Emotions & Lessons Learned

Look at my new home in Hayesville, NC!

I said goodbye to dear, dear people in Nicaragua…

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…

I squeezed each of my family members and tried to soak up every minute of my short time in McKinney, TX…

I visited several churches that allowed me to share about my personal experiences in Nicaragua…

I arrived 4 days ago to Hayesville, NC and have begun settling into my new community and job…

I feel like my whole transition from Nicaragua to the United States was a blur at times.  I’ve experienced a variety of emotions from feeling

sad- to leave people and a country

numb- many times I didn’t feel anything. When I might have cried or felt overwhelmingly grateful, I felt numb instead.

Joyful- to see loved ones once again = amazing

Disgusted- 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.

Challenged/questioning- 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)

Humbled/inspired- all the churches I visited are so open to hearing about missions and gave so generously of their time and money to my program

Unsettled- 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

Blessed- 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.  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 entire family.

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.  Society expects you to just fit right back in again, but what are we fitting into?

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.  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.   

“so we can learn from this presentation just how blessed we are to live here”

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  “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?

“they are poor, but they seem really happy”

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.

“aren’t you just so glad to be back in the United States?”

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!

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.

Thanks for your continued support!

Peace, Whitney

Special thanks to…

           

University Christian Church: Fort Worth, TX

First Christian Church of McKinney, TX

Wesley Foundation TCU

First United Methodist Church of McKinney

Grace Christian Church: Prosper, TX

Lion’s Club of McKinney

Debes Casarte Aqui

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. 

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 oy! Tengo que buscar a alguien ahorita/ Ah! I have to find someone right now or Si... que lastima, verdad?/Ya.... what a shame, right?

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.

My new placement site is in Hayesville, North Carolina at the Hinton Center. You can find out more about it here. 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. 

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.

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?! 

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.

May you Experience God's Grace & Peace,

Whit

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- It's been in the 20s.

I will have a longer update soon. 

Thanks for your support and prayers for Nicaragua!

God bless!

San Pancho Kukra River

Sarita and Miladis threw me a surprise birthday party. We sang karaoke and ate yummy cake!

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Hola, hola, hola!!

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!)

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.  

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.

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.  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.

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. 

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”. 

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 campo 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. 

 

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.

 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 campo 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. 

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.

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.  These students don’t get to do many creative things, so any activity that is new or different is so much fun for them.  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.

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.  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 ;) )

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.

Sarita (the nanny for Sol), myself, Miladis, Antonio

My "little sister" for this month- Sol (4 years old) Sol means sun in Spanish

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.

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.

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  have hope that  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.

Recent Prayer Concerns:

·      Managua has a terrible outbreak of Dengue right now and several people have already died from symptoms.

·      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.

·      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. 

This is where I am living.

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.

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.

¡Aisabe, Managua!

Goodbye, Managua.

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. 

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.

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. 

The RAAN is home to two indigenous groups Miskitos and Mayagnas, as well as, Creoles. 

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.

AMC has offices located in 5 different communities in the RAAN. 

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. 

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. 

I feel blessed to be able to help AMC share the beautiful stories of Nicaraguans living on the Atlantic Coast. 

I will write more when I have more free time, but until then here are some pictures from my first two days in Rosita. 

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. 

Doña María helps maintain the local community pharmacy which is provided by AMC's Community Pharmacy Network and she is a community mid-wife.