We are nearing time for Christmas vacation. It is hard to believe that it has been almost one year that we've lived in Costa Rica. So much has happened that in some ways it seems like 10 years and in other ways it seems like yesterday that we arrived. We will fly out next Tuesday to Miami and then Chicago, hoping that the weather will allow for good travel days. Joshua has exams this week and Kayley mostly has parties! (Joshua doesn't think that is too fair!). All week there are only half days of school, so Josh doesn't have too much to complain about.
This week I want to share about Jinotega and the Child Development Center there. The day started early, 4:3o or so and finally we left the small town of Somoto around 5:45am. It was a beautiful drive south and then east up into the mountains. About 4 1/2 hours later we could see the city of Jinotega. It has about 11o,000 people and is spread out in a large valley surrounded by mountains. This is the only area of Nicaragua that grows coffee, in fact coffee is a main source of income there.
The Church of the Nazarene there began reaching out to poor children in the community and since has developed into a thriving center for children. Since the city is large and the children come from all parts, they normally have activities on the weekends when the kids have enough time to walk or take a bus to the center and still arrive home before dark. There are 49 children sponsored in the program at this time, but many others participate as well.
We were there on a Sunday morning so during the normal worship time, the children held a special activity so we could get to know them. They sang songs and even performed a special Nicaraguan dance.
It was special for me to see the faces of the children. I know many of their names, but now I can see them in my mind and remember where they live. I thank God for the leaders Jinotega and La Carbonera who sacrifice to help the children. It was a great trip and I hope to travel that way again in the next year.
David is in Nicaragua this week, in the area of Puerto Cabezas. Remember that it was hit by the hurricane a few months ago. David and the other leaders are making plans for the Jesus Film Team that will be arriving in February. Pray that David arrives back to San Jose safely on Friday.
Well, this may be the final blog for this year as we will be traveling until the New Year. God bless you during this Christmas season. May Jesus be the center of your celebrating.
Love to all,
Shelley, David, Joshua and Kayley
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