Hello again:
I wanted to catch up on my latest newsletter to you. This new program has been a challenge. Anyway, you are in our thoughts and prayers as we go about our days here.
Today started with a visit to the Iglesia de Cristo Church where the previous sewing team had worked. Since Anna & I were on that team, it was very encouraging to see the progress they had made. Pastor Jose welcomed us warmly and was eager to show us his new curtains and the new toilet we had bought him as well as the new ceramic tile floor that had been partially paid for by the profits of the sewing Co-op there. The women were working away i their upstairs sewing room, getting ready for a big bazar they were holding this weekend. It was good to see that they had been crtive and had made items from their own patterns or ideas...that is what we want to see. These items are saleable since they appeal to other Nicaraguans.
After saying our goodbyes there, we went on to our new church and our sewing students. Since most of them had made a "market bag" or shopping bag the day before, they were anxious to start their second one. this meant choosing new fabrics and trims. Each one has a different level of ability and we can see the improvements they have made. There are also those who are SO good, we wonder if there is anything they would like to teach us!! First of all, we showed them how to clean and oil their machines...which is invaluable to keeping the machines working well, thus preventing breakdowns. They were all very attentive. After our lunch break, which they usually do not take, it was proceed with their projects while Anna & Nancy cut out more pyjama patterns and pyjama pants, then sewed some up as samples. Sylvia joined in this. We even had a fasion show when one of the little girls consented to medelling a pair! Carol helped sort suitable fabric to use to sew more of them.
We have decided that the payment "project" for this co-op will indeed be 100 pyjama bottoms. Dr. Juan in Chinendega Hospital will be delighted.
The craft project with the children was a hit as they used clean paint "stir" sticks to make people figures by gluing on assorted paper, lace etc etc. The children lined them all up on the cabinet and Doreen took pictures.
After ending the day's work, we returned to the Angel's Inn where we freshend up & rested. Annette returned from the airport where they had picked up Barb Hurren who will be working with the medical team that will arrive shortly. Then, off we went across town to enjoy a typical Nicaraguan dinner at Victor's house ( a PAN driver), called Vogaron. This consists of Yucca ( a potatoe-like root vegetable, with a slice of beet, tomato, coleslaw on top and accompanied by pork rinds ( as a garnish) and pieces of cooked pork. It was very tasty and everyone enjoyed the food and the experience.
Home again through the city which is now dressed in Christmas lights!! You can even hear Christmas music at times.
Once home, we made sandwiches for lunch, while Carol and the girls made bracelets for our wonderful students to give them tomorrow.
I was delighted to find the Iris and Karen in the PAN office had found the template I asked for and with my list of students, had printed out certificates complete with gold trim!! They will be so excited to receive these!!
Since tomorrow is our last sewing day, we will finish it with a graduation ceremony complete with cake! As well, we have a gift of 50 Spanish Bibles for the adults and 50 Spanish new testaments for the children. We also will deliver 6 new tables for the sewing co-op to use (since we had been using the ones from PAN). I know that this will be a bitter-sweet time for us all and had better bring the Kleenex! Speaking for myself and I believe all the others on the team, I know we will be sad to leave these beautiful, loving people we have become so attached to. They will stay in our hearts!
Before I close tonight, I wnt to add that yesterday I forgot to include our visit to a Childrens' orthopedic hospital in Managua yesterday where we were able to go through since our staff person, Karen, knows a doctor there. Just to let you know, this hospital was condemned 2 years ago, but the need was so gret, people kept coming and they kept it open. It is very difficult to describe what we saw in terms of decay and need. We gave out toothbrushes & toothpaste as well as sticker & colouring books, "google-eye" finger puppets to the children. This is another hospital where the people have great needs. How fortunate we are in north America!
Well, I will close for tonight and will send you another letter tomorrow night....only 3 sleeps before we come home.
Love & prayers,
Sharon.