Friday 3-25

Hola! Me llamo Ricardo.  This is the last night in Nicaragua for our team. What an adventure: seeing God at work in the lives of our team members, in the lives of the workers here at the Villa Esperanza, in the lives of men at El Faro and Leon, in the lives of the team from Ohio, and in my life. 

Today we worked in intense heat at a public school not more than 10 minutes from the Villa. We took out walls, built new walls, made new doors, repaired doors, painted walls, and overall, made a difference in lives of children from the community. When we finished we listened to the principal tell the history of this school. The amazing thing is that she gives God all the glory. The Villa and its visiting teams have had a huge impact on the community through work at this school where some of the girls from the Villa attend.

Tonight we had a fiesta with all the girls and many of the workers and friends of the Villa.  There was good food, fun times at the tables, and a unique good-bye prayer involving the 23 girls intermingled with all of the team members in a large circle. After many “hasta luegos,” we made our way to a final debrief where each of us shared the lessons God has taught us an the changes He desires in our lives.

This has been a week of  answered prayer. God met and exceeded all of our expectations, drawing us closer to Him and sharing His heart for the people of this country with us. Pray for our team from Ohio as they may face a long delay in the first leg of their flight home in the morning. We’ll be at Sea-Tac on Saturday afternoon, Lord willing, anxious to see wives and children and to share the  many amazing answers to prayer that God has brought about on this trip.

Thursday 3-24

Hola!  Bartolo aqui!  I think we all enjoyed today, though it was certainly not a day of comfort.  We departed after an early breakfast and had our devotions on the bus.  We needed to drive a couple hours to Leon, a much hotter, drier, and poorer city than Managua.  That’s where we ministered to a rural church plant under the leadership of Delores Cruz, the mother of Wilbert, Flor, and Larrys.  We took along Claudia, our translator; Julio, a Villa staff craftsman; and Juan Paulo, a local electrician. 
 

The fledgling Iglesia de Luz y Vida has concrete, partial walls and a metal roof, and not much more on site.  A 100-foot well had recently been hand-dug behind the building; we were putting in the electric pump and getting the facility ready for a wedding on Saturday.  The job involved yellow paint, new wiring, lots of digging, concrete and rebar work, brick-masonry, and lowering fourteen-year-old Lester down the well on a rope ...until Katie found out and freaked and made us pull the kid back up!  J  Unfortunately, the pipe purchased for the pump was the wrong type, so the final installation will be slightly delayed, but there are some very capable local men who will finish the job soon. 

At the end, we gathered the men and boys together for a sharing time inside the building, while the women gathered in the back yard.  There are a few dedicated older men in the congregation, some young men who are

struggling with the local availability of drugs, alcohol, and fighting/gambling.  One teenager there, Giovanni, just got out of prison this week, and isn’t certain he will return to the church; by the afternoon, he softened toward some gestures of friendship, but he desperately needs the Lord.  Please pray for him: for a softening of his heart, for men from the church to reach out to him, and ultimately, for his salvation.  Many younger boys were excited to meet and play with us gringos.  They will be challenged

with these struggles soon; pray for Esteven, Eleazar, Alex, Misayel, and especially Luis, whose parents live next door.

There is no place to clean up in Leon, but that didn't stop us from getting out halfway home (sunburned, sweaty, and filthy) to get some quesillos, kind of like cold cheese, vinegar and cream tacos, that are surprisingly tasty.  The water was back on at the villa, so we were able to shower when we got back.

Wednesday 3-22

Jim here. Wednesday the 22^nd.  Free day today, we played tourist.  In the morning Natalie from the Villa set up a table of crafts the girls from the Villa made. It was very fun to see what each girl had crafted, and some of us bought different items, the proceeds support the Villa. We then got in the bus and went  north about 45 min. to Lake Nicaragua and the city of Granada, the oldest city in the Americas.  At the lake we took a guided boat excursion.  The group got a chance to see some fancy homes, each on their own private island. We also stopped at one island and picked up a rider, her name is Lucy. She was a bigger hit with some of us than others. Lucy is a monkey that hopped into our boat to get food, but she was very picky.  If you did not offer her something up to her standard she just passed you by.  When she was done with us, it was off to the next boat.  We had a good time.  From the boat to we went back into the city and had one of the best pizza lunches I’ve had in a long time. Then we were given some time to just wander around the town. It was a beautiful old town. Buildings from the 1500’s. some amazing architecture. We then went to the market in the town of Masaya, and everyone picked up some small items for back home (shhh – don’t tell anyone)

In the evening, Wilbert and Gloria got to share about the Villa, their life stories, how they had a vision for the Villa and how quickly God brought it together. It is just a miracle what God did in 4 years with their ministry, the Villa, the impact they are having on the girls, their families in La Chureca, the workers at the Villa, and other ministries  in Nicaragua. What a testament on what God does when you ask him to lead your life. Ask him to use yourself to glorify Him, and He will give you a vision and the means to do His will.

