Sister Act 3

Changes

2011-08-01T08:09:00.002-05:00

My dear ‘blog follower friends’!

It has been a while since I last wrote but there are reasons for that which I’ll explain. Life is a mystery and we’re called to live in that mystery … sometimes understanding bits and pieces of it and other times not at all.

After prayer, discernment, conversation with good friends and companions the call has come clear from the Spirit of Life. It is time to return to ‘home base’. I’ve been ‘in the field’ of Nicaragua for 3½ years now. I have been given the opportunity to learn much about myself, my Nicaraguan sisters and brothers and my God, and I’m grateful for the all of this. I have received a great deal and been able to share myself with many new friends. However, it is now time to return. I will fly back to Central America on July 28th in order to “despedirme” (say farewell), celebrate my time with my friends there and finish up some office matters. I will return to Michigan on the 10th of August and take up residence from whence I came, namely in Detroit with my CSJ Goldengate community. Though I have no immediate plans for future ministry involvement, I do look forward to volunteering time at the Centro de San Jose which my friend, Marie Benzing, csj, has established in the Hispanic sector of Detroit where tutoring and language skills assistance have been developed. I ask you to send a prayer my way as I transition. It is never easy to leave a setting that has been a part of your very being, but the journey of life is just that, a journey, and that implies movement and change from time to time.

I have recently enjoyed the most wonderful experience of our CSSJ Event which took place in St. Louis, Missouri, from July 9-13. It was energy and grace filled and found some 860 of us from all around the world sharing, dreaming, taking action, enjoying each other’s company and so much more. Our strong justice stance had to do with Human Trafficking, modern day enslavement. I encourage you to find out all you can about this evil and do whatever is in your heart to free persons from this bondage. If you wish to learn more about this terrible injustice you might want to check out our CSJ website, then go to "click here to read coverage from the National Catholic Reporter”.

Thanks for being open to learning more about the injustices our sisters and brothers suffer and more importantly how we can work against such evil.

I am considering continuing this blog communication. My friend, Ruth, who has so graciously posted and titled and placed photos etc. for “Sister Act 3” is encouraging me to continue with “Sister Act 4”!! We’ll see how it goes. I thank you for your interest in my writings from Nicaragua and your support over these past years.

If you are in the habit of sending donations for the Nicaraguan projects you might want to now consider sending such support to a local ‘good cause’:

St. Stephen - Mary, Mother of the Church Parish
4311 Central St.
Detroit, MI 44210-2785

Attn: Sr. Marie Benzing, CSJ - Centro de San Jose

Blessings as you continue your own personal journey in life.

Your grateful sister,
Jeanne

On Nature and Nurture

2011-05-30T11:05:00.003-05:00

Hi there you blog followers!

I am remembering the Burma Shave jingles that appeared along the highways when I was a child. If you’re not at least 55 years old, you won’t know what I’m referring to! My original one is: “The rains have come…the heat is great… the mud and insects don’t abate!” Yes, we have now entered into the six months of rain which is our alternate season to six months of total dryness. In a strange twist, this time is referred to as WINTER. Now it has nothing to do with winter as you’ve probably gathered from my previous comments about the heat! Everything greens up immediately and that’s a good thing. Now if we just don’t have TOO much rain the farmers will be able to plant their beans and corn. We pray for a good planting and harvest. Pray with us, please.

"Ancient image of 'god' of cacao and information about cacao"

This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel north of Managua about 3 hours to the department of Matagalpa. I went with a friend and her fiancé and we had a delightful time. We checked out the Castillo de Cacao….The Chocolate Castle! It is designed like a small Middle Ages castle and the entire process of turning raw cacao beans into rich, delicious chocolate is carried out there. It’s in a lovely setting amidst the hills of this area and includes a museum of everything chocolate…candy bar wrappers, varieties from many countries and of course there are samples!

"Mural in Casa Materna with Foundresses in the Foreground"

The real reason to for the trip was to become more acquainted with the Casa Materna which for 20 years has been receiving pregnant women from the surrounding rural area, especially those who are ‘at risk’ be it because of age, difficult pregnancy or just because they are far away from a medical setting or midwife who will help with the delivery of their baby. They come in the final week or two of their pregnancy. Casa Materna was built to accommodate 20 women but there are currently 27, so some beds have to serve for two very pregnant women. The staff and volunteers do a great deal of teaching and preparation for birthing and also teach and help in the surrounding rural areas.

"Cloth Banner in Casa Materna"

We were able to stay in their B and B for the night and it was delightful to be in a smaller, quieter pueblo and hear church bells ringing on Sunday morning and enjoy the view of mountains and hills. The people were delightful and we spent Sunday morning enjoying a typical Nica breakfast followed by a tour of the setting. Doña Chila who is a woman my age and is a partera (midwife) was our breakfast provider and tour guide. The women deliver in the hospital of Matagalpa so only in an extreme emergency would she actually deliver and baby, but she teaches and cooks and does a myriad of things. The project is an NGO and they struggle to have nourishing food each day for the women, but they manage somehow. An interesting fact is that a Michigan woman, Kitty Madden, is the director and has been for many years. Unfortunately, she was in Michigan when we visited!!

"Christy, Dona Chila (midwife), Jeanne in front of banner"

Some of the board members for Casa Materna are folks I know from Gesu Parish in Detroit and another is a cousin of a friend. I just ‘happened’ to encounter David, the cousin of friends I’ve met here, in the airport last November. He was returning after a board meeting and was behind me in line. He noted on my backpack ID that I had initials after my name. “Are you a Sister?” he asked. And so the conversation started and I Iearned that we had another connection. The world is so very, very small and we are all sisters and brothers in the midst of it. What a grace to live in this reality!

I shall bring this sharing to an end for this time. Until the next blog, thanks again for being interested and following my journey here in Nica land.

Love and gratitude,

Jeanne

All of life is a journey

2011-04-25T22:40:00.004-05:00

April 18, 2011

Managua & Diriamba, Nicaragua

I’m beginning this posting before Holy Week and will finish it after Easter. Kari and I are going to Diriamba, a town south and with more elevation than Managua. The principle reasons for doing this are to have some space and time for retreat and to participate in the religious expression of the Nicaraguan folks as they celebrate the last three days of Lent. A lesser reason is get out of Managua and to have a cooler ambiance in which to relax. Hopefully, I will have some photos to accompany this blog that will give you an idea of Diriamba and the religious services.

Holy Week in Nicaragua is a ‘vacation week’. I suspect that at one time it was a way of freeing up the working folks so they could participate in the various religious ceremonies…just as in the States when we had Good Friday ‘off’ or at least from noon until 3:00pm. Here, there is no school and although Thursday and Friday are ‘free days’, many people take the whole week and travel to the beach or to be with relatives. Unfortunately, it’s a time of sorrow due to the many traffic accidents and drownings.

April 25, 2011

Well, I just returned from a delightful three days in a very welcoming pueblo and a stay with the Sisters of the Assumption at their retreat center. Kari and I experienced Holy Thursday with the San Sebastian Community which is the largest of the local churches. We returned there Friday evening in time for the traditional procession with the statue of the crucified Jesus in a coffin carried by various teams of men. see photos) This was preceded by the statue of St. John the Apostle and followed by the statue of the Sorrowful Mother. As you can see in the photo, it was quite a gathering of folks together with some young fellows portraying the centurions and little girls as angels. The devotion of the people is remarkable and the keeping of traditions is very important.

We experienced Good Friday in the parish church of San Caralampio. I had no idea about this fellow and had a dickens of a time even pronouncing his name! This is a smaller church and a very devout congregation. Saturday evening we stayed on the grounds of the retreat house and celebrated with the Sisters of the Assumption as we did also on Sunday morning.

All in all it was a very wonderful way to live the Triduum and Easter (La Pascua). The grounds are extensive and have tons of trees of many varieties and fruits and plants and flowers in abundance.

And now I’m off to Louisiana (Baton Rouge and New Orleans) for our annual Assembly and Mission Circle gathering which includes folks from California, New Mexico, Kansas and we Nicaraguans. I’ll only be gone for eight days but it will be a full and enjoyable time.

Thanks for staying connected and interested in this venture. If Oscar A. reads this new posting…please comment and send your e-mail address. I cannot respond to comments. They do not contain an address of the sender. I would like to be in contact with you.

Easter Season Blessings and Gratitude,

Jeanne, csj

All in a day's work

2011-03-29T19:59:00.004-06:00

Greetings from balmy, sunny Managua. I’ve been thinking of writing a summary of the various projects in which we are currently engaged here in the Mateare/Ciudad Sandino rural areas. Many of you pray for our people and a better life for them and some send donations to help the projects along. Both categories are greatly appreciated. So that you know where your efforts are directed, I’ll mention and explain the various endeavors. Some are directly funded by organizations, others use your donations and there are times when your donations help to ‘fill in the gaps’ of the formal projects which makes everything move along with less struggle.

Educational Assistance:

Scholarships – small amounts of money to facilitate four university students ($25.00/month for transportation and food) and five high schoolers and two primary school students ($25.00/month for transportation). This current year we’ve added a family that has to spend $2.00/day just to get their two little ones to school each day and a young woman who neither hears nor speaks but who has worked very hard to complete secondary school and has now entered university level studies. Her mother deserves a great deal of credit as she’s been determined that her daughter with different capabilities will have a future. There are many more seeking help but this is all we can handle right now.

Family Life Improvement:

Latrines - more sanitary ‘outhouses’ that can be kept cleaner with hopes for advancing an even more ‘user friendly’ version.

Cement and Iron Tanks to Retain Rain Water - round cylinders constructed by our own people to catch and store the water from the heavy rains for use during the six dry months of the year.

Laundry Sinks - concrete structures for washing clothes, fitted with a tube so that the used water will be directed underwater to irrigate plants in the area and keep mosquito/fly reproduction down due to pooled water under the sinks. Before the women were using a stone on which to wash their clothes.

Improved Stoves for Cooking - the concrete wood burning stoves located inside the houses are being fitted with a chimney and simple flue so that the smoke is directed outside of the home thus creating a healthier atmosphere inside the home.

Family Vegetable Gardens – assisting families in planning, executing and harvesting vegetables according to organic principles in order to improve meal menus.

Animal Production:

Pregnant Cows – helping women purchase a pregnant cow which multiplies the animals and produces milk and cheese for nourishment and for selling.

Set of Chickens – helping families purchase five chickens, one rooster and screening for a pen, which will provide eggs, meat and a larger group of chickens.

Ecology Measures:

Energy Plots - assisting farmers in establishing “small forests” of trees by means of reforestation, so that these trees can be used for future use…fuel for cooking, for the making of saleable carbon, construction etc.

Water Projects – assisting communities in working toward safer drinking water and more water availability for irrigating gardens, maintaining animals, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes etc.

Clean Up Campaigns – part of the wonderful work of our Ecology Brigades to preserve our environment and teach ecological modes of living and working.

We also help out with emergency situations by working with the community in a collaborative way to meet the need. My home parish helped one community repair their well and replace their tubing and we’re working on other water projects, as water is the basic and first need for all.

Hopefully, this helps to explain a bit of what we do in Cantera. This is just one aspect but probably the easiest to grasp and mostly takes place in the rural areas.

There is a lot of accompaniment and development of personal qualities for leadership and community organizing, as well as workshops on topics of gender, development, spirituality and evaluation. Work with youth of the city is also a priority. There is a whole area of Cantera in Ciudad Sandino, once a refugee town, where we have a pre-school and many youth development opportunities as well as a library where youth can come and study using the textbooks that are available. A well developed network of natural medicine is also an important aspect of Cantera.

Hopefully, this helps to make your efforts more tangible and explain how Cantera works using the principles of Popular Education and self-determination.

I thought I’d end by mentioning one of my many joys here in Nicaragua…the children. Just this morning as I was sweeping and cleaning the road and trench in front of our house, I became aware of a little lst. grade neighbor girl standing beside me. She was all ready to leave for school …. scrubbed, shampooed, pressed and fresh looking and just wanted a hug and a few words before picking up her backpack and heading off … a great way to start my day! What joy have you had today in the midst of personal concerns and global problems? Don’t miss the joy!

Until the next time….blessings and gratitude. Thanks for all you are and do.

Gratefully,

Jeanne

Random Acts of Kindness

2011-03-10T19:34:00.003-06:00

It’s about time for me to check in once again. Actually, I’m overdue! Hopefully, those of you who are still in the grip of winter weather are finding some hopeful signs of a warmer future. Here we are still experiencing the more pleasant time of the year but each afternoon I’m reminded of the heat to come as it gets warmer each day. I’ll not complain!!

Recently, one of the sisters of my congregation visited us for a week in preparation for bringing a group of high school students to Nicaragua next February. I thought it might be interesting for you to hear the observations of a person who was experiencing a very different reality for the first time. Her perceptions are very typical of the folks who come to such a land as ours.

Everything is so different! … There’s very little personal space! … There are people selling everything, everywhere. … There’s a lot of physical openness (the outside and the inside are one!) … There is plastic everywhere, in every form … There’s constant noise. … The people are very warm and receptive … It’s hard to orient yourself. … Kids are kids no matter where you are on this planet. … There are lots of smiles. … We can live with less. … We’re really not entitled to anything …

These observations give us much to ponder as we begin Lent and try to be open to life in whatever form it presents itself….through each person - no matter the diversity, through nature, through insights and inspirations etc.

One of our sisters is working with our program, “St. Joseph, Worker” located in New Orleans, LA which invites volunteers to participate for a year in various social work activities. In her recent blog Jackie proposed uniting with others in doing Random Acts of Kindness – “being attentive to new life and goodness” during the Lenten Season. Maybe you’d be interested in joining in this venture. I’ve started and hope to see it through until Easter. If you’re interested in learning more about the St. Joseph, Worker program, the link can be found on our website: www.csjoseph.org which also includes the ‘Sister Act 3’ link.

Life here goes on with very little improvement for the poor of the land. We’re in the dry season so at least there aren’t experiencing the problems which come with the intense rains. Every now and then there’s a ray of hope and so one hangs onto those moments. Of course, the children are always a symbol of hope. So I’ll include a photo of our children as a reminder that we all need to hope but also work toward a better future for all.

What Random Act of Kindness did you have the opportunity to perform today?

Tropical Greetings!

2011-02-02T21:46:00.003-06:00

Managua, Nicaragua

February 1, 2011

Reporting in from the land of lakes and volcanoes … and periodic ‘shakes’ – we’ve had two just lately!

I arrived back in Managua on Wednesday the 19^th after a rather protracted time in the States where I visited my family and many friends, made my annual retreat of 6 days, had far too many medical matters checked out, participated in our congregational visitation by the Vatican appointed visitors and among other matters, ate too much!! The last week was spent in Chicago where I was privileged to participate in the First Profession of a member of our congregation. All winter clothing, and there were many items, were left in Chicago and sometime between now and next winter they will find their way back to ‘base camp’ in Detroit.

I thought you’d appreciate a bit of sunshine and warmth and balmy breezes, so I’m including those in this blog. Hopefully, you can feel them. I’ll include photos to jog your memory of warmer climes.

We’ve been into planning sessions because we are beginning the year anew here in Nicaragua. It’s comparable to September in the States. The children will return to classes in mid-February if not sooner - private schools start at the beginning of the month. I’m sure the parents are ready to have their little and big students get back into routine and the neighbors are, too.

While I was home my sister-in-law gave me a newspaper clipping about a project being planned by a young man, Erick, from my home town of Flint. Now Flint suffers from a less than great reputation, but good things/people do emanate from there. This lad is a student at Carmen-Ainsworth High School, the school my nieces and nephews attended many years ago. Erick’s a swimmer, as were my nieces and nephews, so in more than one way, I was interested in this young man’s project. It seems Erick became aware of the water crisis present in our world and so he decided to do something about it. He decided to link his swimming to a water project that provides safe drinking water for impoverished areas. On December 30^th he swam 10 miles in his high school pool which is equivalent to 704 laps. It took him 6 hours and 8 minutes to accomplish the feat. He had asked friends, family and anybody who’d respond to sponsor him. He raised $15,095.00 for water.org. I wrote him a letter of encouragement before hand and told him of my gratitude for his interest in water projects and his efforts. I explained my experience in Nicaragua and that I had experienced the great need for water projects. Recently I received a response written after the fact. In his communication of gratitude, Erick said, “God used a variety of people in a variety of ways…through prayers, encouragement and financial support. What an amazing thing that God used so many people to spread His love (through availability of water, the basic requirement for life … my words!) around the world.”

They calculate that $25.00 will provide one person with clean water for life. So, one creative teen was able to raise enough money to accomplish this for over 600 persons. We can each make a difference in our school, family, neighborhood, world by using our talents, skills, creativity, connections, etc. It might be through encouragement of another, prayer support, donation of money or resources or whatever. We can each do something to make a difference. What might you have done recently to accomplish a difference? Credit yourself and share it with another. Perhaps the other person will be inspired to creatively make a difference, too.

I will be back with you before long. I’m grateful for all of you who take time to follow and read, Sister Act 3. Many have told me of your interest and I’ve connected with other folks because of your connecting. Blessings on your new year…gosh we’re already into the second month. How time flies when we’re thinking of others and making a difference in the lives of others.

Love and Peace,

Jeanne

Feliz Navidad

2010-12-18T10:31:00.003-06:00

Greetings from VERY FROZEN Michigan!

I’m not having any trouble realizing that I’m not in Nicaragua. All I have to do is feel my nose and fingers and I’m convinced. Now, just why would someone leave Nicaragua at this time of the year when the temps are 68 - 89 and the skies semi-cloudy and the breezes balmy?? I don’t think it’s necessary to answer that justifiable question.

I hadn’t planned on blogging while I was home in the States but I find that I miss not staying in touch, so here I am! Many of our sisters and other friends comment on the blog and how much they enjoy hearing about the ventures and adventures of this blogger. It’s a great way to stay in touch and to link south to north and now I’m linking north to south.

I am very aware of the Advent season here and grateful that this year we have four full weeks of this season. It’s a beautiful time to reflect and to try to stay focused on the real reason for all this anticipation and preparation, while at the same time enjoying the Christmas preparations all around.

You’ll be glad to know that my snow/ice driving skills kicked back in immediately and that’s a very good thing as it’s a real challenge these days. Fortunately, MOST people are using common sense and driving slowly and not hitting brakes unnecessarily….however, there are THOSE OTHERS….so one must keep all eyes, ears and nerves on “the others” while at the same time navigating one’s own vehicle.

I was sorry to have missed Purisima in Nicaragua, the national day for celebrating the Immaculate Conception of Mary. I spent that day in Cleveland having my personal interview with a member oaf our visiting Vatican- appointed team. All went well, as far as I could determine. It was so good to be with my sisters at our center where I’m pretty well known as the ‘cow lady’ and/or the ‘chicken lady’. This year the Leadership Team of the congregation is sponsoring four sets of five chickens plus one rooster as their Christmas gift to benefactors and co-ministers. For the last two years it’s been cows. Diversity is good! I have been a member of this ‘greatest community ever’ for the past 54+ years and it’s always gift to be able to spend time with my sisters. I just missed their lovely snowfall of 12-14 inches. On the west side of the city, we only had 4 inches.

