February 12-16, 2014

The week has been made up of pretty much the usual… Bible study, reading, study, meetings, price checking items for the Living Grace House, running errands, and a nap here and there, when I can fit one in! 

One evening, Sherry, Laura and I made dinner with what we had in the collective kitchen.  We allowed Daniel to dine with us, too.  We had tilapia, garlic/cheese mashed potatoes, spinach and asparagus.  Pretty tasty!  Sherry was here at the Guest house until Sunday morning.  She was fun to be around and was really hating the heat, since she’s from Nova Scotia.  But she had a great time here in Nica.  She went out to El Paraiso with Tamara for 2 days of mission work.  I think God really opened her eyes to the needs here.  She’s back home in Canada soon. 

Jason and Issa had baby Ilia on Valentine’s Day.  What a sweet blessing!  I haven’t went over to see her yet, since there is a lot of family here in Nica.  I can’t wait to hold her, though.  They are a very sweet family.

I got a much needed haircut (after 4 weeks).  I can’t stand to have my hair touch my ears.  And I sweat so much here, that I like to keep my hair very short.

I bought a foam mattress, kitchen trash can and 2 large fans for Living Grace House.  I have a list of other things to get, but thought I would wait until I move.  That’s tomorrow!  Woohoo!

I had the pleasure of running around with Estefanie and Sofia this week.  Freddy and Jaasiel also visited on a couple of days.  I ran into Carmen and Luis at the grocery store.  Jalisa and I visited at Tamara’s house, and Sandra and Preston come over for a quick visit one day.  It’s been fun to see everyone.  I can’t wait to get into Living Grace House and to invite people over.  It will be more convenient since I will be living by myself and not sharing a house with 5 other people.  I won’t feel like I’m imposing on them when I have company.

James Isreal will continue to live in my house for a couple more weeks, until his room is ready at Jason’s new (big) Guest House.  I don’t mind it at all and it will be a nice security feature for my first few weeks.  He’s a sweet guy and a hard worker.  I’ll have him continue to take care of the plants and to take out the trash for me.  He works for Jason fixing up the new Guest House, helps teach at the mission at El Paraiso and goes to school on Saturdays.  He’s a busy guy and always has a smile.  He’s just 19 and learning the ropes for working and all those adult kinds of things.

A guy named Tayron came over last week.  He came back today to chat with me.  He has the chance to attend a conference/school in Honduras for a few weeks.  I gave him a little money to help get there.  He is going to do some work for me in the future to pay it back.  It wasn’t much, but he insists on helping me with the ministry. 

Sofia is going to be my part-time housekeeper.  The houses here are not sealed and they have openings in the roofs for all the little gardens inside the houses.  You even park your vehicle inside the house (if you have one).  Anyway, the floors need to be swept and mopped at least once a day.  Sofia loves to clean, so she’ll help with the floors, bathrooms and do some laundry for me.  She goes to school on Saturdays and this will give her some spending money, too.  She wants to learn English, and I need to practice my Spanish, so we will be helping each other out on our language learning, too.

Church today was great.  I love the worship music and the messages.  It all reminds me so much of the Spanish church in Rogers (Cuerpo Vivo).  I’ve started a 8 week Bible study via Skype with some ladies in TX and NV.  We have technical difficulties each week, but we make it work.  It’s very intense and personal and there is a lot of crying for each other.  It will be very healing and God will bless us very much.  He is the great Healer.

My Mom had some blood pressure issues this week and was in the hospital for tests for a day or two.  Her heart is fine and they are adjusting her blood pressure meds.  Hopefully, this will take care of the problems.  I haven’t been able to get a call through to her yesterday or today.  I’ll try again tomorrow.

I can’t believe that I will be sleeping in my house tomorrow night!  I’ve been really comfy here at the Guest house.  My house is right next door.  My friends are neighbors on both sides (with the landlord in the midst of us).  So it doesn’t seem too different!   It will be so fun to fix the place up.  I’m ready for the hard work.  I can’t wait to see how peaceful and welcoming it will be!

Well, time for bed.  Lots to do tomorrow!  God is so Good!  I’m so thankful to be His child.

Introducing LIVING GRACE MINISTRY

Living Grace Ministry

Vickie Cline     vickiejocline@yahoo.com     479-270-0727 us     vickiemir.blogspot.com
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For 7 years, I have been blessed as a full-time missionary in the US, Mexico, Thailand and currently, Nicaragua. Beginning in 2014, God is giving me the opportunity to grow and serve by focusing my life on a treasure He has named Living Grace Ministry.
A new name for a continuing walk…

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others,

faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

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The Mission of Living Grace Ministry is to enable individuals to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and experience the abundant life God has purposed for us by expressing His loving nature through our lives and to others.
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The Primary Goals of Living Grace:

* Evangelism * Discipleship * Multiplying the Family of God

     “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” 

 2 Peter 1:2

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The Outreach of Living Grace is comprised of year-round, weekly Bible Study classes for individuals and small groups, taught by Vickie and local instructors, at Living Grace House or in local churches. Also, Special Events, such as conferences, retreats and workshops will be held a various times throughout the year, depending on availability of leaders/instructors.
Guests from the US are welcome to lead the conferences, workshops and retreats!!!

