Yesterday was a day of firsts. Patrice, Mae, Anna, and I took Paster Luis and his family to Managua for a day of fun. We went to Metro Center, which is one of the malls.
We wanted to treat their family to a special day, as they have become so much a part of our lives. Their home is directly next door to the girls’ room so usually a day doesn’t pass where Andrea, their five year old daughter, does not come skipping around the courtyard or Sergito, their seventh month old baby, does let his presence be known.
Our day together started around 10 am where we waited outside Nueva Vida for a microbus to take us to Managua. Local microbuses have become a regular part of our lives, which are 15 passenger vans that they pack overcapacity with people for a price of 23 cordobas each (this is equivalent to about 1 dollar). We stepped off the bus in Managua sweaty and a little car sick so we took refuge under the Golden Arches across the street from the mall. I can’t even remember the last time I ate McDonald’s in the states so it was comforting to taste the perfection of a golden french fry, and we even introduced the family to the American classic of french fries and ice providing that nice sweet and salty taste. Patricia, Pastor Luis’s wife, loved them. J Little Sergito also enjoyed some fries and even chicken as he has easily become taken with some the American classic solid foods. Andrea loved chowing down on her Happy Meal and playing with her little pony toy inside. After strolling around the mall and passing Sergito between all the hands, we enjoyed a 3D movie about mid-afternoon. We saw El Dolphín, which was an American movie based on a true story about a dolphin in Clearwater, Florida, and the movie was the first movie for Andrea and Patricia to ever see in theaters. It was so fun to share this experience with them! I loved seeing Andrea jump at the very beginning of the movie as she learned that the images on the screen were coming toward her. Andrea liked all the pampering she was receiving as she accepted the little pieces of candy we snuck in the theater. The pampering continued as we ordered two pizzas, cinnasticks, and a bottle of coke for the whopping price of $13.95 for dinner from none other than Pizza Hut. Of course, we concluded our day with another hour-long microbus ride home.
The day reminded me a lot of the special days when I was younger and my dad would take my sister and I to a movie in Atlanta. It was “un día de divertido” for two little princesses, and yesterday was just the same – it was a special day unlike any other for a special family that gives and keeps giving. I am so humbled that I was able to experience this with that family, as it is something they usually do not get to have. It is amazing how the average outing in the U.S. to go to McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, or the movies is something that would be a day of firsts for an entire family.
Here is almost everyone. Left to Right…me, Andrea, Mae, Patricia with Sergito, & Pastor.
Cutest baby ever at 7 months chewing on a chicken nugget.
The princess with Patrice.
Andrea's happy meal.
