With a Thankful Heart

With a Thankful Heart

The  2013 NCA Matagalpa student and staff pic!

This year has been a year full of firsts in so many ways.  As I have been learning how to do many things for the first time it has humbled me and allowed (not always so willingly) to look to God for provision, wisdom, strength, and creativity when I normally would not have.

Being a school director is hard work! Being a school directer is an incredibly rewarding job! It is hard not just because of the endless to-do lists and "problems" that you are greeted with on a daily basis but because a director works with real parents, students and teachers.    Because a director works with real people when someone shares a hurt with you a little bit of the burden becomes your burden.   When a student has a hard time learning and you can't figure out why you lie awake at night trying to think of different ways to help them.  You want to see students change their behavior and yet they sometimes disappoint you.   Parents come to you when they are angry, bothered or concerned looking solutions.

Being a school director is the most rewarding job because everyone shares their birthday cake with you. :-)  You get lots of sweet notes from students and parents.  You get to count little behavior changes for students as success. Because you work with real people you get paid in hugs, cards, smiles and cheerful "Good morning Profe!".   The opportunity to walk alongside students, faculty and staff and help them set goals and rejoice with them when they reach them abound.

So now with a Thankful Heart I praise God for the countless ways he has been with me each step of the way during this year of firsts. 

Let me count the ways...

• 8 God-serving teachers who have have served on an incredible TEAM
• desks and chairs for all of our students
• friendly smiles and hugs from students big and small
• kind words from dear friends
• tears of surrender when i can't go another step on my own
• grace 
• wisdom under fire 
• morning runs with Sara
• a humble servant who was willing to wear many hats with me this year, Dave
• internet that works just when we need it to
• a reputation in the community that speaks for itself
• unconditional love from our Father
• a special community who loves to eat breakfast for dinner on Sunday's 
• kids loving to read new books
• many, many family  and friends back home giving to support God's work through me here in Matagalpa
• a shipping container with books, furniture and blessings that has finally been released after 1 year of customs struggles.
• a reliable car and breakdowns close to help and not in the middle of nowhere
• miracles of funding just in time to keep construction going 
• visits from good friends and weddings too
• and so much more

Here are just a few pics of the first and last days of school.

Our open house Feb. 2013

Enjoying the Library for the first time

Faculty and Staff Feb. 2013

First Grade praying to start the day off right

Riding the bus is so much fun!

And now for the last day of school

Shooting the breeze with their homeroom teacher

Go Allan!   Get that Beauty

Students helping us paint the new classrooms for next year

The  2013 NCA Matagalpa student and staff pic!

Amigos en 2nd Grade

Making School Count as an Opportunity

Wow!   It is hard to believe that September has come and is almost gone.  Fall is here.    While Fall for many of us means new school clothes, notebooks, backpacks, pumpkin bread and cinnamon candles Fall in Nicaragua is time to hunker down for the rainiest part of the rainy season and  finish the school year strong.     Our students have successfully finished 3/4 of the school year and are eager to add one more school year to their resumé.   Sixth graders are planning for their graduation, first graders are eagerly reading any book they can get their hands on and the rhythm of the school year continues to march on.

The 2013 school year will soon be over and my desk is filled with textbooks, scholarship applications, budgets, calendars and uniform orders for next year.   One year ago I could not even imagine what it would be like to be here now planning for year two of NCA Matagalpa.   As we started this journey of faith last year we awarded scholarships and gave discounts in faith that we would have friends and neighbors who would partner with us to "sponsor" Christian Education for students and families that needed some extra help.   God has been faithful and has provided a few faithful sponsors for this year.   32% of our students received discounts and scholarships based on financial need.

Looking ahead we know that there will be many more families who will need a little help making this dream a reality in the coming school year.   The reality is that there are already 11 applicants waiting for an answer.   We need your help.  Can you make the commitment to partner with NCA and families needing a little extra help to make Christian education a possibility for their child?   We want to say yes to more families but it is hard without knowing there are more people partnering with us on this journey of faith.   Visit our web page to find out more.

Check us out on Facebook at NCA Matagalpa and you can see some of the great things God has done through our students this year.  

Right Where He Wants Us To Be

Life is full these days as we get things up and running at NCA Matagalpa.   As I sit here and reflect on all that God has done to bring each team member to the school I stand in awe of God's creativity and perfect plan.   Each member of the team is just right for their position.  We are all in a place where we are being stretched but are excited about the opportunity to share/use our gifts to teach, learn, lead and mentor students.

