Watching History

News outlets around the US reported the international interest in President Obama's inauguration on Tuesday. We were part of that international audience, watching the events unfold on CNN International from the MCC office here in Managua. While our sister, Emily, shivered and snapped photos of the crowds from right in front of the Washington Monument, we sipped fresh-squeezed orange juice and snapped photos of the televsion screen. Just in case you were wondering, "Where were we when...?"

Eyes and hearts on the world

We regularly give updates on MCC's work here in Nicaragua, but MCC volunteers are also working in about 50 other countries around the world. Some countries are at peace right now; others live in a state of war. MCC currently has volunteers working in Palestine, and they have a very helpful blog that gives us a window to the suffering and violence that many people face. We encourage you to check it out.

Baby Shower

Yesterday we had a baby shower at the MCC office (in Nicaragua, a baby shower is called a "baby chower" - borrowed from English but with a Spanish accent). The MCC team, neighbors, and friends from various parts of our lives here in Nicaragua helped us to celebrate. It was the first baby shower either of us had attended, so all the games were new. One game required that two women put diapers on two men.

Another game required the guests to work in teams to determine the "ingredients" of four dirty diapers (the pictures look gross, but the diapers contained things like chocolate, peanut butter, honey, etc.). Yet another game helped Alan to know what sucking from a bottle was like - he had to drink Coke from a baby bottle faster than another guy.

We also got some very cool baby gifts: lots of onesies, a mosquito net for the crib, a discovery quilt, baby towels, blankets, bottles, and bibs. We've got most of the basics now...just a few more things to buy before Baby Claassen Thrush arrives. The due date is Feb. 8, but we're now at 37 weeks, so he could come at any time! Below are a few more pictures of friends and MCC colleagues who celebrated with us.

MCC Mesoamerica Retreat

Since Tuesday we've participated in the MCC Mesoamerica retreat, hosted here in Managua. MCC workers from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica all converged on a hotel here in town for three days of reflection. Our theme was "nurturing our spirits in a cross-cultural setting." We enjoyed the interaction w/ MCC friends, the moments of personal reflection, the hymn sing, and air conditioned rooms. The annual talent show was also a hit - our Nicaragua team performed some traditional Nicaraguan dances, the Guatemala team wrote a song about MCC life, and several kids from Mexico sang Christmas songs. Here are some photos from our week:

The altar around which we gathered for our sessions.

MCCers who work in rural developement chat about their work.

The MCC kids enjoy a puppet show during devotions.

Beth participates in an skit about riding public transportation in Central America.

The MCC Guatemala team preparing their song - "MCC will set you free...MCC is where you wanna be!"

Winter 2009 Newsletter

We now have a new newsletter available to download with more articles and pictures, especially about Alan's work and his students. Click the link on the right labeled 'Winter 2009' and follow the download instructions. Also, if you are interested in seeing more pictures from December of 2008, click here.

Out with the old, in with the new - Happy New Year!

We welcomed in 2009 with our neighbors. Actually, we spent the minutes between 11:55 p.m. and 12:10 a.m. ducking for cover as our neighbors lit firecrackers of all shapes and sizes. Not only were the explosions deafening, but they also forced us indoors right when the evening spectacular took place. It's a Nicaraguan tradition to make a dummy stuffed with newspaper and fireworks who represents the old year. At midnight on New Years, the old year is blown to smithereens, thus welcoming in the new. The following photos are the before-and-after: the pyrotechnic-filled old guy, and his flaming remains.