here. Maybe I'll learn to cut hair & even some Spanish.
I miss Jimmy, my parents, my bed, my shower, my bed, & Mercutio. I even miss my retainer. I clentch my teeth a lot, & the retainer made it so much easier not to hurt.
While everyone else is gone, I want to see if I can use a computer to email Jimmy & my parents. I think that if I can just tell them how much I miss them I'll be better. But I'm not sure.
I'm the only one inside staying, so I get the fan all to myself. :) And I get to learn to cut hair. Maybe I'll even knit.
I'm actually looking forward to this. I'm independent & worn out by people, so this is a great opportunity to be alone & recharge.
The nurse came up & told me to use today for recovery. She has me drinking a 1.5 liter bottle with one pack of Propel. I have to drink two of those today. I get soup for lunch! She is pretty sure I'm dehydrated, but says I may have a bug. If it's just dehydration, & I do what she told me, I'll be better by tomorrow.
"Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot is the theme song for the week. I've heard it every day so far. But I like it, so it's okay.
I think I'll take a nap.
I did sleep & drink A LOT & finally go #2. I feel a lot better. But I can't stop sweating.
I'm thinking about going downstairs & eating those Ramen Noodles the nurse left for me. Besides, I need to refil my water bottle.
Most of the girls are predicting that Tuesday will be the hardest day. It'll be their full day in El Capulin. They left earlier this morning & won't be returning until Wednesday. I'm excited about tomorrow. As long as I'm feeling better, I'll go with the ladies into the city & learn about hair cutting & play with the kids (hopefully).
It seems that this week is starting to pick up speed finally. I still think of home & the flight back, but I'm not nearly as weepy & homesick. I think I hit my low point of the trip & now I'm starting to get back up.
I ate my soup & it was good. The youngest girl here, Zoe, has started talking to me. She's 6 & very cute.
The ladies are back & Zoe wants to play hide & seek. Later, we're going to the city. I think it's siesta time right now. The ladies are sleeping & panning on eating at some chicken place later, before heading to the villa.
I really can't wait to go home. I'm longing for my bed & ability to talk to Jimmy. I forgot about asking to use a computer for email because I fell asleep. I can't wait to hug my parents & Jimmy & to do laundry & go to the spa & get my nails done & take a real shower.
I don't know how to spell it, but soup in Spanish is soap-a. I also learned that cow is vaca. I really prefer French over Spanish, but Spanish is a little easier to speak. Except for the part about rolling your r's. I can't do that.
There is another girl here. She just flew in today because she just got her passport last night. She's a nice girl & we get along.
I really really want to go home. I seriously don't think I can make it the whole week. My dad emailed me earlier today. I logged on a little while ago & replied. Unfortunately, it was his work email & I can't remember our new home email address. But I asked if it was expensive to get a flight change.
I want to go home more than I think I've ever wanted anything. I'm willing to pay whatever it costs to have my ticket changed, to get a taxt & go to the airport here alone, & to take an international flight alone. I want to be home so badly.
I'm thinking about calling my parents...but I may have just remembered our home email address...Yes! I'll email them now...
Most of the group are going to another city, El Capulin, until Wednesday. I feel sick, so I'm staying home. I'm not hungry or thirsty & I feel clammy, & my stomach hurts. Several women are staying to cut har & wash clothes, so I'll have plenty to do, & a good bit of rest time to recover from whatever I have.
I'm excited about the hair cutting thing. There will be children to play with. Maybe I'll find the joy everyone else gets from being here. Maybe I'll learn to cut hair & even some Spanish.
I miss Jimmy, my parents, my bed, my shower, my bed, & Mercutio. I even miss my retainer. I clentch my teeth a lot, & the retainer made it so much easier not to hurt.
While everyone else is gone, I want to see if I can use a computer to email Jimmy & my parents. I think that if I can just tell them how much I miss them I'll be better. But I'm not sure.
I'm the only one inside staying, so I get the fan all to myself. :) And I get to learn to cut hair. Maybe I'll even knit.
