2014 evaluation update – Nicaragua Delegation

Last August I posted an evaluation of how I was doing on my goals for 2014. I won’t repeat that evaluation – most of it has held.  I do continue to visit my mother every three months, and hope to visit again in March.

But the big unknown goal which I want to write about now is the family delegation to Nicaragua. Here’s what I have written:

Feb: 2014
“The community of Dulce Nombre de Jesus in Nicaragua has a special place in my heart. They continue to embrace me and pray for me and let me know they are thinking of me. I owe them one more visit, perhaps with family members. I have a vision of bringing my whole family, but that is a vision.”

Aug: 2014
I have put out the invitation to my extended family, especially my brother’s family, to join me on a delegation in late January. So far, 12 other members of my family have said they would join me, with the possibility of 3 more. This is a major goal of mine for the remainder of this year – to stay healthy enough to make this happen.

The delegation is going to happen, January 23 to Feb. 1.

When I was in Colorado at the celebration of my brother’s life, I made a commitment to his daughters that I would try to be a presence in their lives in the future.  As we talked together, I mentioned that taking my daughters to Nicaragua had been one of the most important thing I had done for my daughters.  So the idea was born, for me to invite my brother’s daughters families with me on a trip to Dulce Nombre de Jesus.  Barbara and I extended the invitation to include her family members.  Early in November I wasn’t sure how many were going, so I put out a deadline – by November 8, I had to know who was going.  Eighteen said yes.   Here is the delegation: Barbara and I and our daughter Anna: Nine members of my brother’s family: his wife and two daughters with husbands and two children each (3, 5, 12, 14);  and six members of Barbara’s family: her brother and wife, their son and family of 3 (Savian is 2 years old) and Barbara’s sister. There will be six from my generation, seven from our children’s generation, and five from the youngest generation. It is a dream come true for me.

I can’t begin to describe what it will be like, so I will just put down the schedule that has been planned and include some pictures. You can use your imaginations to fill in the unknowns. The community of Dulce Nombre de Jesus is in the north/west of Nicaragua, very close to Honduras, in the foothills above the bay of Fonseca. There are no motor vehicles in the town, but there is now electricity.

I have been there at least 20 times, and probably slept in every bed in our community. It will be good to introduce them to my family and to introduce my family to this community which has been very special in my life.

Schedule for Newell’s Family Delegation
Jan 23-Feb 1, 2015

Friday, Jan. 23rd
Arrivals in the afternoon and evening, traveling to AMOS Guesthouse in Managua

Saturday, Jan 24th
7:00 am Breakfast
8:00 am Getting to know each other
8:30 am Orientation
9:00 am Workshop of the history of Nicaragua, given by Newell
12:00 pm Picnic lunch in Managua
1:30 Historical Tour

Evening Dinner & musical event out in Managua

Sunday, Jan 25th
7:00 am Breakfast
8:00 am Opening reflection with Luis Aguirre
8:45 am Leave for 14ce de Septiembre
9:30 am Celebration of the Word at 14ce de Septiembre San Pablo Apostol Christian Base Community

12:00 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Market Experience

5:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Evening of Music with Oscar & Eduardo

Monday, Jan. 26th
7:00 am Breakfast
8:00 am Leave for Dulce Nombre de Jesus
12:00 pm Arrival/Welcome/Lunch with the community/Games

2:00 pm Going to Host Families Homes
4:00 pm Visit with Esperanza at her home

6:00 pm Dinner with families, spend time with them
7:00 pm Reflection Time/Check in with the group

Tuesday, Jan. 27th
Breakfast with families
8:00 am Time with Saul

9:00 am Dialogue with the community, getting to know one another & talking about the topic of family
12:00 pm Lunch, Rest Time
3:30 pm Swimming in the river

5:30 pm Dinner with Families
6:30 pm Pesca Fundraising Activity

Wednesday, Jan. 28th
Breakfast with families
8:00 am Visit the homes of different community members
10:00 am Dialogue time with the community on the topic of family

12:00 pm Lunch with host families, rest time
3:30 pm Reflection time with the group
5:00 pm Dinner with extended family members of the community at the church

Thursday, Jan. 29th
Breakfast with families
7:30 am Tortilla Making Lesson

9:00 am Time at the River
12:00 pm Lunch, rest time
2:00 pm Visits to community member’s home
4:00 pm Shared Celebration of the Word
5:30 pm Dinner with families
6:30 pm Evening of Music (hopefully with Don Salustio)

Friday, Jan. 30th
Breakfast with families
8:00 am Leave Dulce Nombre de Jesus
12:00 pm Lunch on the road
2:00 pm Arrive at La Mariposa Retreat Center
3:00 pm Begin Closing Reflection Time
6:00 pm Dinner

Saturday, Jan 31st
7:00 am Breakfast
8:00 am Closing Reflection Time & Evaluation
10:00 am Free Time
12:00 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Leave for Masaya Volcano
2:30 pm Arrive at Masaya Volcano
4:00 pm Leave for La Mariposa
6:00 pm Dinner
Evening Music & Relaxation Time

Sunday, Feb 1st
Leave for airport

I will give a report when we return.