I’m getting ready to betake myself to St. Louis where I’ll spend Christmas with the other half of my family having spent Thanksgiving with the Michigan family. When I return I’ll head to Cleveland for a week of silent retreat. Oh, I do look forward to that time each year. Then it will be time to head to Chicago and on to Managua. I should land back in the land of lakes and volcanos on the night of the 19^th if all goes according to plan. However, I’ve enough experience under my belt to be open to whatever comes my way. Will blog again when I’m back in Nica land.

The translation of the Christmas greeting which is from all of us at Cantera is:

“Let us sing to peace and solidarity among peoples. Let us sing to the women, men, girls, boys and youth who are building a new world. ---- Constructing dreams and utopias.” (Cantera’s vision)

Blessings to each of you for a peace-filled and joy-filled Christmas Season and for a 2011 bringing us closer in love, compassion, solidarity and peace with each other, wherever we are in this world.

Love and Gratitude from your sister, Jeanne.

Wood Hath Hope

2010-11-07T14:11:00.005-06:00

Managua, Nicaragua

November 3, 2010

St. Martin de Porres of Lima, Peru – Patron Saint of the Poor

“Wood hath hope. If it’s cut, it grows green again and its boughs sprout clean again. Wood hath hope.”

Do you remember this song by the St. Louis Jesuits from a FEW years back? I do! I’m reminded of it every time I see a fence post here in Nicaragua that refuses to be just a dead piece of wood supporting fence wire and instead breaks into life again! It speaks to me of HOPE in the midst of too many indications to the contrary. The Spanish word for hope, esperanza, sounds like what it signifies - a breath of air, uplifting, promising. I’ve taken some photos of these ‘dead’ pieces of wood that are ‘sprouting clean and growing green again’. One of these was taken in the campo and the other in our neighborhood.

The beautiful field of green is the second crop of beans that have now made their way to the fresh air and are growing rapidly. I’ve been informed that here it takes 50 days for a bean seed to mature – from sowing to harvesting. This field to me is a sign of esperanza. Thanks go to my congregation for helping our farmers replant after losing a large part of their first planting due to exceedingly heavy rains.

My little brothers and sister who live high up in the hills are also signs of esperanza. I was having dinner in Las Lajas at the home of the beautiful little girl and her family, when I looked up and saw her looking at me through the flowers and vines. I asked her to ‘please stay put’ while I grabbed my camera and graciously, she did. The boys are brothers on their way home from school in Las Latas and were only too happy to pose before hiking off on their long walk back to their humble home.

This is probably be my last posting until I return to Nicaragua toward the end of January. I will leave for the States just before Thankgiving so I can see both my families (Rob’s and Rich’s) over the holidays. I look forward to seeing many of you during the time I’ll be home. As for the rest of you faithful followers, I’ll be thinking of you and sending you lots of love, peace and HOPE.

As we approach Advent, Navidad and New Years, I thought ‘hope’ would be an appropriate topic. I trust that you’re conscious of many hopeful aspects in your own life and journey. Each of you is a sign of hope for me and I thank you for that.

Peace, Love, Hope,

Jeanne

eta: photos of the children

Life Given and Life Destroyed

2010-10-22T23:23:00.003-05:00

Here I am again! Your responses make me a little more responsible about posting blogs more frequently. Thanks for the comments and encouragement. I enjoy sharing with you some of my experiences here in Nicaragua with the hope that it helps you feel more connected to your sisters and brothers who have and live a life that is just as valuable as each of ours but that for the grand majority is a life that has not had the opportunities that many/most of us have enjoyed.

One of the opportunities I have each weekend is visiting two of our government hospitals…one a hospital for mothers giving birth and for women with gynecological problems and cancer patients. The other is a physical rehab hospital. One part of Aldo Chavarrhia, the physical rehab hospital, is for those who have lost arms and/or legs through accidents or land mines. I’ve often reflected on this after I meet and visit with these folks. The majority of those who come to Managua to be fitted for a prosthesis or to have an existing prosthesis refitted or replaced come from the northern departments where the war years (1984 – 1990) took place They have stepped on a buried land mine which is still able to be activated and have had limbs blown off. The maps which tell where these mines were originally placed are not useful because with the torrential rains we experience and especially with the devastation of Hurricane Mitch in 1998, the mines have ‘moved on’.

The terrain in the north is very hilly and so the mechanisms have moved easily and far. One man told me that “not even God knows where they are!” Land mines have been outlawed by many nations as a weapon. However, the United States and a few other countries have yet to sign the treaty which would prohibit the use of such devasting devices which end up harming people young and old, for many years during and after the war officially ends. I suspect that the grand majority of our folks who have lost limbs through land mines or accidents do not have the advantage of a prosthesis. They hobble through the streets on crutches or in wheelchairs begging for a living, hoping for generosity, understanding and compassion from their sisters and brothers.

I have not been to the ‘higher hills’ since that adventurous trip I wrote about the last time…the lower ones, yes. I have been to Los Planes which can be reached by a variety of vehicles and which is is arrived at, over less difficult, but still challenging, roads. Kari and I go to this area every two weeks and meet with a group of incredible women who range in age from younger to ‘more mature’. I’ve been meeting with them for a couple of years now. We chat and enjoy each other, but the main reason for gathering is to study aspects of the Bible and to take time to reflect on Scripture and share that reflection. The wisdom, faith and richness of their lives is the gift that is shared. These gatherings give me life and I look forward to them, even though it’s a bit of a challenge to go and come.

Once I get into the ‘campo’ (farmland) area I experience a particular peace and calm. It’s mostly quiet there except for animal ‘voices’. The foliage is lush, colorful, thick and green and birds and butterflies are everywhere! It’s a simple, basic lifestyle that’s lived there and the beauty of creation leads one to prayer very easily. So each Wednesday evening I thank God for the presence in my life of Dominga, Paula, Maria Elena, Amalia, Evangelina, Yoma, Migdonia, Leah and others that come when they’re able. They teach me a great deal about life and God and relationship. They are gift! Who are the gifts in your life who enliven you?

You are gift! Thank you for your love, support, prayers, donations and interest in this country located in the ‘heart’ of Central America. Your Nicaraguan sisters and brothers … and this sister…are grateful.

Until the next ‘posting’ …

Love and gratitude,

Jeanne

Nearer My God to Thee…

2010-10-07T19:22:00.003-05:00

Managua, Nicaragua

October 7, 2010

Hello, my ‘followers’,

It occurs to me that perhaps some of you might wonder about the You Tube connect to “Gabriel’s Oboe” from The Mission that appears at the top of my blog space. This has been on the blog site since pretty much the beginning when my friend, Ruth, realized how much I enjoyed that piece of music. She put it there so I can listen to it whenever I wish. The movie and book, The Mission, both in English and Spanish have been favorites of mine for years.

Normally, my blog mistress puts a title on my postings. However, I decided on the title for this one! Today I’ll share with you our last experience of determination to get to the various rural settings in spite of the conditions. I think we’ve reached a new aspect of reality and Claudio, my co-worker and the driver of our trusty yellow 4-wheel drive pickup, has finally admitted that there are limits!

One day we went to an area called Masatepe to negotiate for 6 quintales (600 pounds) of frijoles (beans) so that our farmers could replant. The fervent hope is to be able to make up for the crop lost to the intensive rains. We had a long but delightful day, finally accomplishing the task. Of course, there was waiting involved because the only person who could give us a valid receipt was in Ticuantepe which was 45 minutes away. We did a little paseo (pleasure trip) to the town and enjoyed some new sites. We also went to San Marcos, and among other things, saw Tom Monaghan’s Ave Maria University. No comment.

The next day we set off for 5 of the rural areas with the intention of delivering the 100 pound bags of seeds - one quintal had been dropped off the day prior at a closer area. The frijoles were well protected with meters of heavy black plastic…inevitable rain, you know! We started off and were able to get to Los Filos, Las Yucas, Las Latas-Lajas, La Ceiba and ULTIMATELY Las Parcelas! It was a trip never to be forgotten. I don’t know how many times Claudio stopped the truck, got out and spent several minutes trying to find a ‘possible place’ to get from ‘where we were’ to ‘where we needed to go’ without falling into one of several trenches and/or sliding off the edge of wherever! At one point earlier in the ‘adventure’, we met a larger truck than ours loaded with corn. Now, this is a one-vehicle-only type of trail that sits in between high banks of earth. These caminos have been ‘carved out’ by the rains over the years. There was definitely no way to back up and/or turn around. The fellows from the other truck “guided” us up on the side of the road which put us on about a 45 degree angle with himself on the ‘other truck’ side and myself on the ‘up’ side hanging onto the hand grip above my seat. I have no idea why it worked without some mishap…but it did. Claudio didn’t know how it worked either, but after the “passing” both trucks were upright and we were warm (as in sweating) and breathing! I think it was divine intervention! He had suggested previously that I pray to all the angeles y santos (male saints!!). I informed him that the “santas” (not as in Santa Claus!!) were more likely to be of help and more focused! He did not argue with me! Claudio is diabetic and we hadn’t brought anything to eat and it was well past ‘feeding’ time! Next time I’ll make sure we have food. He’s been doing this for 9 years and is a good driver and so I was anxious but not having a panic attack. However, I did not want to spend the night in mud up to my knees! We did manage – with a lot of help from above, I’m sure – to eventually get back down to the main road. Claudio admitted afterward that he was frightened. “It was the worst I’ve ever seen it”, said he! It was a fairly silent trip from La Ceiba to Las Parcelas. Needless to say, there were many prayers of gratitude sent up that evening. I checked to make sure the following day that Claudio said his, too!!

I do enjoy a challenge and have an adventuresome bone in my body, but I can do without a repeat of that particular experience. Claudio has not wanted to venture forth until the rains subside. He’s looking at next Wednesday. I’ll write an update afterward. I’m also making a list of aprendizajes (learnings) that have evolved from this experience. What adventure have you had lately and what did you learn from it?

Take care, my friends. Thanks for ‘following’ and to some of you for sending comments. Your love and support are greatly appreciated.

Your sister,

Jeanne

A note on the photos:

One of them is loading the sacks of beans, another is a delivery at Las Yucas, "Hector" is my little friend on the tire, the oxen are the most secure transport system in the rural area and the rural "kitchen" is just that...how cooking is done there. The "loading" took place in Masatepe and the other photos were all taken at Las Yucas while we were delivering one quintal. That was before the going became very nearly IMPOSSIBLE.

Too much and too little

2010-09-25T10:14:00.003-05:00

Reporting in from Central America! Does anyone want some moisture? Are you too dry? We’d be more than happy to send some your way! ‘Tis the rainy season and like so many other areas of our planet, the weather system seems to be ‘disturbed’. According to the Nica folks, this year beats them all for the amount and intensity of the rains. Many areas are suffering greatly from loss of homes and their meager material goods due to flooding. The bean crop in particular is suffering from too much rain causing the rotting of seeds and the washing away of cultivated plants. Our CSJ Leadership Team sent emergency funds which have enabled us to help out. In the Mateare-Ciudad Sandino rural areas we have been able, through the use of these funds, to purchase 7 quintales (100 pounds per quintal) of frejoles rojos (red beans) for each of our comarcas (areas). These will be planted and prayed over with the hope that this second planting will survive and bear a normal crop.

On Saturday Kari and I were returning from visiting women cancer patients at the government hospital and we stopped to have an Eskimo Pie. Are you old enough to remember the white carts with jangling bells that tempted kids and irritated moms that would work their way up and down the streets during the summer? Well, we have the very same thing here but they’re called Es-KEEE-moe (accent on second syllable!). They also have these in grocery stores. We stopped at one such called La Colonia and that’s where I began to think about paradoxes. Our eyes lit up when we saw asparagus! And….then they lost their light when we noted the price…$10.00 per pound! And in another aisle we got excited seeing Multigrain Cheerios which are a favorite of mine. A medium sized box was ONLY $15.00!! Obviously, both items were imported. Then I thought, “..there are folks here who wouldn’t bat an eye at paying those prices while at the same time the majority of our people are scrounging to put beans and rice on the table.” Yes, life at most levels is indeed a paradox and this one is, over abundance in the midst of abject poverty. It was a stark aspect of reality. The other paradox that struck me is that we have all this water which is causing so much damage and even death and yet we lack water for daily life in many of our areas, especially the rural sections.

Now to close with a bit of joy and beauty. Our richness here is in the people. The Nicaraguan folks are beautiful and a gift to me. The other gift is another aspect of creation and that’s in the abundance of flora and fauna … during the rainy season. Early the other morning I was sitting in a rocker in our small patio in which my “hermitage” exists, eating my peanut butter toast and drinking my coffee . I noticed a brand new butterfly on the wall who was drying her wings … she stayed with me for quite a while. Then one of our ‘mascots’, a little gecko, entertained me for some time…all of this in the midst of our lemon tree which is giving us MANY lemons this year and a multitude of very green plants and flowers…. I had a great conversation with our loving Creator and was thinking…wouldn’t it be great if a picaflor/colibri (a.k.a. hummingbird) would come for breakfast on our yellow cameron plant and our rose-colored hibiscus which had birthed five blossoms earlier this a.m.! And don’t you know….she flew right in and stayed for some time, eating and hovering, in the midst of the rest of the beauty. I wanted to share this with you because sometimes I miss the beauty that’s around me because of the many worrisome, upsetting matters that are part of daily life. Does that happen in your daily life, too? What beauty was/will be gift for you today?

Thanks for connecting, being interested and supportive!
Your Nicaraguan sister,
Jeanne

Eye see

2010-08-26T21:56:00.007-05:00

I see the promise of tomorrow in a rural classroom

I’m back in Nicaragua after three quick but wonderful weeks enjoying times of celebration – our Jubilees of 50, 60 and 75 years of life as Sisters of St. Joseph. Being with Marie and the other Jubilarians and reliving my own golden jubilee in 2006 was a great joy. Call, response, community, ministry, service, growth, love and much more are indeed aspects of life to be celebrated. And celebrate we did!! Soon we will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Dianne. Dianne has been in this area of Latin America 16 years and before that spent 8 years in Bolivia…around the time I was in Peru….as well as shorter stretches in Panama, Guatemala and Mexico.

I also had visits and other fun times while home. I felt as though I had dragged the constant rains and humidity with me from Nicaragua but tried not to be paranoid about it. After a few days we had hot but enjoyable weather and outdoor times were lots of fun.

I returned on the 9th and encountered very interesting folks along the way. I was surprised to find out that I had been ‘upgraded’ to First Class because they tried to pack too many people in Economy Class. They told me it was because I had Sky Miles with Delta…but I think it was my age…in spite of very few gray hairs!! Who knows…it was great having space and a meal and drinks and attention!! Delta does not have a light meal as does Continental in the ‘rear’!

Claudio and the trusty pickup truck.

As always there have been some changes here, even in three weeks time. So, I’m catching up. I’ve gone to the ‘campo’ four times this past week with Vero, Claudio and one of those times we had a visitor from Atlanta whom we took to La Ceiba for a workshop on gender. It was a full day and Maggie was a good sport and didn’t whine about the strenuousness of the trip with the lurching, jolting, sliding, etc. of our trusty yellow pickup truck. I took some school supplies to the most isolated areas. I was able to purchase them at very, very low prices while in the States. Our visitors had also brought such down, so we had some nice packages to deliver. Hopefully, the crayons didn’t melt or the chalk break before they arrived at their final destination. The rural schools are equipped with one room of four walls, a roof, some desks or benches, an antiquated chalkboard and precious little more. So, any item is greatly appreciated … the boxes contained crayons, chalk, a few rulers, scissors, pencils and a pack of markers. The teachers were delighted as will be the children. It takes very little to bring joy!

Next Sunday Kari and I will go to Los Planes de Cuajachillo 2 to participate in the annual celebration of the parish in that sector. We celebrate “Nuestra Senora de Nancite” (Our Lady of Nancite). Nancite is a fruit that is in season right now. Actually, it’s one of my least favorite fruits but I will be well behaved and eat some next Sunday! I did a blog a couple of years ago on the procession that precedes the Mass. We pray for NO RAIN during the procession. It’s a long walk….longer still if you’re drenched. I enjoy the people and their devotion and dedication and feel privileged to be a part of their cultural expression of a long tradition for them.

Students hard at work.

August 24, 2010

Today started out with the joyful announcement that the young man with the cart that ‘carts off’ branches and leaves that result from trimming the trees, was at the door. Then I left for the office….I thought I’d learned the lesson of paying attention to the numbers on the buses…but you know how much an 8 can look like a 0??? I thought I was getting on a 110 but as I was chatting with the woman next to me, she said she worked at the Oriental Market…and then when I sensed that the bus was going to turn onto a ‘wrong’ street….I asked her what route we were on and she said, “118”! Well, needless to say, I got off shortly, walked a few blocks and got onto a bus that would take me where I intended to go!

How did your day start today? And, what have you relearned??

Love and support,

Jeanne

Food for thought...

2010-07-09T08:36:00.002-05:00

“Managua, Nicaragua, is a wonderful spot!

Coffee and bananas and a temperature HOT!”

Are you old enough to remember this song?? I am!! And it’s TRUE! However, they forgot to include beans and rice!

I thought I’d drop a note to you before I travel north for three weeks (July 19 - August 9). This way you won’t think I fell off the edge of the world for lack of communication.

A few days ago it occurred to me to start noticing the things that make me smile. There’s plenty here to ponder about, reflect on, feel sad about…but there are also many things about which to smile and feel happy! The thought came when two young fellows dressed as clowns got onto the bus and had the whole bus smiling and even laughing because of their repartee! Now…I suspect some of what they were saying was a bit shady but it was lost on me! At any rate the list began to grow and I so I share it with you. It’s been a good exercise and maybe one you might want to engage in such a reflection in your ‘neck of the woods’.

1. Clowns hoping to earn money by hopping on buses or juggling in the middle of busy streets thus making folks smile and forget about their struggles and worries about how to survive another day.

2. Beautiful dark-eyed, dark-haired, many shades of “beige and brown – skinned” children.

3. A 97 year old ‘abuelita’ who sat next to me on the bus this morning on my way to the office, clear as a bell, and delighted to know that I knew her ‘home base’ in the farmland of Los Filos de Cuajachillo. Her response to my farewell of “Que Dios le bendiga!” (God bless you!) was a pat on my hand and a triple “Amen”.

4. A ‘picaflor’ (hummingbird) in our garden that lets me know she’s there by her high pitched music.

5. The beauty of the countryside during this rainy season….lush, overgrown, green life.

6. An unexpected breeze that brings a bit of relief from the heat and humidity.

7. The incredible enthusiasm by everyone here over FIFA, the World Cup Soccer games. Everywhere there’s a TV, it’s honed in on the games when they’re on.

8. Beautiful, very different flowers and fruits grown here.

9. Hearing the loud chirp of our house pets – little geckos.

10.Seeing the small, white, wild orchids bloom on the lemon tree outside my window.

11.Hearing our neighborhood children laugh and play in front of our house.