Cultural differences come to light in a variety of different ways.   Some differences are light hearted and fun while others are harder to swallow because they are just that.....so different.
There are some things that are always hard to take for me.  The idea of relationships just seem to come at a different angle most of the time.  

One of our teachers has been faced with a difficult situation within her family.  This is the first time that she has had full time work.   This is  great news for her family financially.  The whole family is making adjustment to having mom at work all day.  Her husband is having to make some adjustments at meal times and his wife's availability during school hours.   However these adjustments have been difficult and now he has left our teacher with a decision to make.   Keep the job or keep me!  Tough, heartbreaking decision my dear friend faces.  My heart breaks for her as she gives up a dream for now in hopes that there will be more opportunities in the future.   Family first is a good choice and the right one, yet a hard one sometimes.  

Thankfully, this teacher still wants to be involved in the school and will continue to attend training sessions and will help substitute when we need her.    Praise God for the ways that he has opened up a connection for a new teacher to take her place.  Cinthya our new teacher was already on campus as a volunteer before we even knew of our need.    She has jumped right in and has been a blessing to both the students and the staff.

God's grace and provision seem overwhelming at times as I reflect on all that He has given us.  We don't deserve to have a beautiful facility and an amazing team of willing and hard-working teachers yet, God lavishes these things on us.    Lord help me to always remember these things when the toilets are clogged, mis-behaving students are in my office and there is no water on campus.   Remind me of your great provision and the opportunities to grow and depend on you more and more when challenges come.  You have not left us rather you have placed us here with purpose and are equipping us through the challenges, encouraging through the victories and constantly bringing us to our knees seeking wisdom and strength to carry on.

It is a humbling and exciting place to be in the center of God's will.   Facing cultural differences, priorities, languages and a right attitude is a daily opportunity to take our eyes off of ourself and put our focus on Christ and all that He has done and continues to do.

a little of this and a little of that

Wow!  It is hard to believe that I have been back in Nicaragua for over a month now.   Where has the time gone...and to think that I always talk about how things are slower in Nicaragua. :-)

Well here is a little recap of the last 4 weeks.

CFCI board with the Nicaragua team

The day after I arrived Christ for the City's International Board meeting was hosted in Managua.  This was a great time meeting all of the board members and their wives.   We traveled all over introducing them to some of the churches and people we work with here.  Our CFCI team of 3 drivers had a rigorous schedule of airport pick ups and drop offs as well as bus station trips too.    Overall it was a great week and everyone had a great time.  I got to see some old friends and make some new ones.

The next week I attempted to gather my belongings from the various placed they were being "stored" for me.  I'm staying with an awesome missionary family, the Robinson's  who have been so gracious to take me in until the end of may when I go to house sit for another family.

Here is our team Pollo Verde "Green Chicken"  I think we did really smell like green chicken too!

Ultimate Frisbee is something I have enjoyed playing since moving to Nicaragua.   This year the guys organized a trip to Costa Rica to play in a tournament there.  So Friday after noon 13 of us piled into a 15 passenger van and drove 6+ hours to Arenal, Costa Rica.   We played well as a team and learned a lot more about competitive frisbee.  I was the only girl from our  team in Nicaragua that could go so we picked up a few more at the tournament.  They were great to have on the team.   The Green Chickens won 3rd place.

Next we had a team from Grace Church come to work in Rivas and do pastor training.   We had a terrific week with about 45 pastors sharing different topics with the men and the women.   I was with the women for the week and the teachers shared about a Biblical view of femininity.  We had lively discussions and a great time encouraging and loving on these women throughout the week.  

As a bonus my good friend Mary Ezzell was also a part of the team and we had lots of opportunity to catch up on life.  God also provided an wonderful opportunity for us to share how He has restored our relationship after several very difficult years.  It was a great testimony of God's faithfulness.

In between all of this great stuff I have also started a Masters program online.   Part of the requirements for my new position with NCA is that I get my Masters degree.   So far it has been a great jump back into the learning and school environment.  I definitely a little rusty in the paper writing area but I'm slowly getting the hang of it once again.   This is a giant leap of faith as I wait to see how God will provide for me to continue studying.   However I know that He is always faithful.

Things are moving along for the school in Matagalpa.   We just developed a job description for me and are beginning to make connections to other organizations that are working in education.  Our biggest need is for a director.   Please pray that God would lead us to the right person for this position soon. 

Ken, Mary, Julie, Jimmy and Rafa 

***This blog post was written about 3 times as the power kept going on and off and erasing my entries.   I guess this means welcome back to Nicaragua and sorry if it is not the most detailed version. :-) ***

Unexpected Blessings

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.

