Re-Entry

By Lynne Bradley
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From the United Church of the Valley (Murrieta, Calif.) July 2009 newsletter:

Vestido del reingreso …translation: Re-entry outfit. Denise, a member of our Nicaragua house-building team who kept our group laughing through our recent trip, kept reminding us to be sure we had our re-entry outfits (several T-shirts were purchased to this end). You see, after a week of house-building and music-teaching in this hot and even more humid climate, our working clothes wouldn’t have made us very good seatmates on our return flight. However, as I try to unpack, do laundry and, most of all, reflect on this amazing adventure we were on, I’m realizing that the term “re-entry” is a pretty apt one.

Re-entry from actually living (no fancy Hiltons here to shield us from reality) in a Third-World setting is a process that’s going to take awhile. I’m still listening for birds, and roosters and firecrackers and trying to resist the urge to turn the television back on just yet. Life without TV and e-mail and even, one day, without any power wasn’t all that bad. The stories we shared at day’s end; the porch where we sat on rocking chairs by day and slept in the fresh air by night; the excitement of children singing “Yo Vivo Aquí" ("This Is Where I Live"), marching and playing flutes, chimes and rhythm instruments and the faces of the family who finally had a house and everyone in that very remote outpost who was fitted for a pair of Crocs — these, and much more, were more than a fair trade!

There’s so much more to tell, and those of us who were fortunate enough to be the hands of United Church of the Valley extended to our friends in Chacraseca (and some new friends in the Nicarao base community in Managua) will undoubtedly find ways to share our stories in the coming weeks.  For the answer to the question “How was your trip?” is far more complicated than simply “It was fantastic!” (which, of course, it was).  But, processing the whole experience is going to take some time during this “re-entry” period as we remember and reflect on what happened, what we saw, what questions we wished we’d asked, and  how our experiences may have changed us.

In the meantime, here are some quick snapshots. People were overwhelmed with the generosity of so many of you. We totally maxed out our luggage allotment with donations, house-building tools, music stands and music  (and, did I mention, four huge duffle bags of Crocs). The house our team built was in such a remote area that every day the group had to walk the final 15 minutes (carrying tools) when the “road” became impassible. At the fiesta where we gave a blessing for the house, the sector leader broke down, thanking us for being willing to come to their area when others had refused, saying it was too hard to get to. At the school, all of the children lined both sides of the path to their new school building (after walking by the beautiful mural which we enabled to be painted on last year’s trip). Their shining and expectant faces warmed our hearts, and their musical improvement was surprising and impressive (due, I believe, not only from our visit last year but from the new music teacher and music program which is being supported by UCV). And, finally (for now!), the houses we made last year really did make a difference in the lives of the two families who received them. We visited both families to greet them and see their completed homes.  In both cases, we noted visible improvement not only to the house itself but also in the surrounding property.  We are making a difference … a brick … and a song … at a time!

We are grateful for everyone’s support (material, monetary, prayers) and bring greetings to all of you from all our friends in Chacraseca.