tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61811326033871084222024-02-18T19:55:10.715-06:00The Beauty of Grace Is That It Makes Life Unfairstories thoughts of a young adult missionaryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-60337266065222665212014-09-27T09:11:00.000-05:002014-09-28T19:38:22.709-05:00Single Stories<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636348724365px;"><i>"All consciousness raising, or awareness, begins with personal relationships. It doesn’t matter how many books you read, or how many times you read the news online or in a daily paper, or how many journals or policy briefings you peruse. Banners and bumper stickers are worthless. These things may lift up “issues” worthy of our attention, but as long as we are able to objectify certain things as “issues,” then we are removed from the urgency, the immediacy, the living, breathing reality of our fellow humans." </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.5636348724365px;">-Wes Magruder</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I've had an idea floating around about what I wanted to write about on my blog for sometime and then a friend shared this quote on his Facebook status and it continued to add to my feelings of getting out of our "single stories."In the summer of 2012, when I went through Missionary training in New York, we watched this video. In the video, Chimanda Adiche talks about the discovery of her own culture amidst a single story and w<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 33px;">arns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.</span> If you don't have time to watch the entire video, I encourage you to at least watch the first five minutes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story">https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story</a></span><br />
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I knew right then and there that God's largest calling for me in this journey is to get outside of my "single story", or as I often call it, my "bubble." How often do we ALL re-learn the lesson over and over that we just don't truly understand someone until we begin a personal relationship with them. Christ crossed all sorts of boundaries set in place by society. We must cross boundaries. We must leave our little, happy, warm places of comfort. </div>
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I don't think I even need to explicitly point out that what we see in our media, news, and literature will often only feed us a "single story". Today many of the issues that flash across our news sources encourage us to think in a biased manner. Yet, Jesus Christ himself ignored the stories spewing out of the mouths of the majority and helped the Disciples expand the stories of others.<br />
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Everyday I am learning something new as I live in a small, rural, Southern, mountain town. I'm learning what it's like for people to visit the local food pantry once a week to help save money. I'm learning about the use of EBTs or food stamps and how many people in need don't receive very many. I'm learning about the desirefor a peaceful way of living from both the people who have lived here their entire lives and those who choose to retire here I'm learning how some people continue to can vegetables and a few others still use a wood burning stove to heat their homes. I'm learning of the history of the Cherokee's banishment from the area. Everyday my story expands little by little, yet I know there will always be something more to learn. If I let myself get too comfortable it what I already understand and know, I will fail God's calling to grow.<br />
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Here are a few more interesting facts/demographics about Clay County, NC:<br />
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<ul>
<li>260 people live within the city limits of Hayesville</li>
<li>10,000 live in Clay County</li>
<li>3 schools (Elementary, Middle, High) all located on the same campus but in 3 different buildings</li>
<li>2 stop lights</li>
<li>New, fancy grocery store with organic food options</li>
<li>local farmer's market every Thursday evening</li>
<li>many different food giveaway programs</li>
<li>families who have lived here for generations and generations</li>
<li>retirees who used to vacation here</li>
<li>LOTs of thrift stores benefitting local resource agencies/non-profits</li>
<li>30 minute drive to go to a Walmart</li>
<li>20+ minute drive to go to a hospital</li>
<li>remnants of a moon shine culture- streets named things like "Thumping Hills"</li>
<li>families who live on their family's street "Penland" "Roach"</li>
<li>public transportation exists- but you have to plan in advance and wait a while</li>
<li>local dialect- "you'ins" "have a good'in"</li>
<li>probably 90% white, 4% hispanic, 1% black/African American</li>
<li>LOTs of churches- even in small neighborhoods</li>
<li>highest speed limit in the area is 55mph</li>
<li>many people have their own gardens</li>
<li>only 20% of the population has a Bachelor's degree or higher</li>
<li>statistics show that the median household income is $30,000- $35,000 but this contains outliers from transplant community members</li>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-88215443149007974092014-09-10T16:18:00.000-05:002014-09-28T23:01:14.685-05:00Summer Season<div style="text-align: left;">
I am not going to even start to explain my long absence... I had a CRAZY SUMMER SEASON working at a mission outreach retreat center. But I am back in action in the world of blog writing. </div>
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This summer Hinton Center hosted 1,200 volunteers who worked within our community, helping local homeowners with different home repairs/projects. Teams built ramps, and decks. They repaired sub-flooring. Some installed vinyl flooring as well as new doors and windows. Others scraped and painted houses, ramps, and living rooms. Yet, I believe encouraging and uplifting the local community members is the biggest achievement of the summer.<br />
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I first encountered Mindy at our weekly Thursday night dinner on Hinton Hill as she requested to talk on the microphone in front of 150 people . Each Thursday the teams invited the homeowners to partake in a celebratory meal with us. Before eating teams share about their experiences and what work they accomplished during the week. According to my colleague, when the volunteers first arrived to Mindy's house she acted very shy and hesitant in regards to the presence of visitors at her home. The team began painting the outside of Mindy's house the first day, but decided to leave early to allow time for Mindy to adjust to the new visitors. Mindy lost her husband a few years ago and ever since has somewhat lived the life a hermit and one might say as someone who hoards a bunch of stuff. The volunteers and Mindy slowly began to bond. Mindy began to open up emotionally and to open up her house to the team members. She even allowed one volunteer to help sort and donate a good amount of her things. Fast forward to Thursday night of that week and there stood Cindy in front of all of those people, holding a microphone. Similar to when the volunteers first entered her home, she hesitated. She stood almost frozen with eyes glued to her. Then, the words of gratitude poured out. She explained to all of us how the volunteers had truly changed her life and helped her realize she was living a life of solitude. They helped her escape the overwhelming feelings associated with her living situation. We are now working with Mindy so that she can volunteer with us and also give back to someone in the community.<br />
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Stories like Cindy's represent the true accomplishments our volunteers and staff achieved this summer. Her story can also remind us all of the importance of embracing community, allowing our communities to help restore, encourage, and motivate each of us.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-18479769088312620242014-05-17T20:33:00.002-05:002014-05-17T20:49:20.607-05:00Snippits from my Life in Hayesville<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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2 months.</div>
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I've been living in Western North Carolina for a little over 2 months. </div>
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I've been back in the United States for a little over 3 months.</div>
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Time is flying. </div>
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Something that has truly been filling me with joy is where I now live. Diamond and I moved into one of Hinton's lakeside cabins. Each and everyday I see a part of God's creation that takes my breath away. There are times I want to stop on the side of the road just to soak up the views around here. At night, I often have to pause and stare up at the brilliantly shining stars. </div>
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Here are a few glimpses into my life so far living in Hayesville, NC. I hope "you'ins" enjoy.</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-52078825599891936262014-04-23T21:24:00.001-05:002014-04-23T21:27:45.024-05:00My Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-40239105682852421212014-04-22T16:49:00.001-05:002014-04-22T17:14:21.066-05:00Those Who Are Left Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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She reached out for my hand and as she held on to me she said, in a sort of whimper, "I love you." </div>
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When loading into the car that morning to visit Ms. Molly (name changed) I didn't realize the impact a simple visit for an "exit interview" would have on me... or the impact of speaking on the phone earlier this week with an 80 year old woman who shared with me her life and constant battles living on a low income throughout her life. Also, she shared about her struggles with recently onset agoraphobia. </div>
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Each of these impactful moments happened as part of my new work at the Hinton Rural Life Center. The Hinton Center does home repairs, helps with landscaping, builds staircases and handicap ramps, etc. to over 100 homes each year in Western North Carolina. However, in my opinion it's biggest accomplishments involve visiting community members and building relationships with them. </div>
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Part of my job is to conduct exit interviews with different community members who received help from Hinton within the last two years. Hinton Center wants feedback in regards to the work accomplished and any suggestions the community may have. It is also a great way to stay in contact with those who have received help and show that Hinton still cares about them. </div>
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Something I quickly began realizing about this area is that many retirees are the majority of the people faced with the issue of poverty. Not just a financial poverty, but a social poverty as well. </div>
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I came to find out, for example, that Ms. Molly who should have family members taking care of her in her old age is stuck taking care of her only son who is around 40 but has lots of health problems. She can barely walk between her house and her son's house which is located just up the hill from her own and I just thought of how easy it would be for her to fall. Then, her desperate reaction to our short visit made me think it is not often that she receives visitors or gets to interact with people other than her son. </div>
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Yet, when I started thinking about her situation more, I realize her story of isolation and struggle is one of thousands in our nation. I think of the certain elderly who live almost abandoned as they live out the rest of their lives. Are they are fellow church members? Neighbors? Relatives?</div>
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I think of the volunteers from my home church who are dedicated to help deliver shut-in communion to church members who are unable to travel to church on Sundays. The time they spend sitting and listening to stories. How important that small amount of time can be!</div>
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I still feel Ms. Molly's grip as she shared such intimate words with me after just meeting me and think- how can we include our isolated elderly brothers and sisters into our communities more?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-88233230382553377982014-04-07T17:35:00.000-05:002014-04-22T17:42:50.907-05:00Osiyo<div style="text-align: center;">
Osiyo (spelled phonetically)= Hello in Cherokee</div>
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Naksa= Hello in Miskito</div>
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When considering who exists within our marginalized populations within the United States, I have a feeling many of us forget to include the first persecuted groups... Native Americans or after my experiences in Nicaragua... indigenous groups.</div>
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Living in Western North Carolina I quickly began to realize I now live where part of the Cherokee Nation existed and where many Cherokee people still live today. Sadly, I don't know if I would be as interested in growing my knowledge of the Cherokee if I hadn't met several Miskito people in Nicaragua. </div>
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One of the most eye-opening experiences I had in regards to witnessing injustices that the Miskito people face was when I got to participate in a regional assembly for the RAAN. I witnessed people speaking in their native language, expressing their rights to share their opinions and experiences about the faults in health care and access. </div>
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Last week, I attended a Cherokee Culture Center dedication at the local library. Several Hayesville residents worked together to create an exhibit in the library and there is a "trail" leading to other exhibits and monuments. Many Cherokee were invited to the event including people who help with cultural preservation and education.</div>
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I really appreciated that when a local leader spoke he admitted that the committee from Hayesville all of "European descent" learned along the way and may have made some mistakes in trying to preserve the Cherokee history, but emphasized the effort is to honor the area's early history. </div>
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There was a pretty awful moment during the event, though. The library's little auditorium has a huge mural of when "Europeans" first settled Hayesville covering the front wall. My co-worker pointed out that she did find one black women in the mural who is wearing a maid outfit. The worst was when the presentor had the Eastern Band's Principal Chief take a picture with the dedication plaque in front of this horrible mural. Maybe the library can consider adding to the mural the history before the white people came as an even further recognition of the Cherokee. </div>
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One of my learning goals while I am living here is to understand more about the Cherokee history and perhaps learn a few words in Cherokee, too. As a person who lives with many privileges, I hope to continue recognizing my brothers and sisters who may face marginalization and to become more educated about their situations. I also realize that perhaps we can never be perfect at trying to close our gaps in society, but we can be vulnerable enough to try and humble to admit mistakes along the journey to learning more.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-44567968934119654442014-03-29T09:33:00.004-05:002014-03-29T10:04:26.721-05:00I Am Completely DifferentMy fellow Mission Intern Hillary Taylor recently shared this poem on her <a href="http://therebemethodtomadness.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">blog. </a> I loved it and thought I would share it with you, too.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">“I Am Completely Different”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I am completely different.<br style="line-height: inherit;" />Though I am wearing the same tie as yesterday,<br style="line-height: inherit;" />am as poor as yesterday,<br style="line-height: inherit;" />as good for nothing as yesterday,<br style="line-height: inherit;" />today<br style="line-height: inherit;" />I am completely different.<br style="line-height: inherit;" />Though I am wearing the same clothes,<br style="line-height: inherit;" />am as drunk as yesterday,<br style="line-height: inherit;" />living as clumsily as yesterday, nevertheless<br style="line-height: inherit;" />today<br style="line-height: inherit;" />I am completely different.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-family: Ubuntu, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.9950008392334px; margin-bottom: 1.615em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Ah …<br style="line-height: inherit;" />I patiently close my eyes<br style="line-height: inherit;" />on all the grins and smirks<br style="line-height: inherit;" />on all the twisted smiles and horse laughs—<br style="line-height: inherit;" />and glimpse then, inside me<br style="line-height: inherit;" />one beautiful white butterfly<br style="line-height: inherit;" />fluttering towards tomorrow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, 'DejaVu Sans', sans-serif; line-height: 19.512001037597656px;">--Kuroda Saburo—</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-47273614309065118342014-03-24T09:51:00.002-05:002014-03-24T09:57:53.985-05:00Shakin' Your Booty Looks a Little Different Throughout the WorldAs a means to try to begin branching out to my new community, as well as get some exercise, Diamond, my new co-worker and co-missionary, and I went to a Zumba class in a local recreation center. The rec center we went to is located in a town called Franklin which is about a 30-45 minute drive from Hayesville- my new "home" town. I am slowly learning that almost everywhere or anything takes at least a 30 minute drive, which if I considered everyday travel in Managua, it would take me about 30 minutes to walk to the bus, wait, get on, switch buses and walk to the office. Also, I love that there is never traffic around here. :)<br />
