"City Driver"
"This morning as I was driving in to
work, I replayed a morning conversation with Deanna, my new roommate and former MPI Volunteer. She had dreamed last night about some of the community
kids we worked with in Nicaragua. In the dream, the kids were with her in the US. As my mind wandered from Nicaragua and all my experiences
there, the alarm on my phone went off reminding me that it was Tim Weaver's birthday. (He served with me in Managua all last year.) I promptly called
him and left him a happy birthday message. I continued to drift through my memory banks of Nicaragua when I remembered that Wade and several other MPI
friends were road-tripping from Texas to DC. I burst into a smile and was giddy with happiness. I decided to call Wade, just to tell him I couldn't
wait to see him. After leaving another goofy message I decided it driving needed my attention (DC law agrees). So I put the phone away, turned the
radio back to the Spanish station, and continued on my way across the Key Bridge, singing along to musica Latina. "
"Even in Washington, DC, so much of me
remains in Nicaragua and with those I served alongside."
Jennifer Foster, MPI Program Director
2005-2006
Jen drives her red car into Georgetown five
days a week for a job at the medical center.
Words from Nicaragua
The 2005-2006 MPI Nicaragua team faced challenges unlike those of the first year, and
unlike those of the current year or years to come. With various MPI programs already up and running, the group had to pull together the necessary
innovation, determination, and endurance to strengthen each program at its foundation in to assure sustained successes and on-going improvements.
They also inspired and encouraged nearly a hundred short-term volunteers who made their marks on Nica soil and on one another through their time
spent serving together. Manna Project has grown in size, influence, and, most importantly, quality, because of this
team.
To the 2005-2006 Team:
I want each of you to realize that you have built Manna Project into what it now
is, and into what it is becoming. You have given of yourselves to others and your time, energy, and love has changed lives. And you have made a
positive difference in this giant world in which we live. I want you to realize the full weight of this powerful truth. And then I challenge you to
not let this be the last time this truth is told about your life. I challenge you, whether you are in Africa, medical school, law school, Washington
D.C., etc., to continue serving those around you…and to serve boldly!
On behalf of the whole of Manna Project International, I thank you each for all you
have done. Please remember that you will always be a part of the Manna family.
~Lori Scharffenberg, MPI Nicaragua Director
Where are they now?
Team 2005-2006
Maria Domanskis has just
started Law school at the University of Michigan.
Timothy Weaver is in Medical
school at Oklahoma. Go Sooners.
Jennifer Foster lives in
Washington DC and works at Georgetown.
Wade McMullen also lives in DC.
He begins an executive internship with an organization called the International Justice Mission this month.
Shanelle Lane is back in
hometown Pittsburgh, finishing her undergraduate studies and working part-time at a day care center.
John McKenna is getting a
Masters of Library Science at Catholic University in Washington DC.
Dan Bain continues his MPI work
in Nicaragua. He's the tallest MPI-er to date.
Claire McGuiness returned to
England to continue her studies at the University of Nottingham.
Austin Webbert started
undergraduate studies at University of Miami.
Laurie Weaver is back home
living in Wisconsin and attends nursing school
at UW-Madison.
Jordan Hooper, from New
Orleans, arrived in March and is continuing on for this year in Nicaragua.
Robin Weekley works for an
international non-profit, Geneva Global, out of Houston.
Eric Brawner lives in
Costa Rica and works with Association ANAI, an environmental non-profit.
Next MannaMail, we'll be introducing the new
Nicaraguan team! |
