Didn’t get to walk this morning due to some illness, but feel better this evening.
I got to spend some time chatting with Jasmina and Katty this morning. They are 2 translators working with us and I hadn’t really gotten to spend much time with them this past 2 months since I don’t work with the teams. I’m very blessed to know both of these young ladies and I look forward to knowing them better as we communicate on facebook and email. They are precious.
I took Lesly and Mary to La Unión grocery store this morning. While they shopped for groceries, I ran to the sewing store and got some supplies. We stopped at a second store to get some pork & beans (interesting what you can find in Nica) and then stopped for ice and bottled water for the dispenser.
Jasmina asked if she could have a copy of the Bible Study I’m teaching on Wednesdays. I printed pages off for her and then it was time to leave. I took Mayela to Noah’s Ark Feeding Center, Jasmina to the bus Terminal (to catch a 3 hour bus ride back to Estelí), Katty to a friend’s house and then returned to Noah’s Ark. I did some paperwork in the car while waiting for Mayela to finish. Then we got back to the team house about 1pm. We had some great lunch, Arroz Aguado. We all loved it, except for Mary. I would love to have it again, but I don’t think that there is much chance of that. Maybe I can have some at someone’s house sometime.
I did some computer work while Charlie and Jeremy worked on the VOH website and other projects. It was a very nice day with everyone having their own projects going.
Mary and Charlie went with German to see the property by the old dump. VOH is looking at buying a small plot to start a church and feeding center. We’re excited to help the people in this new community of very poor households. God is opening a door there that will minister to hundreds of families who are very much in need.
I dropped off Jeremy on my way to the ice cream shop to meet Iris. She got held up at the university and couldn’t make it, so I spent some time looking up Bible verses (for the Women’s Bible Study memory cards) and had my favorite treat – a cone with 1 scoop chocolate and 1 scoop coffee ice cream. Then I walked over to the vendors on the corner and saw one of my favorite people and bought some surprises for my sister’s grandkids. Heehee. I truly enjoyed my time by myself.
I got back to the team house and had more arroz aguado (cold) for dinner and chatted with Charlie and Mary a little bit. Then I retired to my room to do a little more work and grab a shower. I worked a little bit on the Children’s Ministry project and watched a movie on my computer.
I realized while working on my calendar, that I’ll be flying back to the states 2 weeks from today. It doesn’t seem possible that 6 months has gone by since I’ve been back in Rogers AR. Time has flown by. It will feel strange to be away from Nica for 2 months, too. I have so much planned for my 2 months state-side that it will be whirl, too. I’m looking forward to seeing friends and family. I have to say that it feels more natural for me to live in Nica and visit the states than the other way around. God has given me a great peace. I’m very thankful for that.
It’s been a pleasant evening. I think I’ll try to go to bed a little early and maybe I can walk in the morning. ☺
Monday, July 30, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
This morning Mary and I went to church at La Quimera. Charlie went to Todopoderoso church with Jeremy and helped with a Fiesta the church was doing for outreach.
Mary and I stopped at On the Run and got sandwiches for our lunch. I also bought their last 6 bottles of V8 Splash Carrot/Orange juice. They don’t have it all the time and when I can find it, I try to buy a bunch. We got home and had our sandwiches and then each retired to our rooms to relax.
I watched a video and then read for a while. I didn’t nap, but I did get to rest and it was very nice.
I then worked on some Spanish stuff. I have been very remiss in my Spanish studies. I need to kick in that discipline thing and get busy!! I had peanut butter and an apple for dinner.
Mary, Charlie and I went to Todopoderoso church for worship this evening. It was great. They were celebrating the salvations from this morning’s outreach event. 220 salvations. They were so excited! The music was fantastic, the prayers very enthusiastic and the worship was wonderfully authentic. My heart is to worship there and I think I’ll try to go a few evenings during the week. My soul gets really hungry for good worship.
Todopoderoso church reminds me a lot of Cuerpo Vivo church back in the states and I’m missing that church family very much right now. It’s Cuerpo Vivo’s 9 anniversary and they are having a wonderful celebration this weekend with a concert. I wish I could be there, but I’ll be there in spirit.
I’m going to try to go to bed early tonight so I can get up early and go walking. I have a date to visit with a friend at 9am and I want to get my walk in and shower done before then. We’ll see.
I’m thankful to God for all that He allows me to do and think and feel. Even when it’s hard. I’m thankful that He is always there beside me and always ahead of me to prepare the way and to guide me. He is forever faithful.
Mary and I stopped at On the Run and got sandwiches for our lunch. I also bought their last 6 bottles of V8 Splash Carrot/Orange juice. They don’t have it all the time and when I can find it, I try to buy a bunch. We got home and had our sandwiches and then each retired to our rooms to relax.
I watched a video and then read for a while. I didn’t nap, but I did get to rest and it was very nice.
I then worked on some Spanish stuff. I have been very remiss in my Spanish studies. I need to kick in that discipline thing and get busy!! I had peanut butter and an apple for dinner.
Mary, Charlie and I went to Todopoderoso church for worship this evening. It was great. They were celebrating the salvations from this morning’s outreach event. 220 salvations. They were so excited! The music was fantastic, the prayers very enthusiastic and the worship was wonderfully authentic. My heart is to worship there and I think I’ll try to go a few evenings during the week. My soul gets really hungry for good worship.
Todopoderoso church reminds me a lot of Cuerpo Vivo church back in the states and I’m missing that church family very much right now. It’s Cuerpo Vivo’s 9 anniversary and they are having a wonderful celebration this weekend with a concert. I wish I could be there, but I’ll be there in spirit.
I’m going to try to go to bed early tonight so I can get up early and go walking. I have a date to visit with a friend at 9am and I want to get my walk in and shower done before then. We’ll see.
I’m thankful to God for all that He allows me to do and think and feel. Even when it’s hard. I’m thankful that He is always there beside me and always ahead of me to prepare the way and to guide me. He is forever faithful.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
I got up this morning with more stomach issues, but went ahead to the P & P English Academy to help out with a class while Juan had to be somewhere else. I drove to the school so that I could run errands afterward.
Once I got to the school, I felt a little bit better and it was good to have something to take my mind off of my troubles. Juan was there for just a few minutes. I got to talk with his wife Ana, also. She teaches a class on Sat mornings, too.
Juan said I could pick any topic to talk about that I wanted. I chose to use the Bible study notes from this past Wednesday’s Ladies Bible Class. On Wed morning, when I was hurrying up and printing the notes for the ladies, I accidentally printed 20 copies of the English notes. When I saw my mistake, I decided to keep the English copies for some future use. Well, today was that special time. God knew I was going to need them and He allowed me to print them off ahead of time.
The English class was fun, as always. I had been in this class a couple of times last year. I knew part of the students already. Estefanie is in the class, too. Each student had a topic that they were supposed to talk about. Estefanie used a wall chart that she had made and explained about different routes to being popular. (she also studies psychology at the university). Derek gave a book report. Jacsel spoke about the importance of drinking water. David talked about different types of foods. Gabriel was a new student and told us a little bit about himself. Francisco came in late and didn’t have a topic. Anielka didn’t a topic either. I also listened to Estefanie do her drill for ‘idiomatic phrases’ and she did a good job.
When it was my turn to talk, we discussed the descriptions, benefits and values of God’s Word. They learned English words and I learned the Spanish words. It was very helpful for all of us. It was a really good class. When my 2 hours were up, Jasmina and Katty came to take over the next 2 hours. They were going to have lots of discussions with the students. It was good to see those 2 wonderful girls.
I had a good visit with Linda at the House of the Bible. She gave me a good discount and I bought a few more Bibles than I had planned. Now I can give more out! I also bought some materials to use in putting together some lessons for the Children’s Ministry program that I get to start with La Quimera and San Jacinto churches. I also bought a hymn book of traditional Nica songs that they sing in some of the churches. I’m tickled pink!
I stopped at Salmon grocery store to see if I could find some instant oatmeal and I actually found some Ocean Spray Cran-Grape juice! I was so happy! I love that stuff!
I got back to the team house and Mary was doing some laundry. Charlie came to the house a little later to work on the computer, swim and rest. Jeremy and Kelly came to the house to get some things ready for a Fiesta that their church is going to do tomorrow. I got to visit with Kelly a little bit. I sure do love those 2!!
At 4pm, Mary, Charlie and I went to Suyapa for an early dinner. It was very tasty. On the way home, Mary wanted to drive by German’s house. Joanna was sitting on the front steps talking with her sister. We stopped in for just a few minutes. Every time I go to German’s house, they have finished a little bit more of it. It is really nice. I’m so excited for them.
We came back to the team house and Mary and I each went into our own rooms to relax for the evening. Charlie got back on the computer.
It’s time now for me to watch a video, read and go to bed. It’s been a really nice day. I had to make myself keep from working, but it was worth it. I need to schedule down time so my brain can rest or at least think of other things sometimes. God is teaching me discipline a little at a time. It will take me baby steps, I’m sure. But I trust His timing and His leading.
Once I got to the school, I felt a little bit better and it was good to have something to take my mind off of my troubles. Juan was there for just a few minutes. I got to talk with his wife Ana, also. She teaches a class on Sat mornings, too.
Juan said I could pick any topic to talk about that I wanted. I chose to use the Bible study notes from this past Wednesday’s Ladies Bible Class. On Wed morning, when I was hurrying up and printing the notes for the ladies, I accidentally printed 20 copies of the English notes. When I saw my mistake, I decided to keep the English copies for some future use. Well, today was that special time. God knew I was going to need them and He allowed me to print them off ahead of time.
The English class was fun, as always. I had been in this class a couple of times last year. I knew part of the students already. Estefanie is in the class, too. Each student had a topic that they were supposed to talk about. Estefanie used a wall chart that she had made and explained about different routes to being popular. (she also studies psychology at the university). Derek gave a book report. Jacsel spoke about the importance of drinking water. David talked about different types of foods. Gabriel was a new student and told us a little bit about himself. Francisco came in late and didn’t have a topic. Anielka didn’t a topic either. I also listened to Estefanie do her drill for ‘idiomatic phrases’ and she did a good job.
When it was my turn to talk, we discussed the descriptions, benefits and values of God’s Word. They learned English words and I learned the Spanish words. It was very helpful for all of us. It was a really good class. When my 2 hours were up, Jasmina and Katty came to take over the next 2 hours. They were going to have lots of discussions with the students. It was good to see those 2 wonderful girls.
I had a good visit with Linda at the House of the Bible. She gave me a good discount and I bought a few more Bibles than I had planned. Now I can give more out! I also bought some materials to use in putting together some lessons for the Children’s Ministry program that I get to start with La Quimera and San Jacinto churches. I also bought a hymn book of traditional Nica songs that they sing in some of the churches. I’m tickled pink!
I stopped at Salmon grocery store to see if I could find some instant oatmeal and I actually found some Ocean Spray Cran-Grape juice! I was so happy! I love that stuff!
I got back to the team house and Mary was doing some laundry. Charlie came to the house a little later to work on the computer, swim and rest. Jeremy and Kelly came to the house to get some things ready for a Fiesta that their church is going to do tomorrow. I got to visit with Kelly a little bit. I sure do love those 2!!
At 4pm, Mary, Charlie and I went to Suyapa for an early dinner. It was very tasty. On the way home, Mary wanted to drive by German’s house. Joanna was sitting on the front steps talking with her sister. We stopped in for just a few minutes. Every time I go to German’s house, they have finished a little bit more of it. It is really nice. I’m so excited for them.
We came back to the team house and Mary and I each went into our own rooms to relax for the evening. Charlie got back on the computer.
It’s time now for me to watch a video, read and go to bed. It’s been a really nice day. I had to make myself keep from working, but it was worth it. I need to schedule down time so my brain can rest or at least think of other things sometimes. God is teaching me discipline a little at a time. It will take me baby steps, I’m sure. But I trust His timing and His leading.
Friday, July 27, 2012
The team was up very early and left for the airport at 3am. They have been a great team. I was awake for quite awhile after they left and I was a little sick at my stomach, so I didn’t get up and walk like I should have. Shame on me.
The week with the team was a good one. I didn’t get to work with them because of my other ministry duties, but I did get to chat with some of them at meal time. Mary kept me up to date on everything going on out in the ministry field. The team was a blessing to us to have here. The Crusade was a huge success! There were a total of 2286 salvations for the week!! The team worked very hard and talked to thousands of people throughout the week. The Crusade drew in thousands more people each night. There were many blessings!
I got on the computer to get some work done and Mary worked on clearing out the rooms and helping the cleaning ladies with their chores. Lesly and Mayela got here about 9am and started their work. We all had leftovers from the week for our lunch. My stomach was not doing too well, so I closed up my room and turned my A/C on and took a much needed nap.
The Hulseys are out of town for a few days and Charlie is staying at their house. Mary and I rode with him over there to show him stuff and we also visited Maxi Palí grocery store. Then we came back to the team house and messed around on our computers for a while.
I did some research on hotels in NYC for my sister and I to stay at in Sept. They are so expensive, but I can’t wait for the trip!
I watched a video and then went to bed. I was still not feeling well and was looking forward to sleeping through the night.
The week with the team was a good one. I didn’t get to work with them because of my other ministry duties, but I did get to chat with some of them at meal time. Mary kept me up to date on everything going on out in the ministry field. The team was a blessing to us to have here. The Crusade was a huge success! There were a total of 2286 salvations for the week!! The team worked very hard and talked to thousands of people throughout the week. The Crusade drew in thousands more people each night. There were many blessings!
I got on the computer to get some work done and Mary worked on clearing out the rooms and helping the cleaning ladies with their chores. Lesly and Mayela got here about 9am and started their work. We all had leftovers from the week for our lunch. My stomach was not doing too well, so I closed up my room and turned my A/C on and took a much needed nap.
The Hulseys are out of town for a few days and Charlie is staying at their house. Mary and I rode with him over there to show him stuff and we also visited Maxi Palí grocery store. Then we came back to the team house and messed around on our computers for a while.
I did some research on hotels in NYC for my sister and I to stay at in Sept. They are so expensive, but I can’t wait for the trip!
I watched a video and then went to bed. I was still not feeling well and was looking forward to sleeping through the night.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Got up and walked 4 miles. It feels so good when I get back to the team house and jump in the shower. I also love being outside. God makes me happy that way.
I took care of some emails, including sending info and a picture back to my home church (FBC Rogers AR) for the Missions Conference (GIC) that will be held in October.
Sherry shared with the team about the Children’s Home called House of Hope that VOH has in Honduras. Mary got to share a little bit, too, and the team prayed over them and the Home.
We had a baptism of one of our translators here in the pool and it was very special to the team. I posted some pics on facebook.
Mayela and I visited Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. I dropped her off to do her work and I was going to run to get minutes for both of our phones and to buy some Bibles at the Bible Book Store. There was road work going on in that vicinity, so I decided to just run to La Unión grocery store instead. Most of León is one way streets and when any are blocked off for various reasons, it is extremely frustrating to get around. It took a very long time to get to La Unión, but once there, I got my business done pretty quickly. I decided to put off the Bible Book Store visit until another day. I picked Mayela up and we stopped at the gas station on the way back to the team house since the needle was way past empty. We got back and had our lunch.
I was getting ready for sewing class and decided to try to do some laundry while the team was gone. (they were out for another afternoon and evening of ministry and crusade) It is wonderful that we have 2 washing machines and 2 dryers now (thanks to a generous team!) I started 2 loads and then set up for sewing class. Estefanie got here and we were ready in plenty of time. We only had 2 women in class, since a lot of the women have found some temporary jobs. I’m so happy for them to have income. But I do miss them! The ladies were making more skirts and matching headbands. Estefanie was learning how to make an apron. She is such a delight!
After the ladies left from class, I finished my other 2 loads of laundry and got everything put away. It always feels good to get it done. And it always reminds me how lucky I am that I can use a washing machine and dryer. Most people here wash clothes by hand and hang them up. Very few people have machines for that. I do not take my blessings lightly.
I settled into my room and waiting for the van to get back with the leftover food from dinner at the crusade. I got things put away in the kitchen, and then came back to my room for the night. It was peaceful and happy.
I took care of some emails, including sending info and a picture back to my home church (FBC Rogers AR) for the Missions Conference (GIC) that will be held in October.
Sherry shared with the team about the Children’s Home called House of Hope that VOH has in Honduras. Mary got to share a little bit, too, and the team prayed over them and the Home.
We had a baptism of one of our translators here in the pool and it was very special to the team. I posted some pics on facebook.
Mayela and I visited Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. I dropped her off to do her work and I was going to run to get minutes for both of our phones and to buy some Bibles at the Bible Book Store. There was road work going on in that vicinity, so I decided to just run to La Unión grocery store instead. Most of León is one way streets and when any are blocked off for various reasons, it is extremely frustrating to get around. It took a very long time to get to La Unión, but once there, I got my business done pretty quickly. I decided to put off the Bible Book Store visit until another day. I picked Mayela up and we stopped at the gas station on the way back to the team house since the needle was way past empty. We got back and had our lunch.
I was getting ready for sewing class and decided to try to do some laundry while the team was gone. (they were out for another afternoon and evening of ministry and crusade) It is wonderful that we have 2 washing machines and 2 dryers now (thanks to a generous team!) I started 2 loads and then set up for sewing class. Estefanie got here and we were ready in plenty of time. We only had 2 women in class, since a lot of the women have found some temporary jobs. I’m so happy for them to have income. But I do miss them! The ladies were making more skirts and matching headbands. Estefanie was learning how to make an apron. She is such a delight!
