Reflections: San Juan del Sur 2013

On Christmas Day 2013, our family made the trek south to San Juan del Sur for some much needed relaxation. I had just completed a full year of studies including both summer terms while working full time. My family vaguely remembered who I was! We decided to take a mini vacation at Playa Marsella Beachfront Hotel for 5 nights. We settled in for 5 days of nothingness. Beach, pool, naps, and reading consumed our days.

One of the days, we ventured to SJDS town to explore the town and some select real estate. Walking into a RE/Max agency, we inquired about a particular property of interest. And, yes, it was still on the market.

In my spring semester world geography course, I chose to do a missions project for my final assignment. The goal of the assignment was to choose a particular area of the world and apply the 5 themes of geography. I took it a step further and researched San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Why Nicaragua? Ten years ago in the highlight of my travel agent experience, Jeremy saw a documentary about Nicaragua. Then, over and over again through various outlets, Nicaragua kept reappearing in our lives. So, I dug in, and developed a geography assignment like no other.

When my grandmother died in 2010, I decided to someday open a Christian school in her honor. I didn't know where, when, or how, but I knew it was what I was supposed to do...someday. Hence, the theme for my project. I researched the country of Nicaragua and its economy, government, education system, real estate, climate, and culture. Now, we were there, in reality, looking at the possibility of a Christian school on the square in a quaint red building in San Juan del Sur, NI. However, we all knew in our hearts that this was a future possibility, not for here and now.

So we relaxed for a few more days before our trek to Granada.

Reflections: Arrival 2013

8:34 p.m. December 24, 2013. The Managua airport welcomed the Kane family after a lengthy day of travel from Salt Lake City, UT. Gathering our luggage while adjusting to a 90 degree temperature difference, signs exclaiming, "Bienvenidos!" captured our attention. Sure, we have traveled to many countries over the years with similar customs and immigration experiences, but never with the intentions that we had for this trip.

After clearing immigration, we met our driver to take us to the Art Hotel in Managua for the night. Along the way, we experienced the sights and sounds of Christmas Eve in Nicaragua. It was anything but a silent night. Late into the evening when North American families were tucking their children into bed, Nicaraguans were lining the streets gearing up for a celebration.

When we arrived, the hotel attendant showed us to our room. Exhausted, we were ready to turn in. She gently explained that we should just stay awake, because at midnight we would be be awaken anyway. So, we decided to stay up to see what the hype was all about.
At 5 minutes till midnight, the popping and crackling of the fireworks began to increase. At midnight, the Kane family was immersed into a deep fryer of fireworks. The smell of sulphur and the remnants of paper filled the warm, humid air for nearly an hour. Our first Nica Christmas was louder and brighter than any Independence Day celebration we could imagine in the U.S. Once the commotion subsided, we settled in for a long, not-so-winter nap. For tomorrow, we would travel south to San Juan del Sur.

November in Nicaragua

Ahhh...well, the temperature has finally cooled to an average daytime high of 85 degrees. In the evenings temperatures are dropping to a pleasant 72. We are finishing out what is known as the "rainy season" in Nicaragua. Although we saw quite a bit of rain in the last month, the drought is still taking its toll on the country. Below, you can see and hear a heavy downpour we experienced during a thunderstorm a few weeks ago. Keep in mind, in these videos, we have no electricity and the lightning and thunder are quite intense.

 

Also, a few weeks ago, we experienced our first noticeable earthquake in Nicaragua. It was determined to be a 7.3 off the west coast of El Salvador and Nicaragua. For those of you who have never experienced an earthquake, the best way to describe it is a deep rumbling sound that makes the earth tremble beneath your feet. Oftentimes, I mistake the heavy machinery of roadwork outside our school entrance for the rumbling of another quake.

The results of the quake were frustrating to say the least. It seems that in recent years, the government in Nicaragua is exercising more control over the schools, both public and private. Even though the quake presented no additional major after shocks, the ministry of education declared a "yellow alert" for 4 school days. The frustration lies in the fact that, to keep our accreditation with ACSI, we must have 180 days of instruction. So, we improvised. On day two of the closure we implemented online schooling. In order to be prepared for future mandatory closures, the staff has been training students on how to use Google classroom, a pilot program in which NCA is currently involved.

