Life at the Littles

Payton (14) and Sheba

Angela joins in making jewelry to donate to the House of Hope

The landscape of life around this house has changed a lot in one month. After 19 months of living with two Nicaraguan boys, we opened our home to a few girls. Holly has been with us since May, and in July Sheba (the beloved dog) joined us. Angela Kathman joined the household in late July, and then Payton (Sheba's 'sister') arrived in the beginning of August. Angela was part of our family for a month, going with us to the villages - going shopping - and being part of our family. She returned home yesterday! Payton attends Nicaraguan Christian Academy and the new school year started before her parents could return to Managua. So, she moved in, joined her dog, Sheba, ... and the two await the return of her parents. Payton is a student in John's "American Criminal Justice System" class at NCA, so it's very fun around here with lots of 'jargon' and bantering. The dynamics are much changed ... with self-sufficiency dominating the house now. Girls (and North Americans at that) are very different than teenage Nicaraguan boys. It's a mind-warp. We've really learned a lot.

John really enjoys being a teacher! He considered teaching after he retired, and now he's been given a chance to give it a try. He loves the kids (sophomores, juniors and seniors) and they enjoy him too. They are supposed to call their teachers by "Mr." or "Miss" ... and so, he's "Mr. John" to the kids now. Payton tells us they call him Mr. Sheriff and Mr. Littlejohn too. During class, they 'role play' with some as the criminal, or the D.A., or crime scene witnesses, or victims ... whatever the scenario John gives them - they join in and use their collective brains to solve the crime and learn the roles of the various people involved. I don't know who has more fun - John or the kids?!?
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Life is very enjoyable right now. We're still waiting for the big rains to come ... still working in the villages ... still making jewelry to help support the House of Hope ... and generally enjoying our last months here.