Scarleth

This is a video FEI showed at the banquet a few weeks ago. I think I watched it about seven times as they set it up. It doesn't matter how many times I watch it though- it always does the same thing to me.



You have mixed emotions when you watch it. It's sad, but at the same time you can't help but rejoice for all the Lord is doing in not only Scarleth's life, but all 24 girls at the Villa (yes, even Xochilth who just recently left the program).


Scarleth's little sister, Erminia, also lives at Villa Esperanza!

"We are not giving them fish, we are teaching THEM to give fish."

Finally, some time to get caught up!

A few weeks ago was Forward Edge International's annual banquet! I got to help set up the "World Market", which was basically a bunch of booths set up, each representing different projects FEI runs. Nothing was sold, rather it was an opportunity to share pictures and information about Homes for Vulnerable Children, Disaster Response and Construction, Jobs for Life, Feeding the Hungry, Medical Care, and Clean Water Projects. FEI serves in several places around the world, including Haiti, Mexico and Kenya (these are just a few! For more information, visit forwardedge.org)!

I was incredibly excited to finally meet some of the FEI staff! It was amazing to serve and talk with them! I finally met the one who has helped me immensely with this art project and any other questions I've EVER had, Carma Roetcisoender, the Communications and Child Sponsorship Director. She introduced me to her amazing parents, and her mom, also an artist, gave me tons of advise! Oh, and I even got to meet Joe Anfuso, the founder of FEI!!! Huge!

Rick and Val hooks to my right, Jeff and Kris Thompson to my left! I met the Thompsons at Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, where they currently live! It was AWESOME to see them again!!!

It was very exciting when the event began. I got to hang out at the Homes for Vulnerable Children booth, and answer any questions people may have had, and to share my passion. Each of us at the booths got to wear shirts that say "Ask me about ____", and many people were stumped at mine, as I filled mine in with "Miurel :]". Turns out it's a good thing that nobody knows how to say it, because many people asked me, so many people found out who this little girl is! So I want to take some time to share a little about Miurel,the little girl from Villa Esperanza that I sponsor!

Miurel at Villa Esperanza (photo from FEI's site)

Miurel living at the dump

Miurel, eight years old, is the youngest girl currently living at Villa Esperanza. I like to say she is 99% sass and 1% adorable. She is a feisty girl, but when you give her a chance, she is sooooo sweet! The Lord has taught me a ton from this little girl, too much to mention in this post. This is written of her on the Child Sponsorship poster, "Miurel’s mother worked very hard, and often left Miurel and her siblings in their sister Alondra’s care. Miurel told us she really wants to grow up to be “...a princess and look clean and pretty!”... " It's interesting- most little girls want to be a princess because of their fairytale life and prince charming. Miurel simply wants to be clean! Well, I think she's ALWAYS been a princess.

I've always wondered about her father, and never heard anything about him until the night of the banquet. Let's just say it was a little hard to take, and  I find myself hoping I just misunderstood what was said. I can't wait to see her again, and hug her big time (if she'll let me... like I said... she's feisty!).

I learned a lot more disturbing things about the girls at Villa Esperanza that night :[ Papa Wilbert (him and his wife started Villa Esperanza. It was also great to see him again!!) spoke and shared some stories about a few girls. A pastor from Haiti also shared his story and what is going on there. It's hard to imagine children eating mud, full of worms and parasites, to fill their hungry tummies :[

Despite a ton of sad news, it was a night full of celebration (there were beautiful African dancers as well!!!)! Over 540 people attended, and they raised over $176,000, all of which will be given to those in need. It's truly amazing to think of all the Lord has done, and continues to do, in not only the lives of those FEI serves, but in our lives as well. My life has changed because of what the Lord has taught me since my trip to Nica. So with that, I want to leave you with an image of Villa Esperanza, a pastel I did for the event!

"I am not forgotten, I am not forgotten, He calls me by my name" 

:]

Wendi :]

I apologize for the delay in updates! I think these past few weeks have been busy for everyone!

But I have some news, which is somewhat old :[ But I'm still totally excited, so I wanted to share it with all of you!