I'm actually looking forward to this. I'm independent & worn out by people, so this is a great opportunity to be alone & recharge.
The nurse came up & told me to use today for recovery. She has me drinking a 1.5 liter bottle with one pack of Propel. I have to drink two of those today. I get soup for lunch! She is pretty sure I'm dehydrated, but says I may have a bug. If it's just dehydration, & I do what she told me, I'll be better by tomorrow.
"Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot is the theme song for the week. I've heard it every day so far. But I like it, so it's okay.
I think I'll take a nap.
I did sleep & drink A LOT & finally go #2. I feel a lot better. But I can't stop sweating.
I'm thinking about going downstairs & eating those Ramen Noodles the nurse left for me. Besides, I need to refil my water bottle.
Most of the girls are predicting that Tuesday will be the hardest day. It'll be their full day in El Capulin. They left earlier this morning & won't be returning until Wednesday. I'm excited about tomorrow. As long as I'm feeling better, I'll go with the ladies into the city & learn about hair cutting & play with the kids (hopefully).
It seems that this week is starting to pick up speed finally. I still think of home & the flight back, but I'm not nearly as weepy & homesick. I think I hit my low point of the trip & now I'm starting to get back up.
I ate my soup & it was good. The youngest girl here, Zoe, has started talking to me. She's 6 & very cute.
The ladies are back & Zoe wants to play hide & seek. Later, we're going to the city. I think it's siesta time right now. The ladies are sleeping & panning on eating at some chicken place later, before heading to the villa.
I really can't wait to go home. I'm longing for my bed & ability to talk to Jimmy. I forgot about asking to use a computer for email because I fell asleep. I can't wait to hug my parents & Jimmy & to do laundry & go to the spa & get my nails done & take a real shower.
I don't know how to spell it, but soup in Spanish is soap-a. I also learned that cow is vaca. I really prefer French over Spanish, but Spanish is a little easier to speak. Except for the part about rolling your r's. I can't do that.
There is another girl here. She just flew in today because she just got her passport last night. She's a nice girl & we get along.
I really really want to go home. I seriously don't think I can make it the whole week. My dad emailed me earlier today. I logged on a little while ago & replied. Unfortunately, it was his work email & I can't remember our new home email address. But I asked if it was expensive to get a flight change.
I want to go home more than I think I've ever wanted anything. I'm willing to pay whatever it costs to have my ticket changed, to get a taxt & go to the airport here alone, & to take an international flight alone. I want to be home so badly.
I'm thinking about calling my parents...but I may have just remembered our home email address...Yes! I'll email them now...
Tuesday, June 5
My Third Full Day. 3/7 of the way done. Almost 1/2 way there.
I was so humesick last night. I did remember & email my home email.
I told the ladies I had a family emergency & needed to call home. I called my mom, but they were at the grocery store & had to call me back later.
The earliest flight I could have gotten would have been Thrusday. I didn't have enough money, plus, that's almost Sunday. So I have to stay.
I have to admit, I feel a little abandoned.
I slept outside on the porch last night. It was nice.
Today I'm going out with the ladies to help teach hair cutting.
Today was pretty fun. I did learn a little about hair cutting, but I also got to play with the kids. They wore me out fast.
There was one girl named Jessica who attached herself to me. She's 6 & so sweet.
There was a strong thunderstorm today. We were shut in the library, where Wendy was teaching one woman to cut hair & Angie was teaching another to do nails.
The library (Bibliotecho) is tiny. There are a lot of books, though. The kids loved it when Stephanie D. read to them. I would have, but I don't speak Spanish.
Zoe, Wendy's daughter, loved playing with the kids too. She was so tired later, though, she climbed into my lap & took a nap.
I had my first taxi ride today. Some parts of the road aren't paved, & they had big holes & they were filled up with water from the rain. We fit eight people into a tiny Kia. I don't think there are any road laws here, so it didn't matter that several people were doubled up in seats or that we passed a police car with its lights on...
