reflections on one year.

we have just celebrated a year of living life in nicaragua.

ironically, that day we were relaxing down south in san juan del sur - a place that i had visited 8 years ago with dear becky westendorf. i did not presume that i would return to that beach walking beside my lovely husband, holding the hand of one strapping son and the other in my arms, a nicaraguan himself.

reflections:
- home. this is home. we are settled.
- spanish = improving. spanish = needs to improve more.
- do i yet understand poverty? can one understand poverty? will i ever be
able to shed the shame i feel of being privileged? why am i privileged?
- juice. juice. juice. smile. i have been affectionately dubbed the
'juice monster'.
- what is my role here? pray more for guidance.
- we love visitors. to share our life/work here is a joy.
- more visitors, please.
- how to fundraise. ?
- i miss apples. i love yuca.
- resources. can one ever comprehend the endless amounts of resources that
i have access to being an american - even an american living abroad?
w.o.w.
- i would like to make/find more nicaraguan pals. how easy it is to
socialize with other expats - even of different countries. does class matter?
sigh.
- nicaragua is safe. safer than worcester.
- our neighborhood has welcomed us here in love. neat.
- i like city-life. and noise. i'm thankful that my sons like noise, too.
- favorite spanish phrase: dar luz = to give birth, literal translation: to
give light
- blessed, blessed, blessed to work for/with nuevas esperanzas and team.
i have yet to work/see someone serve with such passion for the Lord's
poor. these are the people that i am surrounded with. blessed, blessed,
blessed.
- the longleys and sevillas have made our first year, a year of smooth
sailing.
- our home is amazing.
- a quality stroller has given me a large amount of independence.
- we have our doctor's home and cell phone numbers.
- (pause)
- i'm ending this organic thoughtstream in the middle of its flow, to answer the call of a little son.