Chickens, Eggs and Hope for a Future

Chickens watch Antonia and Mr. Chacon read the loan papers

Gerald signs the original loan contract and passes it to Claudia for signature. Gerald is 16 and sole support for his mother and brothers/sisters. He also attends school!

The past 2+ weeks have seen some very exciting changes in La Ceiba. The hens have laid an average of 86 eggs per day since they arrived in their new digs. The “instant success” was really not expected somehow (too good to be true??). Initially, there was a lot of rushing around every day to find buyers for the eggs, because there would be 86 more to sell the next day! This initial flurry of activity quickly turned from chaos to order as the beneficiaries met the new challenges of caring for the chickens, making minor improvements to the hen house, feeding and adding daily vitamins and antioxidants to the water, gathering eggs, cleaning the hen house and selling the eggs. They’ve “gelled” as a group, which seemed to be the biggest challenge (in our minds). But when the hens actually arrived, they put their perceived differences aside and worked together in an organized fashion. It’s April 5th and 1,634 eggs later … and the group not only performs their work, they also meet weekly to pray, discuss business and deepen their new friendships. Their goal is to pay the loan before its official due date. We shook hands, celebrated with three homemade cakes, and enjoyed a moment of unity that transformed their thinking to include a hope for their futures … one they now realize has always been part of the Plan. Their smiles were deep. Their hope has been reborn. And we were happy to be there to document this in our hearts and share it with you.

Thank you for helping make this possible! It was a fine hour in transformational development of La Ceiba's people. We look forward to whatever is next.

Little Louie Little

Louie joins Andrea and John on the lower deck

And when he can't find someone, he knows where all the soft spots are!

Some of you have asked how Louie is doing (now that Raisa is gone). He knows she's missing, but hey ... he's got it made. He's VERY HAPPY.

There are chickens in La Ceiba ... and sewing in Las Chacaras

100 chickens now call La Ceiba "home."

The first day (travel and all) the hens laid 15 eggs! We heard they would not lay eggs for two weeks ... and they laid 82 today (their first full day). Exciting!

Antonia hugs and thanks everyone she sees!

The ladies have made 26 pairs of shorts, curtains and pajamas (in only two days).

Ian helps the ladies

Manantial's first two projects have begun ... chickens are laying eggs in La Ceiba, and the women are stitching in Las Chacaras. It seems like a long time in coming, but ... it was worth the wait to see the smiles and join in the celebration in both of these communities.

Next week we will pour a cement pad under the sewing area to prevent material and clothing from being dirtied / stained when dropped on the dirt floor. After this is done (in a week or so), we'll pour the cement foundation for the pig area.

We are thinking seriously of celebrating the chickens by bringing a white sheet, a projector and the movie "Chicken Run" (in Spanish, of course) and then spending an evening in La Ceiba ... outside the chicken house. Nicaraguans have GREAT senses of humor, and ... well ... we're hoping this will be appreciated and enjoyed ... and will not be understood by the chickens. :).

Enjoy the pictures ... celebrate with us. God is good - all the time.

Celebrating Las Chacaras

Julie, John and Ron talk about raising pigs

Julie washes hair

Freddy shows Susan and Reyna his 'skills'

Pastor Ron prays for Pastor Cesar

The ribbon is cut!

Helen and Holly 'love on' the matriarch, Angela

The sewing project has ceremoniously begun - with ribbon cutting, flowers, Coca-Cola, singing, prayer and visitors from the U.S. When we arrived yesterday for our weekly 'outing' we had no idea we were driving into festivities. We were greeted by the people of Las Chacaras who were dressed in their best, waiting to surprise us and have us join the celebration. And we did.

Pastor Ron Hockley and Julie Dodge (from Portland) and Susan (from Colorado) joined our weekly trek, together with Kyle and Katrina Williams and their two children. We all joined the party and marveled that just three months ago we were merely talking and getting to know one another. We now feel like family - and it's great to belong and be welcomed by our Nica friends each time we come.

Yesterday, we spoke of the past, enjoyed the present, and looked to the future ... more projects are on the horizon. Enjoy the pics - and come join us if you want.

