Monday (6/5) we arrived into Managua, Nicaragua in the evening around 9p from Houston, TX. I went right through US Customs, but had to wait an hour on the rest of my group. While waiting outside in baggage claim, with practically the whole group’s baggage around me, I was surrounded by the locals – probably because of the fluorescent green shirt that Regina made us wear. The longer I waited, the more concerned I became. I felt as if they were examining me for a weakness, and I was genuinely a bit frightened. Soon after the rest of the group came through and we were off to La Mercedes Best Western hotel, across from the airport.

One thing that was surprising was all the bright lights on the flight in. I really didn’t expect it to look like any other city I had ever been to. The other surprise was the U-turn in the middle of the runaway to avoid other oncoming planes… that was certainly a first. The night I didn’t sleep a wink, very restless.. bed WASN’T comfortable at all.

Tuesday (6/6) morning we have breakfast and see that Myles & Charisse are already packed and dressed to leave Nica. A van picks us up around 8:30a and off we go for a destination of Cusmapa. About 3 hours later, we arrived into Esteli. My observation of the day trip was VERY poor area, tons of people in the streets/fields, horses and dogs that have a very visible skeletal structure from lack of food, really organized chaos. The roads are not really roads, more like dirt path like walking through a forest or something.

In Esteli, we arrive at our hotel that we will be staying in from Sun-Tues. Surprisingly nice! Heather would absolutely love it. We then try to find something to eat and learn that almost everything is closed , but finally found somewhere that had a good grilled chicken.

Met with Pastor Elmer Vega and he explained to us the length of time it takes for funds to reach him from the USA – 9 months. We then headed to Cusmapa. The roads there were even worse. I even think they were worse than Kasseopi, Greece. We finally arrive and Cusmapa and visit the Fabretto school. It was actually quite civilized and a good construction – very surprising. We then went home for dinner – I didn’t eat this night – Chinese stirfy vegetarian. Off to bed…

Wednesday (6/7) we started the day w/ breakfast around 8a – had corn flakes with sugar, milk, and banana. Then headed to the school to do some work in the garden. I used a branch from a tree attached to a small piece of steel – a homemade hoe. This went on most of the morning, and my back was absolutely killing me. Shortly thereafter we went to lunch. I had chicken and potato soup, which was prepared at the school cafeteria. Went back to work after lunch gluing boxes together that housed a kids game. We then headed over to the basket co-op (pic below), and watched the ladies making the really cool baskets. Headed back to the house for dinner – chicken tacos.

Thursday (6/8) we went to breakfast around 8a, and then headed back to the school. Spent morning taking dirt off the “mountain” with a wheelbarrow and creating a structure to divert all the water from the entrance to the school. We also moved some rocks to create stepping stones that would allow a walkway with even 2” of water on the ground. Lunch – barbq chicken. After lunched, walked to mano de Diablo (Hand of Devil) with Elisa and Sara saw the amazing valley below Cusmapa. The heavy fog prevented a clear view of the ocean, but we were able to see some of it.

On the walk back to Cusmapa, we petted a deer that was living inside someone’s house. Also saw the “blue” house where Eliza and Sara live while in Cusmapa ($200 per month income). Went back to the school and sat through a class with the kids. Had dinner (cold spaghetti) and played Euchre with the group the rest of the evening. I never lost! It is STILL raining here, and hasn’t stopped since we arrived a few days ago. We decided to name our mission trip as “A river runs through it” The next project for us is to build an Ark!

