It is difficult to believe that we have been here almost one month..... In a way, it seems like we've been here much longer (we are so very settled in our new home) and in other ways it seems like the time has flown by! Slaton has settled into his new school. Thank you for those who continue to pray on his behalf! He has a little friend, Mateo, who they have become fast buddies. I do believe that they are partners in crime on alot of things...but they seem to have so much fun! Taellor is flourishing just as we knew she would. She has been working closely with Dr. Melba, spent a week with the medical team and going with Eduardo in the children's ministry when she is able. She is hoping to be able to do some volunteer work in the "Blue Bird" Orphanage...a Special Needs Orphanage down the street. She has such a gift with crossing all barriers with love. So very proud of her! Travis has been working with Marvin and the Furia Santa guys. One of the boys (Fidel Castro :0) graduated from the program and is doing barber work. Travis has been getting his haircuts from him and they look wonderful. He has also been working closely with Michel, Javier and Alejandro preparing for the upcoming teams. I have been...not sure how to put it all into words..but having quite literally the time of my life here. Yes, it is busy. Yes, it is hot. We still don't know the language. BUT, it is the adventure of a lifetime! And to be able to share it with my family! I can't ask for more. I have been spending time with all of the different ministries that Project H.O.P.E. has going year round and working with Claudia on language, team logistics (translating schedules) and working on what will become our women's ministry. We already have Bible studies scheduled to begin in March for the girls at House of Hope and the first Wednesday in February at 4:00 at the dump in Ciudad Sandino...a place I have been praying for since I first saw the women and children foraging for food amongst the waste from the city.
Thank you so much for the prayers and support. I will be posting at least weekly beginning in February. Our family was given the grace of taking January to settle into our new "world"...however, we have been blessed with the ability to dabble in this wonderful ministry during this month. If we aren't friends on Facebook, friend me at Tammy Conner Stearns. I do daily (sometimes multiple daily) updates with pictures from the field. (Technology is AMAZING!)
Love you all,
The Stearns
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
A Look Back at Our First Week in Nicaragua
I have started this post I think a million times....at least. How do you put into words a gift that it so precious? Yes, the journey here has been difficult. Yes, it was hard to say goodbye. Yes, it is a transition that will define our lives. But, this past week has been one of the most amazing weeks of our lives.
The staff at H.O.P.E. Central has welcomed our family (and I mean, our whole family) with open arms. We arrived in the night with all of our luggage and a four-year old and a dog (Buster) in tow...and the staff, our team, did not flinch once. We quickly were able unpack and get settled. This past week has been spent learning the roads in and around Managua, finding the grocery stores and then the market (it is cheaper) , exploring the base and learning how to do our lives in a difficult culture.
During this time, we have been able to spend time in the communities (movie night and children's time in Mateare), looking at homes in the other communities that teams will do work in this year and meeting our staffs families and learning the ebb and flow of the country.
What have I learned this week? I've learned that God answers prayers that sometimes we never voice..... Travis and I hadn't spoke of this dream since 2002 when we first stepped foot on Nicaraguan soil. I can look back over the past ten years to see how God has prepared us for this time. I've learned that our God is not a God of waste. He only gives us what we need when we need it...otherwise we would be holding it until we need it. I have learned to be comfortable in waiting on God's provision....(not that I am always calm but I know where to go to gain the calmness). I have learned that my daughter (Taellor) is such a lady of grace. I love how she easily moves from culture to culture from person to person. I have learned that when you leave certain people (those at home) you literally feel as if your heart is being torn in two...but that God provides the salve for that hurt, if you allow him. I have learned to look through the eyes of Slaton and see a world that is incredible.
This Sunday, I sat next to a lady who has been a missionary in Nicaragua for 25 years..she came here alone...just her and God. She said it was the most difficult 25 years of her life but she has never felt more alive. In the movie "The Hobbit", the hobbit, while contemplating whether or not he should go on the journey, asks Argon, "Can you promise that I will return?" and Argon replies, "No, but I can promise if you do that you won't be the same."
We had a wonderful staff meeting today at H.O.P.E. Central. I am excited about the staff and the work that will be done through Christ's name. We pray that when we work in our communities that the people will see Christ and not ourselves.
