Pictures...

For all curious...I finally got the pictures from the Fiesta up on here. I'm sorry it has taken me so long. Slide.com was not being nice to me! Unfortunately there are no captions with the pictures, but I didn't want to take even more time for that. Hopefully you enjoy the pictures, and once again I apologize for it taking so long to get them posted for you all to see! More soon...

Katty

I want you all to meet Katty. Katty is a 9 year old little girl who comes around each day selling homemade tortillas to help earn money for her family. Each tortilla is one cord. To help you understand how cheap that is...you can get 20 tortillas for right about $1.00. Right now the exchange rate is right abou 20 cords to $1.00. This adorable little girl showed up at my door one day asking if I wanted to buy a tortilla. Most days, I don't, but some days I do. They are good for breakfast, as well as for making tacos. And I will be honest and tell you, the store bought tortillas that we get in the states have nothing on the homemade tortillas you can buy here! They are delicious! So, over time, Katty got used to seeing me each day. One day she asked if she could come in, she wanted to look at the pictures I had out. So we talked about my family and her family. She then headed out the door. School has started now, so I only see her on Saturday's but before school started she made sure to come by each day. One day, she asked if she could come in for a while. She was hungry and had some oranges. I peeled them and cut them up for her. While sitting there we talked more..she had many questions about my family and about the United States. She wanted to see many pictures, on my computer and in a book I brought with me. She also wanted to show me all the names of the people in her family. I let her type them on my computer. You should have seen the smile on her face when she realized I was going to let her type on my computer! I don't know how many times, if ever she has even touched a computer. It took her a long time to find the letters and type, but she was happy to be doing it, so it made me happy. At one point she needed to use the restroom, as she got in the bathroom she saw the shampoo sitting in the bathroom. When she came out, she asked if I could wash her hair for her. Although her hair looked clean to me, I decided if she wanted to wash her hair, that's what we would do. So, I took her outside to the outside sink (less of a mess there), and washed this adorable little girls hair. As I was washing her hair she just kept talking about how good it felt, and how good the shampoo smelled. What to me was a simple and normal occurance, put a huge smile on this little girls face. She was so proud to have her hair washed and smelling good! She ended up staying for about 2 hours. I took a few pictures here and there. This past Saturday she brought her Mom to the house with her. She wanted her Mom to meet me. She was so excited to introduce me to her Mom....it was cute. As they were leaving, she said to her Mom...that's her, that's my friend. She made me feel like a Princess that day! I was happy to hear that something so simple made that little girls day! Please pray for Katty and her family as they deal with the everyday struggle here in Nicaragua of earning money to support and feed their family!