<br />
Well.... so back to the Zumba class. Diamond and I arrived to class after wandering through the small halls of the rec center. There were about 4 ladies already seated in a room with a lot of open space. At least 5 more women showed up. All of them were at least 40 and older. I am only informing you of their ages so you can get a good picture in your head- I love to hang out with people of all ages, so no hatin'. The instructor informed us that she got certified last year to teach Zumba classes and she was proud of herself for becoming certified and teaching a dance class at 50 years old. She is a rock star!<br />
<br />
Finally the music started and we all found our own space to be able to move around well. Many of the songs were familiar to me from the dance exercise class I participated when I was in Nicaragua. However, there were several moments I had to giggle to myself because I was no longer surrounded by Latinas who could almost all shake it like Shakira. Instead, I was surrounded by middle-aged white women who danced with lots of passion and enjoyed themselves, but let's just say... there was some lack of smooth hip movements.<br />
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I've had many moments, such as my new dance class, comparing my new community of North Carolina to Nicaragua. On our campus, we have an outdoor chapel area, but you have to hike a little ways to get to arrive to it's location. As we were hiking up the hill through the trees and crunching leaves with our feet, I has a flashback to the many times in Nicaragua I had to hike just to arrive to someone's house. I remembered how many people have to hike to go to school or hike to go to a hospital or hike to get water for their homes. As we hiked for entertainment, I remembered the hardships of others.<br />
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As I learn more about my new community, I want to try not to always think of the differences between Nicaragua and North Carolina but instead issues as well as blessings that are similar. I mean both places start with the letter N so there's a start. No, but seriously I've already noticed there are many food banks located all within a small area of each other and food security is something Nicaragua is constantly concerned about as well.<br />
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In this new part of my journey, I will happily "dance" within a new culture and with new people while using my past and present to learn and grow.<br />
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Peace, Whitney P.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-8925229983150946922014-03-16T21:02:00.001-05:002014-03-24T09:58:54.649-05:00Emotions & Lessons Learned<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvOpLjuArpv-34kGFFVV7t92SYClFExhH1Z0V4hoCq__eB4_rjUyHb_GfASAc1XqP5IM_BGCYnHWBuD-hzB1jOhsaJnZa7G8wayU4rd6fsyxGyA-cb3ZZQ6SPJNTX-W3ZzBehgpKQIyjG/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvOpLjuArpv-34kGFFVV7t92SYClFExhH1Z0V4hoCq__eB4_rjUyHb_GfASAc1XqP5IM_BGCYnHWBuD-hzB1jOhsaJnZa7G8wayU4rd6fsyxGyA-cb3ZZQ6SPJNTX-W3ZzBehgpKQIyjG/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at my new home in Hayesville, NC!</td></tr>
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I said goodbye to dear, dear people in Nicaragua…<o:p></o:p></div>
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I spent 12 days at “Mid Terms” with fellow Mission Fellows
in NY reflecting, celebrating, sharing and mourning our times spent outside of
our home countries…<o:p></o:p></div>
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I squeezed each of my family members and tried to soak up
every minute of my short time in McKinney, TX…<o:p></o:p></div>
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I visited several churches that allowed me to share about my
personal experiences in Nicaragua…<o:p></o:p></div>
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I arrived 4 days ago to Hayesville, NC and have begun
settling into my new community and job…<o:p></o:p></div>
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I feel like my whole transition from Nicaragua to the United
States was a blur at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
experienced a variety of emotions from feeling <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">sad-</b> to leave people and a country<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">numb-</b> many times I didn’t feel anything. When I might have cried or
felt overwhelmingly grateful, I felt numb instead.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joyful-</b> to see loved ones once again = amazing <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Disgusted-</b> Yes, at times, I’ve felt disgusted with materialism,
excess of things, attitudes of people, people’s priorities, etc. This is an
intese emotion that I do not wish to feel, but instead wish to feel less
hateful and simply acknowledge my opinions of these situations with respect for
others, yet live differently based on my opinions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Challenged/questioning-</b> mid-terms allowed me to converse with
others about those social issues that are really affecting the areas where we
were working- what can we do? How are we called? Why are things this way? (My
parents were also wonderful people with whom to discuss the hard stuff- thanks
padres)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Humbled/inspired-</b> all the churches I visited are so open to hearing
about missions and gave so generously of their time and money to my program <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Unsettled-</b> I had to think about a word to describe this particular
emotion I’ve been having, but I sometimes feel like an outsider looking in on
what’s happening and a desire to perhaps to be living once again in a Nica-like
culture<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blessed- </b>There were several moments I would be looking at my nephew
or sitting with my parents or siblings & I just wanted to stare at them,
soaking up the moment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also had time
to spend with extended relatives, after missing the death of one of uncles and
an aunt while I was working in Nicaragua. I definitely have so much more
appreciation for my <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">entire</b> family. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I share these emotions with you so perhaps you can have a
new perspective of thefact that it is tough to face one’s home country again,
after living in a different reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Society expects you to just fit right back in again, but what are we
fitting into?<o:p></o:p></div>
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It was great speaking at churches and actually pretty
healing to get to share pictures and stories about my adventures. I do,
however, want to share a few reactions/opions/what-have-yous that made me
realize, hmmm, perhaps I did not share certain perspectives thouroughly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not trying to criticize, cause’ let’s be
honest- I’ve probably said some of these things in the past. I simply have a
new perspective now and want to challenge you, too, to think a bit differently
about some of the following things that were said to me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“so we can learn from
this presentation just how blessed we are to live here”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Is this the lesson you learned..and the only one? Uh oh. Yes,
large majorities of people in the US have access to health care, clean water,
safetly, food, etc. which are blessings everyone deserves and should have. Yet,
if we keep going, in my opinion, those other<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“blessings” we have, own, drive, live in, prioritize are many times a
sign of living in too much excess or waste. Those extra things we don’t need,
yet feel we deserve, often cause injustices throughout the world. Perhaps it’s
better to learn from my Nicaraguan experiences …how we need to share those
“blessings”? … learn that we too can live with less? …learn that we have too
much?<o:p></o:p></div>
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“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">they are poor, but
they seem really happy”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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For me, this statement isn’t seeing those “poor people” as
dignified human beings. Of course they are happy. They are also sad sometimes,
possibly mad, grumpy, energized, joyful, silly, and tired- just like YOU. I’ve
come to realize that “poor people” do not exist. Nope. Only people, children of
God, who are living with the issue of poverty. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“aren’t you just so
glad to be back in the United States?”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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This one makes me kind of sad. I know people are just trying
to relate and create conversation, but it makes me question their question.
Perhaps, these people are just trying to ask if I am happy to see my family,
because, oh yes, to be able to see my family was amazing, as well as, friends.
Yet, I wonder what this person thinks of Nicaragua or of other countries or my
wonderful friends that I met in Nicaragua. As US students and children, we were
raised to believe our country is the best. God bless America. Elitism and
competition do not help create the kingdom of God. I am not saying we should
dislike the US, but instead try to take on more global perspectives,
uderstanding and acceptance. Oooh, also appreciation! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today I hope I challenged you some. I know it was heavier
stuff, but that’s what’s on my mind and what we are called as Christ Followers
to think about. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for your continued support!</div>
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Peace, Whitney<o:p></o:p></div>
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Special thanks to…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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University Christian Church: Fort Worth, TX<o:p></o:p></div>
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First Christian Church of McKinney, TX<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wesley Foundation TCU<o:p></o:p></div>
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First United Methodist Church of McKinney<o:p></o:p></div>
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Grace Christian Church: Prosper, TX<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lion’s Club of McKinney<o:p></o:p></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-65992270553300528772014-01-13T17:20:00.001-06:002014-03-24T10:05:05.700-05:00Starting to Slowly Say Goodbye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-54971283317494410442014-01-10T14:47:00.001-06:002014-03-24T10:00:21.576-05:00Debes Casarte Aqui<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguP1k5GXQ3JAj6kRm4u3RHE3Alu9iTqvOGr85PqwIHqXvMiCiSCByKu6wX3HGZLy1V4ZTHzj7LrAdb8fDDaIgn913GSJoZRwmXHEqDPibq5duuOHbRYiz-Gbfp2W9IJ-0CIHKSiPqWYmnl/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguP1k5GXQ3JAj6kRm4u3RHE3Alu9iTqvOGr85PqwIHqXvMiCiSCByKu6wX3HGZLy1V4ZTHzj7LrAdb8fDDaIgn913GSJoZRwmXHEqDPibq5duuOHbRYiz-Gbfp2W9IJ-0CIHKSiPqWYmnl/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During our vacation I spent a day with friends from the office exploring places around Managua. This is a lagoon (Laguna de Apoyo) which formed within a volcanic crater. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sooo.... I officially have 22 days left in this country with which I have fallen in love. I want to clarify- I mean I am in love with Nicaragua; not in love with someone specifically from Nicaragua. I feel like I need to clarify because as people have asked me how much time I have left in Nica and I answer them, many, many people respond with, "Debes casarte aqui." (You should get married here.) Throughout my time in Nicaragua this has been a constant word of advice given to me, however, the number of times I have heard the joke about getting married has increased dramatically in these past few days. hahaha. Most of the time I respond with either <i>oy! Tengo que buscar a alguien ahorita/ Ah! I have to find someone right now</i> or <i>Si... que lastima, verdad?/Ya.... what a shame, right?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can only take these silly comments as a form of love and I understand; a large part of me wishes I could stay in Nicaragua, but I am embracing and journeying along with the guidelines of my Mission Intern program with the United Methodist Church. I completed my 1-1/2 years serving in Nicaragua and now it is time to return to serve in my home country for 1-1/2 years, as well.<br />
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My new placement site is in Hayesville, North Carolina at the Hinton Center. You can find out more about it <a href="http://www.hintoncenter.org/" target="_blank">here</a>. My official job title is Assistant to Housing Ministries. The Hinton Center acts a retreat space for many churches and groups, but it also has several ministries and outreaches beyond being a place of refuge. The Hinton Center works to empower and support small local congregations, provides fire word to local residents, receives church groups who work with local community members on home repairs and small projects, and much more. A big part of my role will be making connections with community members & visiting people in their homes, working on publicity & social media, and everyday office tasks. </div>
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It sounds like a wonderful job. Truly. I will admit though, the first thing I questioned was "where my Latinos at?" I definitely have a passion for working with Spanish speakers and am interested in many of the issues which face many people in our Spanish speaking populations in the United States. Also, I have some awesome experience regarding those issues....There may be a few connections I can make in Hayesville, but this job will not be working directly with immigrant students or helping to improve problems Latino Americans face everyday. I will work with a people who live in a different kind of poverty than that I have seen in Nicaragua.</div>
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However, the point of my Mission Intern program is not for us all to get our dream jobs or exactly what we want to do. The purpose is to serve humbly and willingly wherever we may be called to work. It will be a 1-1/2 living in solidarity with people who live in rural North Carolina, listening to God, and learning more & more about others and myself. The fact I will have my own apartment with air conditioning, carpet, TV, internet, etc... I'm like WHAT?! </div>
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It will be interesting to live not only in North Carolina but in the United States in general again. I will admit I am a little bit scared and anxious. It does make it a little easier when I realize that in February I get to give my family a big giant hug.</div>
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May you Experience God's Grace & Peace,</div>
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Whit</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-26183067608688282252013-12-31T16:04:00.001-06:002014-03-24T10:01:19.155-05:00Celebrating the New Year & 1.5 Years in Nicaragua<div style="text-align: center;">
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Today I officially have one month left in Nicaragua. I can't believe how fast the time has flown by & yet I remember moments when time went slowly. I am very thankful and blessed for the year that has passed. I have been challenged in new and hard ways this year. I have experienced God's presence in many different forms. I have fallen in love with Nicaragua. </div>
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In celebration of 2014 & the final month of my time in Nicaragua, I want to share with you a list of things I love, things that have been challenging, things that I have learned, and the best memories of the year. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHGEbRuhtXUKaLSYixcG39D7-ygUc1ALSFK-M93k7uae7wfS6fEcDCcNkjinZGA9MH0a-K6W_ksQ4GDZEBx0NIguMdJrmKU4nwJowKBGcqSw8AmobjV1HfDhEYPquELEMIeaopLOv5bjg/s1600/IMG_1498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHGEbRuhtXUKaLSYixcG39D7-ygUc1ALSFK-M93k7uae7wfS6fEcDCcNkjinZGA9MH0a-K6W_ksQ4GDZEBx0NIguMdJrmKU4nwJowKBGcqSw8AmobjV1HfDhEYPquELEMIeaopLOv5bjg/s320/IMG_1498.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Celebrating Christmas with Dra. Belinda & family. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVvGKRJgmBImDnyEnyQ2T-Ng7ruKLONWc_hwLNwiIbIcJh2LA590V5sRmQZyLqOsgc965RychLs2zNtk1MJZcWcbnroacr1MxB2ngdkFp8S7ArwOTPleHUxMAKbR01EhxeS5gmUOslgBY/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVvGKRJgmBImDnyEnyQ2T-Ng7ruKLONWc_hwLNwiIbIcJh2LA590V5sRmQZyLqOsgc965RychLs2zNtk1MJZcWcbnroacr1MxB2ngdkFp8S7ArwOTPleHUxMAKbR01EhxeS5gmUOslgBY/s320/IMG_1615.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I traveled with Dr. Francisco & Dra. Alicia to Matagalpa for a few days after Christmas. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-weight: bold;">Things I Love</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Nica</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Food-
