And to all of those people I simply say, "COME and SEE WHY."
It's hard to articulate exactly why we choose this lifestyle. It's just better for us, in so many ways. We don't claim that it's better, in general (or for everyone), but after 11 months in Nicaragua, we know that for our family, it works. Our kids are thriving and learning and really living like never before. They are explorers and inventors and artists and volunteers now. This is all new compared to who they were living in the United States.
I will also say that this decision came with a lot of researching and praying a soul-searching. This wasn't something we decided in a day. . .or a week. . .or even a month. And a HUGE reason that we came to the decision that we did was entirely spiritual. (You Can Read More About That HERE.). We knew after one visit that this was where we were being led, even for a time, to raise our family and begin to teach our children how to "give back". Life is simpler in Nicaragua. Live your life, educate yourself, love others, give whenever and wherever you can, play, eat, enjoy nature, gain perspective, sleep. . .and repeat daily. This has become our new way of life. It's so very different from everything that is comfortable and familiar and the old way of life that we left behind. Yes, occasionally we miss it. These moments are fleeting for us though. Once you COME AND SEE, you will understand why.
Why live away from the comfort of the first-world??
To be perfectly honest, most of the things that we found "comfort" in, weren't exactly good for us. If it's anything that my children miss most about the U.S., it's the food. And more specifically, the fast food. I cannot say that I blame them. We miss hitting the McDonalds after a long hard day and needing to fill up on fattening food to alleviate stress. Who wants to cook all of the time when you don't have to?? We definitely used food for comfort for years. That is one thing that we miss, with no access to fast food in our little coastal town. The closest McDonalds is 2.5 hours away and we have no vehicle. Comfort, GONE. And we've coped just fine. And are healthier for it. The other comforts that we found in EXCESS in all areas are gone as well. Sure it would be way more comfortable to live in a fully-stocked house in the suburbs, a garage full of stuff we never used, and a constant stream of accumulating more, but we've purged our entire lives and feel so much better because of it. We currently live out of suitcases (as closets are a rarity in Nica), and you know what. . .we've managed. Is it always fun to feel out of sorts and unsettled and uncomfortable the majority of the time? Absolutely not. But it does make us feel more alive somehow.
Why take them away from friends and family??
This part of it is the hardest. My entire family still lives back in Oklahoma. I've lived there my entire life. All my friends miss us and we miss them. But then there's the beauty of technology. Because let's face it, with life as chaotic as it is in the States, we didn't see friends and family nearly as often as we thought. There's school and soccer tournaments and vacations and gymnastics/dance/tae kwon do/art classes and church and a little of this and that that keeps us all so busy that we generally saw our friends once a week, if not more likely, once a month. Some of my best friends and I would go 2-3 months if not longer in between meet-ups. Not only that, even our parents (the kids grandparents) work full-time. Most of the time, we saw them in person about once every two weeks. It seems, with Facebook and email and Skype, my kids see and talk to them plenty. In fact, when we return home to the States for a visit, it's like time hasn't passed at all--especially to them.
I also must mention that the new friends that we've made here in Nicaragua have become JUST LIKE FAMILY. Most have moved down, craving a similar way of life. Less working, more investing. There are way more gatherings and play dates and communal dinners than I ever experienced back in the States. It's unheard of and downright IMPOSSIBLE for us to go more than a day or two without meeting up with another family for food and fellowship. Those that have chosen to live abroad tend to understand the concept of "community" better than those still caught in the rat race of the U.S. They need it more, here. We all pull in close together and instantly share a commonality because we've chosen this lifestyle.
Aren't you concerned about their education??
Not at all. I say that with ease. This may be a thought to expand on in a later post, but my boys are THRIVING on an educational level. They attend an international school here in our coastal town with children and teachers from all over the world. The cultural perspective that they are gaining cannot possibly be learned any other way. My "first grader" has learned to read and write in 11 months. Both boys are now swimmers (thanks to the school's swimming lessons!) and they are learning Math and Science and History in the most hand-on way. As well, we supplement with online homeschooling curriculum, so the education that they are receiving is more than adequate. I am confident that they will be right on-track (or ahead) if we ever decide to move back to the States in the future.
