4/5-4/6      We waited for the cows to come home. Literally, we were in a bus for 3 hours while Tyler peed in a bottle, and Kevin slept on the floor, and everyone else ate HI-CHEWS and sang to Eminem. The only rules were no Jesus no Disney; by the end of the bus ride we broke those rules within a sentence.

            4/6 On the first day at the school we had cleaned everything. When we got there we met the principal and our translators. Then we took a tour of the school so we knew what level and disability the classrooms were. Addison and I started at a deaf classroom with minimal chairs, lots of posters, a bathroom and whiteboard. We started with organizing some of the bookshelves and dusting. Then we moved on to sweeping and mopping the floors. While doing this I had taken a little time to realize how lucky we are to have running water, electricity and many resources in our classrooms. After mopping and sweeping Addison and I went to clean most of the restrooms on the right side of the school. After lunch we went to clean the trash in and around the school. Our entire group picked up about 4 big bags worth of trash. When we were on the bus ride back to our amazing hotel, we were dead silent. While everyone else was explaining how hot, tired, and exhausted they were, I was thinking about meeting the students, teachers, and traveling to the home visits. Questions were flying through my head; will they like me? If they like me, will they respect me?  I was extremely nervous and anxious to meet them.

            4/7 At 5:30 we heard banging on our doors and we were up and getting dressed, prepared, and soon breakfast was in our happy stomachs. Not knowing what laid ahead of us today, we got into the van and began our voyage to the school. Three things that the people of Nicaragua love are gum, bikes, and paint. There are paintings everywhere it seems that whenever-wherever there is room to paint pictures they will. When we got to the school we met the teachers, we explained our lesson plans and got a feel for the classrooms. I. Was. Terrified. If I didn’t make a first impression, a good first impression my experience would be butt ugly. The kids would hate me, not trust me, or not respect me. Walking to the school bus I pushed out all of those thoughts as I saw the kids faces. At first they were grim, sad, and mad, but when they saw us they were full of smiles and happiness. When they got out of the bus they took one non-judgmental look and immediately hugged us. Naturally I cried. I took a moment then jumped right into the lesson. Jesus is blind, but that doesn’t get in his way. He is extremely smart and funny. He had a challenging start with the numbers and letters but as the day went on he began to get much more familiar with them. After awhile I had taught him how to make patterns and make a beat using everyday tools, the teacher had requested that I would sing the cup song. I sang it about 6 times; Jesus’ father and Kevin recorded the whole thing. Jesus loved it so much, at the end of the day he began to learn the English words and the beats. Joshua is about 7 years old and he has two disabilities, deaf and blind, yet he is an amazing child and quite handsome. After Jesus and Joshua left, two boys named Jimmy and Joseph walked in. Joseph walked in not knowing who I was, he pointed to me grabbed my hand and sat in my lap. Jimmy was doing very well until he admitted that he didn’t want to go home. He said that his mother hit him when he did something naughty. When the kids left I had a sudden urge to take them home and keep them as my own.

            4/8 Today Tyler and I had the home visits with Lisa-Marie. We went to 3 different homes but I will only share one amazing experience. The child Roger was at physical therapy with his mother so we could not meet him, but we saw lots of pictures. So we questioned the grandmother, she was extremely nice and sweet. The baby was at the hospital about 22 days ago due to respiratory problems. His disability was poor motor skills, and a growth on the soft part of his forehead. There were 5 people living in the well-kept and newly repaired house. He can walk and talk like a normal baby. After the home visits we went back to the school. I visited all the classrooms with success. Yay! I met all the students that were there that day and helped them. During lunch I played some futbol with some of the kids who are deaf. That is were I met Douglas. He is deaf but that doesn’t get in his way. He is funny, smart, and just overall amazing. He calls me Rosa half: meaning half red, half black because of my awesome hair. When we got to the bus we had many emotions buzzing through our heads. Here I am typing my blog, blindfolded on what awaits me tomorrow, yet I’m quite excited.

P.S mom and dad,

I have lice.