03/25/12

I awoke early to shower and eat some oatmeal, not knowing when I would eat again. I walked from my apartment to school with my gear - one hiking backpack and one day-backpack. I forgot my new student I.D. card, so with the gate closed, I had to climb over the fence to open the gate to bring my stuff in. We all met in the parking lot (all save Sterling and Jaylene who had already left for Nicaragua). Sheldon's parents had bought donuts, and with a few other parents present, we had a word of prayer and then left.

We survived solid traffic (and Dean Obed's need to stop for a restroom) and made it to LAX on time. I had trouble at the check-in counter. TACA told me I had a seat from LAX to San Salvador but that was it. After a long wait, they fixed the problem and I was given a seat. In the TSA line, we had the pleasure of going through line with Colin from "Whose Line Is It Anyways?'

We finally got through security, although one of the Brenda's had to go back out to check some items she could not take as carry-ons. Our flight to San Salvador was nice for Sheldon, Mindy, and me (we sat together). We watched "The Help," which was an eye-opening and great movie, and then we basically chilled and slept. 

Upon arriving in San Salvador, Dean Obed and Dean Vilchez had some serious news to tell us. The previous day, a group from PUC had arrived in Managua as well. They arrived at night and rented vans to get to their work site. They believed they were being followed, and once in a remote location, a van dropped a device that slashed the tires on the vans. The PUC group called for help, and when teh help arrived, the group was held at gunpoint. All items not on their person were taken.

No one was injured, but they were stranded. They eventually did get proper help and made it to the work site, but since some students had their passports stolen, they were now working with the U.S.A. embassy to get new passports. After hearing this, we were concerned. However, once our school was notified, the night before, Dean Vilchez, who is from Nicaragua, made some phone calls and had gained Nicaraguan security.

Upon arriving in Managua, we were met with a police escort with automatic guns. Our luggage was loaded onto our chartered bus, and right before we left, one policeman (with a big gun) entered and sat in the last row of our bus. Another entered and sat in the front row. We shut off all lights in the bus so that (since it was night time) no one could see into our bus and see us. 

We took the 2 hour ride to chat with each other and try to sleep. We eventually arrived at the orphanage where after shuffling around beds, and after the guards gave us their cell phone numbers, we tried to go to sleep. This was a task in and of itself as it was 1 am, yet the mosquitoes were out, the roosters were crowing, a cow was mooing, insects were chirping, and Dean Obed and JR were battling to figure out how to turn off the lights and shade the lights outside from shining through their window onto their beds. I rolled over and was out within minutes...

- Richard P.