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">gallo</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
pinto, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">queso</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">,
tortillas, Indio </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">viejo</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">pescado</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">… I
really do love me some </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Nica</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> food
& </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">as I am closing my time in Nicaragua I’m desperately trying to write down
as many </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">reciepes</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">as Ican.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Public
Transportation- You can travel pretty much anywhere in Nicaragua using public </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">transportation, even if some areas take more than a day</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">I
know I will have days when I’m back in </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">the States where I will miss feeling
like a sardine on a bus or </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">crusing</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> in a </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">panga</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> down the river. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">The
People- The most difficult part of leaving Nicaragua will be to say goodbye to
all the </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">wonderful </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">people
I </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">have
met. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Nicaragua
is filled with heart-felt people who have big faiths and strong spirits. I </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">become overwhelmed when I think of how much I’ve been blessed by others here,
even if I met </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">someone for only a brief period of time. I will leave </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Nica</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> with
people in my prayers and a few Skype </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">names or cell numbers written down.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">The </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Language-
I could probably include learning Spanish under challenges as well, but I also </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">absolutely love speaking Spanish and despite the struggle I feel honored that I
can speak Spanish at </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a fairly decent level.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Diversity</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">-
Many people do not realize, including many Nicaraguans who live on the Pacific
Coast, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">that Nicaragua is a quite diverse country. Where over 4 languages are
spoken and a range of</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ethnicities graces the country. From Mestizo to Creole to
indigenous populations such as the Miskito </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and Rama, Nicaragua is full of many
different cultures and people.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Natural
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Beauty-
Nicaragua is home to many volcanoes, lakes, beaches, rivers, rainforests,
lagoons, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">islands, canyons and many interesting insects and animals. Even in the
capital city of Managua, you </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">can come around a corner and catch gorgeous views
of the lake and volcanoes that </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">surrond</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> the city.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Time</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">-
People who are not from Nicaragua or Central America might say that Nicaraguans
do not </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">make good use of their time, but for me I think they cherish time and
use it in a valuable way. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Families and friends know how to just sit and be with
each other, people take long daily lunches and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">plenty of holidays which I see
as good self-care.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">AMC </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">family- I use the word family, because that is what
many people who with AMC are to me </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">now; family. They have allowed me to be
apart of the AMC ministry and continue teaching me new</span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.19in;"> things everyday.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">AMC </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">work-
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Acci</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">ón</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">
Médica Cristiana </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">is</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"> a </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">rockin</span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">’
organization and I’ve gotten to visit almost all of </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">our project sites and see
the ground work of the NGO. AMC works with empowering youth, sexual </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and
reproductive education, agricultural promotion and intelligence, women’s
rights, basic health </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">education, violence prevention, community pharmacies,
radio programs, renovating schools, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">educating & supporting teachers, and so
much more based on Christian faith. AMC is </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">fighting/improving for justice
issues that no one else wants to even talk about.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I pray that I can </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">continue to do a good job
at promoting and helping others realize the importance of AMC in the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">lives of
so many Nicaraguans.</span></li>
</span></ul>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;"><b>Things that Have Been Challenging:</b></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">witnessing unjust living conditions/opportunities</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">machista society</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">learning Spanish</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">being far from family and friends</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">wresting with my own culture & background</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;"><b>Things I have Learned:</b></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">to live more simply</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">about the diverisity that exists in Nicaragua</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">I lived in a bubble before</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">how to sit and do nothing with people you love & be content</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">the face of God may be different in each culture but God is definitely present throughout the world</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 80%; text-indent: 0in;"><b>Best Memories of the Year:</b></span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">making my first friends at Spanish school</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">The river trip down the Rio Coco. The first time I learned about the Miskito culture and witnessed how different life on the river can be.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">dancing & singing karaoke</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">my Nephew turned 2</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">teaching English clasess</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">saying goodbye to my fellow Mission Interns who left in February. It was nice to have fellow volunteers to share experiences & bestow their Nica wisdom on me. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">Fishing with Dr. Francisco</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">working with my first volunteer team (Medical Teams International) alongside wonderful translators & the awesome Matagalpa team</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">lunch times at the AMC central office - enjoying a long lunch with great company</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">trying to surf</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">the arrival of another Mission Intern, Sarah Fraizer, to Nicaragua and working alongside her at different times</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">my brother graduating from college & moving to California to work as an engineer</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">meals at Dr. Gerardo & Belinda's house</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">the struggles & successes of learning Spanish</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">celebrating my parents 120th birthday from a distance</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">working with an enormous dental team (Smiles for Everyone) and ending the week with lots of clean teeth and filled cavities</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">celebrating the engagement of several friends- from a distance</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">witnessing God's presence within other people, Nicaragua's beautiful landscapes, and within impoverished areas I have visited</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">the friendships that have grown</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">conducting over 40 interviews and listening to the beautiful , yet challenging stories of many Nicaraguans</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">visiting almost all of AMC's project sites in the RAAN & RAAS</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12px;">celebrating my 2nd Christmas in Nicaragua</span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God bless! Happy New Year!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-18290710588440004982013-12-16T20:44:00.002-06:002014-03-24T10:05:20.956-05:00Updates <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before heading back to Managua, Sarita, the nanny who works with my co-workers from AMC in Kukra River invited me to eat lunch and visit her family at her house in Bluefields. </div>
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It was a sacred afternoon- eating yummy chicken, fried plantains and rice. Don't forget the CoCa.<br />
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I spent a month living with Sarita in Kukra River and she always talked about her family and her beautiful house.<br />
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It was such an honor to spend the afternoon chatting and munching on some delicious food.<br />
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I also concluded my time in Bluefields by spending the night at Berja's house with the two Norwegian volunteers and our friend Kesly. Berja and the Norwegians are involved in an exchange program called Communication for Change through the Norwegian Church. AMC helps support and provide experiences for these young people. Anna and Andreas just finished their 3 months in Nicaragua and Berja will leave for Norway on Jan. 1.</div>
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I flew back to Managua with the Norwegians and Belinda picked us up in the AMC "ambulance". Belinda is the long-term United Methodist missionary who has worked for AMC for over 20 years. </div>
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Sarah, the other Mission Intern was also traveling back to Managua on the same day, so she also joined us on the trip back from the airport.</div>
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The day after we arrived back to Managua, AMC held the annual Christmas party. It was extra pretty this year because the party was arranged outside instead of the cramped auditorium. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3igYlBJ6XHtHkAxpKvnU_d5rk36PEg_uiRyV1_zrI10MIf_8F3brTsjAWcxNiLlg0UCpc4s_g_ZeaTMDdO-ceaOpaGqT-Q6i8RizULdRDR4ZRG6EmcN5b7U6Z2aMGu0H-YuNbZG6le04/s1600/IMG_1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3igYlBJ6XHtHkAxpKvnU_d5rk36PEg_uiRyV1_zrI10MIf_8F3brTsjAWcxNiLlg0UCpc4s_g_ZeaTMDdO-ceaOpaGqT-Q6i8RizULdRDR4ZRG6EmcN5b7U6Z2aMGu0H-YuNbZG6le04/s320/IMG_1464.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Dra. Teresa Bobadilla is the big boss lady for AMC. She is the Director for the entire organization and a wonderful person to know. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9Zq1YeAh9xcf2F1XF6LzDZHGACXrlEAs0mMG-DgdqCY6O1O08ZJ-5fcuFBaw0GAPZJ0Kh9BfxkRAS5V78cTngMnjEA8avoeh5KbPnlIwCs5ZULh-_vF5vTJVWnzovnIsy1QPP3wFtCBj/s1600/IMG_1465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9Zq1YeAh9xcf2F1XF6LzDZHGACXrlEAs0mMG-DgdqCY6O1O08ZJ-5fcuFBaw0GAPZJ0Kh9BfxkRAS5V78cTngMnjEA8avoeh5KbPnlIwCs5ZULh-_vF5vTJVWnzovnIsy1QPP3wFtCBj/s320/IMG_1465.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A few AMC workers had prepared a few Christmas Hymns to share at the party. </div>
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Then, we played our secret santa game and each person had to give the audience clues as to who was their secret santas. </div>
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Sarah left for the States on Saturday after serving in Nicaragua for 10 months. Also, the two Norwegians left today. I will be in Nicaragua for about one month and a half longer. As I am facing this transitioning time and as we approach Christmas time, I really miss my family; however, I also feel overwhelmingly grateful. I will have over a month to reflect on my time here, remember the inspiring people I have met, cope with the challenges I have seen, and praise God for baby Jesus. </div>
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I hope you all find joy and peace in this holiday season. </div>
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With love, Whitney</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-88531430824828447032013-12-08T14:55:00.000-06:002014-03-24T10:05:20.962-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey, Ya'll! I'm doing well and still know how to speak Texan. The past 9
days Nicaraguan Catholics prepared for and then yesterday celebrated
the immaculate conception of Mary. AMC in Kukra River hosted one of the
novenas at our office to celebrate the holiday. On Friday, I traveled
back to Bluefields from Kukra River and on Tuesday I will fly back to
Managua for my last month and a half in Nicaragua. Also, my hometown in
North Texas is living in a iceland for a few days now-<span class="text_exposed_show"> It's been in the 20s.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">I will have a longer update soon. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">Thanks for your support and prayers for Nicaragua!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show">God bless! </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-86339610209493296792013-11-18T15:30:00.003-06:002014-03-24T10:05:20.959-05:00San Pancho Kukra River<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5Vve4CWOKOnf8bOq2gorBZI7Cb5EeMum964bdKUHQYZNiy-7OMvQnWn58MAJRDlDyhyPYl4U378t7cu-x88v6lxXP88-rrfRA912v3cxsgbpmfsXb2ejULlT0o04-q1dIVFR_TaF2TYA/s1600/IMG_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5Vve4CWOKOnf8bOq2gorBZI7Cb5EeMum964bdKUHQYZNiy-7OMvQnWn58MAJRDlDyhyPYl4U378t7cu-x88v6lxXP88-rrfRA912v3cxsgbpmfsXb2ejULlT0o04-q1dIVFR_TaF2TYA/s320/IMG_0465.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarita and Miladis threw me a surprise birthday party. We sang karaoke and ate yummy cake!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Hola, hola, hola!!</div>
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It has been forever since I have written in my blog. Lo
siento mucho. I have been working with AMC in the territory of San Francisco
(San Pancho) Kukra River outside of Bluefields in the North Atlantic Autonomous
Region of Nicaragua. Yep, this time I am down south. (There are even people who
say Mr./Mrs. as well as sir and mam´m in Bluefields, people love to listen to
country music and the other day for lunch we ate green beans. Yeehaw!) </div>
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In order to travel to San Pancho one has to travel by panga
or the public bote (which turns a 2 hour trip in panga into 8 hours). During
the very few days that the road is dry people are able to travel from
BlueFields to San Pancho in taxi and it only takes about 45 minutes to get to
the community of Aurora. (Aurora is where the AMC office is located and where I
am living.) Otherwise the road is a hot mess with the mud mushing and gooshing
all over the place. It is mud soup. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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In the 1900s 100% of the population in San Francisco Kukra
River was home to indigenous people and now way over the majority of it’s
inhabitants are of mestizo origin. San Pancho has around 20,000 inhabitants who
live throughout 32 communities. The farthest community from Aurora is about 12
hours away by horseback. Only within the last year the main community of Aurora
received electricity and community members depend on wells for cleaner water.
