Landed in Vancouver

It was an uneventful day. We had some fun in Houston and our plane was late taking off but otherwise it was a great day. We landed at 1:30am. Please remind the students to bring all the coffee to my office on Monday. Have a great weekend. Thank God for a wonderful trip of transformation. God is good. Mr g

Coming Home Information - Tomorrow

It will be a long day of travel tomorrow.

DEPARTURE MANAGUA 12:10pm - ARRIVAL HOUSTON - 4:45pm
DEPARTURE HOUSTON 8:53pm - ARRIVAL VANCOUVER - 23:52

We will be picked up by the school van and a luggage vehicle but likely we won't be back into Abbotsford until about 2am.  We will call you by cell phone when we get close to Mt Lehman Road so that you can be waiting for us at ACS when we arrive.  Thank you for your help.

Mr. Goertzen

Day 9 - Last Day - Farewells

Another early morning.  We woke up at 5:30 for a 6:00am breakfast and then off to Centro de Fe for a final morning of good-byes and a farewell assembly with the school.  We had some presentations, we sang "We Wanna See Jesus Lifted High" with the student body (they knew it well in Spanish) and then some farewell speeches.  Students had written ACS Thank You cards for each of their new friends and staff and we exchanged presents which included some beautiful murals, cards, sports equipment, pens, yo-yos and other small gifts.  It was a sad but wonderful morning.

Then off to an authentic Nicaraguan market for some last minute shopping.  People bought:
- hammocks
- pottery
- shirts
- purses
- bags
and a ton of other stuff that was well priced and mostly hand-made.  Shopping in the market was a fun experience.

Then back to the Nehemiah Center for dinner and then off to a school to continue painting new classrooms.  We finished the classrooms at about 4:30 and headed for home to get some packing done before dinner.

During devotions we had been reading about an organization which supports the local Niraraguan economy by helping coffee farmers in the Mombachito region.  They have set these farmers up with loans which they faithfully repay and have helped them market their coffee as organic and free trade coffee.  We were all inspired by the story and one night a representative (Nicaraguan) came to our group and gave us a presentation.  We were all moved by the story of this program and so we decided that we could support this project ourselves in a very creative way.  We bought a ton of coffee.

When we came down to Nicaragua, we brought all our clothes and personal items as 'carry-on' luggage so that our checked luggage could be full of school supplies and other needed items we received from the MCC.  So, we have a ton of empty, large suitcases and we have decided to fill them up with coffee for our return trip.

You can help as well.  Please consider buying some of this coffee.  Your support of this project helps Nicaraguan farmers earn a fair living off their work.  Ask a student for information about purchasing coffee from our ACS Hands team after we return.

This evening we had a wonderful group session with Trudy, Peter, Lennin and our group.  We shared some of our stories and experiences together and then gave some suggestions to the leaders for future trips.  Everyone shared about the positive impact this trip had made on them.  After our sharing time, we watched a slideshow of highlight pictures from our trip.  It was a room full of laughter and fun as we revisited our days together in pictures.

Our goal for this trip was that it could have components of service, learning, collaboration and transformation and from the stories we heard tonight, we accomplished these goals and in many ways exceeded them.

Ms. Lammers has been an extraordinarily fantastic leader for this team.  Her positive energy, people skills and organization have made for an incredible trip.  Mr. van Eerden added much to this team as well.  His wisdom and insights combined with a cheerful spirit went a long way in building our team and unifying the group.  We are hoping to bring back several interviews, videos and slide shows for the elementary students as well as feature some of our sister school staff and students around ACS when we return.

Lennin, (our interpreter) Lester (our driver), Peter and Trudy (our hosts) have been wonderful mentors for our students.  What a great experience this has been and we can't wait to share our stories with the student body once we return.

Thank you again for your prayers, support and for reading this blog each day!  Love from the ACS Hands Team 2012.

- Mr. Goertzen

Day 8 - Meetings, Painting and Preparing to Say Farewell

Today began an hour earlier for Gerry and Roy. They were invited to a Nicaragua Christian Academy Board meeting to share what is happening at ACS. They are working at developing a more innovative and engaging curriculum and pedagogy in their schools. Upon returning to the Nehemiah Center at 9:30, there was time for a quick change of clothes and off to Centro de Fe. While the ACS and Centro de Fe students started painting the metal beams and supports in the school, Gerry filmed two students from grade 2 who led us on a tour of the school, showing the Preschool to grade five classrooms, the computer lab, the library, the indoor play area, the outdoor play area (the street in front of the school where Alison and Roy had played kickball with the grade fives last week) and the temple where assemblies are held as well as church on Sunday. Then we had another delicious lunch of chicken or beef with rice, beans, fried plantain and salad. After lunch the students continued painting while Alison, Gerry and Roy met with Sandra and Jorge to discuss the partnership in its current form, and its future. It was exciting to talk about the possiblities. We then returned to the Nehemiah Center for an amazing meal of chicken with vegetables, creamed cucumber and onions, beets, rice and beans. In additions to our nightly devotions, we wrote cards to prepare for saying good-byes tomorrow. It is hard to believe our time here is almost done. We have formed some strong friendships and had incredible experiences.

Day 7 - Day of Mixing

Today we finally got to sleep in!!! Till 7:30 it felt sooooo good! We then had our devotions at the Nehemiah Center and got to sing some songs in Espanol. We then had a reflection on our days so far with the kids  from CDF and our days working on the job site. After that we joined the grade 11 students at CDF for a spanish class. We had a very delicious lunch of chicken and beef. We then spent the rest of the afternoon painting a mural and hanging out with the students playing soccer, volleyball and just hanging out. We played soccer with the boys and had a challenge of playing one-up while counting in Spanish and they had to count in English. It was extrememly hard multi-tasking especially when you can't count to ten in spanish...lol.. We got completely showed up by the muchochos' (guys).

