We're Here!

We have now been in Managua, Nicaragua for almost 6 days -- we arrived Monday, the 23rd at 8:30 pm Central Standard Time (for anyone who might call us, note that we in the tropics don't need to save any daylight). We were greeted by Doña Pilar, the president of the Convention Association of Christian Mission Churches of Nicaragua, and a number of other church members and pastors. It was raining when we arrived, as it is most nights. The six people who came to greet us, the three of us, and all our luggage was piled into a taxi and a truck (with a double cab) and we were taken to a restaurant for dinner and then to a house that has been rented for us. We were so glad to find out there was a bed for us to sleep on that night!

A lot has happened since we arrived. We've had our first power outage (brief, and over by the time we got home), have acquired temporary cell phones and a modem that uses the cell network, purchased basic furniture, kitchenware, and cleaning supplies, and are starting to feel at home in our house. And, we successfully met up the day after we arrived with my sister Amy (an inveterate traveler who spent the last 4 weeks at language school in Costa Rica and knows significantly more Spanish than either me or Tim)! We have also eaten a LOT of meals prepared for us by the women of the Christian Mission Church. Don Rogelio, one of the pastors, who drives a taxi in addition to pastoring his church, has picked us up and taken us to the church office for 3 meals a day during the week, as well as on our shopping excursions to acquire all the aforementioned items. We have also been accompanied on our excursions by Sonia, the assistant to the president, who makes sure we get a reasonably good price for our purchases.

We also happened to arrive in the week that the directive council of the church was meeting, so we were formally introduced to about 10 of the leaders of the national church on Friday at the beginning of their day-long meeting. Some of the leaders from more remote regions of the country had to travel a very long way to get to Managua, and everyone was very gracious and welcoming. My Spanish is still very basic, so I did not understand exactly what everyone said, but I did pick up on the fact that they are glad to have us here, and that each one looks forward to having us visit their region of the country. Yesterday, we also met Carlos, who is on the faculty at UENIC and the director of the Department of Education and Theology for the church, which I will be working with.

We're definitely feeling overwhelmed, but each day gets a little easier. Managua is a huge city, with many things to take in, and everything is just different than the lives we're accustomed to in the U.S. We are incredibly grateful for the hospitality and welcome of the church here.

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Ya hemos estado en Managua, Nicaragua por casi seis dias -- llegamos el lunes, el 23 a las 8:30pm, hora estándar central (si alguien quiere llamarnos, tenga en cuenta que en los trópicos no es necessario guardar ningún luz de dia). Fuimos recibidos por Doña Pilar, la presidenta de la Convención de la Asociación de Iglesias Misión Cristiana de Nicaragua, y otros pastores y miembros de la iglesia. Estaba lloviendo cuando llegamos, ya que es casi todas las noches. Los seis personas que vinieron para recibirnos, los tres de nosotros, y todo nuestro equipaje estaba amontando en un taxi y un camión y nos llevaron al restaurante para cenar luego a una casa que ha estado alquilado para nosotros. Estábamos tan contentos de saber que había una cama por nosotros para dormir esa noche.

Mucho ha occurido desde nuestro llegado. Hemos tenido nuestro primero corte de suministro eléctrico (muy breve), hemos obtenido teléfonos celulares y un modem que use la red cellular, hemos comprado muebles basicos, implementos de cocina y de limpieza, y hemos empezado a sentir en nuestra casa. También, con éxito reunimos con mi hermana Amy (una viajera quien pasó las últimas cuatro semanas en la escuela de espanol en Costa Rica, y quien sabe mucho mas espanol que yo o Tim)! Hemos comido un montón de platos preparado para nosotros por las mujeres de La Misión Cristiana. Don Rogelio, uno de los pastores nos ha llevado a la oficina de la iglesia por 3 comidas al día. También nos ha acompañado en nuestras excursiones por Sonia, la asistente del presidente, quien asegura que conseguir un precio bueno para nuestras compras.

Pasamos a llegar durante la semana en que la directiva del consejo se reunía, entonces nos presentaron formalmente a unos 10 de los líderes de la iglesia nacional, el viernes de su reunión. Algunos de los líderes de regiones mas lejos tenian que viajar un largo camino para llegar en managua, y todos fueron muy amables. Mi español todavia es muy básico, y así no entendí exactamente lo que se dijo, pero si entendi que ellos estan contentos que estamos aquí y que todos quieren que viajemos a su región del pais. Ayer, reunimos con Carlos, que está en la facultidad de UENIC y el director del departamento de educación y theología por la iglesia, y con quien voy a estar trabajando.

Por supuesto, nos sentimos abrumados, pero cada día es más fácil. Managua es un ciudad enorme con muchos cosas a ver, y todo es mas differente tan nuestros vidas en los estados unidos. Estamos muy agradecidos por la hospitalidad y la bienvenida de la iglesia aquí.