Before I start my last blog entry, I'd like to give a big thank you on behalf of the Brigade to a friend of the Bucknell community and father of first-year student George Hingson. George's father works with Brother's Brother, a non-profit that focuses on gathering medical donations to be sent to places in need around the world. The Brigade received more than $200,000 worth of medical donations this year from Brother's Brother. This is a HUGE help to the people of Nueva Vida and it will, quite honestly, save lives and better their community! Thanks so much to Brother's Brother on behalf of all the Brigadistas!
On to the blog...
The last day in Nicaragua was incredibly relaxing. We did some real "touristy" stuff including visiting the Masaya Volcano and swimming in the Laguna de Apoyo near by, which is warmed by hot springs beneath. We visited Pedro Guerro, who everyone at JHC refers to lovingly as "Pedro the Potter". He's pretty famous there and also internationally recognized in the pottery world. We also went to the historic Masaya Market and shelled out the rest of our cordobas on crafts, t-shirts, etc.
During the day, there were times when guilt would overcome me because it was such a shift from the poverty we were witnessing in Nueva Vida, and on the streets of Managua. Indeed, the beggars were never out of sight, even at the market. But Sarah said something pretty profound upon leaving the volcano. She pointed to the volcanic rock that had been thrown miles away from the volcano, and how much force it took to do that.
She shared with us that the volcano always reminds her that she is "not in control". She talked about her work at JHC, and how it is much like chipping away slowly, and it doesn't always progress, and very often, natural disasters and other things can totally ruin everything. But she mentioned it as a point of comfort ... that some things are not in her hands, and that it's just her responsibility to keep chipping away, and working toward progress.
I thought that was an encouraging end to our time in Nicaragua. I really must to learn to acknowledge what is out of my control and, not letting it destroy me or dishearten me, continue to move with hope and press toward change. This trip meant change for all of us. A changed perspective, a changed life course. It was such a joy for me to see my peers stepping outside themselves and recognizing that it was the first time they had truly discovered the joy of living beyond self-servance!
I am now back at Bucknell in my dorm room. And it is snowing. Culture shock, temperature shock. That's all I can say for now. I will adjust, I'm sure, in time. Thanks for those of you who have been reading. Be sure to let me know next time I see you, so we can chat it up.
Love,
Keith