Stephanie D., Angie, & I walked to a store today. I found a skirt I really like, but it was too small. We're probably going back tomorrow & I may try to find another one.
Dinner tonight was salad, rice, chicken, & french fries. Nice & American.
Angie, Stephanie D., & I played poker for Dum Dums & we're all a little giddy. Probably because it's so late. We've been spending time out on the roof. It's really nice and relaxing.
I've been emailing my parents & Jimmy, so it'd be a wast of time & paper to write what I told them already. Plus, I'm tired.
Hopefully we'll go to the stores tomorrow. There are several others in the market Angie says are good for souvenirs.
I'm excited.
3/7 of the way done.
I was so humesick last night. I did remember & email my home email.
I told the ladies I had a family emergency & needed to call home. I called my mom, but they were at the grocery store & had to call me back later.
The earliest flight I could have gotten would have been Thrusday. I didn't have enough money, plus, that's almost Sunday. So I have to stay.
I have to admit, I feel a little abandoned.
I slept outside on the porch last night. It was nice.
Today I'm going out with the ladies to help teach hair cutting.
Today was pretty fun. I did learn a little about hair cutting, but I also got to play with the kids. They wore me out fast.
There was one girl named Jessica who attached herself to me. She's 6 & so sweet.
There was a strong thunderstorm today. We were shut in the library, where Wendy was teaching one woman to cut hair & Angie was teaching another to do nails.
The library (Bibliotecho) is tiny. There are a lot of books, though. The kids loved it when Stephanie D. read to them. I would have, but I don't speak Spanish.
Zoe, Wendy's daughter, loved playing with the kids too. She was so tired later, though, she climbed into my lap & took a nap.
I had my first taxi ride today. Some parts of the road aren't paved, & they had big holes & they were filled up with water from the rain. We fit eight people into a tiny Kia. I don't think there are any road laws here, so it didn't matter that several people were doubled up in seats or that we passed a police car with its lights on...
Stephanie D., Angie, & I walked to a store today. I found a skirt I really like, but it was too small. We're probably going back tomorrow & I may try to find another one.
Dinner tonight was salad, rice, chicken, & french fries. Nice & American.
Angie, Stephanie D., & I played poker for Dum Dums & we're all a little giddy. Probably because it's so late. We've been spending time out on the roof. It's really nice and relaxing.
I've been emailing my parents & Jimmy, so it'd be a wast of time & paper to write what I told them already. Plus, I'm tired.
Hopefully we'll go to the stores tomorrow. There are several others in the market Angie says are good for souvenirs.
I'm excited.
3/7 of the way done.
Wednesday, June 6
My Fourth Full Day. 4/7 done.
Only three more full days.
This morning we woke up late & returned to Villa Catalina. I didn't see many of the children from yesterday. They were skipping school, we found out today, & so a lot of them didn't get to eat.
Angie was teaching a woman to do nails, so she practiced on mine several times. I never guessed I'd go on a mission trip and have my nails done.
Stephanie D. & I talked about the first thing we' do when we get home. I decided I want some ice cream, then a shower. I'd like to have my long bath, but I'll want to spend time with my parents & Jimmy. So I'll probably take a quick shower.
The rest of the group are back. I'm glad we only have a few more days. I don't like being around so many people constantly. It freaks me out.
We're not going to get to go shopping! I'm glad I got everyone volcano rocks!
We're ordering pizza tonight. I'm sure the cooks are happy about that.
I want to be home so badly. I miss everyone & everything so much. I know I'm doing a wonderful thing, but...I miss home.
I can hardly hold in all this emotion. I'm so glad I didn't go with the bigger group to El Capulin, the fishing village. I don't think I would have survived.
I've still been homesick, but it's returned full-force with the arrival of this big group. I feel so lost among them, & I just want to go home, where people know, understand, & care for me. They may here, but I want to be with people I really love. I want to hug my parents & curl up on the couch with Jimmy's arm around me, take a real shower...I've never wanted anything more.
