Gratitude

"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,

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!

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