Partners Worldwide Latin America

It has been a joy and a privilege to work with the Latin American partnerships of Partners Worldwide for the past 5+ years. I started out my work with the region from the home office in Michigan shortly after Joel and I got married in 2006. Since then we've built a life together in Latin America and we even have a little Nicaraguan son!

The work of Partners Worldwide in Honduras, Nicaragua and Ecuador has been dear to my heart, as have the people that I work with; fellow co-workers at PW, business owners and leaders, volunteers both from North America and Latin America that give of themselves and their resources to promote business growth and employment opportunities. I've met so many amazing people, seen incredible businesses and have become a true believer in Partners Worldwide's mission and vision. It's hard to know where to start to describe how my life has been transformed by this work. It's definitely had it's share of trials but through all of that it has truly been an amazing experience. It has taught me so much about myself, my passions, my beliefs and my strengths. It has also opened my eyes to people and their hopes, dreams, work ethic, love for families, desires to impact their communities and countries. Most importantly though, it has given me a deeper understanding of my God, His love for me and the gifts that He has blessed His children with to work, provide and serve.

This may sound like a good-bye post to my work with Partners Worldwide in Latin America...well...it's NOT! :) It's actually an introduction!

During the years I've worked with PW, I've struggled with how to share our work and really portray the depth of impact and richness of the relationships of those involved. I never feel like I do justice to the people or to the work that's being done.

My Latin America team wants to change that, so we are proud to present to you the...
 PARTNERS WORLDWIDE LATIN AMERICA BLOG!

On this new blog, you can dive deeper into the world of Partners Worldwide and follow us as we serve the business communities of Honduras, Nicaragua and Ecuador. Take some time to check it out, read our stories, meet the staff and learn more about how you can get involved!

Enjoy!

Mr. Crawler Man

Our little man is on the move!
I captured this video this afternoon, right after he started "crawling". This is about his 6th time doing it. The first two times I just clapped and screamed like a crazy woman. Then I ran to get the computer to show my Dad via Skype. Then I figured out how to take this video with the computer since Joel has our video camera in Costa Rica with him this weekend. 

He's pretty proud of himself! He's been rocking for awhile now and just about to crawl but he's tended to move backwards more than anywhere else. So, this whole forward thing was an amazing discovery to him. 

If you want to keep your plastic cup towers intact, we suggest you keep them away from Beto!!! 

Look out world! :) 

p.s. You can just go ahead and get used to my squealing excitement...that's probably how I'm going to react to every single accomplishment of his for the rest of time :)

Easter and Family!

We were so blessed to spend Easter in Boston with Zack, Michelle, Charlie, Grady and Ben. We had a wonderful, relaxing time just catching up with them, sharing life together and seeing them on their home turf.

Some highlights were:
• Joel riding bikes into Zack's office in Boston.
• Making meals and chat, chat, chatting with Z and M.
• Playing trains, dancing and doing an Easter egg hunt with Charlie.
• Snuggling little Grady and seeing his adorable smile.
• Getting a tour of BC from Ben. So fun to have an idea of where he's studying and be able to picture him at college now.
• Meeting Ben's girlfriend Hannah in real life (not just Skype :))
• Easter service at Z and M's church. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness and grace!
• Great Easter meal together!
• Seeing Beto be loved deeply by uncles, aunt and cousins.
• Having so much quality time and good conversation with our beloved siblings. Thanks for a great Easter, Boston team! We love you!

To see some more pictures of our time together, click here.

The day after we got back, Gatita came to visit! It was such a joy to have Allison back in Nicaland. As a Spanish teacher so she has a deep appreciation for the language and culture here, which makes for an extra fun visit. We loved catching up on life with her, hearing about her new job, sharing our life here with her and seeing her get so many smiles and giggles from Beto. He sure loves his Auntie Allie!

Allison did two great posts on her blog about her time here and put up some fun pictures too. To check them out click here and here.

Family Adventure- Selva Negra

For the start of Joel's Spring Break we decided to take a little family adventure to the mountains just north of Matagalpa. Managua is really hot and dry this time of year, so we totally enjoyed the cooler mountain weather and the lush green and flower-filled jungle! We spent two nights at a small eco-lodge, coffee plantation. During Beto's awake times we took walks and hikes and while he was sleeping we read, relaxed, ate and spent good time catching up with each other. It was a wonderful and refreshing little get-away. 

Family hike through the coffee plantation. 

Checking out the map before heading out on the trail. 

Beto loved looking around from his back-pack perch as we hiked. 

So many beautiful plants, flowers, birds and butterflies. We even saw some howler monkeys! 

Hiker boys checking out a huge tree. 

A plant-covered church on the lodge property. Very cool! 

Hiking through the coffee plantation. 

A leaf that's bigger than Beto!!!

Taking it all in with Daddy. 

Love! 

Wonderful, fresh mornings spent watching geese, listening to monkeys and enjoying the cool breezes.

Tree swing! 

This is how we spent much of the time that Beto was asleep. Meals, cake and coffee in the restaurant overlooking the lagoon! YUM! 

We brought the computer along just in case the lodge had internet to watch the Final Four. Yaaay! 

We saw birds of so many colors- yellow, blue, red, orange and mint green (!) 

So many beautiful flowers! 

So pretty! 

"Say Cheese, Beto!"

This little man has been cracking us up lately. He has such a sweet, fun and goofy personality that is starting to come out more and more. He does this silly, cheesy grin now that we can't get enough of. 

He does it when he's in a goofy mood, really happy about something or sees someone he really likes....like Chilo!!! :) 

Beto is at such a fun age right now. He makes new sounds all the time, is interested in any new thing he sets his eyes on, turns things over and around intentionally in his hands to check them out,  stares at me in the mirror of the car and then busts into a goofy grin when he catches my eye and lots of other fun things!

Here he is trying some avocado in his nifty little food holder.

Once he stopped scratching his head and we didn't have to keep socks on his mitts all the time, he quickly found his thumb. For the last week, I've been giving him this little blanket when he takes naps during the day. My hope is that he'll associate it with nap-time and thumb-sucking and be able to nap in our laps on the way to Boston this week. We'll see!!!

He's our busy little guy. When he's awake he's moving. Definitely not a snuggler! He loves rolling around on the carpet or bed, taking stroller rides, waving toys around in the air, hanging around in the jumper...

... and playing in any and all water. :)

He brings us so much joy! We praise and thank the Lord everyday for giving us the opportunity to take care of and love this little guy!