After the ladies left from class, I finished my other 2 loads of laundry and got everything put away. It always feels good to get it done. And it always reminds me how lucky I am that I can use a washing machine and dryer. Most people here wash clothes by hand and hang them up. Very few people have machines for that. I do not take my blessings lightly.
I settled into my room and waiting for the van to get back with the leftover food from dinner at the crusade. I got things put away in the kitchen, and then came back to my room for the night. It was peaceful and happy.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I didn’t feel too sporty this morning, so I made this my day off from walking. My stomach has been yucky all day. I ate something last night that is taboo for me and I paid for it! I told Mary that if she ever saw me eating something terribly wrong for me to slap it out of my hand. She’s a brave soul, but I don’t know if even she is crazy enough to come between me and food. Haha
Anyway, I got a lot of computer work done this morning. I worked about 5 hours straight. I got everything ready and printed for Bible Study this afternoon and then I started in on emails and Feeding Center records. It was enjoyable, but I was getting cross-eyed!
I picked up Estefanie at Pacheco’s Engligh Academy to go to Bible Study at La Quimera. We had a wonderful class. The ladies are really getting into discussing the lessons. It makes my heart swell! For the next few weeks, we are talking about Living in God’s Word.
I told them the story of when I brought Bibles (donated by some wonderful VOH supporters) to the Bible Study class last year and gave them out. Everyone was appreciative. One person, in particular, held her Bible and just keep looking at it, caressing it and petting it. She truly treasured it. I’ll never forget that moment. And I pray that God gives me that same emotion when I pick up my Bible. In the States, we have access (and own) many Bibles of all shapes and sizes and translations. We take it for granted. I told the ladies that their excitement about receiving a Bible is the emotion that God wants from all of us when we think about His Word.
I told the ladies that I would be leaving in about 3 weeks and be gone for 2 months. They said that I did not have permission to leave. I truly will miss them. Angela said that I wouldn’t miss them at all when I got back to my house in the US. I told her that I don’t have a house (or a car or furniture). I stay with friends and family when I visit the states. She was surprised. In her eyes, why would anyone give up all the things that you can have in the US and chose to live here? It opened the door to discuss God leading and providing, and most importantly, God putting the correct desires in my heart to follow His plan. That is the only way to find true contentment.
Rafael, who is about 5 or 6, is a little boy at La Quimera. He has fallen in love with a few of the young ladies on teams. I took his picture today at Bible Study and asked if he wanted me to send it to his girlfriend. He said, Yes! Both of them! Haha
I got stopped by the police again today. We were on our way home from Bible Study at La Quimera. I was following the markings on the road, but the officer took issue with the way I turned the corner. He said I swerved, but that was the way the arrows were pointing on the road. Anyway, I’ve got this ‘dumb gringa’ thing down pretty good. I just pretend that I don’t know that they want a bribe and they finally give up and let me go. I don’t think it will work forever, but I’m thankful that God has kept me out of trouble so far! Today was the 4th time.
I got home this evening and the place is very quiet. Only me and Alberto (the guard) are here until the team gets back late tonight. I got my shower, had some leftovers for dinner and then started watching a movie on my computer. The van arrived about 8pm with the leftover dinner stuff from the Crusade site. I put the food away in the fridge and then returned to my room. It’s been very quiet and I love it. I truly love spending time by myself.
I’m going to bed early again tonight and hope to wake up early tomorrow for a good 4 miles walk and some errands. Then it will be time to set up for sewing class.
The team is having a blast doing Fiestas, School Visits, Conferences and the Crusade. They are working very hard and God is blessing in a tremendous way. There have been many, many salvations so far this week. God is good and faithful and provides divine appointments for us to follow up on. We are the tools and He is the Master.
I’m praying for a healthy body and lots of energy to do my part this week. He deserves my best. I give His blessings back to Him in Praise.
Anyway, I got a lot of computer work done this morning. I worked about 5 hours straight. I got everything ready and printed for Bible Study this afternoon and then I started in on emails and Feeding Center records. It was enjoyable, but I was getting cross-eyed!
I picked up Estefanie at Pacheco’s Engligh Academy to go to Bible Study at La Quimera. We had a wonderful class. The ladies are really getting into discussing the lessons. It makes my heart swell! For the next few weeks, we are talking about Living in God’s Word.
I told them the story of when I brought Bibles (donated by some wonderful VOH supporters) to the Bible Study class last year and gave them out. Everyone was appreciative. One person, in particular, held her Bible and just keep looking at it, caressing it and petting it. She truly treasured it. I’ll never forget that moment. And I pray that God gives me that same emotion when I pick up my Bible. In the States, we have access (and own) many Bibles of all shapes and sizes and translations. We take it for granted. I told the ladies that their excitement about receiving a Bible is the emotion that God wants from all of us when we think about His Word.
I told the ladies that I would be leaving in about 3 weeks and be gone for 2 months. They said that I did not have permission to leave. I truly will miss them. Angela said that I wouldn’t miss them at all when I got back to my house in the US. I told her that I don’t have a house (or a car or furniture). I stay with friends and family when I visit the states. She was surprised. In her eyes, why would anyone give up all the things that you can have in the US and chose to live here? It opened the door to discuss God leading and providing, and most importantly, God putting the correct desires in my heart to follow His plan. That is the only way to find true contentment.
Rafael, who is about 5 or 6, is a little boy at La Quimera. He has fallen in love with a few of the young ladies on teams. I took his picture today at Bible Study and asked if he wanted me to send it to his girlfriend. He said, Yes! Both of them! Haha
I got stopped by the police again today. We were on our way home from Bible Study at La Quimera. I was following the markings on the road, but the officer took issue with the way I turned the corner. He said I swerved, but that was the way the arrows were pointing on the road. Anyway, I’ve got this ‘dumb gringa’ thing down pretty good. I just pretend that I don’t know that they want a bribe and they finally give up and let me go. I don’t think it will work forever, but I’m thankful that God has kept me out of trouble so far! Today was the 4th time.
I got home this evening and the place is very quiet. Only me and Alberto (the guard) are here until the team gets back late tonight. I got my shower, had some leftovers for dinner and then started watching a movie on my computer. The van arrived about 8pm with the leftover dinner stuff from the Crusade site. I put the food away in the fridge and then returned to my room. It’s been very quiet and I love it. I truly love spending time by myself.
I’m going to bed early again tonight and hope to wake up early tomorrow for a good 4 miles walk and some errands. Then it will be time to set up for sewing class.
The team is having a blast doing Fiestas, School Visits, Conferences and the Crusade. They are working very hard and God is blessing in a tremendous way. There have been many, many salvations so far this week. God is good and faithful and provides divine appointments for us to follow up on. We are the tools and He is the Master.
I’m praying for a healthy body and lots of energy to do my part this week. He deserves my best. I give His blessings back to Him in Praise.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Newsletter June/July 2012
Buenas Nuevas de Nicaragua (Junio y Julio 2012)
It’s July 23, 2012. It’s been a tremendously busy summer!!! It’s been one of our busiest ones yet! Our weekly ministries are going strong and keeping us busy, even when we don’t have teams here. (And I’ve STILL been praying for better discipline of my time…)
I made my trip to Indiana May 24-31, to visit family and do paperwork to finalize my Dad’s estate. It was a good trip. It went very fast. Sandy had something on the schedule for every day. It was good to get to see everyone, too. I brought back lots of ministry supplies in my suitcases!
We’ve had many teams so far this year. 2 teams in March over Spring Break, 1 team in May, and starting on June 9, we’ve had 5 weeks of back to back teams. One comes in the day the other one leaves. It’s been crazy to get the rooms switched over with new linens and bathrooms cleaned and groceries bought and everything. But it’s a great challenge to meet!!! We had a one week break and now have our last team of the summer.
We are very thankful for each and every person who comes to serve with us. Our Nica support team and the workers from the churches we minister with have been awesome this summer, too. A lot of hard work goes into the weeks (and months) before a team gets here, especially when it’s a Crusade week. Hundreds of Nica people are involved on the front end, during the ministry week, and then in the weeks (and months) after doing follow up and discipleship.
The Women’s Bible studies at La Quimera Church have been better and better each week. The ladies are loving the study on “The Call to Follow Christ”. I have handouts ready for them in Spanish each week. We study the lessons in detail and have a lot of question and answer time. I’m thrilled with the feedback that I get from the women. They are really participating and are loving it.
The church at La Quimera is still going well. God is really blessing through Pastor Brian and his wife. There are a lot of lay people stepping up, also. The Feeding Center is doing great. The rain has held off most of the time during this ‘rainy season’ and the kids have been able to be fed every day. The kids have all received ID cards with their pictures and names on them to help keep things organized. They love having something with their picture on it.
We’ve started another Feeding Center at San Jacinto community. It’s awesome. It’s a smaller community, so there are only about 76 kids there, but the team of volunteer cooks are so appreciative and ready to work. It’s amazing and such an encouragement to us! Pastor Yader is doing a good work in that very poor and struggling community. He even has a soccer team put together that plays the soccer team from our other church plant, La Quimera. Both teams are going to have jerseys, courtesy of some generous teams that have come this summer. How fun! Mary is taking care of providing the jerserys for the team at San Jacinto. They have kind of adopted her as their mascot I think. ☺
Mary and I are both still teaching our Sewing Classes. We are winding down for the summer and will have a 2 month break while Mary and I are in the states. When we get back in October, we’ll concentrate more on making marketable items so the women can help to support their families.
The Feeding Center at Monte Horeb (Sewer Ponds) is going great. The kids there also received ID cards with their pictures and names. Those are a big hit. We’re still praying for donations to build a shelter for the kids to stand under and hopefully eat their meals on site. The kids love getting the wholesome meals each day. And we love providing them!
I’m still working on being disciplined with my health. I’ve been trying to walk most mornings now. I try to leave the team house about 6 or 6:30am and get back by 7 or 7:30am. Then I get my shower, have my oatmeal and then get to work. Discipline is such a hard thing for me to grasp. I surely need God’s strength for that!!!
I need to dedicate more time to my Spanish lessons each day. (another discipline problem) I’m working hard on listening to people, which is dificult sometimes with my hearing problem. But I’m determined to learn and become fluent. I know that God can give me divine abilities to learn and speak. I’m praying for that.
The summer has been so busy with back to back teams that I haven’t had much time to visit with friends. I see some of the translators when they are working with the teams, but since I have other ministry duties and don’t go out with them during the day, I miss spending time with them. But I love getting to live here most of the year, so I eventually get time to visit.
I’m still working on my website vickiecline.com. I’m going to make an appointment with my friend who is working on it for me. I’ll find out what all he needs for me to have ready for him and then we can get together one day when I’m back in the States and we’ll get it put together.
Speaking of websites… the VOH website has been updated and is great! Check it out at www.centralamericahope.org
My plans are to be in the States Aug 13 – Oct 16, then I’m back to Nica until Jan 28. I hope to spend the month of February in the States and then back here to Nica March – August 2013. I’m so blessed to get to be here serving and doing the things that God blesses my heart with. He has prepared me to do this work (teaching Bible Study, teaching sewing and crafts, organizing, and computer work, interacting with all types of people, etc). He places those desires on my heart. I ask Him to only let HIS desires touch me and not to let my own self get in the way. He is Faithful and Awesome!!!
I mentioned the great teams that we have had this summer. There have been 4 Crusades so far. These are city-wide events with services each night. There have been over 10,000 people accept Christ this summer alone. A lot of work goes into putting on these Crusades and a lot of follow up happens by the churches in that particular city. It’s been awesome!! God has prepared the way and the workers have been preparing themselves and coming to serve. The Harvest is truly Plentiful!!!
We give God all the Glory and Honor for everything that He allows us to accomplish in His Name here in Nicaragua. And we want to continue to make it possible for as many teams as possible to come to Nica to be a part of this great work. Be praying about whether God is calling you to come and join us. We’re here almost year round and there are souls to be saved all year long. Let God lead you in His plan for your participation.
God is moving in many ways here (as He is all over the world) and it’s so fun to be a part of it. I’m thankful that He has brought me where He wants me to be. I’m thankful for you, too, for being a supporter and prayer partner. Thank you for being obedient to God’s call to help me be here. I share the blessings with you!
Pictures can be seen on my Facebook page. (and soon on my website)
I can be reached at vickiejocline@yahoo.com, facebook, twitter, skype,
US cell 479-270-0727, personal mail: PO box 567, Rogers AR 72757
I can be supported through: (be sure to note the funds are for my support)
Voice of Hope Ministries FBC Rogers
PO Box 1780 3364 W Pleasant Grove Road
Rogers AR 72757 Rogers AR 72758
centralameriahope.org (donate button)
Praises:
* VOH team is growing (many workers are needed)
* Team from various churches served at the Ronnie Hill Crusade in Estelí
* Teams from Highridge Church, Ft Worth TX, Lifesong Baptist Church, Harrisonburg VA, and Temple Baptist Church, Searcy AR served at the Crusade in Posoltega
* Team from Crosslife Church, El Dorado AR served at the Crusade in La Paz Centro
* Team from Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia LA
* Team from Westside Baptist Church, Harrisonburg VA
* Team from Abba’s House, Hixon TN served in the Crusade in El Viejo
* Feeding Center at La Quimera community
* Feeding Center at Monte Horeb community
* Feeding Center at Noah’s Ark church
* Feeding Center at San Jacinto community
* Meeting new people all the time
* All of our health has been relatively good & teams have traveled safely
* Thankful that God has put the desires and passions in my life to prepare for His work
Prayers:
* Health and safety for me and the VOH staff
* More teams to answer the call to come and serve with us in Nica
* Financial support for the ministry
* Financial support for me personally
* Improved language skills
* Discernment and wisdom when teaching classes
* Safety (for everyone) when I’m driving in Nica
* Future VOH workers
* Discernment and Wisdom for the Hulseys as they lead the ministry
* That I not miss even one opportunity to share Christ
Romans 9:17
“I raised you up for this very purpose that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
I Timothy 1:12, 16
“How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for considering me trustworthy and appointing me to serve Him… so that He could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life.”
Romans 10:15
“How can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news”.”
Thank you for helping proclaim the Name of Jesus to all the earth!!
¡Bendiciones!
Following Him Always,
Vickie
It’s July 23, 2012. It’s been a tremendously busy summer!!! It’s been one of our busiest ones yet! Our weekly ministries are going strong and keeping us busy, even when we don’t have teams here. (And I’ve STILL been praying for better discipline of my time…)
I made my trip to Indiana May 24-31, to visit family and do paperwork to finalize my Dad’s estate. It was a good trip. It went very fast. Sandy had something on the schedule for every day. It was good to get to see everyone, too. I brought back lots of ministry supplies in my suitcases!
We’ve had many teams so far this year. 2 teams in March over Spring Break, 1 team in May, and starting on June 9, we’ve had 5 weeks of back to back teams. One comes in the day the other one leaves. It’s been crazy to get the rooms switched over with new linens and bathrooms cleaned and groceries bought and everything. But it’s a great challenge to meet!!! We had a one week break and now have our last team of the summer.
We are very thankful for each and every person who comes to serve with us. Our Nica support team and the workers from the churches we minister with have been awesome this summer, too. A lot of hard work goes into the weeks (and months) before a team gets here, especially when it’s a Crusade week. Hundreds of Nica people are involved on the front end, during the ministry week, and then in the weeks (and months) after doing follow up and discipleship.
The Women’s Bible studies at La Quimera Church have been better and better each week. The ladies are loving the study on “The Call to Follow Christ”. I have handouts ready for them in Spanish each week. We study the lessons in detail and have a lot of question and answer time. I’m thrilled with the feedback that I get from the women. They are really participating and are loving it.
The church at La Quimera is still going well. God is really blessing through Pastor Brian and his wife. There are a lot of lay people stepping up, also. The Feeding Center is doing great. The rain has held off most of the time during this ‘rainy season’ and the kids have been able to be fed every day. The kids have all received ID cards with their pictures and names on them to help keep things organized. They love having something with their picture on it.
We’ve started another Feeding Center at San Jacinto community. It’s awesome. It’s a smaller community, so there are only about 76 kids there, but the team of volunteer cooks are so appreciative and ready to work. It’s amazing and such an encouragement to us! Pastor Yader is doing a good work in that very poor and struggling community. He even has a soccer team put together that plays the soccer team from our other church plant, La Quimera. Both teams are going to have jerseys, courtesy of some generous teams that have come this summer. How fun! Mary is taking care of providing the jerserys for the team at San Jacinto. They have kind of adopted her as their mascot I think. ☺
Mary and I are both still teaching our Sewing Classes. We are winding down for the summer and will have a 2 month break while Mary and I are in the states. When we get back in October, we’ll concentrate more on making marketable items so the women can help to support their families.
The Feeding Center at Monte Horeb (Sewer Ponds) is going great. The kids there also received ID cards with their pictures and names. Those are a big hit. We’re still praying for donations to build a shelter for the kids to stand under and hopefully eat their meals on site. The kids love getting the wholesome meals each day. And we love providing them!
