Busy Days

Before posting this I looked at the date of my last post and it was almost a month ago! It well reflects the full schedule that we've had over the past few weeks. Just this past week We hosted a major event called Teens Ivolved and we also had a group from Costa Rica visiting. We were able to do lots of outreaches with the groups in schools, hospitals, and cemeteries. I have tons of pictures and need to go through them and pick out the best ones. I'll be doing that over the next day or two and post pictures from each event. Thanks for keeping up with us!

Pali

I had a friend request a blog about the grocery store. I'm sure you may be curious to know what the stores are like here and what is the weekly shopping experience for us. So, we took the camera to give you an inside peak. Sadly, upon enetering they told us we weren't allowed to take pictures, but we got away with a few. Also you can click on the pictures and zoom in if you want to see things better.



The store where we buy almost all of our groceries is called Pali. You can see the sign in the above picture. We usually go once a week and right after church because it's right down the road.



Pali doesn't have a/c and they don't spend money on presentation but just put most of the products on the shelf in the boxes or bags they were shipped in. They do this in order to get the best price for the customer, and they do have great prices compared to other stores.



Here I am with a bag of rice in my arms. We eat rice with almost every meal. It's a staple here along with beans.



As I'm rounding the corner you can see that they sell whole cooked chickens and they have a meat and deli counter too. Not too bad, right?



Here is another view and if you look off to the left you can see that they even sell underwear, baby clothes, and household goods. Walmart actually has a share in the Pali stores and you can even find Great Value Walmart products here.

I wish I could have put up a few more pictures, but at least this is a little insight into our routine Sunday grocery shopping experience.

Fall Fever!

My internal american calendar says "Yea, it's Fall!" I'm ready for the change in temperature, the leaves falling from the trees, the festive decore and yummy foods, the warmth that you feel in the home during the Fall season, yet Fall doesn't exist here. It's an odd feeling to be in October but experience none of the above, except that we do have warmth in the home. It gets up 95 degrees and humid. :)

I feel Fall driven. Jader likes a squash that you can get here in the grocery store. It's kinda like a butternut squash I guess. I just made creamed squash soup and I separated the seeds and am now toasting them just like pumpkin seeds. Now it beginning to be like Fall. I'm pondering the idea of making a pumpkin pie but they don't sell the pumpkin in a can and I don't know where to find a pumpkin. I think this squash would work though. If I get adventurous and test out the "squash pie" I'll definitely let you know how it goes!

I'm always learning that being a missionary involves being fully with the people. Instead of creating my own bubble of Fall, which really won't ever be the real deal, I can enjoy the Nicaraguan October. This means I can enjoy the last part of the rainly season. We haven't had much rain, but after October we won't have it for 6 months. So, the rain is great! Also, I get to enjoy the tropical fruits like papaya, calala, pineapple and the list goes on! Nothing beats the Nicaraguan cheese! They've got quesillo, fresh cheese, a dry cheese, and something amazing called cuajada! What great blessings are to be found in Nicaragua in October. :)

I'll still may make my squash pie and happily eat my roasted seeds yet I'm going to let my Fall fever calm down and enjoy this Nicaraguan October that God has given me.

Santo Tomas

Santo Tomas from a distance.

Jader and I went to Santo Tomas this past weekend and had a wonderful time with the youth there. We were able to attend their Bible Club service on Saturday evening and their two Sunday services as well. Here are some pictures of the church and the activities we attended.

Teachers and traveling

We're excited because this Friday we will be having our first retreat for teachers. We've had many school retreats for jr. high and high school kids and have been able to form solid relationships with a few schools here in Managua. One of the schools that we have worked with a lot asked for a retreat solely for the teachers. I was a teacher for awhile and I would have loved to hear my principal say, "Don't teach class on Friday. Instead go get refreshed by God's word at a retreat. :) So, that's the plan for this upcoming Friday. We'll be at a camp property and start early morning and go until around 3:00. We'll be cooking burgers for their lunch and organizing a few games for them, along with teachings that will help them to grow spiritually. Pray that those who don't know Jesus that would come to know Him and also for them to effectively minister to their students as a result of the retreat.

On Saturday Jader and I will be making another trip to Santo Tomas. We will be visiting a Bible Club there and checking in with the leaders. It's about three hours outside of Managua. We'll be staying the night Saturday night and then returning in the evening on Sunday. Jader will be giving the two Sunday messages and the leader traning as well. Please pray that this time would be an encouragment and blessing to the youth and the church as a whole.

I'll bring my camera and post the pictures once we get back!

Medical Team

We had a very successful week with our medical team. We were able to work at two different sites. One site was a church where we have a Bible Club and we were there for three days, and then the other site is a daughter church of our home church, Calvary Baptist.

We had a dentist, a doctor of internal medicine, and another that served as our pediatrician. We also had a group of Nicaraguan youth who were sharing the gospel to all the patients one on one before they received medical services.

I translated for the internal medicine doctor and was able to learn a lot of medical information, and it was also neat to see how he would pray with the patients or share Jesus with them as he discerned their needs.

Both of the churches that hosted the clinic were incredibly encouraged through the ministry of the gospel and the way we were able to tend to peoples pysical needs as well.

Praise God for the work that He did, for the strength that He gave us, and for the generosity of the team that came and gave so much of themselves and their resources for the Nicaraguan people.

Super Match 2009

A week ago we had an activity called Super Match which was held in a big gym here in Managua and over 550 people attended. We had competitive games between our 7 Bible Clubs and the winning team brought home the trophy. As you can see in the photos the youth really got into the activity! Also, midway through the activity Guillermo shared the gospel, and then youth were able to share one on one with people they invited. I have several photos of Bible Club leaders and youth sharing Jesus with their friends. Check out these photos! :)

Also, yesterday evening we received a group of 10 people from Georgia and Pennsylvania. We'll be hosting a medical clinic with them here in Managua this week. Please be praying for this time. Thanks!