Wow, only a few days into my journey and I am amazingly putting a post up already!!! Heather should be shocked and proud of me! (Are you?) Anyway, life in Nicaragua is good so far. I only wish that I could wake up tomorrow morning and know Spanish and be able to speak it well. But I also know, in reality, that will take time, and it will be a hard process. I am understand a lot, it's the responding back that I have a hard time with. So far, I'm doing ok though. Like yesterday, I locked my keys in the bathroom at my place, and had to find someone to let me in. So, I went and found the guard and had to try and explain to him that I had locked my keys in the bathroom. So using some Spanish that I knew, mixed in with a few motions, and a little English...he was able to understand me. He had to go and get the spare keys, but I was able to get in and get my keys, then catch my ride that had just arrived for me. So, I am learning...but I hate messing up and making mistakes, so I usually just don't try. I am working on getting over that...I will have to make mistakes to learn. Anyway, all is well. The weather is warm, like always. Coming from the cool weather there, to here is a big change for me. I will be fine though. It has not been unbearable thus far. It has been warm but not too bad. I'm sure I have lost 3 or so pounds already, if not more! When everyone sees me again, I should be looking a little better than when left, and much darker, except for my hair. I have made so many news friends already, and see some areas where God will hopefully use me. For example, my friend Alvaro introduced me to a friend of his, Maria Jose. She accepted Christ a while back, but so far has not shown any interest in attending church. Hopefully through my new friendship with her, I will be able to encourage her and she will begin to have a fire and passion for Christ, and if she was not really saved, God will deal with her about that. So, please be praying for my new friend Maria Jose. Also, I have met her family as well. Her brother has been picking me up each morning and bringing me to Al's place to spend the day with him, and Jesus. You will see a picture during my slideshow at some point of me on a motorcycle...that's my ride! The first time I got on, I was a little nervous. But Edquardo took it easy, and did a great job. About 5 min. into the ride, I was able to relax and just enjoy it all. I love the feel of the wind blowing through my hair, and being able to see all of Nicaragua in the open,not through a window. Please pray for Edquardo too. I have not yet had a chance to ask about his relationship with the Lord, or if he has one. So, hopefully with all my new friends they will see the love of Christ shining through me, and it will give them and desire and passion to know the Lord too. God has been so good to me since I arrived here. I have been able to spend time with good friends, I have been able to spend good time with my boyfriend, as well get to know one another better and learn to communicate better with one another, and I have already met so many new friends! Last night I was at Al's and had to get back to my place. He called a taxi for me....Al knew the driver. He spoke some English, allowed me to practice my poor Spanish, and in the process, I met someone know, was able to find out that he too is a Christian, and we were able to talk about God and what He has done for us. I got his name and number, and he has offered to be at my service if I need him. His name is Carlos...he said, my name is easy...your name is not so easy! He had a hard time trying to say my name. Please continue to pray for me, and all my new friends, as well as my "old" friends too. Thanks! I will update again sometime soon. (Wow, Heather...look how much I wrote!!! I'm like you now!)
The plan was for me to cook dinner for me, Alvaro, and two other friends. As we were walking to Al's place, with all the groceries in hand, our friends called and said they were not going to be able to make it. Johnny's mom was sick and he needed to go where she was at. Yordanka went with him as well. So, it was down to just me and Alvaro. So, I cooked our dinner, and I must say...it was really good!!!! After we got done, Al said that our friend Dayse might come and eat too. I had leftovers so it was okay. She got done working at the cyber, and came over and ate some dinner. Alvaro then informed me that two other visitors had arrived and would love to try my food. At this point, I had a little bit of corn and mac n' cheese left, but no chicken (that was cooked). Since it was just Al and I, I had only cooked a little bit of the chicken. So, needless to say, I began to prepare the same meal, for the second time. I cooked more chicken, made more mac n' cheese, and corn. I also toasted bread. After they ate, Eduardo (my little brother) came back to take me home, and also enjoyed some of the dinner I had prepared. So, I was supposed to cook for 4, it got bumped down to 2, and in the end I ended up cooking for 6!!!! I was tired after it was done, but I really did like what I cooked, and so did everyone else. The meal was: Chicken with cooked onions and green peppers on top, corn, mac n' cheese, and toasted buttered bread. I loved the chicken with the onions and green peppers! I have to say, it was even my idea. So, sometime I am going to make dinner again for everyone, they all said they would love me to come and cook at their houses anytime!!!! Thanksgiving was a good one..I had to explain to everyone why we celebrate Thanksgiving in America though. It was a good time had by all! (Pictures: #1: The meal is finally finshed and ready to enter into our stomachs! #2: Alvaro making homemade Orange Juice. #3: Blanca, Raul, Alvaro, and Eduardo. #4: Blanca, Raul, Me, and my little brother Eduardo! The only person I did not get a picture of was Dayse..but she ate too!)