Many of you may know of Kris Blais, an amazing photographer. He has taken several photographs for FEI, many of which have been taken in Nicaragua. I have heard so much about him over the years, and have followed his blog posts on the Summit View Missions' Blog as he served in Nica. I even went to Nicaragua with his sister, Desi! She told me all about how he met Jen in Nicaragua, who he is now married to. Kris and Jen are pretty much famous :P

When I started this art project, Kelli Blais, Kris' mom, found out and asked me to do a painting for Kris and Jen as their wedding gift. Well, I jumped right on that opportunity! Kelli told me a little bit more about them and where their heart is. They both fell in love with a little girl living in La Chureca (the dump in Nicaragua) named Wendi. After reviewing posts on Summit View's blog, I knew exactly what I would paint.

"Today was moving. We took 18 kids from La Chureca to the beach. We had a cabana all to ourselves, horses to ride and an ATV. We played in the water, ate together, and experienced joy together. I fell in love with these kids today. I think that's what God wanted. God wanted me to fall in love with them. If I hadn't, I wouldn't have felt anything when we dropped them off. Falling in love with those kids made it so that when I am called to do something to help them... I will do it with all of my heart, all of my soul and all of my strength. God I want to help these kids. Thank you so much for everything God. Thank you for the struggle of letting go. Thank you for the bus ride back where Wendy slept in my arms. Judy said to hold her tight because that could be the last time she is safe in a man's arms... unfortunately she was right. Thank you for delivering those kids from hell, even if just for a day. Thank you for giving them and us hope. Thank you for your Grace, your mercy, and your love. Please God, deliver those kids from La Chureca. Deliver them from the enemy's grasp. I pray that images and memories of today, and this week, will not fade like photographs. I pray that they will stay burned in our minds and in our hearts... so that we might act when you prompt us, that we may seek you in order to help them, and that we can join in your efforts to save these people. I love you God, and I saw your love today. Thank you." Written by Kris Blais, Summit View Missions' Blog

I read that just before starting the painting. My heart broke, and I almost couldn't do the painting because my eyes were full of tears and I couldn't see. It brought me back to how it felt holding those same kids, and how hard it is to let go. It's a terrible feeling, but thank the Lord for those experiences! And thank him for such reminders, as hard as it is!

I referred to two photographs Kris took, but added my own twist :P

Come to find out, Kelli was going to present the painting at their wedding reception which was held at an art gallery. Totally my first time showing ANY of my work in an ART gallery! Now, I knew it would be slightly awkward for me to be there, simply because I had never met Kris nor Jen. They kept looking at me, wondering who I was, and I couldn't really tell them why I was there. Let's just say, we had a few laughs with it.

It was hard to sit there without crying (oh come on, I haven't been able to stop the tears since my trip. Don't make fun of me :P) when Kelli stepped up to present the painting. She was talking about the children of Nicaragua, and Kris and Jen's passion for these kids. It was so exciting when she revealed the painting! To be honest, I was totally nervous, perhaps because a part of me questions whether it is any good. But when Jen came to hug me, I knew that's not what mattered.

I got some time to talk with both Kris and Jen, which was awesome! Kris gave me some advise and told me how he got involved with FEI. He also shared a little bit about Wendi, and how he just saw a recent picture of her. He said she looked sad, and it broke his heart.

Anyways, it was such an honor to meet them and Jen's family! I made new friends and great connections! Thank you Blais family for everything!

You can find Kris Blais' photography at

http://www.urbanedgephotography.net/

And Aaron Ziesemer took these pictures! He is also an amazing photographer! You can find his work at

http://klickerphotography.daportfolio.com/

The Mountain

Hola amigos!

I'll have to put off the news from last weekend for a few more days! I promise you, it's a good story!

But for now, I wanted to share with you guys a painting I just recently did. Although I have never actually MET her, I have been in communication with Amy Dixon, a really cool mama who has gone down to Nica as well! She has told me about some of her experiences and I've found her to be a HUGE inspiration. She has encouraged me so much in regards to following the Lord's plans. Here's a little something from her:

"I snapped a picture of this little girl in La Chureca, Managua's city dump. We had just hiked to the top of a 'mountain' and were standing there listening to our guides and interpreters. I looked over and there she was. She was just watching us. I often wonder what she was thinking. I have her picture on my wall. I may never know her name, but I will never forget to pray for her." Amy Dixon

It's funny how that happens! I remember standing on a trail just off the landfill, and I was watching a group of barefoot boys play soccer. Admittedly, I wasn't listening to what our guides and interpreters were saying. I just wanted to think about the kids, and how much I loved them and wish I could play with them every day. I never met them, and I probably never will, but like Amy, I will never forget to pray for them. I have a feeling this happens to everyone that sees these children in La Chureca. Those little moments seem to stick with you.

