Week 1 Update

Week 1:                                                                                                           1/3/2012

Well I’ve been in Nicaragua for one week now.  This has been an extremely challenging week.  I’ve been dropped in the middle of a third world country where I essentially know nothing about the people, their language, and their culture.  I have spent my first 7 days learning as much as I can.  I am studying Spanish for many hours everyday and simply observing as much as possible.  Once I learn the language, my day-to-day life will be much easier.

The family I am staying with is awesome.  I live with Marcia, her four kids, Adolfo, Eveling, Yoiseling, and Karen, her daughter’s boyfriend, Julio and their 2 children, Manuelito and baby Joel.  It’s a lot for now, but all the kids are home from their University in Managua because of summer break.  They go back to school in March.  Julio speaks a little English, so that her been very helpful as well.  I have my on room in their house.  It’s not big and fancy, but it is sufficient for my needs.  I have a mosquito net over my bed, but the bugs still seem to get me.  I have more bug bites than I can count.  Marcia is a great cook, but I’m having to adjust to the food here.  A lot of the time, I have no clue what I am eating.  I’m eating a lot of rice and beans, and am quickly becoming a coffee drinker.

I finally started work yesterday (Monday).  A group from Rutgers University is here, so they were painting in the clinic.  I’m excited to finally be doing something.  I also met most of the people I will be working with.  It’s so relieving meeting people that understand English and can help me with my Spanish.  I’m ready to get into a routine and have a day-to-day schedule. 

So far this has probably been the hardest week of my life.  This is by far the most challenging thing I have ever experienced thus far in my life.  I know God has a perfect plan and has a very specific purpose for me being here.  I struggle often with “why am I here?” and “is this too hard for me?” but I know life will get much easier here. 

This week I am clinging to one Bible verse and one motivational quote from Louie Giglioou to help me through. They say….

“Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“I promise you, no matter what comes in this lifetime, no matter how difficult the road, or how dark the night, I will hold onto you, and I will literally hold you together and carry you through any and every circumstance that comes your way.  That’s the promise of God.”  Louie Giglioou

God Bless!