The majority of the residents in San Pancho work in agriculture.</div>
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Violence is an extreme issue for this territory with
statistics demonstrating San Pancho has the highest rate of homocides in the
country. If only comparing San Pancho to other countries such as Honduras and
El Salvador, Kukra River has a higher homocide rate. AMC´s current project in
Kukra River is to help improve the rates of violence in the territory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those statistics really don’t take into
account the domestic violence, bar fights, child abuse, and other forms of
violence that is known in the region as well.</div>
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Antonio is the AMC project cordinator for the Kukra River
project and the only other AMC employee is Miladis who is the educator for the
project. Miriam is a long-term volunteer who helps AMC in whatever way is
needed and pretty much volunteers like a full-time employee. It is a small
project, but the project is making process. </div>
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During my time in Kukra, we have worked in the Casa Materna
with the young soon-to-be-mothers waiting to give birth. We are teaching the
young ladies how to knit and cross-stich, and well, I am actually learning as
well. I swear Nicaragua as helped me embrace my femine side more and I have
learned how to do more sterotypical “woman things”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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As we knit and sew, Miladis the AMC educator talks briefly
about the importance as a mother to prepare your mind and heart for your baby.
It is a way we can prevent violence in our homes- if we are excited and ready
for our new children. I’ve noticed that sometimes women in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">campo </i>wait a long time after the baby is
born to even give him or her a name, so AMC is also encouraging the women to
prepare a name for their new baby. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInpKDoK2DPFfHPcyjwsKp6XckbQaUC9c5K8YYx8veWxtrvzmum7R-bUaYd4fgIxSVJp-woFS5m_H3x_SdsBeLYEHyjBNstkOFHZa7Gs-FaQrA0w9H6QJpLNUxUZscca1_KMpQ6dGzBWN4/s1600/IMG_0439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInpKDoK2DPFfHPcyjwsKp6XckbQaUC9c5K8YYx8veWxtrvzmum7R-bUaYd4fgIxSVJp-woFS5m_H3x_SdsBeLYEHyjBNstkOFHZa7Gs-FaQrA0w9H6QJpLNUxUZscca1_KMpQ6dGzBWN4/s320/IMG_0439.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Another project is working with the teachers and directors
of the schools to plan out ways they can create a culture of peace in their
classrooms and help teach violence prevention to their students. There is one
school in the city of Aurora and then I think 2 schools in some of the far away
communities.</div>
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One afternoon we taught a group of 20 middle school students
who were selected specifically by the school director due to their behavior and
self esteem problems. We taught an interactive lesson on appreciating ourselves
and remembering we are beautiful children of God. The students had to look in a
mirror and tell everyone who they saw in the mirror. Also, I found a poem where
you have to fill in the blanks about yourself and then read your poem aloud to
the class. These lessons was hard because many of the students did not want to
participate or are so shy that it takes a while to convince them to share. I’ve
always thought that the many times people who live in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">campo </i>are shy because they do not interact with new people, but I
believe it is a self esteem issue as well. Also, the issue of violence- I’m
sure there are people in the students’ houses telling them to shut up all the
time or punishing them for small things. </div>
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AMC also taught some of the students how to knit and sew. It
was fun to see the students learn quickly and they really enjoyed the activity,
as well as, most of the boys. </div>
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Another day we taught different classes how to make fancy
cards out of nature or out of rolled paper. All the students loved making
cards, even the teenagers, when in the US students would act too cool or think
making a simple card was stupid or boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These students don’t get to do many creative things, so any activity
that is new or different is so much fun for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe we take for granted our extra
curricular activities within our education system in the United States and I
have seen first hand how important it is for kids and youth to be able to learn
skills besides the basic curriculum.</div>
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AMC is participating in the local sports league through the
Catholic Church and so I am playing on our women’s softball and volleyball
teams. It’s made me realize growing up playing all kinds of sports was really a
huge privlidge and it helped me a whole lot with my self esteem, respecting
others & authority, working with others, receiving feedback etc. I know
that sounds cliché but playing with the young girls on my softball team has
reminded me of these skills that are not natural for them. It is the first time
many of them are playing an offical sport at 12, 14,16 years old. I think it’s
really cool, too, that our league as about 5 women softball teams and women
only volleyball teams in a community that really does not have any
opportunities for women. It is a pretty big deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think if the league continues it can make
big differences in lives of the woman and girls who are playing on the
different teams. (My only problem is that I just have to pray for pacience when
we are playing volleyball ;) )</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWTgc66dky4hifNCmskz6pwtRMdGnVSNYUMh1MbkvgaevKW4KNUi_rlQCJORFksaTDFLOw8k_O8c3lm_DRsxfcGjLR_AeLhrZZONLR25gKM5nNWIQTaIHfYWUqLHQLa8siLFfBiTisBow/s1600/IMG_0807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWTgc66dky4hifNCmskz6pwtRMdGnVSNYUMh1MbkvgaevKW4KNUi_rlQCJORFksaTDFLOw8k_O8c3lm_DRsxfcGjLR_AeLhrZZONLR25gKM5nNWIQTaIHfYWUqLHQLa8siLFfBiTisBow/s320/IMG_0807.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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A somewhat hard thing about living in this community is the
fact I am not allowed to do anything on my own. One day I thought I could walk
to the volleyball field on my own, but everyone told me otherwise. I live with
Antonio and Miladis and their daughter Sol (4 year old) and they do not feel
that it is safe for me to walk on my own whether it be during the day or at
night. I respect their direction and have realized perhaps this is true for
many women in the community as well. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOVu7XgknqLtbWsnJbacg2nDU8ozqTJEVAxIp7q1JLfF2v8rFQ6dSGV84zfb1-9xt9fbRJN1S1UrjO_tdErWQunYG5dNZM5k4TGeE11guYqodRJ_s5Hh4KVK63xI2SpvvXy0RRsRUEMFH/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOVu7XgknqLtbWsnJbacg2nDU8ozqTJEVAxIp7q1JLfF2v8rFQ6dSGV84zfb1-9xt9fbRJN1S1UrjO_tdErWQunYG5dNZM5k4TGeE11guYqodRJ_s5Hh4KVK63xI2SpvvXy0RRsRUEMFH/s320/IMG_0514.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarita (the nanny for Sol), myself, Miladis, Antonio</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYV4tkSWol5N4WLt7IqMODwelw0WI36W2rnhBDhnw1Mxuc9s1o07RXqdUuI38Dh6PFRcImadTLHhXPLQi3_fXvWqlV9b7yZpE4SnA7RnRi1lbmOyIGOMcOMHG8pacuSicteB7xjEUhRQiU/s1600/IMG_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYV4tkSWol5N4WLt7IqMODwelw0WI36W2rnhBDhnw1Mxuc9s1o07RXqdUuI38Dh6PFRcImadTLHhXPLQi3_fXvWqlV9b7yZpE4SnA7RnRi1lbmOyIGOMcOMHG8pacuSicteB7xjEUhRQiU/s320/IMG_0516.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My "little sister" for this month- Sol (4 years old) Sol means sun in Spanish</td></tr>
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Kukra River also has a very machista culture, in which, the
men dominate and the women have very little freedom or rights. I participated
in a big event we had to promote crime prevention within 14 different
communities and over 50 people attended the workshop; only 6 of the participants
were women. Not only does this problem affect the woman of the community but
also the young guys. I’ve heard many times now things along the lines of those
boys don’t serve for anything or that they are useless. I fear it is a common
belief amoung many of the women that even many of the young boys are just going
to grow up to be failures and treat women badly. </div>
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I big inconvience for the community as well as myself now,
is that there is only one place in the community where you can receive cell
phone reception. Everyone who needs to talk on the phone has to climb up the
largest hill in town. It makes it kind of an adventure because when you are
talking on the phone there is other people standing around doing the same. It
is a community activity. </div>
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Overall, I am honored that I get to be in our smallest and
one of the most remote project sites, because I know this area has a negative
sterotype and many people know nothing about Kukra River. I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have hope that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the negative sterotype can change and I hope
the youth and women I am working with feel that AMC cares about them and wants
to work in solidarity with them. </div>
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Recent Prayer Concerns:</div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Managua has a terrible outbreak of Dengue right
now and several people have already died from symptoms. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Accion Medica Cristiana is facing a financial
crisis as many projects are coming to an end this December and the organizations,
which fund many of our projects, are not going to finance new projects in this
upcoming year. AMC is a tremendous organizatio and it’s ministries benefit many
many people throught Nicaragua and especially in some of the most neglected
areas. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>My sister has a recent apendicitice in the
middle of the last weeks of her semester at seminary. Please pray for healing
& for her not to stress over school. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7o_fgBHnmlPEKrlLSdPdYFZG5sra2HUfq4m-Fx3K996wgVeOE2n02W9dmvsfD_sLZdz334TP9c9Vbz2VCuePVXSznekfVaaGXo1NrOh5eHgIpHjc_9qE2Sea5YnrGwbrHtyqudaVPZ9J5/s1600/IMG_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7o_fgBHnmlPEKrlLSdPdYFZG5sra2HUfq4m-Fx3K996wgVeOE2n02W9dmvsfD_sLZdz334TP9c9Vbz2VCuePVXSznekfVaaGXo1NrOh5eHgIpHjc_9qE2Sea5YnrGwbrHtyqudaVPZ9J5/s320/IMG_0841.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where I am living. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzXDFE1tY0pzfQtn4wZ-SnjbPjhjrvUhfqhplaw_5g1N7qZmNKZJJbTOFdmlDqe8sSNREaeG-tCvXnMdEGh_gbN90ChiAWyoGmS9IaHSYVSybo99ERzXxEpCDP_qKYdJlxLzEWMwlrwcF/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzXDFE1tY0pzfQtn4wZ-SnjbPjhjrvUhfqhplaw_5g1N7qZmNKZJJbTOFdmlDqe8sSNREaeG-tCvXnMdEGh_gbN90ChiAWyoGmS9IaHSYVSybo99ERzXxEpCDP_qKYdJlxLzEWMwlrwcF/s320/IMG_0843.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't walk anywhere without wearing your rubber boots. I think it is awesome, though, that the city recently built a sidewalk that leads through the main parts of the community. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VmCH1qyjXtyIpoS0hEuCiDOYXFozTtFRevcKOWKJ65OBZtV5gmM-5i-QI0C3A1u0zHwsw9NhjE23CV8761wPJx1QpGSG_VL6tVSFN7BsHCE2nJlIxlZzRTmxmJ26II5Wp5hqej2bfd6V/s1600/IMG_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VmCH1qyjXtyIpoS0hEuCiDOYXFozTtFRevcKOWKJ65OBZtV5gmM-5i-QI0C3A1u0zHwsw9NhjE23CV8761wPJx1QpGSG_VL6tVSFN7BsHCE2nJlIxlZzRTmxmJ26II5Wp5hqej2bfd6V/s320/IMG_0844.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone uses a well in order to get clean water. Many neighbors come to our house to use the well. Also, Antonio or a Juan who is a teenager who lives next door has to collect water for the house every morning. I tried to fill a bucket one day and I could barely fill it all the way- it is not any easy task. I think that's why many women of such chiseled arms. </td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-40818330929678771042013-10-16T21:34:00.003-05:002014-03-24T10:03:39.070-05:00The RAAN<style>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The door opened to the small hotel room in Bonanza and I
think I almost gasped as I saw a big fluffy mattress, a modest sized room fan,
and then turned the corner to see the bathroom with a real toilet and running
water. The first thought that jumped into my head is <i>Que lujoso (</i>Wow! This is luxurious.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I spent the past month traveling to different Acción Médica
Cristiana project sites in the RAAN or North Atlantic Autonomous Region. (I
talked a little bit about this region in my previous blog post). I visited
midwifes, natural medicine doctors, and community health leaders in their
homes; I traveled with a mobile medical team to 8 different communities that
are located hours from a road or health center; I stayed with a hospitable
family for a few days that lives on the Prinzapolka river; I went to a Regional
Assembly in Puerto Cabezas with inspiring volunteers; and I talked and met a
group of young people who are helping to educate their communities about sexual
rights and health. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to be able to share the humble living conditions I
experienced not for you to feel sorry for the “poor people”, but more to
understand the differences in the way you live and the way people live in very
remote areas in Nicaragua. I had a brief time to live in solidarity with such
wonderful people and I want you to be able to understand the lifestyle, too.
Also, I hope to share not just what I “did” and experienced, but more the
stories and experiences of the people I encountered. The people who I will
carry in my soul… in my view of life forever. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The Mobile Medical
Brigade</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakvZ5LngTQ1vGmCVoDtKAHrODnKRx9o0fR2lsoxAYEX1qw5WeErT6mpc2SfuN-QyB6hIntSJhn-S2PugnB3A1otdPDnDEA2tZIQELH0aDC-7mGYt-2Xkjh7fStxnSrdh0zcn2cBrwv6WZ/s1600/IMG_0786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakvZ5LngTQ1vGmCVoDtKAHrODnKRx9o0fR2lsoxAYEX1qw5WeErT6mpc2SfuN-QyB6hIntSJhn-S2PugnB3A1otdPDnDEA2tZIQELH0aDC-7mGYt-2Xkjh7fStxnSrdh0zcn2cBrwv6WZ/s320/IMG_0786.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After spending a week in Rosita, it was nearing the time for
me to move on to a new project site and I was helping count medicines for the
upcoming mobile medical brigades. Many AMC projects receive funds from AECID()
to help execute and organize medical brigades with local doctors and nurses.
