Back in CR- coffee packed, ready to come home!

Wow. So much to say! Seeing poverty up close is very humbling, esp at Christmas-time. Life is just soooo hard for most of the people in the world.I will post pics as I can, but to get anywhere, most of the people in Nic take a bus. A bus is usually an old US school bus, which seats 55. They pack AT LEAST 2 or 3 times that number on a bus which means sardines have more room to breathe than these people. And it is already 90 degrees before you jam the people on.

You wash clothes by hand and hang them on the line. You walk to the store and buy whatever food you need for that day. You mix up flour for tortillas and bake those by hand on your spacious Jenn-air griddle. Oh wait, I meant pan over an open fire in your back yard. And by back yard, I mean the few steps outside your door in-between the outhouse and the chicken-coop. Often whole families, and extended families live in 2 cinder-block rooms with tin roofs.It sounds bleak, and much of it is, but there is JOY, love, fun, family bonds that are amazing, hospitality - money does not equal happiness in this culture. So much is out of there control that it seems easier to trust in God- He is their hope. Their faith in God's provision is so clear-they see God's hand every single day.

What a blessing to get to know our team plus our new friends in Nic. Dago is one of "our boys" who has been with the church since the early days and has come to Tipitapa 3 years in a row. He was tickled to realize that some of the people remembered him (he has a sweet 'fro so he is easy to spot!) But he was flabber-gasted when they called him by name! Nanis, another sweet boy about 15, was shovelling concrete and these little boys watched his every move and began to pick up shovels and model his actions. He saw what a role model he could be to other young boys who live in rough circumstances and I think it really made an impact on him.

I could talk forever about this trip, but I really REALLY need a shower! Our days have been long and hot and we have a lot of packing and preparation to do on the side so I have been up since 6am and it is now almost 11 pm- argh! I will post pics and write a follow-up when I get home! Pray for safe travels and no delays- we are out of clean clothes and running on empty so pray for favor as we travel home! Cindy and Jason and the HH Team, + Ticos and Nicos and even a Mayan and some Mainers! What a trip! Weds marks the Annunciation which means FIREWORKS so I am glad to be headed home! Feliz Navidad!