Tuesday, September 23
Spanish is tough slugging. It's only been two days, I know, but it feels like two weeks, or two months at times.
Our time here has been amazing though.
To say that I love the culture wouldn’t be correct, because really when it comes down to it I don’t even know the culture yet. This is what I know so far of the culture: 1) on buses if we think they are full – they are not, there is still enough room for more people and you just might end up holding someone elses baby. 2) there is no personal space. 3) if you want to be first in line, then you are the one that has to make the move, because no one else is going to step aside to let you in for your ”turn”. 4) People make eye contact on the street – and it’s okay! 5) Our host mom already wants me to become “la gorda” – ummm, fat. I guess that’s good thing because that means I’m not right now! However, according to her, Kevin will not...lucky guy. And she just laughs as she says it because she would love me for it! 6) Sports transcends all languages – talking about it that is. Last night I witnessed Kevin have the longest conversation ever in Spanish, with our house brother...one would name off a sport and the other a team and there would be grunts or “yaaas” or “siiiis”. And then there would be a list of athletes’ names and more grunts and siiis. Then one of them would bring up another team and they would go all over again. Then another sport would be brought up and they would go through the same sequence of groans and shouts and siiiis...and here I would always tease Kevin for being thoroughly knowledgeable in the sports department, I guess I just ate my words.
“God save the queen” is blasting right now, “We are the champions” was just on...oh, now it’s the Village People and they are shouting along with it! I love these vibrant people!
Kevin has his own blog post that is up so I won’t steal away any of his juicy tidbits. Adios!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Hace Mucho Calor!
Tuesday, September 23
I am sitting here in our room after a much needed nap. Naps seem to be a regular part of our days here. Between the sun, the walking around town (as we have no vehicle), and learning a new language our bodies just shut down at certain hours of the day. Right now as I type away April is taken a longer sleep, a smart thing to do during the hottest part of the day. Another reason for the rest is to prepare us for the festival tonight! Actually if you ask me here in Leon they have a party or fiesta everyday! There is always something to celebrate, independence from just about anyone is reason to celebrate in addition to all the Catholic celebrations they obersve. Most evenings and morning you can here fireworks of some sort firing off in the distance or what seems like in your own room. The Nica's (NEE-ca-s) here in Leon love to party, which for the most part means eating, and driving or walking around town shouting something or waving flags around.
This week marks the first week of actual Spanish classes. We are figuring out quite quickly how little Spanish we in fact do know in a short time. We are being tutored one on one for these four hour long classes, quite daunting as you yourself much answer every question thrown out there. However, it is a great feeling and sense of accomplishment to just begin diving into this task of learning Spanish. A huge thank you goes out to Lena our profesora back in Canada! Your lessons formed a good foundation and familiarity to go into these sessions with.
We really feel God again paving the way for us with these classes. April and I have been paired up with profesora's that teach with the exact style that suits us best. Lucky for me that means I have the hard nosed abosolutely no english profesora! Yes, go me!
Oh and just for eveyones information la Playa is muy bonita y la mar es muy fresca!!!
Muchos Gracias por las oraciónes!
k&a
I am sitting here in our room after a much needed nap. Naps seem to be a regular part of our days here. Between the sun, the walking around town (as we have no vehicle), and learning a new language our bodies just shut down at certain hours of the day. Right now as I type away April is taken a longer sleep, a smart thing to do during the hottest part of the day. Another reason for the rest is to prepare us for the festival tonight! Actually if you ask me here in Leon they have a party or fiesta everyday! There is always something to celebrate, independence from just about anyone is reason to celebrate in addition to all the Catholic celebrations they obersve. Most evenings and morning you can here fireworks of some sort firing off in the distance or what seems like in your own room. The Nica's (NEE-ca-s) here in Leon love to party, which for the most part means eating, and driving or walking around town shouting something or waving flags around.
This week marks the first week of actual Spanish classes. We are figuring out quite quickly how little Spanish we in fact do know in a short time. We are being tutored one on one for these four hour long classes, quite daunting as you yourself much answer every question thrown out there. However, it is a great feeling and sense of accomplishment to just begin diving into this task of learning Spanish. A huge thank you goes out to Lena our profesora back in Canada! Your lessons formed a good foundation and familiarity to go into these sessions with.