10 Things that let you know your NOT in Nicaragua

Ok so I've been back in the States for three weeks now and here are just a few of my observations so far. :-)  Enjoy!

10 Things that let you know you are NOT in Nicaragua

1. You're in a public place and someone sneezes and you automatically say, "salud"  which is followed by strange looks from those around you.
2. Upon entering the bank there are no armed guards with AK47's to greet you with a smile and check your purse for contraband.
3. It is NOT ok for you to honk your horn unless absolutely necessary.  (only a few slips so far)
4. You do not eat dinner until 8pm because it is still light outside.   Weird
5. There have been no beans and rice served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Oh my gallopinto (rice and beans dish) how I miss you.
6. Everywhere you go there are people on bikes with HELMETS.
7. You mistake the barking dog down in the valley for a howler monkey.
8. As you pull up to the gas pump there is not a friendly attendant greeting you and asking how much gas you want to put in your car. 
9. Pedestrians DO have the right of way.
10. You turn on the water faucet and no water comes out.  Oh wait that is like Nicaragua.  The water well at my parents house ran dry.   What a nice taste of home!

We each take a different path each day as we go to work, home, church etc.   What things do you come across as you walk down those paths?   Do you find yourself in a great conversation with a perfect stranger or lending a helping hand to a friend or family member?   As I have walked many different paths these past few months I have been thinking about the uniqueness of each one and the special glimpses of God's sovereignty that I have seen along the path.

This Summer I have had the privilege of working with many different people from all walks of life. While working with teams I have the unique opportunity to meet and get to know lots of people as I translate and work side by side with them. Each one of these people has come down a different path in life and has come to know the Lord in different ways. As our paths cross with others there are so many neat opportunities to hear and learn from each other.

Here are some of the paths that I've crossed recently.

I had a quick week break in the middle of the Summer and was able to go down to visit my dear friends the Fuentes. They were my former directors with Christ for the City here in Nicaragua. Last year they moved back to Costa Rica for furlough in preparation for heading out to another part of the world. It was a joyous time of late nights and lots of delicious coffee. We went up to the family farm in Turrialba. What an amazing time it was to spend the afternoon with Alcides' mom and hear her heart for her family but also for her community. The house was a flurry of activity as the afternoon passed on. The sound of loud cheers and a soccer announcer brought everyone to Grandma's house to watch the game. I smiled to myself as I looked on and saw aunts, uncles, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and friends gathered around a very small television watching and sharing opinions, laughter and of course coffee over a soccer game. This is what family time should be like every day. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the family for a day. What sweet memories fill my heart.

The labrynth is an amazing place at the Vida Joven (Young Life) camp. It is essentially a maze that is made out of pine bushes. It runs in a circle and weaves you in and out eventually leading you to the center where there is a wooden cross.  The walk through the maze could be seen as a conversation with the Lord. Beginning with a time of confession and emptying of oneself and then as you progress through the Labrynth you were making room in your heart, life and mind for God to come in and fill you up. Essentially an emptying of oneself in order to be filled up again with God's presence. The imagery that is portrayed through this physical act of walking through the Labrynth and ending up at the foot of the cross is powerful.

The work crews that I was on this Summer were great for conversation and getting to know you time as we passed 50lb buckets of rock to cover a trail in the mountains of Matagalpa. As we passed each bucket of rock we laughed as we shared stories of our camp experiences and shared our hopes for the future campers that will walk this mountain trail.

This is the finished trail!! Whew that was a lot of work. :-)

Many of my friends are married and are now moving in the stage of having friends.    My dear friends Luke and Ellen just had their first baby in July.   God was so gracious in allowing me to be in Managua when he was born so I could see them and rejoice in their new little bundle of joy.  David Luke Rosenberger.   He is a cutie!!

Now this is the path to my parents home in Colorado. Yeah! I've made it. I'm looking forward to many great conversations, hugs and fun times shared during these next few months.

An Unbelievable Tale that's really a True Story

Let me just start this post by saying thanks to all of you who pray for safety while I serve here in Nicaragua.   I'd imagine that when you pray you pray for safety on the roads with the people but that safety extends to household accidents too. 

Tonight Aimee was making dinner.   Yummy spaghetti.  I had pulled a stool over to get some glasses out of the cubbord.   Aimee had just opened the oven to check on the garlic bread.  I lost my balance on the stool fell back and stepped on the open oven door.  As I spun around not wanting the stove to completely fall forward the pot of spaghetti sauce flew off the burner along with the pot of boiling spaghetti noodles. The boiling pasta water manages to only slightly burn my forearm.  Meanwhile I'm still spinning around with two glass glasses in my hands.  Eventually I fall to the ground shattering the two glasses in my hands.   Miracleously I didn not burn my legs from the open oven door, nor did any of the hot sauces and water cover me and the open flame on the stove did not touch my skin.  Truly it was a miracle that nothing worse happened.