We then had a talent show with CDF. They presented a mock drama of the spaniards, which was hilarious. Then Dannyboy got up and did some spectacular juggling on Nicks shoulders, then Whitney and Alison peppered with the volleyball. the CDF kids also presented a skit of what it is like for teen gang fights on the streets in their neighbourhood and a few traditional dances. We also played a game (only girls) of musical chairs, except now when you take a chair away you have to pile onto another with someone one else. The game ended with us all planking on one chair. Then Allie performed some ballet in pointe shoes and Matt did some amazing drumming on the drums as well as the walls and any other surface he could find. Neena also spoke in Japanese and got saranaded by Hecter. While others of us recieved special love notes that made no sense once translated. We then ended the evening with a delicious dinner and devotions.

Day 6 - A Day of Rest and Worship

We were able to sleep in this morning until 7:30 giving us a fresh start. Eating delicious pancakes and fresh fruits, we were all pumped up to go to the church at Centro de Fe. Greeted by the smiles of the members of the church, we sat ourselves on the benches near the fans. We started the service with a couple of songs in spanish we recognized. Then, we led the worship with Alabare (Alleluia) and Them Lions. We listened to a spanish sermon which was translated by our awesome translator, Lenin. The pastor preached to us about how God has given us specific talents for jobs meant for ourselves. After wrapping up the sermon, we split up into age groups for sunday school. Us students and Lams went together with the teens of the congregation. Our SS teacher taught us about God's Amazing Love for us. Our teacher kindly made our lesson short so we wouldn't suffocate inside the unfamiliar scorching environment.

Coming back to the Nehemiah Center we quickly ate our tortilla snack and headed out for the ocean and beach. Upon arriving, the team ordered our lunch, put on some hand sanitizer and jumped into the ocean's crashing waves. Swimming and playing hard for an hour, we prepared our bellies for our late lunch. Rice, salad, fries were served with our choice of fish, chicken or beef.

Some of us did some exciting activities after lunch. Karly and Coach G rode across the beach on the petite Nicaraguan horses. Allie challenged the huge roaring waves on a surfboard and succeeded. She was full of aches and bruises after falling many times, but never did her smile disappear.

Laughing and Playing hard together all day the team returned to our home, the Nehemiah Center. We watched a documentary called Reparando. The people of Guatemala sufferend greatly during and after their civil war, but in the midst of their pain God touched and transformed the lives of the country's own people. We hope the movie would inspire transformation in our team.  We also hope to transform the lives of those in our community at home and here at Centro de Fe.

Day 5 - A Day of Exploration

Today was an incredible day enjoying and engaging with all things Nicaraguan.

We began our day with a scenic drive to a beautiful town. The family we visited run a shop are amazing artists, for that is what their pottery really is. The pottery they produce was amazingly nice, with many mugs, vases, plates and other items. All of our team bought several pieces each, the favourites being musical instruments being made in the from of owl or turtles, and a few others. Then, as we were leaving, the wife was so greatful for all the pottery we bought, she went around the shop searching for items to give to Coachie G and Trudy Kuipers, (one of our hosts). Then we went ziplining. I must honestly say, I was rather apprehesive, because I absolutely hate high heights accompanied with nothing beneath your feet. But, as other members were also afraid, we were all blown away on our first ride across. After safely hooking on, going across, unclipping, and travelling over to the next line, we had all smiled, and laughed, joking around. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and forgot our anxiety over the next few rides. Some team members even tried zip-lining in diferent positions. One, the "Superman," was tried on numerous rides, and the guides were very kind, and funny. Then, on one ride, just between two points we had to walk between, each team member was required to ride upside down. Not to name names, but one was very adamant about retaining a hold on the harness with one hand. (He apparently could not let go, even if he wanted to, which he said he did not...) But the rides were very fun, and we were reluctant to leave, over coming our fear, as we bounced along the lines.
We then said our goodbyes, and left for lunch. Our lunches were very good, Lesther had read out the best meals on the menu.  We were all stuffed, as we left for the boat ride.
On the boat ride, we were joined by an 11 year old boy, selling leather bracelets. He was very good, and patient, after being told to wait to sell his bracelets. He also had a very good time, as we clipped along, he and I laying over the side of the boat, dragging our hands in the water. We visited "Monkey Island," quite aptly named. Four types of monkeys live on the island, fed and taken care of by a local vetrinarian.
As we got off the boat, the young boy who joined us, helped us hold the stern of the boat at the shore, so everyone on board could safely jump off. He then followed us all, to the van, where he began marketing his bracelets. After complementing all the girls, calling them all beautiful, blowing kisses, and winking (inward smile ;) ), he left with a smile on his face, due to the best sale of bracelets he must have had in a long time. Our team was very glad to support him, and he was also very thankful.
After leaving the boy, we trekked on to a square in Granada. After perusing the small market set up, we left once more, our van now headed for the volcano.
When we got to the volcano, we were immediately stunned by the imense size of the crater. It was HUGE! If you threw a rock as far ove the edge as you could, you lost sight of it before it was even close to a quarter of the way down the crater! After climbing up to a cross set up a small way up the crater rim, we took several pictures, than ran down the steps as fast as we could to escape the gas-filled air, for the cleaner air in the van. We then came back to the Nehemiah Center, where we practiced--very well I must say--our song for the Spanish church we will attend tomorrow.
Now signing off,
Nicholas
:)
Asta la vista muchachos!