This is what I see. Que linda, no?
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Monday, May 08, 2006
tidbits of learning in Leon
Things I have learned after 2 days in Leon:
1. Always greet people with "Buenas". It´s not just short for "Buenas tardes", it´s the polite way to say hello to people, both friend and stranger.
2. There are 3 markets and they get progressively cheaper the further you are from the bus station.
3. The cheapest grocery store in the area is called Pali and is less than 5 blocks from me.
4. Nicas distinguish (like many Centroamericanos) between Catolicos and Evangelicos.
5. Nicas are friendly and open and will answer almost any question you ask.
6. It´s okay to show up unexpectedly on someone´s doorstep as long as you´re not there for a meal.
7. Leon is a predominantly Sandinista city...and being Sandinista is not a division based on rich or poor as much as it is based on age. Many of the older people prefer the Somoza era to now.
8. Nica Presidente Bolanos is seen as a friend of the US more than a friend to his own people by many of the people I have talked to here.
9. Fruit is plentiful here, but vegetables are not. And the poorer people eat little of either--they mostly eat rice and beans (in a dish known locally as Gallo Pinto).
10. The secret to staying cool here is to walk in the shade, do nothing between 12pm-4pm outside, or to sit near a fan at all times.
1. Always greet people with "Buenas". It´s not just short for "Buenas tardes", it´s the polite way to say hello to people, both friend and stranger.
2. There are 3 markets and they get progressively cheaper the further you are from the bus station.
3. The cheapest grocery store in the area is called Pali and is less than 5 blocks from me.
4. Nicas distinguish (like many Centroamericanos) between Catolicos and Evangelicos.
5. Nicas are friendly and open and will answer almost any question you ask.
6. It´s okay to show up unexpectedly on someone´s doorstep as long as you´re not there for a meal.
7. Leon is a predominantly Sandinista city...and being Sandinista is not a division based on rich or poor as much as it is based on age. Many of the older people prefer the Somoza era to now.
8. Nica Presidente Bolanos is seen as a friend of the US more than a friend to his own people by many of the people I have talked to here.
9. Fruit is plentiful here, but vegetables are not. And the poorer people eat little of either--they mostly eat rice and beans (in a dish known locally as Gallo Pinto).
10. The secret to staying cool here is to walk in the shade, do nothing between 12pm-4pm outside, or to sit near a fan at all times.
living in Leon
Leon is about an hour drive from Managua on the carretera to the north. There is a beautiful section of the drive right where Lago Managua and Momotombo (the volcano) are visible from the highway...tons of gorgeous vistas, valleys, and hills everywhere...though it does get a little browner as we head out of town to the drier region of Leon...
...
Something didn´t work out with the Maritza, the woman I was supposed to live with, so I spent the night with Chris and Phil Wilson of Living Waters instead. They have a huge house with lots of spare bedrooms for teams that come down to work with them. I was grateful for the bed and the air conditioning (very rare here), but anxious to move in with the other family Anne (one of the other FHI staff living here) had worked out.
...
Leon is a very colonial city, tons of Spanish influence everywhere--the food, the architecture, the cobblestone narrow streets with colorfully painted walls--you have to look carefully or you will walk right by the place you intend to go. 20 minutes will get you to the center of town and anywhere you want to go. Even though it is an old city, there are a lot of modern conveniences, including a huge supermarket where you can buy almost anything you want, a movie theater (which is showing MI 3 right now, if you can believe it), and vegetarian restaurants.
...
I´ve met way more expats here than I ever expected and that has been both a blessing and a challenge, because it means the temptation to speak English is more present that I would like, but I have very much enjoyed my new colleagues in ministry here--Heather, who teaches at a couple schools here in Leon, and Anne, who lives here but works primarily with a community called Santa Maria about 30 minutes north of here (I go there on Thursday and will post my observations next weekend).
...
