It's just before sunrise on this Friday morning. Another beautiful morning, temperatures down to the mid-70s, light breeze. The resident monkey just discovered how to get into the dormitory through the open second floor, looking for bananas, adroitly avoiding being caught and returned outdoors.

In my first few hours here, she curled up on my lap as I sat just outside the dorm (thought it best to let her do that, as she's still a wild animal and surprisingly strong). The dormitory is a comfortable structure, solid roof and screens for walls (very wise design given the temperatures here).

Although only here a very short time, it has been a remarkable experience. "Culture shock" would be something of an understatement, as would the phrase "learning experience." To a person, the students are doing very well. They are in good spirits and exhibit impressive endurance. They are eager to work and learn, and are coping easily and gracefully with all they encounter. They set a nice standard for us "older folks."

Yesterday's trip to a community on top of a mountain was memorable. Great poverty, yet the people displayed gentle stoicism and patient optimism for the future, looking forward to the benefits of new coffee plants they are planting, and perhaps electricity and water piped up the side of the mountain. The monkey's again succeeded in working her way inside the dorm; Serena Fujita is now in charge of her...

Off to breakfast, then a scheduled work session this morning, and the formal dedication of the health clinic building this afternoon.

From Nicaragua,

Jim Orbison