Final day in Santa Maria and Departure

We are now on the road leaving Santa Maria.  It is always sad to leave our Nicaraguan family.  

Yesterday, the final full day in Santa Maria, was very busy as usual.  We started off with mime practice, followed by skit practice, craft preparation and a trip to buy water and cookies.  We also had a bit of time to walk around the community.  

The afternoon started with chicken enchiladas, a team favorite!  As the afternoon heated up, kids began to arrive.  About 150 kids on our final day of Bible camp.  The day's lesson was on faith- the Centurion who's son was healed, feeding the 5000 and Peter walking on the water.  

Once the skit was done, we experienced a rain storm then a dust storm.  Definitely interesting weather for us, but the team managed to pull off the activites.  We all pray they have grown through the teaching this year.

After Bible camp and a short break, we held Bible study with the men and women together. In wrapping up the week's study on faith and taking the narrow road, we shared laughter as small groups dramatized various scenarios of walking with God, living hypocrically, and being outside of the church. Butch and Ellen won the prize for best actors on the north american team. And seeing Dona Sonia, one of our cooks, giggling in anticipation of her part made everyone giggle. We are still talking about it today. 

The youth of the church surprised us by singing a song in English during the evening church service.  We were all so touched. The mime went off without a hitch. Then the good byes. Always a challenge. Another year of strengthened relationships and improved spanish. We are off to Granada.