Update from Terry McGonigal

Right Place, Right Time Twice!

Seldom do we get to be in a place where history is being made, and it has happened to us twice in the past 10 days. On Sunday, Jan. 16, we witnessed the installation of the first Sandinista mayor of Granada. The Sandinistas are the lost widely-respected political party in Nicaragua, but because of Daniel Ortega's party leadership, the U.S. government policy has been to oppose the Sandinistas for decades. Anyway, a Sandinista mayor was installed in Granada, Daniel Ortega was there and we got to see it. It was basically a short presentation, typical speeches and then a street party that lasted into the early morning. The people here love to celebrate. I went to bed with the walls of bedroom reverberating from the bass notes blasting away from the central park, three blocks away.

Wednesday, Jan. 26, we witnessed sports history here in Nicaragua. The local team, Leon, won the national championship for the 27th time, better than the New Yotk Yankees (26 championships). People here are making a big deal about that. The Leon team has never lost a final series. Every time they get there, they win! (Scott McQuilkin can add this to his sports history trivia). Anyway, once again we witnessed the great celebration. Thousands of people streamed into Central Park at 10 p.m., whole families walking, biking, riding in the back of pickups. The team arrived back in Leon at 1 a.m. and people went crazy. Another celebration is planned for tonight and probably will go all the way into the weekend.

Here is what else we have done in the last 10 days:

Monday, Jan. 17: El Chocoyoro
Ever wished you could visit a National Geographic site personally? We did today. The place is named for el chocoyo, the green parrot that inhabits the cliffs of this National preserve. Picture waterfalls, sheer cliffs and thousands of parrots all over the small caves in the sheer face of the cliffs. The sounds of the birds was incredible, and the beauty of their flight amazing. By the way, we walked through a canopy of amazing trees in which families of monkeys watched us go by from overhead.

Tuesday, Jan. 18
Presentation about current politics in Nicaragua. The last 15 years have seen three presidents elected, each of which been the source of rounds of corruption in the government. A sad story. People here are very cynical about the political process and how the U.S. government bears too much influence on what goes on here.

Wednesday, Jan. 19
A hike into a cooperative of 23 families farming about 1,000 acres. They served such an incredible meal, some of the best food we have tasted in the entire trip. Then we took walking tours in small groups and met the families that are working to develop this cooperative. Anybody want fresh mango or papaya? We learned a lot about the very simple and difficult life of these people. What amazed us was their joy and willingness to share themselves with us. The hike, heat and dust were well worth it as we were blessed today.

Thursday, Jan. 20
Our language school has a cooperative program with the local penitentiary. We went for an afternoon of sports and conversation. The guys played basketball (lost), soccer (tied) and volleyball, and our women emerged victorious in volleyball. The best part was the conversations we had with the inmates. I am so proud of how our group entered into relationships and really extended themselves to get know these people. There are many things that divide us as people, but today we saw how common and similar we are persons. Our folks were great! This is the highlight of the journey for me so far.

Friday, Jan. 21
Service projects in Granada, with our students going to various sites to work with all kinds of different younger populations, all with great needs, physical, relational and spiritual. We also met a lot of faithful people trying to love kids. There are amazing people here. We wished we had done this earlier in our stay in Granada and got the chance to go back.

Saturday, Jan. 22
Last day in Granada. Hiking for a some and a swim in a volcanic crater filled with fresh water, with others enjoying Granada for the last time. We gathered our host families in the afternoon for a goodbye celebration. Hannah rescued the party with her firm and shrewd negotiating skills to get the cakes delivered to the party just in time. Way to go Hannah!

Sunday, Jan. 23
Transition to Leon. 90-minute bus ride to Managua, visiting historic sites, including the plaza where Pope John Paul II has said mass during his two papal visits to Nicaragua (1983 and 1996) with over a million people at each event. Incredible to stand in the midst of this vast space and think of what had happened in that very spot! Lunch at a very modern mall and food court felt like we were back in the United States, and then transition to Leon and meeting our homestay families. Leon is a great city, with amazing history and very warm and friendly people. Imagine everyone opening their doors in the evening, putting rocking chairs out on the sidewalk and being community together. That's Leon.

Monday, Jan. 24
Visit to the largest cathedral in all Latin America. One square block. We went down into the tunnel system and up on the roof for an incredible view from the bell tower. This cathedral also has a portrait of every bishop of this cathedral going back to the 1500s, the only such collection in all Central America. The huge paintings on the walls of each station of the cross were particlularly impressive.

Tuesday, Jan. 25
Another visit to another beach. Just as beautiful, but the surf was more treacherous than our visit to La Boquita two weeks ago. Everyone had a great time playing in the water, reading, walking out on the rocks, getting to know the locals. We were watched and cared for very well by the professors from the language school who accompanied us.

Wednesday, Jan. 26
After an afternoon class debriefing some of the readings the students are doing along the way, we went to the art museum just two blocks from school. An incredible collection dating back to the 15th century. Religious art, contemporary art, some political art. We had to move quickly because the art museum was closing soon after we arrived. I think most of the students will take advantage of the free Sunday entrance and go back and view the holdings at a more leisurely pace.

Thursday, Jan. 27
Traci King, an alum of the Central America program who is now living in Managua, will meet with us this afternoon. This should be a great meeting, as Traci explains how this program has set the trajectory for her life. Then tonight a final gathering before I leave tomorrow to return to Spokane on Saturday. It will be hard to say goodbye. These students are great. They are well prepared, and they are representing the College and their faith commitments well. The director of the language school in Granada told us when were leaving that we were the best group that they have ever hosted. Dan and Robin Plies' leadership is beyond description. They are wise sensitive and insightful guides as they lead us daily.

The journey goes on, the learning continues, and the molding of the students will continue for a lifetime. Glad to share the journey with you. Peace of Christ, Terry

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