So you’ve never walked home from breakfast and saw a horse hanging out in an empty city block? What kind of city do you live in?!
Location: Calle Santa Lucia, Granada, Nicaragua
Taken: January 1, 2010
Posts Tagged ‘granada’
Jan
15th
Jan
14th
What? Your hospital doesn’t have bedpans and cats hanging out in the yard?
Location: Hospital Japones, Granada, Nicaragua
Taken: January 3, 2010
Jan
13th
Nicaraguan Wheelchairs
Location: Hospital Japonese, Granada, Nicaragua
Taken: January 3, 2010
Nov
30th
On any given Sunday, you can walk out of our front door and see a house being painted.
A friend on a bike.
Newly painted houses, in preparation for the Celebrations of Santa Maria.
Houses waiting to be painted.
And a moving truck.
The past week was crazy busy, and it produced a lot of blogging material. Including a Thanksgiving dinner for 35, a weekend trip to northern Nicaragua and meeting a child sponsored by a fellow team member. I hope your Thanksgiving was as fun filled and peaceful as ours was!
Sep
24th
Before we left, a person who had experience in living overseas told us that if we were going with a Saviour complex, that we would fail at our goals.
That was made clear this week. We have run into a couple of situations where the response has been “screw the gringo.” We’re well aware of the gringo rate, we pay it (usually) happily because there’s no way around it. And let’s be honest, we make more money than most people here. It’s ok to pay a little more when the services cost less than they would if everyone made decent money here.
But these situations are different. I won’t go into details because they are irrelevant, but Frank and I have started praying that God would protect our hearts from feeling:
- Like we’ll never make a difference here.
- That everyone is out to screw us over.
- That we’ll never be able to find people who are genuine.
Our pastor is adamant about discipleship being successful (especially when compared to evangelism), but only if you equip nationals to do the work. Because we are not from this culture, we will never 100% understand it. So we keep praying and hoping that God will provide.
—
A funny story from yesterday. Just about everything is cash here, so every week or so we have to go to the ATM, withdraw the cash in dollars, go three stores down to the cash exchange (the only one that has a great rate and gives you a receipt), exchange it while trying to block the view of the very nosy people in line, and then walk home with it zipped up in various pockets. It took me a couple times to get used to it, but I’m adjusting. I’,m not acting like a crack fiend with a rock (Frank’s comparison, not mine) when I have cash, well not all the time.
However, yesterday I had to go alone because I was running some errands and needed cash. The cash exchange is in a school supply business, so it’s a great place to buy crafts for the children’s literacy program I’m now in charge of (it sounds fancy but it’s really just a reading hour with a little song and craft). I walked up to the counter and got really excited because no one was in line. Only to see the door to the office close behind the lady as she took a bathroom break. I waited, and 30 seconds before she came back a little man with a pot belly came up behind me to wait. I typically have Frank with me, which gives me a little personal space buffer. Not so much this time. He was all up in my grill. Looking at my cash, asking me where the lady was, and when she came back, looking at my money as she counted it out. Keep in mind that all this time I’m doing the following:
- Shuffling from side to side to block his view.
- Staring him down.
- Acting like I can’t understand him.
- Getting nervous because now he knows (to the penny, he was close enough to read the mini receipt they give you) the amount of cash I have on me.
By the time I got the cash and walked off, I was so nervous. I was mentally berating myself for going to do this while Frank was out. I called him, knowing I had to take a taxi home now. I’m giving him the rundown on the phone when our roommate taps me on my shoulder. I almost give her a hug, I’m so relieved. We decide to take a taxi together. We hop in the taxi, and who do we pick up at the next corner but the creepy pot belly guy. Thank God our roommate was with me, or he would have know where we lived without knowing there were multiple people living in the house. I’m hoping that he doesn’t try to come by the house. I’ve been hearing story after story of people who climb over the walls and break into houses. We keep our room locked up, but you never know.
Another day, another dollar!
Sep
22nd
So obviously the party was a roaring success as I didn’t have time to post last night before we collapsed into bed. Everyone seemed to have a great time, and Frank was so happy. He’s never been really excited about a party as he hates being the center of attention. But last night you could tell he felt really good about everyone being there.
