March ’15 Highlights (Photo Blog)
It is unbelievable to me to see the amount of progress that has been completed on the Abide home this month! At the end of last month, we had just begun to raise the walls and now they are completely to ceiling height. It’s beautiful to see this long awaited dream becoming more and more real every day. So much progress has been made, but we are still a long way from complete. Please consider making a donation to help make this home a reality and help create a family for children. You can give online through our website http://abideinlove.org
This month Cadence and I started a new tutoring group for our first grade loves in Candelaria. This group of students is so full of life and joy! We have been working with them every Sunday afternoon learning to identify letters and letter sounds. We have no started combining those sounds to begin forming and decoding words. I love their excitement when they read a new word. We are anxious to see how they will grow this year through this tutoring group.
Once again this month, we’ve had the honor and joy of telling seven new kids that they are now sponsored for school. I love the smiles on their faces when they receive their new backpacks. I also love to hear their parents exclaim, “Ay, gracias a Dios!!” when they hear the news. I love the way this program opens doors for children and families.
This month we continued to check in on sweet Lydia in the hospital. She was in the children’s hospital in Managua most of this month. It is a farther journey so we weren’t able to visit as often, but it was hilarious to bring her videos from her sister and watch Lydia interact with the videos. Lydia is now home with her family. She will go back to Managua on April 13th for her kidney biopsy. Please pray that she will remain in good health until then and the biopsy will not be pushed back farther. We need these results to move forward with treatment.
My lovely friend Lilian went home to be with Jesus on March 17th (read more here). I celebrated with Lilian that she is no longer suffering, but my heart brok for her family as they mourned her loss. My heart breaks especially for sweet Yubelkis. I held her in my arms as she sobbed uncontrollably at her mom’s wake. After the wake and the funeral, I have been able to spend some time just loving on her and having fun with her. It’s been wonderful to see her laugh and smile! Please pray healing over her heart as she walks through this difficult time.
It was such a joy-filled day when we were invited to see several of our kids and youth in Santa Matilde baptized (Juli’s baptism pictured above). We saw 12 people publicly commit their lives to follow the Lord. It was such a beautiful afternoon. And to add beauty to beauty, Ervin was able to baptize two of his children and Pastor Walther baptized one of his sons. I love to be a part of this church family!
The day of the Santa Matilde baptisms, we also spent the entire morning at the river as a church family. And it truly felt like a family event. Everyone together. All adults caring for all the kids, not just their own. Everyone playing, eating, laughing, and celebrating together. It was such simple joy. And I had the best time playing in the water with all of these beautiful little girls!
At the end of March we were able to celebrate our dear friend Derma’s 31st birthday by having her entire family over to taco and game night. The Arroyo family is one of my favorites! They exude such joy and love. Derma and Ervin have become some of our closest friends and most-trusted confidants. We love them so deeply! It was such a beautiful night to have everyone around the table eating together, playing spoons, laughing, and telling stories. I am beyond thankful for our community!
I’m grateful as the Lord continues to provide more and more community for me here in Nicaragua. This month it has been through the arrival of the Ruiz family and through Alejandra’s visit being extended from 10 days to several months. Alejandra is here with us for the next few months helping Cadence and I with sponsorship. The Lord knew we desperately needed some help! The Ruiz family isn’t working with New Song or even living in our city, but we’ve been able to begin building deep community with them this month. I am thankful for more friendships outside of work. I’m thankful for a place to rest in their home, for afternoons swimming and playing with their precious kids, for nights chatting with Katie and David and for them joining in on our family dinners. I’m thankful for new friendships.
Bonus: After January and February, which are the absolute craziest months for sponsorship, Cadence and I were able to kick off March with a week-long vacation in Costa Rica. It was just what my heart needed in order to refresh and rejuvenate. It was a week full of rest, beauty, hiking, hot springs, reading for fun, and delicious food. It was just what my heart needed!
