Spring Update

Monthly Update:
God has smiled on me; He has set me free; God has smiled on me; He’s been good to me.
I hardly know where to begin but to tell you that I know I may have missed a month somewhere. For that I apologize. The work here continues and fatherhood, while I believe it agrees with me, has changed many, many things - as only those of you who have experienced it in this particular suddenness can relate. More on that later.
We are thankful as blessings continue to increase:
 We have moved into a new home with an additional living space, bedroom, bathroom, laundry room and rent.
 We have purchased a used car. Typical for Nicaragua it is a 15 year-old Toyota, diesel, 5-speed and 4X4. The turbo 4 cylinder gets close to 40 mph. It is solid and hopefully will last a long time.
 The family adjustments, while increasingly more challenging are not surprising and we have been able to keep a step ahead of these changes.
 We have found homes for all six of the new kittens and they have all gone to friends who will allow “The Two” to check up on them occasionally.
Challenges continue as well, and I think we are supposed to be thankful for them, too, but that is really hard:
 I am missing this time with family and friends in the States. It seems like these big changes in our lives should be shared with you but due process dictates otherwise.
 Sheila and “The Two” have been sick but seem to be cleared of it at this point. So I take my turn. Nothing major same old, same old – cough, breathing issues and the like. I’m sure if I were in the States I would just go to Fuddruckers - for medicinal purposes, of course.
 The mission work is busier than ever and we should be having a brief respite.
 After flying out of the gate like gangbusters in the adoption process we have hit a more realistic stride, which seems interminable. Due process…
 Personally, I find myself physically and mentally ready for the onslaught of summer, but emotionally am not there yet.
Vision screening is continuing at a slower pace.
The days of 500 pairs of eyes a day are past for the time being. Currently Misión Para Cristo is associated in some way with about 35 schools. The vast majority are very small (20-40 students each) and are fairly remote. So we are working to visit all of them, which is time consuming and rewarding in a different way. It is also difficult for children who receive a referral for follow up and glasses to get to Jinotega to be reexamined, glasses ordered and subsequently picked up. I take the mobile equipment to schools on Wednesdays and Sheila continues to open the local clinic on Thursdays. Included in this process is the installation of a new inventory system that will streamline our process significantly once it is fully at our disposal. These are both areas we once worked together, but “The Two” have resulted in needing more availability in our schedules.
Vision by the numbers, March & April 2015:
 Schools: 616 students and teachers screened, 47 referred, 24 pairs of glasses purchased
 Mobile Clinic: 82 children screened, 4 referred
 MPC Clinic: 45 adults screened, 12 referred, 101 pairs of used glasses dispensed.
Recently I had the opportunity to screen the vision of the students at the Max Senqui Special Needs School. We identified many vision correction needs, especially among the Downs Syndrome students. It has been a pleasure as they come in to show off their new glasses.
Children’s Programming
Sheila and I continue to work in various aspects of program development with the Nicaraguan churches. Consider this: have you ever tried to teach someone the value of teaching with a live skit when they have never seen one? This is the typical challenge we face. Teachers here know only one thing: Sit in a desk – that goes for school, church, waiting rooms, etc. From that point it is either color a picture or copy off the board – if they have one. They are literally scared to try anything new.
Figure 1: The Days of Creation in order game.
Figure 2: Sheila teaches with the aid of translator Amada.
We had the opportunity to teach about 45 people, representing a dozen or so congregations, methods in teaching Bible stories that do not require paper/copies. They were stunned. Felipe, one of the leaders of a group I work most with reported this: “I learned so much. This is a fun way to do things. Why didn’t you tell us this sooner?” Another leader from the group said, “For two weeks it has run more smoothly than ever before. The children are engaged and more interested than before and the group leaders are enjoying what they are doing even more.”
Continued adjustment for “The Two” (Okay, really it is for all four of us.)
We knew when we began to pray about this adoption process that the chances of it being a quick, simple ordeal would be slim to none. We have had our bumps as we look back on the first three months as a family. We recognize that these are the first of many. We know that God, time and counseling will help these two precious souls, whom God has chosen specifically for us, receive the best we are able to provide. It is a long road ahead, but we are comforted in knowing we are not alone on the journey.
This week we will celebrate “the boy’s” 6th birthday with a piñata, some friends, a cake and the Avengers.
The Two are adjusting and receiving counseling as one would expect. Sheila and I are adjusting also – maybe even more. We covet your prayers more than ever. Wisdom. Grace. Mercy.
We had our first home visit last month and expect another anytime in the next two months. Now, we wait some more. The subsequent visit will either say additional time for adaptation, or prepare the way for signing final legal documents. Due process…
I usually list a laundry list of the things for which we want to celebrate as blessings from God and what is needed for us. This month I am simply going to ask that you lift up Sheila, “The Two,” and me, as we continue to grow together. I ask that you thank God for the success we have experienced so far, for the future as it unfolds, and the capacity to lay it at the feet of the Master as He prepares us all to not only face the challenges that anyone raising children faces, but to excel as we conquer our “situation-specific” opportunities.
God has smiled on me; He has set me free; God has smiled on me; He’s been good to me