Sunday was the first day I wanted to cry. The stress of not being settled by Sunday afternoon got to me a little bit, and when things didn´t work out with the second family, I was feeling very frustrated....I tried to remember that flexibility is the most important thing in situations like this, so I am very grateful that Anne, who was helping with this whole process from this end, took the initiative to investigate some other options yesterday evening with me, and I wound up at a boarding house owned by a Dona Leticia and her brother. They are very nice people and the room I am staying in is just big enough for a bed, nightstand, fan, chair, and storage rack. I also have my own bathroom with a small mirror and cabinet (though the water pressure leaves something to be desired). The best thing about this place is the patio. Right outside my room there is a patio full of lush green plants, which I am sure I will enjoy seeing every day.
...
More to come.
...
Something didn´t work out with the Maritza, the woman I was supposed to live with, so I spent the night with Chris and Phil Wilson of Living Waters instead. They have a huge house with lots of spare bedrooms for teams that come down to work with them. I was grateful for the bed and the air conditioning (very rare here), but anxious to move in with the other family Anne (one of the other FHI staff living here) had worked out.
...
Leon is a very colonial city, tons of Spanish influence everywhere--the food, the architecture, the cobblestone narrow streets with colorfully painted walls--you have to look carefully or you will walk right by the place you intend to go. 20 minutes will get you to the center of town and anywhere you want to go. Even though it is an old city, there are a lot of modern conveniences, including a huge supermarket where you can buy almost anything you want, a movie theater (which is showing MI 3 right now, if you can believe it), and vegetarian restaurants.
...
I´ve met way more expats here than I ever expected and that has been both a blessing and a challenge, because it means the temptation to speak English is more present that I would like, but I have very much enjoyed my new colleagues in ministry here--Heather, who teaches at a couple schools here in Leon, and Anne, who lives here but works primarily with a community called Santa Maria about 30 minutes north of here (I go there on Thursday and will post my observations next weekend).
...
Sunday was the first day I wanted to cry. The stress of not being settled by Sunday afternoon got to me a little bit, and when things didn´t work out with the second family, I was feeling very frustrated....I tried to remember that flexibility is the most important thing in situations like this, so I am very grateful that Anne, who was helping with this whole process from this end, took the initiative to investigate some other options yesterday evening with me, and I wound up at a boarding house owned by a Dona Leticia and her brother. They are very nice people and the room I am staying in is just big enough for a bed, nightstand, fan, chair, and storage rack. I also have my own bathroom with a small mirror and cabinet (though the water pressure leaves something to be desired). The best thing about this place is the patio. Right outside my room there is a patio full of lush green plants, which I am sure I will enjoy seeing every day.
...
More to come.
Friday, May 05, 2006
The first photo of me in Managua
That's Lago Managua behind me. I'm at the top of a very tall hill near the center of the city. Thanks to my friend Antonio, I was able to capture the moment. : )
Lago Managua
Taken on Thursday, May 4th on my first tour of downtown Managua, given by one of my new friends, Antonio, who works with the Nehemiah Center and helped me retrieve my luggage.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
the first day...
Well, I made it! At approximately 9pm local time last night, my plane landed in Managua International Airport and I entered the tedious customs process, after which I learned that my luggage had arrived the night before and was being stored in a warehouse nearby which I could not access until today, and thus I would have to go 12 more hours in the clothes I left San Antonio in on Tuesday. A small price to pay for a safe arrival!
I was met at the airport by Kim Brown, the FHI/Nic country director here, who was ecstatic to see me, given her long wait, two nights in a row, for my arrival. We drove through town in the dark, so it was difficult to form any impressions...but I will say that there were many similarities to my experiences in other Latin American countries. Crazy traffic, crowded streets with vendors of many kinds, houses of various condition, and political posters stapled to poles everywhere.
After about 30 minutes, we arrived at the home of the Aherns (Shannon and Kathy), who live and work in Colonia Becklin, the barrio in which the Nehemiah Center is located. After some small talk and introductions, we headed for bed. It took me less time than I expected to get used to the intermittently loud barking of dogs in the neighborhood and to forget that mosquitos were hovering over me justing itching for a meal. I slept well until daylight, when I was awakened by the sounds of the Ahern´s daughter getting ready for school. Breakfast consisted of a smoothie, bagel, and fruit, and then it was off to the Nehemiah Center to meet the other staff.