12.Being in the campo and seeing the guardabarrancos fly with the sun displaying their iridescent colors.

13.Seeing friends’ names on my e-mail site on my computer!

14.Knowing that you enjoy this blog!

And….what makes you smile???

Looking forward to seeing some of you SOON. Thanks for you and all you are and do to make this world a better, more just place for all.

Love,

Jeanne

New Beginnings

2010-06-14T11:29:00.003-05:00

(I’m sending some of the heat, humidity and rain along with this…just to share!)

Greetings from the land of multitudinous mangos, flowering malinche trees and lots of lemons! All three of these marvels of nature are in great abundance right now.

Today as I’m writing a grant proposal for a donation for small scholarships for some of our very poor, but very capable rural youth, I decided to do a ‘two-fer’. I’ll blog the application responses!! Aha! I’m getting smarter as I get older….or is it lazier??? I prefer to believe it’s the wisdom that comes with age.

Our Nazareth Association generously gives grants for worthy causes that advance learning and improvement. We consider our rural youth on both secondary and university levels to qualify as very worthy. Our country provides education up through the sixth grade. Many do not complete this requirement, but there are those who struggle to continue studying. For our rural youth, in order to complete junior and senior high, the majority must do so on Saturdays – cramming a week of work into one very long day. Their help is needed on the farm working along with their parents and there is no school anywhere near them. So off they trudge on foot, horse drawn cart or bike, and eventually buses, to get to their school. We help by alotting them money for transportation and food while away from home. However, recently the funds from various sources dried up and so I’m appealing to the Nazareth Association for $1,000.00 to support three university and eight secondary students for the next six months. We always dream of a better future but we also have to let folks know of the opportunity to assist with the dreams of our people. Our future lies in our more educated youth and so onward we trudge. Two of the university students are majoring in agronomy. We need youth to stay in the rural area, improving farming and animal husbandry methods. Hopefully, Daniel and Earling will eventually complete their studies and assist their communities as they move into a more productive future. Bayardo is a very gifted and wholesome young man who comes from great poverty but has had the opportunity to have a good basic education and has been awarded a scholarship to the UCA – University of Central America - founded and run by the Jesuits. These universities are top notch and provide excellent educational opportunities. It was at the UCA of El Salvador that the martyrdoms of the seven Jesuit priests, their cook and her daughter occurred.

We have great hopes for Daniel, Earling and Bayardo!

This past Wednesday, Kari Pohl, csj arrived in Nicaragua to bless us with her presence and ministry. Kari is a Michigan woman from Westphalia, but due to circumstances beyond our control, met up with the Baden CSJs at University of Detroit Mercy, where she studied nursing. She ultimately entered the Baden (Pittsburgh) branch of the Sisters of St. Joseph. She’s a mere youth of 35 and brings life and energy, as young folks are wont to have – and we’re delighted! I’m sure you’ll hear more about Kari as I blog on in the future. Bienvenida Kari!

Yesterday I went with Kari to the office of the Conference of Religious where we started the procedure for getting her residency papers processed. She’s off to a much better start than I was 2.5 years ago. Because of my lack of documentation and the ensuing stuggle which was absorbed by my Michigan based friends, Kari has come with almost everything in order. They did change a couple of requirements but they will be easily met. Anyway, by the time we disembarked from the bus, the ‘monsoon’ was just getting ‘het up’. We were thoroughly drenched, in spite of umbrellas (they really just serve as symbols!), and arrived at the house a mere two blocks from the bus stop TOTALLY DRENCHED – and I mean that literally. It’s the wind that makes the umbrellas ineffectual, since it drives the rain sideways! Anyway, she’s had her baptism and is now qualified to consider herself Nica!

I could prattle on, but will not. Thanks for each of you and your interest in our sisters and brothers who lack what is needed for a dignified and healthy life, wherever you are, doing whatever you do in this regard.

Love, your sister,
Jeanne

Photo: Malinche tree courtesy Google Images

Breakfast of Champions

2010-05-25T13:03:00.003-05:00

Greetings once again from hot, steamy, teeming rain, tropical Managua. The good news is that the rains have been coming more frequently so our farming folks can have hopes for a productive harvest. Without this there is no recourse for the folks of the rural areas, so I gladly raise my umbrella and try to stay somewhat dry…usually not successfully. However, there is no evidence of a ‘rain hat’!!

Speaking of the rural territories, I spent yesterday in La Ceiba. This is the furthest and highest area we visit. The day was designed for a workshop on Natural Medicine. The women and a couple of fellows had been collecting, pressing and drying various leaves that have medicinal value as homework following the previous workshop. Yesterday was devoted to attaching them to tag board by means of glue or sewing, naming them, describing what they were used to cure or prevent and instructions on how to prepare them. After this was completed….some had as many as 23 specimens!….each sheet was placed in a plastic sheath together with a title page,, holes punched in each and then tied with yarn. The project took time but was most successful and gratifying. The participants now have a compendium of useful information with which to meet the medical needs of their families and neighbors. Medicine is expensive and there are many natural items that have curative effects, cost nothing and also do not introduce chemicals into the body.

On the way to La Ceiba, we dropped of poles and tarps at the well at Las Yucas that will be needed for Monday’s receiption of the Prime Minister of Luxumbourg. She will be visiting to see first hand how the well which Caritas Luxumbourg/Switzerland and Cantera helped finance, is functioning. As we were jouncing along, I mentioned that I was hungry because I had forgotten to eat breakfast beingin a hurry to get to the office at 8:00…the prescribed time to leave. Of course, we didn’t leave until 9:40. So Claudio offered me a HUGE mango he’d acquired and handed me his Swiss Army knife! This was a VERY RIPE mango…I leave the rest up to your imagination - jolting truck, VERY JUICY mango, sharp knife, small plastic bag, originally clean shirt and pants…..!!! The mango was delicious!!

More people than anticipated arrived, including some who arrived just at dinner time. Strange that they should arrived just in time for food! Hm-m-m. My concern was for the meal we’d brought already prepared, but Regina and Victoria managed very well, making sure everyone had something to eat….even dividing up the cookies and wrapping them in a napkin…one for children, two for adults!

O course, getting there and returning always has its adventures, not the least of which is the return by the ‘bajada de San Andres’ which my colleague, Claudio, insists is much faster! I have my doubts about this. I’m going to prove scientifically that it’s not any faster. It may be shorter, but not faster because it must be traveled VERY, VERY CAREFULLY! He delights in exposing folks to this trail, especially if it’s a ‘first time’ which it was for two of the passengers one of which was riding in the bed of the pickup along with the empty cooking pots which kept sliding around and falling over!! We arrived safely and in good condition, if not a little muscle sore from the jolting and jostling! I arrived home sweaty, rain soaked, mango stained and dirty but content, since a profitable day was had by all … Nicaraguan campo fashion!

So much for another day in the life of a gringa in the Nicaraguan ‘highlands’.

Thanks for following these adventures and this adventuress. Gratitude for all you do to make this world and life a little easier for another/others.

Peace and Love,

Jeanne

Home Again

2010-05-04T22:02:00.005-05:00

The translation for the hanging, which is a representation of the previous gatherings in 1991, 1995, 2000, and 2005 (northern Brazil , Mexico, southern Brazil, Peru) starting from our roots in LePuy, France, in 1650. "Extending our Nets We Weave Unity".

Greetings from the land where six months of totally dry weather has given way to very, very wet weather! You can’t imagine how much rain can fall all at the same time!! For sure, the land needs the rain but my very wet clothes (especially the heavy ones I wore in Argentina!) don’t seem to be on the same wave length. Oh well, sooner or later they will dry…probably later!

"I'm the easiest to spot..'happy jacket' standing on extreme left...Marie Hogan, topmost 'head only' in back row...Dianne Fanguy, sitting a little left of center with bright pink shirt....Kathy McCluskey, to my left. Jan must have been elsewhere at the time of the photo. The two Haitian sisters seem to have 'not received the translation' and three others had betaken themselves to Toronto, Rome and Philadelphia! So much for large group photos!!"

We returned from the two week gathering of 101 CSJs who minister in Latin America and the Caribbean, on Thursday evening after nine hours of flight time and a there hour time difference. Arriving at 7:30pm (really 10:30pm in Buenos Aires) gave us some extra time to sleep, eventually. It was good to be home but the gathering, sharing and enjoying of so many of our sisters – fifteen different countries represented and nineteen different congregations of CSJs – were indeed gifts and very enriching. We ranged in age from the ‘early 30’s’ to the ‘over 80’s’. Youth and energy, mixed with wisdom and experience, was a wonderful blend! Spanish (at least two versions), Portuguese, Creole (spoken in Haiti), French and English were the languages you could hear at any one moment. Translators were kept ‘on their toes’ to keep everyone understanding. One connection was translating from Spanish or Portuguese to English and then into Creole!

We were blessed to have four of our sisters – two Haitians, one Canadian (English speaker), one Canadian (French speaker) - present so that we could enter somewhat into their experience of the earthquake and this time of reconstruction and healing. We also had among us, three from Chile who had experienced the earthquake there. These natural disasters take on a different feel when you hear first hand of the trauma and suffering along with the resilience of the people. Needless to say, we now feel much more connected and interconnected.

We had two days when we visited some of the ministry sites of our Argentinian sisters. They are connected with so many wonderful ministries with the very poor….yes, there is poverty in Argentina in spite of the fact that it more resembles a European country rather than a typical South American one. We also had some time to see parts of Buenos Aires and to spend time on their rivers that lead into their capital and then flow into the Atlantic Ocean.

Our time with our own congregation prior to the international experience was also very enjoyable. There were about four hundred of us gathered in Chicago right after Easter….so resurrection joy continued on as we met and shared and planned for our future together. There were opportunities to see some family members during this time and that’s always a joy.

Now, it’s back to ministry in Nica land. It will be good to see co-workers once again and get caught up on Nicaraguan life during the past month. I’ll check in again in a couple of weeks. Thanks for following the journey of this itinerant woman!

Peace within and without, at home and abroad and throughout our universe….that’s a big order but attainable if we each do our piece of peace-making.

Love, Jeanne

This Small World

2010-04-14T11:52:00.003-05:00

I’m back in Nicaragua for a few days before betaking myself, along with over 100 other Sisters of St. Joseph, to Argentina where we’ll spend two weeks together. All of us are involved in ministry in Latin America or the Caribbean area. This ‘encuentro’ occurs every 5 years in a different country.

While I was home for our annual Assembly I had the opportunity to speak to a wonderful group of young folks in Royal Oak. They are students at Shrine Catholic Academy and High School. It wasn’t the best of times…it was 8:30 in the morning on a Monday…the day after the final presentation of their annual play!! Need I say more? I had been so informed, in case I noted nodding heads. Also, the Spanish students had to leave at a given moment in order to take a computerized test. However, all that being said, it was a wonderful experience for this woman who has not taught junior or senior high students since 1972! They were attentive, asked intelligent and thought provoking questions and were enjoyable to spend time with. They had been carrying out projects and collecting money for our ‘pregnant cow’ program during Lent. They raised $940.00 which will comfortably purchase cows for 2 families. We are grateful for their generosity, interest and hard work, to say the least!

More than introducing them to the country and people of Nicaragua, I wanted to share some of my passion for ministry with our sisters and brothers who are less fortunate than ourselves in the realm of economics and opportunities enabling them to have a decent, respectable and healthy life. I had no desire to make them feel guilty about what they have but rather wanted to encourage them to examine and act upon the numerous opportunities available to them as they begin to form their plans for their careers, their futures. No one of us is created for ourselves alone. We are a significant part of this small, global village and have a responsibility to make this world a better place for our sisters and brothers of whatever land or clime. And so, I asked them to explore their options for experiences in other countries…not the developed lands…but the large majority of our earth where folks do not have enough to eat or safe water to drink, where they don’t have quality education – or basic education - provided for them, where they don’t have the luxury to dream of a future that’s hopefully going to come somewhere close to those dreams.

Such an experience will leave them much more aware and help to round out their plans. No, I don’t expect folks to come to Latin America en masse. However, by leaving oneself open to the experience attitudes are altered and formed and decisions can be made based on a broader perspective, a bigger picture of who we are and what we are called to do during our ‘one, wild and precious life’ in Mary Oliver’s words.

Photo: Courtesy of Wiki Commons

Another Journey

2010-03-25T14:22:00.005-06:00

Dear followers of “Sister Act 3”,

I have been procrastinating about updating this blog and now it’s time to leave Nica land for a short while. I will be traveling to the States for Holy Week in Detroit and then Easter Week in Chicago for congregational meetings. There will be over 400 of us gathered there as we meet and plan and enjoy each other….and that we do, very well. Once back from Chicago I’ll have two days in Managua and then be off with the other two CSJs from here to meet up with our Marie Hogan (Leadership Team) from the States and Jan Kurtz who ministers in Lima, Peru, for our gathering of C/SSJs who live and work in Latin America and the Caribbean area. This happens every 5 years and in a different country each time. It will be a great two weeks sharing and meeting and enjoying with others who are engaged in similar ministries with our sisters and brothers in this part of our world. I will blog after the events and let you know how everything unfolded. We return on April 29^th, so I’ll check back in sometime in the beginning of May.

While I’m in Detroit I’ll be connecting with the students from Shrine Junior and Senior High School and bringing them a bit of the reality of life in a tropical/dry Nicaragua which is the second poorest country next to Haiti. They’ve been collecting funds to pay for a cow which will be a great help for some family.

The timing is just right, since this has been their Lenten project and it will help the connection between ‘here’ and ‘there’. Thanks to Mary Ann and all who have put forth effort into this project.

The last time I wrote we were engaged in starting a ‘vivero’ nursery of trees. The 15,000 little black bags now have been filled and they have seeds within and hopefully are growing and thriving. After 3 – 4 months they will be able to be transplanted. They are part of a reforestation project. The big challenge is keep them watered. We haven’t had rain since forever….and it’s nowhere in sight! Everything is VERY dry, dusty and non-green!! It will be good to experience some RAIN in Michigan and Illinois. Remind me not to complain about it when I’m there!!!

May Holy Week bring many blessings and Easter a time of great joy and celebration of ‘life conquering death’.

Until next time when we meet at “Sister Act 3”, many thanks for all each one does to make this world a better place for everyone.

Love and peace,

Jeanne

The Nature of Things

2010-03-05T12:49:00.004-06:00

As we read of still MORE snow in the northeast USA, we find ourselves trying to find a bit of shade and a bit of breeze SOMEWHERE. It is unseasonably hot and they tell us that the much needed rain that normally comes in May will not arrive until July. The climate is off all over our small green planet and we have some responsibility for this. We’ve just experienced the second devastating earthquake in our western hemisphere, in Chile. We were warned of a possible tsunami event but thankfully we didn’t experience the huge waves that were expected. We did have some winds and rain during the night after the earthquake. What a welcome sound…rain on my tin roof!

Maria Veronica and Juanita examining a 'find' from nature in the rural school of Los Filos.

I’m writing of these events because part of what we’ve been involved in lately is the formation, for this year, of our ecology brigades among the school children, youth and adults. These folks are our forerunners of a more healthy, more kindly treated natural environment. We have been visiting our very humble rural schools…some of them with all children in grades 1-6 in the same room and with only a few desks and very little more. They are very aware of Madre Tierra (Mother Earth) who surrounds them at all times. They know the trees, their leaves, the flowers, the birds, the native animals and how to use the leaves and flowers for remedies and medicine. They will be involved in helping to raise consciousness about the dangers that face our environment and the health issues connected thereto. They will be helping to clean up their homes and communities and encouraging their families to do so while seeing that garbage is cared for properly. These children will also be responsible for cultivating and maintaining their school gardens that will supply them with tomatoes, sweet peppers, lettuce and other veggies that they wouldn’t normally have included in their diet. It is indeed a formidable task with six months of drought each year. However, youth have a way of circumventing the impossible and making some progress. They’re proud of their T-shirts and caps that set them apart... shirts that say “I care for the environment” on the front, and on the back, “…and you?” They will help with reforestation because one of Nicaragua’s MAJOR problems is the cutting of trees on the hillsides. This is done to provide wood for cooking and for the making of charcoal. Both of these items can then be sold and thus provide a little income for families. It’s a Catch-22! They need the cash to supplement their beans, rice and corn diet, but in so doing they are facilitating erosion, driving the water table lower making it even more difficult to locate underground water, and disturbing the balance of gas exchange. An approach to this dilemma is to replant three trees for every tree felled.

The beginning of a tree nursery....filling 5,000 plastic bags with prepared soil!

To get started in this latest aspect, we had a day long workshop with representatives from each of the six areas in which we are working. There was time for sharing and learning and time for working. It was quite literally a WORKshop! We filled 5,000 small black plastic bags with properly mixed soil. Now I’m here to tell you that that constitutes WORK!! The spirit was great and in spite of the heat and DIRT, we managed quite well. This is the first step in developing a vivero (nursery). Eventually, the seed of a tree will be planted in each one, carefully watered and tended and eventually transplanted in the various areas where the children and youth live in an effort to replace trees that have been cut down. We’ll have another ‘go’ at it again in three weeks. By then my body will have recuperated!! It’s called “stoop labor”!! The goal is 15,000 saplings!! And so…seed by seed we move into a healthier future!

With the coming of the rainy season, we’ll be able to place the famous ‘pregnant cows’ in their new homes. Because the folks rely on the uncultivated ‘greenery’ for food for the cattle, we can only move this project along during the rainy season. Everything in its time! However, there are three families anxiously waiting for cows and within a couple of months this should be a reality for them…soon a calf and then milk and cheese to eat and sell. The students at Shrine High School in Royal Oak, Michigan, are sponsoring a part of this project by their donations during Lent. We’re grateful to them and also to all who help us along as we accompany the people on their journey to a more dignified and healthier life. The chickens will also be placed soon with two families in Los Planes de Cuajachillo 2.

I’m looking forward to our Assembly in Chicago during Easter Week and will be spending Holy Week in Michigan. Holy Week here is vacation for all….including for those responsible for printing newspapers!! There’s no connection with religious motives, it’s just the time for everyone to be “off”. Since this is the case, it’s an opportunity to come home a week ahead of our Assembly. I’ll see some of you then and I look forward to that.

Thanks for whatever you are doing to be aware of all our sisters and brothers throughout the world .. especially those who do not have the opportunities as do some of us, for a more dignified and healthier life.

Gratefully,

Your sister, Jeanne

Blessings In Disguise

2010-02-15T10:02:00.001-06:00

I’m trying to keep up with regular blogging, and so far so good!