AMC also receives donated medicines from Farma Mundi and the ministry of Health
or MINSA. The brigade travels<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>7-9 days
to remote communities where people live hours from health centers or hospitals.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Sarah, the other Mission Fellow who is
stationed in Rosita and Carolina were scheduled to travel with a team of two
nurses and two doctors for 8 nights. They would travel on horseback for hours
at a time each day, sleep in hammocks, and bath in rivers. Jokingly I mentioned I wanted to go, too. Do<span lang="ES-TRAD">ña Cecilia who is the project
coordinator for </span>Rosita immediately began thinking aloud about how we
could organize and call the big boss lady, Yamilet, in the main office to see
if I could go. We could run out and buy a hammock. I already had rubber boots.
I didn’t need any money. Wah! For a moment, I was really excited, but then I
started thinking about how we would be messing up my original schedule (how
North American) and then I started getting worried about sleeping in a hammock
and all the other challenges I would encounter. (It was weird because I’m
normally such an adventurous person.) However, it was also because I had just
found out my Uncle Kent had passed away and it made me sad/worried I would be
without a way to connect with my family during his funeral- it would be our
first day of traveling. After being able to talk to my family, being able to
think and reflect and morn, and lots of positive pressuring from Doña Cecilia,
I decided I had to go and I reflected on how many people are actually willing
to visit these people. I was willing. And after the trip it felt more like a privilege.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The first day on our adventure we
loaded up the truck with AMC personnel- Sarah, Carolina, Jorge (carolina's boyfriend) and
myself and then picked up the nurses and doctor from the local hospital. We
rode with 5 in the front and 5 in the truck bed on top of our luggage. Once we
arrived to the end of the road took our luggage and put each back inside a
plastic bag and then a large sack. The sacks were tied together in twos and
then thrown over each horse. One horse was loaded up as a carrier- the large
ice box with vaccines was loaded up on the horse along with heavier luggage. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_lze1lCY6OmVCoA_UuMF-LNh70xye9uqn9DgdlEaLj-BzZzi2gvThHVQUDdpuwPXBnDJgtwnZy99DUBCQfNq4nP35u9JUmByUJCqof3LVTBAtcrM_3-txDP9B53g8zKJPnxSL6dMQAGP/s1600/IMG_0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_lze1lCY6OmVCoA_UuMF-LNh70xye9uqn9DgdlEaLj-BzZzi2gvThHVQUDdpuwPXBnDJgtwnZy99DUBCQfNq4nP35u9JUmByUJCqof3LVTBAtcrM_3-txDP9B53g8zKJPnxSL6dMQAGP/s320/IMG_0616.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtsiabvHdFqjx9KDd5hyphenhyphen7_LwA6DoyzUjJS_b58F43yTKlwbmHkJpyupS53NRLtZofD4HWxUj_EL4b5MIpcFnir7HAo6JTQXYTcioVfo_Qk34GyWirwmusP28itHW2XSKgfIYdi-Uwblpd/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtsiabvHdFqjx9KDd5hyphenhyphen7_LwA6DoyzUjJS_b58F43yTKlwbmHkJpyupS53NRLtZofD4HWxUj_EL4b5MIpcFnir7HAo6JTQXYTcioVfo_Qk34GyWirwmusP28itHW2XSKgfIYdi-Uwblpd/s320/IMG_0621.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFb6ap2i8-Fflu5l7syuyZdKmu5o5nMoxPS-4j_nYmAj2ZGHc1VIsZLvyoDKsk-xpadxc6Lx8ZWpPtpuPl7Ybdi40xLFn12obuEg7sRHNTGLzogFWs3qwpar8b4PvyY_KV4sQRWMx4vmx/s1600/IMG_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFb6ap2i8-Fflu5l7syuyZdKmu5o5nMoxPS-4j_nYmAj2ZGHc1VIsZLvyoDKsk-xpadxc6Lx8ZWpPtpuPl7Ybdi40xLFn12obuEg7sRHNTGLzogFWs3qwpar8b4PvyY_KV4sQRWMx4vmx/s320/IMG_0630.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The first day it took us 6 hours
to arrive to San Augustin and the horses sloshes and mushed through mud almost
the entire time. I just had to relax and stop worrying about my horse or it
would have been an even longer ride. The most impactful realization I had was that I was riding my horse on the day of my uncle's funeral and he was a real cowboy- he would be so proud. The whole day I thought about Uncle Kent and his family as I rode. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m not going to lie- the first
day was quite a challenge for me, because once we arrived in darkness, I could
barely stand up due to tremendous pain in my knees and lack of food during the
day. Dinner wasn’t ready by our gracious hosts yet, so a group of us decided to
go bath in a nearby waterfall. However, the waterfall was about another 15 walk
in pure mud again. We tried our hardest not to drop our clean clothes in the
mud and made it to the refreshing waterfall. On the way back we were lead once
again by a little girl from the community with a flashlight and managed not to
fall over. At that point my body was officially fatigued and I was grateful to
receive a warm plate of food; however, I had the smart idea to try and step
outside of the house to put on bug spray and immediately slipped out of the
door and landed on my butt and head in the mud as a threw my plate of food in
the air. At that point, I almost cried and yet all I could think too was there
are a lot of people who have to make the hard trip several times a month and
they live with mud all during the rainy season. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We were grateful to have a dry
place to stay and yummy food in our bellies. Also, we were grateful for Carmelo
who walked the 6 hours the day before with the horses and then returned with us
to his community the next day. In the 7 communities we visited, there were
always volunteers who went over and beyond to help the brigade arrive safely,
eat hearty meals, help organize people during the consults, and provide a place
for us to sleep. These families did not receive anything in return for their
help, yet they still were happy to provide amazing hospitality. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBnTg1EMeCvGJiU1BRh-oo-dxokYr6VfoyjfC07I60JYs8V1r1mi_JhUcVrtOcjPOTb-7fWaxyJ3VED0gd-4ht-2f3YEvyGjSeMJ3QYyR2zJbPXbIZfjcJCZUtlLwEpvAoNWaxxQdUqSL/s1600/IMG_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBnTg1EMeCvGJiU1BRh-oo-dxokYr6VfoyjfC07I60JYs8V1r1mi_JhUcVrtOcjPOTb-7fWaxyJ3VED0gd-4ht-2f3YEvyGjSeMJ3QYyR2zJbPXbIZfjcJCZUtlLwEpvAoNWaxxQdUqSL/s320/IMG_0654.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGLLw00tYNzBC6I-adTLszXOWVb8EFLGdXtCmwFvRPQg57zCjyXE2gDHhw0jp9e5dq5QZYSKqJ_LeoaIdA3CdSmokI7vXQmctjjT8ZhRjhGngEqKRhhTCTHBPAkdFKXr_myOKzbVUSoYP/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGLLw00tYNzBC6I-adTLszXOWVb8EFLGdXtCmwFvRPQg57zCjyXE2gDHhw0jp9e5dq5QZYSKqJ_LeoaIdA3CdSmokI7vXQmctjjT8ZhRjhGngEqKRhhTCTHBPAkdFKXr_myOKzbVUSoYP/s320/IMG_0672.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74v8sBJybgOJIFJxjq8T_RIMtGmsc209ml4TqSf28u5vFkb8AyVTfcpaPSmC_kjhCIuTR8Mvjuu8vaX4KTZgCNj7VF7ZhSxz-QwdOLkJ2ffNCk2LUFEvsPWCz2Tpzr1RplyaAL7DLOk9Z/s1600/IMG_0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74v8sBJybgOJIFJxjq8T_RIMtGmsc209ml4TqSf28u5vFkb8AyVTfcpaPSmC_kjhCIuTR8Mvjuu8vaX4KTZgCNj7VF7ZhSxz-QwdOLkJ2ffNCk2LUFEvsPWCz2Tpzr1RplyaAL7DLOk9Z/s320/IMG_0777.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE789B17HgF1UztOlgzjBB55dAS3C4IRe0eo_32Yf3QUzFvVJzrelrPYV0GrP43UFvGBgK_eP45eb-n_mGKg9-PFrmEYpXKhT9su6b5p9XNnpU3g5EDAHOFby1ii59CW8cURMc46ML2mDz/s1600/IMG_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE789B17HgF1UztOlgzjBB55dAS3C4IRe0eo_32Yf3QUzFvVJzrelrPYV0GrP43UFvGBgK_eP45eb-n_mGKg9-PFrmEYpXKhT9su6b5p9XNnpU3g5EDAHOFby1ii59CW8cURMc46ML2mDz/s320/IMG_0778.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Each day AMC lead the crowd in a
devotional, then taught others about the new inclusive health model in
Nicaragua. Then, the consults started. The brigades usually only visit a
community for one day and sometimes the community members still live 1-2 hours
from the consult site. Also, many people pass the entire day waiting to receive
vaccines, pap tests, a humble amount of medicines, and a moment to talk to a
doctor. One night we arrived late to a community and the consults didn’t start
till the afternoon, so some families had to spend the night at the church we
were staying in and head home in the morning because it was raining and dark. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Many of the communities we visited
do not have schools. The children work at home and help with daily chores once
they are old enough. Many of the adults cannot read or write. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">However, I met so many community
health leaders and midwifes who work hard to help take care of their
communities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Mariluz is the mother of 3 little
girls and her and her husband hosted us for two nights. Mariluz recently
decided to become a midwife simply because her community does not have anyone
who is working as a midwife. She already has a lot of work in the house but
decided to attend one of AMC’s workshops in order to learn about being a
midwife. Sarah and I also tried to spend some time learning some of her
everyday tasks like carrying a bucket of water on my head and milking a cow.
