New experiences!

Well, I've been here in Nicaragua for 4 days now, at the Nehemiah Center in Managua to be exact.  We have been kept fairly busy but have also had time to get to know each other and relax a little.  At times, everything is overwhelming and I have no idea why I decided to spend so long away from familiarity, but then God hits me upside the head and I know this is exactly where I belong now.  Today we attended a seminar for new missionaries and others new to the country.  We focused a lot on the culture here, adjusting to it and understanding it.  Turns out, I love this culture, which I already knew, but this just reaffirms it for me.  Don't get me wrong, it's going to be hard adjusting from North American culture to Central American culture, but I think in the end I'll enjoy it.  I am also very glad for the opportunity I had to go to Guatemala this past winter.  I am realizing that because of that trip, I already know many things about the culture here.  The seminar today was also good to meet other North Americans who have been here for longer than we have and hear their stories of adjusting, making mistakes, and how to deal with all the pressures.
Yesterday, we got to explore a little of Managua.  It was nice to be able to take in the city under different circumstances than on Wednesday.  Wednesday I had just flown in, had been up since 3 AM and was taken through the city 3 or 4 times, so it was quite a bit overwhelming.  Yesterday started with a trip to Masaya Volcano.  It was raining at the bottom, but clear at the top so we went straight to the top hoping to miss the rain.  Luckily we did make it out just in time to miss the rain.  We went to the rim of an active crater and climbed up to be able to see it from above.  Then we climbed to an inactive crater, which was really pretty but took all of our energy.  Then we drove back towards Managua and ate at a typical Nicaraguan restaurant.  I got fajitas with cacao to drink, which is similar to chocolate milk but with actual chocolate bean grinds in the drink.  The taste was good, but the texture through me off a little.  Then we went to a museum of Nicaraguan history.  Outside of the museum, police were practicing their motorbike skill for a celebration next month.  It was very entertaining to watch as they weren't very good.  When we got back from exploring, we were all very tired and took naps.  I couldn't believe it when it was getting dark already when I woke up.  I had slept for almost 3 hours, although it gets dark very early here.  By 7 it is usually almost completely dark.
Tomorrow we meet our host families.  This is both exciting and nerve-wracking.  I am really anxious to see where I will be living for the next 3 months and who my new family is.  Please keep us all in your prayers as the adjustment to the culture will only get harder now.  A look at Masaya Volcano

Only the beginning

I have waited 2 years for this day, I am finally in Nicaragua!!  I'm ready to start my semester here and excited for what God has in store for me here.  Each and every journey God has placed in my path the last few years has been amazing and I suspect that this one will be nothing less.  I will try my best to keep this blog updated with stories of my time here, but I make no promises.  Please keep me in your prayers as I will surely be challenged during my time here.

So far, since I landed here in Managua, I survived the drive across the city and ate at Pizza Hut...not so Nicaraguan, but good none the less.  I am at the Nehemiah Center in Managua, where we will stay for a few days to do orientation.  I am the only student from the SPIN program here now, the rest will arrive tonight, so I am looking forward to having others here to experience all the new things together.

I'll leave you with some lyrics that I love and listened to on the plane today:
Be strong in the Lord and never give up hope
You're gonna do great things, I already know
God's got His hand on you so don't live life in fear.

The Words I Would Say by Sidewalk Prophets (Listen to the rest of the song for more reassurance in God's great love for us!)