Dear friends,
I Just returned from Nicaragua this morning at 4 a.m. Still feeling a bit out of it and having much difficulty putting the trip into words. But I have come to know to trust my own process. And the photos always come first. The words will follow shortly behind.
I have returned with lots of "things I know for sure", but lots of questions too. My heart is wrecked...again. The poverty, the beauty you see in these children's faces, the inequality. All of it wrecks your heart. But I am grateful to be caught in the middle of all of the questions. The most perfect place to be. At least for now.
Here are a few shots of day 1 ... We arrived at the orphanage and to get "the lay of the land" we took a walk around the orphanage and the surrounding village called Vera Cruz.
We were immediately greeted by smiling faces and children holding our hands. And I question if they reach out to us only because they know the gringos have money for food and medicines. Either way we smile at each other with unspoken expectations. And squeeze the hand we are holding a little tighter. We sing songs as we dance through the dirty streets, knowing full well this in not fixing anything. But it feels right for a short time.
More words will come friends...as they see fit. But until them, I am looking through the 800 (yes, 800+) pictures I took. Trying to remember something that seems so far away. Fighting to hold onto the stories of those I met. Desperately remembering the faces of those precious children. Trying to find the gifts in the experience God was offering.
I will be quiet. And listen. And remember. And be grateful.
Off to kiss on my own kids some more for now. And maybe a little sleep.
With a full heart and a very full spirit,
Eren