WCC dignitary

Yesterday afternoon we attended a forum hosted by the UPOLI (where Alan works) in honor of a visit by the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, Dr. Samuel Kobia. Five panelists spoke about various Central American projects to overcome violence. Dr. Kobia then shared reflections and observations about the work of the WCC and how these Central American projects fit within its goals and mission. The event was attended by evangelical/protestant leaders from across Nicaragua and Central America. In the photo, Dr. Kobia is in the center.

Costa Rica Vacation

In late October Beth and I traveled to Costa Rica for several days of vacation. We needed to use up our remaining vacation time for the year, plus we wanted a final getaway before Baby Claassen Thrush comes. Our plans were a bit postponed by my appendicitis recovery, but we readjusted our plans and headed south.

Our hotel was between Playa Conchal and Playa Brasilito on the Guanacaste Peninsula. We spent our time relaxing and reading on the beaches, hanging out by the pool, and reapplying sunblock. Here are a few pictures from our trip. If you want to see more, click here.

The Hospital

We've come to know the Baptist Hospital pretty well in the past few months. This week I (Alan) got to know another section - surgery. I went to the ER last Thursday w/ lots of abdominal pain. Turns out I had a perforated appendix, for which an operation was required. I came out of surgery late Thursday night and spent the next 3 and a half days in the hospital. I am now recuperating at home, trying to rest and drink plenty of liquids (the Managua heat can wilt even healthy souls).

I am grateful for the many people who prayed for me during these past few days. God's hand was over me through it all. I also appreciated the many visits. In the photo are MCC team members who dropped by last Friday. I also received visits and calls from several students and staff at the Baptist Seminary. It is good to be out of the hospital now, de-appendicized and feeling much better than I did last week!

Intercambio

Our team continues to change and grow. This time the new members are all through the one year exchange (intercambio) programs YAMEN! and SALT. It has been fun trying to get them oriented to Nicaragua the last couple weeks. This picture was taken at our first team meeting all together at Selva Negra, near Matagalpa.

Rachelle Francey (front left in the cream-colored shirt) will be working at Hogar Belen, a home for abandoned children with special needs.

Maritza Masavi (center, brown t-shirt) came from Bolivia through YAMEN! to work in the Christian School for the Deaf as a classroom assistant and social worker.

Greta Tom (front right with yellow shirt) is working at the Cultural Center in Batahola Norte

Matt Boyts (back second from right) will be working at an educational center in Nagarote.

Not pictured: Nathaniel Forry, the littlest member of the team (about to turn 2) and Kayon Watson.
Rachelle, Matt, and Greta pose for a picture at the SALT/YAMEN!/IVEP orientation in Pennsylvania with Violeta Castro. Violeta, who is Nicaraguan, is now in Virginia with IVEP. She is serving for a year as a conversation partner in Spanish at Eastern Mennonite University.

Sugey Arce (left), is with IVEP in Elmira, Ontario. Ana Julia Lopez (right) will be traveling soon to Mexico City through the YAMEN! program.

SALT: Serving And Learning Together

YAMEN!: Young Anabaptist-Mennonite Exchange Network

IVEP: International Volunteer Exchange Program

Baptism

This past Sunday our local BIC church welcomed through baptism 7 young adults into the Christian community. About 70 of us loaded into a rented bus to travel the 2.5 hours to San Jorge, a small port town on the shores of Lake Nicaragua (see our map below). Practically the whole church waded out to sing and celebrate around the group. The rest of the day was spent enjoying the lake water and chatting around packed lunches.

Thrush Family Visit

From August 9-16 the entire Thrush family came to visit us in Nicaragua. It was the first time in 2 and a half years since all of us had been together. We had a great time relaxing, laughing, praying, and seeing the Nicaraguan sites together. Here are a few photos from the week. From top to bottom: part of the family in front of the MCC Nicaragua office; the family at the Masaya volcano; visiting a friend in a rural community; the Thrush men (plus our driver Salvador) at a lake in rural Nicaragua); waiting at the hospital for Beth's 4-month check-up; sitting in the rocking chairs at the Quina Shalom, the Mennonite guest house where we stayed.

Family News

We're going to have a baby! The Claassen Thrush family will be expanding from 2 to 3 sometime in early February 2009. Beth just finished her 16th week, and both mom and baby seem to be doing well these days.

The photos are from our recent time with the Thrush family. Grandma Thrush to-be brought some baby clothes and diapers for us, making it seem a bit more real.

Check back for updates as the months progress.