I’m still working on being disciplined with my health. I’ve been trying to walk most mornings now. I try to leave the team house about 6 or 6:30am and get back by 7 or 7:30am. Then I get my shower, have my oatmeal and then get to work. Discipline is such a hard thing for me to grasp. I surely need God’s strength for that!!!
I need to dedicate more time to my Spanish lessons each day. (another discipline problem) I’m working hard on listening to people, which is dificult sometimes with my hearing problem. But I’m determined to learn and become fluent. I know that God can give me divine abilities to learn and speak. I’m praying for that.
The summer has been so busy with back to back teams that I haven’t had much time to visit with friends. I see some of the translators when they are working with the teams, but since I have other ministry duties and don’t go out with them during the day, I miss spending time with them. But I love getting to live here most of the year, so I eventually get time to visit.
I’m still working on my website vickiecline.com. I’m going to make an appointment with my friend who is working on it for me. I’ll find out what all he needs for me to have ready for him and then we can get together one day when I’m back in the States and we’ll get it put together.
Speaking of websites… the VOH website has been updated and is great! Check it out at www.centralamericahope.org
My plans are to be in the States Aug 13 – Oct 16, then I’m back to Nica until Jan 28. I hope to spend the month of February in the States and then back here to Nica March – August 2013. I’m so blessed to get to be here serving and doing the things that God blesses my heart with. He has prepared me to do this work (teaching Bible Study, teaching sewing and crafts, organizing, and computer work, interacting with all types of people, etc). He places those desires on my heart. I ask Him to only let HIS desires touch me and not to let my own self get in the way. He is Faithful and Awesome!!!
I mentioned the great teams that we have had this summer. There have been 4 Crusades so far. These are city-wide events with services each night. There have been over 10,000 people accept Christ this summer alone. A lot of work goes into putting on these Crusades and a lot of follow up happens by the churches in that particular city. It’s been awesome!! God has prepared the way and the workers have been preparing themselves and coming to serve. The Harvest is truly Plentiful!!!
We give God all the Glory and Honor for everything that He allows us to accomplish in His Name here in Nicaragua. And we want to continue to make it possible for as many teams as possible to come to Nica to be a part of this great work. Be praying about whether God is calling you to come and join us. We’re here almost year round and there are souls to be saved all year long. Let God lead you in His plan for your participation.
God is moving in many ways here (as He is all over the world) and it’s so fun to be a part of it. I’m thankful that He has brought me where He wants me to be. I’m thankful for you, too, for being a supporter and prayer partner. Thank you for being obedient to God’s call to help me be here. I share the blessings with you!
Pictures can be seen on my Facebook page. (and soon on my website)
I can be reached at vickiejocline@yahoo.com, facebook, twitter, skype,
US cell 479-270-0727, personal mail: PO box 567, Rogers AR 72757
I can be supported through: (be sure to note the funds are for my support)
Voice of Hope Ministries FBC Rogers
PO Box 1780 3364 W Pleasant Grove Road
Rogers AR 72757 Rogers AR 72758
centralameriahope.org (donate button)
Praises:
* VOH team is growing (many workers are needed)
* Team from various churches served at the Ronnie Hill Crusade in Estelí
* Teams from Highridge Church, Ft Worth TX, Lifesong Baptist Church, Harrisonburg VA, and Temple Baptist Church, Searcy AR served at the Crusade in Posoltega
* Team from Crosslife Church, El Dorado AR served at the Crusade in La Paz Centro
* Team from Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia LA
* Team from Westside Baptist Church, Harrisonburg VA
* Team from Abba’s House, Hixon TN served in the Crusade in El Viejo
* Feeding Center at La Quimera community
* Feeding Center at Monte Horeb community
* Feeding Center at Noah’s Ark church
* Feeding Center at San Jacinto community
* Meeting new people all the time
* All of our health has been relatively good & teams have traveled safely
* Thankful that God has put the desires and passions in my life to prepare for His work
Prayers:
* Health and safety for me and the VOH staff
* More teams to answer the call to come and serve with us in Nica
* Financial support for the ministry
* Financial support for me personally
* Improved language skills
* Discernment and wisdom when teaching classes
* Safety (for everyone) when I’m driving in Nica
* Future VOH workers
* Discernment and Wisdom for the Hulseys as they lead the ministry
* That I not miss even one opportunity to share Christ
Romans 9:17
“I raised you up for this very purpose that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
I Timothy 1:12, 16
“How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for considering me trustworthy and appointing me to serve Him… so that He could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life.”
Romans 10:15
“How can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news”.”
Thank you for helping proclaim the Name of Jesus to all the earth!!
¡Bendiciones!
Following Him Always,
Vickie
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
4 mile walk this morning. I left at 6:30am, so there was a little more traffic than usual. I need to get myself up and leave by 6am to get some good real estate availability. ☺
The team had the morning off, since they are working all afternoon and evening in El Viejo where the Crusade is. They didn’t quite know what to do with themselves. Mike arranged for them to go to the Monte Horeb Feeding Center just before noon.
I worked on computer stuff until Mike loaded up a van with some of the team to visit a future site for a Feeding Center and Church Plant. It’s where the old dump was. It’s cleaned up pretty much and there are small plots of land that people are putting up one room ‘houses’ made of tree limbs and plastic sheeting. There are probably 600-800 families in this area. There is one little church. We have been asked to come and provide a church and feeding center. It’s high on our priority list. We’re looking for churches to help sponsor the building and personal costs. God is opening this door wide open. We know that He will provide.
When I visited the Monte Horeb Feeding Center, I was asked by a lot of the women when I would be coming again. They said that they miss me. Mayela and I are busy at some of the other Feeding Centers that have occasional ‘issues’ to deal with. We’ll have to make it a point to visit MH soon to see everyone. Mayela checks in with the Feeding Center Supervisor, Auxiliodoro daily, so we’re not out of touch. We’ve just not been real visible to the community. We need to fix that!
I got to see baby Dariela, just turned 2 on April 20. I first met her and her parents in July of 2010, when she was just a few months old. It’s been so fun to see her growing up.
Lesly brought back the edited copy of the Spanish version of my Bible Study notes. I got the corrections made and printed some copies for me and Estefanie. I also printed a copy of the English and Spanish versions for Pastor Brian because he likes to use them, also. I need to copy the pages for tomorrow’s class.
I’m also still working on my Memory Verse project for the Ladies to do while I’m in the states. I think they will like having the packet of memory verses to work on.
We had a scrumptious lunch of grilled chicken, rice, beans, fried plantains, cabbage slaw. It was soooo good! I found out that there was some left over for dinner and I enjoyed it a second time!
I worked a lot on the computer this afternoon and then drove Mary, Lesly and Pastor Yader (from San Jacinto) to meet with Pastor Brian at the business where we’re getting soccer uniforms for the San Jacinto team. Mary is heading up this project and she was thrilled to be able to do this. Pastor Yader is very happy, too. He said that the soccer team came to church last week. He encouraged them to keep coming and not just for the uniforms. He said that they listened pretty well to his message. The jerseys should be ready next Tuesday and Pastor Yader wants us out there next Thursday for a service and to give the jerseys out. Mary had the workers at the sewing place laughing with her antics. We got some good pictures of the Pastors and Mary working on the order.
Mary and I are back to the team house alone and it’s very nice and peaceful. Just like when there are no teams. Alberto is doing his own thing, waiting for the team to get back late tonight. Mary and I are both on the computer doing facebook and such.
I think I may even try and study some Spanish tonight before I do my reading and get ready for bed. Maybe even a movie. Who knows? I’m pretty wild. Haha
I still have a huge amount of work to catch up on and get a handle on before I leave Aug 13, but God is giving me a peace about it and helping me to check off large chunks from my to-do list.
I think I’ll get off of here for now and post this. I want to take advantage of this wonderfully quiet evening! I am blessed
The team had the morning off, since they are working all afternoon and evening in El Viejo where the Crusade is. They didn’t quite know what to do with themselves. Mike arranged for them to go to the Monte Horeb Feeding Center just before noon.
I worked on computer stuff until Mike loaded up a van with some of the team to visit a future site for a Feeding Center and Church Plant. It’s where the old dump was. It’s cleaned up pretty much and there are small plots of land that people are putting up one room ‘houses’ made of tree limbs and plastic sheeting. There are probably 600-800 families in this area. There is one little church. We have been asked to come and provide a church and feeding center. It’s high on our priority list. We’re looking for churches to help sponsor the building and personal costs. God is opening this door wide open. We know that He will provide.
When I visited the Monte Horeb Feeding Center, I was asked by a lot of the women when I would be coming again. They said that they miss me. Mayela and I are busy at some of the other Feeding Centers that have occasional ‘issues’ to deal with. We’ll have to make it a point to visit MH soon to see everyone. Mayela checks in with the Feeding Center Supervisor, Auxiliodoro daily, so we’re not out of touch. We’ve just not been real visible to the community. We need to fix that!
I got to see baby Dariela, just turned 2 on April 20. I first met her and her parents in July of 2010, when she was just a few months old. It’s been so fun to see her growing up.
Lesly brought back the edited copy of the Spanish version of my Bible Study notes. I got the corrections made and printed some copies for me and Estefanie. I also printed a copy of the English and Spanish versions for Pastor Brian because he likes to use them, also. I need to copy the pages for tomorrow’s class.
I’m also still working on my Memory Verse project for the Ladies to do while I’m in the states. I think they will like having the packet of memory verses to work on.
We had a scrumptious lunch of grilled chicken, rice, beans, fried plantains, cabbage slaw. It was soooo good! I found out that there was some left over for dinner and I enjoyed it a second time!
I worked a lot on the computer this afternoon and then drove Mary, Lesly and Pastor Yader (from San Jacinto) to meet with Pastor Brian at the business where we’re getting soccer uniforms for the San Jacinto team. Mary is heading up this project and she was thrilled to be able to do this. Pastor Yader is very happy, too. He said that the soccer team came to church last week. He encouraged them to keep coming and not just for the uniforms. He said that they listened pretty well to his message. The jerseys should be ready next Tuesday and Pastor Yader wants us out there next Thursday for a service and to give the jerseys out. Mary had the workers at the sewing place laughing with her antics. We got some good pictures of the Pastors and Mary working on the order.
Mary and I are back to the team house alone and it’s very nice and peaceful. Just like when there are no teams. Alberto is doing his own thing, waiting for the team to get back late tonight. Mary and I are both on the computer doing facebook and such.
I think I may even try and study some Spanish tonight before I do my reading and get ready for bed. Maybe even a movie. Who knows? I’m pretty wild. Haha
I still have a huge amount of work to catch up on and get a handle on before I leave Aug 13, but God is giving me a peace about it and helping me to check off large chunks from my to-do list.
I think I’ll get off of here for now and post this. I want to take advantage of this wonderfully quiet evening! I am blessed
Monday, July 23, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
It’s been a good day. I walked 4 miles this morning. I tried going faster to improve my time. It’s mostly an incline, sometimes more than others, and the pavement/sidewalks are treacherous, but I still make good time. I love my walk. Once I get myself out the door!
After my shower, I helped Leana in the kitchen, since Erika is sick today. Leana is so much fun! She trusted me to cut up grapes, clean the celery and dry the dishes. Not much, but it was helpful.
I ran over to the Hulsey’s house to pick up Sherry and bring her over to the team house. Then I got on the computer for awhile.
The team left at 7:30am to do some Fiestas and street ministry. Their lunch was delivered to them in the field and then they did more Fiestas in the afternoon. They finally got back to the team house about 4:30. They were very tired and hot and sweaty. I think some were a little bit dehydrated. It’s hard to make yourself drink enough water when there aren’t sufficient bathrooms in some of the places we serve. They got refreshed and rested while they listened to Sherry tell Manuel’s story. Only one person on the team had been here before, so it was new to them all. While we had dinner (spaghetti and cheese biscuits) Manuel preached and led some singing. He loves to have an audience.
I finally got my Newsletter out via email. I got a lot of other computer stuff done, too. Mayela had some work on the computer to do, so we didn’t venture out to a Feeding Center today. The office printer went haywire, so she’ll need to stay here tomorrow to get a picture book printed for the team. We’ll make it to a couple of Feeding Centers later in the week. They are doing pretty well. We just like to check in and also get updated pics and info.
My shoulders and upper back were bothering me, so I asked Mayela for a shoulder and neck massage. She is a masseuse, so she loves doing that. She carries her oil with her. She ended up having me come to my room and giving me a full back, shoulder and neck massage. It was wonderful! She said that I’m so tight in my back and shoulders that I need another massage on Wednesday. OK!!
I met with Pastor Brian for a short meeting this morning about the Children’s Ministry at La Quimera Church. Sherry and Mike have given me the go-ahead to follow up on God’s nudging me to help organize the Children’s Ministry for La Quimera and San Jacinto churches. I’ll also help the Monte Horeb church when the time’s right. I’m excited about it. I’ll be sharing more info later about how it will work, what is needed and how donors can help. I’ll be bringing supplies and materials back from the states with me in October.
I drove Leana home tonight after dinner. She brings a 5 gallon bucket to fill up with leftovers and scraps to feed their pig. She had a big load and the wait for the bus was going to be long. Then she has to walk quite a ways to her house. Sherry asked me to drive her home. I’ve only been there once before, but Leana was happy that I could remember the way. She introduced me to her 4 sons. They are precious!
I got back to the team house and the group is worshiping and I’m enjoying it. Now time to post this, get my book out and retire for the night.
God is so good and I am truly thankful for ALL His blessings!
After my shower, I helped Leana in the kitchen, since Erika is sick today. Leana is so much fun! She trusted me to cut up grapes, clean the celery and dry the dishes. Not much, but it was helpful.
I ran over to the Hulsey’s house to pick up Sherry and bring her over to the team house. Then I got on the computer for awhile.
The team left at 7:30am to do some Fiestas and street ministry. Their lunch was delivered to them in the field and then they did more Fiestas in the afternoon. They finally got back to the team house about 4:30. They were very tired and hot and sweaty. I think some were a little bit dehydrated. It’s hard to make yourself drink enough water when there aren’t sufficient bathrooms in some of the places we serve. They got refreshed and rested while they listened to Sherry tell Manuel’s story. Only one person on the team had been here before, so it was new to them all. While we had dinner (spaghetti and cheese biscuits) Manuel preached and led some singing. He loves to have an audience.
I finally got my Newsletter out via email. I got a lot of other computer stuff done, too. Mayela had some work on the computer to do, so we didn’t venture out to a Feeding Center today. The office printer went haywire, so she’ll need to stay here tomorrow to get a picture book printed for the team. We’ll make it to a couple of Feeding Centers later in the week. They are doing pretty well. We just like to check in and also get updated pics and info.
My shoulders and upper back were bothering me, so I asked Mayela for a shoulder and neck massage. She is a masseuse, so she loves doing that. She carries her oil with her. She ended up having me come to my room and giving me a full back, shoulder and neck massage. It was wonderful! She said that I’m so tight in my back and shoulders that I need another massage on Wednesday. OK!!
I met with Pastor Brian for a short meeting this morning about the Children’s Ministry at La Quimera Church. Sherry and Mike have given me the go-ahead to follow up on God’s nudging me to help organize the Children’s Ministry for La Quimera and San Jacinto churches. I’ll also help the Monte Horeb church when the time’s right. I’m excited about it. I’ll be sharing more info later about how it will work, what is needed and how donors can help. I’ll be bringing supplies and materials back from the states with me in October.
I drove Leana home tonight after dinner. She brings a 5 gallon bucket to fill up with leftovers and scraps to feed their pig. She had a big load and the wait for the bus was going to be long. Then she has to walk quite a ways to her house. Sherry asked me to drive her home. I’ve only been there once before, but Leana was happy that I could remember the way. She introduced me to her 4 sons. They are precious!
I got back to the team house and the group is worshiping and I’m enjoying it. Now time to post this, get my book out and retire for the night.
God is so good and I am truly thankful for ALL His blessings!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sunday night and finally done for the day. The team split up and went to 8 different churches this morning and 8 different churches this evening. Many testimonies and messages shared. And lots of time on the road!
I didn’t walk this morning and enjoyed spending time getting ready for church and talking with some of the team. Mike was here this morning and had a short meeting with them. I went to La Quimera church this morning and enjoyed Pastor Brian. The kids are starting to talk to me and all call my by name. The ladies are always so sweet. I love being in the La Quimera community.
We had meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn for lunch. It was very good. After lunch, there was Fiesta training for the team. Manuel pitched in and led the team in some singing before Mike spoke. I guess he was the opening act.
Later in the afternoon, I played with Manuel. He loves to pretend stuff. I was his wife and we were going to the airport to pick up a team. We walked around with our arms out behind us like we were pulling luggage along. We missed our flight, of course, so we found a place to sit and got a pretend snack at the airport. He has it all figured out. He had a good day today.
I stayed at the team house when the teams went out to church this evening. I worked on the computer some and I also looked up some Bible verses to share with my Ladies Bible Study class. I’m making them some Scripture Memory cards to use while I’m gone for 2 months. It’s hard to pick out just a handful of scripture. It’s all so good!
The teams got back really late from church tonight. I sent the cook home and finished up serving the groups as they came in. It didn’t take long to get it done and the dishes washed up. I was glad to pitch in and let her go home. She has to be back about 5am tomorrow, so she deserves to go home by 8pm!! The rest of the week won’t be so late, because the team will take their dinner with them to the crusade area and have picnic dinners each night. Leana will be able to go home about 5pm each night. That will be much better.
