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!