What is happiness? Have you been happy lately? First we drove to one of the poorest areas in the country. Prior to 5 years ago there was no education for the children in the area. The average male in Nicaragua does not finish beyond the 2nd grade and females-1st grade. Many can not read and the average family brings in only $2.00 a day. Imagine that?
There is now a school for these children up to 5th grade with a plan to build through high school. The children cry when school is not in session. We were able to walk through the neighborhood and see the children speak English. They were so proud. They were happy. Laughing, smiling, playing soccer, riding bikes, doing handstands, cartwheels, helping their families, and running around. What is a phone? An ipad?
The roads were dirt which extended into their homes. No carpet, rugs, tile. That does not exist here, Their homes are made of thrown up tin and if they have a little bit of money then maybe some bricks. This is the place where imaginations need to be used and they sure do. They can make anything out of a tire, piect of wood, tarp, barbed wire, and a bucket. An ingenious idea created by hanging clothes on barbed wire. No clothespins needed. Just be careful when walking.
A 5 block radius of dirt neighborhood with at least 2-3 families in each house, many with 1 mattress, , chicken sitting out for dinner with a small cup trying to cover it from flies.
What is beautiful is the women plant flowers and make their place "just so". You can make any house a home.
We stopped and took care of a sick man with a severe kidney infection, fever, chills, laying in a small thrown together home in which they have made with love. We provided him with medicine and loving care. We will be back to see him on Thursday.
Think about it for a minute? Could you be happy in their circumstances? Our inner attitude does not have to reflect our outward circumstances. If you have not been joyful lately, you may not be looking at life from the right perspective. We get bogged down down in what we want and our own needs that we do not enjoy the simplicity of the little things in life.
That is what we learned today. We made a connection today and learned humbleness. The connection is not the same as seeing pictures or watching advertisements on television. Being here in complete immersion is another level of connection to continue through the week.
Medications are all divided up, assessment forms all set, ready to see 60 patients an hour in a remote area up in the mountains in a remote area.
Pictures to come and on to day 3.
Jennie
Jennie
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