I thought that for this posting I’d describe for you a blessed moment on the bus! Now, the bus and the ride in itself do not seem to have the trappings of a blessing….however, the people one has the opportunity to meet can indeed be a blessing. Last Friday the usual groups of those seeking money appeared on the bus as I was riding on my way to the office. Two young children came on to sing and strum a guitar. They were definitely not candidates for the choir, but their energy was definitely worth noting. Next a blind gentleman, who appears frequently, got on the bus and played his accordian. Finally, a VERY ELDERLY woman with long, flowing, white hair and a crutch was basically lifted up onto the bus. She was alone and at the mercy of folks who helped her. She sat next to me and there was definitely something special between us. She was very poor, but clean and sporting a white apron. She spoke so softly I had to put my ear next to her mouth. She wanted to know what bus route we were on. I told her it was the 114 and asked where she wanted to go. She told me “el Zumen” (the name of a well known area) and I said that indeed she could get there on the 114. She had the most beautiful wrinkled, brown face and was just a whisper of a person. I asked her age and she told me, “I’m 90!” I asked her what she was going to do at “el Zumen” and she just held out her opened palm. She wasn’t asking me for anything, just demonstrating that she would be asking for alms from those waiting in that area. It came time for her to leave and several helped her down the bus steps. We were delayed for several minutes at this stop….this happens when the bus of the same route is too close to the one preceeding it. So, I continued to watch her walk up and down with the aid of her crutch and with one hand extended. Several people gave her something, while others tried not to see her. It occurred to me that “prayer happened” when this humble yet independent woman sat next to me. Such determination to do what she had to do to survive. She is a symbol for me of the extreme situation of so many of our people. At her age, one would hope for a peaceful, dignified place to rest and receive assistance. Not so for so many of the very poor of this world. There is no rest, there is only struggle to survive each day….and yes, there can be dignity in the very midst of it all. God does indeed visit us, especially in the poor.

What indications of love and dedication did you encounter on Valentine’s Day but also today and each day?

Thanks for keeping up with ‘life in Nicaragua’ as experienced by your sister, Jeanne!

Un Nuevo Amanecer

2010-02-02T12:10:00.004-06:00

Now that my blog is on the CSJ website I am being nudged by several to post more frequently…my goal is every two weeks, but there’s always hope for once a week. Time will tell.

The people of Nicaragua are in solidarity, as is the rest of the world, with Haiti as they try to rise from the ashes and begin life anew. However, for the Nicaraguans there’s a deeper feeling because of the geographical closeness and the levels of poverty both experience - Haiti is the poorest of the area and Nicaragua the second poorest. The other connection is that in 1972 Managua suffered a very devastating earthquake and you can still see some of the resulting destruction in buildings that have never been demolished. Lives lost were incalculable. Then in 1998, Hurricane Mitch created incredible loss and damage over large parts of Nicaragua. Such similar suffering draws groups closer in compassion.

The past weeks since my return have been pretty active with planning sessions, left overs of evaluations of projects, dedication of a new project….and just general reentry and fitting back into the rhythms of each day. It’s only been three weeks since I left the States…but it seems like months.

The weather continues to be fairly pleasant and we snatch each day and appreciate it because we know that the extreme heat and rains are on their way. I guess it’s the best way to live….appreciating each day and the gifts, challenges and opportunities it brings. A loving God gives us a certain amount of time each day and then it’s over and into the next! We often speak of each day as “un nuevo amanecer” which translates as “a new dawning”. It seems an excellent way to view each new day.

Japanese Ambassador, Shinichi Saito, and his assistant listening to Brother Chepe explain the process of drying hibiscus petals which are used to make a bright maroon drink which is a popular in Nicaragua.

Last Friday, we had a new experience. The Japanese Ambassador and two of his assistants, along with a representative of an Austrian group working with development, came to the Finca (our farm that is used for inservice on matters agricultural). He came because we were inaugurating our project for the drying of fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. that can then be packaged and sold. It’s the beginning of a micro-business for some of our women.

Sr. Anabel, CSA, (directress of Cantera), Lutgarda (directress of the Finca) and the Ambassador viewing photos of the women learning the process involved in dehydrating fruits, vegetables and herbs.

I won’t go into how ‘secardores’ (units for drying) function but just say that solar energy, fans for moving the hot air and wooden and metal ‘ovens’ are all part of this process. There were moments of mini-panic as final touches were put on the building and clean up began. We don’t do too much ahead of time here in Latin America but it always seems to get done! Not important that we were taping photos of the process on bulletin boards just minutes before the distinguished arrival! Everything was very festive and national anthems were played with flags of each nation flying. Ribbons were cut and words were said … can you imagine being a Japanese speaker and trying to speak Spanish! Well, he did it quite well in spite of only being here 2.5 years. He also speaks English so I was conscripted to sit with him and his assistants after the ceremony when we were having refreshments. At one point we were trying to get the Japanese flag higher off the floor so it wouldn’t touch the ground and ended up using concrete blocks and twine. I repeated to the Ambassador the director’s comment of , “tecnologia avanzado” (advanced technology!) and he responded, “Muy avanzado!” (VERY advanced) and then laughed heartily. He was very impressed with what he saw as he toured the Finca and told me that though everything is simple, he was indeed very impressed with all he saw. That was high praise and the folks really appreciated hearing it. The folks who have been receiving training in the process of dehydrating fruits and vegetables were present for the ceremony and rightly proud of the undertaking.

I will close for now and once again express my gratitude for your interest and involvement in our efforts here in Nicaragua to accompany the people as they move forward in their own leadership qualities and accomplishments. The building of self-esteem based on their individual and collective spirituality is indeed beautiful to observe.

Love and gratitude,
Your sister, Jeanne

The Journey Continues

2010-01-19T10:16:00.003-06:00

“Cantera

Center of Communication and Popular Education

Merry Christmas and New Year

We sing of peace and solidarity among peoples , of women and men who construct a new world.

Constructing Dreams and Utopias”

January 17, 2010

Managua, Nicaragua

Yes, I’ve finally returned to Nica land… Sunday the 10^th. I arrived just fine but eventually accepted the fact that one suitcase did not arrive with me! The following day with a fair amount of insisting it finally appeared. It feels as though I’ve been back for at least a month. I left cold and snowy Detroit and arrived in breezy, ‘just right’ weather here in Managua. Actually, it’s a little chilly at night, in the higher 60’s. Now don’t be jealous. We will soon be into really hot weather. Just yesterday, as I was returning from hospital visits, I realized that I was really warm. The sun is more intense here…so I found myself some shade in which to walk!

We’re into planning for this coming year, preparing for the inauguaration of our building for drying fruits, vegetables and herbs which will be attended by the Japanese ambassador. Japan has helped in the construction of this project. I’ll write more about this later .. after the event on January 29^th. We’ve also met with our community promoters and are off to a good start with them and our projects that we’ll be pursuing this coming year.

Speaking of projects, I want to say a very large GRACIAS to all of you who have so generously contributed to our work here in Nicaragua. Without you and grants from other countries there would be no work with the poor here. You are all included in our nightly CSJ prayers.

Soon after I returned I learned of the death of one of my friends who, along with his wife Madge, have been supporters of our projects here. Jack Kinsella is a good friend whom I met during my years at St. John Oakland. He was a faithful Spiritual Care Volunteer and served our people well. I always looked forward to our conversations. His thinking was broad and open, accepting of differences and eager to embrace new ideas….and his spirit was one of blessing. I will miss Jack and pray in gratitude for his life gift. I also pray for peace and comfort for Madge and his children and family.

I had wonderful times in the States and saw many of you during those days. Reuniting with family and friends always leaves me very grateful for each one of you. It was hard to return but now that I’m back in the swing of things, it’s good and right to be here. It did take me a few days however, to feel at home in my ‘second home’. Cultures are so different and sometimes I don’t realize how much I’m impacted by the differences.

Of course, along with the whole world, we here in Central America are feeling so deeply with our Hatian sisters and brothers. For those who were here in 1972, it brings back horrible memories of the terrible earthquake experienced here in the Managua area. They estimated that 20,000 were killed then, but this looks like there will be many more deaths in Haiti’s capital area. We still have remnants of the devastation such trauma can cause, not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. Such disasters tend to bring about closer ties among all of us as relief is sent and life begins anew. We pray that Haiti will arise from the ashes and be able to build a better future. We all have a part to play in this dream.

I’m finding myself involved with our Cap Corps young women. These are volunteers in their 20’s who are here for two years and who are involved in various areas of mission and who develop their community life around spiritual and cultural growth. They will be praying with us at our community evening prayer a couple of times a month beginnning this week. They are a source of life and energy as they generously give of themselves. We also have Jesuit volunteers and two volunteers at Batahola Center who interact with us. It keeps some of us older folk, younger!

For those of you who are aware of my inward as well as my outward journey, I find that I’ve moved beyond my trying to understand “why” I’m here and have accepted that the gift of the present moment, wherever we may be, is where the focus needs to be and where the Spirit resides. This, I find, is a more ‘aware’ stance and so I journey on, grateful for each of you as we accompany each other.

Love and gratitude,

Your sister, Jeanne

The Minimum Necessities

2009-10-30T22:12:00.004-06:00

Jeanne learning how to strip dried corn from the cob

Dear Blog Followers,

That doesn’t sound too flattering for a name but what do I call those of you who faithfully tap in hoping to find some updated news? Suggestions are welcome!

In a little more than three weeks, I’ll be northern bound, praying that whoever picks me up at the airport remembers my jacket and gloves! It’s hard to think about COLD when it’s so blooming humid and hot. It rained hard all last night but is bright and sunny today. I have come home soaked to the skin twice this week because of the heavy downpours we’ve had. The point is that we are now in the DRY season, WINTER. Well, it will never be winter here, but it will be dry….someday! I did manage to get my laundry dry yesterday, which was a minor miracle. One becomes grateful for any little thing….small breeze, bird call, a turned down boom box, a smile from a child, frosting on the end of your nose because you’re eating a piece of greatly frosted cake without the assistance of an implement, etc….you get the idea.

I’m looking forward to time home so I can connect with a number of you who so faithfully hang in with this far-flung friend. I’d also like to remind all with whom I’ll meet that red beans, boiled bananas and white rice are not items I’ll miss in my diet!!

I just received word that I will be able to connect with friends I’ve not seen for many years who live in Falls Church, VA. They are generously flying me to D.C. so we can reconnect and catch up on each others lives. I’m so grateful for so many friends and the various ways in which our lives have intersected and paralleled. While home I’ll make my annual retreat (Cleveland) and connect with my CSJ Mission Circle in Wichita right after Christmas. I’m grateful that I extended this visit in order to peacefully reconnect.

Two young friends just 'hanging out'

Life here continues to be hectic in terms of government – but not physically dangerous. The people continue to struggle for daily sustenance, especially in the rural areas where crops did not do well due to lack of usual rainfall. Some farmers chose to risk using seed to do a second planting and hopefully the ‘out of season’ rain we’re receiving will give them an additional % of harvest of beans and corn.

One of my favorite entertainments….bus riding…continues to amuse me. The other morning I took the wrong bus! Imagine, after almost two years here, I still do such things. Well, I immediately noted the error and hopped off at the next stop and boarded a bus that would take me where I wanted to go. Actually, it was a happy fault because this bus was much more comfortable and had fewer people on board. The usual flow of folks come and go….preachers of the Good News and seekers of a few coins, sellers of ballpoint pens and parasite medicine, people asking for help with medicines or operations, children singing and begging (this is one of the more disturbing aspects), a blind gentleman who is a ‘regular’ who sings a hymn and then hopes for a few coins… and the list goes on. These are daily reminders of the extreme poverty the folks live with. And there’s no sign that this will change anytime in the near future.

One of the blessings is that this year we did not have as many problems related to hurricanes and tropical storms. For that we’re grateful. Also, it’s dawning on me that we’ve not had a volcano threatening to explode lately. Since we have five active volcanos in the country, it’s unusual not to have one of them getting het up!

Pablo, Alejandro and Claudio discussing new latrine construction

I continue to visit our rural sisters and brothers and that’s always a joy. The community promoters are indeed an inspiration as they do their best to help their local area improve in small but meaningful ways. We meet with them monthly for an entire day and soon we’ll have a two day gathering of all the leaders from both rural sectors (Mateare in the north and Belen in the south) to report and evaluate and dream and plan. The group of women who meet every 15 days – that’s how you say ‘every two weeks’ in Spanish! – is also a joy for me. It’s not too hard to get there, but returning sometimes presents a challenge…but then I’ve always enjoyed challenges!! I accompany English speaking visitors on occasion and do written translation. I also am privileged to be Spiritual Companion for two women. Interacting with our “dear neighbors” is another ‘typically Sister of St. Joseph ministry’ which we enjoy. Joe Mulligan, SJ (from Detroit and Gesu Parish) and I connect periodially, especially at the ‘every 15 days’ Mass he offers at the Government Physical Rehabilitation Hospital. I visit there on Sundays, and on Saturdays I try to get to the women’s hospital and visit those who are there due to cancer related problems. So….I am privileged to be involved in a variety of activities and also just a lot of ‘presence’ with the people. This is in answer to several of you who ask, “What do you do?” I do keep busy but also take time to reflect and relax. I remind myself that being 71 should have some perks!!

I’ll close for now and send this on its way, thanking each of you for who you are and what you do each day to make God’s plan for each of us and all of us become a reality….a dignified, healthy, respected life in the here and now.

Blessings and gratitude,
Your sister, Jeanne

Alternative Approach to Celebrating One's Birth

2009-09-21T13:02:00.003-05:00

Saludos amigas y amigos de una Nicaragua MUY, MUY CALIENTE! Greetings friends from a VERY, VERY HOT Nicaragua!

I think I´m doing better with blog posts. I know that many of you check in often and wonder what is going on down here and don’t discover a new posting. So…I am trying to be more current. Today I want to share with you how I celebrated, lived, survived my 71st birthday on September 8th!

Seventy-one years ago on September 8, 1938 I arrived during the wee hours of the morning…like 3:00a.m.!! I’ve been an early riser ever since!!

This year I began my special day for giving thanks for the tremendous gift of life, an incredible set of parents and two big brothers by rising early, spending time in prayer and reflection, preparing a special breakfast of bacon, a perfect omelet, coffee and toast and enjoying my surroundings. Shortly thereafter I left for our office in the center of Managua.

Together with Claudio and Vero, my companions in rural ministry, we started for the campo. We were destined for a farm unknown to us where there were pregnant cows waiting to be selected by two families. Well, I don’t know if they were really eager and waiting to be selected but such was their destiny that day. Claudio who drives the truck was not well, but insisted on going. Actually, we can’t do such trips without him! We nearly met OUR FINAL destiny when Claudio failed to see a stopped bus in the road ahead of us. Vero gently called his attention to the looming obstacle, Claudio jammed on the brakes, the truck slid cattywumpus on the road (providentially, there were no vehicles approaching from the other direction!) and came to a halt a little shy of the still stopped bus! Silence prevailed in the cab for quite a while afterwards as we got ourselves back into normal breathing and heart pumping patterns. Later, we picked up a fellow who SAID he knew where in the hills the farm was located but instinctively I began to question his certitude. I’ve learned to “read” the slight hesitation, the manner of speaking that says, “I THINK I know!” Well, we took the right arm of the road as directed and started DOWN a ‘non-road’. The farm was known to be in a VALLEY! Finally, after much cautious creeping over the ‘trail’ that was narrow, deeply crevassed and precipitous, we stopped to ask a local farmer the whereabouts of our destination. “Oh yes, it’s just a little further on, on the left hand side.” he said. Now, ‘a little further on’ is a very wide open expression down here!

We did finally come to the farm and gratefully got out of the truck confines. The family was delightful, the cows, calves, and other animals were friendly and they served us a glass of the universal solvent, Coca Cola, which we greatly appreciated. I had great fun inside the corral taking photos until both Vero and Claudio said, “Please come outside the fence!” I was making them nervous even though the family said the cows were gentle by nature, and so I found them to be! At last the two cows were selected…I’m never sure what the criteria is that is employed. One was chosen because it had no horns!

We then went to the “nearest” town, Villa el Carmen, to sign the appropriate papers. Now of course, it was noon time and everyone knows that nothing functions except stomachs during this time. We found a home where a woman was willing to feed us for a reasonable price. It was the family front room and we ate at their table with the family dogs participating. My meal was a gift because it was my birthday, which was thoughtful. Finally, offices opened and papers were signed and we returned to the scene of the “purchase” with the fellows who needed to return there and retrieve their choice of cow. Now it was time to start home….and by a much different route. We had arrived by the wrong route…a real road was very near the farm…so off we went toward home but before we were on the main road a large panel truck came careening around a curve at a far too great velocity. Claudio did a ‘graced’ maneuver and got us out the way of the menacing evil truck….second mini-miracle of the day!

Later that evening, as I was relaxing and waiting for a new group of volunteers plus Chepe, with whom I also minister, to arrive at the house I was thoroughly surprised and DELIGHTED to receive a phone call from my sisters at my home base, Goldengate Community in Detroit. I’ve forbidden folks to call because it is too expensive but somehow that command was ignored and I was so glad to hear their voices and greetings. It made my day!

Eventually, Chepe and the six new Capuchin volunteers arrived. I sent Chepe out for ice cream and pop and we had a great time chatting and getting to know each other. I had supplied the cake which Cantera gives each of us as we celebrate our day. It was a great ending to a very FULL day. Was I grateful for life? You know the answer!

The next day I was surprised by my women’s group in Los Planes de Cuajachillo with a fiesta. The cake was a large pineapple upside down version…very delicious.. and the children had prepared a sign with “Feliz Cumpleanos, Juanita” preceded by lots of balloons! I was gifted with their presence, singing, and…green peppers, tomatoes, a granadilla (a large fruit used to make a delicious juice), fresh milk, a pitahya (a, Nica purple fruit for juice), bananas and red beans. All of the above are products of their little farms and lovingly grown. I was surprised and humbled by their generosity. I had unnerved them prior to our gathering by not arriving, as I always do, on the 1:10pm bus from mid-Managua. They figured I wasn’t coming…and after all the preparations! Well, I arrived about 1:45 by truck with Javier driving. I had the inspiration in the morning to ask him if by chance he was going to Los Planes that afternoon! Well, it’s a good thing I was not traveling by bus…how would I ever have arrived back in Batahola Norte with all the produce gifts!!?? No one had thought of that! All in all it was a great birthday and I give thanks for all the folks in my life…both in the North and in the South…and in some further off places!

Life here continues to take its toll on the people as countries pull out of their previous commitments … some choosing to support African nations, others finding themselves tightening belts due to the international financial situation and still others who find it difficult to work with the current political situation.

Thanks for each of you and for your interest in our sisters and brothers of Nicaragua and in my journey with them.

Love and gratitude,
Jeanne

Nothing and Everything

2009-08-28T13:14:00.004-05:00

translating for our Canadian visitors at the inauguration of a new, small rural library

I thought it about time for me to be dropping by and letting you know I haven´t been washed away with the rain nor melted by the sun. Actually, we´re having less rain this year than usual and that´s a difficult matter for our campesinos and campesinas. The crops of red beans and corn and vegetables need rain during the ´rainy´ season in order to have enough to eat during the six dry months. Hopefully, the rains will become more frequent and penetrating. Well….would you believe, in spite of the sun that was present 10 seconds ago, it´s started to rain!!