So this is my depiction of Amy's moment! If you can't figure it out, that's totally a house she's facing! Of course it's made out of trash :/ 

What I think is interesting, is the fact that many of the little girls you see there are in super fancy dresses. They are dirty and torn, but all they have are beautiful flowing dresses. Which reminds me!!!!

There are four new girls that have moved into Villa Esperanza (check out the updated sponsor site CHILD SPONSORSHIP)!!!!! Their names are Crisbell, Gissel, Kenia, and Luisa. Please be praying for them as they transition into their new homes and leave their families. They are currently in need of some cute clothes and shoes, because they didn't have too much in La Chureca, and donations were limited last season. So they could use our help! I'll be posting more info soon.

If you have any stories about Nicaragua, or ANY other trip you may have gone on, please share! I love to talk about these things :] (I'm sure you've gathered that by now). This project isn't about myself, so I would love to share what you have to say!!

Muchas graciasssss!! :]

Lavar

One thing I'm really looking forward to in returning to Nicaragua, is spending more time talking with the older girls at Villa Esperanza. I don't really know their stories or what their life was like when living in La Chureca (the dump). I only know a little bit about each of them, but I want to know so much more. This is why I really need to buckle down and study my Spanish!

Erminia y Alondra (from Villa Esperanza FB)

I did a painting similar to a pastel I had done a while back, only this one is inspired by the OLDER girls. I think of Alondra (who isn't really that much older) and how she took care of her younger siblings and cousins because her mama was always working (I'm not sure about her father). She wasn't even going to school. Sad to say, this is the case for many young women currently living in La Chureca. Two of her younger sisters, Miurel and Britany, are also living at the Villa. Only she's not the "mama" anymore

 So, I think you get the idea. It's inspired by the big sisters raising their families, missing their chance to be kids. It depicts a young woman with her brother going to the "washing machine" to do some laundry! In the background are just some homes (possibly made from Coca Cola boxes? You'll find that there! But no, I didn't paint that)

 (No, her hair isn't slimy, it's just the lovely glare ;])

Okay that's it for today! I'll have another one real soon, and I'm really excited about this one.

Oh, and Friday the secret will be out ( see previous posts) ;] I'm really excited about THIS one as well ! Big day, big week!

Thanks everybody!!!

Para Maria!

Today has been good :]

I had the opportunity to attend Summit View today (I have been going to a church closer to home), so it was a huge blessing to see family. I miss everyone so much! And the Lord opened my eyes quite a bit through Chris' message.

Now, there are two reasons why I headed out there this week:

One! I got to deliver a drawing!! Months ago, when we got back from Nica, I wanted to do a drawing for Mary Wallace, who was one of my team mates. She fell in love with a little girl in one of the Miskito villages on the East Coast, "Krukira". I knew how much she loved this little girl (I can't remember her name, so we'll just call her "little girl" and hopefully Mary will tell me again ;]) so I wanted to do a drawing based off of a photo of the two together. I attempted this drawing a million times and took it at different angles, but finally decided on this:

We were making bracelets with all the kiddos. I love looking through all the photos of Mary and "Little Girl", because I know there was a huge language barrier (nakisma! ;]). Miskito locals do not speak Spanish, but have an entirely different language, which is totally fascinating! But anyways, it just shows how much you can still communicate love to someone, without speaking their language. I know "Little Girl" will never forget Mary :] It was really cool to see her with "Little Girl".

Okay, I'm totally done being cheesy, but I HIGHLY advise you to check out Mary's photographs. She's got amazing stuff!!

Now for reason number TWO! It effects the dynamics of this project in a few different ways. Today was Summit View's first meeting for another trip to Nica!!!! We will be leaving January 15th, and returning a week later. I know... just a week... I might "accidentally" misplace my passport once there, so I'll have to stay longer. I don't know, I'll decide when I get there. Or maybe someone there will adopt me? Kidnap me? Get married? Get hurt? There are ways my friends... ...

I'm totally kidding! But, for the next few months, the proceeds will actually go towards my FEI team fees. Yes, the money still goes to FEI, but it will help me get to Nica. If you are a buyer and would prefer otherwise, we can definitely work something out, so if you have ANY concerns, just let me know!

