Grace in Nicaragua ... "A Poem in Closing"

This past month, members of Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, were part of a mission team in Nicaragua, partnering with the the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Equal Exchange, getting a first-hand look at the coffee farming business in Nicaragua. The trip will provide Presbyterians who are involved or interested in fair trade to see how it works and meet face-to-face with those who grow the coffee.

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Grace in Nicaragua ... "A Poem in Closing"

A cup.

A cup offered to you, to me, to us, and, from us, to others.

A cup of welcome.

A cup of invitation,

An invitation to share, to visit, to stay.

A stepping stone to a friendship, to a support system, to what matters.

A conduit for compassion, for consolation, for voicing concerns, for laughter, for sharing joy

In community.

What do you put in your cup?

Coffee, tea, water, milk, sugar, sweetener, honey?

Or sweat, hopes, dreams, determination and frustrations?

A cup.

So easy for us to fill to overflowing

At the expense of those we do not see.

It can be a cup…of salvation.

Much like what God offers to all, to us, to you, to me.

A cup filled with love, intentionality, respect, conscientiousness, and empowerment.

A cup--

Filled to the brim with such grace, can make a difference,

To a child, to a family, to a community.

Come join me;

A cup is waiting for you.

Judy Brown

Grace in Nicaragua ... "Last Thoughts and Images"

This past month, members of Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, were part of a mission team in Nicaragua, partnering with the the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Equal Exchange, getting a first-hand look at the coffee farming business in Nicaragua. The trip will provide Presbyterians who are involved or interested in fair trade to see how it works and meet face-to-face with those who grow the coffee.

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Grace in Nicaragua ... "Last Thoughts and Images"

Upon our return to Managua, we toured Stahl’s, a unionized textile factory in a free-trade zone. We found that safety standards seemed to be achieved (as a result of the union), though the employees’ wages are insufficient to support them, at approximately $180/month, when $400/month is deemed as sufficient.

In addition, we visited a women’s craft cooperative, named Esperanza en Accion or Hope in Action. The spokeswoman shared her own story of supporting her children as a single mother by scavenging copper and brass at the city dump. She was offered training and community—and hope!—by this cooperative. The staff teaches women crafts, provides small loans and an inviting atmosphere in which to sell their goods. That same day, we stopped by Batahola Norte, a community center where adults and children take coursework for credit and gain peacemaking skills to use in their homes and neighborhood. This center has been blessed with art; beautiful murals cover the walls of their building.

On our last day, we listened to—and learned from—speakers Mark Lester, who discussed Fair Trade vs. Free Trade, and Evenor Jerez, the sub-director of CEPAD. Mr. Jerez spoke of CEPAD and the organization’s various community programs. They work in partnership with approximately 40 communities at a time for five years, focusing on leadership training, economic development and food security and care of the environment. The needs of the different communities drive the projects of CEPAD. For instance, that afternoon, we had the opportunity to visit a couple of recipients of water-capture systems (cisterns). These cisterns were funded by a grant from the Presbyterian Hunger Program---and the grant was funded by money made from Equal Exchange sales of coffee. For every pound of coffee sold, Equal Exchange gives the PHP $.15---and thus, they can utilize these grants to assist and teach these farmers who had trouble sustaining their families through recent droughts.

With these last thoughts—and many images fleeting through our minds, we left Nicaragua with a week’s worth of memories. We hope that we are able to share and convey the passion that we feel with regard to purchasing “fairly”, when possible or available. In making a conscientious effort to purchase via fair trade, we are able to empower families and communities, to give them hope and a sustainable future, to give them love.

Thus, we want to encourage Tres Rios presbytery to continue to support programs and expenditures which provide help for small-scale coffee farmers, their families and others in Nicaragua. One way to do this is through fair trade, especially the Equal Exchange Cooperative. As Jesus said, “…love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Grace in Nicaragua ... "Village Life"

This past month, members of Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, were part of a mission team in Nicaragua, partnering with the the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Equal Exchange, getting a first-hand look at the coffee farming business in Nicaragua. The trip will provide Presbyterians who are involved or interested in fair trade to see how it works and meet face-to-face with those who grow the coffee.

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Grace in Nicaragua ... "Village Life"

Regardless of the home in which we were staying, we found we were all awakened, routinely, around 4:00 a.m. by the sound of the women making tortillas, a very rhythmic pounding. Maybe this is what the roosters were crowing about?

Aside from coffee cultivation, it was noted that many families also grow fruits and vegetables, some for their families and some to sell. There was no refrigeration, that we saw---and nothing resembling a grocery store.

This community proudly showed us their high school, its first. The students attend for one week, then stay home the following week. During the week at home, the teachers visit and check on their homework.