In spite of earthquakes, downpours, and power outages, I continue to see my students grow and learn. In homeroom each morning, I get the privilege to talk with my girls about life, offer them God's word, and pray with them.

Academically, we are learning how rationalize our thought processes through debates and collaborative learning.

Thinking through problems in World Studies

High school students preparing to debate
legitimate topics.

Our first field trip was a service project to Tesoros de Dios meaning, "God's Treasures" where my 7th grade girls experienced serving God by serving those with developmental disabilities. The director of this mission is a graduate of NCA who went to college in the states and returned to serve in Nicaragua. Michelle is living example of the results of the mission work Jeremy and I are doing now. We may not see the fruits of our labor for many years, but God is blessing it now.

Painting--oh so messy.

Tesoros de Dios student
enjoying the puppets we
brought for a puppet
show

My girls helping in the physical
therapy area.

This link will take you to Tesoros de Dios,  God's Treasures in Nicaragua.

Finally, big things are happening at NCA! We are currently transforming our old chapel area into an amazing library! Scheduled to open on Spencer's birthday, January 24th, this library will allow our school to grow with a larger selection of materials, multimedia capabilities, and library class space. Our current library situation is organized but small, about the size of a typical classroom. We are very excited about this blessing. Here are some images of the construction process. Check out the styrofoam panels covered in cement and stabilized by reed bar to form the walls!

As I said earlier, in the type of mission work we are doing, we don't see the immediate fruits of of our labor. With many short term missions, there is the "satisfaction" of seeing lives changed, people fed (both physically and spiritually), churches and house built. But in our mission, we must rely on something I call "God winks." These are tiny little milestones where God let's me know, "Yeah, this is what I want you to do, Kim. This is how I designed you to serve Me."  One morning, I was in a fury trying to get things prepared for classes. I had copies to make, plans to print, supplies to gather. When I came into my classroom after a mad dash to the copy room, this is what I found:

Wow. Of course, I cried and joined my girls in a group hug. Relationships are being built. Lives are being changed. God's work is being done. 

And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

                                          Romans 8:28.   

                                                             Still my life verse.

Each trip out things get easier. We are slowly picking up the language and navigation is a snap with WAZE ( a real time GPS app that tells you where accidents, construction, heavy traffic, and the police are located).  Today, Hannah and I made a  run to the open air market looking for a tarp (no luck) but we were able to find her two pair of shoes for school for under $20.

Market

A Happy Camper

Tomorrow starts a new adventure for me. Since I only teach three days a week at the school, I have Mondays and Wednesdays to explore and get to know the people in the surrounding community. Last friday I was introduced to a lady who spends her mornings cooking for the people who work at a factory close to our house. My friend interpreted to her that I loved to cook and needed to learn spanish. So, she told me to be there Monday morning at 8am to learn to cook "Nica style" food. This will all be done over open fire and totally in Spanish. 

These pictures are similar to her kitchen but are not the actual one I will be working in. After I get permission to take some pictures I will post them 

Stay tuned, more to follow.......Jeremy

Well we have been here in Nicaragua for close to 3 months now and I have to tell ya so far it has been an awesome experience.

Before we came we had people say things like: Isn't it dangerous there? How are you all going to get by? You don't even know the language. Won't you miss your friends?

Well I have to tell ya, we DO miss our friends. It has been the hardest part of the whole thing. That, coupled with not knowing the language making it harder to make new friends is hard on all of us. Sure there are English speaking people who work at the school with us and they are super nice. I'm sure we will become great friends, but one of my desires is to be able to make Nica friends here as well.

We were blessed to find a great apartment in a super nice facility with a pool, but many of the people here are North Americans who teach at the school where we teach. So it's kinda like we live in an Americanized bubble in a foreign land (don't get me wrong it has it's advantages).  However, those of you who know me, know that I have never met a stranger (at least once I met them they weren't a stranger for long) So, to not be able to strike up a conversation with someone in line at the grocery store or on the chicken bus is frustrating. Luckily Spanish classes start tomorrow!

