As most of you know we are back in Managua now, and some of you have asked that we update our blog. So here it is.
We were out of touch because we were being careful about communication due to the advice of our friends. It was not because we didn’t wish to be in contact with you all!
What did we do in Asia:
Language Learning:
We were able to spend 3.5 hours a day learning the lingua franca of a large portion of Europe and Asia. It was a good time, but it was not the easiest. We also got to build a relationship with our language helper. It was well worth every penny and the time.
Ex-pats:
We met a few different ex-pats while we were there. The translators we met are working on refining the translation that exists into something that will be used by people all over the country. University professors and teachers use their work as a means to build relationships with local people. Other ex-pats work with getting literature into the hands leaders, helping people whose lives have been destroyed, and helping keep organizations like our language school up and running so other workers can keep doing what they are there for. They were like lights to us when we felt dark.
Friends:
We also made friends with different people who happened into our lives. Teaching Spanish and English, having a two-year-old, and just living in our neighborhood helped us meet people we would have never met otherwise. Some of our friends spoke English which helped; others only spoke the two languages that most people speak in that part of Asia. Every experience with them helped us grow in our love for this country.
Co-learner:
We had the privilege to house our 18-year-old fellow school student Jorge from Honduras during our trip. He was the most popular kid in our neighborhood after 2 months and did well making friends wherever we went.
Orphanage and Hospitals:
A friend is working in an orphanage and in hospitals helping in different ways. In the orphanage she is building relationships with the staff and showing love to the kids.
In the hospitals she is distributing literature on AIDS and Motherhood.
Tourists:
We also played the tourist a bit, some on our own and some with M and/or R. From Bazaars to Mountains we saw the beauty of the country.
How are we:
Some people asked so Jess will tell you:
We are doing great! Our trip back was long, but actually very smooth… We all enjoyed the modern technology and the constant airplane food and juices being offered to us.
We are in Managua, staying with my parents, lounging in hammocks all day, eating my mom’s incredible meals, and loving the catching up we get to do with all of our friends via Facebook and e-mail. We really missed that in Asia…
We finally are starting to wind down our active, jumping-from-here-to-there lifestyle, so we have starting to potty train Robby. I won’t lie. It isn’t fun. Worst part of my last 7 months J But, he is still such a joy to us… it is an honor to be his parents and we are so proud of our little 2 year old who is getting taller and more talkative every day.
For those who haven’t heard… instead of returning and getting a job as planned, we have been led in a different way. I still feel amazed every time I think about it, but He has provided so that we can go to DITP (San Jose) for the 9 month program—out of the blue! No way we had anything left of our savings…especially for something like DITP! I am really excited for Bobby as I know he will really thrive in that environment…I know he is looking forward to the things he will learn. As am I! The downside of this, that makes us both very sad, is that we will be away from Fairhaven for this time. After being gone for 7 months, this is very hard for us both… We do hope to visit as much as we can. And of course, when DITP is over, we will be back! We look forward to that very much…
Can’t wait to see all of you again!
Thank you for your interest in our lives… we appreciate every thought for us!
The Campbells
We were out of touch because we were being careful about communication due to the advice of our friends. It was not because we didn’t wish to be in contact with you all!
What did we do in Asia:
Language Learning:
We were able to spend 3.5 hours a day learning the lingua franca of a large portion of Europe and Asia. It was a good time, but it was not the easiest. We also got to build a relationship with our language helper. It was well worth every penny and the time.
Ex-pats:
We met a few different ex-pats while we were there. The translators we met are working on refining the translation that exists into something that will be used by people all over the country. University professors and teachers use their work as a means to build relationships with local people. Other ex-pats work with getting literature into the hands leaders, helping people whose lives have been destroyed, and helping keep organizations like our language school up and running so other workers can keep doing what they are there for. They were like lights to us when we felt dark.
Friends:
We also made friends with different people who happened into our lives. Teaching Spanish and English, having a two-year-old, and just living in our neighborhood helped us meet people we would have never met otherwise. Some of our friends spoke English which helped; others only spoke the two languages that most people speak in that part of Asia. Every experience with them helped us grow in our love for this country.
Co-learner:
We had the privilege to house our 18-year-old fellow school student Jorge from Honduras during our trip. He was the most popular kid in our neighborhood after 2 months and did well making friends wherever we went.
Orphanage and Hospitals:
A friend is working in an orphanage and in hospitals helping in different ways. In the orphanage she is building relationships with the staff and showing love to the kids.
In the hospitals she is distributing literature on AIDS and Motherhood.
Tourists:
We also played the tourist a bit, some on our own and some with M and/or R. From Bazaars to Mountains we saw the beauty of the country.
How are we:
Some people asked so Jess will tell you:
We are doing great! Our trip back was long, but actually very smooth… We all enjoyed the modern technology and the constant airplane food and juices being offered to us.
We are in Managua, staying with my parents, lounging in hammocks all day, eating my mom’s incredible meals, and loving the catching up we get to do with all of our friends via Facebook and e-mail. We really missed that in Asia…
We finally are starting to wind down our active, jumping-from-here-to-there lifestyle, so we have starting to potty train Robby. I won’t lie. It isn’t fun. Worst part of my last 7 months J But, he is still such a joy to us… it is an honor to be his parents and we are so proud of our little 2 year old who is getting taller and more talkative every day.
For those who haven’t heard… instead of returning and getting a job as planned, we have been led in a different way. I still feel amazed every time I think about it, but He has provided so that we can go to DITP (San Jose) for the 9 month program—out of the blue! No way we had anything left of our savings…especially for something like DITP! I am really excited for Bobby as I know he will really thrive in that environment…I know he is looking forward to the things he will learn. As am I! The downside of this, that makes us both very sad, is that we will be away from Fairhaven for this time. After being gone for 7 months, this is very hard for us both… We do hope to visit as much as we can. And of course, when DITP is over, we will be back! We look forward to that very much…
Can’t wait to see all of you again!
Thank you for your interest in our lives… we appreciate every thought for us!
The Campbells
