Wow, time flies! Since my last post my parents have visited, there was a talent show, we had our next parent meeting, several birthdays, and 14 more classes!
Having my parents here was really nice. Part of living here comes with sometimes wanting someone around that has known you for a while and really knows you, so who better than my parents? We stayed pretty busy with hiking Mombacho Volcano, meeting everyone I work with, seeing Granada, going to church and bible study at El Puente, going to our kid’s program and meeting the kids, an island tour… It was really fun having them at the program, too, because we worked it out to teach brushing teeth while they were there, so daddy got to help them with that and then help give out toothbrushes for them to take home!
I’d say they pretty much conquered Nicaragua until they got home and got sick… Nica always wins.
The day after they left we had the talent show – which Journey Esposito, the daughter of 2 team members here, did a GREAT job organizing. Our kids participated and I even had a little dancing debut with Reagan and the Sweet Potatoes. : )
(They made their shirts the week before in class with sandpaper and crayons! DIY iron-on!)
(They performed 2 songs we sing in class – Buenos Dias/Good morning and Hallelujah – as well as the vowels of the letter sounds we practice every day we have class.)
Featuring: Reagan and the Sweet Potatoes!
A couple weeks ago we had our next Parent Meeting and I was really happy with how it went. We had about 6-7 kids coming fairly consistently and all of the families came. We talked a little about what we had been doing in class, let the kids show their families some of the different stations they do, and did a bible/gospel activity (really cool to see the parents working with and talking through this activity with their kids). After the meeting we had a “pulperia” (class store) where the kids could spend the money they had earned for coming to class. We had rice, beans, milk, toys, instruments, coloring books, fingernail polish, bracelets and necklaces – such a great way to use everything the teams had generously left for us. I loved watching the parents have fun shopping with their kids and celebrate their participation. Since the meeting every family has consistently sent their child and we’ve even added a new little boy, so we’re up to about 8-9 kids every day!
This last week was full of birthdays – Genesis (student), Heather, and Ernestina (teacher) – so we had to celebrate with cake and a piñata!
Here are just some pictures from the last several weeks because I want to show off our kiddos! : )
(Playing with the dolls my Mom brought down!)
(Learning our letters!) (Playing with the new kitchen!)
I really couldn’t be more pleased with how things are going. I’m still learning a lot and have a LOT to learn, hard days come and go, but God is working in this time and is completely transforming my heart and who I am. I will never be the same after this experience.
Until next time…
Much love!
