Bustamante peering through the windows confirming that yes, we made it to the right country. The rest of the day we spent chatting with them about life in the States and resting from our long trip. We also learned that we will be staying with the Lockridges for the next several days while our house is finished which will be nice while we adjust to life here.
Here we are at the airport in Seattle!
Today has consisted of a lot of firsts. We made our first trip to the bank where, for the first time, we withdrew $1000 in cash! (The economy can be unstable so it is much easier to just pull out a large lump of U.S. dollars and not worry about paying in Cordobas, the local currency.) We also made our first trip out to Los Cedros to see our newly updated and renovated home where we encountered our first house guest (see picture below). I (Mary Frances) had my first meeting as a teacher with the principle,Pastora, and got the basic idea that I will be teaching k-6 grade. My classes will have about 25 students in them and I will teach each class 80 minutes (or two 40 minute classes) a week, which works out to about three full days of teaching. So for the first time in Nicaragua, I am feeling overwhelmed.
After our time in Los Cedros we headed off for our first shopping trip to the Nicaraguan mall where we bought a washing machine for our house and signed up for cell phones. To end the afternoon of shopping, we went to Price Smart, the Nicaraguan Costco (which is we think is owned by Costco because they even have Kirkand brand!). So overall, it has been a full day in which we have begun to explore our new home.
To sum things up, we thought we'd liven up the blog with a couple of pictures from our trip thus far.
Our first house guest...Mr. Spider who will sadly die tomorrow when they fumigate our house! The second picture is our "Room #1 of 2" which is our living room/dining room/hallway.
Sorry Josh for the bad picture...but this door in our house opens to what will some day be our bathroom...until then we will make the trek to our bathroom in the blue building (our house is to the right).
Here is a picture of our backyard that is complete with cows, chickens, and a pig. The other picture is of the new kitchen that will serve the children lunch during school. They had to build a new building since the old kitchen was our house.
Finally, even missionaries have to have a little fun! The compound the Bustamantes and Lockridges live in comes complete with a tennis court and swimming pool!
10 comments:
hey guys!! it's so cool to see some pictures and visualize where you are going to be for the next while. Thanks for all the detailed writing... I can't wait to keep up with the blog. 3 days of full time teaching sounds a little overwhelming, but I have this feeling that you'll be loving it once the overwhelming feelings and work wears off. It sounds like a lot of fun (and prep)!! We're thinking of you both.
Mi princesa e yerno,
What fun so see you really there, standing in your new "home sweet nica home" for the next 10 months. I'm soooo looking forward to being with you in a couple months, knowing that in the meantime we'll be able to watch and learn with you as you two navigate this transition with Father's favor and abundant grace. Greet Pastora & Manuel, sending them our gratitude for their watch-care and nearby presence, as well as for their clear call to minister there among all the poor families of Los Cedros. I'll expect some good Gallo Pinto from your new kitchen when I arrive, so in exchange for teaching the adult women English you can run a contest among them for the best Gallo Pinto recipe!
Nice to know Josh can hit the tennis ball around on occasion, he'll be able to keep Lee and David in shape!
We're so proud of you both and love how you've stepped into this adventure together, trusting God to provide and lead.
Con amor, abrazos y adoracion,
Tu Papa
Hi, Mary Frances and Josh -
I love your new home - especially the little blue "outhouse"! What an adventure you are embarking on. You will probably look back on these months as some of the best in your life together. Love, MB
To my wonderful brother and lovely sister...
I've been thinking about you guys a lot and was so excited to read your blog. It's just incredible. I'm not sure when exactly you guys are starting your teaching adventure, but I hope you are confident and excited to teach your Nicaraguan chicklets.
I'm excited to hear more about your adventures and how Josh is doing with learning the language! Love you guys more than I could ever describe. Take care, be safe, and tell the Lockridge's hello for me. Ta-ta!
Hi Guys,
Thanks for showing us your new home, how exciting!
Also Kim's sister Nicole is come for a visit this summer, we'll be sure to send her with a few things for you. We miss you. Thanks for updating the blog, it makes it seem that you're not so far away when we can see you. Love you!
Sad news about Mr. Spider, he looked cute. I'm glad to hear you are settling in. Theresa and I are praying for you and can't wait to come down!
Love you guys,
Elias
Hey Mary Frances,
It was really interesting seeing some pictures from the place you will spend several months there. I hope you and your husband enjoy what you're doing. And be friend with your guests (Mr. Spiders ;) ). By the way, we are watching season 2 of prison break. I miss you a lot. I think everyone feels the same way at Griffins. Waiting to see more pics. :)
Love
-Arezoo
Hello Mary Frances and Josh!
Great job on the blog- and the pictures- very cool! Well except for Mr. Spider- ew! I hope all is going well for you - we miss you here. I look forward to reading about your adventures in Nicaragua so I will be checking in a lot.
Take care-
Marci Lee
so love the pictures but want some more look. ha ha how was your first week?? did it go okay. We pray for you often
Corinne
Hey! Love the blog! Its a great way to keep in contact with all of us back here. I am SO looking forward to seeing you guys soon!!! Hope you have a great fun filled week!
Blessings,
Heather
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