Here's a summary of our trip copied from our thank you note to people who supported us...
After spending days ahead packing and getting everything ready for the kids to stay home with family, we traveled for one full day with my mom Jodi, stepdad Dave, and brother-in-law Ben. We arrived in Nicaragua Friday night and rode buses, along with about 115 other people, 2 hours to Madagalpa where we stayed in a huge Quinta. This was our base from where we sent teams to go work in villages nearby.
Saturday, we spent the day preparing for our “clinic days.” Everyone pitched in by getting the pharmacy ready, counting and bagging medicines. We also organized all the donated shoes and clothes, and prepared all other supplies.
Sunday was our first work day. Zack and I and our team rode a bus 2 hours to a remote village in the middle of the jungle. There were 4 guys driving the bus – one to drive, one to mashetti the trees on top of bus, one to put rocks under the wheels when we drove through a river, and another to help with other problems. It was a CRAZY ride, but it was awesome pulling up to so many anticipating and anxious people in need. Most people walked for hours to get there and waited in line all day to receive our help. We provided medical help for them, medication that they needed, dental, ear, eye, and foot care, prayer, and of course clothes and shoes. Seeing their thankful and happy expressions after receiving just one pair of used shoes was unbelievable.
Monday, we drove to a different village where we got to work in a church. This day, I got to measure peoples’ height and weight and Zack got to play with kids and help with the crowds of people. It was our hottest day, but still people came and waited and waited and waited for a turn with a doctor or to receive supplies.
Tuesday, we got to give away all the special school shoes that we’d been collecting money to purchase. In order for kids to attend their school, most have to wear a certain type of black dress shoe. We were able to bring 100s of pairs of shoes and fit them on kids. People sat in rows, washed kids’ feet, and then helped them pick a brand new pair. It was an surreal time of giving something so precious to them.
Wednesday and Thursday were the last two clinic days, where Zack and I got to help with the pharmacy, prayer, and all sorts of other things. The last day, the entire team of 120 people worked together to help about 500 people, and treat 1,000s overall with all the medication we gave out for families.
Here are some of our favorite pictures, but if you want to see all of them, you can view our Facebook albums at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2220592394995.277468.1253239063&l=1dff293cb1 and
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2220782079737.277478.1253239063&l=bded1090af
Here's the first day - getting prepared for all of our work
Driving through the forest
Over rivers - one guy put rocks in front of our tires and others were on top using a huge machete to chop down tree branches in the way of our bus
Praying
Measuring height and weight
After our second day working at a church site, the pastor gave us the most amazing blessing and thank you. Nelson, our leader, translated. Here's part of it.
Untitled from Josie Weingartner on Vimeo.
Minutes before I got sick during our third day of work. I was sick to my stomach for two days, but then felt better and got to go back out.
Some of the school shoes that we got to give away to kids.
We washed their feet and then fitted each child for a new pair of shoes.
Zack and I with Tanya and Nelson, the leaders of Corner of Love. We got to go out to eat one night in town.
At dinner with Ben and Aidan.
We brought a Polaroid camera along and got to hand out pictures - they LOVED it (almost too much).
Our buses stopping at a village, ready to work.
Kids playing marbles in the mud
The kids liked to wear Zack's sunglasses.
Zack leading a devotional
The back porch of our Quinta - where we were lucky enough to stay
Visiting Madagalpa, a nearby city
MEANWHILE, the kids were at home, having the time of their life! We were so lucky to have family come to our house to take shifts with the kids. Zack's parents Nancy and Ed came the first few days and had a blast. All of these pictures are from them. Then, my sister Janelle and her husband Anthony came for 4 days, and finally my aunt and uncle Judi and Bob came for the end of the trip. Each person that came to take care of our monkeys was amazing and did sooo much.
When we came home, the lawn was mowed, flowers were planted, weeds were picked, our windshield wipers were replaced, a new slip n slide was in the backyard, the house was clean and clothes were clean, etc. etc. etc. We can't thank them all enough for all they did.
The kids got to go to parks, play in the backyard, do fun projects, go to the Butterfly Pavilion, play areas, and get tons of attention etc. etc. We got to email, and talk to them a few times. I sure did miss them by the last couple of days.
Sprinkers!
Hot at the park!
Finger painting outside
McDonalds with Papa
Holding hands
Watering our new plants outside
Popsicle time
Here's a video of Bob helping Zane on the Slip n Slide that Nellie and Ant got them.
Untitled from Josie Weingartner on Vimeo.
Thanks for the other videos, too, Nell and Ant. I want to add some more later!
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