Angela T. (Diria)
Hello family and friends! Sorry I haven’t written anything
I’m just having too much fun !!! J
The first few days I got here were a little awkward considering I only knew the
BL people. But quickly I became closer with other girls (aka Alexis, Abby,
Morgan, Kim, Kasey and many more) and by day 3 I had made all these new
friendships.
Today we went to a new community in a small town called
Granadia. This community we went into today was different from the one we went
to the past 2 days. The people in this town were NOT SHY at all. The kids had a
blast playing soccer, volleyball, making bracelets, and coloring. I made a
bracelet for a little girl named Maria Belen and she was the cutest thing
because she kept staring at me at Mass. (: Another girl that really stood out
to me was Junielica. Although she wasn’t the nicest (especially to Roland and
Kasey) she was nice to Marifer, Alexis, and I. We would talk about boys and
sing and have a good time. I felt that she was already one of my best friends
(don’t get jealous Jessica). The best part was when she said Marifer, Alexis,
and I were the prettiest girls there lol! Overall it’s been the best week of my
life and I will miss this place when I leave L
John H. (Diria)
Hey everyone, John’s here (finally). Although we’ve only been here for 5 days, it
really feels like our home. Although I
still miss the amenities of home (hot showers, AC, clean towels) I know that I
will miss this place (and my new friends) as soon as we leave.
Today we started walking through a small town called Granadia. Following the pattern from the previous two
days, we trekked through the village. We
had 4 little girls as guides (from about 12 to 3 years old), who continuously
had to wait for us after we fell behind going up and down steep paths through
the jungle. The people from Granadia had
much less than the previous town, but it seemed like they were much more
grateful for our company. I talked to
this old man who lived alone (with my excellent Spanish of course). He was in his 80’s and still worked all-day
as a broom maker. He joked that he was
skinny because he was sick the week before, but that hard work had made him
strong. He had this really cool tan
horse, and I asked to take a picture with him and the beast. I don’t think I will ever forget it.
After we had finished inviting the community to join us in
activities and games for the kids and then later mass for everyone, we sat down
for lunch (prepared by the women of the village). Even after 3 days of it, I am still so
grateful for their hospitality. They
obviously don’t have much, but what the little they do have, they give it
without hesitation, almost always asking if we want more. There was this huge tree with tons of mangos,
and I had about 6. (If I get sick it was
totally worth it.) I also played soccer
with the children and helped with the arts and crafts. We had mass in this thatch roof “chapel”, but
it was really just a single thatch wall with some wood poles and a roof. Even the kids playing soccer and shouting
right next to it, the Spanish, and the distraction of the bugs, it was probably
the coolest mass I have ever been to.
I’m really having a great time here, and I want the next
half of the trip to be even better than the first.
P.S. I miss all my
family and friends at home, and I hope you’re not having too much fun without
me. Mom, I really wasn’t some ice cream
right now, so we’re going when I get back.
Adriana C. (Diria)
It has been an incredible experience for me in Nicaragua;
the people are generous and loving which made me think of home. I have talked
to many schools and I have made friends through friendship bracelet making. The
community is different than home, I don’t remember the last time I walked four
miles to arrive at my destination, but besides the walking it worth it because I spoke to some of the girls. We walked around
neighborhoods on the June 14th and 15th, we talked to
each person individually to bring their kids to play soccer, make crafts and
attend mass. It was difficult to say goodbye but I know each sector will get
better and better as we continue to travel.
Alexis M. (Diria)
It honestly feels so unreal being here in Nicaragua. It’s so
much fun, I’ve made so many new friends, and I braid 2-3 or even more hair each
day. I’ve also made some friends here in Nicaragua. Tuesday and Wednesday was
our first work days. On Tuesday we walked around house to house talking to the
members of the community. I even spoke Spanish to one of the Families but I
messed up but I corrected it, it was kind of funny. After we finished walking
we went back to the church we met up at and we ate. The people of the community
cooked food for us. I think that is so amazing because they have so little but
they give us all they have. After eating we started to make crafts with the
kids and families that were coming in and we also played a very heated game of
soccer. Then we ended the day of with mass. On Wednesday the same thing
happened but we walked in a different area and it was raining a lot. After we
walked we came back to the church and had a wonderful meal. I met so many
wonderful kids while playing games. I gave the two bracelets I made to Linda
and Nicole, and took pictures with them. Also another lady wanted to take a
picture with me so I did and we also took a selfie, that was fun. I also met the cutest little boy and his name
was Henry and I took a picture with him too. I can’t wait to meet the families
again today at the other community we are going to. This trip has been amazing
so far I can’t wait to see what else it brings.