We started the day in a staff meeting, as we met a family started waiting by the front door. It was the little girl that needs surgery and her father. They needed 100 cords ($5) for a blood test, and we’re hoping we would give it to them. This is on top of the 2000 cords ($100) they need for the surgery. It started all of us talking about how
Basically there are two camps on this issue. The first thinks that if we have the money, we should just give it to them. The second thinks that the money should be a loan, and that giving people money is the worst thing you can do for them. Nicaragua has a state sponsored health system that requires all full time employees to be covered. The problem? Most employers will hire part time or under the table. So there is no way of knowing who has coverage and who doesn’t. There are also free hospitals here, as well as plentiful free clinics.
I alternate between the two ways of thinking. I’m hoping to help formalize the process here, where legitimate claims can be processed and help can be offered. I’m thinking it would work if we could treat it as a micro loan and requiring financial responsibility classes. I also have a bleeding heart, and don’t want the girl to hurt anymore. The problem is that you have to meet the immediate need, while looking at changing a cultural norm (asking any gringo for money). Unfortunately, we are working against a lot of tourists who make themselves feel better by giving a dollar or even ten (a full day’s wages here) to a person who looks like they have a need.
It’s a phenomenon of poverty. I experienced it in Birmingham, living in a lower income area, and am experiencing it again in Granada. One of the biggest scams here is going to each gringo house asking for money with medical papers in hand. The medical papers never have a date. Scammers will save them for years to make money off of people (like me) with a sympathetic heart. This is because I am solidly middle or class, and my friends would never ask for money unless they desperately needed it.
The bottom line for me is that I’m really happy to be in a place where I feel like I can make a difference. Sarah has a lot of experience on this very topic, and I know we’ll work well together as we dream up plans. The bottom line for Christians is that God doesn’t need our money or our effort. He can make this place better without us, but he wants to work with us to make lasting change and to show his glory to people in need.
I spent most of the day shopping yesterday. I sent Frank to the market, but underestimated the amount of vegetables I would need. Three hours later, we went back. And three hours after that, Frank went back. Everything is super convenient here, which can either be really good or really bad. We spent almost 100 cords on taxis taking us everywhere yesterday.
We had a fantastic time at the party. Everything looked great, the food all came together perfectly. The soup I made was really spicy, but I loved it. All of our team was here last night, and every one of the girls (five in total) and Frank are getting odd rashes and bumps. We think it’s something on the land at El Puente, but we’re not sure. It could be the mango tree that is out there.
I can’t tell you how happy I am here. I’m planning a children’s program that will take place every Tuesday at 3pm. I learned that Sarah knows someone who owns a pottery studio here, and I’m hoping to learn pottery again. There are so many places to be creative here, and I’m really excited to experience it.
Sep
20th
Tonight we went to the grocery store to pick up supplies for a big party tomorrow night. I’m really really excited about this party. We’ve invited everyone we know (about 30 people). Tomorrow I get to order my first Nicaraguan cake, pinata and other party decor. I’m relying on sight and scent more than reading as I pick out herbs and vegetables. It’s really satisfying every time I get it right, and I’m learning that I’m capable of more than I thought I was in this culture.
The menu:
- Black Bean Stew and Corn Relish
- Mini Tacos with Jalepeno, Chicken and Cream Cheese
- Chips with Salsa and Guacamole
- Fruit (Mango, Pineapple, Banana)
- Vegetable and Ranch Dip (made from scratc as this is nowhere to be found in Granada)
- Birthday Cake
Today we had a wedding at El Puente. It was the longest service I’ve been to yet. Just under two hours of sitting in the shade of the biggest tree I’ve ever seen. By the end of it, I was ready to go.
We asked our roommates if they wanted to go to lunch with a couple of other team members. Apparently the culture is different here, because if you ask they expect you to pay. We didn’t realize this, and didn’t bring enough cash with us. We went to a local bar that shows NFL games on Sunday. We’ve been before to watch the Braves, but I don’t think we’re going back. They don’t’ give you receipts, just adding it up on a calculator at the bar. This is atypical of Granada as you get a receipt for EVERYTHING here. So we had to borrow money from our roommates to pay for a lunch we weren’t expecting to pay. One of those wierd culture quirks that we are learning.
I’m also learning that I adore mornings here in Granada. I wake up every day on my own time. I have not heard an alarm go off since the day we flew down, and I absolutely love it. One of my least favorite parts of my office job was getting ripped out of sleep every morning by this loud buzzing sound. I typically wake up by seven naturally, although our room is drenched in natural light by five a.m. There is literally nothing I miss about my office job. Nothing. I make my own schedule, set my own priorities, manage our finances (day to day spending, monthly budgets, saving and investing) and have time to read and study whatever topic I choose. I wear what I want every day. All of this is nothing to compared to actually putting good back into this world. I’m paid to help people! It’s a dream life here, and I can’t imagine going back to a desk job where I suffer from acid indigestion, anxiety and extreme shoulder pain.