In the mornings, we would watch as the farmers gathered their horses, baskets and machetes and walked up the road toward their coffee crops—or sugar cane field—or whatever crops needed tending. It was a quiet, yet vibrant part of the day—and we knew that we would miss this scene, upon leaving.

From San Jeronimo/Canta Gallo, we drove to the regional coffee cooperative, Prodecoop. Prodecoop is one of ten secondary coffee cooperatives in Nicaragua and brings together 38 grassroots cooperatives. The coffee purchased through the PCUSA Coffee Project, from Equal Exchange, is processed by one of these cooperatives. There we learned that the coffee farmers can count on a minimum price per 100 lb. bag, which is $140. Being Fair Trade coffee adds $20/100 lb. bag, and being grown organically adds yet another premium to its value. The Fair Trade premium is given to the producers for the betterment of their communities. This explained the nice community center in Canta Gallo---and the high school---and the beautiful composting shelter.

It was reinforced to us, once more, that 1/3 of the coffee producers in the village we had visited were women. In fact, the president of that local cooperative was a woman. At Prodecoop, 1/3 of the staff are women. Several more times, during the week, we would find that the country is continually advocating for the empowerment of women.

Grace in Nicaragua ... "Into the Mountains"

This past month, members of Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, were part of a mission team in Nicaragua, partnering with the the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Equal Exchange, getting a first-hand look at the coffee farming business in Nicaragua. The trip will provide Presbyterians who are involved or interested in fair trade to see how it works and meet face-to-face with those who grow the coffee.

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Grace in Nicaragua ... "Into the Mountains"

The next day, we departed for the village of San Jeronimo. San Jeronimo is one of two villages near the top of Cantagallo, a mountain just east of Condega, and north of Managua. The region was often referred to as Canta Gallo. We were warmly greeted at the community center, by the coffee producer leaders of the San Jeronimo Cooperative. We were introduced to our host families, and also met Kimberlea Easson, a representative from Prodecoop, the secondary coop to whom the villagers deliver and sell their coffee. The adventure had begun—that night and the following 1 ½ days, we were absorbed into this community, and learned what coffee cultivating meant to these farmers and their families. We learned about dedication, perseverance, hospitality, and making do without everyday conveniences to which we are accustomed.

The families own their land and cultivate their crops together. The coffee grown here is “shade-grown”, thus the plants are interspersed with taller trees (saw many banana and plantain trees), and are organically grown, with no pesticides or herbicides. A sustainable income is earned, because the coffee is of very high quality. Erosion is prevented, due to the terracing of the plants and the lack of fields, and the water supply remains unpolluted by chemicals—and the farming families enjoy the satisfaction and independence that comes from working their own land.

Picking coffee cherries requires a hike to a mountainside, in lieu of a walk to a field. The cherries are handpicked, collected in baskets made by a local artisan from wild, bamboo-type cane, then dumped into bags for the trip back home. Once back to the village, the coffee cherries are “de-pulped” by a hand-operated grinder. The disposed of pulp is then used for compost; the coffee beans, similar to peanuts in color and size, are spread out onto screens/cloths to dry. Once dry, they are bagged and eventually sent to the secondary cooperative, where the beans will be further dried and packaged for distribution.

In the village, we saw occasional pigs, and chickens a-plenty. We later learned that some of the livestock were provided via the Heifer Project—and that CEPAD provides women with financing to purchase pigs and chickens to raise and reproduce, through their Patio Project. The women can use these animals to raise and sell, for added income—and to eat, to provide needed animal protein. The homes were very modest. Some had flooring, some did not. The kitchens had dirt floors and tended to be accessible by an outside door only. The stoves consisted of stacked cement blocks/adobe and grates, and wood is the fuel source. However crude, delicious meals came out of those kitchens—and we were reminded that hospitality is all about sharing what you do have to offer. Baths were taken outside, some more privately taken than others, and always with cold water. We gladly noted that handwashing was frequent, at our host home, even by the children.

Grace in Nicaragua ... "Learning and Worshiping"

This past month, members of Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, were part of a mission team in Nicaragua, partnering with the the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Equal Exchange, getting a first-hand look at the coffee farming business in Nicaragua. The trip will provide Presbyterians who are involved or interested in fair trade to see how it works and meet face-to-face with those who grow the coffee.

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Grace in Nicaragua ... "Learning and Worshiping"

The next morning, Sunday, we were fed and oriented as to what the acronyms were associated with this trip: We were staying at the NGH (Nehemiah Guesthouse), our trip was organized by CEPAD (Nicaraguan Association of Protestant Churches/Consejo de Iglesias Pro-Alianza Denominacional), and it is the PHP (Presbyterian Hunger Program) that offered us this opportunity to learn about fair trade coffee farming in Nicaragua, through their Enough for Everyone ministry. Clear? Almost—and incredible that this blessing of an experience was being bestowed upon us.

