It is only my first week in Nicaragua, and I already feel like this wonderful place is my second home. While my spanish was a little rusty the first day, I was able to remember most of the phrases and sentence structures that I learned in Spanish class (yes that stuff actually comes in handy :))

And, it was thanks to those six years of Spanish that I fell in love. In love with a little girl named Esperanza. She has big brown eyes, beautiful black hair, and one of the most gorgeous smiles I have ever seen. While "Esperancita," as she is known was a wary of strangers when we first arrived, a little encouragement from her "tia" and a few well chosen words in spanish made the two of us best friends.  Every afternoon, after finishing work either in the kitchen or the garden, it is always a pleasure to see her running towards the group, and dancing with her for at least 15 minutes at a time. 

Speaking of work, while the men are working on constructing a house for a foster family to move in, the women split time between working in the kitchens and in the gardens.  Work in the gardens mostly consists of hoeing weeds and grass that have run rampant and planting peppers and, what seems to be, radishes.

My favorite job is working in the kitchen with the "tias." Each day, I come out learning new phrases and learning how to prepare new dishes. It is a pleasure serving them and the rest of the team.

Each day I find myself thanking God for going above and beyond any expectations that I had about this children´s home. The living spaces are comfortable and clean, and we have a full bathroom (no bucket baths!). And, most importantly, I am so blessed by each and every one of these kids. I pray everyday that we can show them love and demonstrate to them that, even though they may not have an earthly mom or dad, that they have a heavenly Daddy who is so much better, and loves them more than words can say.