Program Evaluation: by the numbers

February (as well as some significant time leading up to now) has included preparing documents, meetings, and logistics for the regular 5-year MCC Program Evaluation.

Here are some numbers:

228: emails (and counting) in my Program Evaluation folder (no number for phone calls)

12: days for the evaluation

 

40: separate meetings

 

15: different meeting locations

3: members of the evaluation team, representing the U.S., Nicaragua, and Switzerland

1972: the year of Managua's historic earthquake, when Jerry, the Program Evaluation team leader, was MCC's Latin America Area Director based in Pennsylvania

1984: the year Moisés and other young medical professionals began the grassroots organization Acción Médica Crisitana, an organization that he would direct for several years.

5: languages that Ilona, MCC Co-rep for Honduras, speaks (6 if she'll let you count Swiss German and German separately)

4: people who traveled 8 hours or more by bus (and/or boat) for meetings during the evaluation (from Costa Rica and Bluefields)

6: early recommendations presented by the team 

It was a joy to work with this group over the past two weeks.  We couldn't have ask for a group with more appropriate experience and wisdom, who also happened to have excellent team chemistry.  We are very thankful to each of them for offering their time and energy during this process. The work they have done will be really helpful to MCC Nicaragua and Costa Rica in the years to come.

  

(Ilona, I acknowledge stealing this picture off your facebook post)

Parents' visit in January

For two weeks in January we enjoyed a visit from my parents, which also meant setting aside the camera.  Dad took some great pictures during their stay and he has shared those in this album. We had the additional surprise of a few bonus days once their connecting flights were cancelled because of the U.S.'s east coast snow storms.  Thanks again for the visit, Mom/Grandma and Dad/Grandpa!

A highlight from our time with my parents was an escape to Matagalpa, where we visited with Ariane, who works with MCC and CIEETS there, and spent a day at Selva Negra where enjoyed their trails and their cool weather. It was great to get out in the woods and the mountains again.

Another thing that has been going on over the last few weeks has been the churches' annual assemblies.  One more in Costa Rica coming up in March.  It's been helpful to visit and get to know the churches in a different way through these events.