April 22-28th...
22nd- I went back to the dentist to have my crown removed. It was a long and anxiety filled time to say the least. My crown would not come off and while in the process of trying to remove it, the dentist accidently poked me with a tool and cut my tongue. It bled for a bit. Then while trying to get molds of my tooth, the guard scratched my gums and caused swelling and tenderness. So, she put the temporary crown on and asked me to come back Tuesday. I was swollen and sore all day but thankfully, Ryan made me some really good mashed potatoes.
23rd- I returned to the dentist and she took 5-6 molds of my mouth. Then sent me home and told me 10-15 days until they would get the new crown. So, I went home but it felt weird, and I thought she didn't put the temporary back on. I got home and then got a message saying she had forgotten to put it back on. So back to the dentist I went. Now I am just waiting for a call that my new crown is ready. I can't complain too much because it is a whole lot cheaper here to have anything dental or medical done.
24th- We decided to take the kids to Corinto where a mission team was already working. We wanted the kids to be able to experience what it is like to work with a mission group. We got to Corinto around 4:30 and were able to visit with Steve and Sylvia. For those of you who don't know them, they are two lovely people that help run OMM and bring the mission teams to Nicaragua. Our hope is to take over their position as they both are "retiring" from working with groups who go to Nicaragua. The mission group that was in Corinto was from SC and they didn't get back to the mission house until 10:00pm. They had a very long day.
25th- We went with the team into the mission field. Ryan and I kind of took a step back and observed. We wanted to get a feel of how everything was going because usually we only see the parts that we work in. We observed the pastors' conference, a medical clinic, the start of the children's service, and the special needs ministry.
Hannah helped in the medical clinic by giving out medicine to the families that came through to see the doctor. Josiah helped in the clinic too but at the witnessing table. He prayed for the families as they came through and gave out tracts or Bible verse butterflies. We were both so proud of them because they were willing to help and didn't complain too much about the heat which was 99 but felt like 104.
Before we headed back to the mission house, we went with Daniela Corrales and Wilbert Oviedo to visit a sweet, young man named Angel. There we were able to see him receive a brand new wheel chair thanks to the church that was working in Corinto. His face said it all. Pastor Cliff (who was the pastor visiting from SC) prayed with the mom and spoke with Angel about the Lord. Hannah was able to give the family the care package that Daniela's ministry gives to the families in the special needs ministry. It was such a blessing.
We headed back before the team as Sarah can only withstand so much of the heat. She sweats like crazy in this Nicaraguan heat!!!
26th- We were invited to go with the mission team to go see some tourist sights. We traveled to Leon which is a beautiful city. We were able to stop at some of the local markets and see the huge Catholic church that is in the middle of the city. It was built in 1700s. It is beautiful! We took the kids inside to show them and teach them a little bit about the Catholic faith and how it differs from our beliefs. Josiah was very interested in the church and all the different paintings on the walls. It was a great day for us to have a homeschool fieldtrip. Then we traveled to a small city outside of Leon. It was the beach and let me tell you both kids were so happy! We had lunch on the beach and the kids played in the sand and a got their feet wet. After that, we headed back to Corinto.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention...the team that was there had two boys Hannah and Josiah's age. They were so excited to have friends to play with.
27th- We had a rest day. We spent some time with Wilber Ruiz and Jussethzita Reyes Rivera. They are the lovely family that stays and maintains the Corinto mission house. Jussethzita cooked us a late lunch and it was delicious. I learned how to make a new salad dressing that is amazing!! We called it an early night as everyone was exhausted from the heat. It got to 101 and felt like 107...that is a lot hotter than Matagalpa for sure.
28th- We then headed to a small town called El Viejo. We went to morning activities at Igelsia Bautista Sea La Luz. Ryan and I spent time listening to the discipleship class of the church's three newest believers. Christian Estrada was the one who was teaching the class. Then Hannah and Josiah got to experience the children's Sunday morning ministry. It reminded us of our children's church at home in the states. Julissita Molina De Estrada is the one who works with the kids on Sundays. They both did an amazing job. The Pastor of the church and other members go out into the neighborhoods to witness and meet with people about God during the morning. Their evening service is when they have the entire church there for service but we couldn't make it since we traveled back to Matagalpa.
Sorry for the long post!! We have had a very busy few weeks but wanted to give everyone an update. We love and miss everyone bunches. Check out all the pictures!!
