the mountains

monday through wednesday

On Monday morning we loaded up and headed for the hills... we had no idea of the beauty that was waiting there.  Our bus moved slowly for the last 25 miles as master driver Julio navigated the obstacles of the unpaved road.  When we climbed out for a late lunch at the top of the mountains we were greeted by refreshing cool winds and fabulous vistas.  Nora whipped up some great pasta before our hike to one of the most fabulous spots on the planet, La mano de Dios/Diablo, the hand of God/Devil.

As with our time at Batahola Norte where we were introduced to the work of Father Angel and Sister Margie, here in the mountains we saw first hand the legacy of Father Rafael Fabretto, a Salesian missionary from Venice, Italy.  We spent time visiting the Frabretto Center here in Cusmapa, we helped to cook food for the 300 school children who come to the center each day for lunch and additional schooling as the public schools operate for only half a day.  Like Father Fabretto years ago, we too were taken with the children, struck by the poverty that exist in this remote community, and completely inspired yet again by the people who are laboring here and bringing about God's kingdom on earth.

Tonight we gathered before leaving to reflect, to share, to figure out how the changes that are happening within us will translate into action and renewel as we travel home.  Indeed each of us has changed, each in our own way.  The Nicaraguan people have taught us about joy, and hope, and determination, and transparency, and injustice.  Now we begin our journey home, hoping not to lose sight of all that we have seen, hoping that the transformation within translates into a transformation of our life and work in Cincinnati.

Buenos noches y hasta manana!

saturday continued... and sunday

Over lunch various members of the staff shared the stories of their lives with us, both their hardships
and their hopefulness. Two women told us how they came to own and rent their homes and then
opened their doors to let us have a more realistic picture of the everyday realities of an average family in
Batahola.

Did we mention yet how packed our days are here? Though we all were yearning for a siesta, we loaded
onto the bus and headed to the Global Education Network where Senior Mark filled our brains with a
whirlwind snapshot of the political and social regimes that have shaped the landscape of life here in
Nicaragua. Certainly nothing is simple when it comes to the long history of war and occupation that is a
reality here.

Our day ended with dinner out at Los Ranchos with the 40 employees of thee Cultural Center of
Batahola Norte. Each table had a mix of staff members and folks from our group and a translator ready
with questions to help us all get to know each other and make connections across culture, age, and
experience. It was a rich time of fellowship for all!

Sunday

Today we paint! In 1985 The Center built a school in the neighborhood of Batahola Norte using funds
donated from Spanish organization and volunteer labor from community. When finished the school was
donated to the Ministry of Education and became part of the public education system offered to children
in this community. Schools here are extremely under resourced, with few books or supplies, and consist
merely of a classroom with walls (now freshly painted walls ) desk and chairs, that´s it. Teachers too
though they have a desire to support children are rarely trained and often lack knowledge on how to
engage children in activities that are truly educational. The Center invites classes into their space 3 days
a week in order to offer educational support and enrichment.

saturday

Saturday began with a gracious Patricia teaching us to dance gracefully.  With hats for the hombres and skirts for the mujeres we learned 2 traditional folk dances of Nicaragua including a polka from the days when the Germans lived in the north part of the country.

The Center was buzzing with activity and we got to tour and participate in some of the Saturday morning classes!  Some of us read stories to the children who come for enrichment, we toured the kitchen as the students prepared cows tongue (a delicasse), we met the women in the sewing class, and perhaps most memorable was the beauty salon class where many of us offered our heads and hair for the women to practice!

friday fun

Our first full day has been full of life and fun as we´ve met, prayed, sang, danced, created art, and played games with our new friends here at the Cultural Center of Batahola Norte.  Mr. Norman led us in a reflection with the staff about the Body of Christ and each of our gifts and talents that we have to offer.  We had time in small groups to discuss our lives and learn from one another. 

There is an English class here at the center and we spent time with them practicing conversational English, playing games together, and getting to use our Spanish as well.  After an amazing lunch cooked by an amazing woman who lives across the street, there was a hot and wild game of futbol under the scorching afternoon sun.  Children and parents then joined us for mask making and games to follow!  Already we are learning that smiles and sign language fill in when our Spanish is not enough. 

Tonight we are looking forward to having dinner with both Jesuit Volunteers and Friends of Batahola Volunteers where we will get to hear stories of their transformation in this place.  We will also enjoy our beds when at last we get to lay down.  A good first day indeed!

a long day of travel

After 13 hours in and out of airports, on and off planes, we finally made it to our hotel in Managua at 12:45 this morning with luggage strapped precariously to the roof of our bus. We played many a game on the way and used the time to get to know each other and build our community. Our night of sleep was too short, but we were all happy to be greeted with a great spread of rice and beans, eggs, watermelon and pineapple at 6:45.