This evening was a rough evening for Regina emotionally as she was fed up with the lack of communication and how little of importance that Fabretto is treating our group. To lighten the mood, Eliza taught us about Niguas & Chinchas Chupe Sangre. Niguas get under your feet, root in and lay their eggs, and create a large swollen area making your feet really sore. The only way to get them out is to use a blade and dig them out – no advanced medicine in Cusmapa. Chinchas Chupe Sangre are spider-like creatures that attached to your skin and root in to suck your blood. After rooting in, they release their dangerous feces into your blood stream, and cases have shown that people can die up to 20 years after being infected. I did the devotions tonight from Psalm 2:8

Friday (6/9) Had breakfast around 8a and then went to the school – once again a terrential downpour of rain! This morning I played baseball with kids and of course, my team won 31-18 against Michael’s team… in only 6 innings. We then worked with them learning their English animals. Later we played soccer with some fo the older kids & Pastor Elmer.  These kids were really good.  I grabbed some respect when my first kick from about 20 yds out went into the left upright of the goal past the goalie’s hand. This was a lot of fun, and a good bonding experience with the boys.  After that we had lunch in the cafeteria. We had fried chicken.  We then went to the basket co-op and I bought 3 baskets from the ladies making them.  We then headed to a show at the school put on by the choir and Patrick. Eliza and Sara then took me up to “lookout pointe”.  Apparently it is a local make-out spot with a beautiful view of the sunset.  This night it was too foggy to see the sunset but it was still pretty.  I go to hear about how much Sara was missing her boyfriend. On the way back we walked through the graveyard where Father Fabretto was buried. Very scary late at night.  We then went back tot he house for dinner.  They had rice/beans (local cuisine). I had grilled cheese. Went to bed early, around 10p.

Saturday (6/10) Had breakfast and left for Esteli around 7:30a. Stopped in Somoto for bathroom break and played basketball (with a soccer ball). On the way to Esteli, our driver went off the edge of the street and we got delayed. It took about 30 minutes.  I took pics. In Esteli we went to a cigar factory and had a really cool tour.  Went to lunch at the Cuban restaurant and then came back to the hotel. We had CABLE TV.  I watched Dead Zone and Mercury Rising in Spanish. Had a little dinner and went to bed.  Almost forgot – We continue to sing the trip song “Rise & Shine” and Give God the Glory (arky, arky). Sara shared a funny story about her boyfriend’s trip to Spain.  He was sick and had diarrhea.  He told the doctor “Estoy vomitado en mi culo”. Translation – I’m vomiting out my butt.

Sunday (6/11) Had breakfast at Hotel Cualipitan – scrambled eggs. Went to VERY POOR village with Pastor Fernando Vega. Had class with kids – colored and made animals out of pipe cleaner. Went to lunch – same place as yesterday. Went back to village and helped Garleng put up a roof to go over his cooking area.  The sun makes it unbearable to cook outside. Garleng is a very skilled construction guy and he is one of the 8 studying to be a pastor. He was walking from post to post like a balance beam, but it was 12′ high. After that we prayed with the village and they thanked us for coming.  Left and had ice cream and then dinner and bed. I stayed in Habitacion #4 during my stay at Hotel Cualipitan.

Monday (6/12) Went to Oratorio at Estelli, worked with wheelbarrow (carreta) & shovel (pala) and moved dirt from piles to increase room foundation by 6 inches. Went to lunch at Oratorio and had special meal prepared – chicken and rice!. Worked on the 2 rooms rest of the day and then went for ice cream. Played euchre before dinner. Eliza bit my finger by accident. Shared with the group the cards that Pastor Sara gave to each of us. Headed off to bed.

Tuesday (6/13) Went to Oratorio to check email. Driver couldn’t find the place. Traveled to Managua. Arrived in Managua in afternoon and went to winBase-Flea Market like atmosphere.  Got some souvenirs and had lunch and then toured Managua. After headed to Fabretto HQ and got tour of HQ from Kevin Makanacci, the Director, then to dinner at Tiscapa Restaurant where Eliza’s father Peter Brennan (deputy US ambassador to Nica) joined us for a lovely meal. I had 2 Great Victoria beers. Headed back to hotel to watch Miami Heat beat Dallas to make it 2-1 in NBA Finals.

Wednesday (6/14) Got up at 5:30 to go on tour of Mombacho Volcano. Drove an hour there and had to wait for bus to take us to the top. Zipining was fun, but also terrifying.  I was the only one to do “superman”. The harness is attached to your back and you appear to fly over the volcano.  Some crazy stuff….