The lack of news has been harder the past two days than it was the first few days. I’m really craving browsing, but I am getting a lot more done without it. I’ve faithfully blogged for the past four days and didn’t procrastinate on the party planning either, which is unusual for me. I’m hoping it gets easier over the next few days.
Words I learned today:
- Ajo – Garlic
- Comino – Cumin
- Barato – Cheap
- Barrato – Panamenians
- Caro – Expensive
- Junto – Together
Sep
19th
I’m sitting at our freshly stained kitchen table, looking out the front door to the street. The newly hung curtains are blowing the breeze. Jennifer just came by to drop off and pick up laundry. Because I can’t communicate with her, she randomly does things like this with me having any idea what she is doing. Today is her day off, and she’s never done laundry over the weekend before. I’m learning the rhythm of her relationship with Oneida by watching and listening.
It’s amazing what a coat of paint and new curtains will do. We’ve spent the last three weeks fantasizing about having a freshly painted house and a shaded patio in our backyard. Gilbert and his crew finished up painting this afternoon, and it looks fantastic. The shaded patio (also known as The Tiki Lounge) will be done on Monday, and the landlord will be by to put gates on our front doors so we can leave them open without worrying about who can walk in our house.
I was a little worried about all of the colors coming together. Our roommates have sofas that are solid navy with gold accents. It’s not something I would ever choose but I did find a fabric for the curtains that matched without being too matchy. After the painters finished, the paint looked more cream than white because of the floor. I sat their stressing about it, until the instant we hung the curtains and then everything came together. It looked perfect, exactly how I imagined it.
It made me think of the Before and After of my life. The before when I felt out of control, hopeless and constantly lost. And the After where I have God to ground me, give me hope and show me unconditional love. Sometimes it’s hard to realize that changes have been made, until God hangs curtains and I start seeing the changes come together.
Frank went fishing with Baker and a few of the guys from El Puente. I’m so glad he’s started building a community with these guys. They are fantastic, and I’m really happy to see Frank grow as a person here. He shared the story of how he became a Christ-follower with two of the guys at lunch today. It was awesome to hear again. A reminder of where he was just a few years ago. He came home all hopped up and sweaty, after biking several miles “Nica style” with the son of our base leader on the bike with him. I’ve had the past few hours to myself, listening to great music, blogging and listening to the sermon. It was all peaceful and quiet until he showed up, now I know what it feels like when I come home all hyper from “girl time.”
I listened to the latest message from our church’s series on James. It’s my favorite books in the bible as it is all about action. I hate knowing problems exist without an action plan, and James is all about the action plan! He gives us a ten step program to changing the world, and I love it. I just about peed in my pants when our pastor shot out the line “People who claim to be Christians but fail to help their poverty stricken believers are not Christians.” I’ve actually had this thought cross my mind, but any time I’ve tried to express it to other Christians, I’ve been shot down. It’s just “not that important” or “you’re called to serve, but I’m not” are the most common responses. To have a pastor, who I fully trust and admire, say this to a 6,000 member church in the middle of the Bible belt is really really awesome. I have no other words to describe it. It’s not self righteousness, it’s a hope that the church will get off its ass and do something about the children dying from hunger or the millions who don’t have access to clean water. God didn’t create us to buy boats, vacation properties, $300 jeans, manicures and pedicures while people starve to death around the world. If you think he did, you don’t know the God who created you.
The message got me thinking about the opportunities I have here. I’ve been researching organizations with volunteer opportunities in Granada, and even requested a Peace Corps volunteer as a friend. Hopefully I’ll be able to make my own connections (not just with Christian organizations) during my time in Granada.
Off to find a banana leaf dinner!
Aug
29th
Wow.
I was completely unprepared. $200 in Nicaragua buys you a room with peeling paint on the walls, a mattress on a box spring and not much else. I broke down last night after Charles and Mario left. I couldn’t help but compare it to home. And by our standards, this house is not nice. We have no oven, washer, dryer, air conditioning or hot water.
My break down consisted of sobbing while Frank held me. I couldn’t say anything but, “It’s just so hot!” It was like I could handle all of it but the heat. While Frank held me, doing an amazing job of comforting me, I realized that he is my home. Where he goes, I go and together we can do this. I’m so grateful to have my best friend with me.