day 14-JALAPA, NICARAGUA TO ESTELI, NICARAGUA-4-27-17

A daybreak stroll through the the grounds of El Pantano Hotel Y Restaurante in Jalapa. Not exactly Comfort Inn but WAY more interesting! Being serenaded by chickens, goats, cows and songbirds - all music to my ears.

Finally found the snooze button for this morning's alarm clock.

Security is tight!

I have long considered myself the most blessed man on the planet. This understanding didn't begin until after I surrendered my life to Jesus back in 1993. As my relationship with Jesus grew so did my understanding of my purpose here on earth.
Don't get me wrong, I continually fail to achieve my purpose because of personal selfishness and lack of focus on eternal things. Getting outside of my comfort zone and experiencing the reality of 80% of the rest of the world is good for the soul. These pictures are from the neighborhood just outside of these hotels gates. It makes me wonder what I'm going to complain about today. What about you?

A couple more goat pictures from our hotel this morning. I like the big daddy walking past the bathrooms.

First stop of the day was to go back to the Jalapa Church to visit the children in school. Paul Leamon fully engaged the kids during their English class by drawing animals on the whiteboard and having them call out the name in English. It was beautiful to watch.
I got to play some little volleyball, soccer and basketball with the kids on their version of a youth sports complex.

2nd stop of the day was at Rancho Nicaragua - a self-sustaining farm created by the church. Very cool!

3rd stop of the day was at the Pueblo Nuevo church. We were greeted warmly and given a Ride Extreme baseball cap!