Dear Friends,
Recently, someone shared an explanation of love as “the recognition of our oneness”. As a way to illustrate, the speaker said that perhaps we each simply wear a lampshade, each casting a light that only appears different but is really the same light which we’ll notice when we look alertly and listen quietly without being too quick to judge. Love is recognizing that the person in front of us or in our mind or heart is really the same as we are, the same light, emanating from the same source.
When we help an ‘other’ person, we are helping ourselves. It’s all an honoring of our one essence – God, eternal light, presence, divine life or consciousness – of which we’re privileged to be a part of while we’re here together.
Our continued thanks to you for providing the opportunity to share help with so many, and – in doing so – help ourselves by serving together.
With gratitude,
Chuck
Yes, It’s Hot Enough For Us!
Nicaragua is now experiencing a historical heatwave. Temperatures are over 106 with very high humidity making the actual feel of temperatures to be the mid-teens. There is no air conditioning for anyone in our community. (Electricity is too expensive).
A group of our students – including some who are single mothers (along with their children) were treated to a trip to the resort town, San Juan Del Sur. For most of them, it was the first time ever experiencing the ocean, even though it’s only 90 minutes away. It was a perfect time to be introduced!
The Home Stretch
We are excited to share the rapid progress of our Youth Center! We are painting, re-configuring the vocational center on the first floor, and talking about furniture and details. Soon, we will search for a counselor for our children and young adults. Thank you for all your support during our annual appeal which made this dream a reality. We’ll continue to update here every three weeks. We’re almost there!
Offices for Counseling and Tutoring
A game area to double as meeting space for talks/life skills instruction
Angelo, one of our youth (19) has worked from 6:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., six days a week since February, earning a salary and learning many practical skills as an apprentice to our contractors. They said he’s a “natural.” He’s an exceptional young man, and we’re proud of him!
A street view taken earlier this week. (We’ll repaint downstairs once all the dust settles.)
Our Wish List: Update
THREE WEEKS AGO: In our last update, we made a big request for help to purchase four laptops for our teachers. All four of the laptops – through the generosity of four donors who immediately responded – are now purchased and are in South Carolina. One of our sponsors there will take them with him to Nicaragua at the end of May to deliver them to our school. Thank you to those who purchased these for us. Pictures to follow after their arrival!
TODAY’S CHALLENGE: We need a new copier for our school. Now that we are finally internet-connected, our printer died! It was an old desktop that was way overtaxed, yet (mercifully) it lasted for five years!
Our goal is to purchase an internet-ready printer so our teachers and directors can “send” jobs to it and not have to sacrifice any class time “waiting” for copies to be completed at a snail’s pace. After investigating, we found the best deal was in Managua.
Having shared this with several friends, we have already collected $1,700 of the $2,560 price tag. Our deficit to buy it is $860/ Any donation towards this is much appreciated! (Should there be a surplus, we’ll stockpile copy paper) Thank you in advance, and we’ll keep you posted!
Enjoy the new life Spring brings!
Thank you, you’re awesome!
