Tuesday - Day 3

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9



Tuesday was another very busy day. I apologize to all the readers for the delay in this post - my internet connection was interrupted as pictures were being updated, and I lost the blog last night. Better late than never!

Tuesday Events

In the afternoon I was able to walk around the school taking video of everyone in their daily schedule. 

I had so much pleasure watching Ruth Rice light up the eyes and hearts of the students with the new music program. The bells were in the students' hands making two-part harmony - so much progress after one day in class!

Next door, I witnessed a small miracle that lit up the classroom and the face of Dr. Rice that only could have been sent from above. A small creature letting us know that we had the Lord with us.

Progress continued on the many vehicles that were getting the special attention of Carl Wirth. I had to ask Carl to remove himself from under the car in order to get a picture!

The men working in the wood shop added more sawdust to the pile out back behind the school - more pictures tomorrow from the team that is building beautiful bookcases and desks for the school!

Mary led her group as they continued to work off-site to paint a huge wall outside a community church where the children gather daily for a feeding program. The children receive their only meal - once a day - at the church. 

A wondrous painting of Jesus in a field of flowers emerged with the help of many Nicaraguans in Pastor Denny's community. Mary's brilliant idea turned into a sea of children waiting to imprint their hands at the feet of Jesus. Truly, a community painting brought together with the blessings from above.

After a team-building experience at the hotel, our group went to a church service in the evening. Members of the BLC team were welcomed with open arms. Pastor Denny described his sincere admiration for Wayne and the work that the Tingles and BLC do for his church. He described the feeding program and how it not only provides food for bellies, but also provides the food for the soul. He thanked the BLC for their support and especially that the team had chosen to assist them and “not some other country, or some better-off church in Managua, but here, here in the heart….”

Finally, members of our team gave their testimonies. I felt moved by the whole tearful and joyous experience. Praise be to God!

Day 2 - Monday


"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. "
John 13:34

So much activity today! The team started our wonderful day by greeting the children as they came into the school - smiles, pressed clothes, eyes bright with excitement. We held out our hands and the younger children gave us loving hugs, and the older boys slapped our hands gleefully with high-fives.



Each member of the team had our assignments from the Tingles. Painting the community church, building bookcases and desks, introducing a brand new music and science program, installing software on laptops and fixing cars and weed-wackers at the school. So many months of preparation from the team and the BLC community to get to this point.

As Wayne reminded us all the night before "You own it." And own it we did! We are one body!

Painting at the church

Mary mapping out the painting for the community church wall

Watch out for the scaffolding - painting behind the water tower

Sal and his fellow painters

The feeding program at the community church - 130 children surrounded by wet paint

Mary with Pastor Denny - Mary, do you speak Spanish?

First sketch coming together

Students at the school

Ruth sharing her love - The new music program at the school!

The eyes of wonder and grace

Dr. Rice and Roger  - the excellent interpreter

How big is that bug? The students are full of questions!

Dr Rice teaching the students about the microscope - with a camera at the end!

Preparing the wood fur building

Wayne inspecting the operation

Let's use that Router

Handing out instruments

After a long day, there were many accomplishments. In our nightly debriefing session with Megan and Wayne, the team shared their moments together, and took time to reflect on how just a few actions can make such a difference. The school is a very amazing place. It brings out the best in the students as well as the body of people that are privileged to serve at the school.

Thank you god for sending us here to serve you.

Day 1 – Sunday

Today some of the early birds were treated to coffee with Megan and Wayne on their porch at the hotel. After a wonderful breakfast prepared at the hotel, we were off to see the school, some of us for the first time. Excitement and anticipation.

The sights on the way to the school were eye-opening. As we left the city limits, we saw cars and motor bikes mixed in with horse-drawn carts, street vendors, large potholes, dirt roads, and homes    made from tin roofing with simple dirt floors.

After a bumpy and hot ride we reached the school. What a beautiful place! Surrounded by high walls, a large gate opened into a green and welcoming sanctuary for the children. Everything was immaculate and sparkling in the sunshine. We listened intently to the Tingles as they talked about the impact that they had made so far, and the plans to extend beyond fourth grade, and perhaps a new vocational school in the future. So inspiring! The Tingles were so grateful for the BLC support,  and excited about the school.

We were treated to a full tour of the school, and later, a walk in the community. The walk in the community just outside the walls of the school was overwhelming to many of us. The harsh reality that exists outside the walls for students, compared to their experience within the school came into sharp focus for the entire team.

The five minute walk around the block gave us a sense of renewed purpose...maybe for the rest of our lives.

 

Unpacking the supplies

The Tingles

Growing vegetables and fish - brilliant!

 Greeting a student out in the community

Sorting school supplies

Instruments for the new music program !

The school

Attending a church service out in the community - what a treat!

“I will give thanks to the lord with my whole heart; I will tell of all thy wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exalt in thee, I will sing praise to thy name, O Most High.”

Psalm 9: 1, 2

Day 0 - Travel to our Destination

Packing Up and Travel


Friday night and Saturday morning were a blur. Everything went so fast! The team spent Friday night packing up suitcases full of things for the school - books, vitamins, musical instruments, binders, paper, paint, rollers, clothes, microscopes, laptops and tools, tools, tools. It was incredible to witness the generosity and love from so many people that went into those suitcases. As we packed in assembly-line fashion, I sensed the direction and gentle nudging from around me, and from within.

Saturday morning we met at the church. After blessings and prayers from the BLC community, we left for Albany airport for a day of travel. Along the way, Sal got his "wings." Sally Jo got chocolate- covered rasberries and danced with a flight attendant. Mary was meant to sit beside a young woman with talent that needed encouragement and understanding from a seasoned artist.

We all made it safely to the Hotel with the wonderful Tingles. Our journey has begun!



" The earth is the lord's and the fulness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein; For he has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers."
Psalm 24 verses 1 and 2