First Time for Everything

I know, I know. I'm a terrible blogger and correspondent.

In thinking about the need to write a new blog post for the last two months, I've debated what to write about, because there is so much to share, but I have decided, for this blog post, to share all the new things in my life.

Life With Roomies
In my last blog, I shared that I am now living with three other young women. This has been such a blessing, but it has been an adjustment. I am trying to be aware of things like if I'm using the entire kitchen to make a sandwich while others need to eat or yelling at the Colts game when others are working or napping. I think it's going quite splendidly... at least they haven't told me otherwise. ;)

We did "family pictures" and had a blast with it!

Okay, we look super cute, but don't you love those hexagon shelves?

New Classes

This year, my schedule is a little different. I'm not teaching Math Applications or AP Statistics, and instead I'm teaching Biblical Ethics and Domestic Arts. Biblical Ethics is a class for 10th graders (girls this semester, boys next semester) that takes place 3 days a week. The purpose of the class is to discuss how we see and respond to issues in the world from a Biblical perspective. It's very discussion heavy, and I get to play devil's advocate a lot, which I love. Domestic Arts has been so much fun. We've done various projects such as book making, crocheting, and card making. I like having the opportunity to flex my creative side of my brain. Next semester, I'll teach Culinary Arts, so I'm anticipating needing bigger clothes. :)

That Coach Life
I got involved last year playing volleyball every other Wednesday. Volleyball is the one sport I've ever felt like I could be good at, and my skills have improved (I think) with the addition of being an assistant coach for our girls' volleyball team. It's a short season, only 6 weeks long, but I loved working with the girls. The improvement that we saw was undeniable, and I am so proud of all of the girls' hard work. This has been a joy, and it's something I hope to continue with.

What's Life Without a Little Music?
At the beginning of the school year, our director approached me and asked if I would sing on the praise team about once a month with him and a few others at the international church I attend. I said yes, and I have had the privilege to sing three times with that group of people and once with another group. I love music, and I enjoy helping lead worship.

Leading worship for the first time

I think that's it for now. There are other little "firsts" that remind me continually of how blessed I am to be here. I am so thankful for the opportunity to call this country my home.

Second Year, But Everything is New

Well, I'm back! I'm back in the country I love with the people I love doing what I love. Basically, it's just a lotta love!

Summer was very difficult, to say the least. I wasn't sure if school would resume, if I would get the green light from OMS to return, if I even wanted to return. People kept asking questions, and all I could say was, "I don't know." That may have been frustrating for them to hear, but I promise it was even more frustrating to say.

But God is good. He worked everything out perfectly, as per usual. I arrived in Managua on August 1. A friend picked me up at the airport, and the drive home was bizarre. It was about 8:00, still relatively early, but the streets were deserted. The barricades that blocked so much of the country have all been removed, so what little traffic there was flowed smoothly. It seemed surreal.

On our first day of teacher training, our director had a very frank conversation with us. He said we are living in a "tense calm" where everything appears to be normal, but everyone knows there is still stuff brewing under the surface. He also gave us a list of precautions to take. There was nothing completely jarring or unreasonable. I can still go to the store, go out for a bite to eat, etc. But we check for news of protests and marches to know what areas of town to avoid. Overall, we feel very fortunate for where we live and work, because this side of town is so quiet.

We had two weeks of staff training instead of the normal one week. This was very nice to have that extra time to be in the classroom and prep, but also led to some procrastination. "Eh, I still have a week to do that." The thing that consumed most of my first two weeks here were my car. Yes, my poor Charlotte and her accident from March 6. That was five months ago. This whole experience with insurance and the car shop has led me to decide that I should never have a car accident in Nicaragua ever again. I'd write up the whole process for you to read, but it honestly would take too long to explain. Maybe I'll do a Facebook live video again and explain the process.

My biggest life change is that I have moved out of my one bedroom apartment and into a 3 bedroom duplex with 3 other young women. Two are fellow teachers at NCA, and the third, and my roommate, works at an organization called Tesoros de Dios, which works with children with special needs and their families. Other than the periods of time that I stayed with my parents, I haven't lived with anybody since college. It's definitely been a great transition, and I fully believe it was the right move. But there are still moments that I have to figure out. I just have to shake my head and smile at how God brought us all together. We are such different personalities (I'm the only extrovert and a seriously external processor) and yet we are so similar. Have you ever heard of or read about the 5 love languages? Well, we are all physical touch people. So tonight, as we watched The Bourne Legacy, we were all four of us on the 3 person couch and happy as could be all snuggled up. We are still working at making the space our own, but pleased with how things are coming along.

Erika, Alex, and I on our first day of school!

First day of school was a success. I got to see my sweet angels, although they weren't so angelic during the tape game. More on that in a minute. Our school day has been slightly altered. We start 15 minutes earlier and end 45 minutes earlier. This meant that the traditional first day activities had to be changed slightly, but we were still able to keep the spirit of the day and welcome students back in style. This included the annual traditional tape game. If you haven't heard about this game, here's what you need to know: you get a piece of tape on your shirt. Your grade level is your team (teachers are their own team). Protect your tape. Get tape off of others. Girls can get tape from boys or girls, but boys can only get tape from boys. That's it. There are not really any rules beyond that. I didn't play last year, but I did play this year and it was pretty great. I had to ice my arm and I got my clock cleaned by a senior. But the teachers won, so it was all worth it in the end.