I confess most of their names are still a blur, except for Antonio, who was given the task of accompanying me back to the airport to pick up my luggage later that morning. Being an extrovert, he was eager to share his insights into the city with me, and we spent an hour after our airport errand touring the famous sites in Managua--the President´s house, the old cathedral, Lago Managua (huge!), and some of the other statues and landmarks in the area, including a statue of Ruben Dario, the most famous Nicaraguan poet in history, and remnants of the Somoza era here. I was amazed by all of the trees--Managua is a very green place! It was a visually impressive and stirring experience, being introduced to the city in this way. (I did take some pictures, which I will post the next time I am able to use a computer.)
In the meantime, here is the plan for the next couple days of my life here--tomorrow I will be attending a Nehemiah Center Servant Leadership Conference for indigenous leaders, eating dinner with Kim Brown (my boss) and meeting some of the other international staff. Saturday I travel with Kim and another IS, Heather, to Leon, where I will spend the next month or so. I´ll try to post again once I´m there. In the meantime, know that I am blessed here with new friends, a growing love for the culture and temperment of my new neighbors, and only a few small mosquito bites!
Hasta nos vemos!
I was met at the airport by Kim Brown, the FHI/Nic country director here, who was ecstatic to see me, given her long wait, two nights in a row, for my arrival. We drove through town in the dark, so it was difficult to form any impressions...but I will say that there were many similarities to my experiences in other Latin American countries. Crazy traffic, crowded streets with vendors of many kinds, houses of various condition, and political posters stapled to poles everywhere.
After about 30 minutes, we arrived at the home of the Aherns (Shannon and Kathy), who live and work in Colonia Becklin, the barrio in which the Nehemiah Center is located. After some small talk and introductions, we headed for bed. It took me less time than I expected to get used to the intermittently loud barking of dogs in the neighborhood and to forget that mosquitos were hovering over me justing itching for a meal. I slept well until daylight, when I was awakened by the sounds of the Ahern´s daughter getting ready for school. Breakfast consisted of a smoothie, bagel, and fruit, and then it was off to the Nehemiah Center to meet the other staff.
I confess most of their names are still a blur, except for Antonio, who was given the task of accompanying me back to the airport to pick up my luggage later that morning. Being an extrovert, he was eager to share his insights into the city with me, and we spent an hour after our airport errand touring the famous sites in Managua--the President´s house, the old cathedral, Lago Managua (huge!), and some of the other statues and landmarks in the area, including a statue of Ruben Dario, the most famous Nicaraguan poet in history, and remnants of the Somoza era here. I was amazed by all of the trees--Managua is a very green place! It was a visually impressive and stirring experience, being introduced to the city in this way. (I did take some pictures, which I will post the next time I am able to use a computer.)
In the meantime, here is the plan for the next couple days of my life here--tomorrow I will be attending a Nehemiah Center Servant Leadership Conference for indigenous leaders, eating dinner with Kim Brown (my boss) and meeting some of the other international staff. Saturday I travel with Kim and another IS, Heather, to Leon, where I will spend the next month or so. I´ll try to post again once I´m there. In the meantime, know that I am blessed here with new friends, a growing love for the culture and temperment of my new neighbors, and only a few small mosquito bites!
Hasta nos vemos!
a lot of love, a little late, a long night, a blessed life
Forgive me in advance for this extremely long entry. I´ve got a lot of ground to cover.
It was Tuesday afternoon, May 2nd , and I was driving to the airport with my friend Lesley to board a plane that would eventually bring me to Managua, Nicaragua, where I would be spending the next 3 years of my life. My dearest friends in all the world were there to see me off—Cara, Judson, Karen and Shannon Pappas, Lexi, Byron, Helen and Mike. Like all grand adventures, there was plenty of drama before I even got through security. First, both my checked bags were overweight, so I had to pay a fee to check them. Then, after a round of hugs and a prayer and a few words of love, I approached the security checkpoint, only to be told that I had to go back and get my carry on backpack approved. I hadn't cried much up until that point, but the unexpected has a way of bringing out latent emotion, just looking for an excuse to show itself. What happened next is all a blur to me—all that stands out to me is every one of my friends jumping in to help me in some way. When it was all over, my tote bag was full, my backpack was checked, my laptop was secure, and I was finally ready to go. I took a long look at everyone's faces as I made my way through the security line. Right after I got through I walked to the left so I could see back to where they were standing. All of them were right there, watching me, waving. I finally turned away, and as I walked a little further, suddenly there was a loud yell, “We love you Pam!” from across the room. I turned and smiled at my amazing friends through my tears, and kept walking...slowly.
