When the Dog bites.....

....When the bee stings! When I´m feeling sad.... I simply remember my favorite things and then I don´t feeeeeeel, sooooooo baaaaaaaad!


Yep! I went the the Rubín Darío National Theatre here in Managua, Nicaragua and saw The Sound of Music (La Novicia Rebelde - The Rebellious Novice in Spanish). There were many times that I was brought to tears, as see this musical took me back to some wonderful times in my childhood. This was actually the very first musical that I saw with my family. My Aunt Mary had invited us to see it in Iowa. I will never forget, sitting on the main floor of the dinner theatre and being in awe of the music and the story-line.

Seeing this musical towards the end of my time here in Nicaragua is quite fitting, as it is a reminder that I will soon be heading back to my roots. To move back to Niles and, at the age of 33, live with my parents and enjoy a time of rest and renovation. It seems culturally strange to move back with my parents, as I am such an independent person and often don´t like to rely on the support of others, especially financially. Although it will be a humbling experience, I know that it is what the Lord is calling me to.

OH MY, I forgot to mention a very important detail, I have decided when I will be heading back to the states. As you know I had been wrestling as to what is best for me: head to Michigan before Christmas or complete my full term and stay until January 24, 2012. Well, after much prayer and wrestling over the situation, I have decided to stay until the end of January. I have peace about this situation and know that the Lord will work in me during my last month here to prepare for my re-entry into my own culture.


What I´ve been up to lately:

I was able to spend some time with a Clean Water team from the Presbyterian church (LWW Great Bridge). They were one of my first teams in Nicaragua when I first moved here three years ago, so it was nice for them to be one of my last teams.

Part of the LWW Team with Community Leaders in El Tuma (Matagalpa).
Parte de la brigada con líderes comunicatios en El Tuma (Matagalpa).

The AMC field team in Matagalpa & me.
El Equipo del Terreno de AMC en Matagalpa y yo.

Can you spot the lizard in the toilet?
¿Se puede ver el largato en el inodoro?

Fruit market in Cebaco on the way to Matagalpa.
El mercado de fruta en Cebaco, en camino a Matagalpa.

November 6th were the presidential elections for Nicaragua. Daniel Ortega won with 63% of the vote.
El 6 de noviembre fueron las elecciones presidencial en Nicaragua. Daniel Ortega ganó con 64% del voto.

I also realized that I hadn´t shared with you pictures of my apartment that I had moved into in June. So, here are a few pictures of my little studio apartment that has a lime tree right in front of it.

The view from my second floor apartment. Palí is only a block away.
El vista de mi apartamente que queda en el segundo piso. El Palí esta sólo una cuadra de allí.

My lime tree.
El alrbol de limón.

My studio apartment.
Mi pequeño apartamento.

Still have the spin bike.
Todavía tengo la bicicleta estacionaria.

Another very fitting end to my time here in Nicaragua was my opportunity to spend a week with FUMC of Grand Rapids when they came for a medical missions trip. FUMC has been key in my spiritual, emotional and financial support. My first exposure to Nicaragua was in 2007 when I came on a mission trip with FUMC. So, it seems more than fitting that FUMC was my last team to work with prior to my departure in January of the coming year.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a special Thank You to Bob & Nancy Gillette. I know that both would say that it is not necessary, but I want to express how much you both mean to me. As it says in Philippines 1:3-10,

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Thank you. :)

A community outside of Boaco, the Norther Part of Nicaragua.
Una comunidad afuera de Boaco, un parte al norte de Nicaragua.

The FUMC team from Grand Rapids.
La brigada de la iglesia metodista de Grand Rapids.

Dr. Mirtila Padilla... my Nicaraguan mom. :)
La Dra. Mirtila Padilla... mi mamá nicaragüense. :)

Fish lips.
Labios de pez.

Alex Devoid, Methodist Mission Intern, translating for Dr. Harry.
Alex Devoid, un pasantia misionero, traduciendo por Dr. Harry.

Deep Thoughts By Beth Jerdon…

Throughout the last few months I´ve had a few “dog bites” in my life, metaphorically speaking of course. Even walking through the dog bites, I am amazed at the faithfulness of God´s healing in me. As I wind down my time here in Nicaragua, with only two months to go, I look back on all the opportunities, struggles, joys and celebrations. I am thankful for them all, as I know that the Lord has formed me, and is still forming me, more into the “Most Amazing Beth”. :)


Praises & Prayer Requests:

• Praise: God´s faithfulness and healing through the “Dog bites”
• Praise: Training with Alex is going well. Prayers that all continues well and that we are able to cover all necessary training prior to y departure.
• Praise: My studies in my masters continue going really well. I only have 3 more classes left before my graduation on May 12, 2012. :)
• Prayers: My transition time out of Nicaragua and back to the states.
• Prayers: That my time back in the states would be a time of renewal and renovation.
• Prayers: That the Lord would align things and show me His plan for work in His timing.
• Praise: For my amazing family and friends.

Thank you for everything. We continue in this most amazing and eclectic adventure.

Blessings (Bendiciones),
Beth