Erika, one of the cooks is sick, so if Leana can’t find a helper for tomorrow, I volunteered my services. This will be fun! I love Leana. She is so funny!
I’m reading a book called “Conversation Peace” and really enjoying it. I try to read a chapter or two every day. I need to add in an hour or two of Spanish study to my schedule, too. That plus Bible study and quiet time, walking and working will pretty much fill in my day to overflowing! I hope I can find time to take a quick nap! Haha
I was working on my quarterly wall calendar today. I’m putting the team dates for Oct, Nov, Dec and Jan on it. Plus scheduling my Bible Study lesson plan for those 4 months. Next I need to plan my sewing class projects. Then we’ll watch it all change on a weekly basis! Never a dull moment around here!
It’s been a very dry ‘rainy season’ so far. I hope we get some rain in the next months. But I have to say that I hope it only rains at night while we are sleeping. That would be perfect!
I guess I should head to bed now. Weeks with teams means getting up between 5 and 6am. I need my beauty sleep and to be rested enough to get my early morning walks in. Pray for discipline for me!!
Can’t wait to see what all God is going to do this week! Crusade Weeks are the best!! May His will be done and may He receive all the Glory!!
I didn’t walk this morning and enjoyed spending time getting ready for church and talking with some of the team. Mike was here this morning and had a short meeting with them. I went to La Quimera church this morning and enjoyed Pastor Brian. The kids are starting to talk to me and all call my by name. The ladies are always so sweet. I love being in the La Quimera community.
We had meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn for lunch. It was very good. After lunch, there was Fiesta training for the team. Manuel pitched in and led the team in some singing before Mike spoke. I guess he was the opening act.
Later in the afternoon, I played with Manuel. He loves to pretend stuff. I was his wife and we were going to the airport to pick up a team. We walked around with our arms out behind us like we were pulling luggage along. We missed our flight, of course, so we found a place to sit and got a pretend snack at the airport. He has it all figured out. He had a good day today.
I stayed at the team house when the teams went out to church this evening. I worked on the computer some and I also looked up some Bible verses to share with my Ladies Bible Study class. I’m making them some Scripture Memory cards to use while I’m gone for 2 months. It’s hard to pick out just a handful of scripture. It’s all so good!
The teams got back really late from church tonight. I sent the cook home and finished up serving the groups as they came in. It didn’t take long to get it done and the dishes washed up. I was glad to pitch in and let her go home. She has to be back about 5am tomorrow, so she deserves to go home by 8pm!! The rest of the week won’t be so late, because the team will take their dinner with them to the crusade area and have picnic dinners each night. Leana will be able to go home about 5pm each night. That will be much better.
Erika, one of the cooks is sick, so if Leana can’t find a helper for tomorrow, I volunteered my services. This will be fun! I love Leana. She is so funny!
I’m reading a book called “Conversation Peace” and really enjoying it. I try to read a chapter or two every day. I need to add in an hour or two of Spanish study to my schedule, too. That plus Bible study and quiet time, walking and working will pretty much fill in my day to overflowing! I hope I can find time to take a quick nap! Haha
I was working on my quarterly wall calendar today. I’m putting the team dates for Oct, Nov, Dec and Jan on it. Plus scheduling my Bible Study lesson plan for those 4 months. Next I need to plan my sewing class projects. Then we’ll watch it all change on a weekly basis! Never a dull moment around here!
It’s been a very dry ‘rainy season’ so far. I hope we get some rain in the next months. But I have to say that I hope it only rains at night while we are sleeping. That would be perfect!
I guess I should head to bed now. Weeks with teams means getting up between 5 and 6am. I need my beauty sleep and to be rested enough to get my early morning walks in. Pray for discipline for me!!
Can’t wait to see what all God is going to do this week! Crusade Weeks are the best!! May His will be done and may He receive all the Glory!!
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
I got up and walked 4 miles this morning. Since I went to bed so early last night, I was wide awake at 5am and read until 6. Then I decided I wasn’t going to be able to fall back asleep, so I got up and walked earlier than usual. The weather was not so hot and the streets not so crowded, so it was a good change.
I got back to the team house and showered and fixed my oatmeal and then joined the team for a brief meeting. They all took off about 10am for downtown for sightseeing and shopping. They also had lunch at Tip Top Chicken and did more shopping before returning to the team house at 3:30pm.
Mary and I ran into town for some printer ink and a few things at the grocery store. It was nice to just run around a little bit. We got back to the team house and messed around a bit until the pizzas came for lunch. I love the veggie pizza.
I worked on typing up the Bible study notes in Spanish (thanks to Estefanie’s translating them for me) and printed off a copy for Lesly to edit/correct. Then I made a few phone calls to family in IN until the internet messed up my Skype calls on my phone.
I laid down to rest and play scrabble on my Kindle and then napped for about an hour. It felt so nice!
The team got back and we loaded up about 4pm and headed to the beach. We went to Suyapa restaurant for everyone to order their food. The team went walking along the beach for a while. Mary and I sat at the restaurant with the drivers and chatted. It takes a long time to get your food when in a large group, so we were there a while. As the sun was beginning to lower it started bearing down on our table, so we moved. One of the drivers was holding his cap up in the air to shield me from the sun. How sweet. Once we moved it was much better.
Our food came in shifts. Mary was served and started in on the veggies and potatoes. Then a little while later, the waiter brought over her real order and we discovered that she had MY plate! It was so funny! She gave me a few of the veggies and pieces of potato from her plate to make up for what she ate of mine. Everyone gets a small bowl of rice with their dinner. Mary had mine and hers both in front of her. I was teasing her about taking all of my food! Our dinners were really yummy, as always. We were still stuffed from the pizza from lunch, but we did a good job on our meals anyway.
Now I’m back in my room, showered and eating dark chocolate mint m&ms while working on the computer. In a little while I’ll be in bed early again, reading until I fall to sleep. It’s been a wonderful and relaxing day.
Tomorrow we start the ministry work week. I’ll be going to La Quimera as usual. The team will be splitting into 8 groups to go to churches who are involved with the Crusade this coming week. They will go to 8 more churches tomorrow night. It’s going to be a great Sunday!!
I’m so thankful for the blessings that God has given me this day (and always). It’s so wonderful to get to live here in Nica and serve my sweet Lord. I love all the opportunities He brings my way to interact with so many people. I love being a piece to His big puzzle.
I got back to the team house and showered and fixed my oatmeal and then joined the team for a brief meeting. They all took off about 10am for downtown for sightseeing and shopping. They also had lunch at Tip Top Chicken and did more shopping before returning to the team house at 3:30pm.
Mary and I ran into town for some printer ink and a few things at the grocery store. It was nice to just run around a little bit. We got back to the team house and messed around a bit until the pizzas came for lunch. I love the veggie pizza.
I worked on typing up the Bible study notes in Spanish (thanks to Estefanie’s translating them for me) and printed off a copy for Lesly to edit/correct. Then I made a few phone calls to family in IN until the internet messed up my Skype calls on my phone.
I laid down to rest and play scrabble on my Kindle and then napped for about an hour. It felt so nice!
The team got back and we loaded up about 4pm and headed to the beach. We went to Suyapa restaurant for everyone to order their food. The team went walking along the beach for a while. Mary and I sat at the restaurant with the drivers and chatted. It takes a long time to get your food when in a large group, so we were there a while. As the sun was beginning to lower it started bearing down on our table, so we moved. One of the drivers was holding his cap up in the air to shield me from the sun. How sweet. Once we moved it was much better.
Our food came in shifts. Mary was served and started in on the veggies and potatoes. Then a little while later, the waiter brought over her real order and we discovered that she had MY plate! It was so funny! She gave me a few of the veggies and pieces of potato from her plate to make up for what she ate of mine. Everyone gets a small bowl of rice with their dinner. Mary had mine and hers both in front of her. I was teasing her about taking all of my food! Our dinners were really yummy, as always. We were still stuffed from the pizza from lunch, but we did a good job on our meals anyway.
Now I’m back in my room, showered and eating dark chocolate mint m&ms while working on the computer. In a little while I’ll be in bed early again, reading until I fall to sleep. It’s been a wonderful and relaxing day.
Tomorrow we start the ministry work week. I’ll be going to La Quimera as usual. The team will be splitting into 8 groups to go to churches who are involved with the Crusade this coming week. They will go to 8 more churches tomorrow night. It’s going to be a great Sunday!!
I’m so thankful for the blessings that God has given me this day (and always). It’s so wonderful to get to live here in Nica and serve my sweet Lord. I love all the opportunities He brings my way to interact with so many people. I love being a piece to His big puzzle.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
All day today, I have thought it was Monday. I’ve been so confused! Yesterday was a holiday and all the Nica staff had the day off. They came back to work today and it made me think that it was Monday. But then again, I’m easily confused!
I took the morning off from walking today. I knew I would be walking a lot this afternoon. So I got right to work on Feeding Center stuff. I was excited to be so close to checking off some very big items from my to-do list.
We had a driver available, so I didn’t have to take Lesly to the store for the meat for the Feeding Centers for next week. Nor did I have to drive Mayela to the San Jacinto Feeding Center. I got a ton of work done in the morning.
Mary was sweet enough to stop by On the Run and pick me up some of my favorite juice on the way home. She got me 10 bottles. Yay! I love the Carrot/Orange juice!
After lunch, I picked up Estefanie at her house and she gave me the translated notes for Bible Study. I got them ready in English and gave them to her last week and she worked on them all day Thursday to get them translated into Spanish for me. I’ll spend most of Saturday and Sunday typing up the Spanish version so they are ready for the ladies. That’s another big item on the to-do list that will get marked off!
Estefanie and I went to a museum that she has been wanting to show me. It used to be a small prison. There were many mosaics on the walls and drawings depicting scenes of all kinds. Then there were rooms filled with mannequins and other items. We walked up these small, steep stairs to walk around the concrete walls that the soldiers/guards used to walk on to guard the place. I don’t like heights at all, but I enjoyed the excursion. There was a tank there from the revolution in the ‘70s. This prison was a place of much torture. I’m glad that it can be turned into a place to share history and culture.
We then went to the main Cathedral at Central Park. I’ve been to the Cathedral many times, but had not been up on the roof. Part of it was blocked off for repairs, but we still made it up to most of the roof by going up very narrow and steep stairs. It was really pretty up there. Next time I hope to get to go up to the very top and take some pictures. Estefanie was a great tour guide.
I ended up taking about 129 pictures from the afternoon. I’ve downloaded them all on Facebook. It was such a wonderful afternoon for me. I enjoy Estefanie’s company and it was fun to do something totally unrelated to work. We stopped at Eskimo and I had some ice cream and she had a special juice drink. I then took her home and thought about how it feels closer to the mission house all the time. I’m getting more and more used to driving around León. A very nice afternoon, indeed.
I got back to the mission house and got on the computer. Jeremy and Charlie were finishing up the new website and it looks great! It has taken MANY, MANY hours over the last couple of weeks to get it done. Jeremy is very talented and his work was invaluable! I took Jeremy home and Mary rode a long. It’s just a mile or so, and the ride was refreshing.
I had some leftovers for dinner. I love leftovers of any kind, especially cold. I was very happy.
I retired to my room and got my shower and am posting some blogs. Next it will be time for a movie or reading (I haven’t decided yet) and then time to go to bed early so I can get up to walk early in the morning.
The next team will arrive here about 11pm tonight. I’ll probably stay in my room and meet them in the morning. This is our last week of teams until October. This past week has been such a blessing of resting and catching up on other work.
This next week will be very busy and I’m sure will go by very fast. It’s a Crusade, so there should be many salvations by the end of the week. I’m praying for everyone involved in the preparation over the past months and for the workers this week and for the local church people who will follow up with the new Believers after the Crusade is over.
God is so good to us! I love that He allows me to serve Him. I cannot think of anything better!
I took the morning off from walking today. I knew I would be walking a lot this afternoon. So I got right to work on Feeding Center stuff. I was excited to be so close to checking off some very big items from my to-do list.
We had a driver available, so I didn’t have to take Lesly to the store for the meat for the Feeding Centers for next week. Nor did I have to drive Mayela to the San Jacinto Feeding Center. I got a ton of work done in the morning.
Mary was sweet enough to stop by On the Run and pick me up some of my favorite juice on the way home. She got me 10 bottles. Yay! I love the Carrot/Orange juice!
After lunch, I picked up Estefanie at her house and she gave me the translated notes for Bible Study. I got them ready in English and gave them to her last week and she worked on them all day Thursday to get them translated into Spanish for me. I’ll spend most of Saturday and Sunday typing up the Spanish version so they are ready for the ladies. That’s another big item on the to-do list that will get marked off!
Estefanie and I went to a museum that she has been wanting to show me. It used to be a small prison. There were many mosaics on the walls and drawings depicting scenes of all kinds. Then there were rooms filled with mannequins and other items. We walked up these small, steep stairs to walk around the concrete walls that the soldiers/guards used to walk on to guard the place. I don’t like heights at all, but I enjoyed the excursion. There was a tank there from the revolution in the ‘70s. This prison was a place of much torture. I’m glad that it can be turned into a place to share history and culture.
We then went to the main Cathedral at Central Park. I’ve been to the Cathedral many times, but had not been up on the roof. Part of it was blocked off for repairs, but we still made it up to most of the roof by going up very narrow and steep stairs. It was really pretty up there. Next time I hope to get to go up to the very top and take some pictures. Estefanie was a great tour guide.
I ended up taking about 129 pictures from the afternoon. I’ve downloaded them all on Facebook. It was such a wonderful afternoon for me. I enjoy Estefanie’s company and it was fun to do something totally unrelated to work. We stopped at Eskimo and I had some ice cream and she had a special juice drink. I then took her home and thought about how it feels closer to the mission house all the time. I’m getting more and more used to driving around León. A very nice afternoon, indeed.
I got back to the mission house and got on the computer. Jeremy and Charlie were finishing up the new website and it looks great! It has taken MANY, MANY hours over the last couple of weeks to get it done. Jeremy is very talented and his work was invaluable! I took Jeremy home and Mary rode a long. It’s just a mile or so, and the ride was refreshing.
I had some leftovers for dinner. I love leftovers of any kind, especially cold. I was very happy.
I retired to my room and got my shower and am posting some blogs. Next it will be time for a movie or reading (I haven’t decided yet) and then time to go to bed early so I can get up to walk early in the morning.
The next team will arrive here about 11pm tonight. I’ll probably stay in my room and meet them in the morning. This is our last week of teams until October. This past week has been such a blessing of resting and catching up on other work.
This next week will be very busy and I’m sure will go by very fast. It’s a Crusade, so there should be many salvations by the end of the week. I’m praying for everyone involved in the preparation over the past months and for the workers this week and for the local church people who will follow up with the new Believers after the Crusade is over.
God is so good to us! I love that He allows me to serve Him. I cannot think of anything better!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
I got up and walked 4 miles. I didn’t feel like it, but I told myself that I deserved to do it for myself and that I needed to be obedient in taking care of myself. Of course, once I’m out the door I’m loving it, it’s just that part about getting ready and out the door…
I started 2 loads of laundry before I left. We now have 2 washing machines, thanks to a wonderful team, and we really need them! I even stripped my bed and washed up the sheets and bedspread and towels, too.
I got back from my walk and showered and had oatmeal again for breakfast.
I was planning on doing a little sewing and also spending the day just doing personal stuff, which I am very much behind on! I didn’t get to the sewing, but I did get a ton of work done on blog posts and starting my newsletter and other things like that. It was a very productive day.
Sherry and Manuel came over for the day. Actually, Manuel had spent the night with Charlie. Sherry got to spend some time in the pool, which she loves. She fixed some yummy Mexican chicken casserole, green beans and salad for lunch. It was so good!
After lunch, I laid down on my bed with my Kindle for a nap. I awoke almost 2 hours later and I hadn’t moved a muscle from when I laid down. I slept hard! I needed that rest and it felt good! Sherry and Manuel had just left, so Mary and I retired to our computers and quiet rooms. Charlie headed to church.
I was so happy to get so much caught up. Especially, the personal stuff that I put on a back burner. God was very gracious to me by giving me exactly what He knew would make me happy! I am blessed.
DON’T FORGET TO GO TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE TO SEE THE LATEST PHOTOS OF LIFE HERE IN NICA.
I started 2 loads of laundry before I left. We now have 2 washing machines, thanks to a wonderful team, and we really need them! I even stripped my bed and washed up the sheets and bedspread and towels, too.
I got back from my walk and showered and had oatmeal again for breakfast.
I was planning on doing a little sewing and also spending the day just doing personal stuff, which I am very much behind on! I didn’t get to the sewing, but I did get a ton of work done on blog posts and starting my newsletter and other things like that. It was a very productive day.
Sherry and Manuel came over for the day. Actually, Manuel had spent the night with Charlie. Sherry got to spend some time in the pool, which she loves. She fixed some yummy Mexican chicken casserole, green beans and salad for lunch. It was so good!
After lunch, I laid down on my bed with my Kindle for a nap. I awoke almost 2 hours later and I hadn’t moved a muscle from when I laid down. I slept hard! I needed that rest and it felt good! Sherry and Manuel had just left, so Mary and I retired to our computers and quiet rooms. Charlie headed to church.
