Las Chacaras

The ladies try arroz aguado (and many other Nica things)

Patti works with each lady individually, and these were the first two. Freddy wants to learn also(really, he does!)

Karla cuts plastic bags into 'yarn'

First a plastic bag ... then a purse

Six ladies from Colorado and two from Managua visited Las Chacaras last week to encourage the ladies in their new green project of making purses from used plastic. We helped cut bags for 'yarn,' and taught them a few more crochet stitches and ideas for different shapes of purses. It was fun to help and to be with each other. As with any bunch of women, we laughed and talked, sat under the rancho, and worked together in a relaxed atmosphere, yet with a purpose. As soon as we drove up, we were welcomed as though the team were long-lost relatives ... and we took it from there. The women of Las Chacaras and the women on the team are easy to be with and extended themselves to each other. Once again, we have to take our hats off to Freddy who is as interested to learn to crochet as anyone else (and makes no bones about it).

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The team was adventuresome enough to ride moto-taxi's to destinations because our SUV is not big enough for 9. They also ate arroz aguado, raspados, wandered thru Mercado Huembes, gave a baby shower for Freddy's new son ... and acted like these things were commonplace in their lives. They were awesome in attitude and in every other way.

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FYI, Franco was born Oct 1st ... almost 9 lbs ... a lot of straight black hair ... and a big appetite. Welcome little Guadamuz!

Silvia is home ...

Silvia Silva Orozco ~ 1948-2009

Silvia died this morning ... from dehydration. Four days ago she ate bad meat and got food poisoning, then had three days of diarrhea and continued weakness. And this morning, she was gone. We learned of her trials yesterday when we visited, and had the opportunity to pray for her before we drove home. Though we left money for Cipro and Powerade to re-hydrate her, it was too late. She was too weak to make it another day. Tomorrow we return for her funeral.

It's hard to let her go. She fought cancer and won (twice), and to die of something so seemingly simple is difficult to wrap our minds around. Our consolation is that she is at total peace, with her Lord and Savior ... and we who cry, cry because we miss her.

Pray for the family and the community. She was a cornerstone there. Everyone has lost either a mother, grandmother, sister or a friend.