No more foreign mission trips without Mom, Dad, or Jimmy for me!
Only three more full days.
This morning we woke up late & returned to Villa Catalina. I didn't see many of the children from yesterday. They were skipping school, we found out today, & so a lot of them didn't get to eat.
Angie was teaching a woman to do nails, so she practiced on mine several times. I never guessed I'd go on a mission trip and have my nails done.
Stephanie D. & I talked about the first thing we' do when we get home. I decided I want some ice cream, then a shower. I'd like to have my long bath, but I'll want to spend time with my parents & Jimmy. So I'll probably take a quick shower.
The rest of the group are back. I'm glad we only have a few more days. I don't like being around so many people constantly. It freaks me out.
We're not going to get to go shopping! I'm glad I got everyone volcano rocks!
We're ordering pizza tonight. I'm sure the cooks are happy about that.
I want to be home so badly. I miss everyone & everything so much. I know I'm doing a wonderful thing, but...I miss home.
I can hardly hold in all this emotion. I'm so glad I didn't go with the bigger group to El Capulin, the fishing village. I don't think I would have survived.
I've still been homesick, but it's returned full-force with the arrival of this big group. I feel so lost among them, & I just want to go home, where people know, understand, & care for me. They may here, but I want to be with people I really love. I want to hug my parents & curl up on the couch with Jimmy's arm around me, take a real shower...I've never wanted anything more.
No more foreign mission trips without Mom, Dad, or Jimmy for me!
Thursday, June 7
My Fifth Full Day
5/7 of the way done. Only two more full days after today.
This big group is so overwhelming. I decided to go with the medical group in the ambulance today. It's a much smaller group. Three college "adults" & me, Maddie, & Angie (not the haircutter).
The doctor is late in arrival, so we're just waiting outisde. One of the guys is on the computer. I hope he gets off soon so I can sneak on for a few minutes.
I'm really bonding with Maddie & Angie. It's unfortunate that they live in Atlanta.
We squeezed into the back of a small-ish van, among sweaty bodies & boxes upon boxes of assorted pills, prescriptions, and KY. Yes, sex lube. We use what we can get.
We made several stops on the way to the destination villa to let the doctor out to talk to patients & drop stuff off. It started raining & that cooled things off a lot.
Angie, Maddie, & I counted out pills based on the prescriptions given to us for the patiencs by the doctor.
I took a lot of pictures of the children One of the little girls drew & colored me a picture.
We arrived back at Casa Blanca around 4. I was able to send Jimmy a quick email.
The rest of the group was expected to return from Villa Catalina at 4:30, but they didn't get back until around 7. The tractor got stuck in the mud & one of the trucks blew two tires, so the group had to get out & help accordingly.
We ate lasagna for dinner. It was one of the long-termers' birthday tonight, so we also ate ice cream & she beat a pinyata. Or however you spell it.
I'm pretty excited about tomorrow & Saturday. But mostly Sunday. I have so much training to catch up on.
We payed card games tonight. Angie & I found guitars & I taught her "How Great is Our God." She sorta taught me "Time of Your Life," bit it's hard to teach.
5/7 of the way done. Only two more full days after today.
This big group is so overwhelming. I decided to go with the medical group in the ambulance today. It's a much smaller group. Three college "adults" & me, Maddie, & Angie (not the haircutter).
The doctor is late in arrival, so we're just waiting outisde. One of the guys is on the computer. I hope he gets off soon so I can sneak on for a few minutes.
I'm really bonding with Maddie & Angie. It's unfortunate that they live in Atlanta.
We squeezed into the back of a small-ish van, among sweaty bodies & boxes upon boxes of assorted pills, prescriptions, and KY. Yes, sex lube. We use what we can get.
We made several stops on the way to the destination villa to let the doctor out to talk to patients & drop stuff off. It started raining & that cooled things off a lot.
Angie, Maddie, & I counted out pills based on the prescriptions given to us for the patiencs by the doctor.