Please continue to pray that our house will sell in the States. Slaton had a wonderful good first day...and I think that we have found our babysitter! So excited!!! Pray that we all can stay healthy and that we can be the servants that we were called to be.
Love to everyone.
The Stearns
The staff at H.O.P.E. Central has welcomed our family (and I mean, our whole family) with open arms. We arrived in the night with all of our luggage and a four-year old and a dog (Buster) in tow...and the staff, our team, did not flinch once. We quickly were able unpack and get settled. This past week has been spent learning the roads in and around Managua, finding the grocery stores and then the market (it is cheaper) , exploring the base and learning how to do our lives in a difficult culture.
During this time, we have been able to spend time in the communities (movie night and children's time in Mateare), looking at homes in the other communities that teams will do work in this year and meeting our staffs families and learning the ebb and flow of the country.
What have I learned this week? I've learned that God answers prayers that sometimes we never voice..... Travis and I hadn't spoke of this dream since 2002 when we first stepped foot on Nicaraguan soil. I can look back over the past ten years to see how God has prepared us for this time. I've learned that our God is not a God of waste. He only gives us what we need when we need it...otherwise we would be holding it until we need it. I have learned to be comfortable in waiting on God's provision....(not that I am always calm but I know where to go to gain the calmness). I have learned that my daughter (Taellor) is such a lady of grace. I love how she easily moves from culture to culture from person to person. I have learned that when you leave certain people (those at home) you literally feel as if your heart is being torn in two...but that God provides the salve for that hurt, if you allow him. I have learned to look through the eyes of Slaton and see a world that is incredible.
This Sunday, I sat next to a lady who has been a missionary in Nicaragua for 25 years..she came here alone...just her and God. She said it was the most difficult 25 years of her life but she has never felt more alive. In the movie "The Hobbit", the hobbit, while contemplating whether or not he should go on the journey, asks Argon, "Can you promise that I will return?" and Argon replies, "No, but I can promise if you do that you won't be the same."
We had a wonderful staff meeting today at H.O.P.E. Central. I am excited about the staff and the work that will be done through Christ's name. We pray that when we work in our communities that the people will see Christ and not ourselves.
Please continue to pray that our house will sell in the States. Slaton had a wonderful good first day...and I think that we have found our babysitter! So excited!!! Pray that we all can stay healthy and that we can be the servants that we were called to be.
Love to everyone.
The Stearns
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy New Year from Nicaragua!
Happy New Year!
We start out the new year at H.O.P.E. Central in Nicaragua. Our travel yesterday started with a minor hiccup at the airport but once all was taken care of (Thanks to everyone praying!), we were on our way...myself, Travis, Taellor, Buster (Slaton's dog), and no less than 16 bags of luggage (counting carry-ons). Slaton's first airplane ride was quite an adventure to him...of course, we had to push the blue stewardess button to ask her a question...his question was, "Why are we in the air?" which led to about a 5 minute reply from her regarding how airplanes are like cars. Slaton loved it! She was awesome. In Miami, we were able to see Buster unloaded from our plane so we knew that he had made it to Miami. On the flight from Miami to Nicaragua, Slaton's seat was behind a little girl that was his age. They played almost all the way there. As soon as Slaton saw the lights of Managua, he yelled (and I mean yelled!), "Look, it's Nicaragua!!!) and his friend started cheering and before we knew it the whole plane was cheering. Arriving into the airport, we had a easy trip through immigrations and customs...even with Buster (which was a nightmare of mine!) (I have to brag on Buster for a bit. We have never crated him and he is mainly and outside dog but he hadn't gone to the bathroom in his crate for the whole trip! Now, he went to the bathroom forever once we got to take him!) Maurice and Eduardo (a surprise for us!) were waiting and quickly we were on our way to H.O.P.E. Central.
As we drove the way from the airport to the base camp, I asked Slaton what he thought...his reply was, "I hate it." This was quite a surprise for us because he was so excited...so I asked why and his reply was, "There are bars everywhere and it looks so sad." I realized that we hadn't really prepared him for what he would see here in the way of poverty. We had completely prepared him for his new world, new home, new school, new teacher....but what about seeing those that live without, seeing homes that are not what he is used to, seeing those going without food.....this we hadn't prepared him.