We really feel God again paving the way for us with these classes. April and I have been paired up with profesora's that teach with the exact style that suits us best. Lucky for me that means I have the hard nosed abosolutely no english profesora! Yes, go me!
Oh and just for eveyones information la Playa is muy bonita y la mar es muy fresca!!!
Muchos Gracias por las oraciónes!
k&a
Friday, September 19, 2008
Settled in Leon
We have finally made it to the long talked about city of Leon. It is a colonial city with much character and a hometown feel. Our homestay family is so warm and welcoming, already trying to teach us Spanish! We had a wonderful rice, beef and plantain dinner just before venturing out to visit the city. And now we happened upon this internet cafe right around the corner.
Once we can get our previous blogs posted, which are saved on our computer, you can read up on our travels and first few days here.
Even though the days have been long and overwhelming we are very excited to see what God has in store for us. Thank you to all for your prayers, emails and telling us about what we have already missed from home this past week.
Once we can get our previous blogs posted, which are saved on our computer, you can read up on our travels and first few days here.
Even though the days have been long and overwhelming we are very excited to see what God has in store for us. Thank you to all for your prayers, emails and telling us about what we have already missed from home this past week.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Our First Glance
We are here! Its been a little bit of a whirl wind since we have arrived, so I write this a little scatter brained. Our flights here on Tuesday were went really well. There was a little bit of an issue with checking into our flight at Toronto however, due to some computer system crash, but otherwise it was smooth flying. We flew into Houston early, still not enough time to go scope out President Bush who was in town that day, so we settled to fly from Houston to Managua with the newly crowned nicarguan world champion boxer.
Steve Holtrop picked us up at the airport and drove us to the home we were staying at for a few nights. Its a beautiful condo rented out by missionairies who are currently home for three months. We went to the Nehemiah Centre Wednesday morning for a 7:30 am meeting! Not just any meeting but a round table discussion with all Nicaragua NGO representatives about the current political / cultural context issues and historical patterns found in government parties. Right up my alley but a little heavy of a topic for two sleep deprived missionaires. The rest of the day hot humid day consisted of staff orientation, and discussion about our future place of residence after our time in Leon.
So here we are Thursday morning, having been allowed to sleep in and take it easy for the day. It has been a good time to reflect and look back at this the beginning of our time here in Nicaragua and to once again see the safety and strength that God has provided for us this far.
Kevin (and April)
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Ready to Go
There have been a lot of good byes the past week or so...we are ready to go now. Not completely packed yet, but ready to go.
Our commissioning was last Sunday which was an overwhelming event of support and sending from our church family - we are so blessed - and we know that in God's power we are ready to go.
We spent a relaxing week at my (april's) parent's place, getting a lot of little and some big things done. What I would do without mom sewing up the bottom of a pair of pants, I have no idea; she is a whiz at those things. I never know whether or not spending time with family is a good or bad thing...it just makes us miss them more when we're away. We are so blessed with such wonderful, loving, supportive family.
Now this weekend we are doing more little things that we are realizing that we should have done while were away this past week. But we also we are able to spend time with Kevin's family for Halie's first birthday...we'd post the video of Halie stuffing her face with cake, but it's way too long!
So, provided that Ike is all cleaned up and things are clear, we are ready to go for Tuesday afternoon from Toronto with a layover in Houston.
Our commissioning was last Sunday which was an overwhelming event of support and sending from our church family - we are so blessed - and we know that in God's power we are ready to go.
We spent a relaxing week at my (april's) parent's place, getting a lot of little and some big things done. What I would do without mom sewing up the bottom of a pair of pants, I have no idea; she is a whiz at those things. I never know whether or not spending time with family is a good or bad thing...it just makes us miss them more when we're away. We are so blessed with such wonderful, loving, supportive family.
Now this weekend we are doing more little things that we are realizing that we should have done while were away this past week. But we also we are able to spend time with Kevin's family for Halie's first birthday...we'd post the video of Halie stuffing her face with cake, but it's way too long!
So, provided that Ike is all cleaned up and things are clear, we are ready to go for Tuesday afternoon from Toronto with a layover in Houston.
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