i have been reflecting on this normalcy lately (mentioned in previous post) which was inspired by a conversation with luke, an email from jenna, and a post from manny's blog. i am often envious that luke travels/hikes out in the communities, shares moments with the people there, and comes home dirty and exhausted. is 'hiking' around the city running errands, reading books with your son in the hammock, and washing these dirty clothes by hand as remarkable?
i was encouraged by this book that i am reading by henri nouwen, titled 'the road to peace'. i have only just started it, but enjoy each page and have to continually fight the temptation to write in it and to dogear the pages as it was borrowed from Longley library.
he writes about the necessary humility of Christians, or peacemakers, "it is humility that allows us to consider a quiet afternoon with a distressed friend [or 7-month old son] just as important as any spectauclar peace action...passing an afternoon with a friend in pain is a humble celebration of our common humanity".
as always, Christ is the perfect example. matthew 11:29.
may we listen to His guidance and grow in wisdom.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Nicaraguan Arrival
friends and family.
we are here. the blog is here, upon request. *wink
we arrived the 14th of september, stayed at jane and andrew's (Nuevas Esperanzas UK coworkers) for several days, then moved home.
our home is lovely. i will soon include a video/photos to provide for anyone who needs to have that visual when they imagine us living here in nicaragua.
a little bit about our community. we live about 4ish blocks from the office (Jane and Andrew's home) and about the same distance from the hubbub of downtown. we have a family market around the corner and a family pulperia (almost like a convenience store) across the street. a kind woman who sells bananas and fresh fruit juice on the corner. a bookstore two streets down which offers spanish literature and a possible friend. the best selling taco-lady is around the other corner. caring neighbors. truly, this is home.
we have begun our work in earnest. it is wonderful to be down here, physically, supporting and being supported by the Nuevas Esperanzas family here. we've been planning so long.
as luke has said so many times before, it is near impossible to find an organization with which you share so many passions. passion for Christ, for the poor, for justice, for transparency, for professionalism, for compassion. the opportunity to work alongside this group is an honor and a gracious blessing.
luke is mainly focusing his time on managing the projects and the team. a typical week for luke will be about three days in the rural communities around leon and two days in the office. i will be communicating with donors, fundraising, etc. from home.
life here is quickly becoming delightfully normal. we are falling into routines and balancing our days. we are content.
we are here. the blog is here, upon request. *wink
we arrived the 14th of september, stayed at jane and andrew's (Nuevas Esperanzas UK coworkers) for several days, then moved home.
our home is lovely. i will soon include a video/photos to provide for anyone who needs to have that visual when they imagine us living here in nicaragua.
a little bit about our community. we live about 4ish blocks from the office (Jane and Andrew's home) and about the same distance from the hubbub of downtown. we have a family market around the corner and a family pulperia (almost like a convenience store) across the street. a kind woman who sells bananas and fresh fruit juice on the corner. a bookstore two streets down which offers spanish literature and a possible friend. the best selling taco-lady is around the other corner. caring neighbors. truly, this is home.
we have begun our work in earnest. it is wonderful to be down here, physically, supporting and being supported by the Nuevas Esperanzas family here. we've been planning so long.
as luke has said so many times before, it is near impossible to find an organization with which you share so many passions. passion for Christ, for the poor, for justice, for transparency, for professionalism, for compassion. the opportunity to work alongside this group is an honor and a gracious blessing.
luke is mainly focusing his time on managing the projects and the team. a typical week for luke will be about three days in the rural communities around leon and two days in the office. i will be communicating with donors, fundraising, etc. from home.
life here is quickly becoming delightfully normal. we are falling into routines and balancing our days. we are content.
Monday, October 19, 2009
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