1. Fast for Hope Initiative Upon arrival in Managua, we met Elena, and she brought us to Esquela AKF.

2. Fast for Hope Initiative We were all tired, but we had a chance to talk a bit and then settle in for the evening.

3. Fast for Hope Initiative The following morning, we met in our outdoor classroom where we learned that outline of the next several days.

4. Fast for Hope Initiative We also had a couple hours of lessons on Nicaraguan history. Then, it was off to tour the city.

5. Fast for Hope Initiative We had a chance to see the old palace. Beneath it is currently a Sandino exhibit, but at one time it was a prison.

6. Fast for Hope Initiative We had a chance to see the old palace. Beneath it is currently a Sandino exhibit, but at one time it was a prison.

7. Fast for Hope Initiative This is our delegation. (Amanda, Jim F., Judy, Jim S., Nick, our guide from AKF, Michelle, and Lindy.)‏

8. Fast for Hope Initiative Part of experiencing Nicaragua is to learn the struggles of the people. This shanty town is where the banana workers camp to protest the chemicals used that make people sick.

9. Fast for Hope Initiative The shanties exist not far from the main square with government buildings.

10. Fast for Hope Initiative This pavilion has a bas relief that tells the history of Nicaragua in pictures.

11. Fast for Hope Initiative They've got monkeys!

12. Fast for Hope Initiative One of the volunteers at Jubilee House is working on a really neat mostly-closed ecosystem to grow vegetables and fish.

13. Fast for Hope Initiative This is one of the incredible examples of sustainable farming we learned while in Nicaragua.

14. Fast for Hope Initiative Another example of work in sustainable development is one of growing, harvesting, ginning, spinning, dying, and weaving cotton.

15. Fast for Hope Initiative Jubilee House has been working with community members for years on small projects in each of these areas.

16. Fast for Hope Initiative This is a facility that a co-op of women built by hand over 3 years. They are now waiting for the spinning equipment to arrive.

17. Fast for Hope Initiative Mike from Jubilee House and Elena from Esquela AKF.

18. Fast for Hope Initiative We taste-tested the local brews...

19. Fast for Hope Initiative...and made new friends of all kinds.

20. Fast for Hope Initiative Here we are are with new friends...the women of delegation 8 with the young women of Cantera.

21. Fast for Hope Initiative Cantera is a youth organization with amazing members. They thrive in an area where not everyone does.

22. Fast for Hope Initiative They have youth programs like dancing and karate, as well as groups like the environmental brigade that focuses on awareness and cleaning up their community.

23. Fast for Hope Initiative We spent a day with the Masaya Rotarios in the cloud forest of Mombacho.

24. Fast for Hope Initiative We spent a day with the Masaya Rotarios in the cloud forest of Mombacho.

25. Fast for Hope Initiative We spent a day with the Masaya Rotarios in the cloud forest of Mombacho.

26. Fast for Hope Initiative Fellowship and lunch!

27. Fast for Hope Initiative And, of course, a group photo!

28. Fast for Hope Initiative We went to Matagalpa and visited a coffee cooperative. The members produce 100% shade- grown coffee, most of it is organic, and it's all fair- trade.

29. Fast for Hope Initiative By organizing, the farmers are able to ensure they are paid a living wage for their labor.

30. Fast for Hope Initiative And shade-grown coffee is assurance, in part, that the growers are not contributing to the deforestation of the land.

31. Fast for Hope Initiative We also had an opportunity to visit a weaving cooperative and watch how it's done.

32. Fast for Hope Initiative We also had an opportunity to visit a weaving cooperative and watch how it's done.

33. Fast for Hope Initiative Elena and the women of Telares Nicaragua.

34. Fast for Hope Initiative From Matagalpa, we headed into the mountains for our family stays.

35. Fast for Hope Initiative We stayed in El Roblar, a community with an amazing story.

36. Fast for Hope Initiative The men of El Roblar have had a co-op for quite some time, but now the women have their own, as well.

37. Fast for Hope Initiative And with it came increased education and health, in addition to improved economic circumstances.

38. Fast for Hope Initiative And with it came increased education and health, in addition to improved economic circumstances.

39. Fast for Hope Initiative Pictures from family stays.

40. Fast for Hope Initiative Pictures from family stays.

41. Fast for Hope Initiative Pictures from family stays.

42. Fast for Hope Initiative Pictures from family stays.

43. Fast for Hope Initiative Pictures from family stays.

44. Fast for Hope Initiative Group picture from a vista on Don Wilfredo's farm.

45. Fast for Hope Initiative After our family stays, we unwound at a resort called Selve Negra, or Black Forest.

46. Fast for Hope Initiative And we even got to celebrate a birthday.