Jose Chabelo

Jose is a husband, father of four, and a hard working servant of God. During the week he works at the mission, and on the weekends he sells Eskimo (ice cream) from a push cart around town. He’s one of these guys that’s the first one to arrive and last to leave. He almost always has a smile on his face. He greets you every time he sees you. Even if it’s only been a minute.  While this practice is fairly common in Nicaragua, it is fully ingrained in Jose. His joy, determination and strong work ethic make him a pleasure to be around on and off the clock.

One Saturday a couple weeks ago, Lilly and I had Jose’s family over for lunch. We made soup and brownies and were looking forward to letting this hard working family relax. In normal Nicaraguan fashion, they arrived about 45 minutes late. But that’s explainable when you know they live close to the edge of town so it was a hike for them to come to us. Jose was full of questions and comments keeping the conversation going through lunch and after. His bubbling personality came out even more than we've seen a the mission. The kids also enjoyed themselves reading a book to their dad and playing Monopoly. We all moved into the living room and Jose found the remote to the television. He knew it turned on the TV, but he didn’t know how to work it. Can you pause and take that in for a moment?! He's seen TVs and remotes. Just like in the states the power button is on the top row, normally a different color. But he's not operated one enough to know how they work. After we showed him, he sat, flipped the channel a couple times then just enjoyed the entertainment. I think it was wrestling. HA. Jose rested his head on the back of the seat and smiled. Seeing him so peaceful while his wife was relaxing, his youngest girl was sleeping and the other kids were playing a new game... Oh! It was such a wonderful sight!

 

Defiantly one of my favorite pictures.

They came late. Stayed a lot later than we thought they would. But I would not have wanted it any other way!

The Misión has been given a special opportunity to honor one of the employees each month. Kinda like an employee of the month thing. With a slightly different approach. We’re taking a characteristics a month and letting the Nicaraguans nominate who they think embodies that action. The first month was February and the characteristic was encouragement. Yesica, the head accountant, was our encourager. March was responsibility. Someone who is responsible with their job but also the way they conduct themselves outside of work. Are they being responsible to our Heavenly Father. I was so excited when the nominations were turned in and JOSE won! They are rewarded with a basket full of food, kitchen and household items. Everyone cheered for him and made him stand in the middle of the room while he received his basket. 

This was just one of his two overflowing baskets!

I have come to LOVE the last Friday of the month :) We'll get to do it again a week from today!