Travel Home

We left the hotel for the Managua airport at 5:30 am. No problems. It appeared that there are only 6 gates in the international airport. 

Arrived in Atlanta safely. Ate a little bit at Buffalo Wild Wings. 

Our flight (John and me) to Monroe has been delayed because the inbound plane has not arrived. There is a storm heading this way so the plane is not here. Danny and Karen have already left. So we sit and wait. 

More About Our Visit to Big Corn Island

Corn Island is about 43 miles off the coast of Nicaragua. We took an airplane which took about 20 minutes. We were going to look at a Moravian Church to see about the possibility of putting in a water system there. 

The well at the church.

School at the church with 3 classrooms and 110 students pre-K through 6thh grade. The little ones go to school in the morning, and the older ones in the afternoon.

John said that I couldn't share any pictures of the beauty of Corn Island because he wants people to think he suffers while he is on these trips. All I have to say to that is we have had some suffering this time - food was not good in Tasba, men didn't have AC in their room in Tasba, mosquitos and biting yellow flies have eaten me alive. So, it would seem that we could enjoy God's good creation and our friends and family would rejoice. So, here's a picture of God's beautiful handiwork along with a sailboat which is very dear to my and Joe's hearts. 

Market in Managua

On our way back from our meeting with AMC, we had lunch at a chicken restaurant. 

Karen had a tortilla stuffed with cheese.

Juan and Nestar had a chicken plate. That looked very good.

I had chicken soup. A little intestinal distress today. 

A ride in this hot "ambulance" owned by AMC didn't help my tummy. 

Here are photos of the market. 

This last one is a washboard that is all wood - no metal. 

Here are Juan and Nestar who went with us for lunch and to the market. 

Meeting

Today we met with folks from Accion Medica Cristiana (AMC). We talked a little about our project in Tasbapauni and some of the challenges we had in relation to materials that we needed. We also talked about a couple of water systems that we want to help get back into service. 

I thought it was a good meeting. AMC will have these other two systems back up and running by the end of June. That is good news. 

Belinda Forbes from AMC and missionary of the United Methodist Church, Dr Geraldo Gutierrez (director of AMC's community health program), Tracey King-Ortega (PCUSA regional liaison for Central America, mission co-worker based in Nicaragua), and Juan Gabriel. 

More Pictures From Tasbapauni

Karen and Pastor Teddy Benedict

The first drink of water. Danny, Edith, a leader in the church, John Guice, Pastor Benedict, Karen. 

Children showing off their coloring sheets after Sunday school.

Decorations to celebrate the water system.

Water during worship was displayed.

Danny sharing water during dedication.

John sharing water. 

Very hot Edith toasting purified water with Karen from the church. 

Corn Island

Yesterday we met with a group of folks from the Moravian Church on Corn Island. Took a water sample. 

Today we go back to talk a little more with them and then fly back to Managua. 

Bluefields

We arrived in Bluefields yesterday, and the first thing we did was take showers - hot shower! It was heavenly. I had spray from the boat ride on me so it felt good to get that off. 

We went to eat at the Pelican Restaurant. Had fish. Fish baked with lemon and other spices or fried fish. White rice that had what looked like carrots. There was cucumbers, tomatoes, beets. We didn't eat that. It was very good. Forgot to take a picture. 

At about 4 this morning a huge rainstorm with wind came by. Made me wonder about flying to Corn Island. We have a taxi coming at 6:15 to take us to the airport. Flight leaves around 7:30. Everyone says that Corn Island is quite nice. We met a group of younger people in the airport in Managua who were going to Little Corn Island for a wedding. 

It is beautiful now. Sun is out. Humidity is up. Lots of people moving around at 6am. 

Continue to keep us in your prayers. 

Pictures From Tasba

Turtle catch

House on beach at Tasba

Bethany Moravian Church where the system was installed

Final touches on the system. 

Out of the Jungle

I have a lot to catch up on but I just wanted to let family and friends know that we have left Tasba and made it back to Bluefields. 

We were successful in getting the water purification system in. It wasn't without some anxiety - wondering if we could get all the parts to Tasba before we were scheduled to leave. 

We left Tasba today around 2:30 and got to Bluefields at 4:00. Fast trip. Following is a picture of a boat similar to what we were in. Today we had 20 people plus the driver. 

We Have Arrived

We arrived safely in Managua. It is very, very hot. Our Best Western hotel is right across the street from the airport which is convenient. We have a wakeup call for 4:30 in the morning as our flight to Bluefields is at 6:00. 

We had a bite to eat at the hotel. Notice the tablecloth and linen napkins. Big city! Don't think we will see that at Tasba!!

Don't know when I can blog again. Keep us in your prayers as we travel by plane and boat tomorrow.