Hola from Jinotega!

Hello... I haven't been updating here- moved most posts to Facebook ( look for Dolores Mikula in Facebook, and at times at Notre Dame Global Missions in Facebook)... at least until we can resolve the slow upload time of photos and posts here in the blog. That's life in the missions... we are blessed to have a computer and internet, so I won't complain!

See you on Facebook!

Photos

 I thought I'd add a few recent photos.  Enjoy!

"Traditional" Clothing

José is a farmer greatly concerned about the 

amount of chemicals the younger 

generation is using on their crops.

Women's cooperative La Curena; the women make black pottery unique to northern Nicaragua.

 

 

 

 

Youth workshop and a team-building game.

Palm Sunday

Workshops for Catechists

Sr. Charlotte listens to Pastora reflect on
God's call to Elijah.

Some of the children of the catechists helped Sr. Roseanna
demonstrate a lesson. 

In March, April and May, we three Sisters began giving a series of catechist workshops at various mission sites; thanks to the new vehicle, we are able to get to many of these places. (FYI, there are still places we can only get to via foot, horse or mule). In some cases we need to pay a driver- someone who knows the way well and can help us with mechanical problems... and instructs us in driving stick-shift over some rough terrain!

The theme of the current series of workshops is "The Call of the Catechist."  Participants were guided in reflecting on their roles as catechists, exploring God's call in the Bible, and learning teaching methods from each other as well as from the sisters. 

While the catechists have very few material resources, they are very creative in  the ways they communicate the Good News to children, youth and adults.  One resource they would really appreciate: more bibles!

Ricardo (driver/driving instructor/mechanic/good friend to the sisters!) helps us
pack up after a workshop for catechists at Mission San Maximillano Kolbe.

Besides giving these worshops at various missions within the parish boundaries, we have been invited to help form catechists in a number of other far-flung corners of the diocese. This will mean at times a 7-hour or longer bus ride, but thanks again to the vehicle various groups have helped us acquire, we will be able to drive to many sites. We look forward to encountering and sharing the Goodness of God wherever God calls us!

Sr. Dolores listens as Lidia explains her group's response
to the question, "What is a catechist?"

Summer Vacation in Jinotega

The kids have been on “summer vacation” since the end of November; most of them will return to school February 15.  While we are in the northern hemisphere, they still call this time of year “summer”- aka “the dry season.”  

We’ve keeping the kids busy throughout January with a variety of activities- including the third annual “Concurso de Cometas” (Kite Flying Contest). While January is generally very windy, the day we chose happened to be a low-wind morning. 

 No importa- kids still showed up with kites made out of recycled plastic bags and the the balsa wood sticks they found in the fields and streets (these come from the cohetes –fireworks - that were set off during the festivities of December). Kite categories included, “Longest Tail,” “Longest Time in the Air,” “Greatest Distance,” “Prettiest Kite,” and “Ugliest Kite.”  Only two rules: the kite a) had to be home-made, and b) had to get airborne!

José y la Tunica de Muchos Colores

We also hosted our first annual “Vacation Bible School,” with the theme of “Heroes of the Bible.”  We focused on Old Testament characters, as we found in our catechism classes that many children (not to mention adults) are unfamiliar with Noah and the flood, Abraham and Sarah, Joseph and the coat of many colors, etc.  The kids enjoyed bible stories, songs, crafts, games and DVDs, and several of our teens were assistants, often teaching lessons.

Youth Group, Sangre de Cristo

At the foot of the Cross

 I finally got to the “Peña de la Cruz,” the most famous site in Jinotega.  Sergio, our neighbor, was guide for 11 youth and me- we hiked to the top of a mountain that has an illuminated cross which can been see all from all over our valley.  

Sergio, our guide, with Orlando

  









Usually people hike there on May 3- the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross in Nicaragua- but the teens were chomping at the bit to go on “paseo” (a field trip, basically), and this was an affordable activity (free!).

We also hosted our first “Night at the Movies,” which the youth are begging us to continue.  We sold popcorn and Rice Krispie Treats to raise money for the youth group (they loved the Rice Krispies, and of course think I spent hours making them!); but the real purpose of the “Movie Night”: have fun… provide alternative safe activities for the teens of the barrio… and build community.  We did ask them to write down the best lesson they learned from the movie (Karate Kid) – the best response won one of those Valentine stuffed animals that sings a love song (big hit with the teens) right before “Friendship and Love Day” – what we call February 14 here!

Nacatamales and New Year's Day

Little present waiting to be opened!

A nacatamal is a Nicaraguan tamal.  It is much bigger (and tastier, in my opinion), than Mexican tamales. They are usually a weekend breakfast food (several of our neighbors make and sell them Fri., Sat. and Sun.), but can be eaten any day of the week, and for other meals. They are also served at Christmas.  Sigh: Angela just told me she's not making them for New Years.

Opened and ready to eat!

There is usually a hunk of pork and/or pork fat in the middle, along with cubed potatoes, peppers, rice, mint and other stuff... and achiote, which is kind of like paprika. It is wrapped in the cornmeal masa/mixture (Angela's has bastante ajo...lots of garlic...which I like); it is topped with a tomato slice and wrapped usually in a banana or plantain leaf (foil is only for those who don't have access to banana or plantain leaves; there are plenty here).  They are usually tied with plastic string these days. They are then cooked for at least 4 hours. Yummm!

Here's a video (in spanish) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLDBfkI1y5w
(she's very generous with the meat and skimpy on the rice and potatoes!)

 

If I got you really hungry, here's another link with photos and descriptions of other typical nica foods: http://www.living-history-nicaragua.com/recipe-nicaragua.html

año viejo/mujer vieja  (image borrowed from 

http://susannica.blogspot.com/2010/01/2009-turns-to-2010-in-matagalpa.html)

As tomorrow is New Year's Eve, a quick mention of the traditions:

 

-Burning "El Hombre Viejo" (the old man...representing the old year);  There will be lots of scarecrows filled with gunpowder or fireworks tomorrow.

 

-Cohetes y Fuegos Artificiales (firecrackers, fireworks).  These haven't stopped since the beginning of December, but tomorrow night, and especially at midnight, there will many.  We'll find a good spot outside where we can view them being set off throughout town and in the surrounding hills; maybe I can talk the sisters into climbing up the church tower at midnight; that should be a fab view (don't you think so, Alexis and Zac?)

 

-A family meal at midnight.  New Years is very much about family here.  

 

-New Year's Day: for recovering, as you can imagine; at least in the morning.  In the afternoon there is a huge and lovely Eucharistic Procession that begins at the cathedral in town. 

 

Many prayers that you and I will recognize the blessings that will given us every day of the new year, if we have eyes to see.

Dios-con-nosotros   -   God-with-us

¡Feliz Navidad!  We wish you much joy as you celebrate the birth of our Savior, Emmanuel, God-with-us.

Here are some images from recent days, including the celebrations of the Novena to the Divino Niño, or Las Posadas.

First Communion at the mission chapel of Immaculate Conception

First Communion

Sr. Dolores with Chingüine in our backyard- this photo is for my nephew, who loves horses.

José and María looking for Posada

Each day José and María look for posada (a place to stay)  in a different house in the barrio.