Jesse A. Schroeder

This week, while in Nicaragua, our primary work has to been to train children's teachers/pastors in methods of teaching children. We spent Monday-Wednesday at the church of Sendero de Luz with about 35 individuals, mostly younger teachers (17-20). Thursday and Friday we worked with teachers at Centro Harmonia, and these folks were mostly middle-aged, with a few younger teachers.
I noticed an interesting pattern at both sites. The first day, both groups were hesitant to jump in, answer questions, or participate. After the first afternoon when our group from the States did the kids program, it was like we were proving ourselves. "Yeah, these gringos can handle 120 kids for 2 hours, and do a decent job." The second day together, the teachers were more invloved, more ready to participate, and we started to have meaningful conversations with them at lunch and during breaks.
At both churches, we also had a prayer and praise service in the evening. This provided a great opportunity to connect on an even more deeply spiritual level. Shouting praises together, dancing in the church aisles, and kneeling at the altar - a bond forms very quickly!
Therefore, by the time we reached our final day together, at both sites, everyone is sad to leave. The teachers share the significancw of this week for their life, and our group feels humbled to be a part of it all. We exchange email and facebook information, take pictures, and cry enough for others to see and offer a hug or consolation.

This has been my week: Up and down. Hesitant and reluctant. Eager and enthusiastic. Broken and vulnerable.

Leaving and promising to return.