Katie McGrew: Seeing Jesus

My blog writing has really gone down hill these last few weeks! It is not nearly as fun when I can't add pictures. But, ok I still want you to know what is going on! Leslie, Payton and Marlee left yesterday. We had the best time! I have become proficient in Nicaragua driving, thankfully because without a car we would have been extremely limited! Our first day together we went to El Faro church and drove into La Chureca to help serve lunch. I am so thankful that this is the ministry the girls got to see. We spent that afternoon at the Villa. Payton, Leslie and I went on a long walk with Martha, Monica and Sara. Friday was Leslie's birthday ~ so we went to Granada. I have learned that August is filled with all sorts of celebrations, I am not sure what we were celebrating but I drove right into the middle of it!!! (If you can have Leslie tell you the story you will be laughing) The streets were so crowded with people selling everything! I felt like I was on an episode o

Dear Friends.... As our time is coming to a close here I find myself reflecting so much. I want to take EVERYTHING in and make sure it is etched in my mind! I am always telling the kids to pay attention to where we are because so soon it will be hard to believe we were ever in the places that we are walking today. Everything that seems normal right now will seem so distant. I know the transition will be difficult. I am asking God to fill me with thanksgiving and his joy and peace. We have had the most amazing experiences! We travelled to Granada on Saturday with our friends Shirley and Larrys. The first part of that adventure was renting a car! I love having the freedom that comes with driving! Now I can be out past 6pm and can go to the store to buy a snack or whatever else we need (need?). Really my perspective on what 'we need' is so different. How do I keep this??? Ok, back to the adventures of Granada! We had a beautiful time. Shirley is studying architecture

Sorry my stories have been short lately, it's a lot of work with a team, a family and staying in different places! But I love it! What a great team. I think Maggie has already scheduled a family trip to Virginia Beach for spring break. I want to ask for a lot of prayer for our day tomorrow, we are taking kids from H.A.T. (temporary government housing for at risk kids)to the beach. I think it will be a great day but this is a new adventure and I want to make sure everyone is safe and well loved. At the end of the day we will return with the kids to H.A.T. and pray with the workers and kids and hopefully encourage them with the hope of God. They are pretty worn down lately and hopefully the day will be refreshing for all of them. I have some great pictures to send soon, when I can get them in my computer!

Today we are going to La Chureca for the day. In the morning we will walk and meet people and pray for them. In the afternoon we will put plastic on roofs to make them waterproof. It will be a long day there, I am looking forward to it. The only thing I don't like is having to wear tennis shoes, it feels so claustrophobic! If that is the worst thing.... haha. I am looking forward to spending time with Pastor Ramon and Miriam. Love you all!

Dear Friends, We are doing well. God has answered my prayer this week and I want to tell you. When we were at church last Wednesday night, I was so thankful to be there but desiring with all my heart to be able to understand the sermon and all that was being shared. I am so thirsty to be taught and filled by Gods word. Friday night my team from Virginia Beach arrived, they are the answer to prayer. Scripture flows from their mouths, their hearts and their lives. I am so thankful that they are here. Thank you to everyone that is praying because He is always listening. Sorry not so many pictures once again my computer refuses to accept them. I will work on this.

Dwight left this morning. I think he was so focused on security that he forgot to turn around for that last look and wave! Our friend Ian drove us, on our way home we got pulled over by the police two times! Once because we had kids in the front seat, so we all switched and the second time because Ian crossed a double yellow line. For that one he got a ticket for 400 cordoba ~ $20. Most of the day we just hung out at the house because it was raining so much but when the rain stopped for a bit we walked to the Cruz house to hangout out with Kimberlin and her cousins. Maggie played with 2 precious puppies and William somehow ended up with with another pollito! A little black one! We took a little taxi back to the house and I heard a cheep cheep and asked if someone had a chick ~ sure enough!!!!! Dont' worry he is going back in one hour!!!! Tonight I have a team coming in from Virginia Beach. A group of adults ~ I hope I can do it! Tomorrow we are working in the Villa. I

It's hard to take a family picture so maybe you can piece these two together and have complete picture of our family. We have had a great couple of days together as a family. We have rested alot and spent time with our friends Ian and Taryn that have been here since May working to adopt 3 precious boys. We have walked to a favorite spot called Raspados Loli, they sell shaved ice with different toppings, like a snow cone but my favorite flavor is Leche (caramel, amazing!) and the kids favorite is chocolate! Crazy, but I think I can recreate these at home! We have spent time at home, enjoying the fans, which from what I understand is what you guys are doing now. The kids have watched movies on Dwight's laptop the last two nights with Judith, their sister here at the Hernandez home and today a movie with Natan, their brother. It is a precious time. This morning we went to the Villa for Dwight to help with a few computer issues and I helped my sweet friend Flor d liz in th

