Happy New Year
Hello friends and family -
Shortly after the new year began, I arrived back at the office and hit the ground running with work.
Our office closed for two weeks at the end of December. While previously I was used to saving PTO days, it was nice to have a change of pace and have the office closed for the holidays.
Christmas Vacation
My time off was spent traveling and working on some apartment projects.
I took about five days and traveled out to Corn Island and Little Corn Island - Nicaragua’s two only Caribbean Islands. It was a wonderful five days to slow down my pace, spend time meditating on the changes I experienced last year, spend time exploring and meeting new people, spend some time ‘mocking (laying in my hammock) and I even read a book (The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry - a book I would highly recommend).
Then, when I got home I decided to work on an art/painting project. Up to this point I have decorated my apartment with local art work and some items I brought from my home in Elgin. However, if you were ever at my house, you know that I love color and am not afraid of it. So, I designed my own vintage inspired wall paper, hand drew it on a couple walls, painted it and then added some final details with a black marker. During the several days I worked on this project, my sister sent me a message saying, “I like how you are painting, because I know it means you are happy.” It made me realize, that by doing this ‘simple’ project, I was making this place feel even more like home and settling in. Enjoy the photos below:
EMI Projects - Ileana’s School
Back in November I shared that we had several new projects on the horizon, and in December I kicked off both projects. The first project was for Ileana’s School - a school that began near the former city landfill. I had the opportunity to go to the site several times and meet with Sheyla (the school Director) and Chachi (director of a ministry partner) to walk the site and talk through needs. Then, coordinating with Phil and Jan, we set up meetings with a local contractor and an acoustics company. I had the opportunity to design a temporary classroom space for the school - using materials that are easily accessible and resources that could potentially be dismantled and re-used. The acoustics provider we contacted and met with provided insight into helping improve the acoustics in the building that is used as a church on the weekends and a classroom during the week. With only hard surfaces present and a connected kitchen space that is not fully enclosed, the students have a hard time concentrating when there are so many noises. So, we provided the connections and facilitated the quotes for the different types of work.
Over the next several months, our office will partner with the Mexico office to build a team of volunteers to come down in March for an intensive weeklong design trip.
EMI Projects - Casa De Luz
The second project that kicked off in December was Casa de Luz - a small site on the Pacific Coast with big dreams. They currently have 4/5 ministry programmes that use the grounds and hope to expand that with an additional 3-5 ministry programmes.
Jan and I traveled out to the site to conduct a site survey - taking photos, videos, measurements and observations of the site. We also met with Mark and Kevin (the property owners), to discuss the property and ministry needs - what worked well, what has not, what they would like. The following day the clients arrived at our office for a design charette. (Shout out to my Chipman Design family for teaching me how to creatively engage clients in the design process. A very big shout out and thanks to Julie Babcock - my Chipman design manager, mentor and wonderful friend. She provided input and guidance in this.) During the design charette, we listed all the program elements, discussed layouts and adjacencies with bubble diagraming and went through a design exercise where the clients were able to select imagery that spoke to them and that will inform the design.
I am now currently working on building out the architecture and interiors of those new spaces to present a Design Package to the clients in March.
New (additional) Role
Last year, the Nica office went through a lot of changes, one of them being tied to the arrival of new personnel. During the ‘re-opening’ of our office, we discussed the desire to grow in staff numbers and to grow our office programmes to include an intern program and a fellow’s programme. However, with smaller staff numbers, this means that we need to take on different roles.
So, after talking to Olivia I decided to take on the role as Intern Coordinator for our office. This means that on top of my regular role of architect and designer, I will now have the opportunity to meet and interview interns that will work for our office. I will also play a role in their professional and spiritual mentorship. While I initially volunteered for the role to help out more around the office, after some thought I realized that it was a desire of mine. Flash back to last March - I was finishing up my four week training at MTI in Colorado Springs. During the last couple of days I met one-on-one with each of the guys from my cohort. A common encouragement and feedback I received is that I should mentor more people. Fast forward to this year - this additional role will offer me just that - an opportunity to be involved in mentorship - professional and spiritual.
…Interested?
During my time on Corn Island, I had the time to think about all the changes I experienced in 2022 - leaving Chipman Design and saying ‘see ya later’ to my CDA family, renting my house, selling my car, moving to a new country/ culture/ climate, starting a new job, getting a new dog…etc. In all of that change one of the things that carried me through was my relationships especially with you who support me. So, I wanted to propose something and see if anyone would be interested.
EMI is on a 3 Term calendar year. So, in order to connect with you all better, I would like to have a zoom call where we can hop on and I can see you all, share with you, and give you time to ask questions. If you are interested in this, please let me know. Depending on who is interested, I may need to do 2 or 3 calls :).
Prayer Requests
Team:
Phil & Olivia are expecting their son any day now. In fact, he was offically due January 4, so they are eagerly awaiting his arrival. Please pray for the birthing process - they would like a natural birth but it is quite common here to have a c-section. Please pray with me that this baby boy will make his appearance naturally.
The Quails are in their final weeks in the UK. Their time has been full of family and friends and I cannot wait for them to return - they have become like family to me.
The Lowes are in their final week in the US. Their return was delayed, but because of it their youngest daughter received brand new hearing aides (top of the line) to assist her in learning to hear.
Projects:
Ileana’s School
For Sheyla (the Director of the school) as she prepares for a new school year starting on the 23rd of January.
For the project trip details in March to come together, and for God to bring together a team that will work seamlessly and serve in unity.
Casa de Luz
For the design of the property and individual buildings to come together
For the final design to be received well by the client
I have decided to put on hold my car search. I honestly don’t really need one - I can walk to work, to the grocery store and to get my hair cut. Everything else in Managua can be accessed by a simple taxi ride.
Church - I have been attending a local church (Abundant Life: Salt and Light). It has been a wonderful church to be regularly attending, but it still doesn’t feel like home. Please pray that I would be attentive to God’s whispers and his direction.
I miss you all dearly and wish I could hug each of you. Thank you for your support and your prayers.
As always, I would love to hear from you. How were your holidays? How is your family? What is new or changing in your life? Send me a quick note - I would really love that!
Micah