Denise Van Wissen in Nicaragua

Here we are back in Nicaragua, and after a year it almost feels like we never left!  One thing is sure; the traffic in Managua gets heavier year by year, despite many new roads and roundabouts. Attending church is a different experience now as a parent, since both my churches welcome children in their services, [...]

2010 began with me in Nicaragua leading The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s Fair Trade Study Tour. All of the participants were very knowledgeable folks, eager to learn more about fair trade coffee.

After writing ‘Greetings from Guatemala’ for the last few years, this time it’s ‘Hello from Canada, as we’re enjoying 3 months here while I’m on maternity leave. After not experiencing fall for 18 years, the colours have never seemed so bright!

One of the questions new acquaintances will often ask me translates literally as ‘Have you found yourself here?’, meaning something between have you gotten used to living here and are you enjoying yourself.

Language barriers continue to be a challenge! Many Maya women do not speak Spanish or understand it very well, especially those living in rural areas, so the classes I give use visual aids, skits and games.

We managed to travel to Ocotal, for Jeremy to meet his great-grandma, great-aunts and uncles and many cousins.

Educating mothers for healthy pregnancies and babies has been a primary task in my work both in Nicaragua and Guatemala, but this year, I had the opportunity to ‘practice what I preach’! Our son, Jeremy Alexander, was born in July by un-planned caesarian section – healthy and happy!