I was so happy to get so much caught up. Especially, the personal stuff that I put on a back burner. God was very gracious to me by giving me exactly what He knew would make me happy! I am blessed.
DON’T FORGET TO GO TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE TO SEE THE LATEST PHOTOS OF LIFE HERE IN NICA.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
July 15 - 18, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Well, I woke up feeling sick this morning. I think describing the busy-ness of the past 5 weeks did me in. haha I didn’t fell like walking or even getting ready for church. I told Mary that I was staying home and then I went back to bed for a while.
I did some reading, watched a couple of movies on my computer, cleaned out some of my clothing to give away, had some soup for lunch, took a nice nap, joined Sherry, Manuel, Charlie and Mary for some taco salad for dinner and then went to bed early (7:30pm!!) The sleep did me good!
Monday, July 16, 2012
I didn’t walk again this morning. I was still feeling a little bit yucky and I also was needed at the team house early to take care of some things, so I just stuck around for the morning. I did some computer work and then scheduled some dr appointments for the when I return to the states in August.
Mayela, Lesly, Mary and I went to the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center to provide a celebration for the kids. Eddy is the director at the Feeding Center and our newest employee of VOH. He was introduced and procedures were repeated for the kids and parents. Then the fun with the piñata began. It was like a mosh pit once the candy fell from the piñata. I got a little bit of a video of it for my facebook page, but I wasn’t fast enough to catch when the candy fell. It was crazy!
Then the kids got their food. As they were leaving the serving table, Mary handed them a little toy as a special gift. Pastor Pedro was sick, but attended the celebration. Everyone had a great time.
After lunch, I spent the rest of the afternoon on the computer doing Feeding Center stuff. By the end of the afternoon, we didn’t have internet. Charlie, Manuel, Sherry and Mary went to the movies. I took Jeremy home after a long day of him working on the new VOH website with Charlie.
I watched a movie on my computer and then went to bed early. I’m kind of liking these earlier bedtimes!!
It was a nice day of celebrating what God is doing here and how blessed we are to be a part of so much ministry. We are blessed to serve!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
I got up and walked 4 miles this morning. It’s a holiday in León and some of the streets will be blocked off near the Cathedral La Mercedes. I walked down to Central Park and it was already blocked off at 7am. I got to wave to my favorite money changer guy, Luis, and came back to the hotel.
After some computer work in the morning, Mayela and I went to La Quimera Feeding Center. We had to go way around downtown because of the street closings. Since the streets are alternating one-ways, it can be crazy. We finally made it out of town and enjoyed the long, hot drive.
After lunch, I finally got the chance to print off some major files that I had been working on over the last few weeks. That sure felt good!!!
Charlie and Jeremy needed info and a pic from me to put on the new VOH website (which they have been working many, many hours on). I got that sent to them. I used a picture that my friend Mindy (photographer) took of me for the wall display at FBCR. I think it’s cheesy, since it’s me, but it’s a good quality picture, so we’ll use it.
I downloaded the pictures that I had taken at Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. And I gave my brain the rest of the afternoon off.
Mary taught her sewing class in the hot sewing room and then retired for the evening.
I went to my room and had some leftovers for dinner and then got on the computer to do some NYC tourist research for my trip with my sister in Sept. Before I knew it, it was time for bed (8:30 – I told you I was going to bed earlier these days). I put the movie away that I had been planning on watching and went to bed to read for an hour or so before I fell asleep. It was a good day.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I got up and walked 4 miles again. It sure feels good! I’m so hot and sweaty when I get back to the team house, but the cold shower feels wonderful! I had oatmeal for breakfast. I’ve been trying to do the oatmeal thing everyday again like I did when I was taking better care of myself.
I worked on – you guessed it – Feeding Center stuff on the computer during the rest of the morning.
Mayela, Lesly and Mary went to do the Celebration at the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. The kids got a piñata and toys along with their meal for the day. They had a great time.
Charlie and Jeremy worked all day on the VOH website. It’s going to be really nice.
I made some bookmarks with the Fruit of the Spirit on them for the Women’s Bible Study. I was almost through laminating and cutting them when I realized that I had misspelled a word. Oh well, I told the ladies that I was just trying to see if they were paying attention.
Estefanie got here right after a downpour. We left for La Quimera and go to the church just before the ladies arrived.
We had an AWESOME Bible Study. They ladies are participating in it so much. They love coming, I love teaching it and Estefanie is loving translating it. God is really blessing us ALL in this study.
I stopped by On the Run for my favorite chicken sandwich to bring home to eat. I was so excited to see that my yummy V8 Splash Orange/Carrot Juice was back in stock!!! Woohoo!!! Then I took Estefanie home. The roads were already getting crazy crowded for tomorrow’s holiday, so we went a different way to her house. She got to show me the church that her sister attends. After dropping her off at home, I got back to the team house and enjoyed my sandwich!
Mary, Sherry and Manuel had went to Suyapa for dinner. Charlie had stayed back to work with Jeremy some more on the website. Mary brought him a shrimp dinner home from Suyapa.
I worked a little with Charlie on tracking which church has which Feeding Center book. I’ll get with Mayela on Friday to see which version we’ve sent. It takes a team!
I went to my room and got my shower and got on facebook for a little while. Then it was time to read and settle in for the night. Tomorrow is a big holiday here in Nicaragua. It’s Independence Day and thousands of people are heading to Managua for celebrating. Those still at home are celebrating, too. Of couse, there are fireworks. They do fireworks for everything down here! All the staff are off tomorrow, so we’ll just have a nice day of hanging around the team house. Another good day.
Well, I woke up feeling sick this morning. I think describing the busy-ness of the past 5 weeks did me in. haha I didn’t fell like walking or even getting ready for church. I told Mary that I was staying home and then I went back to bed for a while.
I did some reading, watched a couple of movies on my computer, cleaned out some of my clothing to give away, had some soup for lunch, took a nice nap, joined Sherry, Manuel, Charlie and Mary for some taco salad for dinner and then went to bed early (7:30pm!!) The sleep did me good!
Monday, July 16, 2012
I didn’t walk again this morning. I was still feeling a little bit yucky and I also was needed at the team house early to take care of some things, so I just stuck around for the morning. I did some computer work and then scheduled some dr appointments for the when I return to the states in August.
Mayela, Lesly, Mary and I went to the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center to provide a celebration for the kids. Eddy is the director at the Feeding Center and our newest employee of VOH. He was introduced and procedures were repeated for the kids and parents. Then the fun with the piñata began. It was like a mosh pit once the candy fell from the piñata. I got a little bit of a video of it for my facebook page, but I wasn’t fast enough to catch when the candy fell. It was crazy!
Then the kids got their food. As they were leaving the serving table, Mary handed them a little toy as a special gift. Pastor Pedro was sick, but attended the celebration. Everyone had a great time.
After lunch, I spent the rest of the afternoon on the computer doing Feeding Center stuff. By the end of the afternoon, we didn’t have internet. Charlie, Manuel, Sherry and Mary went to the movies. I took Jeremy home after a long day of him working on the new VOH website with Charlie.
I watched a movie on my computer and then went to bed early. I’m kind of liking these earlier bedtimes!!
It was a nice day of celebrating what God is doing here and how blessed we are to be a part of so much ministry. We are blessed to serve!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
I got up and walked 4 miles this morning. It’s a holiday in León and some of the streets will be blocked off near the Cathedral La Mercedes. I walked down to Central Park and it was already blocked off at 7am. I got to wave to my favorite money changer guy, Luis, and came back to the hotel.
After some computer work in the morning, Mayela and I went to La Quimera Feeding Center. We had to go way around downtown because of the street closings. Since the streets are alternating one-ways, it can be crazy. We finally made it out of town and enjoyed the long, hot drive.
After lunch, I finally got the chance to print off some major files that I had been working on over the last few weeks. That sure felt good!!!
Charlie and Jeremy needed info and a pic from me to put on the new VOH website (which they have been working many, many hours on). I got that sent to them. I used a picture that my friend Mindy (photographer) took of me for the wall display at FBCR. I think it’s cheesy, since it’s me, but it’s a good quality picture, so we’ll use it.
I downloaded the pictures that I had taken at Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. And I gave my brain the rest of the afternoon off.
Mary taught her sewing class in the hot sewing room and then retired for the evening.
I went to my room and had some leftovers for dinner and then got on the computer to do some NYC tourist research for my trip with my sister in Sept. Before I knew it, it was time for bed (8:30 – I told you I was going to bed earlier these days). I put the movie away that I had been planning on watching and went to bed to read for an hour or so before I fell asleep. It was a good day.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I got up and walked 4 miles again. It sure feels good! I’m so hot and sweaty when I get back to the team house, but the cold shower feels wonderful! I had oatmeal for breakfast. I’ve been trying to do the oatmeal thing everyday again like I did when I was taking better care of myself.
I worked on – you guessed it – Feeding Center stuff on the computer during the rest of the morning.
Mayela, Lesly and Mary went to do the Celebration at the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. The kids got a piñata and toys along with their meal for the day. They had a great time.
Charlie and Jeremy worked all day on the VOH website. It’s going to be really nice.
I made some bookmarks with the Fruit of the Spirit on them for the Women’s Bible Study. I was almost through laminating and cutting them when I realized that I had misspelled a word. Oh well, I told the ladies that I was just trying to see if they were paying attention.
Estefanie got here right after a downpour. We left for La Quimera and go to the church just before the ladies arrived.
We had an AWESOME Bible Study. They ladies are participating in it so much. They love coming, I love teaching it and Estefanie is loving translating it. God is really blessing us ALL in this study.
I stopped by On the Run for my favorite chicken sandwich to bring home to eat. I was so excited to see that my yummy V8 Splash Orange/Carrot Juice was back in stock!!! Woohoo!!! Then I took Estefanie home. The roads were already getting crazy crowded for tomorrow’s holiday, so we went a different way to her house. She got to show me the church that her sister attends. After dropping her off at home, I got back to the team house and enjoyed my sandwich!
Mary, Sherry and Manuel had went to Suyapa for dinner. Charlie had stayed back to work with Jeremy some more on the website. Mary brought him a shrimp dinner home from Suyapa.
I worked a little with Charlie on tracking which church has which Feeding Center book. I’ll get with Mayela on Friday to see which version we’ve sent. It takes a team!
I went to my room and got my shower and got on facebook for a little while. Then it was time to read and settle in for the night. Tomorrow is a big holiday here in Nicaragua. It’s Independence Day and thousands of people are heading to Managua for celebrating. Those still at home are celebrating, too. Of couse, there are fireworks. They do fireworks for everything down here! All the staff are off tomorrow, so we’ll just have a nice day of hanging around the team house. Another good day.
July 8 - 14, 2012
Sunday, July 8, 2012
I got up and walked 2 miles before getting my shower and breakfast and then got ready for church. The team was up and eating breakfast and left early for their church service. I went to La Quimera, as usual, so I didn’t have to leave until a little later. It was a nice quiet morning for me!
After church and lunch I typed up some blog notes and posted them on my site. I’ve been lax in getting these posted in a timely manner, but with teams here, the schedule is crazy and I’m not the best at discipline sometimes.
I also sewed on some aprons and table/pot covers for the Feeding Centers. The team practiced their drama and also got things ready for the week.
I typed up some of the Bible Study notes for the next set of lessons and went to bed early. It was a very nice day.
Monday, July 9, 2012
The team went out on their first day of ministry; fiestas, VBS, English Club, etc.
I didn’t feel really great when I woke up, so I didn’t walk. I did get up and start working right away. I printed off the Bible Study notes so that Estefanie could start translating them into Spanish for me to type up.
I took Lesly to the market by the terminal to get veggies for the week for the Feeding Centers. That always takes a while.
I got back to the team house and worked on some emails. Then Mayela and I visited the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. It was a good visit. Mayela got some things straightened out with the Pastor and plans are being made to run the Feeding Center more smoothly.
I talked with the step-daughter of a friend. She is beginning her career as a social worker and she was interested to see if there was an opportunity to work with our ministry. The requirements for her project do not line up with how we work, but we had a very nice time talking. Mayela translated for me, but I think the girls understood English pretty well. They have been studying it in the University, too.
I picked up some sewing supplies from Bazar Jerry (one of my fav little stores) and then had a meeting with Mayela, Lesly, Mike and Sherry about the Feeding Centers and plans for the future ones. It was a very good meeting.
We went to Suyapa (restaurant on the beach) for dinner. It was a nice evening and yummy food.
I did some Bible study and worked on memorizing some scripture in Spanish. Then time for bed!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I got up and walked 2 miles. I like walking farther, but I need to get up earlier to make that fit into my schedule. Baby steps…
The team set out for another busy day of ministry.
I ran Auxiliodoro to the Monte Horeb Feeding Center with all her veggies for the week. I asked her when we got in the car if she wanted the windows down or the airconditioner on. She was like a little girl and excitedly told me that she wanted the airconditioner on. I love to bless her. She is very special.
I worked on computer stuff for the Feeding Centers and also some emails regarding upcoming teams. I got to talk to Kellie from FBCR on the phone. We were discussing the GIC Missions Conference at my home church (FBCR) in October. It will be great to get to see everyone that week.
Lesly and I went to town to buy me a new phone. I didn’t like my previous one (too fancy after all) so I decided to get a simpler one and gift my old one to Lesly (who will gift her old one to someone else). We stopped in at Eskimo for an ice cream and ran into the team.
I got back to the team house and spent many more hours on the computer doing Feeding Center stuff. There is a lot of work to be done, but when I think of those awesome kids that are getting fed, it’s worth every minute!!!
I went to bed fairly early. I think the walking at 6:30am is changing my body clock to an earlier bedtime. That’s okay by me!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
I got up early and walked 4 miles this morning. It felt good! I was very hot and sweaty when I got back to the team house and the cold shower was wonderful! Oatmeal for breakfast and busy to work on the computer again. The team went out for more ministry.
Mayela and I visited Noah’s Ark Feeding Center again. It’s always interesting there. Some of the kids are such dolls!
After lunch, I worked on more computer stuff for the Feeding Centers and finished typing up the Spanish version of the Women’s Bible Study notes. I got things printed off for me and Estefanie and also the women.
Estefanie and I went to La Quimera for the Bible Study. It was really good! The ladies are so interested in this discipleship series. They are really paying attention and asking questions and giving input. It makes my heart sing!
The team was out for dinner for the evening, so I had the team house to myself. I made some salmon patties with canned salmon that I had brought from the states. So yummy! I shared a couple of them with Alberto and he liked them, too. I like to put them in a flour tortilla with oliveoil mayo, lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Yum! Just as I was fixing everything on my plate, the electricity went out. I got out my flashlights and finished dinner. Then I went to bed early to read my Kindle.
The team got back while it was still dark. After about an hour, the electricity came back on. It wasn’t bad at all. Didn’t even have to start the generator for the fridge.
I love spending time in my room by myself. Especially, when we have back to back teams. I really like my room and I’m so thankful that God has provided me with a comfy place to live and the peace of mind to live in a small room as my house. He is so faithful!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
I walked 4 miles again this morning. I usually see the same things each day, but like to look for something different. There are shopkeepers that get to know well enough to say hello to. I like to visit my painter friend. Someday, I hope to be able to buy one of his paintings. They are so beautiful. I was neck and neck with a garbage truck for most of my walk. That part was not very pleasant. Also, there were some people carrying large bundles of balloons tied together. I HATE balloons and get very anxious around them, waiting for them to pop. These people were dragging these bundles of balloons down the street. I hurried up and passed them and kept walking fast until I was far ahead of them. That was a good cardio workout for me!
The team is out doing their last day of ministry. They have had a great week. Hundreds of people have accepted Christ at the Fiestas and school visits. VBS and English Clubs have went well, too. They have visited a couple of churches in the evenings and shared music, drama, messages and testimonies. It’s been a good week for them.
After breakfast, I got busy (you guessed it) on the computer. Then Mayela and I visited Noah’s Ark Feeding Center again. We’re getting the last of the kids on the list set up with their ID cards.
I talked with Cathy Krupka by phone about the women from FBC Rogers coming in October to do some Women’s Ministry. It was good to talk with her.
Another team is working on getting a dentist down here for a trip. We really have a need to work on these people’s teeth. I can’t wait to see how God provides the people and supplies/equipment for us to minister in this way.
Sewing Class was small, but fun. We’ve been working on different projects to help teach different kinds of skills. Lately, we’ve been making hair scrunchies and headbands. Some of the ladies are taking the classes seriously and trying to get better. Some of the ladies are just using the class as entertainment. It can get crazy in there sometimes. We have a small room dedicated to the sewing ministry. It is extremely hot and we have 6 fans in it, but we can’t blow the fans directly on us or they will blow away the fabric and thread, etc. We come out of there knowing that we have been working in a ‘sweat shop’. But we are very thankful for the space, the donated machines, the sturdy tables and the electricity that was wired for us. We hope that in the fall, we will have women ready to make some marketable items to help support their families.
I spent the evening relaxing and watching a video. The team went to their last church service. Everyone had a great evening.
Friday, July 13, 2012
I didn’t get to walk this morning, but I got ready early and took Lesly to La Unión grocery store for some items and then to Palí grocery store to get the week’s worth of meet for the 4 Feeding Centers. After I got back to the team house, I took my shower (I always feel nasty after dealing with the bags of meat) and got busy on the computer.