Here is a snippet of one of my favorite routes home. This cobblestone road is called "The Cow Road"

As for being dangerous, I feel just as safe here as I would in Clarksville, Louisville or Denver. We have not run in to,  or heard of anyone running in to any problems thus far. People are poor here and they are opportunists. For example, if you leave a package in your car with the windows down while you go into a store, it may or may not be there when you come out (lesson learned).

On the other hand, we were at the beach Sunday afternoon and I got our vehicle hung up in the sand. Thankfully I didn't bury it. As I was digging the sand from around the wheels in an attempt to free us from this gritty peril, a couple sets of gringos rode past on rented four wheelers offering no help, but within a few minutes we had close to fifteen Nicas offering to help push, pull, dig whatever it took to free us.  The people here are very friendly and for that we are thankful.

Lastly how are we getting by? Well thanks to the support of friends and family we are making ends meet. Food is a lot more expensive than we budgeted for but we are making cuts elsewhere. For example, filtered water is $48 cords per bottle (about $2) and we go through about  5-6 a week $10 to $12 per week. So the other day we purchased this filter that will pay for itself in 1 month and reduce our monthly budget needs by about $45 a month.

Our New Filter

We are extremely grateful to everyone who is sending support, monetarily or through prayer. We are still in need of supporters who are willing to commit to a monthly donation, REMEMBER no amount is too big or too small. Contact us through email kanefamilynicaragua@gmail.com or find us on facebook.

Point of View: Spencer & Hannah

Now that we have been living in Nicaragua for a little over two months, we have settled into our apartment, our mission, and our overall general routine. I decided to survey the kids to see how they feel about living in Nicaragua. Here is the summary of my Q & A interview with them. Enjoy!

Q: Hannah, what is the best part of living in Nicaragua?
A: I like that I have new friends, and the school is good. It makes me happy when I see the bright, colorful, cheerful views from Laguna de Apoyo.

Spencer in Masaya looking over Laguna de Apoyo Crater Lake

Q: Spencer, How do you feel about living in Nicaragua?

A: When I actually understand what people are saying, they are super nice and polite to me. However, when my parents turn to me and ask, "What did he say?" it gets super frustrating. Nicaraguans speak Spanish very quickly and I don't always understand what they are saying.

Q: Hannah, is there anything you don't like about living in Nicaragua?

A: I am sad that my friends can't come see us. I miss them. I wish my Granny Kay could come with us. Also, it would be nice if my classroom had an air conditioner. It is SUPER hot here!

Q: Spencer, what are you unhappy about living in Nicaragua?

A: I am sad that my friends in Colorado miss me. I especially miss my closest friend, Kaleigh. But, one thing that brings a smile to my face is the writing on the desks as school. They say things like, "I love God" instead of bad words.

Q: Spencer, how have you seen God work since you've been in Nicaragua?

A: At Ignite last weekend, we went to a Nicaraguan family home with dirt floors and made of cinder blocks. With a translator, my dad and I talked to them, just getting to know them. Then, I used my special skills to chop wood for them. We plan to take some rice and beans back to the family this week, since most people eat gallo pinto each day. It was cool to spend time with them and get to know them. Hopefully, we'll get to talk them about Jesus soon.

Well, there is how an 11 year old and a 15 year old view their lives in Nicaragua!

What Will They Do With This?

We are three weeks into the school year at Nicaragua Christian Academy. Since the New Teacher Orientation, something has been weighing on my mind. You see, in Nicaragua, education means something vastly different than to parents, educators, and students in the United States. Those of you who know me have often called me a "natural-born teacher." Until recently, I never understood what that title truly meant. I learned that in most Nicaraguan schools, "learning" consists of copying textbooks and dictation from the teacher. Then students would simply memorize key facts and respond accordingly on tests.

Hallway at Nicaragua Christian Academy

My teaching style has always been anything but rote memorization, so you can imagine how I responded to this. How can true learning take place in these little minds?  Then, our director made a point to explain the difference that NCA is making in Nicaragua. Focusing on academic excellence with a biblical foundation- that is the school's mission. After hearing this, I decided to reevaluate the definition of "academic excellence."

