Before I tell that story though, look at the view from where we are staying!

Migdonio was sitting on the side of the road talking to his brother when we walked up and said hello. For some reason, our simple “Hola” turned into a two hour conversation filled with prayer and healing.

He had come from Grenada 10 years ago with his brother. They began tending cattle making between 60-70 Cordoba (currency- aprox 21=$1) but when they heard that on a bad day they could make 100 Cordoba working in the dumps at La Chureca, collecting recyclables, the draw was just to much, and they ended in the dump working.

It was during that time that Migdonio became an alcoholic, moving from one place to another, sleeping where ever he could. MOst likely passing out and not caring where.

More than a year ago Migdonio was working in the dumps when one of the trucks hit him. Dislocating his shoulder, and hip. After visiting the hospital, and not understanding what they were going to do, he left, in pain and without a real hope of recovery.

Yesterday, after more than an hour and a half of intense prayer, and encouragement, Migdonio stood up on his own, free of pain, and began taking little steps, like a child learning to walk, he made little steps into the waiting arms of encouragement, without the use of crutches.

A miracle happened! Any doubt of what I believed before, was put to rest. I saw a man walk of his own accord, with the peace of God propelling him forward.

For more on this amazing moment, visit the group blog Mission 2 Nicaragua.

Enjoy some photos.

Yesterday, on a path in La Chureca, Moises (Moist with an es) stopped our friend and guide Daniel and asked him to pray for him. Moises has been addicted to glue for years, and he was high when we saw him yesterday. His desire to let go of the burden of addiction was evident by his stopping us and asking for prayer, but we also know that addiction is a hard burden to let go of. As we prayed for him, he dropped to his knees, and began to weep: asking God to help him.

The story of Moises is not an uncommon one. Addiction grips La Chureca, where its residents find any way they can to numb the pain that they feel, the children are left desperately wanting to be shown love and affection. They run up and hug you, clinging to you in hopes that you will touch them, giving them a second to feel the love that they so seriously need. We met children as young as 11 years old, already addicted to glue. Their eyes, just dark holes in the sockets, nearly void of life, numbed to the world that they live in.

Some people would argue that that is the only way to go through life when hope barely seems to exist. I argue that with love, and the peace that experiencing love produces, a stronger drug than anything they could ever afford, is produced. As proof, we went to the local school and fed the kids during lunch. We played with them, sang with them, and saw joy in their eyes from love, and affection freely given. Regardless of the conditions that they have to go back to, for a while they were  totally free to be kids.

We also visited a girls home that Daniel and Jessenia started this year. We had a craft time, talked, played, and then they put on a performance for us. This home is important because the girls and one boy (Elias) are all from La Chureca. Their parents want to see them have a different life, and have allowed them to come to a place away from drugs and violence. A place where they can learn and grow as children.

As we ate and settled in for the night, we prayed as a group, and began to experience Gods presence like most of us had never felt before. Im still trying to work through what I was witness to, but you can check out our group Blog Mission 2 Nicaragua for Pastor Dougs thoughts. All I can say is I have never been in the presence of something so powerful, so clearly other-worldly.

On that note, its time for breakfast now, and Im really hungry. Enjoy some photos from the trip.

Check out some of our group blogs.

Mark:
http://leavingthemabetterplace.blogspot.com

Group: Aka Pastor Doug
http://mission2nicaragua.wordpress.com

More to come later today or tomorrow.

For the photographer minded out there. the majority of the photos are shot with a Nikon D2h in its 4megapixel glory with a Sigma 70-200 2.8. The rest are with a Nikon D700 with a Nikon 20-35 2.8. I’ll also have some film and Polaroids coming thanks to a SX-70 and the Impossible Project.

Our first day in Nicaragua was a success! The group leader, Pastor Doug followed a day behind due to some difficulties on the home front, but we are all here now.

Yesterday we visited La Chureca for a few hours with Love light and melody director Daniel Baine. Daniel is also a friend, and our guide for our days in the city dump.

Yesterday was a hard day for me. We walked through the dump, and at the request of Daniel I kept my cameras safely tucked away.

Today however, ill be able to start to hear the stories, and hopefully capture the conditions and life that the people of La Chureca live.

After a few hot and exhausting hours we had lunch in Managua then came home relaxed, debriefed, and went swimming for a bit.

We are just getting ready for breakfast before heading into the dump.

More to come later.

I love these next portraits. Emily is stunning! And i was shooting the wedding with a fever of 102º so having a good looking wedding party made my day so much easier.

Longue Vue Country Club is easily one of the prettiest venues for weddings in Pittsburgh.

On to some more moments that make the day so special.

Emily and Matts’ first dance as husband and wife.

Emily and her dad enjoying a quiet moment while dancing together.

Matt and his mom dance while Emily and Matt’s step father spend a moment together.

I love this moment after Matt gave his toast; such a delicate kiss.

As the night wound down, the young danced. The old talked.

Matt, Emily, it was a pleasure to document your day. I look forward to grabbing a beer next time you’re in Pittsburgh, or I am in NYC. I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing honeymoon. Blessings!

Church: Old Stone Church- Monroeville

Reception: Longue Vue Country Club-Sadie Lowe

Entertainment: DJ Jeremy Ganss

Hair: MCN Salon

Makeup: Suzie Popovich

Flowers: Dragonfly Florist

Yep. I am finally heading south of the border! And I am really excited to say the least. For  weeks (maybe 3 if I can work it out) I will be working with my church, as well as a friend who works for Love, Light, and Melody: a non-profit started by Brad Corrigan (Braddigan), formerly of Dispatch. I am hoping to capture the intensity of life, love, and adventure that surrounds a trip like this. But more than that, I am excited to see how our lives effect those that we will be serving, and the changes that those in the most need, bring us.

More will come about the trip as the details are finalized, and I have a chance to talk to my buddy Dan, the in country director.

Since it has been a while since I have blogged, I wanted to start with whats been going on in my life.

I had a wonderful engagement session with Jamie and Ryan a few weeks ago. We started in Schenley Park, and they brought out their awesome boxer for some of the photos.

Jamie, Ryan, I am really looking forward to your wedding at the end of May.

Before I finish for the day, on April 6th, we celebrated Nation Tartan Day, in honor of our Scottish Forefathers who helped to shape our Declaration of Independence, using the Scottish one as a model. So in honor of that day, the Balmoral Bagpipe School had a concert, and scotch tasting (supplied by Pipers Pub in the Southside) at the beautiful Duquesne Club. The next photo is of me, just to prove that I really do rock the kilt:)

Have a happy Monday! Up next this week is Matt and Emily’s beautiful wedding at Longue Vue Country Club.