The team was enjoying their Fun Day adventurers. They went to Cerra Negro, a volcano about an hour or so away. You walk up the side of this rocky, hot and dirty volcano carrying a heavy wooden board. It takes about 45 minutes to walk up. Then you ride the board down the volcano. It’s hot and dirty and can be a little bit dangerous if you fall off of the board. Any time a team has done this on Fun Day, there have been a few people with road rash and some with gashes. It doesn’t sound like fun to me, but some people like it. They got back to the team house about 1 and got showers. Then they headed to town to have lunch and do some more shopping.
I worked on the computer more and then after lunch, Mary and I went to town to get some sewing stuff and have some ice cream. It was a nice little get away for us. As much as we love having teams here, we suffer a little from ‘visitor overload’ since Mary and I live here at the team house. It was a nice afternoon.
I watched 2 movies on my computer while cleaning out some clutter in my room. It was a very nice evening.
The team finished packing for their departure tomorrow. They ordered pizza for dinner and brought it back to the team house. They were having a great evening.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
I went for a 2 mile walk and then came back to say goodbye to the team, who left at 8:00am. I got my shower and had my oatmeal. It was such a peaceful morning!!! We had had 5 teams back to back and were ready for a little tranquility.
I worked on Feeding Center stuff on the computer and got a major chunk of work done. I rewarded myself with a nice 2 hour nap in the afternoon. Ahhhhh…
I love being a part of VOH ministries and I love the work that God accomplishes through the teams that come. I love the hustle and bustle of the work that goes on here. But I have to say that I really love the time with it’s just us who live here, doing our own thing, in our own time and in our own way. God blesses us in many ways.
I got up and walked 2 miles before getting my shower and breakfast and then got ready for church. The team was up and eating breakfast and left early for their church service. I went to La Quimera, as usual, so I didn’t have to leave until a little later. It was a nice quiet morning for me!
After church and lunch I typed up some blog notes and posted them on my site. I’ve been lax in getting these posted in a timely manner, but with teams here, the schedule is crazy and I’m not the best at discipline sometimes.
I also sewed on some aprons and table/pot covers for the Feeding Centers. The team practiced their drama and also got things ready for the week.
I typed up some of the Bible Study notes for the next set of lessons and went to bed early. It was a very nice day.
Monday, July 9, 2012
The team went out on their first day of ministry; fiestas, VBS, English Club, etc.
I didn’t feel really great when I woke up, so I didn’t walk. I did get up and start working right away. I printed off the Bible Study notes so that Estefanie could start translating them into Spanish for me to type up.
I took Lesly to the market by the terminal to get veggies for the week for the Feeding Centers. That always takes a while.
I got back to the team house and worked on some emails. Then Mayela and I visited the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. It was a good visit. Mayela got some things straightened out with the Pastor and plans are being made to run the Feeding Center more smoothly.
I talked with the step-daughter of a friend. She is beginning her career as a social worker and she was interested to see if there was an opportunity to work with our ministry. The requirements for her project do not line up with how we work, but we had a very nice time talking. Mayela translated for me, but I think the girls understood English pretty well. They have been studying it in the University, too.
I picked up some sewing supplies from Bazar Jerry (one of my fav little stores) and then had a meeting with Mayela, Lesly, Mike and Sherry about the Feeding Centers and plans for the future ones. It was a very good meeting.
We went to Suyapa (restaurant on the beach) for dinner. It was a nice evening and yummy food.
I did some Bible study and worked on memorizing some scripture in Spanish. Then time for bed!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I got up and walked 2 miles. I like walking farther, but I need to get up earlier to make that fit into my schedule. Baby steps…
The team set out for another busy day of ministry.
I ran Auxiliodoro to the Monte Horeb Feeding Center with all her veggies for the week. I asked her when we got in the car if she wanted the windows down or the airconditioner on. She was like a little girl and excitedly told me that she wanted the airconditioner on. I love to bless her. She is very special.
I worked on computer stuff for the Feeding Centers and also some emails regarding upcoming teams. I got to talk to Kellie from FBCR on the phone. We were discussing the GIC Missions Conference at my home church (FBCR) in October. It will be great to get to see everyone that week.
Lesly and I went to town to buy me a new phone. I didn’t like my previous one (too fancy after all) so I decided to get a simpler one and gift my old one to Lesly (who will gift her old one to someone else). We stopped in at Eskimo for an ice cream and ran into the team.
I got back to the team house and spent many more hours on the computer doing Feeding Center stuff. There is a lot of work to be done, but when I think of those awesome kids that are getting fed, it’s worth every minute!!!
I went to bed fairly early. I think the walking at 6:30am is changing my body clock to an earlier bedtime. That’s okay by me!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
I got up early and walked 4 miles this morning. It felt good! I was very hot and sweaty when I got back to the team house and the cold shower was wonderful! Oatmeal for breakfast and busy to work on the computer again. The team went out for more ministry.
Mayela and I visited Noah’s Ark Feeding Center again. It’s always interesting there. Some of the kids are such dolls!
After lunch, I worked on more computer stuff for the Feeding Centers and finished typing up the Spanish version of the Women’s Bible Study notes. I got things printed off for me and Estefanie and also the women.
Estefanie and I went to La Quimera for the Bible Study. It was really good! The ladies are so interested in this discipleship series. They are really paying attention and asking questions and giving input. It makes my heart sing!
The team was out for dinner for the evening, so I had the team house to myself. I made some salmon patties with canned salmon that I had brought from the states. So yummy! I shared a couple of them with Alberto and he liked them, too. I like to put them in a flour tortilla with oliveoil mayo, lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Yum! Just as I was fixing everything on my plate, the electricity went out. I got out my flashlights and finished dinner. Then I went to bed early to read my Kindle.
The team got back while it was still dark. After about an hour, the electricity came back on. It wasn’t bad at all. Didn’t even have to start the generator for the fridge.
I love spending time in my room by myself. Especially, when we have back to back teams. I really like my room and I’m so thankful that God has provided me with a comfy place to live and the peace of mind to live in a small room as my house. He is so faithful!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
I walked 4 miles again this morning. I usually see the same things each day, but like to look for something different. There are shopkeepers that get to know well enough to say hello to. I like to visit my painter friend. Someday, I hope to be able to buy one of his paintings. They are so beautiful. I was neck and neck with a garbage truck for most of my walk. That part was not very pleasant. Also, there were some people carrying large bundles of balloons tied together. I HATE balloons and get very anxious around them, waiting for them to pop. These people were dragging these bundles of balloons down the street. I hurried up and passed them and kept walking fast until I was far ahead of them. That was a good cardio workout for me!
The team is out doing their last day of ministry. They have had a great week. Hundreds of people have accepted Christ at the Fiestas and school visits. VBS and English Clubs have went well, too. They have visited a couple of churches in the evenings and shared music, drama, messages and testimonies. It’s been a good week for them.
After breakfast, I got busy (you guessed it) on the computer. Then Mayela and I visited Noah’s Ark Feeding Center again. We’re getting the last of the kids on the list set up with their ID cards.
I talked with Cathy Krupka by phone about the women from FBC Rogers coming in October to do some Women’s Ministry. It was good to talk with her.
Another team is working on getting a dentist down here for a trip. We really have a need to work on these people’s teeth. I can’t wait to see how God provides the people and supplies/equipment for us to minister in this way.
Sewing Class was small, but fun. We’ve been working on different projects to help teach different kinds of skills. Lately, we’ve been making hair scrunchies and headbands. Some of the ladies are taking the classes seriously and trying to get better. Some of the ladies are just using the class as entertainment. It can get crazy in there sometimes. We have a small room dedicated to the sewing ministry. It is extremely hot and we have 6 fans in it, but we can’t blow the fans directly on us or they will blow away the fabric and thread, etc. We come out of there knowing that we have been working in a ‘sweat shop’. But we are very thankful for the space, the donated machines, the sturdy tables and the electricity that was wired for us. We hope that in the fall, we will have women ready to make some marketable items to help support their families.
I spent the evening relaxing and watching a video. The team went to their last church service. Everyone had a great evening.
Friday, July 13, 2012
I didn’t get to walk this morning, but I got ready early and took Lesly to La Unión grocery store for some items and then to Palí grocery store to get the week’s worth of meet for the 4 Feeding Centers. After I got back to the team house, I took my shower (I always feel nasty after dealing with the bags of meat) and got busy on the computer.
The team was enjoying their Fun Day adventurers. They went to Cerra Negro, a volcano about an hour or so away. You walk up the side of this rocky, hot and dirty volcano carrying a heavy wooden board. It takes about 45 minutes to walk up. Then you ride the board down the volcano. It’s hot and dirty and can be a little bit dangerous if you fall off of the board. Any time a team has done this on Fun Day, there have been a few people with road rash and some with gashes. It doesn’t sound like fun to me, but some people like it. They got back to the team house about 1 and got showers. Then they headed to town to have lunch and do some more shopping.
I worked on the computer more and then after lunch, Mary and I went to town to get some sewing stuff and have some ice cream. It was a nice little get away for us. As much as we love having teams here, we suffer a little from ‘visitor overload’ since Mary and I live here at the team house. It was a nice afternoon.
I watched 2 movies on my computer while cleaning out some clutter in my room. It was a very nice evening.
The team finished packing for their departure tomorrow. They ordered pizza for dinner and brought it back to the team house. They were having a great evening.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
I went for a 2 mile walk and then came back to say goodbye to the team, who left at 8:00am. I got my shower and had my oatmeal. It was such a peaceful morning!!! We had had 5 teams back to back and were ready for a little tranquility.
I worked on Feeding Center stuff on the computer and got a major chunk of work done. I rewarded myself with a nice 2 hour nap in the afternoon. Ahhhhh…
I love being a part of VOH ministries and I love the work that God accomplishes through the teams that come. I love the hustle and bustle of the work that goes on here. But I have to say that I really love the time with it’s just us who live here, doing our own thing, in our own time and in our own way. God blesses us in many ways.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
July 1 - 7, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The team split into 3 church groups to share messages and testimonies. I went to La Quimera church and delivered meat for the Feeding Center for Sunday’s lunch. There was a celebration for birthdays and Pastor Brian had asked me to take some pictures.
There were 2 clowns there to do the message and they did a great job. Everyone laughed and paid good attention to the story. After church, there was a trampoline and a bouncy-house thing. The kids absolutely loved it. I got to meet some nice people who don’t usually come to the church. It was a really nice time. The clowns made some balloon animals and gave me a bear. I got my picture made with them. I had to leave before the piñata and food, but I really enjoyed myself.
We had a great lunch of grilled chicken (our normal Sunday dinner) and then had orientation for the team. It was Charlie’s birthday, so we had chocolate cake. It was a nice afternoon. I got to take a nice nap.
The team split into 3 church groups again for evening service and I went with one group. I really enjoyed the service.
Monday, July 2, 2012
The team went out to do Fiestas, School visits, Street Evangelism, etc. I ran errands with Lesly most of the morning. On the way back to the team house, we stopped and picked up Manuel, Jaasiel and Jorge, who were walking around town for exercise.
After lunch, Mayela and I went back to town to look for picture albums (for the Feeding Center). I picked up some paper for my printer, markers, notebooks for Bible study and some wire for sewing class. We also went to one of the fabric stores and spent a lot of time (and money) on fabric to make the banners for the churches. Bismark, who has waited on me before and knows a little English, had a lot of patience cutting out all of the pieces of fabric that I wanted. He gave me a discount, too.
We all went to Poneloya Beach to see the ocean and then to Suyapa restaurant for dinner. It was a nice evening. Everyone loved the view and the food.
Back at the team house, I worked on the banner sketches some more, assigning colors to the pieces according to the fabric choices that I had made.
I started thinking about how bad I had been over the last year about not exercising, so I got out one of my workout videos and declared July a definite starting point to changing my lifestyle back into one of healthy choices.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The team went out on Fiestas and such again in the morning. I walked 2 miles and stopped on my way home at my favorite Libreria to buy some large pieces of paper, pens for Bible study and graph paper for sketching.
When I got back to the team house, I got my shower and ate oatmeal. I ran Auxiliodoro to the Monte Horeb Feeding Center, since she was picking up her weekly veggies and was needing a ride. Then I got a little bit of laundry done before the cleaning ladies got here. The electricity was off and on all morning, but I finally got my one load of clothes washed and dried.
I made an excel spreadsheet for Lesly for her recordkeeping and then I work on the computer most of the rest of the morning.
In the afternoon, I went with the team shopping downtown. The Cathredal is closed during the day because of construction around the grounds. We did find some souvenirs and then had ice cream at Eskimo. It was a fun time.
I typed up over due blog notes and posted them. I get very behind when there are teams here and so much going on.
The office computer had a major melt down which gave Maylea a minor melt down. Very thankfully, Jeremy’s wife Kelly is a computer tech and she got it hooked up to use Charlie’s laptop (with a smashed screen) as the processor and using the desktop screen, keyboard and mouse.
Mayela spent the night to be able to print out the picture book of Feeding Center kids for the team to take home.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
It’s Independence Day in the states, but we didn’t miss fireworks too much, since they set them off down here all the time for various reasons. The sound of them sets off Buster the dog, who barks like crazy and then attacks the plants, trees and bushes, sometimes pulling them up completely from the ground.
I talked to one of my sisters and my mom in the morning after my morning walk. I also called Kellie at FBCR to discuss dates for my flight back to Nica after the GIC (missions conference) in Oct.
I got cleaned up and ate my oatmeal. Bah. Mayela and Lesly and I went to town to look for more photo albums, which are very hard to find here. The traffic was horrendous, much worse than usual. There was some big-wig political person downtown, so they had many blocks barricaded from traffic. Since León is mostly one way streets, that made it crazy to try to get around. We finally found a place to park (a God thing) and walked to the different stores. We found a few photo albums at one store, but could not find any more.
I got back on the computer for a while and then got ready for Bible Study at La Quimera. Tina, Erin and Hannah from the team went with me and Estefanie (translator) for the class. We stopped at Maxi Palí for cookies for the class. The girls got to see the new grocery store this way. They liked it.
There was a big storm that blew in at the beginning of the Bible study class. And I mean it BLEW in! Strong winds were kind of scary. It started raining and blew in through the metal lattice work that is the top of the walls. The sound of the rain on the tin roof was very loud. We went ahead anyway and drew our chairs up really close together and Estafanie had to yell her translations. But we had a great share time. The rain ended about the time we were leaving to come back to the team house. I was glad not to have to drive through any storms. It had also rained and blew in León, but had quit by the time we got back.
The team did not have any services to go to at night, so we hung out at the team house and visited. I was so glad to get to visit with Ric for a while.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Charlie and Gannon joined me on my walk this morning. Since they are big strapping men, we walked down the highway. I’m not allowed to walk down the highway by myself anymore for safety reasons, but it is the route that I prefer, so I was happy to have them along as my personal bodyguards! We walked down to German’s house and I introduced them to his wife. As we were coming back to the team house, we met a big herd of cattle being herded down the road. I grabbed a few pics. I used to see lots of horses and cows and pigs along the streets on my walks when we lived in Poneloya. I miss that sometimes.
The team went out for Fiestas and such. I got cleaned up and worked on emails and messages for a while.
Mike needed to take the car back to his house for Sherry to drive, so he had me follow him in the Explorer to his house and bring him back to the team house. I had been looking at airfares on the computer before we left and was ready to purchase some when Mike interrupted me to pick him up. When we got back and I got back on the website, the fares had dropped. Cool! With using my skymiles, I got my ticket for just $80, so I was very happy! I confirmed my flight details with my sister. We’re all set for our Sept adventure!
Mayela and I visited the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. Pastor Pedro was on a retreat, so we didn’t get to talk to him, but we checked out records and spoke to some of the workers. I video-ed a song by the kids to put on my FB page. It’s The Lord’s Army in Spanish. I loved that it’s the same song as the States!!
I got all set up for the Sewing Class and Estefanie came early to help me. This was her first time translating for the sewing class since the very first one. Now we have machines set up in our own little sewing room. She doesn’t know how to sew, but she is a great translator and ready to help out in everything! I’m blessed to have her working with me. We made hair scrunchies and headbands. One of the youth from the team, Gracie, came in to work with us, too. She made a headband and I put her picture on FB.
The team went to church for the last night and I stayed back at the team house to rest and see if I could help with dinner.
Friday, July 6, 2012
The team left about 6:30am for Fun Day. I walked about 4.5 miles downtown and back. I just went to exchange some US money on the street corner. There is a guy named Luis there that I used twice in one day when driving by. He saw me coming and said hi, so I walked over to him and asked his name. I got back to the team house and had oatmeal and showered and got ready for the day.
Mary rode with Lesly and me to get the Feeding Center cheese at the Terminal market. We met Mayela there (she arrives on a bus from Chinandega). We all went to Palí to pick up the week’s meat for the Feeding Centers. Mayela and I stayed in the car while Mary and Lesly went in. It’s a long wait for all that meat to be packaged up and I was glad to let Mary go in this time.
I forwarded the info for School Supply Sponsorships to Donna, who will work on wording some documents to share with people. I did more airfare research and finally bought my tickets for Oct 2012 thru Jan 2013. I got a pretty good deal.