Our poverty situation seems to worsen daily and one wonders how and when that will turn around, but we keep on walking with the people as they discover avenues for having a better, more just life.

moving along with the pregnant cow project

There aren´t many amazing things to report, but then life in Nicaragua, like life in the States has its very ordinary times and I think that´s a good thing. Otherwise, what would be éxtraordinary´???? I have been doing my usual activities…visits to the farm lands, meetings with folks, visits to two different hospitals on the weekends, entertaining our neighborhood children with my accent, spoiling the area dogs, etc. etc. I will be going to the annual fiesta in Los Planes de Cuajachillo 2 of the Virgin of Nancite. I wrote about this last year in a posting and it´s hard to believe that it´s a year already since that first experience. The people are waiting to see if I´m responsible for the rain during the procession last year! It seems the tradition is that it ALWAYS rains before and after the several kilometer procession but never DURING it. Well….last year it POURED all during the procession! If that happens again this year, I may be considered the cause….such power! Anyway, it makes for good laughter!

We now have new volunteers working with us and the Cultural Center in our neighborhood. These are all young women from the States….Amanda from Fargo, ND, Greta from Jefferson, WV, and three whom I´ve yet to meet who are part of the group sponsored by the Capuchins. I had supper with Greta and Amanda a couple of nights ago and they are absolutely amazing. They have finished college and want to do something to make a difference and so they´re volunteering two years of their young adulthood here in Nicaragua. And….they´re good cooks to boot!! We had great conversation getting to know each other and I´m so impressed with their open and dedicated spirit. The three ¨Capuchinas¨ are in language school in Granada south of Managua and will be back here in two more weeks. I find the young folks a source of encouragement and life for me and I´m grateful for the privilege of being connected to them and their journey.

Julie has returned from her CSJ meetings in Los Angeles and Dianne has been in Louisiana for a week now and will return on the 14^th of September. So….I´m in charge of the casa and though I miss Dianne, the space is good too. Dianne will come back with ´goodies´ and that´s always fun…a bit of Christmas in the middle of September!!

Last night I was in contact via SKYPE with my Renewed Local Community of CSJs and it is such a joy to be able to see and hear my close friends. I don´t get to share the meal….however, you can´t have everything! Technology is such a gift and I marvel at what one is able to do these days.

Tonight we will go to our main theater and hear our very own Batahola Norte Chorale as they sing various arias from some operas. It´s truly amazing what they can do. These are kids from the barrio who have been taught to read and understand music and have incredible talent! I will attend with a friend who came here as a Peace Corps. worker and never left. She´s from ??? (actually, I don´t know where she was born and raised!) and is so relaxed and enjoyable to be with. She is a very important figure in the health sector working with the poor in Central America and beyond.

Having nothing more exciting to report, I´ll close, being grateful for each of you and all you do to make this world a better place. Thanks for your prayerful and monetary support.

May all be well with you and your families and friends.

Your sister,

Jeanne

Reflections

2009-08-03T21:58:00.003-05:00

Hola from Nicaragua as we begin a new month! As of last evening we are in the national fiesta of St. Dominic. This celebration will go on through August 10th which is a national holiday. We seem to have a great number of “feriadas” translated, ‘free days, holidays’. A small statue (and I mean small!) of St. Dominic will be taken from one parish of St. Dominic to another (actually staffed by Jesuits)….an interesting contrast, as the first parish is in the upper rent district and the second is in one of the poorest sectors of Managua. Needless to say, there is a lot of music and firecrackers and festivities.

This past month, among many other activities, I accompanied a group of high school youth from Milwaukee for three days of their two week stay. We enjoyed each other and I know they returned with much to ponder as they enter their senior year. It’s been a long time (like 37 years!) since I worked with teens but it was a delight to be with them. Part of the experience was to travel without all the gadgets and technology to which they are accustomed. They enjoyed chatting with each other and playing Scrabble and other such games. It was a different experience in more than one way for them! I minded saying good bye to them and I think it was a bit difficult for some of them to say “adios” to Nicaragua.

It’s also time for two young women, Christine and Laura, to complete their two years of volunteering at a local center near our home. Dianne and I have had the privilege of accompanying them and I will miss them as they return to another life back in the U.S. Many are the graces for me as I walk with another. I learn more about myself and my God as we share experiences, joys and struggles.

This past week we had a three day workshop on “Spirituality”. It was indeed renewing with Tai Chi, dance, artistic expressions, sharing and just good space and time. We have this opportunity every year at this time and the same two women come to guide us. I actually enjoyed dabbling in water color which is not something I readily do. My other painting endeavor was yesterday when I touched up the inside of the undulating tin roof in my room. I managed to not fall off the ladder or cover myself, or other than the ceiling, with paint and am satisfied with the result!

We are still in the midst of reports and the writing of projects, as several of our projects are completed at the end of this year. One such is connected to Scotland and a fine young man who has the responsibility of the Latin American projects has been with us these past days. I have been translating and communicating with “Chris”. When I was introduced to Chris I just stood there and smiled….it never occurred to me that “Chris” might be Christopher and not Christine!!! We all had a good chuckle as I explained my reaction!

We’re in the rainy season and there’s no doubt why it’s referred to this way!! We’ve had tons of rain and much of it comes like prolonged cloud bursts with torrents falling very rapidly, so rapidly that streets become mid-calf deep with rushing water and the houses of the poor which are not sturdily built, to say the least, are damaged or destroyed.

I will finish with this morning’s attempt to get to the office. I stopped and paid the water and electricity bill without difficulty. Then I waited for a bus…normally, they run frequently, but my usual bus didn’t come readily so I did what I know I shouldn’t do….hopped on a #110 which has never been a good choice! Actually, it wasn’t crammed this a.m. BUT I was so absorbed in my Sudoku puzzle that when I looked up we had passed my stop! The driver had a death wish and was driving very fast … however, it was my fault that I missed the spot! When I got off, I started walking to the office, thinking how lovely to see the Rotunda of St. Dominic with all its fluttering, multi-colored pennants flying in every direction and then realized that the route didn’t look quite right. I’m known for not having a sense of direction!! I had taken the wrong “arm” of the rotunda and was NOT headed toward the office. I corrected the mistake (perhaps I need a GPS system, but on second thought it wouldn’t work here because there are no street names or numbers!!!) and proceeded to have a nice long, exercising walk which I needed. So the positives were… that I saw the decorated rotunda and I got exercise!

Take care, each of you. Know that I’m grateful for your love and support. I carry you with me here in Nica land.

Peace and gratitude,
Jeanne

A Day in the Life

2009-07-08T22:51:00.004-05:00

I’m not sure where the time has flown to, but it’s been a month since my last blog! May and June seem like forever ago! Life has been a grand mix of many activities and travels. I’m not sure where to begin!

I’m including photos of my new ‘dwelling, hermitage, cocoon, postinia,’ so you can see where I lay my head at night. I’m grateful for the private space and so is Julie with whom I shared sleeping and living space, prior. Photos of the ‘southern belles’ working with the Nica folks in the post-construction cleanup process (explained later) are also included.

We’ve had several groups passing through Cantera for an ‘experience’ of Nicaragua. Many of these folks come from the States, Europe or Canada … and so the English speakers accompany them and fill in the blanks provided by Spanish words. A group of young women “newly graduated from high school” just returned to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the Canadian visitors from a Catholic support group, “Development and Peace”, are in their second week with us. A group of youth from Milwaukee will be arriving this weekend. I have to admit that I get in on a few perks when I’m with such people. One of them is to ride in a mini-bus instead of a pick-up truck! At times, there are special meals or a new place to visit! And it’s always good to meet new friends and have conversations on many topics.

One experience with the gals from Baton Rouge was a ‘day in the campo’. The rural youth and the city youth spent the day together. They shared with each other about their lives, plans and dreams. Needless to say it was a revelation to the Louisiana group! They all helped clean up the local “nearly completed” chapel and surrounding area which was tough work in the beating sun, but they did a good job. They played and sang and danced and had a great time. In spite of the language barrier they communicated well! On the way back we had a horrendous rain storm and….the gals were in the back of the two pickups! They were smart and piled their shoes in the back seat with yours truly so that they were drenched also. However being INSIDE provided me with the “odor” of 24 athletic shoes!! They got drenched and muddied but were good sports…happy but tired and glad to take showers and get into dry clothes once we arrived back at home base. All in a day of life in Nicaragua!!

I’m still involved in the rural visits and work with women’s groups but at the same time I’m writing proposals and reports and translating those that are being sent to Scotland, Ireland, Canada, US, etc. I learn quite a bit by doing so. Some of our folks have had some training in English and so they do a “rough” draft before I get the product to ‘polish’. Of course, on the internet you have translation helps, but sometimes it’s downright comical. I was working on English subtitles for a video about a pre-school in a very poor area which is supported by a group from California. My friend, Marcelino, who does a wonderful job with graphics, videos, bulletins, posters, pamphlets…you name it….had translated ‘refrigerio’ (mid-morning or afternoon snack) as ‘nibble’. The statement was something like, “We provide a generous ….. for the youth so they are encouraged to return each day to the Center for the help they need..” ‘Nibble’ didn’t quite do it; ’snack’ was a better choice! I told Marcelino that ‘nibble’ is what rabbits do when they eat and they take very, very small bites! We had a good laugh. I find myself wondering what the Nicas hear me say as I use a ‘close, but no cigar’ word in Spanish!!! Keeps me humble and real!

Two weeks after I returned to Nicaragua I had an appointment with a recommended orthopedist at Hospital Militar. They took 2 x-rays (both on the same piece of film..very creative as they fit nicely!) and he pronounced the wonderful words, “You can take the boot off. Just be careful!” So as of June 5th I’ve been “bootless”! All is well ‘down there’ and I’m grateful for a body that heals quickly and well.

Another experience was spending 2 days in Leon at the University learning about the process of drying fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. We have several “secadores”, basically wooden cabinets with ‘fittings’ of solar panels and conductors of hot air for the drying process. We are working on having this as a possible micro-industry along with the production of honey and related products which is already in place.

Among other activities, we had an enjoyable celebration on the Feast of the Sacred Heart at the home of our friends, Mexican Religious of the Sacred Heart, and celebrated a 30th wedding anniversary of a couple from Baltimore (relatives of one of the St. Agnes Sisters) in Spanish, translated by guess who! I was conscripted to do so at the last minute without my permission! It was alright, but I find formal, immediate translation not my greatest gift!!

We have the SKYPE process down now so our monthly meetings as a Renewed Local Community involve not only hearing but also “seeing” each other. Another mode of communication that is now in place is Microsoft Live which we can use for meetings and gatherings between distant places. Modern technology is great…except when it develops ‘a mind of its own’!! I really appreciate being able to communicate freely and quickly with friends and family and am not quite sure how I survived during those 11+ years in Peru without it! I know, it was another era (1983-1995), AND I was younger, but ….

Well, I’ve gone on for long enough. Thanks for being interested and listening! Thanks also for your prayers and support and donations for us here in Nica land. It is all greatly appreciated – more than you can realize!

Love,
Your sister, Jeanne

I've Been Saving it Up

2009-06-09T18:57:00.009-05:00

Here I am…checking in after a too long absence! I returned from a month long “tour” in the U.S. on May 26th. My time there included 4 CSJ community meetings, a weekend in Indianapolis with Rich’s family, 6 days in Seattle with my cousins, days in Detroit enjoying time with my local community and other friends…..and time out for dealing with a broken fibula (for non-medical folks that’s the small bone in the lower leg!). I managed to accomplish this while with the family in Indy by stepping into a grass-filled hole while looking for Callie’s (family Spaniel) tennis balls!! I had excellent care at St. Vincent’s E. R. (one of Ascension Health’s members) and had a doctor who was raised in the Detroit area and whose college age daughter had spent her spring break in Managua being with the children of the worst place I have EVER experienced, La Chureca, which is the city dump which is totally beyond description! How’s that for a small, small world??!!

At any rate, the time home was wonderful and my ‘booted’ leg is healing, I’m sure! I need to make an appointment with a local orthopod so it can be x-rayed and approved for ‘boot removal’! I’ll do this next week. I’m being prudent and traveling to the rural area until the leg is completely intact. The drive there is enough to fracture ‘non-fractured’ bones!

I returned to my new dwelling and it’s a wonderful ‘hermitage’. Dianne and I are enjoying our community time together. Yesterday, we took advantage of a stipend she received from a talk with some young women concerning our work with gender issues. We took a ‘paseo’ (little pleasure trip) and purchased plants for our patio and looked for a small chest of drawers for my room. Well, we stopped at a roadside ‘shop’ where there were some beautiful pieces of handmade furniture. I saw a chest I really liked and was admiring it and asked what it cost. I was musing as to whether or not $40.00 was too much to pay when Walter, our friend who helps us with many things, said, “Juanita, the lady said $400.00, not $40.00!!!” Well, we all exploded in laughter at the very thought of it and we’re still laughing. The woman informed me in a businesslike manner that I could pay in cordobas (Nica money) and that she would reduce the price a little. We continued laughing while thanking her and retiring to the Jeep!! Last night during prayers, Dianne glanced at the piece we finally purchased in the “common market” in Managua for $42.50 and started laughing all over again!!

I’m looking out at our patio through my window at a wild orchid that is growing on the trunk of our lemon tree! Now that the rains have started everything is green and growing and lush. I never thought I’d welcome the rains but after more than six months of drought we’re delighted to have the rain. If it would just come in ‘appropriate’ quantities it would be enjoyable!!

For El Dia Mundial de La Tierra (World Earth Day, our youth did a wonderful job of painting a mural on the wall of a highly trafficked street and then doing presentations of theater, song, poetry, dance etc. on the theme of safeguarding our water from all that would contaminate it. The enclosed photos are of this event. The energy and awareness of our responsibility for the protection of our environment was moving. The police blocked off the street and detoured traffic on our side of the boulevard during the entire afternoon so people HAD to pay attention! Hopefully, we’ll all grow in the care and protection of our incredible world, especially our gift of life-giving, essential for living, water.

A little update on the chapel in Las Parcelas: materials have been provided for continuing construction of St. Michael the Archangel Chapel through contributions from my Renewed Local Community of CSJ sisters and my home parish, Gesu. The people have been using their initiative and working on the project and so are delighted that we’re helping them to further the project. Someday I’ll include a photo of a completed chapel. Now, granted you won’t see a cathedral or even a church…just a simple structure that will serve as a gathering place for the folks when Padre comes every two weeks to be with them for Mass…and for other gatherings of like nature. Thanks to those who responded to adding “a grain of sand” to the project.

I’ll touch base again once I’m “back in the harness”. Until then I’m translating project reports from Spanish to English for our supporters in Scotland and Ireland.

I’m so grateful for all that each of you do to make this world a better place for all our brothers and sisters. Thanks for your interest and support of this ‘pilgrim’.

Love, Jeanne

¡Hola!

2009-04-01T07:29:00.005-06:00

Hola from Central America where the heat in its fury has returned. Until now we had experienced rather pleasant weather with breezes and warmth…but all good things must come to an end so that we realize what a gift we had!! Just kidding…I really don´t believe that!

We will soon enter into Semana Santa (Holy Week) which in Nicaragua signals vacation. Everyone seems to take off for some “other¨place. Well, we are going to do so, also. It´s important to enter into the life of the people, no? We will be at the Laguna de Apoyo where there´s a rustic cabin we can claim for the first three days of the week. Then we´ll return to Managua for the final days and observances of the Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday. More about the experience after the fact.

Most lately, we´ve been involved in checking on infrastructure matters in the farmland. That is to say….cement/iron tanks for holding the rain water which should arrive in mid-May and latrines. Today we will deliver materials for the construction of the latter and check on the progress of previous constructions. I accompany Claudio who is in charge of such matters and chat with the folks and renew acquaintances and make new ones. It´s a full day with lunch in the road under the shadow of a tree, our form of picnic. Claudio and I share what we've brought and just enjoy the sheer peace and serenity of the moment. I´m including a photo of a two week old calf, the offspring of one of our previously pregnant cows! We met this cute little fellow when we stopped to chat with Alejandro and Marta the other day. ´Tis the season for new calves and colts and many other creatures. The other day I was delighted to see at least 100 (I do tend to exaggerate, but this is no exaggeration!) guardabarrancos. This absolutely beautiful, colorful bird with two long thin black tail pieces with small black feathers at the tip, is our national bird. When the sun strikes them, they are iridescent! I believe the mating season was in full tilt!!

On a more serious side, just as you are experiencing the restrictions and anxieties of an economy in a downturn, so it has its affects here in an already depressed economy. We spend time trying to come up with ideas of how to fund our work with our Nica sisters and brothers but end up cutting back and trying to be creative while we search for new sources of funding. Just yesterday we were told that the $$ for the partial scholarships we are able to give to some of the poorest promising youth will run out. We´ve decided to pull back on the $$ for the high school students and concentrate on the scholarships for those who are studying in the university. These youth live far from educational opportunities and have to travel distances usually studying on Saturdays. These youth are our hope for the future. Pray that we will encounter a project that will address this need.

Well, the mangos have stopped bombing the roof and falling in our back patio! I´ll miss the free fruit but not the startling pounding on the roof all hours of the day and night.

The ¨Hermitage¨ is moving along but of course, nothing happens easily or without problems. As they were working on the bathroom plumbing it was discovered that the previous plumbing is in shambles….so poor Diana is living with a torn up floor and no bathroom facility. She troops across the street to our house and we´ll both be ecstatic when the whole project has a ¨finished¨ sign on it! It will be nice when it completed so in the meantime we wait and endure.

I shall close for now and look forward to seeing some of you before long…in less than a month. Take good care. May the remaining days of Lent be blessed with peace and growth and insight. Thanking you once again for your generosity in support, prayer and donations,
Your sister, Jeanne

Provisions

2009-03-20T07:24:00.004-06:00

I wanted to include the following in my last communication but for a variety of reasons, it didn´t happen!

So....I want to tell you of another project that´s taking place. The people of Las Parcelas, one of our rural communities, have dreamed of having a chapel in their area for MANY, MANY years. Well, they decided that if they never started...even though they didn´t have the resources and everyone put in their ¨grain of sand¨, as they say here, then maybe it would eventually happen. Well they did...and it is very slowly moving along but the people have great pride in their accomplishments, simple as they are. The photos show you what they´ve accomplished so far. The beautiful young woman in the photos is Karlita, the granddaughter of the matriarch of the community, Gertrudis. They have a framework up and a roof on. They´re trying to figure out how to pay for the cement for the floor. Anyone interested in putting in their ´grain of cement´??

Also, we don´t have Easter egg hunts down here....we have mango (mahn go....not mang o) hunts. Every morning and evening and in between, Julie and I check out our back ´forested´patio for the mangos that fall from the neighbors huge mango tree!! The law says, if it falls in your yard...it´s yours!! Well, we find them in plain view but also within plants, bushes, behind shrubs, inside containers....it´s fun and I love mangos!

Odds and Ends

2009-03-15T16:05:00.002-06:00

Dear fellow journeyers!

An update or two on some of the matters that I’ve written about recently would be in order!