However, from the moment we pulled into H.O.P.E. Central, he fell in love, literally, with it all. For those that have been here...remember the plants in from of the houses? He calls them his own jungle. The guard...he thinks they have the coolest job ever and I think he thinks that they are his new best friends....Thankfully, Dennis is trying to learn English so he doesn't mind that Slaton wants to constantly ask him questions! Buster and Rayna are getting along and Slaton loves Rayna! This morning after he awoke, I got him dressed and he went outside with Travis and then next thing I knew he's running around with only his shorts on and having a ball.
Today was spent going to the grocery store (which was a success), unpacking and making our home...our home. As I write this, Slaton and Travis are taking a nap (both are completely exhausted-Trav was just laying with him until he fell asleep!) and Tae and I are making cookies for the staff who many will return back to work tomorrow. We are putting the verse Jeremiah 29:11 in each of them.... "For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse was in Trav and I's devotion today...quite fitting for a new year!
Thank you again for all of the prayers and encouragement during this adventure. While it is so very hard to leave those that we love, we are so very excited and will keep you posted as we go. I will also be posting under Tammy Conner Stearns if you would like to follow there or our email is stearnstammy@ymail.com.
Specific prayer requests are that our house would sell and that our transition here would continue to be good.
We start out the new year at H.O.P.E. Central in Nicaragua. Our travel yesterday started with a minor hiccup at the airport but once all was taken care of (Thanks to everyone praying!), we were on our way...myself, Travis, Taellor, Buster (Slaton's dog), and no less than 16 bags of luggage (counting carry-ons). Slaton's first airplane ride was quite an adventure to him...of course, we had to push the blue stewardess button to ask her a question...his question was, "Why are we in the air?" which led to about a 5 minute reply from her regarding how airplanes are like cars. Slaton loved it! She was awesome. In Miami, we were able to see Buster unloaded from our plane so we knew that he had made it to Miami. On the flight from Miami to Nicaragua, Slaton's seat was behind a little girl that was his age. They played almost all the way there. As soon as Slaton saw the lights of Managua, he yelled (and I mean yelled!), "Look, it's Nicaragua!!!) and his friend started cheering and before we knew it the whole plane was cheering. Arriving into the airport, we had a easy trip through immigrations and customs...even with Buster (which was a nightmare of mine!) (I have to brag on Buster for a bit. We have never crated him and he is mainly and outside dog but he hadn't gone to the bathroom in his crate for the whole trip! Now, he went to the bathroom forever once we got to take him!) Maurice and Eduardo (a surprise for us!) were waiting and quickly we were on our way to H.O.P.E. Central.
As we drove the way from the airport to the base camp, I asked Slaton what he thought...his reply was, "I hate it." This was quite a surprise for us because he was so excited...so I asked why and his reply was, "There are bars everywhere and it looks so sad." I realized that we hadn't really prepared him for what he would see here in the way of poverty. We had completely prepared him for his new world, new home, new school, new teacher....but what about seeing those that live without, seeing homes that are not what he is used to, seeing those going without food.....this we hadn't prepared him.
However, from the moment we pulled into H.O.P.E. Central, he fell in love, literally, with it all. For those that have been here...remember the plants in from of the houses? He calls them his own jungle. The guard...he thinks they have the coolest job ever and I think he thinks that they are his new best friends....Thankfully, Dennis is trying to learn English so he doesn't mind that Slaton wants to constantly ask him questions! Buster and Rayna are getting along and Slaton loves Rayna! This morning after he awoke, I got him dressed and he went outside with Travis and then next thing I knew he's running around with only his shorts on and having a ball.
Today was spent going to the grocery store (which was a success), unpacking and making our home...our home. As I write this, Slaton and Travis are taking a nap (both are completely exhausted-Trav was just laying with him until he fell asleep!) and Tae and I are making cookies for the staff who many will return back to work tomorrow. We are putting the verse Jeremiah 29:11 in each of them.... "For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse was in Trav and I's devotion today...quite fitting for a new year!
Thank you again for all of the prayers and encouragement during this adventure. While it is so very hard to leave those that we love, we are so very excited and will keep you posted as we go. I will also be posting under Tammy Conner Stearns if you would like to follow there or our email is stearnstammy@ymail.com.
Specific prayer requests are that our house would sell and that our transition here would continue to be good.
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