Work in the country is no joke, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hombre</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mariluz is such a brave and strong woman. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HfW_PhgCfhVTEc7DfU4ASrOLwayGKBlbZchXZcN9_vVyRMO3J8_Vl-9RM1zzwR8a3jdZuiv61XaIYw1k-4NnlkNtnCpfJLbtT1H7SmrckWm0t8I-i0O5vSEDXvUn3SGI2J65uP_0y5OX/s1600/IMG_0760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HfW_PhgCfhVTEc7DfU4ASrOLwayGKBlbZchXZcN9_vVyRMO3J8_Vl-9RM1zzwR8a3jdZuiv61XaIYw1k-4NnlkNtnCpfJLbtT1H7SmrckWm0t8I-i0O5vSEDXvUn3SGI2J65uP_0y5OX/s320/IMG_0760.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9feRZw1PbsNkrYwxCYnJbH5ms-yDjj5VCXvHFrpT9fQyW3E6G1sb1OqBF-FKpUMlyAMssDlJ2rQu1DWuRpAfwCcK8OCyV4hyfPJ18IiohPPXQITZNvOShbSNr92pYCVgWOB80v9jQIO_/s1600/IMG_0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9feRZw1PbsNkrYwxCYnJbH5ms-yDjj5VCXvHFrpT9fQyW3E6G1sb1OqBF-FKpUMlyAMssDlJ2rQu1DWuRpAfwCcK8OCyV4hyfPJ18IiohPPXQITZNvOShbSNr92pYCVgWOB80v9jQIO_/s320/IMG_0793.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The most vivid memory I have from
the house of Mariluz and her husband Nicolas<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>is sitting on a bench with their three daughters in front of the house
with the moon shining down on us. The 3 little girls were telling me silly
things and we were all giggling for the longest time, when earlier that day
they would barely even look at me without running and hiding. It was a really
spiritual moment. It was hard to leave that family- A family that is always
willing to help out their community by hosting the medical brigades and be
hospitable, loving hosts. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZdYnKsxrw7ohIRx6Fnw8MJtWyDaw8KdFHs_dCY7q8RpsNJEhiAKND9qZnn-RrHGaudOwOMKqGuxk-yYbUQp5PqsAMsN6WrBlLfSTWLbkF4zpg785lD4HtGCunpNKyD5WUTIDwfCnSHRz/s1600/IMG_2164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZdYnKsxrw7ohIRx6Fnw8MJtWyDaw8KdFHs_dCY7q8RpsNJEhiAKND9qZnn-RrHGaudOwOMKqGuxk-yYbUQp5PqsAMsN6WrBlLfSTWLbkF4zpg785lD4HtGCunpNKyD5WUTIDwfCnSHRz/s320/IMG_2164.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Don Arsenio is another person
whose care and dedication to his community really touched me. Sarah and I did
an interview with him because he his a community leader, is always helping with
medical teams and is the host to the community pharmacy or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">botiquin</i> and we discovered he had walked about 13 hours in two days
to help out the brigade. He also worked throughout the entire day of consults
to make sure all the patients were being helped and were in order. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, Don Arsenio has three children who all
became blind when they were 2 years old and on top of that responsibility he is
in charge of maintaing the community pharamacy. </span><br />
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</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8357FkQ98raDjqAIVEhyphenhyphen_rSCgVPfo21erAtMQR67jhTEFKBml8PAyZjqP1GQA1aqsLtD9GRnTPbCBO3Ad7I5I3dWlmKi_a4V44r4YD_MCYkPDKrcTiAnP6RmtD1UicfT6NkosscB4fh1f/s1600/IMG_2261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8357FkQ98raDjqAIVEhyphenhyphen_rSCgVPfo21erAtMQR67jhTEFKBml8PAyZjqP1GQA1aqsLtD9GRnTPbCBO3Ad7I5I3dWlmKi_a4V44r4YD_MCYkPDKrcTiAnP6RmtD1UicfT6NkosscB4fh1f/s320/IMG_2261.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In final community where we
worked, we stayed at Doñ<span lang="ES-TRAD" style="mso-ansi-language: ES-TRAD;">a </span>Rosa’s
house. Her and her sister Berta are famous in the area for their hospitality as
well as the efficiency of their house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The house is still 5 hours from the main road but Rosa has a solar panel
which powers the electricity for her house and the family built there own water
system with pipes leading down from a waterfall on the nearby hill. The kitchen
is enormous at Rosa’s and it is always busy. Rosa is always willing to host
medical teams. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will never forget the long trip
with the mobile medical team outside of Rosita and all the generous people and
beautiful people I met along the way. I think of how Jesus traveled with his disciples. They were dependent on the hospitality of others during their journey and teachings, yet we often don't think about the people who helped Jesus and the 12 disciples by opening up their homes, providing a warm, dry place to sleep, and gave of their resources so that he could continue his ministry. Lord, thank you for your children who share their gift of hospitality. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To be continued…</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-9823281116879787332013-09-15T20:22:00.001-05:002014-03-24T10:04:22.343-05:00I'm Happy When I Can Buy My Coffee<div style="text-align: center;">
This week in Rosita has flown by as I have worked alongside the AMC team here to complete 12 interviews within 6 different communities. One of the first things I noticed is that for campesinos people in Rosita are friendlier and more direct than people who live in rural areas in Matagalpa (on the Pacific coast). </div>
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We talked to many community health leaders, mid-wives, and youth health communicators. The Rosita office has three different projects being currently funded; however, for all three of the projects funding ends in December. </div>
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There is a project which focuses on sexual education and works mainly with youth and teachers within the community. I witnessed one of the radio programs grown out of this project and it was neat to see how open and direct Rosita youth can discuss. about sexual health. </div>
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Another project, focuses on implementing and teaching about a new health model for the RAAN. The MASIRAAN health model ensures different cultural norms and traditions are integrated into the hospitals, health clinics, and within the Ministry of Health. For example, community mid-wives are allowed to attend one of their patient's births in the hospital with the help of a doctor. When normally, women chose not to go to the hospital because she didn't to be alone without her trusted mid wife at her side. AMC helps by giving workshops and trainings integrating this model. </div>
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The last project AMC leads is geared toward primary health so from topics from community and self hygiene, how to clean water, and how to help prevent diarrhea. AMC is empowering community health leaders to teach others how to lead healthier lives in simple ways. </div>
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We visited Don Roman and his family in San Antonio. He is a health leader in his community and also uses natural medicines to heal his patients. He shared that with the MASIRAAN model he his able to store some of his plants in the hospital. After the interview his wife, Esperanza cooked us a hearty meal. This is the same family that gave Sarah's parents a chicken as a present when they came to visit Nicaragua. They are very generous people. Sarah shared the Nica joke that we better go before the household gives us more food. "Indio comido puesto al camino, Indio sentado espera mas bocado' which translates to Indian who has eaten should head for the road; Indian sitting waits for more food. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don Roman's kids and me... my future?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah talking with one of the community mid wives after presenting her with a book on Mid-Wifing based on local customs. </td></tr>
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Later, that evening Don Roman called Doña Cecilia who is the big boss lady for AMC Rosita to see if our driver, Ervin could pick up him and a patient. Cecilia told him she would check in with the ambulance in town, but that should did not feel comfortable sending Ervin at night. She called the ambulance and they were already going to be driving to 3 different locations for 3 different emergencies. Cecilia called Don Roman and asked if the man could wait until the morning to take the bus at 7am. He said yes. It was definitely a wake-up-call to the reality of health access I have so often learned about through statistics and in the central office. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasakin- Mayagna community</td></tr>
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On Friday, we got to visit and indigenous Mayagna community and we went the day before Nicaragua Independence Day so everyone was outside and mingling around. The community felt alive. We got to watch the school's band performance. We interviewed Flabio, the community health leader and Ministry of Health nurse. He speaks Mayagna, Miskito and Spanish. He did the interview in Spanish, had words clarified in Miskito, and spoke a few words at the end in Mayagna for us.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is a Miskito and Mayagna tradition to build the kitchen separate from the house. Also, there is usually a space jutting out built for washing and drying dishes. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Mz-AGdyAhucAo8vXOQ_PbVYzAQdT4aFvXLJPqw4vVVoeqn1BRHQolKUNP2xsi08czSsuHTvMg9_dCT97Vu49nJKEGPJQ1cT8q_HUMhlzAxOaC0JSR6xpLIKHGxYhMi2ifhrhOjY24i0t/s1600/IMG_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Mz-AGdyAhucAo8vXOQ_PbVYzAQdT4aFvXLJPqw4vVVoeqn1BRHQolKUNP2xsi08czSsuHTvMg9_dCT97Vu49nJKEGPJQ1cT8q_HUMhlzAxOaC0JSR6xpLIKHGxYhMi2ifhrhOjY24i0t/s320/IMG_0503.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doña Olga</td></tr>
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Then, we spoke with a 59-year-old mid wife about her work for over 43 years. She spoke in Miskito and Cecilia translated. There was a cultural moment when he husband who was standing next to her decided to start answering the questions for her, but we eventually got back to Dona Olga answering the questions. She spoke with lots of passion. An interesting view she shared is that she has really appreciated the workshops lead by AMC; however, it takes her away from her daily activities that need to be accomplished. As a North American or even a Nicaraguan from the city, I might think that chores in the household can wait and really it's not a big deal to finish later. But for Doña Olga those chores are her role in her household. She also noted she receives coffee at the workshops/trainings, so she likes them. Also, later when asked if she gets paid at all for her work as a mid wife, she shared her patients usually want to give something so they give her about 50 cordobas ($2) and the most she has ever earned is 200 cords ($5). Doña Olga said, "That leaves me with enough money to buy my coffee and so I am happy."</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbun02K8LekxUZ-mYSV7fkoVkUG2lIQo9D4bwGclRIbYR0B1nL3_vTMCz8mxzuLqysodVQM1I1k-bbxUEZ8rpfvp-5VNXwq91463C6GHxFd8IK7jPDG9UWtVjhMFEUGbclzOf3hSF4qZo7/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbun02K8LekxUZ-mYSV7fkoVkUG2lIQo9D4bwGclRIbYR0B1nL3_vTMCz8mxzuLqysodVQM1I1k-bbxUEZ8rpfvp-5VNXwq91463C6GHxFd8IK7jPDG9UWtVjhMFEUGbclzOf3hSF4qZo7/s320/IMG_0523.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone let us take this bread fruit home with us. We cooked it by frying the fruit and it was soooo delicious. </td></tr>
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Similar to Matagalpa, AMC Rosita has truly empowered many young people to be leaders within their communities. The few health promoters I met here in Rosita are truly involved in helping out their community. AMC leads a group of young people has they do a radio program about sexual health and through the radio program other youth became inspired and began their own program, as well. These teenagers do not yet have children, have gained lots of confidence, and they believe they can make a difference in Rosita. I believe so, too.<br />
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On Friday, I found out my uncle Kent passed away. I've gotten to talk to my family a little bit as well as my relatives, but it is not easy to be away from family during something so tragic. I am praying for everyone from here. I know my cousins and aunt are surrounded by loved ones. I have always used my aunt and uncle as an example of farmers/cowboys in Texas when I am explaining different things about home to Nicaraguans. Uncle Kent will truly be missed.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-84555228338315188472013-09-11T21:35:00.001-05:002014-03-24T10:04:52.093-05:00¡Aisabe, Managua!<br />
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Goodbye, Managua. <br />
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I said "See you later" to wonderful people in Managua who have cared for me and nurtured me into the North Ameria Nica that I am today... and I hopped on one of the "Costeña" tiny little airplanes to head to the RAAN or the North Autonomous Autonomous Region of Nicaragua. </div>
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I have now transitioned to the second part of my job where I am conducting interviews in our different AMC project sites. Later, I will write human impact stories.</div>
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The RAAN is one of the regions in Nicaragua with the highest poverty rates, with communities which are difficult to access, and with Nicaraguan citizens who are often neglected by the Pacific Coast. </div>
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The RAAN is home to two indigenous groups Miskitos and Mayagnas, as well as, Creoles. </div>
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Miskito people speak in the indigenous language of Miskito and Mayagnas have their own language, however, are now speaking more in Miskito and Spanish. People who are Creole speak in a mixed English language and learn Spanish as well.</div>
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AMC has offices located in 5 different communities in the RAAN. </div>
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I am currently working with the AMC team in Rosita. It is a city that lies on flat land, surrounded by many hills. It is just as hot as Managua - so around 90 degrees each day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddQMwQWVmBlN4Adz58QgYFN_kWO7VzOL7galGf-oRrcJKhgWkzckF4fhJ08JosMW8ciLtwQYS2eBYistdGD0hmw8_7WnlWD-Qgem9K096h1-RzbAIH4axm6xVmwFkK7p_eh1tLYn0vJxy/s1600/rosita_map_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddQMwQWVmBlN4Adz58QgYFN_kWO7VzOL7galGf-oRrcJKhgWkzckF4fhJ08JosMW8ciLtwQYS2eBYistdGD0hmw8_7WnlWD-Qgem9K096h1-RzbAIH4axm6xVmwFkK7p_eh1tLYn0vJxy/s320/rosita_map_b.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are 24,462 people that live in the Department of Rosita and in the city of Rosita there are 8,535 residents. 66.1% of people in this department live in poverty and 33.2% live in extreme poverty. The majority of people live without access to clean and safe water. </div>
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I feel blessed to be able to help AMC share the beautiful stories of Nicaraguans living on the Atlantic Coast. </div>