The chickens coop is finished - The last sewing machine is delivered

Men talk about their hopes for a project to raise pigs

Eight ladies sign loan contracts for their new sewing machines

Pavel holds Brendi (a La Ceiba cutie)

Briefly, we want to introduce you to Pavel Antonio Averhoff (above). He sold us 8 sewing machines and became interested enough to join us on our weekly trek to the Leon area. He encouraged the ladies of Las Chacaras to take hold of the opportunity and do well. He accompanied us to both locations, and was able to give us an objective opinion from a Nicaraguan viewpoint. Freddy and he got along well. It was fun to have him along.
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Though Silvia is still recovering from the radiation and chemotherapy, she celebrated her 61st birthday with cake ... and had moved her hammock outside to enjoy the breeze. She shared her cake with us, and her family gathered a bag of mangoes even though it officially isn't the season yet. Yum.

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The ladies signed their contracts, and elected Daysi and/or Sandra to come to Managua for training with Enyda. There was room for one to come, but we're hoping Enyda will allow both to come, as it's easier and "feels more secure" for women to have a companion to travel with to the huge city of Managua. We hope they can get their training next Wednesday, and hitch a ride with us.

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Tomorrow we go to Rancho Ebenezer to order the chickens. The chicken coop is ready, but we don't yet have the second and final "official stamp" on a document that allows us purchase the chickens at half the normal price. Freddy is working on this, and we hope to have the letter very soon (like, yesterday).

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More later.

Sewing "ramps up"

Ladies look at possible items to sew - kids' clothing

Today was unexpectedly great! It was filled with encouragement as we go forward without having a "five-year plan" - but part of a Plan nonetheless. We hope the story encourages you.

Many months ago, perhaps a year ago, Freddy met a Nicaraguan woman named Enyda who started a sewing business with the help of micro-finance. Today I simply asked him where we could purchase some "t-shirt" type of material for the ladies of Las Chacaras to learn to sew. I was hesistant to give them the more expensive fabric we have. Somehow, my question made him think of Enyda. He could not remember her name but for some reason he HAD put her number in his cell phone under her business name. Thank goodness! He phoned her and said, "Remember me?" She then asked us to stop by to talk.

Her business is "up and running" in a very big way. Six or seven members of her family now sew clothing of all kinds and bring it to the market here, complete with their very own label. Inside the home, they were 'cranking out the goods' - each at their sewing machine or surger or cutting table. And there were piles of finished product (shirts, dresses, camisoles, etc.) ready to be taken to market.

Freddy explained Manantial's project in Las Chacaras, and she undoubtedly related as she was in the same situation previously ... having a dream and needing the means. She was free with her information of where to get what (i.e. scissors, fabric, etc.). She knows of two companies that will make the "Manantial" logo for our goods. It was nice to hear her story and SEE that she enjoys success. She not only has found her niche in the market, but that she is willing to help the ladies of Las Chacaras find theirs. She suggested one of our 8 ladies come to her house for 1-2 days so she can teach her all she needs to know, not just about sewing - but about where to get what, tricks of the trade and things she had to learn the hard way. Whomever is elected to go can then bring this information back to the ladies of Las Chacaras. She also offered her discount for material from her supplier. What a jewel!

When our visit ended, she sent us home with a big black plastic bag full of scraps that are large enough for the ladies to learn to sew straight lines, make seams and if they're creative - perhaps they can use the pieces of material for something to sell! She has helped us out of such a kind heart. She remembers where she started and is willing to launch others. This is how it is supposed to work (and often doesn't).

Sewing seeds are sowed in Las Chacaras

Pastor Cesar in front of his church, "Manantial"

The men unload seven sewing machines

Dayse "eyeballs" a machine

She can't help herself - she's so excited she shows her skills to the crowd

Because the last blog was so long, the pictures will do most of the talking here. Bottom line:

1 - The church in Las Chacaras has an official name now, "Manantial." It is a great name for a church (wellspring, source) and a compliment too.

2 - Seven (of eight) sewing machines were delivered, and the ladies are excited. They will now learn to sew (3 of the 8 know how already!), test the market to find their niche, and then we pray they'll be paying their loan off before it's due.

Thank you again for your help. Enjoy.