When I got to the gate, I sat in silence for a few minutes, unable to do anything. I took out an apple someone had given me and slowly ate it. Then I decided to look at the scrapbook Lesley had compiled for me with the letters my friends had written to me to send me off. Reading the words of encouragement, love, and support contained in the beautiful book brought me to tears again. There is something truly overwhelming about realizing how much you are loved.
I put the book away, just as the airline personnel informed us our flight to Houston would be delayed, due to bad weather that had put the plane we were to board behind schedule in coming to San Antonio. We landed in Houston around 5:20pm, and knowing that I had a tight schedule, I booked it across the airport, hoping that they would hold my 5:45pm flight to Managua for me. By the time I got to Terminal E, I was heaving. The woman at my gate told me that my plane, which was still sitting at the gate, had already pushed off, and I had been rebooked on the next flight (Wednesday). For the second time Tuesday, I burst into tears. As emotionally ready as I thought I was to leave the country, I wasn't ready to spend another day alone in the States. My body was wracked with sobs as I realized that, for the next 24 hours, I was homeless. The man at the Continental counter took my boarding pass for my missed flight and handed me my new one. As I continued to cry, he said to me in a matter-of-fact way, “Ma'am, people miss flights like this every day, but you seem awfully upset. Is there something wrong—something we should know about?” I was still crying as I said, “Yes, sir. I just left all of my family and friends in San Antonio, and I am probably not going to see them again for 3 years. Forgive me if I am a little emotional. I'd appreciate a little understanding.” At this he took great offense. “Ma'am, that's why I asked. I wouldn't have asked if I didn't care.” It was like something out a personnel training handbook—the guy knew the right things to say, but had no grace in his demeanor to demonstrate his sincerity.
Finally I was downstairs waiting for my hotel shuttle, drinking my Sprite and trying to see the good in this drastic change of plans. Here I was, stuck in Houston, with nothing to do, no one to see, nowhere to go. All I could really do is rest and reflect. There is great comfort in finding a silver lining to the clouds in life...and when I had found this one, I found an immense sense of comfort, not loneliness or despair. Even if I didn't have a single change of clothes.
I slept a bit fitfully but was thankful for a comfortable room and a nice bed. Wednesday morning my FH placement rep S. shared a story with me about his own experience with bring short-term teams back and forth from Nicaragua, and at one point how exhausted he was, and how much he hoped for a break. At that moment, on one of his flights, there was apparently some overbooking, and he wound up in First Class. He shared how that brief reprieve made such a difference to him, and how much he hoped I could see this as that kind of gift from God as well. That he knew once I hit the ground in Managua I would be in high demand and full speed ahead. That maybe there was something God wanted to tell me, or maybe He just wanted to give me some rest before that stage of the journey. Based on all of my delayed emotional reactions over the last 24 hours, I have to agree with him.
I lay in my hotel bed until close to check out time trying to rest and listen to what God might be saying to me. I can't say I heard anything profound, but I have a strong sense that God really was trying to give me something good, and wanted me to recognize it as such.
I walked outside the hotel to catch my shuttle and when the driver turned around to ask me and the other 2 passengers which terminal we needed, I was shocked when the gentlemen behind me said, “Managua?”. I turned around and asked in Spanish, “Are you going to Managua? That's where I'm going!”. You can imagine all of our incredulity in this moment as he and his wife and I realized we were headed to the exact same place. In the ensuing conversation, I learned that Senor and Senora Mendoza were Nicaraguan naturalized citizens of the U.S., who had lived in California and Phoenix for the last 22 years. They were both pastors of a large evangelical church in east Phoenix, and their son was the pastor of one of their daughter churches. They were headed to Nicaragua for a week of vacation and meeting with other pastors and churches in northern Nicaragua. I was able to share with them that I was moving to Nicaragua to be a missionary for 3 years, which they found impressive (as well as my fluency in Spanish, amazingly), and that the organization I was serving with had its US headquarters in Phoenix! My new Nicaraguan friends were so gracious and gave wonderful advice about being careful in Managua, famous landmarks in the area, the signature dishes of the country, and some unique palabras nicas.
