Our final day in Nicaragua arrived. There are a lot of mixed feelings about being at the end of the trip - excited to see family and friends at home, but also feeling like the trip went too quickly. We knew we were in for an emotional day since we would be leaving our friends here in Nicaragua.
We went to the jobsite and we finished the last two purlins, moved a lot of dirt, made forms and mortar, packed and tamped dirt, and poured columns. It was a very hot day - one last heat wave before we return to the cold.
We had a farewell presentation with dancing, music, and many shouts of Muchas Gracias by the students. It was an emotional goodbye, especially when the kids gave us all hugs. The principal brought in a cake and cokes for us all afterwards.
After lunch there was a wheelbarrow race between the team leaders and two of the workers which had the whole group laughing. After a couple hours of work there was a very intense water fight which caught the whole school's attention.
At our final goodbyes at the school, it was announced to the principal that one of our team members has stepped forward and took the financial initiative in seeing that the installation of a water tank and plumbing will take place for the students and staff. Some fundraising will be needed for this project to take place but is minimal when taken on as a team.
Soon came more hugs and emotional farewells to the workers and then we headed back to the Nehemiah centre for one last task: unloading 26,000 Spanish Bibles from a semi-truck. It was hot but as it proved throughout the week - with many hands makes light work.
Before dinner, we all had a debriefing in which we all shared our initial thoughts and comments. It was moving to hear everyone's testimony and provided more insight as to what God is doing here in Nicaragua when this all is shared with each other.
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