Merry Christmas from Managua

Son, daughter and mom happily make earrings - a family income venture

It looks and feels like organized chaos when creativity ramps up

Elvis "before" Freddy got ahold of him

Elvis and Freddy "after" the haircut

Freddy, Mary, Helen and John ... having fun serving the people of Las Chacaras

Although we will spend Christmas here in Managua, we fly home shortly thereafter to visit family and friends. We are ready! But we actually got a special treat a little ahead of time: John's sister, Mary, visited us for 10 days. We went to the beach, to Granada, Norome and other places she'd never heard of. She also went to Las Chacaras with us on our last "Manantial 2008" visit where we all gave a lot of personal attention to the folks there. She jumped right in - helped wash and braid hair - and no doubt understands more deeply why we're here and what we're doing. It was fun to share the time with her.

.
Although we're ready for Portland, Oregon - family - friends - snow - cold weather - hot showers (we do not have hot water here) - and "familiar" surroundings and customs, we also look forward to 2009 and what it means to the families of La Ceiba and Las Chacaras. And we're looking forward to being very near to "launching" Nahum and Gener into their futures too!

.

We send a heartfelt "thank you" for your prayers, your love, your support of every kind - and best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We are blessed and humbled you've chosen to walk with us and be part of this chapter of our lives.

.

Dios te bendiga!

.

Siempre.

The first year in Nicaragua comes to a close.

Nahum, Isidro, Gener, Helen, John and Raisa

wish you a Merry Christmas (86F and breezy!)

Nahum caught, mounted and rode a trespassing horse off of the property yesterday.

Both boys are very comfortable and skilled with horses - I've always enjoyed seeing them ride. Yesterday, we had a "rogue horse" on the property, grazing away on the lawn. Isidro knows I love horses, so he pointed him out to me. I walked towards the horse to hopefully pet him (yeah right). He had come untethered from somewhere?!? and was dragging his rope with him. However, as I approached, the horse walked away from me. I stopped. And then he stopped. I advanced more and so did he. He would NOT let me get near to him. And so, Nahum came and showed me a thing or two, and I am impressed. This picture is proof of the fact Nahum COULD catch the horse and COULD mount it and ride it off the property. Whoa! Nahum was barefooted, brought a red towel for his saddle, and voilla ... he was soon riding it! This is one of the many things that have brought a smile. We're glad the camera was handy to share it with you.
.
Yesterday was the boys' last day with us in Managua until mid-January. We had a great talk with them about the adjustments and dovetailing of ALL of our lives that has happened in this household over the past year. They had mixed feelings about going home to Waslala for a visit because they're ashamed they were born so very poor (and that their family still lives that way). They also weren't anxious to go home because they enjoy their bicycles, visiting friends and enjoying "life without school" right now. Recognizing their angst, we decided to have a little "family meeting" where we easily talked about 1) the importance of family, 2) that they should never be ashamed of where they've come from or where their family still is, and 3) the fact their family wants and needs to see them! We prayed together, talked about the next year and all the new plans we have, and it was nice to actually TALK about it rather than just feel their mixed emotions pouring out of them!
.
We then had a big "going away" barbeque dinner with Holly, John's sister Mary, Greg from Indiana (Saul's pastor), Maria Jose (the director of the orphanage where they used to live, Isidro (our gardener who lives with us), Freddy, and they even got a cyber-visit from Saul in Indiana. It was barbecued hamburgers and all the trimmings ... and a lot of laughing. Since their bus left Managua at 3:30am, Freddy took them home to his house as he lives very near the bus stop. The next morning, Freddy called to let us know the 'goods were delivered and all was safe' ... and today we received an email from Gener, saying he had arrived and they were happy to see their family. Nice. Sigh of relief also.

And as I write this, I'm hopeful they enjoy their time there, knowing full well that they have security of this home when it's time to return.

From all of us here, to you ... Merry Christmas!

Be blessed,