I'm so excited for new team members (some of which I met today), to see the kiddos again, and yes, even the MANY convictions that are sure to come :]

So here's another round of exciting preparations!!!

^^ First day with Ana y Miurel. I'll be seeing them in a bit ;]

My Painting's Path

Sorry for not updating in a while! Worse yet, I don't have any artwork to show you guys yet. But that doesn't mean I haven't been busy working on some pieces!

And that's where the good news comes in. I've had SO much support since I started this project, and the Lord has opened up door after door. I'm so thankful for all the opportunities He has provided. I am so blessed by all the people He has placed in my life. I'm still speechless at how He timed everything in such a perfect way, and placed a certain someone in my path (or maybe I should say in my painting's path ;]).

I had been asked by this "certain someone" to do a painting, in which she would give to some amazing people as a gift. It just so happens that these people are pretty much famous in my book :P Two very inspiring people, with a similar passion for Nica. I had the pleasure of handing off this painting only a few hours ago! We spent some time talking about this passion and the children of Nicaragua. A very good way to end the working day! What's more, is that this "someone" and her husband have asked me to be apart of an AMAZING event, in which more people would see my art and learn more about what the Lord is doing in Nica. And I would be in the presence of even MORE incredible people with the same passion for Nica. I have to be very vague in my details here, because its supposed to be a surprise. I know, I know... I'm so mean to leave you hanging like this. Let's just say... I need to buy myself a pretty dress ;] Anyone want to go shopping??

Its so funny how the Lord just hammers you with exciting news, compacted in a single day. Come to find out, Mama Gloria and Papa Wilbur (directors of Villa Esperanza) will be in the area very soon. You have no idea how excited I am for this. I think I just had a few heart attacks thinking about seeing them. And the FEI annual banquet is coming up!!!!! This is good news. Please go to forwardedge.org for more information!

I promise, I will have some art to post soon! Thanks for your patience!!! And thank you SO much for your support!

Erminia

I have tons of photos, artwork, maps, yada yada on my wall. Most of the pictures I have of the girls staying at Villa Esperanza are right next to my door, so everytime I leave, I see their faces (not that I need anything to remind me of them...)

One of the things next to my door, is a card I received from FEI a while back, with an image of a painting Erminia had done. Erminia is one of the girls staying at Villa Esperanza. Some information about Erminia on the sponsorship poster reads: "Erminia's dad recently died after battling a horrible illness that their mother also suffers from. Her mother's health is failing fast, leaving no one to care for Erminia. Erminia misses her father but is finding healing and care at the Villa. She has many close friends among her Villa housemates. Her sister, Scarleth, also lives at the Villa." According to the poster, her exact birthdate is unknown.

She was one of the first girls I got to meet at the Villa. She was very quiet, but extremely sweet. She sat next to me at dinner the first night, and would only giggle if I tried to say anything to her. I suppose that's to be expected though, considering I don't know too much Spanish and I probably said something really strange ;] Hopefully when I see her next, I'll be able to actually have a full conversation with her that makes sense.

Anyways, I've been thinking a lot about her lately (well... I think a lot about all the girls at the Villa ALL THE TIME IT'S RIDICULOUS). She's the inspiration behind my new painting. Maybe some day I'll get to share it with her :]

(sorry for the glare!!)

It is of a girl  painting in La Chureca (the dump). It's much harder to paint garbage than you think! Yikes! But that's basically what the background is... garbage. There's the landfill with the yucky smoke, then there's the scattered garbage. Then there's the hill with a house made out of garbage. Just tons of garbage!

I didn't make the girl look like Erminia, partly because I couldn't quite create flattering features within a tiny area, and partly because I want the viewer to imagine any little girl living in these conditions. And my tiny version of Erminia's painting doesn't come close to how cute hers is, but I tried!

The purple dress resembles the dresses the girls at the Villa have, and the flowers remind me of the flowers at the Villa. I only placed the flowers around her, not in the background, as if to say she has a beautiful life despite her ugly home.

So that's that! The second oil painting I've ever done! Thanks Erminia ;]

The Lord's Timing...

