151 Week Update.... meaning, 5 weeks to go!

Yep! It´s true. It´s been 151 weeks since I began working with MCC and AMC here in Nicaragua. I seriously CANNOT believe that I only have 5 weeks left in country. This week is my last week at work with AMC. BUT, before I get into more about that, I wanted to share a bit about what I´ve been up to.

So, just after Thanksgiving, the MCC Nicaragua team had our once a year MCC Spiritual Retreat. We were blessed this year to be able to go to San Juan del Sur, which is on the South-Western part of Nicaragua on the Pacific Ocean, close to the border of Costa Rica. The Father of one of my fellow MCC friends, recently published a devotional called Meditations on the Beatitudes: Lessons from the Margins (Donald R. Clymer, 2011). This study on Matthew chapter 5 was very interesting. Not only does it speak about what the beatitudes mean, but it also puts them in a multi-cultural perspective, which is very applicable to this stage of my life.

Meditating on the Beatitudes.

Meditando en las bienaventuranzas.

The view from our house.

La vista de nuestra casa.

The beach in San Juan del Sur.

La playa in San Juan del Sur.

Reflection time.

Tiempo de reflexión.

And yes, I did get to enjoy the beach a bit. :)

Y sí, disfruté la playa un poquito. :)

Part of the MCC Nicaragua team at the overlook in San Juan del Sur.

Parte del equipo de CCM Nicaragua en la mirador de San Juan del Sur.

More of the beautiful view from the lookout.

Más de la linda vista de la mirador.

Me at the lookout.

Yo estoy en la mirador.

The sunset.

La puesta del sol.

This past Thursday began the firsts of the good-bye parties. I had a small celebration with AMC Fitness Group. We have been meeting on Tuesday´s and Thursdays since April of 2009. There is a group of about 13 ladies that are faithful to the group even when I am not able to be there. This group of women have learned yoga, kick-boxing, circuit class, sports training, salsa, merangue, bachata and stretching. All of which that had no exposure to prior. They are empowered to make healthy lifestyle changes in their own lives and this brings me so much joy. As a thank you (and remember me) gift, I gave them all stainless-steal water bottles since I continually lecture them about drinking 1 ounce of water for every minute of exercise. To celebrate, of course we had to go somewhere special, Pasteleria Normas (Normas Cake Bakery). Horrible, I know! :) But we have worked hard for almost 3 years now on fitness and it´s ok to have something sweet in moderation. (And yes, Dena, I know here you would say... “everything in moderation, including moderation. :) So, hear a few photos from that celebration. :)

Celebrating at Norma´s Bakery

Celebrando en Pastelería Norma.

Celebration meal: Doughnut & Cocao.

La comida de la fiesta: Donut y cocao.

The ladies making a commitment to continue with exercising.

Las chevalas haciendo un compromiso para seguir con los ejercicios.

With their gifts.

Con sus regalos.

Stainless steal water bottles.

This past Friday evening I went to the Brien´s house for a Christmas celebration called “Aussie Carols By Candlelight.” It was a fundraiser for the area community in which the Brien family lives, but it was also a lovely time to sing Christmas Carols in both Spanish and English, as well as enjoy the cool January Nicaragua weather and the stunning glow of the candles as they lit up the faces of people gather from all around the world (Canada, US, Nicaragua, Australia, England, Guatemala) to celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The local church singing Christmas carols.

Miembros de la iglesia cantando canciones de la navidad.

My nica cousin. :)

Mi primita nica. :)

Saturday evening I was blessed to be able to attend the Wedding of two co-workers. It was a civil wedding, which is the legal one according to the government, and it was held at the house of the groom. The judge (lawyer) performed the ceremony, then we had dinner and a little bit of dancing.

The entry way of the house.

La entrada de la casa.

Beautiful ladies of AMC. :)

Chavalas lindas de AMC. :)

The bride and groom seated in front of the judge with the witnesses standing.

Los novios afrente de la abogada y los testigos de pie.

Me with the bride & groom.

Yo con

Belinda & Gerardo, some really good friends.

Belinda y Gerardo, buenos amigos.

Dinner.

La cena.

And just last night a group of us celebrated the 30th Birthday of our fellow MCC volunteer, Liz. The celebration included music from the 1980´s, incredible German Chocolate cake, party gifts of suckers (signifying that “30 Sucks!”) and the Tuna Sandwich game. As most of you know, I do not like fish and especially tuna, so when I hear the name I was a bit worried. But, no worries, it actually had nothing to do with tuna. :) What it was, was a small gift wrapped in newspaper and then masking taped A TON. Then we had to try and unwrap it with oven mitts on our hands. Pretty funny. And, the person that won did share the Dark Chocolate Hershy´s kisses. :) Yummy Yummy!!!