The teacher team before the madness began.

An action shot. No, they didn't get my tape.

A little view of some of the action.

After the tape game. I was a little muddy.

The first two weeks have gone very smoothly. With my different schedule, I have my prep time earlier in the day, which makes a huge difference with my brain power and energy levels. But really, I'm just so happy to be surrounded by my students and colleagues again. I'll write more about all that next time.

Thank you all for your continued support and encouragement. I don't think I would have made it back home without you all.

Finding Peace in the Storm

I have been staring at this blank page for a couple of days now trying to figure out what to write. I want to share what's going on, but the truth is that I don't know the truth or entirety of what is happening. So I guess I'll do my best.

On Thursday, we were released early from school due to protests that started taking place across Managua in response to the government making changes to the social security system and existing pensions. School for Friday was cancelled that evening. The protests continued throughout the weekend, usually starting mid afternoon and continuing into the late evening and even early morning hours. I was able to go with some friends on Friday and Saturday to the store, more because we wanted to get out more than an actual need for anything. We stuck pretty close to home, and we saw minimal signs of protests.

Other cities have begun protesting as well, and the national police have been responding. I can't speak with 100% certainty with who is starting what, so I'll leave it at that. Probably the most disconcerting thing is how difficult it is to get the truth of the matter. On Thursday evening, the government ordered all local news stations off the air. As a result, to find any news or information, I have to scroll through social media, which is full of one-sided opinions, photos, and videos, or search for news stories. And with my Spanish not being that great, I can't understand a lot of the stories that have been published. Honestly, if it weren't for social media, I would have no idea of what is going on out there.

I know the president was on TV today, and I believe, if I understood some of the messages correctly, that he was saying they will put a hold on the social security increases since nothing is set in stone yet. However, I don't know if that will be enough to calm the masses. People here, on both sides, have been very frustrated for a long time.

As for me, I am safe. I am well-stocked on provisions. I have my vicious attack dog who has enjoyed having me home and slept for probably 22 out of 24 hours of each day. Maybe she's part koala? Here is a map that someone shared. The red pins are the protests happening around Managua. I marked a blue star to show where I am in relation to the protests.

I don't fear for myself. I am worried about the response of the police to protesters. I am worried about the mob mentality that could take over. I am worried about some of my students who go out to protest. And, this may seem silly to some, but I am worried about the rest of the school year. We had classes for tomorrow and Tuesday cancelled, and beyond that is unclear. I have students who will take the AP Statistics test on May 17, and they are missing out on valuable learning time. My other students are probably going to have units cut if we miss much more. I know that is such a low priority compared to some of the things happening, but I'm a teacher - that's what is on my mind. But I know that God is the author and perfecter of all things.

I was able to go to church today at International Christian Fellowship, the English-speaking church I attend. We spent time praying in groups for this beautiful country we call home and for everyone involved. Would you please join us in prayer? Here are some specific ways you can pray:

• Pray for peace. There is a march scheduled for tomorrow. Please pray that people are able to march and express themselves peacefully without fear. 
• Pray for Godly leaders. There are so many lies and so much deceit swirling around. We prayed this morning that God would raise up men and women who will speak truth on both sides of the conversation.
• Pray for safety. The numbers of deaths I've heard are all over the board, but the most consistent I've heard is that more than 25 people, mostly college students, have died. Please pray that the bloodshed would end.

Thank you friends. Please feel free to share with friends and family these prayer requests. We are trusting in God to provide and to intervene. 

In church this morning, part of our prayer time was spent praying Psalm 91. Let these words sink in and become your prayer for Nicaragua. 

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

New Year, Same Old Habits

It may be a new year, but not much has changed. For example, I still am not doing well with consistently updating my blog about how things are going. I still don't reach out to people and let them know I am thinking of them and appreciate them as often as I should. But it's not all negative things. I still love my job. I still love my students, even when they make me want to pull my hair out. ;)

The semester started off with a wonderful additional to my humble abode: Kira came back with me! I think it's safe to say she is settling in well.

One of the highlights of this semester so far has been being invited to the senior retreat. We left on Wednesday February 7 for two and a half days away at a lake house. We swam, ate, played games, ate, visited Granada, oh, and ate some more. Check out some of the highlights!

The house we stayed in. The picture doesn't do it justice.

One of the fiercer games of Uno I've ever played.

More card games! (Don't worry, no money exchanged hands. :) )

Had to teach these kids how to be awesome at Dutch Blitz.

 

In Granada, we went to see the giant hammock. They said to sit on it. They neglected to mention that we would hit the ground. It took us a while to stop laughing.

The seniors!

This past week was tough. I was fighting a cold, but I think I may have kicked it. Fingers crossed!

Looming on the horizon is a trip to Colombia. I am an adviser for HACIA democracy, which is similar to Model UN. I am so excited for this opportunity to help students succeed and reach their goals. The next two and a half weeks are going to fly by, and there is still so much to do. But I am still loving it here, and I am cherishing every minute I have with my students. I'm thankful for every day I have here.