Update #6
/Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Today we spent all day with the students at Veracruz English Academy (VEA). The classes began with recitation of The Lord’s Prayer (in English, of course). They began studying the Ten Commandments last month, and reviewed for us, focusing on the word “covet” today. We then helped conduct classes and worked with the students in small groups.
Those of us who have been to Nicaragua before reconnected with students we knew and for those on their first trip, friendships were developed. After each class we treated the students to Eskimo ice cream from the vendor on his bicycle cart who parks outside the classroom all day long. He loves it when we come to visit the school because he is guaranteed to have a good day of sales!
The Hodges family, the NC part of our team, had to say goodbye to the students today as this was their last full day in Nicaragua. Regan led the class in prayers of thanksgiving for all the work their family had done while here and for safe travels home. For the rest of the team, our “goodbyes” today were just a “see you tomorrow” since we will be back with the students then.
At the end of the day we returned to the Team Center at Verbo for a special dinner with the Pastors and their spouses. After eating, we spent time talking about the clinics: how they went and what we could do to improve them in the future. The feedback that everyone shared was so positive, from their perspectives as Pastors, from what their church volunteers had expressed to them, and also from what the clinic participants shared on the days of the clinics.
The pastors mentioned that representatives of the government and the government’s Ministry of Health came to see the clinics. The Pastor introduced the leaders to Dave at the clinics. Some came to receive medical care. They shared what a wonderful job they saw being done and how they would like us to continue to host more events in the future. Everyone was “muy contento”!
We had a lovely evening that served to bring the group of Pastors and our team closer together. Dave has told them many times his presence represents so many more who pray for, and care about them in the Lord, and I think they were able to experience that support from our team.
After a closing time of prayer, several shared how touched they were and how everything they had experienced with the three days of clinics led them to be convicted of the need to focus on the children in the churches; their churches long term plans, and the churches continuing to work together to serve the community.
Including dinner, it was over a four hour meeting, and after we prayed at the end, no one seemed to be in a hurry to leave. We continued to visit, and we made sure all that needed it, had a way home. Mototaxis do not work that late. What a joy filled night!
In Christ,
Katy
Pictures from Wednesday, July 24 - Working with the students at Veracruz English Academy.