The birthday girl playing the Tuna Sandwich game.

La cumplañera jugando el juego del sandwich de atun.

¡30 sucks!

MCC Nicaragua Christmas Tree.

Arbol navideño en la oficina de CCM.

Deep Thoughts by Beth Jerdon....

Deep Thought #1:

Thinking more about the MCC spiritual retreat, the beatitude that struck me the most was from Matthew chapter 5, verse 5, “blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.” What does it mean to be meek? From the perspective from the Western or Northern cultures, to be meek tense to have a negative feel to it. Doesn´t it mean, weak? That´s typically what we tend to think. I really liked what Donald Clymer, the author, encourages his readers to contemplate. Clymer states that “These individualistic behaviors are embedded in the systems and structures that cultures build and perpetuate that marginalization of others. In our culture and many others, the meek inherit the dung heap because they wholly rely on God rather than their own strength. In God´s kingdom, on the other hand, meekness is valued - the meek inherit everything. To be meek means putting others before ourselves and patiently enduring whatever comes our way.” (Clymer, 2011: p. 34).

Isn´t that how Jesus lived... meek and humble. For me it´s a challenge to step back from my often, straight forward, and yes, selfishness. We are all selfish. Whether we want to admit it or not. We tend to focus on our own needs. The challenge that Jesus gives is to put others before ourselves, just as he did on the cross for us. Daily, I have to remind myself that this world does not revolve around me. Daily I have to choose to put others before myself and intend to live a meek and humble life. It´s not easy... but no one said it would be. But I know one thing for sure... it is worth it! :)

Deep Thought #2:

So, back to what I mentioned at the beginning... I have only 5 weeks left in country! How am I feeling about that, you ask? Well, a mixture of feelings. I know that this is what God is calling me to, to head back to the states for a bit. But, that doesn´t make leaving any easier. I am sad to think about leaving amazing friends, yet I´m so excited to get back and spend time with family and friends that I have missed so much.

This past week, there were 4 nights in a row that I just did not sleep. The fourth night, I was so distraught, that I was in tears... “I just want to go to sleep!” I kept saying over and over. The next day I spoke with my little brother... who´s not so little, by the way. He´s only a year and a half younger than me, so I can still call him my “little brother”, right. :) Anyways, I was explaining to him about how I was praying and that maybe it was all subconscious stress about the transition and yadda yadda yadda. Me gently stopped me in my rant and asked me if I had just spent time in prayer just praising God for his faithfulness and for his blessings, rather than just focusing on my suffering. You know what, he was right! I was so focused on my suffering of not sleeping and was talking to God about that, that I had forgotten about the faithfulness of God in my life and the many blessings. So, that night I ended up spending a bit of time just thanking God for his faithfulness and guess what..... I slept that night. :)

God is faithful.

Praises & Prayer Requests:

• Prayers: My transition time out of Nicaragua and back to the states.

• Praise: God´s faithfulness and healing.

• Praise: Prayers that all continues well with Alex´s training and that we are able to cover all necessary training this last week together.

• Praise: Masters studies. I only have 3 more classes left before my graduation on May 12, 2012. :)

• Prayers: That my time back in the states would be a time of renewal and renovation.

• Prayers: That the Lord would align things and show me His plan for work in His timing.

• Praise: For my amazing family and friends.

• Praise: My cousin Elizabeth gave birth to her son, Brady. Congratluations Chris & Elizabeth. Can´t wait to meet him.

Many blessings to you all this Christmas season. May you all feel the presence of the Christ child in your lives. ¡Feliz Navidad!

Blessings (Bendiciones),

Beth Ann

When the Dog bites.....

....When the bee stings! When I´m feeling sad.... I simply remember my favorite things and then I don´t feeeeeeel, sooooooo baaaaaaaad!


Yep! I went the the Rubín Darío National Theatre here in Managua, Nicaragua and saw The Sound of Music (La Novicia Rebelde - The Rebellious Novice in Spanish). There were many times that I was brought to tears, as see this musical took me back to some wonderful times in my childhood. This was actually the very first musical that I saw with my family. My Aunt Mary had invited us to see it in Iowa. I will never forget, sitting on the main floor of the dinner theatre and being in awe of the music and the story-line.

Seeing this musical towards the end of my time here in Nicaragua is quite fitting, as it is a reminder that I will soon be heading back to my roots. To move back to Niles and, at the age of 33, live with my parents and enjoy a time of rest and renovation. It seems culturally strange to move back with my parents, as I am such an independent person and often don´t like to rely on the support of others, especially financially. Although it will be a humbling experience, I know that it is what the Lord is calling me to.