Mary and I went to town in the afternoon by hitching a ride with Lesly’s taxi. Mayela hitched a ride to the bus terminal, too. I got my haircut and then Mary and I went to Eskimo to eat icecream. Then we walked around just a little bit looking at souvenirs because Mary wanted some Nica t-shirts, which are pretty cheap.
I made some macaroni in my little hot-pot. It was very tasty. We relaxed until the team got back from Fun Day. They weren’t hungry for dinner before leaving Managua, so they waited until they got back and ordered pizzas from Hollywood Pizza (which is very good here). I visited with the team and enjoyed a slice of pizza, too. I will sure miss Ric and his team when they leave. They are always such a blessing to us.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Highland Baptist Church team left for the airport at 8:30am. It was too hot by then to walk, so I washed my sheets and had oatmeal for breakfast.
I spent the biggest part of the day drawing out the full-size patterns for the banners. I was really excited to get that part done. Jaasiel and Mary helped to cut out some of the letters. It will be a big job to cut out the fabric pieces, but if I take everything in steps, it will be done before I know it. This first batch is the most time-consuming. After that, all the decisions will be made and it will just be a matter of reproducing them.
Beth’s team from Westside Baptist Church in VA arrived about 4pm. They got settled in and had spaghetti dinner.
Mike, Sherry and Manuel came by and I measured some pants for Manuel so I could hem them for his exercise/dance class.
I got my shower and hemmed the pants and watched part of a movie and went to bed. I’ve been really tired lately. Maybe because I’m walking in the mornings again. The heat here zaps you more than you know. I could really use a nap now and then!
It’s been a really busy summer and the teams have been great. After this coming week, we have 1 week off from teams. We will do other ministry type stuff during that time. Then we have 1 more team for the summer. It’s flown by. There have been over 9,000 Salvations this summer since June 9. Awesome.
God is so good! He is so faithful!
The team split into 3 church groups to share messages and testimonies. I went to La Quimera church and delivered meat for the Feeding Center for Sunday’s lunch. There was a celebration for birthdays and Pastor Brian had asked me to take some pictures.
There were 2 clowns there to do the message and they did a great job. Everyone laughed and paid good attention to the story. After church, there was a trampoline and a bouncy-house thing. The kids absolutely loved it. I got to meet some nice people who don’t usually come to the church. It was a really nice time. The clowns made some balloon animals and gave me a bear. I got my picture made with them. I had to leave before the piñata and food, but I really enjoyed myself.
We had a great lunch of grilled chicken (our normal Sunday dinner) and then had orientation for the team. It was Charlie’s birthday, so we had chocolate cake. It was a nice afternoon. I got to take a nice nap.
The team split into 3 church groups again for evening service and I went with one group. I really enjoyed the service.
Monday, July 2, 2012
The team went out to do Fiestas, School visits, Street Evangelism, etc. I ran errands with Lesly most of the morning. On the way back to the team house, we stopped and picked up Manuel, Jaasiel and Jorge, who were walking around town for exercise.
After lunch, Mayela and I went back to town to look for picture albums (for the Feeding Center). I picked up some paper for my printer, markers, notebooks for Bible study and some wire for sewing class. We also went to one of the fabric stores and spent a lot of time (and money) on fabric to make the banners for the churches. Bismark, who has waited on me before and knows a little English, had a lot of patience cutting out all of the pieces of fabric that I wanted. He gave me a discount, too.
We all went to Poneloya Beach to see the ocean and then to Suyapa restaurant for dinner. It was a nice evening. Everyone loved the view and the food.
Back at the team house, I worked on the banner sketches some more, assigning colors to the pieces according to the fabric choices that I had made.
I started thinking about how bad I had been over the last year about not exercising, so I got out one of my workout videos and declared July a definite starting point to changing my lifestyle back into one of healthy choices.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The team went out on Fiestas and such again in the morning. I walked 2 miles and stopped on my way home at my favorite Libreria to buy some large pieces of paper, pens for Bible study and graph paper for sketching.
When I got back to the team house, I got my shower and ate oatmeal. I ran Auxiliodoro to the Monte Horeb Feeding Center, since she was picking up her weekly veggies and was needing a ride. Then I got a little bit of laundry done before the cleaning ladies got here. The electricity was off and on all morning, but I finally got my one load of clothes washed and dried.
I made an excel spreadsheet for Lesly for her recordkeeping and then I work on the computer most of the rest of the morning.
In the afternoon, I went with the team shopping downtown. The Cathredal is closed during the day because of construction around the grounds. We did find some souvenirs and then had ice cream at Eskimo. It was a fun time.
I typed up over due blog notes and posted them. I get very behind when there are teams here and so much going on.
The office computer had a major melt down which gave Maylea a minor melt down. Very thankfully, Jeremy’s wife Kelly is a computer tech and she got it hooked up to use Charlie’s laptop (with a smashed screen) as the processor and using the desktop screen, keyboard and mouse.
Mayela spent the night to be able to print out the picture book of Feeding Center kids for the team to take home.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
It’s Independence Day in the states, but we didn’t miss fireworks too much, since they set them off down here all the time for various reasons. The sound of them sets off Buster the dog, who barks like crazy and then attacks the plants, trees and bushes, sometimes pulling them up completely from the ground.
I talked to one of my sisters and my mom in the morning after my morning walk. I also called Kellie at FBCR to discuss dates for my flight back to Nica after the GIC (missions conference) in Oct.
I got cleaned up and ate my oatmeal. Bah. Mayela and Lesly and I went to town to look for more photo albums, which are very hard to find here. The traffic was horrendous, much worse than usual. There was some big-wig political person downtown, so they had many blocks barricaded from traffic. Since León is mostly one way streets, that made it crazy to try to get around. We finally found a place to park (a God thing) and walked to the different stores. We found a few photo albums at one store, but could not find any more.
I got back on the computer for a while and then got ready for Bible Study at La Quimera. Tina, Erin and Hannah from the team went with me and Estefanie (translator) for the class. We stopped at Maxi Palí for cookies for the class. The girls got to see the new grocery store this way. They liked it.
There was a big storm that blew in at the beginning of the Bible study class. And I mean it BLEW in! Strong winds were kind of scary. It started raining and blew in through the metal lattice work that is the top of the walls. The sound of the rain on the tin roof was very loud. We went ahead anyway and drew our chairs up really close together and Estafanie had to yell her translations. But we had a great share time. The rain ended about the time we were leaving to come back to the team house. I was glad not to have to drive through any storms. It had also rained and blew in León, but had quit by the time we got back.
The team did not have any services to go to at night, so we hung out at the team house and visited. I was so glad to get to visit with Ric for a while.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Charlie and Gannon joined me on my walk this morning. Since they are big strapping men, we walked down the highway. I’m not allowed to walk down the highway by myself anymore for safety reasons, but it is the route that I prefer, so I was happy to have them along as my personal bodyguards! We walked down to German’s house and I introduced them to his wife. As we were coming back to the team house, we met a big herd of cattle being herded down the road. I grabbed a few pics. I used to see lots of horses and cows and pigs along the streets on my walks when we lived in Poneloya. I miss that sometimes.
The team went out for Fiestas and such. I got cleaned up and worked on emails and messages for a while.
Mike needed to take the car back to his house for Sherry to drive, so he had me follow him in the Explorer to his house and bring him back to the team house. I had been looking at airfares on the computer before we left and was ready to purchase some when Mike interrupted me to pick him up. When we got back and I got back on the website, the fares had dropped. Cool! With using my skymiles, I got my ticket for just $80, so I was very happy! I confirmed my flight details with my sister. We’re all set for our Sept adventure!
Mayela and I visited the Noah’s Ark Feeding Center. Pastor Pedro was on a retreat, so we didn’t get to talk to him, but we checked out records and spoke to some of the workers. I video-ed a song by the kids to put on my FB page. It’s The Lord’s Army in Spanish. I loved that it’s the same song as the States!!
I got all set up for the Sewing Class and Estefanie came early to help me. This was her first time translating for the sewing class since the very first one. Now we have machines set up in our own little sewing room. She doesn’t know how to sew, but she is a great translator and ready to help out in everything! I’m blessed to have her working with me. We made hair scrunchies and headbands. One of the youth from the team, Gracie, came in to work with us, too. She made a headband and I put her picture on FB.
The team went to church for the last night and I stayed back at the team house to rest and see if I could help with dinner.
Friday, July 6, 2012
The team left about 6:30am for Fun Day. I walked about 4.5 miles downtown and back. I just went to exchange some US money on the street corner. There is a guy named Luis there that I used twice in one day when driving by. He saw me coming and said hi, so I walked over to him and asked his name. I got back to the team house and had oatmeal and showered and got ready for the day.
Mary rode with Lesly and me to get the Feeding Center cheese at the Terminal market. We met Mayela there (she arrives on a bus from Chinandega). We all went to Palí to pick up the week’s meat for the Feeding Centers. Mayela and I stayed in the car while Mary and Lesly went in. It’s a long wait for all that meat to be packaged up and I was glad to let Mary go in this time.
I forwarded the info for School Supply Sponsorships to Donna, who will work on wording some documents to share with people. I did more airfare research and finally bought my tickets for Oct 2012 thru Jan 2013. I got a pretty good deal.
Mary and I went to town in the afternoon by hitching a ride with Lesly’s taxi. Mayela hitched a ride to the bus terminal, too. I got my haircut and then Mary and I went to Eskimo to eat icecream. Then we walked around just a little bit looking at souvenirs because Mary wanted some Nica t-shirts, which are pretty cheap.
I made some macaroni in my little hot-pot. It was very tasty. We relaxed until the team got back from Fun Day. They weren’t hungry for dinner before leaving Managua, so they waited until they got back and ordered pizzas from Hollywood Pizza (which is very good here). I visited with the team and enjoyed a slice of pizza, too. I will sure miss Ric and his team when they leave. They are always such a blessing to us.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Highland Baptist Church team left for the airport at 8:30am. It was too hot by then to walk, so I washed my sheets and had oatmeal for breakfast.
I spent the biggest part of the day drawing out the full-size patterns for the banners. I was really excited to get that part done. Jaasiel and Mary helped to cut out some of the letters. It will be a big job to cut out the fabric pieces, but if I take everything in steps, it will be done before I know it. This first batch is the most time-consuming. After that, all the decisions will be made and it will just be a matter of reproducing them.
Beth’s team from Westside Baptist Church in VA arrived about 4pm. They got settled in and had spaghetti dinner.
Mike, Sherry and Manuel came by and I measured some pants for Manuel so I could hem them for his exercise/dance class.
I got my shower and hemmed the pants and watched part of a movie and went to bed. I’ve been really tired lately. Maybe because I’m walking in the mornings again. The heat here zaps you more than you know. I could really use a nap now and then!
It’s been a really busy summer and the teams have been great. After this coming week, we have 1 week off from teams. We will do other ministry type stuff during that time. Then we have 1 more team for the summer. It’s flown by. There have been over 9,000 Salvations this summer since June 9. Awesome.
God is so good! He is so faithful!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
June 18-24, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
The team went out to do Fiestas in the morning.
Lesly and I went to the market by the bus terminal to buy the weekly produce for the Feeding Centers. The market is crowded and noisy and so interesting! There is one particular section that we buy most of our produce from. They are very friendly and honest. They will also carry our huge bags of veggies to the vehicle. I can’t imagine putting a bag of 50-100 pounds on my head and walking blocks. I get a headache just thinking about it! It takes a while to get this shopping spree done each Monday. It is hot and dirty and smelly. It makes me feel ashamed when I have complained about shopping for groceries in the states where it’s air-conditioned, clean and pleasant.
Anyway, I worked more on the lesson notes for the Women’s Bible study and gave them to Lesly to edit (in case Estefanie and I made mistakes). I also worked more on the picture books of the kids at the Feeding Centers, ran to a store to buy some cups and bowls ($ donated by team) for the kids at the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. Mary and Austin (intern) went with me and we had fun driving crazy and getting looks from people in the store when we bought so many cups and bowls.
Mary had went to pick up her passport from the authorities. When we get an extension on our visas (past 30 days), you have to pay a fee of $1 per day past the original 30. If you do this in León, they hold your passport for a week. If you do it in Managua, you get to keep your passport, but it’s an all day trip just to get it done.
While the team went to the beach and Suyapa restaurant for dinner, I stayed at the team house and worked on Feeding Center files and pinned more aprons to sew for the volunteer cooks. It was a very pleasant night.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The team left for Fiestas and a conference. I set up the sewing room for Mary’s class later in the day. We spent most of the day working on the picture books of the kids at the Feeding Centers. The Interns helped out a lot. The team went to the crusade and I stayed back to work, do laundry, make some calls to the states, etc. It was another pleasant night.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Team went out for Fiestas and again and another conference. They are making visits to Feeding Centers on their way home for lunch.
I went with Lesly to drive her on errands. Back at the team house, I worked on Bible Study notes and emails, and of course, more pics for the Feeding Center books.
Estafanie and went to the Ladies Bible Study at La Quimera. We always have a great time with the ladies there. I took Estafanie home and felt very comfortable as I’m learning my way back home from different places in the town.
One of the ladies on the team, Connie, loves to sew and she worked very hard making many of the aprons that we had cut out and pinned. I was so thankful to her for all of her sewing help!
The team went to do the crusade and it was a good night!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The team left for Fiesats and conference as usual. I chatted with Auxiliodor when she came to pick up the meet for the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. It’s nice to get to talk to Pastor Brian each morning, also, as he stops in to get the meat for the LQFC.
Mayela and I went downtown to take care of some business. I’ve been lucky to have access to a vehicle most of the time. It’s a hassle to drive and to park, but is very nice to have a vehicle on the long journeys.
We finally got the PayPal feature fixed on the VOH website and I could send some money down. I was excited!
Haley was sick and stayed back at the mission house while the team went to the crusade. We visited for a while. I fixed us some pasta for dinner and it was a quiet evening.
Mike needed to keep the Explorer here at the team house for the morning, so when he arrived we drove back to his house to drop him off and then I drove back to the team house. I made one wrong turn, which is not good at night, but I found familiar ground and made it home just fine.
When the team got back from the crusade, we got email addresses for anyone wanting to be on our newsletter list and also if they wanted to be considered for internships for next year.
Then everyone got packed up and ready to leave early in the morning. They would be staying in Managua after their Fun Day.
Friday, June 22, 2012
The team from the Highridge, Lifesong, and Temple Churches left at 6:30am for Fun Day and an overnight in Managua before flying back to the states on Saturday.
Everyone here at the team house was busy stripping beds, cleaning rooms, buying groceries, and getting ready for the Crosslife Church team that would arrive early evening. The changeover went pretty well!
I worked on Feeding Center files, emails, downloading pics to Facebook, etc.
Mayela and I went to visit the San Jacinto Feeding Center. It’s new and the volunteers are wonderful. I don’t know the ladies very well yet, but I’m very thankful for them! The kids are very thankful for the good lunch 5 days a week. God is really blessing!
On the way back from San Jacinto, Mayela and I stopped in at the La Quimera community. We didn’t go to the church/feeding center, because we didn’t want Pastor Brian to see us. We were dropping off some refreshments for a surprise party for him that would be held the next day. We weren’t sure where Syliva lived, so we stopped on the dirt road and yelled ‘Sylvia!!!’. One of her neighbors went to get her. It was kind of funny.
The Crosslife team arrived and got settled into their rooms.
Another funny thing that happened was that 2 of the Interns who went to escort the departing team on Fun Day, mistakenly got left with the group. The drivers had no idea that they were coming back to the team house. After a couple of phone calls, and just a short wait, they were picked up and brought back to León. That was a first!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Crosslife team went on their Fun Day at the beginning of their ministry week, instead of at the end. This was the first time they went on a Fun Day. They usually leave a day early. They had a good time, although there was a misunderstanding on the part of the Intern in charge of the group and they didn’t eat dinner before returning to the team house. It took a lot of phone calls and even more waiting time, but they ordered and picked up pizza for the group for dinner.
I really enjoy some of the people on the team. I got to spend some time chatting with a few of them during the day. It was great.
I worked a little more on Feeding Center stuff and pinned some more aprons. It was a good day.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
The team split into groups and went to several churches in the morning.
I went to La Quimer church as usual. It was decorated from the Father’s Day party the day before. It was a special party for Pastor Brian. The church loves having him as their spiritual Father. There had been 3 ladies doing some folk dancing for the party and Pastor Brian wanted them to do it for me (VOH) on Sunday. I took some pics and some video. It was fun.
When everyone got back to the team house for lunch, the electricity was out and stayed out until almost 9pm. In the late evening, we had to get gas for the generator to keep the fridges running. It was hot, sticky, sweaty and noisy. I did get a nap, though. I have a battery-operated fan that I use in extreme emergencies. It’s not very big and not strong at all, but it felt good moving the air across me a little bit.
I spent the rest of the day doing non-electric stuff like working on Bible Study notes and notes for my blog. Good ole pencil and paper!
The team went out to multiple churches in the evening. The cooks finished preparing the dinner by flashlight and generator. Everyone ate by flashlight. Very cozy!
We all cheered when the electricity came back on. We slept very well that night!
The team went out to do Fiestas in the morning.
