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 ;]