Unfortunately I managed to spill ALL of our dinner on the floor and sprinkle it with glass shards.   Thankfully Aimee and Kate were not too upset.  Here are a few snapshots of the disaster.

This was only moments after the spill.   I hadn't yet realized that I cut my hands or burned myself but we were happy that no one was seriously hurt.

The pan with the sauce was bent from the fall!

To Market, To Market

To catch a fat pig.   I think that is how the saying goes.    While I didn't go to the market to get a pig I did get quite a lot of things accomplished in the 30 minutes I was there.   Aimee, my roommate, and I went to Huembes market to get some hammocks for our new outdoor classroom at school.   We had a very successful trip!   We bought 6 hammocks, 2 baskets, some yummy corn snacks, my car got washed and I got new windshield wipers installed all in about 30 minutes.   Amazing!  Now for those of you who have had any experience in Nicaragua you know that things generally take longer than you think or plan for.  Yet today was a good reminder that things can be quick and efficient in this wonderful place.

Along the Way

Conversations, relationships and real life happen along the way.  We've all heard the phrase don't forget to stop and smell the roses.  Jesus in his short time of ministry never failed to stop and engage those along his way.

As I've reflected on this in my own life in the past month or so I've been challenged to stop and really listen, live and share the gospel message with all of those I meet along the way.

In light of a very difficult year personally it has been my prayer above all that in some way I have reflected the love, care, light and life of Jesus  to others along the way.  There are many ways that the Lord has demonstrated  His power, peace, patience, sovereignty and glory to me in this past year. God’s greatness, and care for his children is very intentional and unique.   Here are a few examples of the ways that He has blessed me and others along the way this year.

One of the many things I have come to appreciate in Nicaragua is the slower pace of things.  If you see someone you know along the way it is customary to stop and chat for a few minutes and not just the cursory  “Hi” and keep walking that is common in the USA.  It is through this custom that over the years I’ve become friends with Evelying, a woman who works at my favorite bakery.  We’ve had conversations about many things but just this week she was bursting at the seams to tell me about  God’s answer to her prayer.  For the past 11 years her daughter had been estranged and she had neither seen or heard from her for a long time.  Continuing to pray for her daughter’s return and salvation she was in shock when her daughter came home last Sunday afternoon.  Singing praises to God for her answer to prayer and the best Christmas present a parent could ask for she is joyfully sharing the gospel message of love and forgiveness with those who come across her path.

Chilo is a sweet and kindhearted  women who works in several of my neighbors homes.   About 9 months ago her Mother-In-Law died.   As is customary in Nicaragua the elderly live with and are cared for by their families until they pass away.  Chilo’s family was very close to their abuela (grandmother) and have felt her absence in many ways.   We always greet each other with heartfelt hugs and God has blessed both of us with a special bond through our grief and loss this year.   Along the way each one of us has taken turns sharing words of encouragement and prayer with the other in moments and days of need.   Just as Jesus ministered to people along His way, God has allowed Chilo and I to do that not only for each other but also for others too. 

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas  season may we reflect together on the ways that we can bring the message of salvation to those along the way just as Jesus did.  May the Lord bless you richly in 2011 as you bless and minister to those along the way.

 

Why not Tri!

NCA hosted its first ever mini-triathlon this past weekend.   It was a huge success.   The whole event took place at a crater lake about 20 minutes from Managua, Laguna Xiloa.

There were over 50 participants, mostly high schoolers and a few adults.   The day was filled with lots of fun, energy and great sportsmanship.

On your marks get set

GOOOOOOO

With a few bicycle events under our belts it helped us in planning for this fun day.   There were loads of great volunteers that made it possible for all of the organizers to participate in the second heat.   Kate and Lori were awesome timekeepers and have now been inspired to start training for a relay team next  year.

Water Safety Crew

From NCA Triathlon 2010

Both Aimee and I had trained hard for the swimming portion since that is not something that either one of us excel in.   We both had a great time training and participating in the event.    Little side note.   I give thanks to God for a great friend in Aimee.   We have had so much fun training and participating in so many events and adventures during our time here in Nicaragua.   God has blessed us both with similar interests and someone to do them with. 

It truly was a family event.  Several families had multiple people participating.