Academic excellence is so much more than the regurgitation of facts and figures; it is so much more than letter grades on a transcript. Academic excellence is the ability to think-to think critically, and to solve problems. The true definition of learning requires a change in behavior. We must do something with the knowledge we obtain....Well, I 'll get back to that later.

So, on the first day of class, I asked each of my classes what their individual goals were for the school year.

Each student wrote down a goal and then a way he or she could work towards that goal on a post-it note. Then they stuck each note to our class poster. I took some time after class on the first day to read their responses. To my surprise, the number one goal hands down was to make good grades. The number one way to attain this goal was to study. I decided to pray over these responses and for each of the students who wrote them. I asked God how I should respond to the message they were sending me. "Mrs. Kane, good grades equal success, and I want to be successful." Few of the goals were to "learn something new" or "have fun." God showed me that I needed to think about my goals for the students. Why did He bring me to Nicaragua? To lecture and give tests? No, He sent me to teach the future generations how to think, and how to think critically from a biblical perspective. And He is equipping me daily for this task.


My response to the students' message began on Day 2. I decided to incorporate a collaborative learning

World Studies Students Working Together to Solve Problems

environment where students would have to work together, listen to one another's ideas, and collectively respond to questions like: "What would you have done differently if you were in his or her shoes?" Students have varying responsibilities within the group and everyone's point of view is equally valuable. The environment is created to be a safe way to explore new ideas in light of what we learned. We compare and contrast, analyze and synthesize, and most importantly, evaluate ideas in light of what we know. Certainly, there are facts to be learned, but what they do with those facts is far more beneficial to the mind than simply getting a good grade because they remembered them correctly for an exam.

This brings me back to my earlier point. "Learning is a change in behavior." When we learn, we change our

Future Leaders of Nicaragua and Other Nations

habits, redirect our behavior, and adjust our methods. When we obtain knowledge we must do something with it. We can know all of the facts about the Bible, just like the Pharisees. But, do we have the critical thinking skills to apply what we know to daily life? That is the mission here. To teach students how to use what they know to help future generations.

Each Wednesday, in addition to daily Bible classes, all students attend Chapel. When I attended the first chapel, I stepped back and watched the future generations of Nicaragua, as well as other nations, absorb the Word of God. I found myself asking, "What will they do with this?" My prayer is that true learning takes place in the heads, hearts, and lives of future generations.

What's Black & Red & Rolls All Over?

The Kane family's new Nica vehicle that's what! 

     We are truly blessed to have found and secured this 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser. Apparently this will be a necessity for getting around in some of the more remote areas during the rainy season, because we have been told that a lot of the roads wash out and become impassable.

     Although I have been told the process went quickly and fairly smooth, the process was a bit more than I expected. Once we found the vehicle (which was no easy task) we had to go see it and test drive it. The next step was to hire a mechanic (who showed up on a motorcycle, wearing a suit and tie)  to come see it and give us his two cents worth (in Spanish, which we had to have translated by a friend). After that, came the negotiation process (we got the price down $500 from what the seller listed). Once a price was agreed upon, we had to have the school cut us a check for the purchase price, fax the seller's lawyer copies of our drivers license and passports and wait for an appointment. (this meant three days of hoping no one else would come buy it out from under us which had already happened with the first car we were going to buy). Upon receiving an appointment, I had to go with the seller (an ex-pat from Italy who sought asylum in Nicaragua for undisclosed reasons) to the (Spanish speaking) lawyer's office and complete the paperwork (also all in Spanish). The vehicle was now ours (we hope)! Finding my way back to the school on my own through the narrow streets of Nica in an area of town I hadn't been to yet was another leg of the adventure of becoming a car owner in Nicaragua. This vehicle was priced within the mean for used cars of this type, although it needs about $300 in repairs, our colleagues at the school feel like we got a decent deal. 

     God's provision has come through because of the awesome supporters He has put in our path. Thank you, God and thank you to all who have committed to supporting us for these three years.  

                                                          Stay Tuned for More on our Adventure in Gods Work field.....

                                                                                                                        Jeremy

New Perspective

This guy just wanted his picture taken.