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I will write more when I have more free time, but until then here are some pictures from my first two days in Rosita. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah is the volunteered who is assigned to Rosita. She along with two other AMC workers helped me interview Don Roman today in the community of San Antonio (hey, Texas!). He is a dental health promoter and works traditional medicines by treating illness with natural remedies. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doña María helps maintain the local community pharmacy which is provided by AMC's Community Pharmacy Network and she is a community mid-wife. </td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-43246337385632615432013-09-08T19:14:00.000-05:002014-03-24T10:06:20.059-05:00AMC & SFEF Dental Outreach Reaches-Out to a very Special CommunityEnglish Version:
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Spanish Version:
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="385" scrolling="no" seamless="seamless" src="http://files.flipsnack.com/iframe/embed.html?hash=fdzm2p9k&wmode=window&bgcolor=EEEEEE&t=1378690651" width="640"></iframe>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-50490600819977252292013-08-28T17:02:00.002-05:002014-03-24T10:08:20.025-05:00Life in Managua<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes I get to go on wonderful adventures during my time here in Nicaragua. Here are some pictures from a trip to Costa Rica I just took with my fellow Mission Intern, Sarah Fraizer. We went to Montezuma on the Nicoya Peninsula and then visited Scott & Linda McAnnally in San Ramon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKosTjVERwAxYmxSsGNQaTmMejWeWXjzjY0FfwzhE4eg2KU-RYHJ-4A9lHu08QW0bFF_rQUmY5yv23HNPL-XXDpG227BCSUx_uQYCIN_QHF09Ea_zlMwviF3wnkYY-BLPY-NSoCBYsbx5S/s1600/IMG_1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKosTjVERwAxYmxSsGNQaTmMejWeWXjzjY0FfwzhE4eg2KU-RYHJ-4A9lHu08QW0bFF_rQUmY5yv23HNPL-XXDpG227BCSUx_uQYCIN_QHF09Ea_zlMwviF3wnkYY-BLPY-NSoCBYsbx5S/s320/IMG_1681.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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However, most days I have been working in the office just like many of you all do each and everyday. Here's what my average day looks like.</div>
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7:30 am I wake up & escape from my mosquito net which snuggly surounds my bed. </div>
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7:32 am I jump into my cold morning shower- I actually really enjoy cold showers now a days. </div>
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7:50am Eat breakfast- for a while I was really obsessed with making smoothies each morning, because fruit is so readily available and cheap. </div>
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8:15 am I leave the house unlocking and then locking behind me the the front door and two gates. </div>
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I walk about a mile to get to my bus route. (If I am running late, feeling lazy or taking my computer to the office I will grab a taxi.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvC7PA5gsCidRXCd2iTqB5HuvZHerjE5xcucSNyX9JYOwQVn5kUku6-tbvYEqYKsL63VX26vI_bd2EKQp89djGlUc0uSMRsXivMSD1fig7qnkBKwxvF1TKl5brnGnPSJIttiUAmUM-quR/s1600/streets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvC7PA5gsCidRXCd2iTqB5HuvZHerjE5xcucSNyX9JYOwQVn5kUku6-tbvYEqYKsL63VX26vI_bd2EKQp89djGlUc0uSMRsXivMSD1fig7qnkBKwxvF1TKl5brnGnPSJIttiUAmUM-quR/s320/streets.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've become accustomed to taxis honking in order to try to give me rides, picking up dust on some of the pathways, men making kissing sounds and yelling out "chela!" (white girl), and passing many other people during their commute to work & school. </div>
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8:45 am On Mondays we have morning devotionals but otherwise I greet the "vigilantes" that guard the entrance to AMC and head to my office. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7X5CQ0CHs7RMY6PNnQjQB9yMn7LegLnSyN05l4FCBN6wHCFuemAhV49rJu5MBWVeRIjvonxGzL6KCfTGM40CO5jeDv2_6fzi4UWt-smjR1sZvmx76Y3zKUFK9es4OGTmWHvekwaJiAY-1/s1600/desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7X5CQ0CHs7RMY6PNnQjQB9yMn7LegLnSyN05l4FCBN6wHCFuemAhV49rJu5MBWVeRIjvonxGzL6KCfTGM40CO5jeDv2_6fzi4UWt-smjR1sZvmx76Y3zKUFK9es4OGTmWHvekwaJiAY-1/s320/desk.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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8:50 am I always greet and catch up with my co-worker Dina & supervisor Dr. Francisco when I get to the office. It is always important to greet one another properly in Nicaragua before getting to work.<br />
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9:00 am I start checking emails on my computer and working on a new team budget or logistics.<br />
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10:00 am We can turn on the air conditioning in our office. The cost of electricity is horrible here. <br />
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12:00 pm I usually immediately stop what I am doing to enjoy a yummy lunch cooked by AMC's cooks. Sometimes I bring my own lunch if Doña Chelita and Doña Maria Eugenia are not cooking or walk down the hill to a nearby gas station to purchase a sandwich.<br />
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I spend lunch sitting in the nice eating patio and chatting with other co-workers at my table. Everyone relaxes and spends about an hour chatting and resting. No one sits in the eating area if they need to talk about work.<br />
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Not often, but sometimes I join some of the guys in the office to play a quick game of ping pong. I suck compared to everyone else.<br />
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1:00pm I head back to my office and continue working.<br />
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2:30 pm Stop for a moment to listen to a joke from Dr. Francisco or he tells me about something interesting that is happening in the news/ health care in Nicaragua.<br />
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3:00 pm Time for coffee. Sidenote- I never drank coffee until living here. Now, I love it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEGW6bK8ifIeGkCwguxf7wOg_GrWaVDD9LztAjIFmW_RrLbURC5e_gV6L_bhpW-NNcO3fu4eWmzOhyphenhyphennZoJgD48MC-8aFnSRETRb6aUWfryAImd8D1W8y4ueOqai6ODWH6S7gVJGS4HnML/s1600/picking+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEGW6bK8ifIeGkCwguxf7wOg_GrWaVDD9LztAjIFmW_RrLbURC5e_gV6L_bhpW-NNcO3fu4eWmzOhyphenhyphennZoJgD48MC-8aFnSRETRb6aUWfryAImd8D1W8y4ueOqai6ODWH6S7gVJGS4HnML/s1600/picking+coffee.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I learned how to pick coffee on Josimar's farm with Sarah and Jossimar. </td></tr>
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4:00 pm For a while, I taught English classes to a small group of students twice a week at this time. It was fun to sit on the front porch with the white board and my students- sometimes different people would pass by to observe and try to use their English as well.<br />
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4:30pm During rainy season, it begins to rain around this time almost everyday. The skies do not give you me notice, either.<br />
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5:00 pm I wrap up class and grab my things to walk down to the bus stop.<br />
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5:15 pm The bus arrives, after some waiting, to the bus stop and I hop on with a few of my co-workers.<br />
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5:20 pm I get off the bus and wait with the masses to board a new bus.<br />
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5:30 pm I board bus 119 and squeeze towards the back door. When we arrive closer to the stop, I pretty much have to shove my way to the door in order to escape the bus on time.<br />
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5:40 pm During my walk home, I walk in front of one of Managua's shopping malls and say "adios" to several of the guards along the way who I have befriended.<br />
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At night, I sometimes go to a dance exercise class with my friend Jessena, I cook for myself or with my roommate, read or watch a show or two on my Netflix.<br />
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After a year of living here in Managua, I can say I feel really comfortable and at home. There are other days when I get to participate in birthdays, Nicaraguan holidays, interesting workshops, etc. but for the most part I have accompanied Nicaraguans and AMC through my work in the office.<br />
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Next week I depart for the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua and will live in a very rural project site. My new role will be to conduct interviews and document human impact stories. I'm sure I will also have average, everyday moments, yet they will probably be completely different than my time here in the city.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-51398273905543564702013-08-23T11:41:00.003-05:002013-08-24T15:59:10.213-05:00"When a Five Year-Old Tells You He is Hungry" By Cassie Zonnefeld<span style="background-color: white; color: #313131; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">A couple of weeks ago we were working hard in the kitchen, preparing a nice dinner for some friends and getting ready for a seminary lunch that we were hosting at our house the next day. Kevin walked across the street to buy some dish soap and pop (you can't have people over without having pop and/or juice) when our five year-old neighbor boy Pablo (name changed for confidentiality) told Kevin that he was hungry. He asked if he could come over and climb up our mango tree to pick some mangoes that he and his family could have for supper. Kevin welcomed him over and they worked together to collect a bag of mangoes for Pablo to bring home.</span><br />
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I stood at the sink, washing our dishes with our newly acquired dish shop with tears in my eyes. No child should go hungry, no adult should go hungry. Here we are right in the heart of it, needs all around us, but our kitchen always seems stocked and our bellies always have more than enough. I put together a little bag of bananas and other fruits that Pablo could bring back to his house. And yet, I knew that we aren’t getting to the root of it.<br />
Pablo and his family live in the corner "house" of our street. "House" doesn't really give justice to what they live in. Basically it is a room for rent system. Families who are moving into the city generally rent a room until they can find a more stable place to live. There are dirt floors, a shared bathing area and a very primitive kitchen (no fridge, no stove, firewood for cooking). They share their home with ten to twenty other people, depending on the day.<br />
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As I continued to reflect I began thinking of a birthday party that we attended back in December. Pablo was invited to the party, but his family was not. The party hosts were serving <a href="http://www.mis-recetas.org/recetas/show/4403-arroz-a-la-valenciana-al-estilo-nicaraguense" style="color: #747474; text-decoration: none;">Arroz a la Valenciana, a special Nicaraguan dish</a>. Pablo had a plate in front of him, but insisted that he was not hungry. After a while, when nobody was looking, I saw him run his plate of food over to his dad who was standing out in the street. It seemed like they had a mutual understanding of what needed to happen. A couple hours later, when we left with a plate of warm leftovers, Pablo was standing outside. I offered him what I had and he gladly took it. I hope that it filled his tummy that evening.<br />
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When Kevin and I discussed the situation after he and Pablo picked mangoes, he reminded me not to feel guilty, but to act, to remember why we are here, to share and love those around us. There are people hungry and hurting in all of the corners of this earth, and though you most likely do not have a mango tree growing in your front yard, I am sure that you can find a way to offer your blessings and gifts to those around you.<br />
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Cassie Zonnefeld is a fellow missionary working here in Nicaragua with the Mennonite Christian Committee. She and her husband Kevin teach at a local seminary and Cassie also works with AMC, too. Check out their blog. </div>
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<a href="http://zonnefeld.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTm1vBIRXjmUyMiGBtCWv5SjVIajEa-mQapmv_-P7TWECzMIBztCeXdC01CnDpvZlb-tLZCEwOjiY7D0_kMqD-hpudfakZL_Op9xxTxC4xuLYxi06TQUlRMXAez50WfJlRQqENPWuNhmu/s320/Blog-Header-2_edited-2---fi.png" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-57047282695387246182013-07-24T23:10:00.001-05:002013-10-17T12:31:43.875-05:00Brush Your Teeth<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>When I wake up in the morning and the sun is startin' show</i></div>
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<i>I brush my teeth chhh chhhh chhhhhhh chhh chhh chh</i></div>
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<i>I brush my teeth </i><i>chhh chhhh chhhhhhh chhh chhh chh</i></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o4aFFFDi-JhIGUXu0sUJek-KAHJ0nY97p6trO_1RNzIgKgUCL6eiP1rCHKRXYxHcTpiGOU10URNmZnoq5VEmsv6WDu7rsXrXC0sva3ilXnh8xUKWIAKBjfFLijYATSluv6l3EAXi0DbW/s1600/index.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o4aFFFDi-JhIGUXu0sUJek-KAHJ0nY97p6trO_1RNzIgKgUCL6eiP1rCHKRXYxHcTpiGOU10URNmZnoq5VEmsv6WDu7rsXrXC0sva3ilXnh8xUKWIAKBjfFLijYATSluv6l3EAXi0DbW/s640/index.png" width="640" /></a></i></div>
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I recall shaking my booty singing this song over and over again as wee little Whitney with my mom, brother and sister<i>. </i>Growing up in the United States, children cannot avoid talking about, learning about, reading about, nor singing about dental health. A large majority of US citizens can afford and have access to toothbrushes, toothpaste and still a huge percentage of people can and do visit a dentist.</div>
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According to Nicaraguan statistics from 2012 (statistics about Nicaragua?), only 0.1 dental consults are provided per resident per year and 2.2 general medical consultations. However, these statistics do not explain that out of the 6 million inhabitants, many people cannot access nor let alone afford basic dental care. Also, the available water supplies often lack an appropriate amount of fluoride to aide..(something).</div>