A Bible study/worship service followed, with a pancake serving as our communion bread…and our week had begun.

We were given a tour of the Tiscapa Lagoon and Revolution Plaza, learning some history of the country along the way. I must add: CEPAD provided two young men to accompany us for the week, teaching us and interpreting for us, at all times, David and Louis. They were professional--and great at what they do.

That evening, we had a devotional and got ready for the next day’s adventure---and probably the most meaningful part of our trip. Our homestays in a small coffee-farming village were about to take place, after months of wondering how they would go. How would the people receive us? What would their homes be like? The biggest question: What are their lives like, day by day? We hear of “small coffee farmers” and “fair trade”; what will this really look like? And how would we handle what was to come?

Grace in Nicaragua ... "Arriving in Managua"

This past month, members of Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, were part of a mission team in Nicaragua, partnering with the the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Equal Exchange, getting a first-hand look at the coffee farming business in Nicaragua. The trip will provide Presbyterians who are involved or interested in fair trade to see how it works and meet face-to-face with those who grow the coffee.

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Grace in Nicaragua ... "Arriving in Managua"

On Saturday, January 21, 2017, fourteen members of this delegation headed for Managua, Nicaragua, from various locations in the United States. Three folks were from the Indianapolis area, one from California. Two women, representatives of the Equal Exchange Coop, hailed from Rhode Island and Boston. The coordinator of our group, Jessica Mauldin, works for PCUSA, with the Presbyterian Hunger Program, so was traveling from Louisville, Kentucky. The remaining 7 of us? From Tres Rios Presbytery, of course!

We were greeted by warm weather, in Managua---and clear skies—and part of our group, thankfully! Our initial destination was the CEPAD Nehemiah Guesthouse, where we would stay for most of the week, except for the days on which we would be housed in homes, in a coffee-farming village. The guesthouse was gated, had a long and spacious courtyard, where we would eat most of our meals and hold many of our discussions and meetings. It was very pleasant; we could see the sky, hear birds, occasionally hear music, and could always hear traffic.

Our accommodations were in dormlike rooms, very simple and plain, some with air-conditioning--and some not! (But all had fans)

Grace in Nicaragua ... "Living, learning in Esteli"

All this week, members of Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, will be part of a mission team in Nicaragua, partnering with the the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Equal Exchange, getting a first-hand look at the coffee farming business in Nicaragua. The trip will provide Presbyterians who are involved or interested in fair trade to see how it works and meet face-to-face with those who grow the coffee.

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Late this wed night having just returned from Esteli area 5 hours north via van ride. Spent 2nights with hosts at their homes in a small village of coffee growers. Believe me, we know a lot now about coffee growing and prep for sale/export.

Slept on mats or small mattresses 2nights. Beans, rice, chicken, tortillas (hand-made) just about all three meals a day. This picture is the house Judy and I stayed at which was nicer than many.

Photo by Craig Brown

Very gracious hosts with very little. No flush toilets but they did have a couple of light bulbs per house. Started hand making the tortillas each morning about 4:30.

Roosters spoke their chorus about 1am and then in full glory and for a full hour around 4:30. Generally a good time to wring a neck but enjoyed our bed too much to cut a life short.

Yesterday we walked about a mile and a half or so round trip to pick coffee cherries ... yes, cherries. I don't think we'll be hired any time soon.

Spent a few hours at the secondary coop today and learned how to 'cup' ... more on that later.

Bedtime now. Breakfast is late tomorrow at 7 am.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers

Grace in Nicaragua ... "We've Arrived"

All this week, members of Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas, will be part of a mission team in Nicaragua, partnering with the the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Equal Exchange, getting a first-hand look at the coffee farming business in Nicaragua. The trip will provide Presbyterians who are involved or interested in fair trade to see how it works and meet face-to-face with those who grow the coffee.

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We've arrived safely and met those outside our Texas area ... Peggy, Jenni, Tom, Bethany, Lauri, Jillian, Luis and David. Have eaten well and hope to rest well tonight.

Leaving from DFW was slow ... on the plane and then maintenance for three hours before we took off.

Learned about Equal Exchange this afternoon and toured managua this p.m. Leave for Condega and our host's homes tomorrow in the coffee producing hills a few hours away. We will sleep well tonight. Appreciate the prayers each day that you all provide.

Craig, Judy, Mark, Karen, Jose Luis, Cecillia, Pat (and BJ in thought)