Tesoros and ramp building.

The youngest little guy at Tesoros, very cute.

Elizabeth cleaning a chair.  With all the dust that blows through the building cleaning is a big part of what happens at Tesoros.  Keeping things clean for the kids.

Doug, Jeremiah and Emma on the ramp project.

Jeremiah adding on the railings.

Emma and Jeremiah painting the project.

This shop is a beautiful space to have to build the ramp.  It functions to train local Nicaraguans in trades that help with employment opportunities.  The shop is located on the same grounds as the Nehemiah Centre where we have been staying. 

The space that they use for the equestrian therapy.  The stool that Nancy is sitting on is what they use to help kids get on and off the horses currently.

A room full of stuff soon to have a shelf built to help with the storage of all the bins.

Elizabeth interacting with one of the horses. She loves to feed them her apple core after lunch.  Has had a few opportunities to groom them and to have a short ride.

Lifting the older/ bigger kids will hopefully be much easier once the ramp is in place.

Our time at Tesoros is soon coming to an end.  The girls and I have mostly spent our time interacting with the children whether that is helping them stretch with therapy, make a craft, playing whatever game we come up with and other tasks as asked.  They have prepared craft material, and cleaned.  I am proud of the attention, care and nurturing they have shown.  The moments of connection are precious slowing us down and reminding us we are human beings not human doings.  I love the writtings of Henri Nouwen and he spent many years living in community with those who are differently abled.  His reflections have added new depth to the experience. Below are a few quotes from Henri Nouwen:

"A waiting person is a patient person. The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us."

"You don't think your way into a new kind of living. You live your way into a new kind of thinking."

"Christians should put survival of the planet ahead of national security...Here is the mystery of our global responsibility: that we are in communion with Christ- and we are in communion with all people...The fact that the people of Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Russia, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia are our brothers and sisters is not obvious. People kill each other by the thousands and do not see themselves as brothers and sisters. If we want to be real peace-makers, national security cannot be our primary concern. Our primary concern should be survival of humanity, the survival of the planet, and the health of all people. Whether we are Russians, Iraqis, Ethiopians, or North Americans, we belong to the same human family that God loves. And we have to start taking some risks- not just individually, but risks of a more global quality, risks to let other people develop their own independence, risks to share our wealth with others and invite refugees to our country, risks to offer sanctuary- because we are people of God"
— Henri J.M. Nouwen

Doug and Jeremiah have had a more tangible project with building a steel ramp that will improve the therapists ability to get the kids on and off the horses.  It will be interesting to watch this get moved over.  I am interested to see the staff's reaction.  We will also present them with the computers my brother-in-laws company donated and a sound system will come later.  It is currently waiting for them a the airport.  Praying that all goes through smoothly when the director Michelle gets back. 

We are so impressed by the staff and families at Tesoros and the community of care and support they have created.  The mother's mainly and a few fathers and siblings interact and care for each other and the children in a truly beautiful way.  The moments we have experienced are privileges that they share with us allowing us access to their children.  Sometimes we wonder if they feel obligated, but more often we experience grace that is communicated despite any language barriers.  Smiles shared between parents, children and staff all speak of joy in a moment shared.  We have experienced a lot of joy.  Thank you Tesoros.