Nicaragua 2016 Day 7

I cannot believe that it is the last day already. I woke up this morning with a little anticipation, knowing that today we would finalize the leauge (hopefully). Things tend to drag out in Nicaragua so I knew that if this was going to happen, today was the day to finalize everything and make sure it was 100% ready to go before I left. After breakfast we went to a private turf field complex that rents out small turf fields to inquire about the price. We reserved the field for our farewell game at the end of the day but couldn’t book the field for the league until we had the final-final “yes” from Katia. Not only do we need to get that final yes, but we need to set a hard start date so that it doesn’t end up getting put off which could potentially result in the league not even happening. 

Once we returned I went in and sat with Katia and Alex and we had a really really awesome meeting. We accomplished everything that we needed to in order to get the league off the ground. 

We talked about the details of the league including consistency of practices and professionalism of all of the coaches. We also discussed the logistics and all of the costs of the league. I will explain the break down of the expenses so you can understand exactly how much it costs and why… a total of $484.00 for one session. The team from Caraso will have to travel 1 hour into the city every weekend to play their game. The cost for this will be 80 cordobas per each player for each of the 8 weeks. 80 x 8 x 8  = 5,120c = US$183.00. We will begin the league in Managua first and then start with the league in Somotillo. In order to make sure that the coaches in Somotillo understand how the league should function, we will bus them (4.5hrs) to Managua for 2 weekends after the league starts so they can observe and understand the rules and all of the small details that go along with creating a league. The cost for this will be another $72.00 to cover their travel bringing the total to $255.00. We were able to get a reduced price on the fie

ld for paying up front. To rent for 2 hours would be 800c x 8 weeks = 6,400c = $229.00. Amazing how inexpensive everything is here in comparison to the US.

We would like to have 3 sessions each year at a minimum and this is just for 4 teams to start. We will eventually have 40 teams in the league. A great project that will accumulate to a great expense. To pay for this  kick off was the Thanksgiving Fundraising tournament… so thank you to everyone who participated. The money we raised for that tournament is going to 1) pay for this league 2) pay to cover the cost of getting all of the gear to Nicaragua and Belize and 3) to cover Abby’s first month of accommodation in Belize as she works to get our Belizean league off the ground. 

It’s starting to add up… eeeep…. fundraising ideas anyone? I’m thinking maybe a bull roast? 

Another exciting thing we discussed in the meeting is the next person to travel to the US this summer to train in coaching. It makes most sense to bring a representative from Somotillo and I had the perfect person in mind. Friedi is one of the most sweet, intense, fun girls at camp and it turns out she is also a pastor in the church. She is very involved and after calling to ask her if she would like to represent More Than Fútbol in the US and when she returns to Somotillo she very excitedly said yes! So, it’s official, we will have our first female Nicaraguan to the US to train in coaching. Everything is coming full circle now because Tony (from Somotillo) and Enmanuel (from Managua), who have not been very involved in the soccer program since their trips to the US will now be involved in the league second in command to Alex and Friedi. Emmanuel will assist Alex with the league in Managua and Tony will assist Friedi with the league in Somotillo! It is truly amazing to see it all come together after years of preparation of training.

Okay, if I keep going on like this we will never make it out of the morning haha… 

We all walked a couple blocks down to a little lunch spot and got some awesome Chicken Plancha, went back to change our clothes, and then headed over to the soccer field. Every year, we rent a turf field and host a game just for the Nicaraguan Central church leaders… these are the people we become most close with throughout the week (like Mario and Alex) because we spend so much time with them! 

The game is a great way to have fun and really connect in another way with our Nicaraguans- on the field, we all speak the same language… of soccer. High fives, working together, supporting each other. A great time… on a side, my team (Jordy, Lenny, Mario, Chicho, and Danny) won every game :-) :-) :-) Go team! 

Kara was unable to play in the game due to her knee injury

so instead she decorated Enmanuel’s shoes. Enmanuel had bought a pair of white slip on shoes to play in at camp with little flowers on them. We told him that he can’t walk around in those… way to feminine. Kara actually has a business on the side at home called BMore Free Designs where she does hand painted signs, glassware, and white shoes. So she did the best she could transforming Enmanuel’s shoes into something more masculine with just the use of a black sharpie.

After the game, we had our farewell dinner… this is the saddest part of the week and our last opportunity to spend time with everyone. We went out to dinner with a total of 18 people from the central church and the bill was $90. Pretty good deal to have a nice farewell dinner with excellent food for 18 people! That would feed 2 people at a nice restaurant at home. During dinner, Alex and I ironed out a few more details of the league and I gave him some tips and a little motivational speech for him taking over after I left. We all enjoyed each other’s company very much but you could feel the sadness in the air. Once everyone finished eating we began with the closing speeches. Alex, 

Enmanuel, and Katia all had very beautiful words for us thanking for spending time in Nicaragua and believing in this program. Also, letting us know that they love and care about us very much and the door is always open. Then my turn… I gave a little closing speech… well anyone knows me knows that once I get to talking it’s hard for me to stop. Long-winded might be the right way to put it… :-/. I basically said…  this is my 10th trip down to Nicaragua and its taken a long time to build the relationship, the trust, and to form a plan that will expand the program and function well for our communities… The success of this league depends on us all. We have the opportunity to create something that will benefit many and create a positive change for years to come. On behalf of Kara, the girls and I want to say that we are so

thankful for all of your love, support, and friendship. We feel that this is a family here and we are a part of the family… we love everyone very much. We had a wonderful week and we cannot wait to see everyone next year.

We gave a ton of hugs and everyone was very emotional. Katia teared up, Jordy (who is very masculine) also cried a little. The whole evening, especially the closing speeches and farewells, was very heartfelt. 

3:15am wake up call to head to the airport meant showering and right to bed once we returned… which is exactly what I did. I am up especially late at night working on the blog usually averaging about 4-6 hours of sleep a night (to be generous). Last night I was awake until 2am and then up early in the morning for breakfast. When I went to meet with Katia all the girls and Kara took a long 2 hour nap. Soooo I lobbied for the first shower so I could get to sleep earlier… which is exactly what happened… shower, PJs, out like a light at 10:30. I was worried about the early wake up call but I ended up feeling wide awake and like a million bucks… probably because I fell right into my normal 4-6 hour sleeping range. Still running on adrenaline… let’s see what the crash will be like when we get to Belize. 

Enmanuel, Nancy, and Jordy all stayed at the church, without showering, and sleeping on the floor so that they could ride to the airport with us at 3:30am to say goodbye. ***insert emotional expression here***

We said our final goodbyes, checked-in and before we knew it we were on the plane and our Nicaragua trip was over. 

What an amazing week. On a personal note, I can say that this was one of the hardest trips I have ever had in Nicaragua. More Than Fútbol is a huge part of my heart and I felt like all of the success of the program hinged on my ability to execute this plan in this 1 week here in Nicaragua. Typically, I don’t put pressure on myself like that, but this is just so close to my heart that I couldn’t help but feel the pressure. I am overjoyed that everything worked out and leaving this trip I have an overwhelming feeling of happiness, relief and comfort and a renewed perspective of God’s work. I have to remember that my effort is NOT enough to make this plan work but God will see it through. Something that I will remember for my week in Belize where we are trying to establish and accomplish the same thing.