Yesterday was our "day of rest" (if you can really call it rest). Personally, I was exhausted by the afternoon. It started as usual with a fantastic breakfast prepared by the wonderful Flor. Then we packed up the bus and headed for Mombacho (a volcano about an hour outside of Managua). The Nicaraguan countryside is absolutely beautiful, the small towns are quaint and full of character. As you drive thru, you want so badly to stop the bus just to experience them. Finally we made it. We unloaded the bus and proceeded to fill a Land Rover for the slow drive up the mountain. At the top, 5 Nicaraguan men were waiting for us with harnesses and helmets. We were going on the zip lines! The Mombacho Canopy tour consisted of 13 separate zip lines, 5 eager and energetic guides and 4 different ways you can defy gravity as you zip along under the canopy of the jungle. Many team members experienced the "Superman", dangling upside down while praying the harnesses hold, and flying spread eagle and upside down while the guide twists you from side to side. Everyone has lots of pictures to share so they can prove they were really there.
Everyone made it thru safely. Once again, we only had one injury. Any guesses as to who? Yes.... you are correct... the designated injured party for this trip is Amy. Luckily, she hurt the ankle that's on the same leg as the knee she injured previously. She made it all the way through the course without injury, and then to show her appreciation, proceeded to collide with the guide when she landed.
After we left Mombacho, it was a short 20 minute drive to Catarina. It is a beautiful little town that sits atop a hill overlooking a beautiful crater lake. It's quite windy and ridden with hungry dogs, but an experience that is breathtaking.
On our way back to Managua, we stopped in Masaya. Masaya is considered to be the heart of Nicaragua. There is a large market that sits inside an old fortress from the 1800's. Anything Nica that you could possibly want, that's where you're going to find it. We shopped for a couple hours buying souveniers for ourselves and our families. If you're reading this and you don't get something, it's in the mail. =)
Then we headed home to the Villa. Just before dinner we were blessed with a visitor. Many of you may remember the story of Baby Nancy. She was at the orphanage last year and several of our team members fell in love with her and plotted to sneak her home. Well since then she has been living with a foster family from South Carolina that lives here. Cindy, her mom, was gracious enough to bring her by so we could see how she's grown. She's still our baby Nancy, just a little bigger. She's been doing therapy quite often and she's showing signs of progress. She laughs, is able to pick her head up, and close her mouth when we tell her too. Her mom has also taught her how to say "Hey" with a little southern twang! She's beautiful, and the family taking care of her is an answer to MANY MANY prayers.
I'll catch everyone up with the last day of the trip tomorrow. It's 11 pm and we haven't even started tonights round of skip-bo. Even though everyone will be back stateside, I hope you'll read the next entry and share it with everyone you know.
See you tomorrow!
4 comments:
Aw, so happy to hear about Nancy and see her and Chris reunited! :) And I'm glad you had time to go out and see the country.
Anita
Nancy looks so good -- happy, healthy, and making good progress! How blessed she is to have the foster family that has opened their hearts to her, just as we all did when we first met her.
Can't wait until you're home and can hear more details about your trip. Judy Hill
Nancy is so big! So cute. She looks so great and healthy. I am so glad she found a loving family to take care of her and love her. Such a beautiful girl. See you home soon!
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