I took a lot of pictures of the children One of the little girls drew & colored me a picture.
We arrived back at Casa Blanca around 4. I was able to send Jimmy a quick email.
The rest of the group was expected to return from Villa Catalina at 4:30, but they didn't get back until around 7. The tractor got stuck in the mud & one of the trucks blew two tires, so the group had to get out & help accordingly.
We ate lasagna for dinner. It was one of the long-termers' birthday tonight, so we also ate ice cream & she beat a pinyata. Or however you spell it.
I'm pretty excited about tomorrow & Saturday. But mostly Sunday. I have so much training to catch up on.
We payed card games tonight. Angie & I found guitars & I taught her "How Great is Our God." She sorta taught me "Time of Your Life," bit it's hard to teach.
Friday, June 8
My Sixth Full Day. 6/7 of the way done.
Last night, I fell asleep in the bunk above Maddie. Stephanie D. was sitting with me, reading, while I was writing. I took off my glasses, put down my pen, curled up, & apparently fell asleep. Maddie took my glasses & pen off the bed so I wouldn't crush them if I rolled over, but she couldn't wrench my journal from my grasp. I know I clench at night, but wow.
I ended up waking up in the middle of the night. I walked back & forth between the my bed outside & the bed I had fallen asleep on, eventually falling into the one oustide and sleeping until the sun & birds woke me up.
Today was a good day. I woke up late & hastily jumped into the truck with about 15 others headed for the rock quarry. It was a big flatbed truck with bars for us to hold onto and sides that could be taken down.
The rocks in the quarry seemed to be mostly volcanic rocks. The fact that we were told to retrieve rocks from a volcano assures me that there should be no problem in taking my few small rocks from the volcano we climbed Sunday.
I got hit twice by rocks being rulled down the hill. I have a pretty big bruise, & it beld a little. After we did the back-breaking job of filling the truck, we had to stand on top of the rocks and ride to Villa Catalina.
When we arrived at the Villa, we had to unload the rocks. There is a trench that had been dug a few years ago but filled back up because of rain. Some of the large group were digging it, making room for a new rock wall.
After we unloaded our rocks, we had to move another previous pile because the rocks were in the way of the dirt that was being dug out. Apparently, stuff like this happens a lot in Nicaragua (with a few expletives, as described by a guy who does this a lot).
After we moved the pile, seven of us went back to the quarry. There was a catepillar construction thing moving rocks & dirt, so we all got very dirty. I looked Nicaraguan because my skin was so coated in dirt.
It didn't rain at all today.
After we emptied the truck of rocks, the trucks & several other groups went out to get cinderblocks and sand. I hung out with the villagers. Most of the kids seemed scared of me. I guess it was my leg. I got cut twice. I tried to put bandages on the cuts, but I sweated them off, so Stephanie D. put some pink cream on them, & the children seemed to think something of it.
At the end of the work day, the Nicaraguans & Americans played each other in baseball. The Nicaraguans won.
I left with the first truck, before the game ended. Upon arrival at casa Blanca, I took my first shower since Tuesday. It took a little while to scrub the dirt off my skin, but I succeded.
I'm extremely tired now.
Tomorrow is the last day.
I can't wait to be home.
Last night, I fell asleep in the bunk above Maddie. Stephanie D. was sitting with me, reading, while I was writing. I took off my glasses, put down my pen, curled up, & apparently fell asleep. Maddie took my glasses & pen off the bed so I wouldn't crush them if I rolled over, but she couldn't wrench my journal from my grasp. I know I clench at night, but wow.
I ended up waking up in the middle of the night. I walked back & forth between the my bed outside & the bed I had fallen asleep on, eventually falling into the one oustide and sleeping until the sun & birds woke me up.
Today was a good day. I woke up late & hastily jumped into the truck with about 15 others headed for the rock quarry. It was a big flatbed truck with bars for us to hold onto and sides that could be taken down.
