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.