"What did you do in Nicaragua?"

By far the most common question I've been asked since returning is "What did you do in Nicaragua?" I absolutely love and hate getting this question. On the one hand, it seems like I have a different answer each time I respond, with a wide variety of remembered experiences shaping what I have to say. On the other hand, how do you really boil down such a rich and diverse set of events and experiences down into a reasonable response? I am pretty sure that most people I talked to during my first week back would agree that my answer was long winded and passionate. Since that first week, my memories have inevitably dimmed, although the underlying feeling of being blessed and humbled by those we met and interacted remains. I debated turning this into a sort of top ten list, but I think that 10 items would be far too few. After having a chance to really distill my answers down over multiple conversations, here are the overarching themes. Keep in mind that this is a stupendously truncated list and that each item has multiple events packed into it. If you see me after reading this post, please please please don't hesitate to ask me again. I am 100% positive that my answer will have been shaded by yet another realization and vibrant memory bubble that will have burst upon me as you ask the question.

 1. We worked with a children's feeding program, which was held at a local church called Verbo Church

2. We spent a lot of time playing with and loving on these kids. We got to know them, we asked their names and we tried to show that they were important and well worth our time and efforts.

3. We went to a few other local places, such as the nearby Verbo School and conducted a few short education sessions on proper nutrition and hygiene.

4. We visited a few other areas in town, to deliver food and better understand what other families and children deal with on a regular basis.

5. We helped do a few small construction items around the eating area to help light the kitchen and keep rain off the kids. And got under Sixto's (the professional construction guy's) feet.

6. Spent a fair amount of time getting to and from Bluefields.

So that is a quick picture tour of the things we did. Most of our time was spent with the kids, but we also made time to rehash it at night and pray and meditate on the meaning of what we were doing and how we can work to make this effective, long lasting change. That is where all of you come in. We all knew by the end of the trip that we were getting much more out of the trip than those we went to see. We were overwhelmed with admiration for those that work at the church full time (thank you all for your patience with us!) and we were deeply touched by the love of the kids. We hope you will join us in building awareness, compassion, and generosity towards this very deserving, very overstretched ministry.

 Oh yeah, we got a little relaxation time at the end.