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On July 5-13, 2013 I assisted AMC in hosting a large dental team consisting of 17 team members; 7 dentists, 2 camera crew men, the president of the company, a international consultant, a life/team coach, and 5 other volunteers. It was huge! This team came from the Smiles for Everyone Foundation which is a foundation started through the Smiles Brand company. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMTQZwJ0ZXjMOMish8dGmskfuhnJ44COKCfw2_V7SE_6Mne6xiB26n1yWha7ZMdUpj7fh2GYYseBZHUNzQPQS1n75zwt07xrnwF4M6yAZGwYwz1MqpsuL6Fuli8633ItpsN1uGEKGpoDT/s1600/_Y0C3683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMTQZwJ0ZXjMOMish8dGmskfuhnJ44COKCfw2_V7SE_6Mne6xiB26n1yWha7ZMdUpj7fh2GYYseBZHUNzQPQS1n75zwt07xrnwF4M6yAZGwYwz1MqpsuL6Fuli8633ItpsN1uGEKGpoDT/s320/_Y0C3683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Throughout the week, the SEAL Team along with the help of local dentist Dra. Alicia Reyes (Dr. Francisco's wife & a mother figure to me), 4 translators and AMC, 621 dental consults were given and 2,026 dental procedures were performed. Everyone worked hard to clean, fill, and extract teeth.</div>
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For many Nicaraguans, visiting the dentist simply means getting teeth extracted or a crown put on a tooth. Therefore, some people go with the expectation and hope that their teeth will be pulled or they can gain the shiny-look to their smile. Many dental teams who visit only have time and supplies to pull and clean teeth. This team tried to save as many teeth as possible by putting in fillings.</div>
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As much work as was accomplished the greatest effects will come with our long-term dental project. This team is going to provide funds for us to continue follow up with not only consults but also dental awareness and prevention programs. AMC already had a few educational programs (I helped sing a dental song with two of AMC's health promoters/volunteers in a local school) but this will only help improve dental health within AMC's projects. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-iIvZBtZHGGl_rWn_WFrmbU_oYW1bnAb8h-kPtEnmRL9RsYWQNbC7FTa_mnTG4PlnIpxduUWX2OpGV75xQKIl1SeSRALXnDQoAB_-VM4bnLrQ8bMDCVzM955RKXJ2pMUskeD2DDjFeXm/s1600/_Y0C3566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-iIvZBtZHGGl_rWn_WFrmbU_oYW1bnAb8h-kPtEnmRL9RsYWQNbC7FTa_mnTG4PlnIpxduUWX2OpGV75xQKIl1SeSRALXnDQoAB_-VM4bnLrQ8bMDCVzM955RKXJ2pMUskeD2DDjFeXm/s320/_Y0C3566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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During the week, I couldn't help realize how much of a privilege it is for me to have all of my teeth and for them to be nice and white. However; when I thought about it more- dental health should NOT be a luxury or a privilege. It is a human right and a health issue that can be prevented. As AMC's dental program grows, I have hope that many of the kids I encountered will also have a brushing your teeth song stuck in their heads one day as they actually keep their teeth clean. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBO4XtTw3N3r-pH2bKubesSWd6ZKjYXCLXOiduv-aYovmR6aW7OrapQJafdDIFWZ43gW0xCX6fqc4zCMrqVYWCOKv7FU2OD89KvJKVlVM43gaIC8mov1IUlVh8ejoUDzsM_wPDFGueclam/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBO4XtTw3N3r-pH2bKubesSWd6ZKjYXCLXOiduv-aYovmR6aW7OrapQJafdDIFWZ43gW0xCX6fqc4zCMrqVYWCOKv7FU2OD89KvJKVlVM43gaIC8mov1IUlVh8ejoUDzsM_wPDFGueclam/s320/IMG_2113.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved being able to work with Dr. Francisco, my supervisor, outside of the office. Dr. F. went over and beyond his responsibilities to make the team's trip possible and successful. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_pcmq6hoUS51uL3VsvumcyJak_8q20M3TgdP95sLauxoCmvBXAgQGy2epZiS7u4iq5alRPr-B37gxtgxxMvi9upVcvdaKMB5z2lL1Hhx-HhcGL_aImR3DfO6d6fwgYClZf8_LFqznpqp/s1600/IMG_2079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_pcmq6hoUS51uL3VsvumcyJak_8q20M3TgdP95sLauxoCmvBXAgQGy2epZiS7u4iq5alRPr-B37gxtgxxMvi9upVcvdaKMB5z2lL1Hhx-HhcGL_aImR3DfO6d6fwgYClZf8_LFqznpqp/s320/IMG_2079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting hours for to receive treatment. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjGe4KXX3VkrmAk_nT1LKa5Vt3kiE7QrQxOTCL10ojOaWlwjgY2rFejDe_Yb7SDO6h1JyFSlJDcpmulEWFux4-jkKNewEUiL_xEVOyR6ouzpGWEFAUxNqkvQKHmDfowCn-GkMIKEFvBbt/s1600/DY0C3581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjGe4KXX3VkrmAk_nT1LKa5Vt3kiE7QrQxOTCL10ojOaWlwjgY2rFejDe_Yb7SDO6h1JyFSlJDcpmulEWFux4-jkKNewEUiL_xEVOyR6ouzpGWEFAUxNqkvQKHmDfowCn-GkMIKEFvBbt/s320/DY0C3581.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the coolest stories from the trip is about Ivania Navas. Ivania left for the states during the war and has lived there ever since. She recently won one of Smile Brands' most prestigious company awards and worked as Dr. Alicia's dental assistant the entire week. How tuani!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDmRuty9j98osZplzMcEjwz3ozPqy_M6KsaiOVxgWZ-0HNtkHMIJ-0rs2J4SQFb3m4KB6ZbLftb99uVdFcpMQ3SZAsMZ5McblWTuZS-FoQC1s6bkmZvPzQYNRl0sqXUZ4XS9VCOihQHjv/s1600/IMG_2062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDmRuty9j98osZplzMcEjwz3ozPqy_M6KsaiOVxgWZ-0HNtkHMIJ-0rs2J4SQFb3m4KB6ZbLftb99uVdFcpMQ3SZAsMZ5McblWTuZS-FoQC1s6bkmZvPzQYNRl0sqXUZ4XS9VCOihQHjv/s320/IMG_2062.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPSy37qlcAhqurlUU0EelYJ9uDInEieohHErjUr-AHyprg-TRvH4Bp_jnh1RvgQJV5Qd-yxQDqkiJeFuF2qnDf_-h-tv2raWAJJA3ZcU6mPIbTc9LccFQDvCsrFMaGduHb2NTT7-MqJSq/s1600/IMG_2078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPSy37qlcAhqurlUU0EelYJ9uDInEieohHErjUr-AHyprg-TRvH4Bp_jnh1RvgQJV5Qd-yxQDqkiJeFuF2qnDf_-h-tv2raWAJJA3ZcU6mPIbTc9LccFQDvCsrFMaGduHb2NTT7-MqJSq/s320/IMG_2078.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Horner and Marcos (the translator) We all tell Marcos he should just apply for his a certification to become a doctor due to his extensive experience translating for all different kinds of doctors. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ixfFjuYIg57vVf19K5rdyf8od47HosXt5Etjci2XZXZFzJkJrt19XaEBO0T8ds-8uX9RalOiaxqIhMC_BAOA0OKP1vFMHr0P691ANdHyc1rZeOuleTVISNLwJdkZQi-yVqgjj2DHWcAS/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ixfFjuYIg57vVf19K5rdyf8od47HosXt5Etjci2XZXZFzJkJrt19XaEBO0T8ds-8uX9RalOiaxqIhMC_BAOA0OKP1vFMHr0P691ANdHyc1rZeOuleTVISNLwJdkZQi-yVqgjj2DHWcAS/s320/IMG_2093.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milton and Eliezer volunteering their time for AMC. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0R_BnuR814uHXwPhcouRUouxUWn-zIerPdlrMIE9Z8CPbLQUrA4oBMyMlijYByXIky1PPCWdrx4Foe3WRX7QwUlCMdVl7f5cPdYWpJESmT_4hz5IORVZU6xwvnSqHnfAGpmaaGRDz7xab/s1600/IMG_2039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0R_BnuR814uHXwPhcouRUouxUWn-zIerPdlrMIE9Z8CPbLQUrA4oBMyMlijYByXIky1PPCWdrx4Foe3WRX7QwUlCMdVl7f5cPdYWpJESmT_4hz5IORVZU6xwvnSqHnfAGpmaaGRDz7xab/s320/IMG_2039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jwsiqMgCTTKtiXrnThvA6Kfl6QSSaRE4wjBM_bDFdiioWnVmQfOirboD8q0FSQwzP_pYnEZ6pOvy5Z0HSOKShxarPz3HLEIxlOmELrvUw3liVa2C3W3BarG0_wndPwQHHbqfqF2wc17A/s1600/IMG_2060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-jwsiqMgCTTKtiXrnThvA6Kfl6QSSaRE4wjBM_bDFdiioWnVmQfOirboD8q0FSQwzP_pYnEZ6pOvy5Z0HSOKShxarPz3HLEIxlOmELrvUw3liVa2C3W3BarG0_wndPwQHHbqfqF2wc17A/s320/IMG_2060.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did have one accident during the week. I told Mac it was perfectly fine to run the morning we were in Matagalpa....He went running...and got bit by a dog. Luckily, we had Dr. F. with us who has the big connections at the hospital (his brother is the director) where Mac got his first round of tetanus and rabbis vaccines. Later, we gave Mac these stickers.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8K8lEHpYEBEu8gik50RBwsst9p4U6ouF6EzkusGU8i7A24YvpKtVb0LGuLLv4I9RE5d9pqPopzU1HF3IZIt7MwNW34WhPIgIzmLLa12bjStZ2NxfBYzVjaLXYxOjfnktPBe6kwgnvlD6q/s1600/IMG_2098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8K8lEHpYEBEu8gik50RBwsst9p4U6ouF6EzkusGU8i7A24YvpKtVb0LGuLLv4I9RE5d9pqPopzU1HF3IZIt7MwNW34WhPIgIzmLLa12bjStZ2NxfBYzVjaLXYxOjfnktPBe6kwgnvlD6q/s320/IMG_2098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9N4VoqhLO7NyEvntwq-4PTqo6j1vZUesjN6zR2B0uD16cddpfd6Zu-eNq7bXNsdJppxfs-R2sMHpRocwrnSBONgu7pVM4LKKT8DCIflrnNkCyvXxv-AykHAsrp01ai2q3PFSvI9_jdgN/s1600/IMG_2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9N4VoqhLO7NyEvntwq-4PTqo6j1vZUesjN6zR2B0uD16cddpfd6Zu-eNq7bXNsdJppxfs-R2sMHpRocwrnSBONgu7pVM4LKKT8DCIflrnNkCyvXxv-AykHAsrp01ai2q3PFSvI9_jdgN/s320/IMG_2101.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In San Benito, all of our electricity ran through generators. Harry was our awesome tech guy. </td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-29129393650415441902013-07-24T21:26:00.000-05:002013-07-24T23:35:26.385-05:00<div class="quote" style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Sometimes,’ said Pooh, ‘the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."</i></div>
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<b>A. A. Milne, <i>Winne the Pooh</i></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-68846829014044283372013-05-31T17:42:00.001-05:002013-07-24T23:35:26.389-05:00These Are the Buenas Hondas of Managua<div style="text-align: center;">
Kicking up dust; walking to the nearby pulpería to buy tortillas,</div>
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<i>These are the buenas hondas of Managua.</i></div>
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Baby on hip, gripping the bar above trying to maintain balance on the fast-moving bus,</div>
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<i>These are the buenas hondas of Managua.</i></div>
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Standing in the mercado, calling out to potential customers hustling by </div>
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<i>These are the buenas hondas of Managua.</i></div>
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Sitting on a plastic, stack-able chair chatting with others in front of a casa,</div>
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<i>These are the buenas hondas of Managua.</i></div>
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Zooming through the city with the sign "taxi" above; listening to directions "towards where the little tree used to be"</div>
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<i>These are the buenas hondas of Managua. </i></div>
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Bible at side, standing & clapping to Praise the Lord.</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>These are the buenas hondas of Managua.</i></div>
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Watching the favorite daily telenovela; sorting through a big plastic bag of pinto beans.</div>
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<i>These are the buenas hondas of Managua.</i></div>
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Celebrating with many joyful songs, queque & Rojita; batting for a piñata</div>
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<i>These are the buenas hondas of Managua.</i> </div>
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Enjoying a long, hot lunch; passing time with co-workers at the office. </div>
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<i>These are the buenas hondas of Managua.</i></div>
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Riding a horse cart through the barrios with a bull horn ; announcing ¡Hay frutas!</div>
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<i>These are the buenas hondas of Managua</i>. </div>
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Learning in the white, blue striped schools; studying in the many universities, </div>
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These are the buenas hondas of Managua. </div>
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Kicking, walking, gripping, trying, standing, calling, hustling, sitting, chatting, zooming, listening, standing, clapping, watching, sorting, celebrating, batting, enjoying, being, riding, announcing, learning, studying</div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>These are the buenas hondas of Managua. </i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">buenas hondas= cool or good people</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">mercado= market</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">barrio= neighborhood</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">casa= house</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">hay frutas= fruit available</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">telenovelas= soap operas</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6181132603387108422.post-66908661306140852732013-05-26T23:32:00.002-05:002014-03-24T10:07:21.908-05:00To Be a MissionaryI spent two weekends ago and this weekend with families of different people from my office. I am not currently living with a Nicaraguan family, but with a Nicaraguan roommate instead. I have been trying to reach out more and more to others in my office and in my community due to the fact I do not live with many people. Also, people have been reaching out more and more to me, as well. They have more <i>confianza (trust)</i> with me- in Nicaragua, one definitely has to gain lots of trust from someone in order for them to begin to get to know you more. Don't get me wrong- people are still very friendly and helpful; however, to get past a surface level relationship you need to invest lots of time in getting to know someone.<br />
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Last week I was sharing with Violeta & Carolina, wonderful co-workers from my office, that I sometimes miss teaching and definitely miss being around kids and teenagers. They immediately invited me to stay with them in Jinotepe to participate in a children's bible class on Saturday and a special Mother's Day performance at their church on Sunday. Mother's Day in Nicaragua is on May 30. <br />
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This weekend was such a blessing. Although it was a short time, I got to meet Carolina and Violeta's 4 other sisters (their mom has 8 children in total) and SPEND TIME WITH KIDS. I even had a moment where I got to talk to some of the teenagers who lead the church band. (haha- Sometimes I think I get a little too excited to see young people).<br />
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However, I think the most powerful moments were when I could sit, listen, pray and laugh with different family members as they told me their thoughts about Nicaraguan culture, their love for Jinotepe, all about the family, and a few stories. At the same time, I got to share a little bit about my own culture, my home, and my family. I got to partake in the sacredness of sharing a meal with different family members as well. As I headed back to Managua on a micro-bus, I couldn't help but smile.<br />
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I think to be a missionary is a lot of just what I did this weekend. To be a missionary is to sit down with others and SHARE. To share stories. To share a meal. To share about culture. To share time. To share the moment of just being. It is as simple as that. When I sit around with Nicaraguans, in the common plastic stackable chairs, and just invest in them in that moment and them in me the Holy Spirit is present. To be a missionary is to share. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1