A New Twist on the Same Journey

2012-02-13T12:06:00.002-07:00

Over seven years ago I began a journey into the education world in Nicaragua. I packed my bags and as many teaching supplies and books as I could manage into a 70 lb suitcase (back then you could take 70lbs internationally). While teaching first grade at Nicaragua Christian Academy I learned a lot about the state of the public school system in Nicaragua.

I saw kids go to school only to be sent home because their teacher didn't come to school that day. Severely overcrowded classrooms, underpaid, untrained teachers, broken desks, doors and chairs, lack of basic school supplies and curriculum are just a few of the struggles that schools in Nicaragua face. A recent study showed that only 47% of children who begin the first grade will complete 6th grade and even fewer of those who complete 6th grade graduate from high school. In order for a teacher to teach in a public school the only requirement is that they have graduated from high school. All of these discoveries have given me a greater burden for training and mentoring for teachers in Nicaragua.

Through connections with churches and friends I have had the opportunity to do several workshops with teachers both in Managua and in Jinotepe. These have been great opportunities to discuss and share new ideas about classroom basics with teachers such as classroom rules and procedures, how to write a lesson plan, daily routines, homework check-in and transitions. All of these opportunities have fueled my desire to do more to help these teachers.

What's next!! I have been asked to help start a new school Nicaragua Christian Academy in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. It is a small rural town in the mountains. Matagalpa is about 2 1/2 hours from Managua where I have lived for the past 7 years. This new position will afford me the opportunity to work with teachers at the ground level helping them understand and implement good classroom practices. All of the details of my new role and position are not yet fully defined but the is what I know so far. :-) I'll be helping hire and train new teachers, serve as the elementary principal, help with curriculum development and teacher mentoring, English teacher, as well as start our school library. YIKES! Does that sound like a lot? It is and it is going to be a very stretching and growing time both personally and professionally but I am excited to see how God will be glorified through it all.

Here are a few facts about the school

The school will be in Spanish and will start with grades 1-7 and grow a few grades each year as we are able
School will officially open in February of 2013
Construction has begun on the property and we are hopeful that it will be finished by October sometime
This school will serve students and families from the middle class in the Matagalpa area
Our mission is to provide students with academic excellence and a Biblical worldview so that they can enact greater change and transformation in their own home, neighborhood, business and community

Ways you can be praying

Pray for a Nicaraguan Director from Matagalpa who has a heart and passion for education and his community
Teachers who love the Lord and are passionate about teaching as well as eager to learn and try new things
Continued support and backing from community leaders, pastors and universities in the area
For wisdom for me as I step out and learn how to humbly lead and learn
For financial provision for me as I take on this new role. Donate

Unexpected Blessings

2012-02-10T10:03:00.001-07:00

In January I had a wonderful opportunity to visit Nicaragua for a week. After 7 years of living in a place it becomes more and more of a home than where you came from originally. As soon as I stepped off the plane and soaked in a long, deep breath of that warm, humid air I knew I was home.

The week at "home" was packed with lots of fun meetings with my friends and co-workers with Christ For the City Nicaragua (CFCI). God has been so faithful in providing direction for my next steps in ministry in Nicaragua. I'll tell you more about those next steps in another post. :-)

Anyone who has spent anytime overseas knows that things don't move as fast or go as smoothly as we often expect and hope. This trip was quite the opposite of most of my experiences in Nicaragua. Here are a few examples of how God blessed every step of my journey to Nicaragua.

My luggage was lost but the airline called me and sent it out to me the very next day. (In all of my time in Nicaragua I have never seen this happen)
I was able to participate in CFCI devotions and meetings as we prepare for the upcoming year and ministry
My friend Melissa got married the weekend I was in town and was able to go to the wedding!
The annual Triathlon that NCA does also was the same weekend and I was able to help organize final details and even participate. I placed first in the women's division.
Another friend Alicia had just had her first baby the week before I arrived and we were able to visit and catch up and I was able to attend her baby shower.
Opportunities to watch little 6mo David try carrots for the first time. It was very entertaining.
Prayer and fellowship with friends at church
Vision sharing with the person heading up plans for the new school I am going to be working with. (more to come on this)
Rattling around in my Nissan truck and remembering how to drive NICA style. :-)
Reading some SkippyJon Jones with my last first grade class.
Catching up with all of the ladies at the school cafeteria and sharing lots of great laughter with them and seeing Doña Blanca finding joy in little things after her world was changed 1 1/2 years ago with the death of her 15yr old daughter.

The time seemed to multiply and I had great conversations, prayer and fellowship with so many people and I never felt rushed! I praise God for the blessings he continues to lavish on me.

Sorry I didn't take many pictures while I was there but I managed to capture a few Nica moments.

I went into the immigration office for a few minutes and came out to find the car next to me so close I really had to squeeze to get back into my car. I didn't even realize that I had become used to so much SPACE in the US parking lots. :-)

Who says you can't use a truck for almost anything? We were hanging up the Finish sign for the Triathlon. Believe it or not this is actually safer than what we did last year.

CAREY'N ON

A New Twist on the Same Journey

Unexpected Blessings