Our first week in Nicaragua brought adventure and information overload, but perhaps the greatest gift this week was a new perspective. The word perspective conjures images of drawings at the correct height, width, and position in relation to one another when viewed from a particular reference point. This week our reference point changed drastically. Suddenly, in our drawing, all of our trees, pathways, and buildings were the wrong height and width and in the wrong spot. In a nutshell, living in Nicaragua forces you to shift your paradigm.

A typical fruit stand in Nicaragua.

Let's start with the basics: Shoppping.
Here, we have no Wal-Mart Super Centers or one-stop shopping (unless money is no object). To get the best deal on produce, shopping at a fruit stand like the one in the photo to the left or at the market is the key. If paper products and non-perishable items are on the list, Price Smart is the place to go. There is much debate on which grocery store chain is cheaper (La Colonia or La Union) for items such as meat and dairy. For bread, the best deal and quality is at the bakery, and all medical items from rubbing alcohol to antibiotics must be purchased at the Farmacia. Oh, and Farmacias carriy vastly different items and charge different prices for them. Stores such as Closeout and Mega Boutique are a thrift store scavenger's dream, while Pali and Maxi Pali offer a "Dollar General Store" atmosphere--but be careful, some items here are more expensive than at other places. Are you overwhelmed? Then let's move on to the real adventure-driving!

Window washing for money

Street vendors and furniture delivery.

Jeremy explains driving in Nicaragua as a multi-sensory, common sense experience. First, sharing the road with oxcarts, horses, pedestrians, "chicken buses," chickens, goats, and aggressive drivers heightens your awareness. Never cross a solid white line to turn, stay in your own lane in rotundas, and use your horn frequently to notify others of your intentions. Here, you can get your license taken by an officer if you change lanes too quickly after a turn. At traffic lights, you are almost always greeted by vendors selling snacks, candies, nuts, beverages in a baggie, and window washing services.

 A word about our window washer friends: If you don't want your windows washed, you should turn on your wipers, because they won't take no for an answer. On the flip side, they do a fairly decent job!

We have been using the school's van since we arrived, and we are on the hunt for our own vehicle. Used vehicles in Nicaragua are very expensive, relatively speaking. Yesterday, we looked at two vehicles along with another "gringo family" and a Nica mechanic. Unfortunately, it seems as if we are getting the "gringo sale price" (which is much higher than the "Nicaraguan sale price") for them. We will keep looking and adjusting our strategy.

In Nicaragua, if you venture out and accomplish even one item on your list, you have had a productive day. This is vastly different from the list of tasks you can accomplish in the states in a few hours. Further, you can ask five people the same question and get five different responses. We then take the information, sort through it, and come up with our own perspective. In the drawing of life, the Kane family is in the process of moving trees, pathways, and buildings to redesign our perspective.

T Minus 3 Days

Three more days in the United States. Three weeks ago we said our goodbyes in the Centennial State only to arrive in the Hoosier state (and that neighboring southern state that often bleeds blue) to say more goodbyes. When we arrived in Indiana after being removed by over 1300 miles and four states, we had a "bucket list" of things to complete during our time here. You see, out West, we have no Tumbleweed, Cheddar's, Papeno's Pizza, or White Castle. Although Elitch Gardens prevails in Denver, it pales in comparison to amusement parks in the Midwest. These are some of the most phenomenal on the planet. With Jeremy and myself being avid thrill-seekers, we simply could not pass up the opportunity to visit King's Island and Holiday World to re-experience some of these adrenaline pumping contraptions with our friends last week.

However, nothing can compare to the mix of emotions we are experiencing on this day. In just three days, we embark on an entirely new adventure prepared especially for us by God Himself. Yes, we've completed most items on our bucket list; I have eaten the Monte Cristo at Cheddar's, Jeremy experienced the White Chili at Tumbleweed, and we have all over indulged in White Castle hamburgers. Physically, we have dotted all of the "i's" and crossed all of the "t's" in preparation for this journey, but only God can prepare us emotionally and spiritually. We are ecstatic and terrified, eager and apprehensive.

Today, we say our final goodbyes to most of our family and friends to venture into the unknown. I suppose these feelings can be likened to experiencing a thrill ride at an amusement park. Once we finally board it, we have feelings of excitement, apprehension, and inklings of prayers that you will get through it safely. Then, we hold on tightly or hold our hands up to experience more "air time." The Kane family is ready for the ride!

