One of our tasks here is to document and preserve the local Chacrasecan history. A lot of dramatic history has happened here the last 60 years and very little if any preservation of their stories. Ed and his team have worked diligently interviewing some of the elders of the community. It has been very enlightening and sometimes heartbreaking. The people are very brave and I certainly can liken them to my European and Native American ancestors. Life is very difficult here. There is a lot history of corruption in the government and oppression of the people. If that wasn't enough they had hurricane Mitch to deal with in 1998. Although it demolished the entire nation, Chacraseca bore the brunt. Several thousand were killed across the nation and no one knows how many were killed locally. There is no infrastructure in place to deal with a catastrophic event such as a hurricane. We saw today a large ditch across a road that had previously been flat. It was quite shocking.

We also interviewed a gentleman with two Ph.Ds in Leon who has invented a most remarkable cookstove. The stoves (if you are lucky enough to own one) were extremely physically damaging to the respiratory system. Respiratory problems are very common here. Dry, dry dust blows nearly all the time and the land is poisoned with chemicals. Even while here, when I cough or breathe deeply I can hear wheezing. Anyway, the stoves use 10% of the wood previously used. In addition, you can stand to use it and not bend over...think about it...it is restoring their dignity. This part made me weepy. Particularly, the women of the region have been oppressed and poverty comes with its own indignities. Now, they can stand to cut and chop their food, make tortillas and cook their food. The stoves covered with ceramic tiles that stay cool as well.

Another problem I learned of yesterday...as the community decide who gets new cookstoves...(yes, this is a community undertaking)...it has to be considered...will the receiving family even have food to cook in it...YES, you read it right...will it be worthwhile to provide one...sad but true.  They are not given free. The family is expected to provide labor, a certain number of sand and glass bottles, etc. We visit an area where several people had the stoves. They were what I referred to as "the fun people." They laughed and joked. We had a great time there. We even met a gentleman who cooked on the cookstove as well! That is quite a novelty in this culture.

Another couple of things we observed there...a Singer sewing mating from the turn of the last century...you may remember...the peddle! machine!! The lady used is regularly and had on a skirt that she had made with it! We were all quite shocked. Singer needs to know about it we believe!

Another thing we saw on her property was a poinsettia tree! It was huge and quite shocking. We didn't know poinsettias grew as a tree! Very beautiful and I got a picture.

All for now. I see God moving all over this community and in me, as well. Praise His Holy Name.

Hola amigos, we have internet problems most of the time so it is difficult for me to write daily as I wish I could. Today is the hottest day and we are sweltering. The other days we had cloud cover and that helped tremendously.

New Years Eve was the most fun I ever had on New Years Eve. Many of you may have read Ed's post, but in Nicaragua nearly each family makes a scarecrow type character. They fill it with fireworks and hay. At midnight they set it on fire and you can imagine the noise! It is deafening! The fireworks shoot out in all directions and we were running and ducking for cover. Music is playing all over the city of Leon, where we were. It was a wonderful time of celebration. Everyone is very friendly. I hope we get to return every New Years Eve! Really, really enjoyed it!

We have gone out to the sectors of Chacraseca where we are staying. There are 11. We will not visit all of them. We have been documenting some of the older people of the community to get their stories of revolution, freedom, hurricane Mitch. I hope to write extensively about each, BUT I've just been informed it is lunchtime....

I will try to get back later.

Many blessings to all...hasta pronto!

New Years Eve was quite the cultural experience. Families all celebrate together outside. It is a great celebration. They make a life-sized scarecrow (el viego - translated means the old man, stuff it with hay and FIREWORKS! At midnight he is set no fire and it is dramatic! As he burns, the fireworks explode and are literally chasing you. El viego is EVERYWHERE! The city (Leon) is alight with fireworks and fire. It was thrilling, and Ed and I believe it was the best New Years Eve we ever celebrated. It will be worth the trip to return next year! Another tradition they have is the Big Beautiful Lady. Here is a picture of her. Against the building she is approximately 30' tall. The dancing lady was about 10' feet tall and dancing in the square.

Today was very busy. We had great breakfast and lunch in Chacraseca.

Today we visited several micro-credit loan ladies. They seemed very poor and again, very grateful, as all do in this culture...soooo different than back home. Two of the ladies raised yuca (JEW-kah), the other lady pigs. Pigs are a lucrative business here.

Another interesting sight we saw today were children rummaging through the fallow and raped land of the peanut farms. They go through them to pick up whatever they can to sell. It is very sad.

The last thing we did today was deliver three wheelchairs to very old people who needed them. One of the ladies was 84 and another 72 (she looked 85). The other went to a gentleman. They were all so thankful it was hard not to cry. The 84-year-old lady appeared to have something terribly wrong with her leg or hip. She tried not to cry but was in terrible pain. Leslie is making arrangements to have her X-rayed tomorrow and then go from there. I have seen such compassion as I rarely see.