For Christ love compells us... 2 Corinthians 5:14 I am compelled by his love to love others. I am compelled by his love to write this blog. I am compelled by his love to reach out and touch people. I am compelled by his love to live differently because of the things I have seen, the people I have met and the places I have walked. My hope is that you too are compelled by his love to love differently than you are capable of loving on your own. We returned to Managua last night after spending two days in Leon at the church of Dolores, the mom of all of my closest friends here in Nicaragua! It was such a blessing to be with her. 4 years ago we visited Leon with our very first team it was so fun to return and see the changes and even see some of the kids that I remember from 4 years ago! I am excited to compare pictures from both trips. This is Dolores working on sand art with Maggie and some of the kids. She loved it! I love that so many people here find joy in such simple things, I want

Our family had a wonderful time at the beach, at a resort called Montelimar, we are so spoiled! We returned tonight to rearrange all of our things, make ourselves at home back at the Hernandez home. Then we headed off to Flor d Liz's home for an amazing dinner of carne y camerones y gallo pinto, better than the dinner was the company! I love that family so much, they are my Nicaraguan family! It was great for Dwight to have the opportunity to know them, so important that he knows we have people caring for us when he is not here. Tonight William is sleeping over at Larry's house, he is quite taken by Larry's sisters, Kimberly and Shirley! I hope it goes well the only option is.......... to stay the whole night! Tomorrow we are leaving early for Leon. We have been invited to be involved with Dolores' church, she is the pastor (mother of Wilbert, Larry, Flor d Liz, Kimberly, Shirley). She is excited for us to be there with her and I am so honored to be going. It wil

It's been awhile since I have been able to put pictures online. I hope you enjoy them so much! Our team was amazing! I am so proud of them and how everyday their hearts and minds were opened so much more! They worked hard, they shared so much, they were always so willing! In the beginning I asked for prayers that their tongues would be loosened and WOW how faithful is our God. This is the day we spent at HAT, government run temporary foster care. It's a tough place but the place that really impacts people by the love and desperation they see. Kerri with some girls from HAT Our team with all of the girls from the Villa and several other amazing friends! Coralia, Me, Kerri and Flor d liz on night in Rio Blanco. They came with us to cook all of our meals. One of the amazing things about this trip is that no one had any intestinal issues (except Billy, but that was different). Usually around day 7 everyone has some diarrhea but this time NOTHING!!!! This is a crowd that ga

Buenos Dias!!! We arrived back to Managua last night very tired. What an amazing time we had, the kids did great. It rains like CRAZY there. I cannot write more now because we are headed to the beach with the girls from the villa. I probably cannot send much detail until our team leaves tomorrow. Our family plans to find a quiet place to go away to for at least 2 nights, it is very needed! I still have not spent time with Dwight and we need time!!!!!!! I have much to tell about Yeyling, the girl I met at HAT a few weeks ago and praise God 3 people accepted Him as their Savior in Rio Blanco!!!! Yeyling was one of them!!! Love you all! Thanks for praying. Jaimi hurt her hand in the river, we are watching it and Billy has been struggling with an intestinal pain. There was a doctor in Rio Blanco that visited both of them and they are both being treated for their pains but please pray for wisdom and health for both. I will write soon and hope to put pictures up!!!

William with new friends at La Chureca. He thought we should give this puppy to Larry since he gave us Gallo Pinto. NO MORE ANIMALS! Finally a few pictures! Here is a classroom at El Faro church after we painted. Our team after helping to fix the water line. Yesterday another pipe burst, but today we have water again. Praying for a woman named Sylia at La Chureca. Her family has started burning the bones to make compost, they also host youth group at their house every week, 20 kids come. In the trash at La Chureca. We walked and prayed for people. We had a wonderful free day today at Pochomil beach. We swam, rode horses, rented boogie boards and collected shells. It was a good day. Pray for energy to do this second half of our trip as well. I have sensed from the beginning of our time together as a team that our time in Rio Blanco would be very important. On Sunday (Billys 18th birthday) he will preach at church in the morning and Dave will preach at night, it should be

