Spending Time With Old Friends

Elba and Andrew 

In the past twenty-two years that we have been coming to Nicaragua we have met many people who have become our Nicaraguan family.  It's always interesting that they somehow know when we are in country.  On each visit we try to spend as much time as possible with our "Nicaraguan family".   

The past couple of days we have been able to visit with Rider and his son, Bryan.  We met Rider 10 years ago.  He was our favorite waiter at our hotel.  Over the years we have met his entire family, visited his home, and was even invited to his daughter's third birthday party.  

We have provided a scholarship for Bryan through high school.  He has worked very hard to make good grades and do the required volunteer hours throughout the years.  We, and his family, are very proud of this young man.  He is now 17 years old and would like to study International Commerce at the university here in Managua.  (Education in Nicaragua is a bargain.  $30 per month will cover the cost of his tuition.)  Of course, our answer was Yes!  

We also visited Wilder and his family.  Elba, his wife, and Andrew, his baby, are doing well.  We can't believe how Andrew has grown since we last saw him.  He is eleven months old and already has 6 teeth and weighs more than 20 pounds.  He is always smiling.  Al says he is already calling him "Uncle Al".  (Al was the only one to hear him.)  

Wilder is having some health issues since his kidney transplant last year and will be returning to Cincinnati with us on Thursday.  We met with his doctors at the Military Hospital this morning.  While Wilder is in Cincinnati for tests, his doctors at Christ Hospital will share their information with his doctors in Managua.  Please pray for Wilder and his doctors.

We have more meetings scheduled for this afternoon and tomorrow.  We have been invited to a seminar held by the World Soy Foundation tomorrow.  We met some of the farmers this morning and are looking forward to the meeting.

Until later,

Al & Charlene