The “Share in the Repair (Well at Los Planes de Cuajachillo)” project is coming along very nicely. We met with the Water Committee on Wednesday of last week and were able to give them the $800 that resulted from the generosity of people of Gesu Parish, Detroit, during the Ethnic Meal event and also $250 from a friend who read about it in the blog. They were so very grateful!! Photos and thank you’s are in process. They will begin work tomorrow. They have accumulated their part of the expense from the small amount the people pay for each barrel of water they extract. Also, a generous person has offered the use of their crane. So, all in all…everything is moving along well…and we’re all grateful. Water is SIO ESSENTIAL and sometimes we take it for granted. It’s gift and needs to be appreciated and cared for.

Those of you who know about the ‘hermitage’ that is being constructed will be glad to know that it is moving along…not rapidly but moving!! This will give me a private space to sleep and reflect. It will be in half of Dianne’s patio. Photos will come later.

Pregnant cows have not been apportioned and will not be until the rainy season is upon us and the pasturage is green. The poor cannot afford to buy feed for their animals. They basically forage on the abundant foliage that is available only in the wet season. It would be risky and wasteful to try to nurture a pregnant cow until there’s sufficient for them to eat. More later as this project continues.

I thought I’d just share some random “learnings” with you … things that have occurred in the recent past that have helped develop my character! Renewing my residency status: each year for three years I must gather the papers necessary so that the Immigration Service can say, “Jeanne can stay here another year.” Now that sounds harmless, doesn’t it?? Uh uh!!

One must go to the police station of your district and have them issue a paper with your photo and a statement that says, “Jeanne’s been good and hasn’t been in trouble with us during the past year.” However, one must go to a particular bank first and pay the equivalent of $1.50 and return to the police station with said form. I didn’t know that so it involved a quick trek to said bank before I could START the process. Actually, this process wasn’t all that difficult, just time consuming. I retrieved said document a few days later.
Both Dianne and I had to write letters declaring my authenticity as a CSJ (not difficult).
Two passport size photos must be acquired….they only come in sets of 8!
Copies of current residency card and passport need to be furnished.
Money must be paid….$27.

Now…this was the REAL HURDLE: A Certificate of Health must be obtained from the Public Health System. It is free and that’s a gift, especially for our poor people. One day you line up for a slip of paper telling you when you can return for the blood work, ‘other’ analysis and tetanus shot. The day assigned you return before 7:00a.m. and stand in another long line and receive a number and then wait to have said analysis and shot done. The tetanus person didn’t show that day so that necessitated another trek. Then the tetanus shot must be validated with a rubber stamp from the ‘administration’. Results are obtained another day. And on…and on…
I did get the require half sheet of paper and all is in the hands of the fellow who helps us with our documents. My status expires before I return from the States so must be done in a timely
manner. It will be easier next year!!! I’VE LEARNED!

Another “learning” has to do with mosquito netting: If ever you need to use such, be sure that you have not ‘trapped’ a poor mosquito inside of the netting. Neither mosquito nor human will be happy however, the mosquito will have a great feast! Also, do not wrap yourself in the netting…it will come loose from it’s moorings on high and will land on top of you!! This is not nice in the middle of the totally black night. Getting ‘out from under’ is a challenge!!

I will be in the States from April 25th until May 26th for congregational meetings and other matters of family and community. I hope to see some of you then!

Some of you have heard my voice LIVE or in a phone message lately! This is because a kind and generous "Fr. William" from San Francisco visited and left us a video phone and paid the monthly fee for the year...so...we can call the States free! Blessings on Fr. William and all of you who are so thoughtful and walk with us.

It’s good chatting with you. Thanks for your love and support.
Juanita a.k.a. Jeanne

The Wheels on the Bus

2009-02-27T22:36:00.004-06:00

Dear Followers of Sister Act 3!!

I often wonder if some folks drop in thinking they might discover Whoopi Goldberg! Sorry!

This morning on my way to work I experienced a mini-miracle! I boarded a #114 bus which had apparently been repainted…you know, the yellow, Blue Bird, already over-used school bus from the States. Well, it seems that all four shock absorbers were ‘absorbing’, I couldn’t see the pavement through any holes in the floor boards, the seats were intact and basically comfortable, the driver seemed neither crazy nor hell bent for destruction with a subconscious death wish, and the music he had on was soft, low and relaxing! Now I tell you, here in Managua, that’s a mini-miracle! I thanked the driver for a peaceful ride as I left. He just looked at me as though I were a very strange gringa.

I wish to report that the “Well Project” that I mentioned in my last blog, received an incredible boost last Sunday. My friends and fellow parishioners of Gesu Parish in Detroit had their Annual Ethnic Meal and they featured our well project as an opportunity to join in helping in the repair of the well in one of our farm communities. They contributed almost $800.00!!! I spoke with one of the coordinators of the project this morning and he’s delighted because they had decided to go ahead with the purchase of the tubing with the money they have accumulated ($700.00). That leaves them with $500.00 left to scrounge up. They’ll manage, as they are a “together” community and will figure out how to raise this remaining amount.

Those who were willing to enter more deeply into the Nicaraguan experience could taste the national food, ‘gallo pinto’. That is what the folks eat more than once a day….red beans and rice. I’m good for once a day…..but that’s enough! I must report that I’m doing better with the boiled bananas, although I prefer them fried. And… when I’m home in May, I’ll pass on red beans and rice. Rice by itself will be fine, but the red beans can wait until I return to Nica land.

Yesterday, we went to Las Yucas. Actually, this was my first visit to this very distant community. Like La Ceiba it is “on top the Nicaraguan world” and the 29 families that live somewhat near this area are extremely poor and depressed in spirit. They have a one room, open-air school where 33 students from 1st through 6th grade “study”. Our young promoter, Brenda, age 20 who lives 6 kilometers distant from said school is the lone teacher. She’s a beautiful young woman who is bright and also performs folkloric dances beautifully. Hopefully, her future will provide some opportunities for her to move along in life because she is indeed capable and spirited.

The final addition to this edition is the news that as of last week, we are in the process of constructing a dwelling for Juanita a.k.a. Jeanne. For the past year I have been sharing a bedroom and living with Julie who is a CSJ of another “branch” of our family tree. These houses have only one bedroom. I’ve slept in the “second space” which means that I enter and exit through Julie’s space. It’s a possible “do” but not really good for women in their 70’s who are up and down during the night. And it provides neither of us with privacy. So…Dianne, the other CSJ of my congregation who lives across the small street in her one bedroom casita, envisioned a separate bedroom and bath in half of the patio area behind her house. Our Leadership Team readily agreed to the project and generously allotted even more $$ than we projected for the construction. And so it will be! Walter, who helps us with everything, is in the market today buying sand, cement, iron rods, concrete blocks, etc. etc. etc. in order to start the construction. I’ve named it, “Juanita’s Hermitage”. Eventually, you see some photos of the project.
Thanks for ‘tuning in’ and sharing in the journey.

Love and gratitude,

Jeanne a.k.a. Juanita

Against the Wind

2009-02-09T14:31:00.005-06:00

Greetings from VERY WINDY Nicaragua! We’re having pleasantly warm (not-unbearably- hot yet!) weather accompanied by strong, high winds. Those of you, who know me well, know that I like my hair “in place”! Well, forget that! Actually, I’m fine with the freedom of letting it blow and fall where it may!

I’ve been back less than a month but it seems like six months. I have no idea what that indicates! I’m in the process of visiting the rural areas and also forming groups of women who wish to reflect and discuss spirituality, aspects of the Bible and whatever else they wish to pursue. This will probably also take me into a new area which is not rural – an area referred to as Ciudad Sandino which started as a place for refugees to settle during the war and after several natural calamities. We have a center there. Dianne, the other sister of my community, works out of this center with youth.

Last Thursday I went with my friend, Claudio, to an area called La Ceiba. Two of the pregnant cows now reside there! One of them is still pregnant….but promises to produce a calf shortly! She’s a beautiful Caramel color cow named Chota. At any rate, La Ceiba is at the ‘back of beyond’ at the very top of the hills and the poorest of the poorest reside there, trying to eke out a living by farming and cutting wood. The roads to and from are beyond description!! But with Claudio’s experience and good driving expertise we came and went without any major incidents. My head hit the roof of the cab at one point as we hit an unexpected ‘crevasse’. Not to worry….the head is hard and did not even get dented! We returned with lots of bananas to fry and some coveted free range chicken eggs….and lots of sand and dirt in clothing, hair and ‘other areas’.

I was chuckling to myself as I rode to the office the other day on one of our infamous buses! A man got on carrying lots of brooms, toilet brushes, plungers and heaven only knows what else! You can imagine his trying to work his way down the center of the bus with folks standing on either side of the aisle. Those bristles are pretty sharp!! That day the bus was so jammed full of people that when it was time to think about getting out, the folks said that I should wait until the bus stopped at my point of departure and they would exit so I could do the same! If you don’t like being touched….you definitely should not get on a bus especially at certain hours of the day! You feel as though you’ve really accomplished something when you slither, push, slide, jostle, nudge, displace other bodies and items - and any other word you can fit into such a scene - and arrive all in one piece, outside of said bus! I like challenges and such is this! Another day I was traveling with three precious eggs I’d been given in the farmland. I had them inside my backpack which I was protecting VERY CAREFULLY. Well, the bus became VERY FULL and offered to put the stack of school books belonging to the person hovering on top of me, on my lap. I had visions of scrambled eggs in my backpack instead of in the frying pan! I did manage to get to home base with the eggs in tact as they came forth from the chicken. I was grateful!!

The people of my home parish in Detroit, Gesu, are helping to repair one of our community wells by participating in their annual Ethnic Meal by displaying aspects of this project and offering mahogany- wood spatulas and pie servers in gratitude for donations of $20.00. An Irish born carpenter who lives in the area of the ‘ailing well’ (hm-m-m ailing well!!) with his wife and two small daughters has set up a small workshop where three young men produce these items. He donated 50-some pieces as a contribution to the project. Peggy, one of my generous sisters is preparing our national food to share – “gallo pinto” a.k.a. red beans and rice, which our folks eat at least once a day, if not more often. This type of collaboration really warms my heart and also brings us closer as sisters and brothers. This well has been serving the people of Los Planes de Cuajachillo 2 for over thirty years and the tubing is in dire need of being replaced. The families of this very extensive area send one of their members, driving a wooden cart loaded with large plastic barrels and drawn by a pair of yoked oxen, to draw the water they need to meet all their needs. It’s a long trip and without this water they wouldn’t survive. There are no rivers or rain water to collect for at least six months of the year during the dry season. The folks cannot afford to drill their own wells. The water table is very deep and aside from that there’s no money to pay for this work. So you can see that this is indeed a great need for the area.

Well, I shall close for now, thanking many of you for your many kindnesses to me during my month home and ask that you continue to keep your Nica sisters and brothers in your thoughts and prayers – me, too! You can be sure that you are in our daily prayers of gratitude.

Love from Managua,
Your sister, Jeanne a.k.a. Juanita

Home...

2009-01-17T22:36:00.003-06:00

Dear Followers of Sister Act 3!

I know, I know, it’s been a long time since the last post but I warned you that I might not get a chance to connect until after I returned to Nicaragua.

So….here I am back in Managua after a little over a month in Michigan, Missouri and Ohio. It was a great time with family and friends. A lot was crammed into a short time but I tried to keep it spaced and unhurried. Thanks again to all of you who made it such a rewarding time. Thanks for the gift of you and your time and your interest in what’s happening in my little corner of the world a.k.a. Nicaragua! Many of you were generous, also with donations for our projects here and your Nica sisters and brothers are most grateful as we work toward sustainable development.

NOW!! I hate to tell those of you who are in the midst of the DEEP FREEZE in the States that I’m sitting here in my office with all five windows open and feeling the sun, temps in the 80’s and fairly strong breezes. I so wish I could box it up and send it your way. I’m so conscious of those who don’t have adequate shelter and warmth and are suffering with the intense cold. I keep closely connected to what is happening in other parts of the world on a daily basis and send positive energy to all those areas.

We met yesterday as a rural team and I informed our director and team members of the generosity of many and they are indeed grateful. There will be additional cows, chickens, silos for seeds, latrines, athletic equipment, books and pencils because of sisters and brothers in the USA. Next week we will have two days of planning in all areas in which Cantera is involved. We’re all impacted by the poverty here and the difficult economy (to say the least!) in the US and Europe, but together we will move on. It’s a time for redefining priorities and determining needs vs. wants.

I will be in touch on a more regular basis once we are back into a more “normal” routine. Please be assured of my gratitude for each of you and your prayers and good wishes. Needless to say, you are very much in my thoughts and prayers.

Hopefully, the photos will warm those of you who are in the “freezer” currently!

Your sister,

Jeanne

Watch Your Step!

2008-11-17T11:22:00.008-06:00

As we begin a new week and I reflect on last week, I am convinced that by far the newest and most interesting experience had to do with sending the cows home. You may remember that one of the many projects toward self help and sustainable development has to do with cows, chickens and seeds. Well, after much planning and changing of plans and selecting of new settings for seven cows, all came together on Friday afternoon. We trooped out to a rural spot where the seven recipients and some spouses were waiting along with lengths of rope and one very large truck. We rolled up our pant legs for obvious reasons and went to look at the cows, all of which have been declared pregnant! The folks began to choose their cows and I was walking around in my trusty Keen sandals which have tractor treads on the bottom. Well, tractor treads work well in rain and mud, but with a large cow paddock, they just fill up with manure! These are really terrific shoes and I am most grateful to a dear friend who insisted that I needed a pair and gave them to me as a gift. They are water resistant, supportive and give great traction.

At any rate I was equipped with my dandy digital camera “attempting” to take photos of each cow and new owner. I more or less succeeded. I kept being warned not to get too close because despite the reports of contented cows, that seems to be a myth. Someone had failed to orient the cows as to the reality of the next phase of their life. For the most part they had no intentions of changing residence and made that clear. One in particular was REALLY resistant and presented a great challenge.

Eventually, after much pushing, pulling, prodding, coaxing, threatening, etc. they managed to get her into the truck with two other ‘transfers’. Some cows were being walked to their new homes since they were only five or six kilometers from home base. Needless to say, I was grateful that the water was still on when I returned home. First the shoes were scrubbed and brushed and ‘dug out’. And then the wearer of the shoes was scrubbed! Thanks to the generosity of friends of the sandal wearer, three of the cows were financed in addition to the four which were part of another project.

I’m getting ready to fly north for a month and mentally trying to imagine COLD!! It sounds terrific right now but I have a feeling that it will be a different story when I’m in it. Anyway, I’m making a list of “things to bring back” and you’d laugh at some of the items: can opener, sink strainers, Teddy Grahams, sturdy shower caps, etc.!! I will be gone from Nicaragua between December 8th and January 11th. I will blog if I have a chance. If you don’t hear from me, it might be that my fingers are frozen and can’t type! However, I will welcome the change from HOT!!

Thanks for your interest and support. Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in the States. I’m very aware that I’m in another country and that this special day is only for folks who are citizens of the United States.

Pray for this country. We just completed elections for the mayors of each municipality and there was obvious fraud involved. This is causing many problems and who knows how it will be resolved.

Love and gratitude, your sister, Jeanne

Feast of All Saints “Each of us in process!"

2008-11-06T10:27:00.003-06:00

November 1, 2008

Saludos de Managua!

I’ve been reminded by more than one friend that I’ve been remiss about posting a letter in my blog. So, I shall sit me down and chat with you for a while. Thanks for being faithful to checking the blog frequently. I have a “site meter” which allows me to see the frequency of visits – not e-mail addresses, but the servers that have checked in, and I see the same ones over and over. Such fidelity!!

This past week we had wonderful celebrations as we remembered and gave thanks for twenty years of ministry through Cantera, the NGO with which I am ministering, and for the many people who have been part of this venture. It is very impressive to realize the tremendous amount of development that has been effected by this group of dedicated Nicaraguans.

We had an outside Mass – under tents!! One can never trust the weather here! It was so beautifully representative of all the sectors of our ministry. At the Offertory a wide variety of “gifts” were brought forth and their significance explained. One is rightly proud of our people from both rural and urban areas - the children, the youth, the young adults and our wise elders. After the Mass, which was full of whole hearted singing and participation, we had a fine Nicaraguan style meal – Indio Viejo and rice! There were over 200 people present from all areas of our work and from the States, Canada, and other Central American countries.

The following day we had a forum which was sponsored by some of our international supporters. It took place at a hotel and all who are a part of Cantera or who cooperate and/or support us, were invited. And again they came from the hills and the cities and the international organizations and networks. We had a most energizing day with input in terms of development and growth and progress of our people and the celebration of their many accomplishments over these past twenty.

We also looked toward the future and dreamed of possibilities for even further and deeper growth. We enjoyed folkloric dancing and theatrical skits and music. The displays of past events and accomplishments and products was impressive, to say the least. And seeing the pride with which our people demonstrated and displayed their successes was a joy to behold. Of course, food was also part of this day. However, it was more in the style to which you and I are accustomed; that is to say, it was not red beans, rice and bananas! Yum!

Concerning the “farm animal project” to which many of you have contributed, three pregnant cows are ‘coming home’ this week and another in November. I had hoped to include photos of our bovine mamas. I took really nice photos. The cows all smiled and stood still….but they are not on my chip. I don’t know where they went. They just plain disappeared!! One of our team is going to try again today to get some photos. If they arrive I’ll send them on to Ruth and she will graciously add them to the blog! Nothing happens quickly here, but it does eventually occur. You just have to have lots of patience and hope!

Have you read any good books lately? I’ve recently devoured, “Mountains Beyond Mountains” – Dr. Paul Farmer’s fight against TB, AIDS, and poverty in general in the ‘back of beyond’ of Haiti. Another book that you’ve probably read or seen the movie produced from it and which I enjoyed is, “Kite Runner”. The most recently read was, “The Power of One”. I seem to be into international - Haiti, Afghanistan and South Africa! If you have a suggestion of a book or movie/video you’ve enjoyed and learned from, please send a comment letting me know. I have heard that “The Secret Life of Bees” is now a movie and that “Shack”, “Three Cups of Tea” and “A Thousand Pleasant Suns” are also very good.

I don’t have a photo of this, but I want to share with you a beautiful practice our little ones are taught. When they enter the room they toddle over to the visitor with their hands folded upward symbolically asking a blessing. They come to you and place your hands over theirs and say, “Santito” (little holy one). It never ceases to touch me. The other day in front of our “casita”, a little lad was pushing his smaller sister in a stroller. Both of them greeted me with their hands folded.

I will be in the States from December 8th until January 11th. The time will go quickly as I will be spending Christmas Week with my family in St. Louis and the first week of January in retreat in Cleveland. But….in between times I hope to meet up with you and share the “ongoingness” of life! I’ll probably “blog” again before ‘flying north’. I’m mentally preparing myself for the opposite extreme of weather!

Until the next time, let us keep each other in positive energy and light and do whatever we are able to bring peace, reconciliation and unity to our corner of the world. Many thanks for your support which comes in many different forms. You are loved and appreciated, each one of you.

