Day 8 – Final Community Program Day

Today was a full day here at Brazos de Amor. We had many team members in many different places and roles helping out and getting things done today. We started our day with our final devotional with the kids from our community program. Wes and Emilio led worship for us. Adele led a game with jolly ranchers where each of us and the kids shared something unique about ourselves. After a couple lessons focused on God creation of the universe, and the 7 days of creation, Elaine read a devotion focused on God’s creation of people, and how we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Then Georgina led the kids in a super fun craft decorating picture frames and we were able to print out photos of each of the kids. Printed photos are hard to come by for many of these families, so these crafts are very special.

During the morning community program, Jen, Emilio and Lucas ran errands with one of the Brazos staff. They purchased 375 notebooks for the community program and resident kids to use in their next semester. They also purchased snacks for tomorrow’s outing with the residents to a soccer park. Emeline was delighted to help some of the staff decorate for a special Nicaraguan Fathers Day celebration.

After lunch our construction team finished the roofing project we had started earlier in the week. Prescott learned from Ted that this was the last roof the complex had needed to be replaced, and now the rooves will not need to be repaired for around 15 years. Both Wes and Prescott and all those who helped with roofing were really grateful to have helped and seen this project to completion. During team debrief, Prescott shared the joy he felt when he realized he was working alone on a section roof while others were busy elsewhere. He felt he was an important part of the project getting completed.

After our afternoon session of the Community Program, the three fathers on our team (Wes, Emilio and our translator Ronny) were invited to join the celebration for Father’s Day. They played several fun competitive games for prizes (like musical chairs), there was a raffle, karaoke, and a special snack (American hamburgers and the Nicaraguan version of coke). It was a sweet and fun experience and Wes and Emilio felt humbled to be included in a celebration with other fathers who work hard to not only be fathers to their own children, but also love and care for the children at Brazos.

While the celebration was happening, some of our team members went on a walk in the community into the nearby neighborhood of Cruz de Guadalupe. This is one of the neighborhoods where many of the children of the Community Program live. Sergio, the coordinator of the program told us about the challenges the children in the community face. We were warmly invited into one of their homes. Houses are modest cement structures, with a front door, but have simple curtains to divide rooms and dirt floors. The families we met shared their gratitude for the Community Program at Brazos. They told us how it not only provides needed resources for their children, but also parenting support for them. This program encourages them and helps their growth as parents. It was a gift to be included in such a genuine way and get a glimpse into local life.

This evening the team was welcomed to Ted and Kelly’s Rodger’s home for a special dinner. Ted and Kelly (and their now teen-aged son Teddy) moved to Nicaragua 9 years ago to be missionaries and serve with Brazos. One of the ministries they started was to provide mentoring and housing for young adults who at 18 graduate from Brazos residential program. Several Brazos alumni were at the dinner sharing an update on where they are in their school and life journey. We worshiped and prayed together for their joys and concerns in this new phase of life. Many of these youth were children that we have worked with in the past during previous trips. It was a blessing to see God’s work in their lives over the past nine years that we have known them! New Palo Alto team members were delighted to imagine what current residents could achieve in 10 years.

Tonight’s team debrief meeting was full of praise and thank-yous from our busy day. We also began thinking about the transition back to our lives in the bay area.

Tomorrow morning we will play soccer with the resident kids and staff, share lunch, and have a time for worship, games, and creating fun photos together. This will be a time to celebrate our amazing time here at Brazos de Amor!