Javier and Jani (Pronounced like 'Honey'), members of the family that served us all our delicious meals!
Francisco, AMC Staffer and Guide for the Orientation
Don't eat me! I'm too cute!
The dog was not happy about being tied up while we ate.
Probably the most attractive couple in all of Nicaragua.
The view from the front porch...Also, our first attempt with the camera's timer.
Attempt #2. (Brent, Jani, Javier, Bellanira, and Francisco)
Finally! We're so pretty, aren't we?
Filling plastic bags with dirt and goat poo. What did we come to Nicaragua for again?
I'm pretending like I did all those bags behind me. Jonathan, who actually filled them, didn't think that was funny.
Ah, so there WAS a reason to fill the bags! For planting seeds...
Coffee...a LONG way before it lands in your mug.
A hard days work.
Did I mention that it's the rainy season here?
Crossing the river to bring toothbrushes and sugary sodas to the kids of El Progreso. (We told them to brush afterwards!)
Ramon, our trusty Dental Demonstrator!
“Brush your teeth every day!” (To the tune of “If you're happy and you know it”, and in Spanish, of course)
Kendal teaches art class. Anyone who has seen my “art” would find this ironic.
Intensely focused on our handicrafts.
Brent, it really wasn't that hard.
The farm at El Progreso.
Everyone really liked the craft project!
New (shy) friends.
New (less shy) friends.
Pelibuey! Brent was fixated on tasting the meat of this sheep/goat THING all week.
I think they're too pretty to eat.
I want one, mommy!
They're just so cute!
Okay, maybe not.
Unfased.
Warming up for another tooth adventure!
Sing it Brent, sing it.
We drove past the waterfall every day on the way home. How can you not appreciate the beauty?
Our friend Ernesto is OVER IT.
But I'm not.
Standard chow. Plantains, rice, beans, and tortillas.
Community leaders share about how a cow cooperative has reduced infant malnutrition in the community.
We're obviously impressed.
More about cows. Really, it was cool.
People might look bored...but really, we had fun.
Jackelyn teaches us a name game.
The tentative enthusiam was almost unbearable.
Shyness
Not quite as shy(ness)
“Brush your teeth, THREE TIMES a day”
They really don't know what to think about us crazy gringos.
When is snack time?
Something was funny.
They didn't think so.
Look at those chompers!
Rock on, Ramon.
Bridge over troubled waters.
Hundreds of people cross over the bridge every day...the only place to cross for miles and miles.
Take a close look at the holes...
Ummmm...YIKES!
Brent was brave enough to venture out and take pictures.
I, on the other hand, was not. (Black t-shirt, scratching my head in fear.)
I mean, would you?
They demonstrated the places where it was safe to jump up and down.
I think these two girls were the smarter ones of the crew.
The current was, shall we say, a BIT strong.
Diggin in at snack time.
Women's Cooperative, Sold their hand-stitched bags at market in Managua. $5 for a bag that takes several hours to make.
What is this silly game we're playing?
Pass the ball from neck to neck! No hands!
Too giggly to stand up straight!
Hurry! Pass the ball!
Teaching “I'm Smart, and I'm strong...” in Spanish.
C'mon guys, WORK WITH ME HERE!
Ramon is helping out.
Thanks for pitching in, Brent.
I put in a lot of effort!
Boys vs. Girls. (Girls won. Boys don't follow directions.)
C'mon, Boys! Get it together!
Our most participatory group of kids.
Ramon on his farewell tour.
This time, we had a poster for my song. DEFINITELY helped.
Barack and I, teaching the kids some self-esteem.
They honestly thought I was losing it.
Rock out with the motions.
The little kid in the front is saying, “Are you kidding me?”
ALL the little animals brush THEIR teeth three times a day!
I taught them how to play “Red Rover”
No broken bones...though it was close.
Our final workshop of orientation
Randomly, this kid just dropped down into the splits.
And his buddy had to prove that he could do it, too.
Leynard couldn't do the splits.
One day, young grasshopper. One day.
