Greetings to all,
On our fourth and last day in Las Mangas, Nicaragua, we first met Stephanie, the Education Director for all Rainbow Network networks (or regions) in the country.
Next, we met with community leaders: Lucracia, vice coordinator; Elizabeth, community health coordinator; Andrea, nutrition coordinator, and Catalina, childrens education coordinator. The leaders are liaisons between the community and Rainbow Network. There were four other leaders who were working that day, some in the rice fields. They assure things run smoothly in the community and help move the community toward self sustainability.
We had a final celebration that included dancing, games, songs, prayers, and a piñata. Kim and deacon Richard joined in on the piñata fun. High school students painted faces of the younger children. Love and happiness spread throughout the community center.
We visited the home of Fausto and Erenia. Fausto runs a taxi business on a motorcycle trike, refurbishes and sells bicycles, repairs motorcycles, gardens, and is a Catholic delagado. Erenia runs a small store out of their home selling chips, candies, spices, blankets, flip flops, among other items. Erenia is a reader at church. Their daughter Maria Antonella likes to sing at church. Their son Antony is away at college studying to be a Civil Engineer.
Fausto and Erenia also take care of Brisa full time, so she is like a daughter to them. She is young, around 7 or 8 years old. Brisa’s mother and father are in Costa Rica. Her dad has mental illness. She has an older brother in the United States and another brother living in Las Mangas outside the housing project. We saw the family again at La Merced Catholic Church. Kate and the family took a picture in front of the tabernacle chapel.
Church was a little different this time in that it included scripture readings, prayers, homily by a delagada, and a welcoming to St. John LaLande visitors. There was no communion, and the tabernacle was locked. We came to understand that a traveling priest comes on Sunday and communion is offered during the Sunday Mass. Deacon Richard gave a blessing to the church which was well received.
This trip has put many things in perspective. God is love. We do not need more and more material items, an abundance of food choices, or a full schedule to bring us joy. All we need is God, each other, and our basic necessities to be truly happy. We saw His love each and everyday in Las Mangas.
We shined His light; and they shined His light even brighter. We are all His hands in this world.
Blessings and love to all,
Kate