Today we went to HAT, hogar acogital de temporal, a government run temporary housing for kids that are from abusive homes or off the streets. It was a good day, we cleaned and played a lot with kids. We ended the day with a fiesta, complete with pinata and ice cream. Once again our team was amazing! So willing all the time. I forgot to mention that this morning as we were driving to HAT, Sam was looking out the window and as we drove away from a stop light a guy grabbed her eye glasses off of her face! She was quite startled. I told Mario and that fast we turned the bus around and found the guy that took them. He was selling fruits and fortunately had them sitting on his selling table and Mario was able to grab them back! Praise God!!!! It was quite an intimidating moment and good lesson, anything that can be sold is something to try to get down here. God is so good that they were sitting right out on a table!!!! Dwight, Kerri and I have spent the last hour trying to upload p

What an amazing team!!!!! Today we spent our morning at La Chureca, the dump. Pastor Ramon and his wife Miriam walked us through, introducing us to families and we heard many testimonies. One man who over sees the property where the feeding program takes place has been freed from alcoholism, he is so full of joy, his name is Fransisco. After we visited Francisco, Miriam asked if we wanted to walk where they work in the trash. Of course I wanted to!!! This is not a normal part of the walk through, Miriam told our kids that God has big plans for them and after today they will not be the same. She told them to listen to their parents for they know what is right for them and love them so much. We walked through so much trash. Things were burning all around us. There were hundreds of men, women and children working so hard. There were burning animal carcasses and then burning bones. They have started burning bones to make compost. It is a different world, but this morning I asked

Yesterday was a great day!!! I was a little concerned because we were just going to be at the Villa again with out a job, and a lot of time it feels good to have a job, but God had a job for us! In the afternoon there were workers working on the water lines in the road, all of our boys and eventually all of the girls went out to help. Soon enough it was all of us working and being watched by many Nicaraguan utility workers! It was perfect! Our willingness to work on their job spoke to their hearts. By the end we were taking pictures all together and the jefa, woman boss, asked for us to send her the photos! We finished with a testimony for Perla and a heartfelt time of prayer for the girls at the Villa! God has begun to loosen the tongues of my team, many laughs and lots of sharing. We are at La Chureca this morning and El Faro church after lunch to clean. Really I will try to get pictures soon! Mama Alba comes home today so some of my time will be freed up! Thanks for praying

I hope that tonight I might be able to post a few pictures for you! Things have gotten busy since the team arrived and I am still caring for the older girls at the Villa. We are still with out water here at the Villa. This morning before church I was brought a giant bucket of water to my shower so I could shower, Perla helped me to wash my hair. I asked if she could help wash the hair of all the girls on my team, she was pleased to help, she is such a servant! It is so good to have Dwight here, although time together is slim. I think our trip to Rio Blanco will be a huge blessing for our team and my family! The team is great, quiet but SUPER willing and ready to go exactly when I say lets go! I am excited for God to begin to loosen their tongues! I trust that he will. Continue to pray, God is good. Today at church Pastor Ramon talked about letting go of the things you are holding on to from the past. A perfect message for everyone to hear! God bless you all, thank you for bein

Sorry for not posting so much lately, since living at the Villa and taking care of the girls things got really busy. My team comes tonight, so we will leave around 5 to go to the hotel and play, eat and rest before meeting them at 8 30. I am so excited for them to be here. Yesterday we went with all of the girls and a team that is here and saw Ice Age 3, it was cute. I even understood most of it in spanish. It was good to sit and relax in a cool place for awhile. Since yesterday we have been without water here at the Villa. Apparently a pipe burst out on the main road. With the heat, humidity and dirt..... EWWWWW! All I can say is we are bathing at the pool tonight!!! We are doing well. I have had two great nights sleep. William got bit by a bug all over his foot, I gave him benadryl in the middle of the night and it really knocked him out. I think those are the highlights. We leave for Rio Blanco on Thursday so communication will be slight then, I will try to update with pict

Today has been a tough day. This morning we found out that Sara's grandpa died last night, she was able to spend the whole day with her family and all my girls went to pick her up with Wilbert and Mario now, I am waiting for their return. And after posting all those precious pictures of our sweet Gallo Pinto, she died. My kids have really taken this hard, lots of tears from all! I think it is a combination of her dying but also holding everything together for these last 2 and half weeks. They have been amazing and this really allowed them to let go of all the difficult things they have seen and the tough situations they have been in. We had a sweet little buriel for her, Josh prayed and we buried her near the chicken coop. What a funny thing that a tiny little chick can bring so much joy for a few days! Thank you Jesus! Love you all, thanks for the comments, I look forward to every one!!!! Good night.