Building A Hut

First, let me apologize for taking so long to update my blog. Not too much has been going on lately. I have been spending some time with new friends, and as the title of this blog might lead you to believe...helping build a hut! So, a couple of weeks ago a friend of mine, Oscar, came by. I was of course in the shower, great timing huh? He was asking if I was willing to go with him and help him and some friends construct a shelter for a new Young Life Bible Study group that would be starting that Saturday. I of course said yes, I would love to help. I was however disappointed that I had just gotten fresh and taken a shower, and was in turn heading out the door to get dirty and nasty. But was ready to help with some work. (I also was rushed out the door, and forgot to crab my camera as well. So, I apologize for not having any pictures. My friend Oscar was telling me I needed to hurry. All of you that know me, will be shocked to hear, I literally jumped out of the shower, ran put on some clothes, brushed my hair, put on my shoes and walked out the door. Yup that's right...no makeup...nothing! Oscar was in a hurry though!) So we arrived at this house and a friend of Oscar's was there and greeted him. Oscar then introduced me and told him that I would be helping them out. He looked a little shocked that Oscar had brought a girl along to help out! It was fine though. A few more guys showed up here and there to help, but no other girls. I ended up having a good time though, and learning how to build something I never thought I would need to learn! When we first got there, they had already gotten big limbs and put them in the ground as the poles for the shelter. From that point we got more limbs to make the outline of the roof. After that was done, I was told I was needed, and was sent following some guys to go do something...at this point I didn't know where I was going or what I would be doing! Come to find out we were going to gather palm branches to make the "roof" of the shelter. At this point I felt very "Survivor" like! Never in a million years did I imagine going and gathering palm branches and thatching a roof together! It was me and three other guys, and well as two little girls who decided they needed to follow me around! On the way there I talked with the girls a little and found out some about their families. How many brothers and sisters they had, etc. They also asked me about my family and where they were. One of the girls even held my hand as we walked. It was cute. All the kids here love Americans for some strange reason...especially female Americans. I love it though. So, the guys cut down a bunch of palm branches for us to carry back to the house. I'm guessing it was probably about 1/3 of a mile or close to 1/2 a mile walk there, and 1/3 mile or 1/2 mile back. I started out with 4 palm branches, most of us were carrying at least 3 or 4. However the two little girls that went with us, each carried two. One of the girls was lagging behind everyone else, so I made sure to stick with her. We were probably about 1/2 way back and she looked at me and said, in spanish, I'm tired! So, I took one of the palm braches from her, and was then carrying 5. When we got back to the house, all the guys were quite surprised to see that I a girl, had been carrying 5 palm branches when some of them had only been carrying 3 or 4. So, we made a big huge pile of palm branches. Then we all needed a drink. I of course had taken water with me, but during the process of our palm branch adventure, they had gotten a coconut as well. They opened it up, and poured the milk/juice (whatever you call it) into a glass. Next thing I know one of the girls is heading my direction with the glass. Well, I will be real honest and say I do not like coconut. I kindly said no thank you, but no was not an option. Everyone was looking at me and expecting me to take a drink of this stuff. So, I kindly took the glass and took a drink. To my surprise, it was not the most disgusting thing I have ever tasted, but it is also nothing I would want to drink again. They were happy I had taken a drink though, and then she moved on to offer a drink to the next person. My friend Oscar also tried saying no thank you, but he too was made to drink. We then began "thatching" the roof. I was in charge of putting the palm leaves up. They would put the palm branch up and wire it in place and I would go and push all the hanging leaves up in a criss-crossing pattern. So, I now feel like I've lived on the Island with the Robinson's and built a shelter on Survivor! But, the good news is...I now know how to build a hut! We got it done though, and it's now used for a Young Life Bible Study group there each Saturday. I have not been back yet to see how it is holding up, but I'm sure with my great construction skills, it's doing just fine! It was nice to get out and help with a worthy cause for the day. Sometime I am going back to join them for one of their studies, and will make sure to take my camera that day. That way you all can see what the "hut" looks like! Also on here I'm adding a picture or two of my friend Oscar. I met him back in December. He works full time with Young Life and deals with a lot of teens who have previously been in gangs and had dealings with drugs and alcohol. I believe he is 22 or 23, I don't remember for sure. He knows a little bit of English, but is trying to learn.

Me & Jes

Here are some more pictures of Me and Jes. We have been able to spend some more time with one another here and there. He has been busy working though, saving money to help out his Mom and little brother whenever he can. We spend as much time with one another as we can. Over the last 4 years I have been amazed at how much he has changed. When we first met, it was so hard to get him to smile for pictures. Now, as you can see, he has no trouble smiling! He even enjoys having his picture taken now. I think every time we are together he wants to look at all our pictures. Makes me laugh. Our relationship is only growing stronger and we are becoming closer to one another. I am so thankful for him and God bringing him into my life. God knows what He is doing..Jes and I did not meet 4 years ago by chance, but instead it was in God's plan all along. Jes is what I have been praying for all these years, I am blessed!

Fiesta Time!!!