Truly, if there is one thing I have been reminded of over the last day or so, it is that all things do work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. So I drank my last Starbucks frappaccino, read my last hard copy of a U.S. Newspaper, and waited peacefully to board my flight to a new home. Aleluia.
It was Tuesday afternoon, May 2nd , and I was driving to the airport with my friend Lesley to board a plane that would eventually bring me to Managua, Nicaragua, where I would be spending the next 3 years of my life. My dearest friends in all the world were there to see me off—Cara, Judson, Karen and Shannon Pappas, Lexi, Byron, Helen and Mike. Like all grand adventures, there was plenty of drama before I even got through security. First, both my checked bags were overweight, so I had to pay a fee to check them. Then, after a round of hugs and a prayer and a few words of love, I approached the security checkpoint, only to be told that I had to go back and get my carry on backpack approved. I hadn't cried much up until that point, but the unexpected has a way of bringing out latent emotion, just looking for an excuse to show itself. What happened next is all a blur to me—all that stands out to me is every one of my friends jumping in to help me in some way. When it was all over, my tote bag was full, my backpack was checked, my laptop was secure, and I was finally ready to go. I took a long look at everyone's faces as I made my way through the security line. Right after I got through I walked to the left so I could see back to where they were standing. All of them were right there, watching me, waving. I finally turned away, and as I walked a little further, suddenly there was a loud yell, “We love you Pam!” from across the room. I turned and smiled at my amazing friends through my tears, and kept walking...slowly.
When I got to the gate, I sat in silence for a few minutes, unable to do anything. I took out an apple someone had given me and slowly ate it. Then I decided to look at the scrapbook Lesley had compiled for me with the letters my friends had written to me to send me off. Reading the words of encouragement, love, and support contained in the beautiful book brought me to tears again. There is something truly overwhelming about realizing how much you are loved.
I put the book away, just as the airline personnel informed us our flight to Houston would be delayed, due to bad weather that had put the plane we were to board behind schedule in coming to San Antonio. We landed in Houston around 5:20pm, and knowing that I had a tight schedule, I booked it across the airport, hoping that they would hold my 5:45pm flight to Managua for me. By the time I got to Terminal E, I was heaving. The woman at my gate told me that my plane, which was still sitting at the gate, had already pushed off, and I had been rebooked on the next flight (Wednesday). For the second time Tuesday, I burst into tears. As emotionally ready as I thought I was to leave the country, I wasn't ready to spend another day alone in the States. My body was wracked with sobs as I realized that, for the next 24 hours, I was homeless. The man at the Continental counter took my boarding pass for my missed flight and handed me my new one. As I continued to cry, he said to me in a matter-of-fact way, “Ma'am, people miss flights like this every day, but you seem awfully upset. Is there something wrong—something we should know about?” I was still crying as I said, “Yes, sir. I just left all of my family and friends in San Antonio, and I am probably not going to see them again for 3 years. Forgive me if I am a little emotional. I'd appreciate a little understanding.” At this he took great offense. “Ma'am, that's why I asked. I wouldn't have asked if I didn't care.” It was like something out a personnel training handbook—the guy knew the right things to say, but had no grace in his demeanor to demonstrate his sincerity.
Finally I was downstairs waiting for my hotel shuttle, drinking my Sprite and trying to see the good in this drastic change of plans. Here I was, stuck in Houston, with nothing to do, no one to see, nowhere to go. All I could really do is rest and reflect. There is great comfort in finding a silver lining to the clouds in life...and when I had found this one, I found an immense sense of comfort, not loneliness or despair. Even if I didn't have a single change of clothes.
