Hakuna Matata

Day 5:

Today wraps up our last full day in Nicaragua. We realized that we wanted to end the trip with a bang. We went (drum line please) ZIP LINING!!


We started the day early, ate our beans for breakfast, and headed on out! We went zip lining at a very well-known (and safe!) location called, "Mombacho." All strapped in our harnesses, we were ready to fly! Although everyone had trouble jumping off the first platform, by the last platform we were like pros! With the help of our amazing tour guides, we were able to zip line upside down and even superman style!

Two hour later, we were done and headed back to the ranch. We enjoyed our last PB&J sandwiches together, and then hurried to get ready for the beach la playa!
The Buzbee's have their very own property on the beach (which happens to be the Pacific Ocean) and they so kindly invited us to end our day there. With our swim suits on and beach towels handy, we were off! Oh, and did I mention that 30 other kids that we had met throughout the week came too?

Though it was a long trip up to la playa, not one complaint was made after we saw the BLACK sand and huge waves (ok, so maybe they were not huge, but they are bigger than what we are used to in Miami)! Some of us walked along the beach talking about this week while others went wave surfing for hours with the kids. It never got old :)

**(back at the ranch)

As the sun went down, we were packing all of our belongings and getting ready to say good-bye. Yet, no night would be complete until we had our devotion time on the third floor.

What is the third floor, you may ask?
First off: it is the third floor of a building here on the ranch.
Second: it has 5 hammocks that you could easily fall asleep in, overlooking a panoramic view of mountains. (no picture could capture this view!)
Third: it is where we have gotten to know each other and debrief about our days :)

We are all very excited to see our families tomorrow, yet it is a very bitter-sweet feeling. Though we are headed to see our families, we are leaving our Nicaraguan family.

It has been rewarding watching our WCS students build genuine relationships with the students from La Chureca. Yet, we knew that would happen. What we did not know is whether           or not our students would form a good team. They exceeded our expectations. Like I mentioned in previous posts: there were never hands being un-used. It was a privilege working with this team. It is obvious that they are being changed from the inside out.

From Stephano's humor, to Chris' musical talent, we've learned a lot from each other. From seeing Sabrina and Connor always singing together, and Chandler always making sure Candice is awake, this was an interesting group that clicked as of day one.

Although the actual missions trip is coming to an end, we hope to continue our mission back at school. Everyone is excited to go back and share what they have learned and what they saw.

"Though we brought them physical objects that will get worn out and thrown away, the lessons that they taught us will stick with us forever."-Stephano Battistoni.

Though we had to say good-bye today, everyone that we met simply said, "we will see you later."

Love,

The Nica Crew





p.s. Don't forget, our plane lands at 2:52 pm--TACA airlines

p.s.s. Don't worry Claudia, we have the Kipling backpacks! ;)

p.s.s.s. I'm sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes, it's been a long day!