A Very Fun Day

So far the only scary thing about Nicaragua is the driving. There is really no explaining the Nicaraguan style of driving. It is part Californian, part Evil Kneivel. It really has to be experienced -- words are just not enough. How people stay alive in this country is a mystery but somehow it all works. FEI and Suzie have taken wonderful care of us and we can't sing their praises high enough. They know how to put on a party in foreign country.

For those who are coming on Team 2 (and are procrastinators and haven't packed yet -- you know who you are) here are some things 15 out of 21 team members wish they had:

Hand wipes are great -- to get the dirt off and to wipe dirty faces when we occasionally worked -- when not lounging by the pool
Lots of soap
More shorts
More clothes to lounge around in at the end of a hard day
The homemade chocolate chip cookies went fast -- hint, hint
A small towel to get wet for those working days (put around your neck to cool you off).
Canister of Costco nuts
Kris says "Blueberry Tea"
A journal
Tide with bleach (or alternative)
The cool super bubbles that stay around forever
Games
A super attitude ready to experience a great place that will constantly surprise you

What we didn't need:
A bottle brush
$200 for the trip through customs (though cash is good to have for other reasons)
Vicks (the dump only smelled of smoke -- only our eyes burned on occasion)
A ton of bug spray (we have had very little bugs -- though good to have SOME)
A fear of dogs (there are dogs just about everywhere - some places more than others but they are not dangerous just a constant presence)

I can't say much today because we want Team 2 to have a great surprise. I will blog later with pictures once they are safely on their way.

All I can say is that it involves a bumpy road, monkeys, Kris in a tree, butterflies, coffee, an old fort and MUCHO fun -- really really.

Well time is just zipping along and soon we will be home. It is hard to believe that most of us have only one more day here and then we are leaving on a jet plane. While we are ready to see our families again we will miss this country and its people. And we will miss our Team. God really put special people on our team and I know that God put together Team 2 for a special reason that will include lots of laughs and a deeply profound experiences that are unique to them. We are excited to hear about their week.

Tomorrow I am sure we will have lots of great experiences to share. We are taking 20 kids from La Chureca to the beach and we are excited about having this one-on-one moment.

Please pray we don't drowned any of the kids
Pray for our stamina -- we are winding down and are getting tired -- though no major sickness at all -- yeah
Pray for a safe trip to the beach
And pray that we make a small connection to these children and open their heart a little more toward God