Buenas! Sorry for the delay on this first blog, but with great joy we have arrived in Granada safely. Here is just an overview on the past 2 weeks for me.

From September 8th through the 15th our team was in Gainesville Georgia for training camp. The team consists of 10 girls and 4 guys. Upon meeting on the 8th, we instantly became a new family. In Gainesville, we were up bright and early for breakfast and activities continued through out the day. We attended general sessions about different topics relating to ministry. After lunch our team completed "team builder" activities. Through the team builders we learned how to comunicate effectively as a team and we learned alot about eachother. My favorite part of the day was at 8 oclock when we had worship with everyone at camp. (There were several other FYM, first year missionary, teams at camp who went to Kenya, Jeffers Bay, and India.) Each night the worship was a little different. The most powerful night for me was on Thrusday when we sang praises to God underneath the stars. Anyone who could brought an instrument played. There was a few guitars, a violin, some kind of drum(?), a tambourine then about 100 unique voices. The simple beauty of the bright stars, cool breeze and community of believers was incredible.

Overall I left training camp with a renewed relationship with God, and with complete faith in God's plan for me in Nicaragua.

On Monday, we left Gainesville at 7 in the morning and caught our flight to Houston with out any problems. Because of the Hurricane that hit Texas, we were concerned about our connecting flight in Houston. To us, the idea of being delayed, staying at a hotel for the night and catching some monday night football sounded good, however we were not delayed and safely made it to Nicaragua late monday night. It was a long day of travel but the day provided our team with a lot of laughter and bonding.

Since arriving in Granada, we have spent the days getting familiar with the city, preparing for the ministries we will be starting tonight, and getting to know our neighborhood too! For the past 2 nights a few of us on the team have simply taken a soccer ball outside our house and started a huge soccer game with the neighborhood kids. I feel blessed to be in such a beautiful and welcoming city. I will put pictures up sometime soon but feel free to check out some of my teammates blogs to get a glimpse of the area.

Each day has been filled with joyous encounters and a prevelant feeling of the Holy Spirit amoung our team. At the end of the day I lay in bed and thank God so much for the support and prayers from my friends and family. You all mean to much to me and I think of you often. 

Here is a verse that has continually been coming up during my quite time with God and it has been a comfort to me.