I just wanted to thank you all for your support :]

I had my first official sale today and had the pleasure of handing an original painting off to an amazing person! It was definitely a new and exciting feeling. I am so thankful for her :]

I think the Lord's timing is so funny. The weekend I post my project and make my first sale for FEI, is the same weekend I get to hear Joseph Anfuso, founder of FEI, speak. Very cool! It was amazing to hear part of his story and vision.

I also got to see a lot of people I haven't seen in a while. Huge blessing! I was able to talk with some girls I previously led and share with them some details about this project.

And someone has commissioned me to do a painting for them! So I've got work to do!!! (I conveniently finished my summer quarter for school today too... hmmmm.... ;])

Thanks everyone!!! :]

Background...

So here's what's going on:

I went to Nicaragua last March with Forward Edge International, a missions organization. I honestly had no idea I would literally "fall in love" with all the children. I've always loved children, I just didn't know how much. But I promise I won't go into much detail here. I will say that one of the girls I met at Villa Esperanza (please check out the links section!!), Miurel, inspired me more than I ever could have imagined, in several ways. She taught me how to love more, to forgive, and to trust. The Lord continues to bless me through this little girl!

To get to the point, I decided to send her a drawing I did of a monkey (she called me monkey because all the girls said I had hairy armpits... which I most certainly did NOT... it was a long plane ride :p). One of my team members asked me what I do with this "talent". I didn't really know how to answer him.

I began thinking about what I really could do with my art. I soon figured, I love art and I love Nicaragua! Why not find a way to support the kiddos while doing something else I love? Why waste what the Lord has "gifted" me with?

So that's what I'm doing! Everything is inspired by what I saw in Nicaragua. And a portion of the proceeds will be going to FEI (Forward Edge International). Please keep in mind, originals will be given to the first person to buy, but I can always order canvas prints with custom sizes for you! And prices are always negotiable!

It will be a VERY slow process, as I work full time and go to school. I only get a chance to work on the pieces on the weekends. So as of now, I only have three to post!

I started the project a few weeks ago. I kept thinking about the children living (yes, living) in La Chureca, the dump within the city of Managua. Little girls, ultimately abandoned by their parents, are often in charge of their large families. They take care of the babies, and even older siblings. This is my first pastel for this project. Ningunos Niños, depicts one of those little girls. She is holding a baby as she takes care of the "laundry".

I didn't add much detail. I wanted the focus on the girl, the baby, and the laundry. The gray of the background represents the smog from the landfills. She is standing on a cinder block amongst more garbage. Obviously she is too short to reach the laundry, implying she is very young, and responsible for a lot.

I think this one is my favorite so far, simply because I love working with chalk pastels. You can get really messy :]

Many children in La Chureca end up prostituting themselves for the first pick of the trash, or anything else they need. Parents are often times the ones to arrange this. Now the smell of La Chureca is pretty icky and the smog is no bueno for lungs, so people will wear gas masks or handkerchiefs when entering the dump. One of the first things I noticed when entering La Chureca, was the gas masks the truck drivers wore. The truck drivers take advantage of the kiddos. So when I think of gas masks, I now think of truck drivers. And when I think of truck drivers, I now think of the terrible things they do to the children or anyone else they can get their hands on.

This is a drawing of a child walking barefoot through La Chureca. She is stepping on a gas mask (Yes, that's a gas mask... I tried to draw it... turns out I have no idea how to draw them :/) as if stepping on the cruelty of these men. To the left of the girl is a little boy. Is he desperate? Does the truck driver see the desperation? And again, we see the smog from the explosions amongst the trash.

This one doesn't really have a heavy message or anything. Some girls in a Mosquito village in Puerto Cabezas did a dance about soup for us. We joined in, but completely embarrassed ourselves. But that's okay, because we had fun, and were able to share the joy we received from the Lord with them. It was two just before we left Nica, so it was a good ending to our trip.

Nicaragua's national colors are white and blue, so all students (if they even have the opportunity to have an education, which many don't) have to wear these colors. Girls have to wear these skirts. This is embedded in my mind, because some day I hope to teach in Nica. This may be a familiar image for me!

This was my very first oil painting! My dad actually got me all the supplies for my birthday last month (so cute). I think the reason why I like this one, despite the lack of passion, is because it was a way for my dad and I to connect.

So, now we're all caught up! I'll be posting as I work on other pieces, to let you guys know where I'm at as the project continues and explain the background of each piece. Not every post will be this long ;]

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Muchas gracias!