Hot Season Happenings

About My Girls...

Choose beautiful. Many of us have seen these campaigns either on television or the internet sponsored by Dove. Over the past two months, I have been teaching my 7th grade girls how to love themselves. Teaching girls to have a high self-esteem is no easy task. I have shared stories from other girls going through the same phase in life. Remembering when I was in 7th grade, I share stories of my insecurities as an awkward pre-teen girl in junior high. Sure, they giggle and say, "No way, Mrs. Kane, you could never be insecure!"  On Thursday, I shared the "Choose Beautiful" video.

Afterwards, I asked how many would choose to walk through the "beautiful" door. Sadly, not many of my girls said they would. My prayer is for each of these young ladies to see themselves the way God sees them--as unique, beautiful creations. Thankfully, it appears that I have earned the right to speak into their lives. I pray now for the right words to say!

 

Semana Santa

The week before Easter is know as Semana Santa, or Holy Week. Although we were out of school for the entire week, the rest of Nicaragua began the festivities on Wednesday. Our family had made plans to go back Finca Argentina to visit the Rizzo family, but a message from the U.S. Embassy halted our plans. Basically, the message indicated that beginning on Wednesday through Easter Sunday, U.S. citizens were to be on alert as crime rates are higher and there are more police checkpoints. One would think that police checkpoints would be a good thing, but not necessarily. Unfortunately, there are many corrupt officers that will stop you for no apparent reason and demand a "multa" or fine, right there on the spot or they threaten to take your license. This has happened to us on more than one occasion. Luckily, we were able to negotiate our way through the situations by basically saying nothing (easy for us since we don't know the language well). The opinions on how to handle theses situations vary within the mssionary community. Some say to give them the fine-which is basically a bribe since no citation is ever written and therefore the traffic stop didn't happen-to avoid the full day ordeal of retrieving your license. Others say that giving them the money is feeding the beast of corruptness. And still others go as far as writing down the officer's badge number if they request a fine, and notify the powers that be. With all of this being said, a four hour trek each direction to northern Nicaragua did not seem to be the wisest choice for our family. So, we stayed home. I found an inflatable pool volleyball net for $10 at the local supermarket to have some fun at the pool!

Other News!

This Thursday, Spencer and the rest of his basketball team will be traveling to Costa Rica to play in an international tournament. They will be playing against teams from Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Panama among other Central American countries. Thank you to all of you who helped him attend this tournament! Please pray for their safety and the opportunity to share Christ through their sportsmanship.

Also, the library is now open for business! I take my students every Thursday to check out books and enjoy the new facility. There is still no A/C and this is the hottest time of year, but that doesn't seem to bother my kiddos. They love to read!