You are probably wondering, why I would send this picture.... Well first to show you that I too love our new pet and this is a comman face I have because I am constantly sweating and then bugs stick to my face! Ewwwwwwwwww. Isn't Gallo Pinto cute? There he is following Josh! And sitting close to William Maggie, Karina and Josh We have moved in with the older girls at the Villa so Mama Alba can have a week off, it will be a busy week (mostly emotionally). Please pray for Sara, whose grandpa died last night. Josh during his siesta! William with Gallo Pinto, our pollito nuevo, the night he was given to us. This little guy is a lot of work, especially moving and he is pretty much helpless. This is Flor d liz, she is the sister of Wilbert and Larry and........ Yesterday I taught her how to make chocolate chip cookies. Very fun but she thought the batch was way too small. Flor is the most amazing cook EVER! Scarleth, Monica, Martha and William Maggie and Ana, painting nails We a

I forgot to tell you something last night! I was working in the office at the Villa yesterday and Wilert called to me from his truck. He told me it was time to learn. I said, learn what? He said, to drive in Nicaragua! OH MY GOODNESS!!!! Maybe another one of those things I said "never" to. It was a fun moment. It totally made me reminiscent of a time when I was babysitting and on the drive home the dad said, how about you drive! I only had my permit at the time and it was his Mercedes. Well the drive was a success. We made it to and from our destination safely and everyone felt safe. Part of the excitement in driving here is the potholes, you just swerve all around them and sometimes hit them. Just wanted to share that with you.

this is Jeyling, she lives at HAT (temporary care for kids off the streets or in abusive situations). She has lived on the streets of Managua since she was little. I had the chance to pray with her and listen to her pray, it was so beautiful. Please pray that she can stay off drugs and find a place of peace and security. I hope to see her again but the kids at HAT come and go quite quickly, they are desperate kids. Josh and one of the little guys that lives at HAT. This iguana went running through the 1 year anniversary celebration at the Villa. You should have heard the screams. Don't you think it looks like a toy monster! William was in awe! At Pochomil beach last Wednesday. Riding horses on the beach. Guess how much it cost???? $2.50 for a half hour and the baby tried to eat the whole time. Josh caught this giant rooster all by himself! Ok, that's all for tonight. I love being able to share with everyone. We are having a great time. Did I mention that William was given

I have told every team I have ever brought to Nicaragua, don't touch the animals! Well, my family has broken that rule multiple times daily! They have touched everything we see! Centipedes, goats, kittens, puppies, bulls, pigs, geckos (as seen above, I found that tiny one in my shower yesterday), cockroaches, bugs that we can't identify, paraketes and horses. The animals are a highlight! This was during Sunday school with the kids from La Chureca. William was the one to break the pinata! What a gift it is to be so involved with such a precious group of people.

josh and larry the red fruit is called, pitaya, it is one of my favorite juices here, leyda mixes it with lime juice and it's delicious.

me and Rosa at the celebration on sunday for the Day of the Family. she recently decided to move back home to la chureca and not live at the villa anymore. my heart is breaking for her. she is the sweetest girl and she was always working so hard. when you know these kids you can't help but love them so much and so when one chooses what you know is not good for them it is so hard. william and larry are on the roof of the truck. we got to watch him play soccer last saturday. after the game we all went to get a coke. this is how they drove down the street. don't worry! we were all in the cab, like royalty. with the hardy family. Ian and Taryn are here adopting these 3 boys. soon they will be our neighbors at home too. josh and perla ok, i will be short and sweet because i really want this blog to be successful!!! i have really struggled to get anything up, it always erases and then i am too tired

William, Alondra and Josh on the teeter totter Walking to the Villa this morning, this picture gives no idea of the heat and humidity! Josh doing a puzzle with Karina and Scarleth Ana, Maggie and Brittany looking beautiful Today was a great day! Maggie took a bag full of dance costumes to share, the girls loved them. Josh really connected well today, they love him but are a little stand-offish because he is an older boy (i think), but today everything was clicking! He had a great time making puzzles and playing other games. William and Josh rode with Mario to get lunch for Wilbert from Wilert and Gloria's house, they got to meet baby Naomi before me! Gloria is not bringing her out much yet because of her sickness, but maybe tomorrow I can meet her. For those of you who know of Naomi's sickness, apparently it was a virus that got to her heart and made the tissue around her heart swell, al