Note: The Miracle House is a small therapy center for children with special needs in the mountains of Nicaragua. I joined an EMI team to coach a first-time project leader as they worked with the ministry to create plans for growth.
Project Leader David’s relationship with ladders is strained at best after breaking his leg very badly in an accident at home in Managua. Though he now has a steel rod down his leg, only the smile is visible.
Jeremiah pulls on his father who was introducing our team to the project site and sharing the vision for growth. ‘Why are you talking so much? Can’t you see it’s a nice day? Let’s play together.’
I’ve met volunteer urban planner Gabe many times over the years, just not on a project team. I enjoyed the simple way he guided the ministry through a master-planning process, beginning with these colorful, oversized Post-It notes.
On the project site in the mountains of Nicaragua. On the right, the architecture team interviews one of the ministry staff. On the left, volunteer structural engineer Ryan carries on with his inspection of the main pavilion building on the site.
Meanwhile, Eva and EMI volunteer Naomi imagine what a playground might look like for the property. Eva joined us each day after school because her mother was preparing meals for our team.
At one point, these pools were for recreation. They now contain tilapia of various sizes. Here Eva shows Javiera where the ‘peces muy grandes’ live. It was a new and shocking realisation that I’ve been at EMI longer than this particular Nicaraguan intern architect has been alive.
Architect and former EMI Nicaragua intern Jaime lives in area. He shared some insights about local requirements and practices with the architecture team.
To be sure, there are many drawbacks to this rented space in town for the Miracle House. Lead physical therapist Yolanda clearly shared many of them. But I loved the color and light and the old-fashioned wood louvers.
And I loved this little courtyard as well, which I noticed was included in the architecture design for the new Miracle House. (With improved rainwater drainage, of course.)
At the current Miracle House, they can work with only one child at a time — about five children per day. The needs are much greater, but there isn’t space to grow. Here, two therapists work with a child whose mother looks on.
During architecture review meetings like this, I like to watch hands. I think they reveal a lot about the person.
What joy there is in searching things out and discovering pieces of engineering information — especially when you must climb something to do it! It is so encouraging to me to see EMI fellows like Jacob and his wife Haven dive headfirst into the cross-cultural mission of EMI.
I feel welcomed, comfortable, and calm. And I am invited to discover and celebrate life and beauty in the smallest, seemingly insignificant things.
During engineering field work like this, I like to watch hands. I think they reveal a lot about the person.
After digging out that mud, drying it, crumbling it, and putting it in plastic jars with water and a drop of soap, one is meant to shake it for a long time. Then the jars can rest and you observe how things settle out.
Eva is a precious little girl who took several steps in faith during her time with us. She used some of the clay we dug to make animals — here for David with his Clemson tiger and tiger paw.
Sisters Tania and Maria have faced devastating challenge in their lives. Maria’s son Issac’s special needs opened their eyes to needs of other parents and children with special needs in their community. His life became the impetus for the Miracle House.
When we commit design into a physical form, onto paper for instance, it enables staff and ministry leadership to enjoy generous access to our concepts. This access can create engagement, and with engagement can come understanding.
And then, understanding can lead to ownership. This moment was several hours after the design meeting pictured above. Yolanda is now explaining the proposed Miracle House floor plan in her own words to a visitor.
Finally, from understanding and ownership can come the genuine sort of feedback we are meant to be seeking in the EMI-client interaction. After +/-60 projects across more than 20 years with EMI, this is the only true path I have seen.
The Nicaraguan architect who has endured with EMI through many team changes across five years on staff, the persevering, unassuming, and slow to speak, Jan. Now Jan conducts the meeting, introducing the visualisations he had quietly created.
