What happens when two gringos find a GIANT scorpion in their beach bag? Mayhem!

We found out about Laguna de Apoyo from a translator. He said it was worth the trip, and after looking it up in our guide book we called a taxi driver who speaks English and paid him $15 to take us to the Laguna.

After driving up over the crater’s edge and down into the laguna you feel far enough off the beaten path to get some mental rest. It only took about 25 minutes from Granada because the roads were dry and the weather beautiful. We stayed at Posada Ecologica La Abuela ($65-70 per night) for the comfortable family atmosphere and air conditioning. We arrived mid-afternoon, hiked the five flights of stone stairs to our room and changed into swimsuits.

Ok, guide book speak over. This is, by far, one of the most beautiful and tranquil spots I have ever been to. The water is so clear, you can see over 30 feet until the crater drops off. There are few fish and no snakes (that we know of) and sharks. The water is somewhere between salt and fresh, with a heavy mineral taste.

We floated on inner tubes in the water, meeting and talking with the only other guests (oddly enough American missionaries) and ate an early dinner.

If you’re single and wanting to mingle, stay at the Monkey Hut. The weather is so cool in the laguna that air conditioning isn’t necessary, and the prices are much lower at MH. It’s the most active and alcohol friendly place on the laguna.

A few pictures from our trip…

A picture of a few guys at Hogar Crea, a Granadan rehab center. Frank was able to provide a months worth of rice and beans after a leader ran off with all of the money and supplies.

Today was spent at a bible study, hiking with Charles and Sarah, lunch with Heather, naps and talking with Jaime, and dinner with Roberto and the Kayes.

The bible study was at the home of fellow AIM missionaries.  They are an older couple, from Georgia, and are leaving to go back to the US in a few short months. They didn’t seem happy in Nicaragua. Nor did they seem to really blend in. They seemed very American, very Southern, very Baptist. I could be completely wrong on it. They spoke about an interpreter who they no longer used because of his drug problems. It seemed to me that they didn’t understand addiction and how it should be treated.

We also had a chance to hike some land that Sarah and Charles are thinking of purchasing. It was BEAUTIFUL. Truly, unbelievable. It was just the right amount of exercise, and we were able to trek through this lush land and gorgeous mountain. When we got to the peak, we looked down on a lower valley, and saw this huuuuuge oak tree in the middle of plowed garden land and pasture.  It was hot, I was sweaty, and my foot and leg had ant bites. I should have been miserable, and it was hard to separate myself from my negativity. But it was so amazing. I can’t wait to go back.

Lunch with Heather was really relaxing and interesting. She has a very positive outlook on life, and I appreciate that.

Without doubt, the most eye opening part of the trip has been the drive through the slums by the lake.  Little children with very little clothing, starving dogs, gutters for streets and drug dealers.  It is like nothing I’ve seen before.  I was so excited about being here until I saw that.  I quickly became overwhelmed at the amount of work to be done with so few workers.  I’m dreading going back because it is so much easier to be ignorant.

Last last night while lying in bed and reflecting on all of this, I realized that as Americans we will never realize or acheive true dependence on God utnil we live in a country like this.  In America, we have layers upon layers of protection. If there is a crime, we have police. If there is injustice, we have laywers. If there is a fire, we have firemen. If there is an accident, we have medics. If there is a storm, we have insurance. The list goes on and on. When stripped of these things, we see how truly fragile and helpless we are.

We spent the entire day with the first year team that J&T lead. The first few hours at the Bridge were spent learning more about each other. I am shocked at how naeve these kids are. American teenagers are their own specific breed.  While they take the time “growing up” and “finding themselves” children all over the world die, starve, fight and breed. Most girls in this country are mothers by 18. We protect our children as long as we can. Yet these parents have financially and emotionally supported these kids. I’m sure they are worried, but they still took the first step to let their children go.

After study time was over, we were able to strike off (somewhat) on our own for lunch. We sat talking and observing Nicas as they passed. There are many school children in this city, and the pedophiles have followed. There were a few creepy men at the restaurant, leering at the Nicaraguan school girls. I actually became a person who looks the other way. There was nothing to do in that short time. I don’t think it affected Frank in the same way.

After lunch, our group headed off to the orphanage once again for ESL classes. The class went much better than yesterday. Becca taught and was pretty prepared. The children are shy and giggly. I keep dreaming about what it would be like to have this as my daily routine. How bright would our light be here in Granada? How can we do this at home? How can we build a team in Bham?

This beautiful home is filled with people planning God’s work.  I can hear them from a distance, but still have my solitude.  Frank is on the hammock upstairs talking to Banks.  We have been invited to observe.  The power is out, and the only inconvenience is not being able to pull water from the fridge.  This is exactly the life I want.  Living naturally and simply.

We met with Tana and Jaime this morning and talked about how they have raised support for their 9 month trip.  They both were not initially led to Nicaragua but God has put them here anyway.  After that meeting we relaxed for a bit and then headed off to Sisters of Charity.  The students (who Tana and Jaime are leading) led an ESL class for students at the orphanage and from the surrounding community.  The teachers were very unprepared, but somehow it still worked.  We mad the long hike back through the Granadan version of the French Quarter.  The students were mostly wrapped up in themselves.  All are under 23, so most of it is age related.  I think (hope) that they eventually will see the very great need around them, instead of it being part of their routine.  At the same time, it makes me aware of our tendency to jump from one thing to another.

Their weekly schedule is as follows:

• Monday: staff meeting, esl classes at willa/banks school, sisters of charity
• Tuesday: soccer, sisters of charity, esl classes at san antonio, crea
• Wednesday: trash pickup, soccer
• Thursday: feeding, prayer, soccer, young life
• Friday: soccer, feeding, sisters of charity

The students are figuring out what ministry appeals to them most.  Some of them are obviously not teachers, others are obviously not soccer coaches.