Final Post of Nicaragua 2020

Day 6

Volcano Day

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! The alarm clock screamed out at 6:30. It was an earlier start than most mornings, but we were willing to drag ourselves out of bed, because today was volcano day. We ate breakfast. We loaded up the trucks. Then we drove. The drive was about one hour long, and half of it was on dirt roads. While most of the dirt roads were nice to drive on, there was the dangerous hazard of random tree branches, and the occasional unexpected bump. After paying for entrance, we entered into the park, and began the hike. It started off easy enough; it was just a casual up the hill a little bit stroll. As we continued, the rocks got larger at some points, and even formed large piles that were necessary to climb. The hike was going perfectly smoothly, and it didn't seem like it would be too challenging. Then, we got to the point right before the halfway mark. Here there was a much larger pile of rocks than there was down on the lower points, and to make things worse a few of the rocks were a little bit unsteady. As far as I am aware, no one fell on this section, because of our expertise in maneuvering. Immediately after this section, there was soft gravel up a fairly steep trail. Upon trying to apply the necessary pressure to walk, your foot would slip out from underneath you, so it was fairly slow for that period of time. However, after all of these obstacles we finally made it to the top, and I must say that the view was gorgeous. After admiring the view for a long time, it was time for the true reason that we were all hyped . . . The Descent. Personally, I took a sled down the mountain. I don't know how fast I was going, but I know that Kyle hit 30 M.P.H. Before we left, Joel was telling us that he had made it down the volcano in 1 minute 6 seconds. This caused Tim to challenge the record himself. Ultimately, he failed, but the tumble into the dirty gravel truly made his beard POP. Sadly, we couldn't run down the volcano again, so we headed back to the church. We went back to our hosts, cleaned up, and ate lunch. The afternoon consisted of us finding children to play with, and this was primarily at the park. One of the children that played futbol with us, soccer for those of you who haven't just spent a week in a Central American country, was named Derek (As if I don't know enough of them already). While he was much younger than us, he was definitely more skilled at the sport. Finally, we headed to the beach, so we could watch the sunset. The sunset was stunningly beautiful. No other words to describe it, just stunningly beautiful. We then got to go to a restaurant that served seafood, here I ordered Camarón de la diabla, which is just really spicy shrimp. On the way back to the mission, we stopped to look at the stars, because we were outside of the city, and could see them wonderfully. We finally got back to the mission after a long day, and reality finally sunk in. Tomorrow we would travel home. It had been a fun stretching week, but it was already over. So, we will bid adieu to Nicarageua, but the memories will be with us for a lifetime.

- Derek Zimmerman

Safe and Sound

Hi all,

Thank you so much for following along on our trip to Leon, Nicaragua!
We had a good, long day of travel starting when we left the church around 9:15am yesterday morning. Stay tuned for another post in the next day or 2 to fill you in on our hike up the Volcano on Wednesday..

The Legends of 2020 have been champions. Its been an honor to lead and be with them this week and I can say with sincerity that I’m proud of who they are as individuals as well as a class. Thank you, class of 2020, for offering so much energy, care, fun, singing, and genuine relating to those around you. You’re awesome!

We arrived at EMS at 3:08am and by 3:18am Miss Martin and I were the only shivering travelers who remained! Blessings as you welcome your travelers home and try to keep them home long enough to share about their trip. I heard musings earlier in the week of the class getting together later today. :)

With care,
Miss Heisey

Days 3, 4 and 5

Day 3

Sunday Funday

            On Sunday we started off as most people do with our church service. The Church service started with some Spanish singing followed by the class singing a couple songs for them. After that our class separated from the rest of the people for Sunday School, and then came back together for a service in Spanish, which we got “so much out of” considering the language. After the service, we headed off to Joel and Jody’s house for a lunch of rice topped with pork, followed by an ice cream dessert. One of the highlights of the afternoon was when a couple of the guys who had found and killed a tarantula the night before, thought it would be a good idea to get Miss Martin’s reaction to the furry creature. She practically flipped a kidney, but she claims it was a mere twitch, and we have video evidence. You can ask her about it. After we were done at Joel’s house, we all went back to our houses to change for the evening of activities in the park with the youth. We then headed to the park to play soccer and volleyball with some of the youth. We all went to the church for a very wholesome meal including rice, hot dogs, raisins, corn, and other things. After supper, we just hung out at the church and played foursquare, spike ball, spoons, and some other fun games. Then we headed off to our glorious abodes for bedtime.

-          Dexter Zimmerman

Day 4

Work hard Play hard

You never expect to wake up in the morning to the sound of scratching and frantic moving on the roof of your abode, however at three in the morning there was quite a stirring. Some thought it was a burglar while others thought it was the end of the world, but in reality it was just some cats tussling with each other.

Today was the day that the guys would do their work projects at the different houses. Half of the girls went to an elderly lady’s house to deliver a stovetop (purchased with EMS Senior project money) that she had prayed for a few years, and the rest went to a retirement home to help with different duties such as clipping fingernails, serving snack, and peeling Yuka. After all those activities had ended, we were free to go to the beach for a relaxing afternoon of soaking in the sun and swimming in the Pacific ocean. While on the way to the beach, our group leader, Gary, hit a record speed of 72 mph with all the guys holding on to whatever they could grab ahold of in the back of the truck. In the evening, we enjoyed a taco restaurant and smoothie bar all in sight of central park and the cathedral. Then we headed back to the church to spend the rest of the evening playing spike ball and listening to Gary impersonate Napoleon Dynamite.

