Hey Friends and Family, it’s Paulette and Kam here! Today was an emotional yet exciting rollercoaster.
We woke up all the Glimpsers at 6:30 and had a nutritious breakfast at Buffet Estelí; there was beans and sour cream with avocado and a delicious star fruit juice. YUM! We then came back and had a mental warm up about our upcoming field trip to the city dump, Las Cruces. The dump was an eye opening experience, in which all Glimpsers got emotional and saw the reality of what a developing country deals with. The conditions were breathtaking and harsh, yet all of us appreciated the experience because we realized that happiness doesn’t always rely on having a life of luxury. Our host, Dona Francisca, spoke on the community’s humbling conditions and graciously answered our questions.
The group traveled on a speechless bus back to the hostal where we all took a mandatory shower and then held a group reflection on the similarities and differences of poverty in the United States and Central America. Everyone shared their emotional and honest opinion about what they experienced; it was insightful, inspiring, and memorable.
After a much needed lunch and refreshing passion fruit juice (which is almost everybody’s favorite), we began the process of our CAP (community action project). This entailed a trip to La Montañita, an elementary school where we are contributing our community service to help better the students’ learning environment. It is bittersweet that we have the opportunity to make such a great impact in their lives. We talked to both the students, teachers and student families about their wishes and desires for their school.
On our way back in the bouncy bus,we prepared for our next English tutoring class. We had our second session, which was fortunately much less chaotic than yesterday. We are glad to see how education is taken seriously here in Nicaragua and how ambitious “Nica” students are about learning English. Right after tutoring, we headed back once again to Buffet Estelí and had another scrumptious authentic dinner. The long day closed with the nightly meeting and passed the torch to Maricela!
Much love, Paulette and Kam
Wow, I can’t believe how jam-packed your day was (again). Thanks Paulette and Kam for sharing all the heart-felt and gut-wrenching details of your experiences. I was surprised about the horses in the dump photo; did they belong to someone, or were they wild? I’m glad the second day of tutoring was easier with fewer students, plus you’re all more experienced. Y’all are doing great!
—Jenne, Tyler’s ‘rent
[Dude: buttons!!! Also, I love you and miss you! And, I’m about 1/4 of the way through book 4 of GOT.]
Wow, what an emotional and inspiring day. I hope your are all forming lasting memories together. ( Do I see friendship bracelets , Cammie?)
I see fidget spinners are everywhere!! Your trip looks like it’s been a lot of fun so far.
It was SO GOOD to hear from you Adriana. It brought the biggest smile to my face when you called back after I had missed your call. I miss you so much but also I hope you have an amazing experience while you’re there. Love you!
Wow .. this is amazing experience for everyone to appreciate happiness not matter what… thank you glimmers for sharing what you are doing and thank you for sharing your hearts with theme… Paulette me gusta saber que le estás tomando valor y sentido a la vida de esa manera, me da gusto saber que el Espíritu De Dios te h llevado a otra dimensión en donde andas ahora, esta experiencia es hermosa por qué sabrás poner en una balanza lo que realmente interesa… I LOVE YOU and I love to see what you guys are experiencing at this moment ?
Thank you so much for sharing your day with us.
We are so blessed here in America, and I’m so grateful that these young women and men have the opportunity to serve and learn from the wonderful people and the way they live. Keep enjoying your service and sharing your adventure with us. Devin, hope you’re doing better with your tummy episode.
Hola LanAnh, it was wonderful to hear your voice; especially, after I missed your call earlier. It made my day.
Kudos to Paulette and Kam for their touching and reflective posting. So grateful to GG for giving our next gen a glimpse into a bigger world. I am sure the visit to Las Cruces was an intense experience but trust that it was just as enlightening to find joy, hope, and dreams there as well. Keep up the good work helping the community.
Way to go!!!! I can see how this a life changing experience, I’m really glad that all of glimpsers got to do and experienced the trip to the dump and are able to help others; it is heartbreaking but also inspirational. All my best wishes to all of you, keep the good work. To Paulette: Penélope says “what’s up?” Hahahaha love you!!!!
Kamryn, you both did a great job sharing your day! I can only imagine how emotional it was seeing the dump and poverty of that level… I can see what a life changing experience this is for all of you…
Love you babe and look forward to hearing more…