July 1, 2008
Every monday, Las Mujeres Solares have a meeting (reunión) at 3:00pm at the Solar Center (El Centro Solar). Thus far, I have been to two meetings this year, and I am so impressed. Las Mujeres Solares have grown and improved so much as an organization. The meetings are well-run and attended, much moreso than I witnessed in 2006, indicating the growing support for, and interest in, the projects of Las Mujeres Solares. In these meetings, all parties discuss what they have done this week and what they have planned for the next week, including the volunteers. Announcements are made, and there are usually some orders of business to take care of, such as figuring out which woman is hosting which incoming visitor. It´s probably partly my nature that explains my utter excitement after these meetings, but it makes me happy to see things progressing so well!
Sabana Grande is having a soccer (fútbol) tournament right now, so we´ve been attending a lot of those games in the evenings. Both Matt Wills and Daniel Hensel from our group play on the teams. The field is relatively flat, the goals are made of wood and bamboo posts, and the audience sits on a hill above the field. I enjoy taking it all in, including the amazing scenery beyond the field. Some days, you can see rain and dark clouds looming over the mountains in the distance, or some days, the beautiful colors of the end of the day.
When it gets dark at 6:30 every day, and your family does not have electricity to operate a television or computer, you get to have a lot of time to talk to people and to reflect. Living here affords me the unique opportunity to reflect on real poverty, instead of reading about it and theorizing on it in class. 
When I look at little baby Belinda in Anna´s arms, should I notice her torn clothes or her beautiful, God-given smile?
I´ve also been reading a book called A Sacred Voice is Calling, by John Neafsey, about vocation and social conscience. The author draws strong connections between our place in, and view of, the world and how we can know what our calling is. Over the past few years, I´ve gone back and forth in deciding what the most important things in life are, with the two main contenders being a) alleviating poverty using whatever skills you have, and b) forming and nurturing relationships with other human beings. Both of these met perfectly in my first trip to Nicaragua. However, since then, I have been struggling with combining them while at home and at school, and have thus been moving more toward option b since my return in 2006.
I thought I had it all figured out, but this trip is once again revealing to me the necessity of part a to my happiness and the fulfillment of my purpose. I am anxious to seek further guidance from the book, further understanding from prayer, and of course, futher insight from conversations at home and abroad.
- Lori
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The hotel in Ocotal sounds better with every blog I read.
The love you have for the people is contagious!
Thanks so much for sharing!
My sweet Lori Lou – oh, how I miss you!! You are such an Angel doing such wonderful things! I look forward to our conversations when you get home to further your insight
…and, by all means KEEP PRAYING…you are such a Godsend! God bless you all…you are amazing!
Lori
Just wanted to let you know aunt Janet and I are so proud of you. You are doing such good work. We Love You.
Love Uncle Ray.
Lori,
I wish I had what you do and could travel and see the world as you do. I learn from reading your blogs and pray for you and everyone every day. You are doing such great things, be proud of yourself. Love Kelly
I miss you so much, Lori, and am so proud of you! I think of you everyday and pray for you every night! Johnny says “come home safe!” Joey hopes the children there are getting good use out of his baseball mitts!