Worlds Apart

As I contemplated attempting the trek down the mountain on Monday morning after 5 inches of snow with a layer of hail-ice underneath, I checked the forecast in Nicaragua-upper 90's today with high humidity and a slight chance of rain. I combed through facebook posts by friends in Nicaragua and notice one exuberant post of gratification for a thunderstorm.

In Nicaragua, they are at the tail-end of the "dry season." From November through April, temperatures soar and the heat rages, much like the high desert of western Colorado, but adding a high level of humidity. The thunderstorms signal a time of cooling, although slight, for our friends in Nicaragua.

A significant occurrence, after four weeks of a red alert issued by the government following a sequence of earthquakes, kiddos throughout Managua are back to school today after four weeks of "earthquake days." Yes, my North American friends, earthquake days-a stretch from the typical snow day we have all experienced at one time or another.

Although worlds apart in terms of climate and weather at this time of year, educators in Nicaragua and Colorado have shared a common thread in the past four weeks-striving to educate our youth by whatever means possible. You see, at both Vision Charter Academy in Colorado and Nicaragua Christian Academy, educators have stretched themselves to ensure that our children are being educated. We are working hard, thinking outside the box, and partnering with parents. We are holding classes in homes, through Google docs, and with other creative means to show our dedication to future generations. Through snow, storms, and earthquakes, educators across the globe strive to partner with parents and cultivate our children, doing our best with God's oversight to prepare them for the future. Sometimes, the hurdles to overcome are more than quaking ground and snow-covered roads; these hurdles are greater than cancelled classes. But as dedicated educators, it is our duty to equip our kids to overcome these obstacles, with excellence.

Funny how a snow day and four weeks of earthquake days can put the importance of education in perspective, huh?

~Kimberly~

Shaky Ground

In the last three days, Nicaragua has experienced three earthquakes: a 6.1, 5.1, and 6.1 on the Richter scale plus over 300 aftershocks. As we prepare for our mission in Managua, close to the epicenter of each of these quakes, we watch as the ground beneath them continues to tremble. Government officials in Nicaragua are evacuating those in the path of possible land slides. Many people fear this is the precursor to "the big one."

For those of you who do not know the history of Nicaragua, a major earthquake in 1972 caused the infrastructure of Managua to fall to its knees. Many feel that history is about to repeat itself.

In light of the ground being shaken beneath the feet of those in Nicaragua, we consider our task at hand. The ground beneath many quivers and quakes. We want to help people to stand on solid ground--on the Rock of salvation. Psalm 18:2 reminds us that the LORD is our rock, our fortress, our deliverer in whom we take refuge. He is the shield and the horn of our salvation, our stronghold.

No matter what this world throws our way, whether earthquakes, hurricanes, blizzards, or tornadoes, those who know Him can rest in the knowledge that He is our rock, and we are standing on solid ground in His salvation.

"The Lord liveth, and blessed be the rock, and may the God my salvation be exalted..."

Bringing back some old school Petra to remind us of this!

Decisions

After prayerful consideration, Jeremy and I have accepted missionary positions at Nicaragua Christian Academy, International Campus in Managua, Nicaragua. Jeremy will be teaching Bible classes part time, while I'll be teaching full time 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts and World Studies along with an elective course to be determined. Since Jeremy will be part time, he will be free to explore other mission opportunities in Nicaragua. We are excited to see how God will use our family in Nicaragua.

Even though the school provides a living stipend for full time teachers, it simply isn't enough to cover basic needs in Nicaragua for a family of four. Therefore, we have begun the support raising process. We know God is opening doors for this mission, as He has already laid it upon many hearts to partner with us in this ministry, either financially or through prayer. We currently have commitments for 20% of our 3 year budget.

This blog will serve as a communication tool for those who want to keep up with what we are doing in Nicaragua. You'll see the good, the bad, and even sometimes the ugly. We will be asking for prayer, boldly and specifically. We will post photos, videos, and maybe even a rant every now and then. But most of all, we look forward to sharing this journey with you.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and future."