Blog Intro and in Nicaragua!

Hello!

For those who are unaware, this is my initial post for a blog created with the purpose of updating friends, family, and loiterers about my experiences working with Servant Partners for two years in Lincoln Heights in Los Angeles and one month in Managua, Nicaragua. I've included a link the Servant Partners below. In very basic terms, they are an organization that partners with the poor to follow Jesus' command to love our neighbor. I hope this blog can be encouraging to you, and if you feel inclined please pray!

http://www.servantpartners.org/

I arrived in Managua with 17 other Servant Partners interns on Tuesday night. My friend Nolan and I are staying with the sweetest family who are involved in the church in the community. Yidara, her husband Richard Nixon (Yes, his real name is Richard Nixon), and their son Jonathan have been so hospitable, and it is such a blessing to see followers of God in such a different sphere of life than I'm used to. Communication has been difficult so far as expected, but I feel optimistic about learning spanish and I am thankful for the patience of the people around me, especially my host family. 

Baseball is very popular here and on Wednesday six of my friends and I were challenged by about 15 niños to a game as we were exploring the city. After four intense innings, we got the win, granted they were all under the age of 12. But a win is a win and we weren't about to go easy on them. We went back two more times since then to play baseball and futbol, so it's fun to see relationships forming with the kids. Tomorrow (Monday), we start tutoring kids in the slums in Nicaragua. I will be teaching 8 year old Pablo how to read. Kind of mind blowing to hear how so many people, especially in the slums, are completely illiterate. I am excited to see relationships grow and for very tangible skills to be learned.

We have spent a lot of time at the church, and it has been encouraging to hear testimonies from people in the community about how God has changed their lives and the community at large. God is so gracious and loving and kind and it is really fun to see that translate into a different culture and different situations than I'm used to. So far I love it here. Our hosts have treated us like family, the food is delicious, and I'm enjoying learning spanish and culture in Nicaragua. 

We will be living here until October 15th, specifically with the purpose of learning spanish and cross-cultural communication skills. 

Here are some tangible ways you can pray for myself and the team:

- Patience and wisdom learning Spanish

- Health of entire team

- That God would open my eyes to see the people and poverty and beauty in Nicaragua as He does.

- God will use Nolan and I as a blessing to our host family.

Dios le bendiga