The rocks in the quarry seemed to be mostly volcanic rocks. The fact that we were told to retrieve rocks from a volcano assures me that there should be no problem in taking my few small rocks from the volcano we climbed Sunday.
I got hit twice by rocks being rulled down the hill. I have a pretty big bruise, & it beld a little. After we did the back-breaking job of filling the truck, we had to stand on top of the rocks and ride to Villa Catalina.
When we arrived at the Villa, we had to unload the rocks. There is a trench that had been dug a few years ago but filled back up because of rain. Some of the large group were digging it, making room for a new rock wall.
After we unloaded our rocks, we had to move another previous pile because the rocks were in the way of the dirt that was being dug out. Apparently, stuff like this happens a lot in Nicaragua (with a few expletives, as described by a guy who does this a lot).
After we moved the pile, seven of us went back to the quarry. There was a catepillar construction thing moving rocks & dirt, so we all got very dirty. I looked Nicaraguan because my skin was so coated in dirt.
It didn't rain at all today.
After we emptied the truck of rocks, the trucks & several other groups went out to get cinderblocks and sand. I hung out with the villagers. Most of the kids seemed scared of me. I guess it was my leg. I got cut twice. I tried to put bandages on the cuts, but I sweated them off, so Stephanie D. put some pink cream on them, & the children seemed to think something of it.
At the end of the work day, the Nicaraguans & Americans played each other in baseball. The Nicaraguans won.
I left with the first truck, before the game ended. Upon arrival at casa Blanca, I took my first shower since Tuesday. It took a little while to scrub the dirt off my skin, but I succeded.
I'm extremely tired now.
Tomorrow is the last day.
I can't wait to be home.
Saturday, June 9
7/7 done. The Last Full Day
It's finally come.
And, of course, because we're going to the beach, I started my period. That stinks.
Leon, a good shopping center is on the way to the beach, so hopefully we'll be stopping there. I'd love to, since the only thing I've been able to get people so far are volcanic rocks.
I think one of the reasons I haven't liked this trip so much is because it's a lot like school. The people profess to be Christians & they serve on mission trips, but they cuss like sailors! I really hate that.
But I only have to endure one more day!
Today was so much fun! We spent a little time in Leon shopping, then drove to the beach. We ate lunch, tanned, & got inot the water. It was suprisingly warm for the Pacific, but we were near the equator.
After we rinsed & dried off, we played volley ball on the beach. It was awesome. The sand was dark & soaked up heat, so it was difficult to walk on at first. But after spending time in the water & the temperature dropped due to teh oncoming evening, it became bearable.
My team won by one point in volley ball. I am very tired. I think I may have twisted my back (again), so I took three Ibuprofen & have a heat pack on it.
I got a pretty good tan, though I still have racoon eyes from my sunglasses.
We're leaving very early tomorrow.
I can't wait to be home!
Oh, yeah, it rained tonight while I was taking my outdoor shower...that's something I won't miss!
It's finally come.
And, of course, because we're going to the beach, I started my period. That stinks.
Leon, a good shopping center is on the way to the beach, so hopefully we'll be stopping there. I'd love to, since the only thing I've been able to get people so far are volcanic rocks.
I think one of the reasons I haven't liked this trip so much is because it's a lot like school. The people profess to be Christians & they serve on mission trips, but they cuss like sailors! I really hate that.
But I only have to endure one more day!
Today was so much fun! We spent a little time in Leon shopping, then drove to the beach. We ate lunch, tanned, & got inot the water. It was suprisingly warm for the Pacific, but we were near the equator.
After we rinsed & dried off, we played volley ball on the beach. It was awesome. The sand was dark & soaked up heat, so it was difficult to walk on at first. But after spending time in the water & the temperature dropped due to teh oncoming evening, it became bearable.
My team won by one point in volley ball. I am very tired. I think I may have twisted my back (again), so I took three Ibuprofen & have a heat pack on it.
I got a pretty good tan, though I still have racoon eyes from my sunglasses.
We're leaving very early tomorrow.