Tuesday 3-22

Hola from Mike Cope! Another beautiful day in Managua, Nicaragua; it has not been as hot overnight and we have adjusted fairly well to the heat of the day.  We started our day with a combination staff and teams devotional meeting.  The meeting included two harmonica hymns from Rich Husby (everyone has been blessed by Rich’s music) and singing praise songs in Spanish led by our interpreter Claudia.  It was a wonderful time of community; Patrick of the Ohio team shared a story related to encouraging someone in the Lord that was truly a God appointment that blessed everyone an

d glorified the Lord. 

Work projects of the day were all within the Villa Esperanza; digging out a large upper area for a future project, leveling dirt for future cement work.  There was repairing of the road and building up the playground areas that had been washed out. There was much good, hard, dirty work moving many tons of dirt, rock and roots.  Your CCF men were covered from head to toe with dirt, as well as our new brothers from Ohio.  I believe Mike Eslinger won for being the dirtiest. We were not really sure it was Mike until he hosed off, ha.  It has also been a wonderful experience to bond with the team from Ohio (E. Cleveland, one from Indiana). We work together so well you would not know we’re two teams.

At El Faro Church (El Faro means “The Lighthouse), Pastor Ramon led the church’s first Men’s Ministry meeting with us as the guest speakers.  Patrick Cannon (leader of the Ohio team) intertwined our testimonies to “Who is Jesus to you”? “Who are you walking with?” and “What are you seeking?”  Speakers from CCF were Mike Cope, Jim Scribner, Mike Eslinger and Doug Dreher.  Pastor Ramon, impressed with the North Americano brothers’ transparency, believed that this was something for his own men’s group to build upon.  We then were treated to a Nicaraguan dinner we all enjoyed.

 

 

Monday 3-21

Hola – me llamo Douglitos.  El Espanol de mi esposa Maria es muy bien – mi Espanol es muy malo!  With that not so dazzling Spanish as a preamble, today was truly a humbling, convicting and inspiring day. 

Our group started off the day early – waking up before six – Mike Eslinger and a couple guys from the Ohio team going on a run, the rest of the guys doing a quasi-power walk.  For the latter group, what started out as a leisurely stroll outside the Villa turned into an hour long fiasco of getting lost.  Humbling. 

It was a vivid reminder how easy it is to get lost in life – without Christ–how we can get off track and gradually then suddenly be in a tough predicament.   God provided rescue for us in the form of Benjamin and Monica with their Datsun pick-up truck who were gracious to pick us up – no pun intended – and take us back to the Villa.

Today, we experienced for a brief time, a stark contrast to the beautiful and tranquil Villa of which we’re staying.  We went to La Chureca – the dump – where over 300 families live in conditions that are in short, appalling.  Rusted corrugated metal, black viscquine and materials from the dump serve as the roof, siding and the Nicas live in these paltry homes complete with dirt floors.  Somewhat counter-intuitively, the Nicaragua government provides water and electricity – some of the homes actually have TV’s.  That being said, the La Chureca community is littered – again no pun intended – with garbage, perpetual stench and filth.  It is inhumane and unjust in so many aspects that human beings live in conditions such as La Chureca.  Convicting.  Seeing La Chureca today – many of us on the team have never seen such poverty firsthand –  is a call to action.  To give our time, talent and treasures to this cause and the many more causes like La Chureca out there in the world.  To be Jesus and to love first as our Lord did throughout his life and ministry.  To support the Nicaragua ministry and our CCF missionaries – Katie, Dwight and their three wonderful children, Josh, Maggie and William -  living and serving here each and every day  in so many effective ways all for the glory of God.

So, back to the day, we spent the morning at La Chureca - visiting and praying for numerous families led by Edgar - one the youth pastors at El Faro church – and Katie. It was really moving seeing the dire circumstances of the people of La Chureca, yet also the joy and smiles that were evident.  One of the highlights was a cute little five year old boy named Jason – in pajama bottoms, no shirt, no shoes walking around La Chu

reca seemingly oblivious to the dangerous world he lives in featuring broken glass, sheet metal, syringes and innumerable hazards including a 100 foot cliff.  Jason followed us around, constantly in our arms as we walked around La Chureca.  It saddened me greatly when time came to leave around mid-day to see Jason sitting on the ground and crying that we were departing. 