What about their health and safety??
This was my first major concern during our first few months living here. Since, we've dealt with scorpion bites, heat rashes, allergic reactions, dengue fever, stomach bugs, parasites, infected mosquito bites, sprained ankles, and a plethora of cuts, bruises, and bumps. We've lived through them all. Healthcare, for the most part, is free in Nicaragua. If we had an emergency, we would rush to the state hospital and get immediate attention. If we needed more in-depth care, we could travel to the capital where hospitals are privatized and more luxurious that in the U.S. All for pennies to the dollar of what we would pay back there. Our expat community has shared a wealth of information on reliable and knowlegable doctors in our area. Every once in awhile, I freak a little about how to relay completely what may happen in an emergency to someone who does not speak English, but I cannot live in fear. Prayer and home remedies play a big part of how we all handle health care here in Nicaragua. (Praise God that He's protected us thus far!)
Why live without modern conveniences (ie. air conditioning, hot water, reliable electricity, etc)?
Good question. And if you catch me on a bad day, I will rant and rave about how much I miss all these things and living here is just plain not worth it. But every other day, it's all about perspective. We moved here, yearning for a simpler life. One in which we wouldn't take for granted the little things that we had taken for granted for so long. For example, running water is something we PRAISE JESUS for on a weekly basis. It's currently been out for three days straight, so taking showers, cooking, washing clothes and dishes is such a pill. But you know what, when it came back on this evening, we were so thankful. Like, BEYOND grateful. Our kids were jumping for joy over water, ya'll. Would they have ever acted that way in the States? Absolutely not. They'd never been without. So we are thankful for the lessons learned by not having the modern conveniences that the rest of the world enjoys. Now, I thoroughly miss my microwave and hot water and air conditioning. Most of the time, I feel as though we are indoor camping. . .for life. But trading some of these modern luxuries in for a home full of fresh air, minutes from the ocean, and a community not centered around staying INSIDE the house rather than outside is totally worth it. All the frustrations melt away when we gaze across our yard over the Nicaraguan countryside and breath in air from open windows and flowing ocean breeze. Life is "convenient" in a totally new way.
Why choose a place where your children will be a minority?
Why not?! We knew the transition may be a difficult one for all involved. New language, new culture, new surroundings. We stick out like a sore thumb with our blonde hair and blue eyes and pale skin. Little old ladies stop the boys on the street to pet their heads or pick them up and fuss over them. "Que lindo!" they say, which means "How handsome/beautiful/adorable!" If this is what being a minority is all about, they are eating the attention up. But a major reason that we moved here was for the diversity. We want them to be exposed to all ethnicities and see first-hand how amazing people are from EVERYWHERE. I personally grew up in a very racist home, and always knew that it was wrong. My dream was to one day have a family with children from all ethnicities. The world is so beautiful, and if we only see it from a perspective of our color, we miss out on so much. Being the minority allows us fresh eyes. We notice even more the assumptions that we make, the stereotypes that are unfair, and the ways that people cater to each other. It's not fair, at home in the States nor here and we can now respond to diversity in a more knowledgeable way, given this experience.
So. . .WHY NICARAGUA??
Because we've fallen in love with this country. It's hard and it's frustrating and it's beautiful and refreshing and it's confusing and lively and exhausting and magical and transforming and we are consumed with living life to the fullest. We could do that anywhere, yes, but we choose to do it here for now. God knows what's in store for our future. Whether Nicaragua is a here and now or a forever, we only know that it's home for today. And we wouldn't have it any other way.
Here's a little video with more reasons to love Nicaragua. Enjoy!
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We cannot wait to talk more about Nicaragua and the joys and woes of "Raising Kids Abroad" here on the blog! Tune in every Tuesday for this new segment!!
I admire what you guys are doing and am glad you are being blessed by where you are.
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