Love, your sister,

Jeanne

Celebrate Life

2008-09-30T00:23:00.005-05:00

Greetings from picturesque Nicaragua! As I write to you today, I’m aware of so much rich life contained within this area of our planet Earth. And all of this richness amidst so much poverty. For example, as I sit in my office here at Cantera I can see gorgeous and abundant plants, trees and flowers. But even more importantly, just outside the office and ‘over the wall’ there are presently, eleven beautiful and gifted youth working away at painting the front wall of Cantera’s offices in honor of our 20th anniversary. I will send photos soon and you’ll see the beauty and creativity of this project.

All sectors of Cantera’s involvement, both urban and rural, came up with the ideas and the artist directing this activity wove them together into this beautiful manifestation of hope and life. All the figures and symbolism intricately woven into this work of art represent the wide variety of Cantera’s works and activities. We are very proud of what has been accomplished and are hopeful for the future of this Center of Communication and Popular Education.

Three Sisters of St. Joseph work here in the midst of many committed Nicaraguans, attempting to influence the future of this beautiful but very, very poor section of Central America. Today, the youth promoters from the rural areas, where I am present in the areas of spirituality and community health, are putting some final touches to this impressive work. They take great delight in working painstakingly on each section. Daniel, Sulma, Maria Elena, Belkys, Alba, Norelis, Nadesda, Jessica, Brenda, Fernando and Dominga are wonderful examples of our hope for the Nica future. They are leaders in their rural areas and share and live the leadership training and enrichment they have received. Needless to say, we’re very proud of each of them.

Yesterday I encountered two other particular examples of beauty and life as we visited families in the comarca, Los Filos. One stop was to greet our promoter, Johana, who had given birth to a beautiful little girl, Sabrina. I was delighted to hold her and gaze on this newly arrived gift of God, a miracle of life, a new dawn, a new expression of hope for the future. Did I care that my khakis were wet from her diapers? Not at all! We then went to visit a widow and her two adult children, Blas and Patricia. Dona Benita is a wonderful example of the valiant woman who tends her large farm built on a hillside at the ‘end of the road’ and does so with joy, gratitude and an energy that is remarkable. I kid you not; hers is the LAST dwelling greatly separated from any other neighbor at the end of a LONG, VERY NARROW set of tire tracks that is pure MUD. We went up hills and down hills and slid and ‘danced’ in the pickup. But our very capable driver and friend, Pedro, did an excellent job of keeping us upright and moving forward! I had visions of spending the night with Benita and family as it began to rain, but we hopped into the truck and off we went, back over the terrain we’d traversed a couple of hours before. The Senora was so delighted to see us and had prepared lots of boiled corn for us to munch and some special tortillas to take home with us. Of course, there was fruit from her trees, as is always the case when we visit our campesinos/campesinas.

All of the above is to say that I celebrate LIFE daily here in Nicaragua with and through our people who are such good role models for me. And at the same time I’m so aware of the injustice that permits such poverty within our family of sisters and brothers for the grand majority here and in so many parts of our global village. I’m grateful for the privilege of sharing life with my Nica family and at the same time give thanks for each of you who are supportive, interested, and share this mission with me.

Love and gratitude,
Your sister, Jeanne

Gratitude

2008-09-05T11:31:00.004-05:00

"preparing the shrine"

As I report once again from the land of the Nicas, I am aware that several more folks have been checking this blog periodically. That feels good and it helps me be more aware of our connectedness no matter where we are geographically. It also reminds me of how small our beautiful Earth has become because of our relationships. I’m grateful for each of you as we journey together.

We continue to experience LOTS of rain and because of that, greenery abounds. We have very fertile land here and are more than able to feed ourselves AND many others, but agricultural products are being exported for a higher price in order to produce biofuels in other countries. That does nothing to adequately feed our own people. And for sure, the people who labor to produce the corn and soya don’t gain anything more for their hard work.

Most recently I spent a Sunday with our folks in Los Planes de Cujachillo as they celebrated their religious feast of Our Lady of Nancite. I had experienced quite similar celebrations in Peru but of course, each country has its own history and traditions. I started out very early so as to arrive on time at the bus terminal in order to hop on a bus that ALWAYS leaves at 7:30 a.m. – but it became evident that this is not the case on Sundays! There are always alternatives and so I caught another bus that took me part way and then jumped into a ‘mototaxi’ (motorcycle with space attached for anywhere from 1 to 6 people depending on how crowded the driver considers safe!) These three aspects of the journey cost me a total of 10.5 cordobas (about 60 cents). A couple of taxi drivers offered to take me “the distance” for 100 cordobas! I laughingly told them I wasn’t a tourist and would decline their offer! They were good natured and laughed along with me. Light skin is worth the effort!

"during the procession"

I was early of course, and so I waited and eventually the makings of the motorized shrine came along. Final preparations were made and we started our procession which was probably six kilometers long from the beginning point to the chapel. My friend, Jose, suggested that when we came to the end of the paved road I get into the truck cabin with him. That was especially appreciated because by the time we arrived at that point it was pouring. I had my umbrella which I was trying to share with an older woman who kept getting out the “range” of said umbrella, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t get pretty wet! The nice thing is that one dries out rather quickly - and so it was.

For those of you who are wondering about “the hair”, I did manage to keep it dry! We were accompanied by a sousaphone, trumpet and drum and we sang and prayed and shouted and other appropriate things. The people were delightful and were pleased that I made the effort to accompany them. It was not important to them that they were drenched to the skin. Young and old alike were enjoying this special event so dear to them.

As we drew closer to the chapel there were three places where a rope had been tied at some height above the road. There were plastic bags hung along the rope and each contained some food item like a banana, a pineapple, beans, chips, candy etc. and when the truck bearing the picture of La Virgen de Nancite was underneath it, there occurred loud playing of instruments, shouting and joyful ‘noises’ as the rope was loosened and it was a ‘free for all’ with everyone scrambling to get something! Mass, complete with six baptisms - including precious, identical infant twin girls - followed the procession. After Mass we enjoyed a kermes, a variety of many wonderfully prepared typical foods. All in all it was a wonderful time to celebrate with the people.

"traditional accompanying folks"

Thanks for “tuning in”. I appreciate each of you and your interest and support of me and this Nicaraguan venture. Hopefully, you’re learning something about our people and the lives they lead albeit, very different lives than most of us are accustomed to. May we be instrumental in whatever way we’re called to do so, in making life more equitable and just for our sisters and brothers wherever we are. Thanks for whatever you do in this regard.

Love and Gratitude, Your sister, Jeanne

Dear Friends,

2008-08-21T07:36:00.009-05:00

I haven’t forgotten you!! By no means!! However, for the past two weeks I’ve had a gift in the visit of my dear friend, Marie Benzing, c.s.j . Needless to say, I didn’t do things like post blog info! The parent’s of one of Marie’s 1st graders gifted her (us) with frequent flyer miles so she could come to Nicaragua during the summer school break! Are we both grateful?? Response: a definite SI!!

Marie has arrived in Managua

While Marie was here we visited areas where I spend my time with the people – the rural hill country. We also had time in a retreat house which is the home of the St. Agnes Sisters of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. We did a bit of sightseeing and riding of buses (an event!!), attended a birthday party - Nicaraguan style, and experienced the Nica culture in many ways and met lots of my new friends and colleagues. Marie confirmed the fact that I am indeed at home here and am happy in the midst of much newness and challenge.

This is me with Evangelina, a wise woman of the pueblo

While here, Marie, with her gifts of artistic creativity and photography, put together a power point presentation, “Discovering Nicaragua”, which you can enjoy if you encounter Marie or when I’m home in December-January. All in all it was a blessed time and we are most grateful to the Fishers who made the trip possible!!

Meet my wonderful friend, Marie

Now life is back to a more ‘normal’ pace and I’m catching up on work in the campo and office matters. Sunday I plan to attend the fiesta of the folks in Los Planes as they celebrate their local patron, Our Lady of Nancite! More about this after the event! I’ll take my camera so you can visualize some of the experience.

This is me, Jeanne, a.k.a. Juanita, with friends of all ages - Los Planes de Cuajachillo

What has touched me over and over and was confirmed by Marie’s experience here, is the warmth, beauty and generous sharing nature of our people. They are simply open, responsive and loving. In the midst of very little of this world’s goods, they find beauty and joy and celebrate that. They work hard, trying to eke out a living and they continue to grow in the awareness of their individual goodness. They are aware of the effect that their collective planning, energy and determination can have in bringing about change, albeit in small matters, in an oppressive system that keeps them in poverty and inequality.

Thanks to the generosity of a number of you we are able to provide four women with the cow they so desire so that they can earn additional money from the milk, cheese and future calves. The people pay back, over a period of time, 30% of the cost and that money goes to their local community for needs and improvements that they collectively decide are priorities.

Well, enough for now. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I ask the same of each of you. Thanks for ‘tuning in’ and keeping up on life here in Nicaragua as experienced by your sister, Jeanne!

¡Hola amigas y amigos!

2008-07-22T19:50:00.007-05:00

Greetings from the sunny (as opposed to rainy!) cool breeze environment of Managua. I’m sitting in my office with all three windows wide open and enjoying the beautiful greenery in front of me! The last time I wrote it was our Fourth of July and yesterday we celebrated the big liberation day of Nicaragua. The 19th of July in 1979 was the triumph of the people over the dictatorship of Somoza. There were LONG speeches and lots of horn blowing and music. Everybody took a break and enjoyed the day so important to them.

Since I last ‘blogged’ I have had a variety of experiences which included a couple of days of vacation during which I actually saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time since I’ve arrived. I also came to know two representatives of our Spanish benefactors. The folks who generously support us with grants for projects usually come to visit to appreciate what’s being accomplished. This group has a Jesuit base and is called ALBOAN. This word is Basque (northern Spain) and means ‘walking at the side of’. Now that certainly fits! They indeed do walk at the side of sisters and brothers who are growing and developing their own future. I was particularly pleased by the way Fernando explained how spirituality fits into our entire program. That’s what I’ve been working with!!

Javier and Nora were delightful to be with, and last Sunday we made our way to a rural community, Las Parcelas, where we met in the one room school and the folks shared the projects they were pursuing. We had a very good “snack” which was more like a meal and then went to visit the seventeen beehives that several of our young people manage. We stayed at quite a distance!! These bees are African bees and get ‘irritated’ pretty readily!! Next month, we have fifteen folks from France coming to visit us. We’re very international!

One of the more ludicrous things that happened occurred when we picked up some of our folks as we were going to our monthly meeting of our community leaders. You’ll remember that I mentioned the pregnant cow, chicken and seed projects last time I wrote. Well,there’s another aspect to this program and it has to do with pigs.

They’ve worked at improving the breed of pigs and when mama pig has her litter, they are weaned, shared and/or sold to others in the community. The new owners in turn keep the project going when they have a litter. Well, it seems that the last of the eleven pigs, one named Muneco (Doll), of Mama Pig was being taken to our rural community to be shared with a young, single mom. Of course, Muneco traveled with the folks in the bed of the pick-up truck. He had been scrubbed to within an inch of his pink existence and the owner was not about to have him soiled upon arrival so she diapered him, put him squealing and screeching into a sturdy bag and then hoisted him into the truck. I felt bad for the little critter! Here he was being taken from his mother, tied up, embarrassingly diapered and then ‘sacked’! Well he arrived clean and quiet, and then proceeded to lay down refusing to move for most of our meeting. One never is quite sure what each day will bring!

It’s not at all boring and I’m enjoying the novelty of each day. There is no “usual” day! Well, enough for now. Will check in later. Feel free to comment or ask questions when you read the blog. I’ll be sure to answer!

Thanks for your support and interest.

Your sister,

Jeanne

Feliz Dia

2008-07-04T20:10:00.004-05:00

Well, today is the Fourth of July and I can just imagine the celebrations of my ‘blog followers’ who are citizens of the United States of America. Hopefully, wherever you are, the weather is being gracious and you’re enjoying a relaxing long weekend.

Here in Nicaragua my colleagues are aware of the day and have been wishing me a “feliz dia”. The weather has been cooperative today so far. That means that so far it hasn’t rained. I managed to get my clothes washed and dried this morning which is a good thing and not always easy to accomplish during this season here.

This evening we will be celebrating at our conference center which is a short distance outside of Managua. It is a “despedida” (farewell) for a group of art therapists from the States who have been here for three weeks and have been working with our children, youth and teachers in the city and rural areas. They’ve been staying with families in the area where they are contributing their services. These folks – 14 artists and 2 leaders - are from all over the U.S. Everyone is so pleased with what they’ve been able to accomplish during their short time here. The children have produced wonderful paintings and most recently they have painted murals on the outside walls of the schools. I’ll try to send some photos of their work in the near future.

The coordinator of this endeavor, Lynn Kapitan, has been doing this for several years. She teaches art therapy at a college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She’s a great woman and it has been a joy to have her with us. She did a four day workshop on Spirituality and Leadership. It was super! Another woman has joined her, a former member of this endeavor, and will accompany the four artists who are remaining for one more week, as Lynn is also leaving tomorrow. Creusa is Brazilian who has lived in Montreal, Canada, for ten years. She speaks incredible Spanish, English, Portuguese and French!! She too, is a lovely woman and so easy to be with.

As we celebrate our Independence, Day I’m so aware of how ‘unfree’ some of us still are. In some ways my Nica friends, though they lack a great deal of what we consider important, have a freedom about themselves that I don’t always witness in myself and others who are of ‘the land of the free’. They dream of a better life and go about trying to accomplish this, albeit with the amount of poverty that exists, it’s very difficult. However, their hope won’t quit and their joy in the midst of the struggle is admirable. They encourage us and together we keep on walking toward a better future.

Most recently I received news of the death of an elderly friend who had struggled with many physical limitations all of her life. Lois’ spirit was incredible and she joyfully made her way through life with the help of crutches, leg braces and a white cane to indicate her very limited eyesight.

When she died she had $1,000.00 in her bank account which she wanted to go to ‘the hungry’. This money will be used for purchasing: a pregnant cow - a set of 5 chickens, 1 rooster, fencing and screen – 100 pounds of bean seeds and 100 pounds of corn seeds! Yes, the hungry will be fed and poor farmers and their families will share what they have and also move into the future with a bit more hope, because seeds multiply, pregnant cows give birth to calves, calves grow up and produce more calves and chickens produce eggs, meat and more chickens etc. etc. etc. And so life gets a little bit better!

Adios for now!

Your sister,

Jeanne

Who'll Stop The Rain?

2008-06-11T17:35:00.003-05:00

It’s Sunday morning and it hasn’t rained YET!! It’s cloudy but every once in a while a bit of sun struggles forth! I managed to get my laundry dried yesterday and that’s an accomplishment during the rainy season!

We’ve recouped some from the passing of “Alma”, which was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm! It was ‘demoted’ because the winds didn’t quite make it to the criteria designed for a hurricane. However, that had nothing to do with the amount of water that descended!

I’m getting used to the ‘winter’ here and keep my umbrella, rain poncho and rain hats at the ready. They travel with me wherever I go! Alma left thousands of folks without homes, or at least roofs. The amount of mud (clay) that is generated with these rains is incredible. A whole crew of people starts digging up the mud after each heavy downpour, trying to keep ahead of the dark brown sticky stuff.

Last Friday we went to one of the farm communities in the hills. When we left, the day was fair and lovely. By the time we’d had dinner and were half way through our meeting, it began to POUR. The small house was very soon surrounded by water which was moving at a rapid rate. Well, it came time to see if we could manage to return with our empty food containers and MANY people in the pickup truck. There were six of us inside the truck and at least nine in the bed of the truck getting soaked to the skin. The water was running at such a fast rate that one wasn’t sure what would happen. I will try to include photos of the raging “new rivers”.

Claudio, my fellow team member, is used to this but it’s always a challenge. He safely guided us through ditches, fast flowing water with uncertain depths and over rocks. I prayed; he drove!! I wasn’t scared, but I know the danger of vehicles moving parallel to fast flowing water. We arrived drenched and muddy but safe and sound!

Everything is GREEN and seeds have been planted with hope for a prosperous harvest – rice, beans, corn, vegetables – everything is coming up quickly.

Abject Poverty

2008-05-26T16:54:00.004-05:00

Map of the world showing poverty as a % of the population

This time as I communicate with you from Nicaragua, I am listening to rain on our tin roof. It’s been raining now for hours, but at least the tremendous thunder claps are not rocking the world around me. This afternoon I went to the Physical Rehab hospital which is very close to our home, to visit and take Communion to patients. While there it started to rain and I had not thought to bring rain gear! It slowed for a few minutes and I just got inside the house when it all broke loose once again! We are now in winter a.k.a. the rainy season. Our winter has nothing to do with cold!! Here it is totally dry for six months and totally wet for six months. Could someone put in an order for balance?? Everything has turned a rich green and the daily watering of the patio plants is no longer necessary.

Life has been filled with a variety of activities, meetings, new experiences and new Spanish words. Our Nica sisters and brothers have a language peculiarly their own. They even have their own dictionary for those of us who learned ‘regular’ Spanish. My farmland vocabulary has increased as well as my experience of the mystery of how such wonderful fruits and vegetables come from tiny, dry seeds!!

Hopefully, I will finally get my residence card tomorrow! I’ve been ‘illegal’ for over a month now, since my 90 day visa expired on April 22nd. I was supposed to get it last Friday but it seems the camera in the Migration Office was broken!! Tomorrow we’ll check to see if it’s fixed yet! There is no problem with being here without a valid visa. The Nicas are much more tolerant with migrants than we’ve ever been in the States.

Speaking of migrants and migration, which was one of the determining factors for my decision to come to Nicaragua, I recently attended the Conference for Women and Men Religious of Mexico and Central America held here in Managua. It was wonderful meeting folks from the different countries. Our theme and topic for prayer and discussion was: Migration – Those Who Stay. Here in Nicaragua we have many, many families in which the father, mother, sons or daughters have gone to Costa Rica in search of work that will bring them a higher wages. This creates many problems for the rest of the family left to carry on at home. Usually, the folks return home every two months for a weekend since their visas are for 60 days. It’s a different way of looking at and understanding migration. The great majority of migrants don’t want to leave their roots and families and go to another country, but they are forced to do so because of the circumstances of poverty.

Recently, I had a practicum in what it might feel like, at least a little bit, to be a migrant. One evening during the conference we went to a very moving theater presentation, a monologue, concerning the suffering of a Nicaraguan migrant in Costa Rica– it lasted 2 ½ hours without a break! Because it was one person speaking rapidly and using many of the local expressions, nuances, references and satire, I understood only about 5% of the spoken word. It’s hard to sit for that length of time, listen but not understand and hear the folks laugh and not have any idea what has been clever! It was a very good experience for me. I felt caught in, but outside of, the reality. It made me more sensitive in regard to migrants and their struggles. I was reminded of our Arabic and Aramaic speakers we encountered so often at St. John Oakland Hospital. How frightening it must be to be sick and have things done to you and not understand, not be able to express your questions, your fears, your needs!!