Our team then left La Chureca and went back to El Faro church of which Katie had plans for splitting up into two different groups: one to stay at El Faro for feeding the children lunch, playing with them as well as a painting project - the other to return to La Chureca for feeding the children lunch as well as a work project to repair a dilapidated kitchen and patio roof structure which serves as a meal place for the children.  God had some wonderful things in store for us during the afternoon.  Inspiring.  Seeing the ministry of El Faro church diligently serving the needs of the La Chureca in such a humble and selfless manner was inspiring.  Wilbert & Gloria at the Villa, Pastor Ramon and Miriam at El Faro obviously have a calling for the ministry and while the needs are seemingly endless, to return to the Villa and know that 23 girls have been given a new lease on life to be healed, learn about Jesus all in a peaceful and safe environment. 

And so today, we saw hell on earth and just returned to the Villa to experience heaven on earth.  God is good – at the time of writing the team are up in the playground playing and dancing with the girls – can hear their laughter and be heartened with God’s work being done down here in Nicaragua.  Yet, all this while feeling a conviction that as Christians we all need to pray for his wisdom and that we seek his will in our lives and that we give ourselves away a bit more often.  

In closing for the evening, you may be wondering what happened to the little boy Jason.  Yet another answer to prayer this trip – I prayed that Jason would return when we came back for the work project in the afternoon such that I could hold him once more. And he did. Our God is great. 

Sunday update - what an amazing day!

Hola! Miguel E here...
ok - that is all the Spanish you will get! :). It is 9pm'ish here at the Villa, probably still 80 deg.... lots of night noises... a lovely breeze. this is an amazing God place here.

Working backwards to Saturday - I think you all know we had an eventful start...
In case not - Rich unfortunately left his passport on his scanner. :(
So Marla tried to get down to the airport in time, but it was not to be so. Rich, the man of God and world traveler extraordinaire.. looked at us and said . "God has a plan for me not to be with you" and so we left. "Man down" as they say. We leave Rich's story for now...

Our travels were smooth. We arrived, met our team from Ohio (and one person from Indiana), Katie and Dwight and family all there with hugs and smiles... and we all headed to the Villa. The team from Ohio is great. Definitely it is from God they are with us. The bond and relations have built very fast.

We got up today and went to El Faro, the church by La Chureca (the dump). Worship there is an event! Dancing, singing, just loving the lord. Even though most of us don’t speak Spanish, you can’t but help feel their love for God. It is contagious.

Bart spoke at church.. and of course did an amazing job as God used him to take us thru passages in John on the loaves and fishes and feeding 5000, and tying that into how Jesus calls us to have a soft heart, (a forgiving spirit) or we cannot hear his call. Also while there, some of the team helped with the feeding program for the Kids from La Chureca...90 very hungry children. they do amazing work there.

And then there was Rich....

At the end of church - Rich showed up. He had story after story (literally) of people he sat next to at the airport or on planes who he was able to talk to and minister to. Then there were the airport attendants, hotel clerks, reservationists, who all did one thing or another to get him on the 130pm flight out of Seattle, get him a hotel for the night in Huston, and get him on the 9am Sunday flight to Managua. Tt was quite a chain of events that got him there to Managua 18 hours after us. So once again God was good thru that.

We spent the afternoon back at the Via, meeting the girls , having lunch with them, playing games (some very funny games and pictures), and watching a movie with them. Rich told bible stories and combined them with magic tracks. The girls loved them (ok - we all were awed!). The Villa girls are truly amazing in their spirit how the lord has come into their lives, being led by a group of loving adults,(including that McGrew family mentioned earlier), who are all mentoring the girls.

So off tomorrow for La Chureca, and then El Faro for some work and the feeding program help. Pray for our relationships for the men as we may have time with the men from La Chureca Monday night. Pray for Melissa from the Ohio team who had a reaction to her malaria medicine and broke out in hives. And we pray for all of you back home and thank you for your prayers that have got us here. .

Blessings -  The CCF Mens Team

Two days before departure.

For those of you praying, let me be perfectly clear. Nothing of lasting value will happen on this trip unless you pray. For whatever reason, God has chosen to work in this dark world to the extent that we join Him in prayer. Therefore, you are an integral part of our journey. We leave SeaTac Saturday morning at 7:20 am and need you with us right through our return at 3:29 pm the following Saturday. We hope to post every day on this site, including pictures if we can make that happen, starting on Sunday.

Current needs:

• Packing meeting tonight, squeezing in all of the extra things we are taking for the ongoing ministry there.
• Health for all of us.
• Good rest on Friday night.
• Favor with workers at SeaTac.
• Safe flights.
• Safety/security and arrival of luggage in Managua.
• Arriving with servants' hearts and flexibility throughout the week.
• Quick, easy passage through customs.
• Good connection with the team from Ohio we will spend some time with.
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