-          Kendall Copenhaver

Day 5

Not Your Typical Touring (but almost)

Today we did our souvenir shopping in the morning. A few of the guys bought machetes and some people bought other souvenirs and trinkets. After our shopping, the girls went to the hospital to hand out baby bundles to the pregnant mothers and the guys got haircuts. The barber was very good and very cheap. Josh had the best cut by far. When the haircuts were done the guys went to the park and we played a form of baseball where we used our hands as the bat. Hitting the ball was harder than it looked. 

Hi all, Shanda here, relieving Patrick of his undesired duty of blogging.  His summary was accurate, although I would like to add some feeling into those simple sentences.  This morning before we went souvenir shopping in Central, our class entered the narrow stairways of the cathedral (official name is currently unknown) and climbed carefully to the top.  Once our elevation was increased, we were given a few minor instructions which included “don’t climb on the domes.” and sent to explore.  The sights of Leon, below, were far and wide. The Hospital Escuela was distantly insight as us senior girls eagerly anticipated holding some new Nicaraguan babies.  Once descending the cathedral, which was built in Leon by accident (it’s true), we split into our groups and began the shopping.  My group started the shopping at Casa del Café or “House of the Coffee” with some refreshing drinks. We explored some stands and the market. Seeing the large lizard waiting to be finished off and eaten was definitely interesting. I can’t say much about the guys getting their haircuts, other than the fact that I’m sure their heads are cooler than they were before.  But, the hospital experience was once in a lifetime.  Imagine getting ready to deliver your long awaited baby, you go to the hospital and find the conditions, less than what Americans would call ideal.  The windows are either broken or open, there is no air conditioning and pigeons strut around the waiting rooms.  You’re placed in a room with four other moms who have recently delivered, yet you expect nothing better.  When the care is free and you don’t have the means of paying for a better hospital, you’re just thankful and content that you have a bed in the room.  I can’t imagine wanting to do the best and provide the best for my child, but only being able to deliver in a rather unsanitary building with birds. 

I loved the hospital experience! Holding a Nicaraguan baby that was only hours old was one thing that I’d do again in a heartbeat.  No hesitation! One of the moms that we gifted with a baby bundle was fifteen. FIFTEEN! I can’t imagine. 

The rest of the day went well and I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to a textile/weaving shop.  Yes, people actually run these looms, not robots.  Can you believe it? Anyway, my time is running out. Enjoy the updates! If for some reason I don’t make it back to the United States, maybe you can find me hanging out with Rachel and Sadie at the Olive Branch Mennonite Mission, or holding newborns in the Hospital Escuela.  Buenas Noches!  

Patrick Zimmerman

& Shanda Nissley

 

Before

After

 

Days 1 & 2 in Leon, Nicaragua

Day 1

Arrival at Nicaragua

            As most of you may know today was our first day in Nicaragua. Our travels went very smooth and we arrived safely at the airport of Managua. One memory made from our travel time is when one of the airport workers called Derek Martin, Derek Martini. When we stepped out of the airport in Managua, we immediately noticed the heat. From there we had a two-hour drive to Leon in which some of us rode on the back of two trucks while others rode inside the vehicles. While we were stopped on the road, a woman walked up and offered us little bags of water. While we were attempting to open them, someone’s bag of water burst in their face. The damage was considered “wide spread”.  After we arrived at the church, we all divided into our buildings and unpacked. From there we went out to eat where they served us a wonderful meat and bean dish. Some of us were bold enough to try a sheep dish called Pelibuey. After this we exchanged money, got showers, and went to bed.

- Bradley Hurst

Day 2

Activities with the Children

After a fulfilling breakfast of egg and sausage casserole, fruit, and pop tarts, we got organized into groups to prepare for the afternoon with the kids. The morning was spent preparing and after a lunch of “dirty face”, which is a hard tortilla covered in a bean sauce and cheese, we walked the streets picking up the children and bringing them to the church. We set up stations and had games for the children that included water balloon toss, a balloon relay, and hot potato with wet sponge balls. The kids also got to design a drawstring bag and to top it all off we gave them a snack of gold fish crackers, gummies, watermelon, and kool aid. Even though we could not talk very well with the children, we all still had a great time interacting with them. At around four thirty we took the kids home and a few of us gave the kids piggyback rides which both the kids and seniors enjoyed. Upon returning to the church, we had about two hours to relax before supper. Supper then consisted of Pizza Hut pizza, which was a nice mix up from the native food here and it was washed down with some nice cool refreshing Fresca and Coke. That evening we had free time which we spent playing games together. Although we are all exhausted and the heat is, at times, almost unbearable, we are excited for the following days and the experiences they are going to hold for us.

- Kyle Martin

Arrived in Nicaragua

Seniors have just arrived at the Managua, Nicaragua - Augusto Cesar Sandino Int'l - Airport!

Check back on this blog throughout the week ahead. Depending on available WiFi , the postings may be somewhat sporadic.

Ready to Fly to Nicaragua

On the plane now and waiting to fly to Managua (AA 2243)! 

On The Way!

Seniors (and a few others that were willing to get up at midnight!) met early this morning to do the final baggage shuffle and get everything loaded into the coach to travel to BWI Airport.

As of the time of this post, they have safely arrived at the Miami Airport and are now waiting for the flight to Managua, Nicaragua.