DAY 5. Katarine.

Today we accomplished one thing that was high priority on our to-do list in Nicaragua.

We visited our sponsor child.

Her name is Katarine... a beautiful little 13-year-old, who was taken as an infant from her parents because of their excessive substance abuse. She now lives in Masaya with her uncle (mom's brother), aunt and two cousins, Johnatan and Raquelle. Her uncle and aunt are christians, and took Katarine into their care shortly after they were saved. We have been praying for Katarine and her family for many months now, and it was such a delight to finally meet them all in person and see visit them in their home.

We drove along the main highway, then turned off onto a side street, and again, everywhere I looked, the poverty broadsided me. Simple, primitive little houses, comprised of brick and plywood walls, and unsightly corrugated iron roofs. Some with doors, but none with window panes. Dirt floors. No running water. Dogs and chickens running around, in and out of the houses. Ugh. Smoky, putrid smells of cooking fires. At certain times of the day, the stench from these fires is overwhelming.

Inside Katarine's house were the very basics of furniture, but apparently they have more than what their neighbours would typically have. They had a stove, which is very rare, and a wooden table with two matching chairs. The bedrooms were sparse though, just mattresses, and old and what looked like well-used bedding, and rickety shelving to store their few items clothing. Definitely wasn't much in the way of sustenance either. It felt sticky and humid inside, and the stinky fire odors were drifting indoors. How do people live like this?

Setting the sights and smells aside, the family was absolutely thrilled to have us visit. We had along some coke and cookies, and the kids were buggy-eyed with such treats. We spent a short while visiting and playing with the kids. I found it a little frustrating that I couldn't communicate with Xolchi (the aunt), but Joanne did a great job interpreting. We gave the kids the gifts which we had brought from Canada and they were delighted beyond words. Katarine showed the girls around her house, pointing out the shared outhouse. I think Alana was bothered somewhat by the living conditions she saw. She had a few questions for me later in relation to bathroom activity, but I'm sure what she observed today has made a life-long impression.

We took Katarine out to a restaurant for lunch and it was precious to be with this darling little girl, about whom we have had so many discussions, and for whom we have prayed for together. I had to do a couple of Reality Checks, as the fact settled in that we were actually here, in Nicaragua, with our sponsor child, finallly able to hug her and love her, and spoil her as much as we possibly could. It was cute to observe the girls playing together, to listen to their attempts at commuication, and laugh along with them. The white girls and the dark girl... friends for life.

We ended the day at Campamento for the final night, which was supper and a hymnsing around the bonfire. Supper was delish... my first exposure to Nicaraguan food - fried bananas, ensalata, beans and rice, meat stew and fried cheese. Very yummy... now to make sure that the Dukoral vaccine does what it's supposed to do!