I can't wait to be home!
Oh, yeah, it rained tonight while I was taking my outdoor shower...that's something I won't miss!
Sunday, June 10
In Flight...HOME!
It's over. I can't believe I made it. It didn't got by as quickly as I had hoped, but it's finally over. I get to go home & contine my mission.
I don't believe I've been called to mission to foreign nations, to build foundations & tote around large rocks. I'm a listener and a writer, not a hard-core tough worker type of girl.
The experience was incredible & wonderful. It's certainly something I'm glad to have done.
I don't think I'll be going back to Nicaragua on a mission trip again. If I ever go on a foreign mission trip again, it'll be somewhere that has a national language of English or French. I hated going most of the week unable to understand the children and not being able to order food on my own. Most of the others on the trip berated me for not knowing Spanish.
I'm kinda proud of myself, though. When speaking to the natives, I kept poping out French phrases. They came almost naturally. One of my long-term goals is to be able to speak French fluently. That I was able to unconsciencly speak & think in French brings a smile to my face.
It's wonderful to be in this air conditioned plane. Most of us breathed a deep sigh of relief as we stepped into the Managua airport. It was actually kind of COLD. I loved it.
We're flying over the ocean, and it reminds me of how eager I am to continue training for Nationals. I am extremely pleased tha tthe cold shower, three Ibuprofens, & heat pack relieved my back. It's only slightly harder on the right side than the left. This comparison is based on last night, when my right side was knotted as hard as a rock.
I'm excited about starting to work again. I'm considering taking a second job at CVS or Walgreens. I'd love to work in the photo lab again & since I'm 18, there's the possibility of becoming a lab tech.
The plane meal was excellent, & I ate it up like a starving person.
We've flown over several bodies of land (small islands) that I couldn't find on the map of our route. I'll have to look it up when I get home.
Home...a few more hours. I can't wait to run to my family...my mom, dad, & Jimmy. I can't wait to snuggle up in my bed, to brush, floss, really clean my teeth, to take a long, warm shower & to shave...these are the things I've missed, & the things I'll find soon.
It's over. I can't believe I made it. It didn't got by as quickly as I had hoped, but it's finally over. I get to go home & contine my mission.
I don't believe I've been called to mission to foreign nations, to build foundations & tote around large rocks. I'm a listener and a writer, not a hard-core tough worker type of girl.
The experience was incredible & wonderful. It's certainly something I'm glad to have done.
I don't think I'll be going back to Nicaragua on a mission trip again. If I ever go on a foreign mission trip again, it'll be somewhere that has a national language of English or French. I hated going most of the week unable to understand the children and not being able to order food on my own. Most of the others on the trip berated me for not knowing Spanish.
I'm kinda proud of myself, though. When speaking to the natives, I kept poping out French phrases. They came almost naturally. One of my long-term goals is to be able to speak French fluently. That I was able to unconsciencly speak & think in French brings a smile to my face.
It's wonderful to be in this air conditioned plane. Most of us breathed a deep sigh of relief as we stepped into the Managua airport. It was actually kind of COLD. I loved it.
We're flying over the ocean, and it reminds me of how eager I am to continue training for Nationals. I am extremely pleased tha tthe cold shower, three Ibuprofens, & heat pack relieved my back. It's only slightly harder on the right side than the left. This comparison is based on last night, when my right side was knotted as hard as a rock.
I'm excited about starting to work again. I'm considering taking a second job at CVS or Walgreens. I'd love to work in the photo lab again & since I'm 18, there's the possibility of becoming a lab tech.
The plane meal was excellent, & I ate it up like a starving person.
We've flown over several bodies of land (small islands) that I couldn't find on the map of our route. I'll have to look it up when I get home.
Home...a few more hours. I can't wait to run to my family...my mom, dad, & Jimmy. I can't wait to snuggle up in my bed, to brush, floss, really clean my teeth, to take a long, warm shower & to shave...these are the things I've missed, & the things I'll find soon.
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