I slept a bit fitfully but was thankful for a comfortable room and a nice bed. Wednesday morning my FH placement rep S. shared a story with me about his own experience with bring short-term teams back and forth from Nicaragua, and at one point how exhausted he was, and how much he hoped for a break. At that moment, on one of his flights, there was apparently some overbooking, and he wound up in First Class. He shared how that brief reprieve made such a difference to him, and how much he hoped I could see this as that kind of gift from God as well. That he knew once I hit the ground in Managua I would be in high demand and full speed ahead. That maybe there was something God wanted to tell me, or maybe He just wanted to give me some rest before that stage of the journey. Based on all of my delayed emotional reactions over the last 24 hours, I have to agree with him.
I lay in my hotel bed until close to check out time trying to rest and listen to what God might be saying to me. I can't say I heard anything profound, but I have a strong sense that God really was trying to give me something good, and wanted me to recognize it as such.
I walked outside the hotel to catch my shuttle and when the driver turned around to ask me and the other 2 passengers which terminal we needed, I was shocked when the gentlemen behind me said, “Managua?”. I turned around and asked in Spanish, “Are you going to Managua? That's where I'm going!”. You can imagine all of our incredulity in this moment as he and his wife and I realized we were headed to the exact same place. In the ensuing conversation, I learned that Senor and Senora Mendoza were Nicaraguan naturalized citizens of the U.S., who had lived in California and Phoenix for the last 22 years. They were both pastors of a large evangelical church in east Phoenix, and their son was the pastor of one of their daughter churches. They were headed to Nicaragua for a week of vacation and meeting with other pastors and churches in northern Nicaragua. I was able to share with them that I was moving to Nicaragua to be a missionary for 3 years, which they found impressive (as well as my fluency in Spanish, amazingly), and that the organization I was serving with had its US headquarters in Phoenix! My new Nicaraguan friends were so gracious and gave wonderful advice about being careful in Managua, famous landmarks in the area, the signature dishes of the country, and some unique palabras nicas.
Truly, if there is one thing I have been reminded of over the last day or so, it is that all things do work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. So I drank my last Starbucks frappaccino, read my last hard copy of a U.S. Newspaper, and waited peacefully to board my flight to a new home. Aleluia.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
computer works, coworkers surprise, sleep heals
Thanks to an anonymous friend, I now have a laptop to take to Nicaragua. Aleluia! My little Thinkpad is old but refurbished, works very nicely, and has plenty of space for fun things like itunes and picture editing software. So, I spent most of Sunday afternoon and Monday night learning its quirks--which was a time-consuming and sleep-depriving process. I was able to make it through my farewell breakfast at MadHatter's Tuesday with coworkers (who presented me with a lovely card and surprise sendoff gift), but the rest of the day was a real struggle.
By the time I got home, I was about ready to mail it in, but the back room where all my remaining possessions sit demanded my attention...to which I willing gave 2 hours, until I was frustrated, sad, hungry, and altogether beyond the pale. I had intended to watch the Spurs game, but I opted for what I anticipated would be a brief nap instead. That "brief nap" ended at about 11:30pm, when I awoke just in time to catch the dramatic finish to Game 2 (a victory!).
No matter how much progress I make on the list of little logistical things I need to do between now and next Tuesday, I continue to feel overwhelmed with the work that remains. Part of me wishes I could have accomplished more last night. But most of me is grateful that the Lord grants sleep to those He loves (Psalm 127:2). Those 3 hours were more than bodily rest, they were emotionally healing.
And His mercies are new every morning. Gloria a Dios!
By the time I got home, I was about ready to mail it in, but the back room where all my remaining possessions sit demanded my attention...to which I willing gave 2 hours, until I was frustrated, sad, hungry, and altogether beyond the pale. I had intended to watch the Spurs game, but I opted for what I anticipated would be a brief nap instead. That "brief nap" ended at about 11:30pm, when I awoke just in time to catch the dramatic finish to Game 2 (a victory!).
No matter how much progress I make on the list of little logistical things I need to do between now and next Tuesday, I continue to feel overwhelmed with the work that remains. Part of me wishes I could have accomplished more last night. But most of me is grateful that the Lord grants sleep to those He loves (Psalm 127:2). Those 3 hours were more than bodily rest, they were emotionally healing.
And His mercies are new every morning. Gloria a Dios!
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