time flies when you're having fun

Or as a frog once told me... "Time's fun when you're having flies."

Typing class on Book Day...the chef from Dragon Soup.

The school year marches on.  We're nearing the end of our first semester.  We're up to 41 students at NCA Matagalpa, and we expect another small wave around the beginning of the second semester.  There has been talk recently, that in addition to adding 8th grade next year we'll also be adding kindergarten.  There is a lot of demand for kindergarten, as many of our current students have younger siblings that would attend our school if they could.

rollin, rollin, rollin...

I can't believe it's already mid-March.  Next week is Semana Santa (Holy Week) and it seems far too soon.  As they say, time flies when you're having fun.  It's actually been a bit of a challenge finding time to write a blog as things have been clipping along at a pretty good pace from day one back in January.  I've been looking forward to filling you on all the things that are going on.  Actually...I doubt I could fill you in on all of it.  I'll have to try to select the most noteworthy parts.

I've been traveling a fair bit, back and forth from Matagalpa to Managua, a 2-2.5 hour trip.  In fact, I'm getting close to breaking my record for days-in-a-row spent in Matagalpa.  I've been here for almost a full a week now, and just spent my second full weekend here.  That's a lot of back-and-forth, and while it's fun, it is nice to also have a bit of stability.

a new chapter has begun

Happy 2013 to all of my readers.  I hope you are enjoying the new year.  For most of us, most of the time, the new year doesn't really bring much new with it.  But for me, 2013 brings some significant changes.  A new chapter has opened in my life and in my service here in Nicaragua.

big news: a new direction in nicaragua

Panorama of NCA Matagalpa's new row of primary classooms.

It's been another long haul since the last post, and I've been looking forward to this update for quite some time now.  Again, lots has happened, but I've waited to send this update because there was some big news abrew, and I wanted it to be final so I could share it with everyone!

A Guate Trip. A Nica Intern.

Athentikos film crew. Center of Gautemala City.
On top of the tallest building around.
Matt, Me, Scott, Tyler, Bobby.

It's been a good long time once again!  The past two months have been chocked-full of lots of activities and many new friends.  Guatemala for two weeks and five weeks of overseeing an intern at the NC, and redesigning our website are at the heart of what's been happening.  Now that the 2/3 of those are behind me...I need to focus on all the things that have been getting neglected--including my supporters!

Speaking of my supporters, I want to give you guys a huge THANK YOU for your support through the past year.  My fiscal year with CRWM ended at the end of June.  I was blown away that my year end funds raised were within $6 of my goal!  What a testament to God's provision.  Thank you for joining with me in his work in Nicaragua.  I pray that you will be blessed richly in return.

I should also mention that I celebrated my 31st birthday since the last update.  Can't believe it.  Isn't this the point at which it should start slowing down?