Greetings to all from Tom in Nicaragua. Here are the final pictures from our last day.
The futbol game begins when Grant steps off the bus . . .
. . .as do the games!
A group of talented musicians begin the festivities
The NCC folks join in with snappy dancing and harmonica playing (the harmonica becomes a welcomed, if mysterious, gift to the village)
The whole audience enjoys the music
A surprise Master of Ceremonies, and an amazing role model for the young girls in the village
And the Master of Disaster arrives with his bible story
Ask Grant Kovac, (AKA the chicken wrangler) to explain this addition to the show
The story of the Good Samaritan never received so many smiles
The best dancer in the village
To the baseball field for the annual grudge match!
I was told to report that this was the longest home run in the history of Nicaragua
The folks in the bleacher seats were not impressed
This is what a good hit actually looks like
And in the outfield, fellowship continues
It took a long time to get this picture because the throng of children always blocked the view
The baseball game was called for lunch!
One of the home team's best players. Note the "cleats" and home plate. Before and after the game this player is in his own parcel tending to his crop
Today's lunch hosts explain that four years ago the husband had to travel to Costa Rica for menial work, and now the have all of this
The adios begin . . .and another amazing role model
The children bring gifts (not pictured) of their own creation . . with another amazing role model
I was also told to report that one mighty and well-place blow destroyed the piñata.
Well. . . actually, after many not-so-well-placed or mighty blows . . . the candy finally found its way to the folks!
The farewell and adios was an unhappy event for all
Even the Master of Disaster can't hold back the tears
And there were no dry eyes on the bus
In closing this blog, we chose this picture from the drive back to Managua. It is the back of a school bus on the busiest highway in Nicaragua, traveling in the dark, at highway speeds. These children are riding on the back bumper because the interior of the bus, a normal-size school bus by USA standards, is packed with perhaps 125-150 children. And the roof with perhaps 60-75 more.
This is just one reason why the families in Tierra Nueva , who used to be day-laborers with no future, and are now owners of land, are so thankful to Jesus, Agros, and NCC, because the families are now in control of their futures. And for full disclosure, I am not a member of NCC or Agros . . .but I wish I was. Adios!