OH MY, I forgot to mention a very important detail, I have decided when I will be heading back to the states. As you know I had been wrestling as to what is best for me: head to Michigan before Christmas or complete my full term and stay until January 24, 2012. Well, after much prayer and wrestling over the situation, I have decided to stay until the end of January. I have peace about this situation and know that the Lord will work in me during my last month here to prepare for my re-entry into my own culture.


What I´ve been up to lately:

I was able to spend some time with a Clean Water team from the Presbyterian church (LWW Great Bridge). They were one of my first teams in Nicaragua when I first moved here three years ago, so it was nice for them to be one of my last teams.

Part of the LWW Team with Community Leaders in El Tuma (Matagalpa).
Parte de la brigada con líderes comunicatios en El Tuma (Matagalpa).

The AMC field team in Matagalpa & me.
El Equipo del Terreno de AMC en Matagalpa y yo.

Can you spot the lizard in the toilet?
¿Se puede ver el largato en el inodoro?

Fruit market in Cebaco on the way to Matagalpa.
El mercado de fruta en Cebaco, en camino a Matagalpa.

November 6th were the presidential elections for Nicaragua. Daniel Ortega won with 63% of the vote.
El 6 de noviembre fueron las elecciones presidencial en Nicaragua. Daniel Ortega ganó con 64% del voto.

I also realized that I hadn´t shared with you pictures of my apartment that I had moved into in June. So, here are a few pictures of my little studio apartment that has a lime tree right in front of it.

The view from my second floor apartment. Palí is only a block away.
El vista de mi apartamente que queda en el segundo piso. El Palí esta sólo una cuadra de allí.

My lime tree.
El alrbol de limón.

My studio apartment.
Mi pequeño apartamento.

Still have the spin bike.
Todavía tengo la bicicleta estacionaria.

Another very fitting end to my time here in Nicaragua was my opportunity to spend a week with FUMC of Grand Rapids when they came for a medical missions trip. FUMC has been key in my spiritual, emotional and financial support. My first exposure to Nicaragua was in 2007 when I came on a mission trip with FUMC. So, it seems more than fitting that FUMC was my last team to work with prior to my departure in January of the coming year.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a special Thank You to Bob & Nancy Gillette. I know that both would say that it is not necessary, but I want to express how much you both mean to me. As it says in Philippines 1:3-10,

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Thank you. :)

A community outside of Boaco, the Norther Part of Nicaragua.
Una comunidad afuera de Boaco, un parte al norte de Nicaragua.

The FUMC team from Grand Rapids.
La brigada de la iglesia metodista de Grand Rapids.

Dr. Mirtila Padilla... my Nicaraguan mom. :)
La Dra. Mirtila Padilla... mi mamá nicaragüense. :)

Fish lips.
Labios de pez.

Alex Devoid, Methodist Mission Intern, translating for Dr. Harry.
Alex Devoid, un pasantia misionero, traduciendo por Dr. Harry.

Deep Thoughts By Beth Jerdon…

Throughout the last few months I´ve had a few “dog bites” in my life, metaphorically speaking of course. Even walking through the dog bites, I am amazed at the faithfulness of God´s healing in me. As I wind down my time here in Nicaragua, with only two months to go, I look back on all the opportunities, struggles, joys and celebrations. I am thankful for them all, as I know that the Lord has formed me, and is still forming me, more into the “Most Amazing Beth”. :)


Praises & Prayer Requests:

• Praise: God´s faithfulness and healing through the “Dog bites”
• Praise: Training with Alex is going well. Prayers that all continues well and that we are able to cover all necessary training prior to y departure.
• Praise: My studies in my masters continue going really well. I only have 3 more classes left before my graduation on May 12, 2012. :)
• Prayers: My transition time out of Nicaragua and back to the states.
• Prayers: That my time back in the states would be a time of renewal and renovation.
• Prayers: That the Lord would align things and show me His plan for work in His timing.
• Praise: For my amazing family and friends.

Thank you for everything. We continue in this most amazing and eclectic adventure.

Blessings (Bendiciones),
Beth

Time Winding Down....

Where to start? So much to share!

To quote Julie Andrews in the movie The Sound of Music, “Let´s start in the very beginning, it´s a very good place to start.” ...Imagine me singing that as you read it please... it should make you smile... it did me.) I mention that song, as the musical is showing this week at the Rubín Darío National Theater in Managua, Nicaragua. :)

So, in July and August I went to the states to visit family & friends, I went to my 15 year high school reunion, I was able to share with the church I grew up in about my work in Nicaragua and I was able to go to my cousin´s wedding. Here are a few photos of those fun and eclectic adventures. :)

Here I am at St. Paul´s Lutheran Church in Cassopolis, MI.
Each table group studied different sections of verses about what "Justice"means.

My parents, myself and my niece at Silver Beach in St. Joeseph, MI.