Lesly and I went to the market by the bus terminal to buy the weekly produce for the Feeding Centers. The market is crowded and noisy and so interesting! There is one particular section that we buy most of our produce from. They are very friendly and honest. They will also carry our huge bags of veggies to the vehicle. I can’t imagine putting a bag of 50-100 pounds on my head and walking blocks. I get a headache just thinking about it! It takes a while to get this shopping spree done each Monday. It is hot and dirty and smelly. It makes me feel ashamed when I have complained about shopping for groceries in the states where it’s air-conditioned, clean and pleasant.
Anyway, I worked more on the lesson notes for the Women’s Bible study and gave them to Lesly to edit (in case Estefanie and I made mistakes). I also worked more on the picture books of the kids at the Feeding Centers, ran to a store to buy some cups and bowls ($ donated by team) for the kids at the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. Mary and Austin (intern) went with me and we had fun driving crazy and getting looks from people in the store when we bought so many cups and bowls.
Mary had went to pick up her passport from the authorities. When we get an extension on our visas (past 30 days), you have to pay a fee of $1 per day past the original 30. If you do this in León, they hold your passport for a week. If you do it in Managua, you get to keep your passport, but it’s an all day trip just to get it done.
While the team went to the beach and Suyapa restaurant for dinner, I stayed at the team house and worked on Feeding Center files and pinned more aprons to sew for the volunteer cooks. It was a very pleasant night.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The team left for Fiestas and a conference. I set up the sewing room for Mary’s class later in the day. We spent most of the day working on the picture books of the kids at the Feeding Centers. The Interns helped out a lot. The team went to the crusade and I stayed back to work, do laundry, make some calls to the states, etc. It was another pleasant night.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Team went out for Fiestas and again and another conference. They are making visits to Feeding Centers on their way home for lunch.
I went with Lesly to drive her on errands. Back at the team house, I worked on Bible Study notes and emails, and of course, more pics for the Feeding Center books.
Estafanie and went to the Ladies Bible Study at La Quimera. We always have a great time with the ladies there. I took Estafanie home and felt very comfortable as I’m learning my way back home from different places in the town.
One of the ladies on the team, Connie, loves to sew and she worked very hard making many of the aprons that we had cut out and pinned. I was so thankful to her for all of her sewing help!
The team went to do the crusade and it was a good night!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The team left for Fiesats and conference as usual. I chatted with Auxiliodor when she came to pick up the meet for the Monte Horeb Feeding Center. It’s nice to get to talk to Pastor Brian each morning, also, as he stops in to get the meat for the LQFC.
Mayela and I went downtown to take care of some business. I’ve been lucky to have access to a vehicle most of the time. It’s a hassle to drive and to park, but is very nice to have a vehicle on the long journeys.
We finally got the PayPal feature fixed on the VOH website and I could send some money down. I was excited!
Haley was sick and stayed back at the mission house while the team went to the crusade. We visited for a while. I fixed us some pasta for dinner and it was a quiet evening.
Mike needed to keep the Explorer here at the team house for the morning, so when he arrived we drove back to his house to drop him off and then I drove back to the team house. I made one wrong turn, which is not good at night, but I found familiar ground and made it home just fine.
When the team got back from the crusade, we got email addresses for anyone wanting to be on our newsletter list and also if they wanted to be considered for internships for next year.
Then everyone got packed up and ready to leave early in the morning. They would be staying in Managua after their Fun Day.
Friday, June 22, 2012
The team from the Highridge, Lifesong, and Temple Churches left at 6:30am for Fun Day and an overnight in Managua before flying back to the states on Saturday.
Everyone here at the team house was busy stripping beds, cleaning rooms, buying groceries, and getting ready for the Crosslife Church team that would arrive early evening. The changeover went pretty well!
I worked on Feeding Center files, emails, downloading pics to Facebook, etc.
Mayela and I went to visit the San Jacinto Feeding Center. It’s new and the volunteers are wonderful. I don’t know the ladies very well yet, but I’m very thankful for them! The kids are very thankful for the good lunch 5 days a week. God is really blessing!
On the way back from San Jacinto, Mayela and I stopped in at the La Quimera community. We didn’t go to the church/feeding center, because we didn’t want Pastor Brian to see us. We were dropping off some refreshments for a surprise party for him that would be held the next day. We weren’t sure where Syliva lived, so we stopped on the dirt road and yelled ‘Sylvia!!!’. One of her neighbors went to get her. It was kind of funny.
The Crosslife team arrived and got settled into their rooms.
Another funny thing that happened was that 2 of the Interns who went to escort the departing team on Fun Day, mistakenly got left with the group. The drivers had no idea that they were coming back to the team house. After a couple of phone calls, and just a short wait, they were picked up and brought back to León. That was a first!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
The Crosslife team went on their Fun Day at the beginning of their ministry week, instead of at the end. This was the first time they went on a Fun Day. They usually leave a day early. They had a good time, although there was a misunderstanding on the part of the Intern in charge of the group and they didn’t eat dinner before returning to the team house. It took a lot of phone calls and even more waiting time, but they ordered and picked up pizza for the group for dinner.
I really enjoy some of the people on the team. I got to spend some time chatting with a few of them during the day. It was great.
I worked a little more on Feeding Center stuff and pinned some more aprons. It was a good day.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
The team split into groups and went to several churches in the morning.
I went to La Quimer church as usual. It was decorated from the Father’s Day party the day before. It was a special party for Pastor Brian. The church loves having him as their spiritual Father. There had been 3 ladies doing some folk dancing for the party and Pastor Brian wanted them to do it for me (VOH) on Sunday. I took some pics and some video. It was fun.
When everyone got back to the team house for lunch, the electricity was out and stayed out until almost 9pm. In the late evening, we had to get gas for the generator to keep the fridges running. It was hot, sticky, sweaty and noisy. I did get a nap, though. I have a battery-operated fan that I use in extreme emergencies. It’s not very big and not strong at all, but it felt good moving the air across me a little bit.
I spent the rest of the day doing non-electric stuff like working on Bible Study notes and notes for my blog. Good ole pencil and paper!
The team went out to multiple churches in the evening. The cooks finished preparing the dinner by flashlight and generator. Everyone ate by flashlight. Very cozy!
We all cheered when the electricity came back on. We slept very well that night!
June 25-30, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
The team went out to do multiple Fiestas in the morning and a conference.
Lesly and I went to the market at the bus terminal to buy the weekly veggies for the feeding centers. Mayela travels by bus from Chinendega, so we called her and had her find us in the market instead of taking the little bus to the mission house. We also stopped at the grocery store, 2 bookstores and got ice and water for the mission house.
My money come in from the states, so I could finally go and buy the things that were on my ever-growing list.
After working on computer, including downloading pics to facebook, Mayela and I went to town to get some things taken care of. Mayela got a new phone and then we went to 2 stores to buy plastic chairs and a plastic table for me to use as an outdoor office just outside my room. I dropped Mayela off at the bus terminal and headed back home.
The team had decided not to go to the beach and Suyapa restaurant, so we had some yummy Mexican casserole (Sherry’s recipie) for dinner and everyone enjoyed the pool and relaxed.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
The team went out for Fiestas and conference.
I worked on emails and also put together a document for the Women’s Mission trip in October. I had been working on sketches for some banners for a couple of churches. I showed them to Mike and he picked 4 he likes. Now I can go forward with that project. (where will I find the time??)
We did more work on picture books (every team that comes down gets one to take back to their home church). Lesly and I did some shopping for the ministry in the afternoon, and I got some items for the sewing class.
I spent more time on the computer at the mission house, doing emails and messages. 5 people had to stay back from the crusade because they were sick, so I visited with them a little bit. When it starts getting dusk, the mosquitoes come out, so I retire to my room about 6pm. I like to have things to do in there (study, computer, Bible study, sewing, etc), so I was happy to have a dress of Sherry’s to alter. I enjoyed a video and sewed until bedtime. Good day!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The team went out as usual and got busy on the computer. I sent about 20 emails with the Women’s trip document attached. I’m excited to see who all God is planning on bringing here to Nica to minister during this special week!
I drove Lesly for shopping for groceries for Lydia and meds for me.
Then I prepared for Women’s Bible Study. The ladies love having handouts to work from. And I love their interaction.
We had a wonderful Bible study! Estefanie said it was her favorite one so far. The ladies really got into it and we have wonderful discussions. I’m always so blessed on Bible Study days!
I took Estefanie home and returned to the team house to eat my yummy dinner of Monterrey Chicken sandwich that I got at On the Run on the way home. There were 2 people who stayed back form the crusade, so I checked on them. It was a quiet night and I enjoyed working more on the sketches for the banners.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The team went out for their last day of Fiestas and conferences. They have been making visits to the feeding centers and went to a school. It’s been a good week for them.
I worked on the computer some more while the team was out. I have better internet access when everyone is gone with their smartphones and I get a lot more concentration time, too.
Mayela and I visited the San Jacinto and La Quimera feeding centers in the late morning.
I taught sewing class in the afternoon. We made hair scrunchies and headbands with little petals. They were cute, but we didn’t have our measurements down quite right. The ladies said the little ones might work for kids, but one woman said if she put it on her baby’s head, it would kill the baby. Needless to way, these women have a warped sense of humor just like me!
One person stayed back from the crusade as sick, but we had a great chat. More computer work in my room completed my day.
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Crosslife team left early morning for the airport. Their week culminated in 1682 salvations from all of the Fiestas, school visits, conferences and 3 nights of crusade services.
After working on the team house to help get it ready to turn over for the next team coming, the Interns got ready and I took them and Mary to lunch at Al Carbon. It was delicious, but it did take really long to get our food. We got good and full and started walking back to the van, which was parked a few blocks away. It started raining really hard and we got drenched. It was funny. Right when we all got back into the van, the rain went from a downpour to nothing all at once.
We returned to the team house and relaxed. I took Lesly to do some errands and took her and Jorge home. Then I went back to the mission house and worked on the computer for a while.
The Interns cooked dinner (mac n cheese with velveeta) and cookies. Charlie treated us to Tip Top Chicken delivery. I talked to the restaurant guy on the phone and we had a good time with my Spanish and his English. I love conversations like that. We ended our interchange by complimenting each other on our language skills (no matter they were rough). We all ate way too much. Who can resist cookies hot out of the oven???
The Interns had a last night of devotions and prayer together. They will be missed very much! It has been a pleasure to serve with them this month!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
The Interns left at 3am and 8am for Managua for their flights. It was bittersweet seeing them go.
I started getting some laundry caught up before the workers started on the towels and sheets again. It’s always good to get laundry done. We carry our clothes out to the washer and dryer, which are outside of another building. Every time I do that, I think of how spoiled we are in the US to have a laundry room so convenient to us. And I think of how spoiled we are at the team house to have a washer and dryer at all. Most people here wash by hand. I’m thankful I don’t have to do all of my laundry that way!
Manuel was here for part of the morning, but left with Mike when he was getting a little hard to handle. I miss the days when Manuel could hang out with me and Mary for hours and we would have so much fun together. Maybe some day they will get his medicines worked out and we will have our old Manuel back.
Mayela came to work for the day directing the workers to get the house ready for the team. She was walking around with a clipboard so that she wouldn’t forget anything that Sherry told her to do. Mary thought the clipboard was funny, and followed Mayela around a little bit. I told Mayela not to take it personally. She and I actually work a lot a like, making lists and checking them off. I think that’s why we work together so well. Mayela left at 3pm and Mary and I rested in our rooms until the team got here about 4pm.
We had a brief team meeting and had dinner. We chatted awhile and the team broke up into groups to practice their songs for the week. It was such a sweet spirit here at the team house. I loved it!
I got the chance to sit with Charlie and chat a while. We’ve been so busy with our different responsibilities with the ministry that we haven’t had any good talks. It was very nice.
I went to bed listening to the team singing and talking and laughing. It was great!
The team went out to do multiple Fiestas in the morning and a conference.
Lesly and I went to the market at the bus terminal to buy the weekly veggies for the feeding centers. Mayela travels by bus from Chinendega, so we called her and had her find us in the market instead of taking the little bus to the mission house. We also stopped at the grocery store, 2 bookstores and got ice and water for the mission house.
My money come in from the states, so I could finally go and buy the things that were on my ever-growing list.
After working on computer, including downloading pics to facebook, Mayela and I went to town to get some things taken care of. Mayela got a new phone and then we went to 2 stores to buy plastic chairs and a plastic table for me to use as an outdoor office just outside my room. I dropped Mayela off at the bus terminal and headed back home.
The team had decided not to go to the beach and Suyapa restaurant, so we had some yummy Mexican casserole (Sherry’s recipie) for dinner and everyone enjoyed the pool and relaxed.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
The team went out for Fiestas and conference.
I worked on emails and also put together a document for the Women’s Mission trip in October. I had been working on sketches for some banners for a couple of churches. I showed them to Mike and he picked 4 he likes. Now I can go forward with that project. (where will I find the time??)
We did more work on picture books (every team that comes down gets one to take back to their home church). Lesly and I did some shopping for the ministry in the afternoon, and I got some items for the sewing class.
I spent more time on the computer at the mission house, doing emails and messages. 5 people had to stay back from the crusade because they were sick, so I visited with them a little bit. When it starts getting dusk, the mosquitoes come out, so I retire to my room about 6pm. I like to have things to do in there (study, computer, Bible study, sewing, etc), so I was happy to have a dress of Sherry’s to alter. I enjoyed a video and sewed until bedtime. Good day!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
The team went out as usual and got busy on the computer. I sent about 20 emails with the Women’s trip document attached. I’m excited to see who all God is planning on bringing here to Nica to minister during this special week!
I drove Lesly for shopping for groceries for Lydia and meds for me.
Then I prepared for Women’s Bible Study. The ladies love having handouts to work from. And I love their interaction.
We had a wonderful Bible study! Estefanie said it was her favorite one so far. The ladies really got into it and we have wonderful discussions. I’m always so blessed on Bible Study days!
I took Estefanie home and returned to the team house to eat my yummy dinner of Monterrey Chicken sandwich that I got at On the Run on the way home. There were 2 people who stayed back form the crusade, so I checked on them. It was a quiet night and I enjoyed working more on the sketches for the banners.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
The team went out for their last day of Fiestas and conferences. They have been making visits to the feeding centers and went to a school. It’s been a good week for them.
I worked on the computer some more while the team was out. I have better internet access when everyone is gone with their smartphones and I get a lot more concentration time, too.
Mayela and I visited the San Jacinto and La Quimera feeding centers in the late morning.
I taught sewing class in the afternoon. We made hair scrunchies and headbands with little petals. They were cute, but we didn’t have our measurements down quite right. The ladies said the little ones might work for kids, but one woman said if she put it on her baby’s head, it would kill the baby. Needless to way, these women have a warped sense of humor just like me!
One person stayed back from the crusade as sick, but we had a great chat. More computer work in my room completed my day.
Friday, June 29, 2012
The Crosslife team left early morning for the airport. Their week culminated in 1682 salvations from all of the Fiestas, school visits, conferences and 3 nights of crusade services.
After working on the team house to help get it ready to turn over for the next team coming, the Interns got ready and I took them and Mary to lunch at Al Carbon. It was delicious, but it did take really long to get our food. We got good and full and started walking back to the van, which was parked a few blocks away. It started raining really hard and we got drenched. It was funny. Right when we all got back into the van, the rain went from a downpour to nothing all at once.
We returned to the team house and relaxed. I took Lesly to do some errands and took her and Jorge home. Then I went back to the mission house and worked on the computer for a while.
The Interns cooked dinner (mac n cheese with velveeta) and cookies. Charlie treated us to Tip Top Chicken delivery. I talked to the restaurant guy on the phone and we had a good time with my Spanish and his English. I love conversations like that. We ended our interchange by complimenting each other on our language skills (no matter they were rough). We all ate way too much. Who can resist cookies hot out of the oven???
The Interns had a last night of devotions and prayer together. They will be missed very much! It has been a pleasure to serve with them this month!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
The Interns left at 3am and 8am for Managua for their flights. It was bittersweet seeing them go.
I started getting some laundry caught up before the workers started on the towels and sheets again. It’s always good to get laundry done. We carry our clothes out to the washer and dryer, which are outside of another building. Every time I do that, I think of how spoiled we are in the US to have a laundry room so convenient to us. And I think of how spoiled we are at the team house to have a washer and dryer at all. Most people here wash by hand. I’m thankful I don’t have to do all of my laundry that way!
Manuel was here for part of the morning, but left with Mike when he was getting a little hard to handle. I miss the days when Manuel could hang out with me and Mary for hours and we would have so much fun together. Maybe some day they will get his medicines worked out and we will have our old Manuel back.
Mayela came to work for the day directing the workers to get the house ready for the team. She was walking around with a clipboard so that she wouldn’t forget anything that Sherry told her to do. Mary thought the clipboard was funny, and followed Mayela around a little bit. I told Mayela not to take it personally. She and I actually work a lot a like, making lists and checking them off. I think that’s why we work together so well. Mayela left at 3pm and Mary and I rested in our rooms until the team got here about 4pm.
We had a brief team meeting and had dinner. We chatted awhile and the team broke up into groups to practice their songs for the week. It was such a sweet spirit here at the team house. I loved it!
I got the chance to sit with Charlie and chat a while. We’ve been so busy with our different responsibilities with the ministry that we haven’t had any good talks. It was very nice.
I went to bed listening to the team singing and talking and laughing. It was great!
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