During the holiday season so many are forgotten and not thought about...this year me and some friends decided that we didn't want the kids of the Verbo Orphanage to be forgotten. We got together and decided that we would throw a big Fiesta for all the kids (and young adults) living at the Orphanage. We would go in the morning, clean their rooms and bathrooms as well as the dining area. We would then also prepare a special lunch for them, along with Soda to drink. Afterwards, we would take the festivities outside for some singing, skits, and short message, and Pinatas! Then we would all enjoy some cake to celebrate Jesus' birth. Things pretty much went as planned. We arrived early, some began cleaning the boys area, the girls area didn't need any cleaning. The dining area was also cleaned and made ready for lunch. As some were cleaning, I was in the kitchen with some of the women who work at the orphange (in the kitchen), and began helping them prepare lunch. Needless to say I did a lot of watching, and when I was helping, they did a lot of watching me. I'm sure I was pretty entertaining to them...seeing that I don't know much about Nica cooking. I then began the picture taking process...which I am much better at! The kids finally arrived back from Church and the party began. For lunch they enjoyed soda, and a rice meal that had chicken, shrimp, and beef mixed in. After lunch we all headed out back for some music, speaking, and Pinata's. I mainly walked around and took pictures, but was also asked to sing for them. I sang Silent Night in English for them, afterwards they sang it in Spanish for me. It was beautiful. Then it was finally time for the Pinata's to be broken and the candy to fly! We had two seperate Pinata's...one for the girls, and one for the boys. As you might have guessed, the boys got theirs open much faster than the girls did. It was so funny to watch them swing away, and see the smile on their face when it finally came open and candy began to fall out. As soon as candy fell out...kids were everywhere! It was crazy! Following the Pinata's we passed out cake to everyone. I must say, it was pretty good cake! It had a carmel icing on it that was quite yummy. The kids then scattered and went about their own activities. Some hung around and talked with some of us, others went to play, some began a game of soccer. We also had presents for the younger kids, for the boys we had cars and trucks, and soliders. For the girls we had make-up kits for the "older" girls, and Barbies for the middle girls, and little kitchen sets for the younger girls. They had big smiles on their faces which made all the hard work worth it all! I love seeing the kids faces light up when something simple is done for them. I hope you all enjoy viewing the pictures, I know I have tons, but I hope you will take the time to watch them all.

A Place To Call Home

For now, I finally have a place to call home. I am living in the neighborhood that my friend Alvaro lives in. The house is actually right across the street from his house. Thought I would share a few pictures with you all so you can see where I am at. I recently bought a new bed, as well as a dresser. I still have some things in my tubs that I brought all my stuff in, but it's nice to finally have a place to put my clothes. I don't have much, but I like where I am living. The neighborhood is nice, and I have many new friends here that I see each day.

Christmas Eve and Christmas 2008

Christmas, one of my favorite holidays. I have always enjoyed the time spent with family, laughing, playing, and making memories that will last a lifetime. This year my holiday season was much different that any I have ever had before. There was no hustle and bustle, or crowding at the stores. I did visit the market this year to buy a few presents for my family and for Jes, but this year was a money saving holiday season for me. Although gifts are given by some here in Nicaragua, not all get into the giving. More focus on the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus' birth. My Christmas Eve was spent with Jes in Masaya. We spent the day with one another talking, watching a movie, and enjoying a meal out. After dinner we said goodnight, and looked forward to the day ahead. Jes headed back home to be with his family, while I stayed at a hostel in Masaya. The next morning Jes arrived to pick me up, and we headed back to Managua to spend the Christmas day with one another. Not only Christmas day, but his birthday as well. Yes, Jes was born on Christmas day. We left in the morning on a bus back to Managua. We made a stop at a place called MetroCentro, which is a mall, to eat a lunch at the foodcourt there. Afterwards we headed to my place to enjoy the rest of the day relaxing and spending it together. I had hopes of spending the day with his family, but that was not an option this year. His Mom ended up working Christmas Day and his brothers and sisters were enjoying time with their own families and extended families. Maybe next year we can spend some time with his family during the holiday season. So all in all, I had a great Christmas, but it was very different from what I am used to back in the states. Here the stores were open, people were working, and for many life continued just like every other day. It was strange, but as I said before, I enjoyed spending the day with Jes for our first Christmas with one another. I hope that you and your families all had a blessed holiday and celebrated the birth of our Savior. Merry Christmas y Feliz Navidad!





Me & Jes on Christmas Eve

Jes wearing one of his gifts I had made for him. He loved it!

Me on Christmas Day, wearing a shirt I bought in the states...just for Chirstmas Day!!!

Jes liked his shirt so much he wore it Christmas Day!

Happy Holidays from Haley & Jes