Happy 33 to me!

Hanging out with some of my favorite little people.

At Ottawa Beach with Nancy & Bob. :)

The local pub in GR. Oh how I miss the DB. Soon! :)

Spending time with some amazing friends.

Visited the Bodies Revealed Exhibit while in GR.

Pool Party at Kelly´s families place. Such fun with Kate, Lynn, Eleanor and so many others. :)

15 year high school reunion. I think we all look pretty great! :)

The girls!

My parents at Biltmore Estates in North Carolina.

My head is smaller than this flower.

Carolina Beach family vacation with my parents, my brother Todd, his wife Laina and my newest niece, Kysa. So good to finally meet her. :)

Sunset on the wharf.

Dancing with Kysa at my Cousin Lauren´s wedding to Will. Congratulations guys!Visited the YMCA of the USA in Chicago starting to check out possibilities of work for when I come back in a few months.

At the Willis Tower (formally Sears Tower) falling from the observations deck.

First time ever in front of Buchingham Fountain in Chicago. Reminded me of the show "Married with Children" and Al Bundy. hahaha

I have lots more photos to come and even more updates since this was posted last week. So, be looking for those soon. Until then, here are some....


....Deep Thoughts By Beth Jerdon (there are a couple this time, so bear with me :)

Deep Thought #1:
It may be interesting to hear this, but over the last three years, my life truly has been here in Nicaragua. Although I am from the US, being here in Nicaragua has not just been a “mission” for three years. It has been my life. I have friends that I consider as close as family here. I have my apartment, my taxi and bus routes, my favorite restaurants and movie theaters. I have a daily routine, which, in three months will have some drastic changes. I will be moving from “summer” to “winter”. I will go from having a job and studying a masters to just doing the masters program. I will go from my family and friend here in Nicaragua to my family and friends back in the states.

It is a time of both excitement and sadness. You may say, BETH! You have three whole months left, why are you thinking about this now. Well, because I am already feeling the effects: emotionally, physically, spiritually, intellectually. So, please keep me in your prayers about that. But, I do know that it is part of the process. The mix of joy and sadness is part of ending one season of my life and beginning another season.

During this time of transition and change I seem to be more focused now more on God than I had been over the last year and a half. I am hearing that I need some renewal and rejuvenation. And oh, how I am looking forward to that renewal. :) It has even already begun as I begin to transition out of my life here in Nicaragua.


Deep Thought #2:
Recently I have been reading through a Henri Nouwen book called “The Return of the Prodigal Son” (1992). Nouwen relates this parable to the Rembrandt painting by the same name. Why do I share this?? It´s not that I´ve been away from my “Father” squandering my inheritance in the large sense of this parable, but in a sense we all squander it every day when we choose things of this world over Christ. I think it´s an opportunity during this HUGE transition that I have to be able to re-center myself on Christ. As I leave my friends and work here in Nicaragua into a time of renewal and rejuvenation, I truly do find myself at the feet of my Heavenly Father and He, with his arms gently on my shoulders welcoming me back with joy and celebration.



Other news in my life here in Nicaragua:

What I can tell you is that I am excited for what the Lord has here in Nicaragua these last few months, not only for me personally, but to see what he has in store for my work at AMC and for Alex Devoid, the Methodist Mission Intern, who will be assisting the volunteer program at AMC between now and the end of 2012. The Lord is so faithful and I know that there is an amazingly eclectic adventure just around the corner. :)


Praises & Prayer Requests:

• Praise: For a wonderful trip back to the states to be with my family
• Praise: That the Lord has been closing some doors and opening others in His faithfulness.
• Praise: God is drawing me into Him more during these transitions and that he is healing my heart as I learn to let go of things that he is closing the door on, and excitement for what is ahead.
• Prayer: For my transition from Nicaragua back to the states (culturally, work, friends, family...everything)
• Prayer: For Alex Devoid and AMC as they transition the Volunteer Program
• Prayer: That I would be present and focused my last few months here in Nicaragua
• Prayer: For my masters program that I would be focused in that and trust that God is using it to prepare me for my next season of life.
• Prayer: For my decision as to if I should come home before Christmas or just wait until the end of January.
• Prayer: Trip with Living Waters for the World (October 24-26) for assessing where clean water systems are needed. There has been a lot of flooding and rains in the area that we will travel to even some bridges that were washed out, so many prayers here please. Gracias. :)
• Prayer: Trip with FUMC of Grand Rapids to Boaco, Nicaragua for medical consults.
• Prayer as I continue to work on my masters: Only 4 more classes to go!
  

Thank you again to each of you for all your support over these almost three years. I would not have been able to do it without you and the faithfulness of God. :)

Bendiciones (Blessings),
Beth