Party in the Park: Our First Full Day

I set the alarm clock on my phone last night but for some reason it either didn’t go off this morning or I didn’t hear it. Thankfully, nature provided a wake-up call in the form of a giant rooster who lives on the land behind our hotel.

Our hotel doesn’t provide breakfast so Ben and I went on a mission to find food and coffee this morning. The local coffee shop was closed when we walked by at 7:40, as was the supermarket. Out of other options, we walked to Burger King. It didn’t open until 8, so we stood outside for about 15 minutes, looking like the two American guys who traveled all the way to Nicaragua but couldn’t shake their fast-food habit and ended up stalking a restaurant before it opened.

After breakfast we went to church. The service was very energetic, with powerful music and intense participation from the congregation. The worship band played some of the same songs we play at church in Baltimore, much to my dad’s delight. We picked up some groceries, stopped the by hotel and then headed to lunch at a Nicaraguan restaurant.

The day’s big event was the party we threw for the kids at a local park. Brad and I dropped everyone else off then headed to pick up the kids and their moms. Right about the time we arrived at the intersection to get them some dark clouds rolled in and a heavy rainstorm ensued. We packed the kids into the van and headed back to the park, only a short drive away.

Little did I know, but the rest of our group had already set up at the park the games, sodas and Christmas letters for the kids. When the rain started they grabbed everything and dashed into the pump house. But alas, the Nicaraguan security guard swiftly informed them they were not allowed there. They headed to a gated section of the park which had a pavilion, where we met them a few minutes later.

The party was a great success from the beginning. The kids ran into the arms of familiar and new team members alike from the minute our van parked. Friendships picked right up after months of absence. Watching and listening to the kids greet our team was pretty special.

We had our six new kids join us, putting our total at 20 kids. The rain dissipated and we had some cooler temperatures for the afternoon. Noel, a first-time visitor to Nicaragua, formed new friendships by tirelessly playing Wiffle ball with a few boys, chasing down every hit with energy that would put some of the Orioles to shame.

My aunt JoAnne and my mom gave pedicures to the girls and their moms. My father became a human jungle gym. Emily and Nefret ran around playing various games and commenting on how beautiful the girls looked. Ben and Brad spoke with the kids, both translating for everyone else and getting to know them better on their own.

All of the team members worked together to make the afternoon wonderful. The rain, some mild girl drama and the great number of kids didn’t stop them from selflessly showing the kids how special they are. I really believe the children went to sleep tonight smiling, thinking about how nine Americans traveled all the way to Nicaragua to show them just how much they’re loved.

A VISEDAL party wouldn’t be complete without fried chicken so we ordered 60 pieces for the masses. After they ate we handed out Beauty and the Beast t-shirts donated by The Seton Keough High School in Baltimore and took a group picture of all of the kids in their new clothes. We also gave the kids some pictures that Emily had printed out for each of them.

We had dinner and a thoughtful group discussion before heading off to bed. Tomorrow we’re going to buy school uniforms, hit up Pollo Campero for some more fried chicken and visit the homes of a few of our children.

Thanks for reading. I’m off to bed. We appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers and support during our trip!

-dylan