Bethlehem Lutheran Church Nicaragua Mission: October 2014

Friday, October 31, 2014

Day 6 - Friday

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

Today the team had a fun cultural day enjoying the beauty of Nicaragua. The day gave everyone time to reflect on their week, and consider how we all will take our experience back with us. The night before, the Tingles had challenged each and every member of the team to think about how they would continue to serve others in need, and walk with Jesus Christ. Most everyone agreed that community outreach was an important opportunity.

The team spent the day at the gorgeous Laguna Beach Club on Lago de Apoya. The lake was formed in the crater of a volcano, with warm crystal clear water.

After the lake, the group traveled to Managua to shop at a large market filled with furniture, textiles, artwork, leather goods, and so much more.

Finally, the Tingles surprised the team with a wonderful dinner at a fine restaurant. The food was excellent, and most everyone tried the Nicaraguan-style teak called Churrasco - delicious with chimichurri sauce! After the meal, the team sang a special song to the Tingles as a most heart-felt thank you. The lyrics and composition were by the famous music director, Ruth Rice and her special helpers.

Tomorrow will be a full day of travel back to the states. We will rise and leave by 5AM on Saturday. All of us will have tears in our eyes as we leave. Farewell Nicaragua - you are forever imprinted on our minds, and in our hearts.

The "girls" at breakfast

Morning devotion with Sally Jo and Wayne

Laguna Beach Club

Siesta time for Alan and Frank

Team swim

Ruth finally relaxing

Bathing beauty Sally Jo

Market in Managua

Street musicians in Managua

Tingles, Pam and Alicia

Managua

Mary, Wayne, Nicole

Special "Thank you" song to the Tingles

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Day 5 - Thursday

"The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. "

Galations 5: 22

Today was our last day at the school. As I was finishing up the software installation, I had the opportunity to visit several members of the team as they completed their work for school.

Carl, Doug and Gerald discovered that the pickup truck tailgates had to be retrofitted as the tailgates were from 1995 and the trucks were made in 2004. Lots of pounding of metal to get the old tailgates off the trucks!

Alan. Rick, and Sal finished up a beautiful set of bookcases and desks. Mary and Nicole took some time to learn how to use the tools and assist in the project.

Members of the BLC team had the privilege to meet with their newly sponsored students. It was a very emotional experience to meet with these precious children that were willing to work hard for their big dreams.

The real high points of the day were two absolutely wonderful school assemblies. The first presentation included traditional Nicaraguan folk dances, singing, and a wonderful gymnastics display where the students proudly showed their ability to do cartwheels, leaps, pyramids, and wonderful dances. They performed a dance skit to the Pharrell Williams Happy song that showed how easily the students were able to move between traditional and contemporary dance.

The second school assembly was a wonderful concert performed by the students for their families and the entire school. Ruth had her music students perform a spectacular concert with drumsticks and the new glockenspiels. The whole room was enthralled as the students listened for their cues, and hit every beat with perfection. It was truly a small miracle to see how far the kids had come with the new music program.

Traditional Nicaraguan folk dance

Gymnastics display

Backflips with glee

The spectacular music concert

Glockenspiel concert

Ruth on the keyboard

Legs for the tables

Gate in front of the school

Faculty morning prayer

Terri with students

Soccer !

Team work!

Eager students in English class

Sally Jo

Lunch time

BLC Team and their sponsored students

Carl and Roger delivering a loved filled card from Debbie Dowen

Nicaraguan traditional dance

Sal in his glory surrounded by smiles

Dance team

Ruth and Dr. Rice with students

The infirmary stocked with supplies

Megan in the infirmary

Stocked with medical supplies

The modified workbench created by Alan and Rick

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Day 4 - Wednesday

"Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the lord, all the earth! Sing to the lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!"
Psalm 96:1-3

Wednesday is traditionally hump day for North Americans, a day that lets you know that you are halfway through the week. Here in Nicaragua, the activities never end, both for the team, and for the students and faculty! The day started with a chapel service at the school. This was not like anything that I had ever experienced. This was a rocking, joyous singing, dancing, music extravaganza!
Students held candles to light the way, and some wore beautiful costumes to accentuate the festive atmosphere.

The BLC team danced with joy alongside students and faculty as they were lifted by the amazing experience. Everyone was on their feet singing praises for the lord.

Later in the day, the good work continued. Chuck led a group discussion with the fourth grade boys about life skills that included responsibility, leadership, and consideration of others. The boys soaked up Chuck's words with big eyes and open ears.

After lunch, Pastor Denny, a friend of the Tingles, came to the school to talk to the BLC team about his difficult life journey, and the miracle of turning his life around, and over to Christ. We listened to the story of a man who had a horrific childhood and years filled with violence, drugs, and gangs. He told his poignant story about how he was a man that did evil things, and he was saved by a persistent Christian woman. All of our eyes were filled with tears. God loves all his children and will not give up!

After finishing up at the school, the group was treated to a wonderful meal at the Tingles. Megan and Wayne are such wonderful hosts and their brilliant daughters are terrific!