We do not have many migrants here because Nicaragua has nothing to offer in regard to better wages. We are fast becoming equal to Haiti. Daily the food prices are soaring. Last Saturday in one of our major popular markets the price of rice, which is a staple food, jumped 40 cents within 20 minutes! There is talk of devaluing the cordoba, our monetary unit. Currently, it takes 19.50 cordobas to equal $1.00. There is talk that it will soon take 29 cordobas to do the same! Our majority of extremely poor will be totally at a loss since wages do not increase. We just experienced a strike of many days which was called by the bus drivers who drive between cities. They were protesting the cost of gasoline which is now up to 25 cordobas a liter. The people have to depend on public transport (our old school buses) to get them to work and connect with family.

Well, I think this will be more than enough for Ruth to post, so I shall bring this to a close. Thanks for following me in my current journey and being supportive of us here, as well as being understanding of our sisters and brothers who are in the U.S.A. as migrants whomever they might be, wherever you might encounter them.

Until the next time, Adios!

Your sister,

Jeanne

Road Trip!

2008-05-02T20:12:00.008-05:00

View Larger Map

My most recent learning here in Nicaragua was traveling to the department of Esteli. You can check the map - it's to the north of the country near Honduras and into the mountain area. I went with our rural team and twenty of our women who each have at least one cow. The place we visited for two days is called La Garnacha and is a cooperative of about 125 people of all ages.

They have developed a quality cheese industry and our women are hoping to also produce quality cheese with their cows' milk. These folks also produces wonderful organically grown vegetables and coffee of high quality. They basically use goat milk in the making of the Tilsiter (Swiss) cheese.

It took us about three hours to arrive there, stopping once for a break. Oh yes, we also waited for a protest group to let us pass. They were demanding land and since they have no other way to fight for this, they stop traffic on the Panamerican Highway. On the way back we sat for an hour for the same reason. Noone was upset because we know that it's for a good cause. It's a peaceful demonstration and hopefully they will have achieved some justice.

We had a gathering with the people of La Garnacha and Feliciano, one of the original inhabitants, said, "...we are poor but we are healthy." And I would add, they are contented. They live together with their families and work hard but have what they need for sustenance and housing. They have a small school for the pre-schoolers and those through sixth grade. After that they must go several kilometers to the secondary school.

It gets quite cold during the night and actually, it felt good to be in flannel sheets and under a flannet blanket. So we awoke from the chill to watch them milk the goats at 6:00a.m. I didn't sleep very well, not because of the cold, but because the two women I shared the cabana with both SNORED!! One would start and the other would respond!! And....I listened!!

After breakfast of eggs, rice and beans (rice and red beans are a three times a day item!) we left to hike up a VERY HIGH area to view some scultptures that are rather famous and to enjoy wonderful scenery - somewhat like we have in the northern areas of Michigan with pine trees. It was quite a workout hiking the distance but I MADE IT in good shape!! You have to make it because there's NO WAY IN OR OUT except by foot.

What impressed me was the simplicity of the people as they live and work and share life. They are proud of what they produce and contented with life. They are a good model for simple, peaceful living. The Little Brothers of Jesus, a Catholic congregation founded by Charles de Foucauld, have been in this area for many years working right along with the people. One of these fellows, Chepe, who is from New York now works us in Cantera but was at La Garnacha for over twenty years.

This brings you up to date with my ventures and adventures. Greetings to all and many thanks to the folks who continue to help support our efforts.

Peace, Love and Gratitude, your sister, Jeanne

Water and Thanks

2008-04-21T15:55:00.013-05:00

When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Here are some photos of my most recent experience in the rural area. It was the inauguaration of the well that has been so long desired and badly needed by the people of the comarcas (communities) of Las Yucas, Las Latas-Lajas. Several groups, of which we are a primary one, have helped this to come to fruition.

Several 'dignitaries' were present, among whom were the Mayor of Mateare - the larger city to which the small rural communities are related - and representatives of the sponsoring groups. The "water commission" folks were congratulated for their work in getting this accomplished and for getting the area men to dig the trenches for the tubing that will extend the water to greater distances and thus serve more areas. (There is a previous photo which shows young men loading white tubing for the aquaduct.)

Now the people can come with their barrels on oxen drawn carts and fill them. Before they had to travel much, much further to have any water. The problem is that the water table is very deep and only with electricity can it be pulled to the surface. There was great rejoicing and celebrating and MANY, MANY words during this very important moment. Afterwards, of course, there was a meal.

Before the celebration began, one of the young fellows mentioned to me that they were slaughtering a calf across the road. I DID NOT want to witness that! Then after a while I realized that the young men were bringing ribs and legs and the rest of the calf to the barbecue pit they had dug previously!!!! Oh my, I like grilled meat but I don't care to know the animal prior to eating it!!

The first photo is of me and an elderly man, Senor Jose. He is 84 years old - his wife is 95 and couldn't walk the 2.5 kilometers in order to attend. Jose is one of the founders of this little community. He is delightful, alert, proud of his people and very eager to share his experiences. We had a great time together.

Oh yes, I had the opportunity to attend the Symphony on Saturday night. What a joy!! When they played the theme from the movie, "The Mission" I was so touched. This "Song of Gabriel" played on the oboe is one of my very favorites. It's beautiful, haunting and makes me cry!! Today's You-Tube music selection is Gabriel's Oboe by Yo-Yo Ma. I hope you enjoy it as much as me.

Your sister,

Jeanne

Food for Thought

2008-04-11T21:27:00.004-05:00

Disparity: Noun 1. disparity - inequality or difference in some respect inequality - lack of equality; "the growing inequality between rich and poor" far cry - a disappointing disparity; "it was a far cry from what he had expected"

I'd like to share with you an aspect of life here that touchs me deeply and makes me ask "WHY??" The extreme poverty expresses itself in many ways but what always hits my heart is the way it affects the children. It is typical for children, sometimes as young as 6 or 7, to be on the busy main streets selling just about anything, trying to wash windshields, or just plain begging. They appear on the busses and sing, accompanying themselves by shaking a plastic bottle with pebbles and hoping for a few coins as they squeeze down the crowded aisles packed with people. Many times they are without shoes or sandals and look like they haven't washed or eaten in quite a while. This is not the way God wants childhood to be lived!! Elderly women also stand in the middle of the streets and ask for support.

I've been visiting the Physical Rehab Hospital and one lad in particular has won my heart. His name is Alicio and he's 15 years old. He arrived at the hospital the day I left to come to Nicaragua. He's totally paralyzed as the result of an accident. He comes from the other side of the country, the Atlantic/Carribean Coast which means that he's far from family and friends. His mom is here with him and is so faithful, gentle and caring. She loves her son and it's so evident. He has a smile that would capture each one of you. He could be up in a wheel chair but since he has no control of his neck, he needs a chair with a head rest and other aspects that will support his body. I'm working with a social worker to see what might be possible but the doctor indicated that they don't have access to this type of chair. That's hard to believe. The wealthy Nicaraguans are subject to similar disabilities and needs and I'm sure they have what they need.

Miserable Meeces.....

2008-04-07T18:51:00.003-05:00

I haven't written as much because the phone bill came and carumba! It was really high. So I'm trying to pace myself and use the dial-up as little as possible and yet stay in touch.

We're topping 100 degrees today. It gets warmer every day. I continue to get more involved in ministry and am beginning to work on some reflections for groups and ways of deepening spirituality in the various sectors that we work with.

Holy Week is most interesting here. Everything slows WAY DOWN from Wednesday through Easter. It's not that the people are involved in "spiritual, religious matters". It's just that it's their vacation time and many people go to the beaches which are HIGHLY CONTAMINATED. Obviously, we stayed home and did participate in the religious services which were very meaningful and related to the lived reality of present day Nicaragua. We had a peaceful Easter at the home of some Wisconsin/Nicaraguan sisters. Their home is outside of the city so it was quiet and relaxing.

I've had "fun" with mice lately. A caring mama mouse built a comfy nest under my bottom drawer and deposited her offspring within! Needless to say, it was not a good choice on her part! I love animals but that was not what I needed in my tiny bedroom space. They went to mouse heaven! Mother followed soon after!

I continue to learn many things. I can fly around the city on several buses which is an accomplishment. At certain hours (early morning, midday and supper time) they are crowed to the gills and 'there's always room for 4 or 5 more"! You need to have your wits about you, keep balanced, watch your toes and protect your backpack at all the same time. Buses are frequent and cost only about 15 cents per ride, so most of us travel this way. I do not have any new photos. I'll work on that.

New Photos

2008-03-15T11:42:00.002-06:00

Busy, busy....

2008-03-15T10:34:00.005-06:00

We've had a full few days here in Nicaragua. On Friday last, we went to the rural setting of Las Yucas/Las Latas-Lajas where all six communities had gathered to celebrate the International Day of the Woman. This is a very important day in Latin America where there's a strong thrust to transform the macho culture.

I have some good photos that I'll figure out how to send soon! They had it all decorated with banners from each area, crepe paper on the poles holding up the tarp to save us from the sun. The music was going full force and when we arrived it was decided that it was time for the "refrigerio" (mid-morning snack) which consisted of the many dozens of sandwiches which we had prepared before leaving Managua and pop. Prizes were awarded for the winners of the painting project, family garden project and outstanding woman of the area. Speeches were made. Folkloric dances were performed and stories told. There were about 100 people present including fellows and children. It was a great time and after delivering pick-up truck loads of people to some of the neighboring communities, we headed home.

We've also been celebrating 25 years of our local center - Centro Cultural Batahola Norte - which was founded by a CSJ and a Dominican priest. The choral group did an outstanding concert with the National Orchestra in Granada on Friday night, there's been a painting exhibition running since the 1st. of the month, last night there was an incredibly wonderful theater presentation which honored the founders and tonight there's a Mass of Thanksgiving which will culminate the celebration. There have been visitors here for several days who are the "Friends of Batahola" and it's been good being with them and speaking English!!

Next week I will participate in a 4 day course on Gender Issues (women/men and equality).

Your sister,

Jeanne

The Wheels On the Bus

2008-02-28T21:40:00.002-06:00

I continue to feel more and more at home here in this environment. I can get where I'm going by bus like the best of the Nicas. These vehicles are mostly old school buses from the US which were no longer safe for the children and have mostly been around for 10-20 years here! So....they work, you get where you're going in more or less decent condition. Yesterday, I almost lost part of my backside because the driver's idea of how long it would take me to get in and up differed from my speed in doing so!

Following directions here is another interesting experience. There are no street names or signs so directions go something like this: from the place where the Bank Procredito used to be, 2 blocks up, 1 1/2 blocks south, 400 steps toward the lake! And remember that I'm directionally challenged to begin with!!

Last Saturday I went with a Detroit Jesuit friend and his group to the Psychiatric Hospital which happens to be across the street from where I live. I won't go into descriptions but needless to say it was an experience. The setting is very different, of course, and has a lot of free space for some folks to walk around while others are confined. We sang with them, passed out bananas, chatted with those with whom we could do so. I was told that one of the women spoke very little Spanish, only English, because she was from the other coast where they speak English due to the fact that they escaped the Spanish invasion, only to be "visited" by the folks from England.

This week I've been attending a course on 'development of peoples' which our group, Cantera, sponsors. It's been good and I thoroughly enjoy the people who represent areas that are very diverse - from the rural places to people who are professionally prepared. I catch a bus early and then wait at an intersection for the truck to pick me up. My sense of time is not yet adjusted to the sense of time here and so the first day I waited for 40 minutes. I learn quickly! I arrived later from then on! Tomorrow is the last day (it's a 3 1/2 day seminar) and I will miss the daily connection with the other 24 folks.

That brings you up to date. Next week we will be preparing for the International Day of the Woman which we'll celebrate in the rural area on Friday, March 8th. I'll have plenty to tell you after that celebration and hopefully will have some pictures.

Please feel free to post your comments and questions for me. I'm sure there are curious minds that would like to know things and I'll answer as best as I can!

Love, Gratitude and Prayers,

Your sister, Jeanne

A Day in the Life

2008-02-21T07:16:00.004-06:00

Good morning friends. I don't have a lot new things to tell you about so I thought I would chat a bit about what comprises a "normal" day for me. Many have inquired and I thank you for that!

I sleep under a mosquito net because if I don't, they munch on me all night! Julie and I share the house and the only bedroom. We have a few other "roommates" who share our home too. I like to think of them as our mascots. The ones I enjoy most are the chameleons that like to hang, play, chase and otherwise entertain.

I awaken early while it is still dark to the music of the barrio: roosters crowing, women calling "pan, pan" (bread), our neighbor unchaining his gate, birds singing and sometimes cats on the roof having a spat.

After some quiet time and breakfast of fruit, bread and coffee, Julie and I go out to "sweep"(pushing the dust and sand around) the area in front of our house which includes half the street. We then clean out the drainage trough and water the street and plants in front and in the patio area in the back. I'm working hard to get this process down so I'm not totally muddy and wet by the end of it all!

Depending on what is happening on a particular day, I go back to clean up (showers aren't hot here but aren't icy cold either) and head on over to the Cantera office. I meet with other members of our team or go out to one of our rural sites in the hills.

Meals are simple yet sufficient. Fruits are plentiful as are rice, beans, vegetables, yuca and some meat. I live with a sister who is heavily into natural medicines so I see a lot of soy products too.

On weekends we do a variety of things, but chores always include washing and hanging clothes to dry. And sweeping: otherwise known as moving the dust and sand around. We have a local mass which has great participation at six o'clock in the evening.

So much for my "dailyness" south of the border.

Take care my friends!

Jeanne

Boiled Bananas and Other Off Road Adventures

2008-02-16T08:50:00.004-06:00

Yesterday I went to the remaining rural and more tropical mountainous areas that we visit (someday soon, I promise to figure out that digital camera). I thought the first two trips were an adventure but yesterday's was even more so! We even landed in a quite deep hole and had a struggle getting the 4 wheel drive pick up back on the "path" that they charmingly call a "road" here.

Our group met with the men and women in charge of promoting the forward movement of the people in their particular area. Some of these people walk for hours to participate. My "farm vocabulary" is growing. Included in the coversation which lasted for 5 hours were topics such as pozos (wells), latrines, pregnant pigs and a cow that had to be 'put down' because of a broken leg/foot. We also discussed various development opportunities that will be coming up. In the middle of all this we had a humongous "almuerzo" (dinner) of rice, boiled bananas, spaghetti, a vegetable like summer squash and salad. They're heavy on carbs! Rice and red beans (gallo pinto) is a national food and eaten OFTEN. I'm doing fine because I like all of it, except the boiled bananas that are rather like clay and are most likely an acquired taste-pehaps this 1957 song adaption by the late Peter Sellers will help me acquire that taste:

Out of the Frying Pan

2008-02-12T10:18:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I went to the Children's Hospital (La Mascota) and visited with the families and children in the oncology department. OH MY!! The conditions of these children is so very sad. (For an idea of medical conditions in this country, see this article from a student's perspective). The kids try really hard to respond and smile a bit. It's absolutely nothing like you'd imagine. It is pretty clean, I must say. There seemed to be only one "nurse" in each area. Families bring food daily and sheets and pillows and anything else that's needed. It's a whole different approach to hospitalization than what we are used to in the states. We seem to take so much for granted.

Getting Settled

2008-02-09T15:39:00.000-06:00

Hello my friends:

After a false start, I arrived at the scheduled time but two days later than planned! Since then there have been many things occurring but at a much slower pace than we're used to in the U.S. I spent two days with the folks of Cantera planning the year and I have become a part of the rural team out of a place called Mateare which is fairly close to Managua where I live.

I've been to the "campo" twice now and it's a REAL TRIP getting to where you're going. It's up into the hillsides and the roads, if you wish to give them that level of honor. They are really no more than dirt and sand. During the rainy season which begins in May, the roads will form deep gullies. This will last the duration of the rainy season (6 months). The fellows that drive our pick up are talented indeed - avoiding the possibilities of flipping over! I did take some pictures yesterday but still need to practice on that piece and figure out how to link them to the blog. Internet is not high speed here and still relies on dial up. You get the picture (or maybe not).

The people here are wonderful - warm, receptive, simple and uncomplicated. The young folks are full of life and hope. We were in a place yesterday - Las Yucas - where a cooperative effort which included Cantera had been able to sink a well and make water more available. The men drive carts with yoked oxen carrying large water barrels to get water for living. Now they don't have to go as far as before. They are voluntarily helping to lay piping so as to make it even more accessible. All of this is done with great physical effort and no machinery.

I've had troubles with the computer getting hooked up, as I mentioned before. The other snag is getting my documents for residency which I have less than 90 days to submit. I came without certain papers that I need for the legal stuff in order to stay here. Someone slipped up and failed to tell me all I needed to get ahead of time from the Nicaragua Consulate in the U.S. Anyway, I'm learning lots as I struggle with this stuff. The language is improving but I'm pretty much the new kid on the block and the "gringa". With time that will get better. The weather is tolerable - between 75-95 with plenty of wind. I'm doing O.K. Just missing folks alot but that's to be expected. If you don't love folks, you don't miss them.

I do think about my many friends at the hospital and in my community family and want to know what's happening in that part of my world. I will be doing some visiting at the women's hospital, psychiatric hospital and children's hospital (tomorrow) as I have time. For sure there's no similarity to what I'm used to, but people are people no matter where they live on this planet. I'll let you know more about these visits after I've had some initial time there. Take care, my good friends. I would love it if you could all leave comments to me here.

Here With News of Jeanne

2008-02-03T11:16:00.000-06:00

Hello Everyone!

Once again, I am guest posting for Sister Jeanne. She has not had the ability to post herself and has asked me to post an update. I received an email that she has arrived safely and is trying to acclimate although I don't believe this has much to do with the climate per se. In fact, if I know her, the weather is mighty fine by her standards. As luck would have it, she has missed our deep freezes and blizzards! Here for her pleasure, I have inserted a photo of what she is missing in an effort to help reassure her that her decisions were indeed on target:

I am going to try to get this blog spot address published in the hospital news so that all of her friends can periodically check in to see what is new. Barring that, I'll let word get out the old fashioned way: interoffice SNAIL MAIL! Also new for those who asked, this site has been reformatted to accept comments from anyone, not just bloggers or google account holders.

Feel free to leave comments here or just email her directly!! She will receive an email update each time comments are posted. I know she misses us all and sends a special hello to her friends here at the hospital.

Have a great day!
Ruth

Traveler's Prayer

2008-01-18T21:01:00.000-06:00

Hey all, I am guest blogging for Jeanne as she is probably in mid-air by the time you all read this.

I am posting here a traditional Jewish prayer to say at the onset of a journey. I didn't think Jean would mind.

"May it be Your will, Lord, My God and God of my ancestors, to lead me, to direct my steps, and to support me in peace. Lead me in life, tranquil and serene, until I arrive at where I am going. Deliver me from every enemy, ambush and hurt that I might encounter on the way and from all afflictions that visit and trouble the world. Bless the work of my hands. Let me receive divine grace and those loving acts of kindness and mercy in Your eyes and in the eyes of all those I encounter. Listen to the voice of my appeal, for you are a God who responds to prayerful supplication. Praised are you, Lord, who responds to prayer."

I think this is rather appropriate. Safe journey Sister Jeanne. We look forward to word that all is well, the skies are blue and the weather suitably balmy.

Ruth