The main focuses of outreach are:
Women’s Ministry (Bible studies geared to women’s issues here in Nica)
Youth Ministry (especially young ladies ages high-school thru 20’s)
Practical Skills Ministry (all types of skills to improve quality of life & support family)
English Bible Study Group (students expand English skills while studying the Bible)
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The ministry will serve from Living Grace House, located in central León.

More detailed information is available by contacting Vickie at vickiejocline@yahoo.com.

You may help support Living Grace Ministry by sending donations to:
FBC Rogers AR,                                              
3364 W Pleasant Grove Road                                
Rogers AR 72758

or give on-line at fbcrogers.org      All donations are tax-deductible

* Please note that the donation is for Vickie Cline/Living Grace

****Living Grace House****

God has provided a unique space from which Living Grace will be able to minister to the people of León.

Living Grace House is large (almost 4,000sf of indoor & outdoor space) with 3 great rooms for common areas and classrooms, an indoor kitchen, private living area for Vickie, and a few extra bedrooms and bathrooms for guests.
(The house needs some sprucing up, and projects will be addressed as funds are available.)

The house is located in a neighborhood central to downtown León, which is easy for students and visitors to get to, and also near to stores and restaurants for Vickie & guests. We feel safe and have fellow missionaries as neighbors.

Many classes, small group gatherings and mentoring sessions will be held at Living Grace House each week. God has provided what He had planned for the ministry before we even had dreamed of it ourselves.

Cost of running Living Grace House: approx. $800 per month
This includes Rent, Utilities, Part-time domestic help, and an Emergency fund.

Love offerings above the monthly budget will be used for upgrades, such as paint, ceiling fans, lights, kitchen update, furniture, curtains, etc.



Living Grace Ministry Monthly Budget: $2,300.00

Living Grace House
House (rent) $ 400.00
Utilities, etc $ 200.00
Emergency fund $ 200.00
Living Grace House Total $ 800.00

Personal Expenses
Tithe $ 200.00
Medical (health ins) $ 440.00
Medications $ 150.00
Cell service (US & Nica) $ 140.00
Food $ 400.00
Transportation (Nica) $ 20.00
Personal Expenses Total $1,350.00
(not included are the costs related to Visa requirements to serve in Nicaragua. Airfare to/from US, monthly extensions with Nica government, etc. This could range from $1,400-2,000 annually)

Ministry Expenses (mo avg) $150.00
(Ministry Costs will be itemized by individual Classes and Events and include:
curriculum, printing, supplies for life skills classes, translator, instructor fee, etc)





2014 Financials - Monthly

Income support from FBC Rogers AR $900.00
Monthly Donors (avg from 2013) $700.00
[Increase needed for 2014 budget) $700.00


Tax-deductible donations may be made to:
FBC Rogers
3364 W Pleasant Grove Road
Rogers AR 72758

OR on-line at fbcrogers.org (click ‘giving online’)

**Please note that your donation is for Vickie Cline/Living Grace Ministry

(Another way to offer support is transferring frequent flyer miles to Vickie’s Delta Airlines account.)

February 6-11, 2014

Thursday, Friday and Saturday were more of the usual.
Breakfast either here at the guest house (oatmeal or scrambled eggs) or at the corner comedor (gallo pinto and scrambled eggs).

A little shopping for produce and some price research at the market, lots of computer work, naps when I can get them, eating out once a day, talking with friends, planning for the ministry and just enjoying life!

On Thursday night, I was invited along with another house guest to have dinner at Jason and Issa’s house. We had fresh sea bass just caught that day. It was so delicious!

My friends Tamara and Sandra took Tamara’s boys and headed to Costa Rica for a visa run. They spent 3 nights there and had fun. It’s a long bus ride, but it’s so much cheaper than flying back to the US.

One of the ladies at the Guest house, Maureen, left for Granada. She will be missed. I stood with her on the street waiting for the microbus and we had fun chatting. She is keeping in touch via facebook and email. She may come back through León later in the next month before heading back to the states.

On Thursday, I ordered the 6” #5 firm foam mattress for the queen bed I’m borrowing from Tamara. She has the frame and box springs. She was needing to put the bed in my house, so I will get to use it for myself. I was used to sleeping on a twin bed for years, but I have to admit, I’m spoiled to the queen bed here at the Guest house. I’ll use my twin bed as a daybed in my 2 room private suite at my new house. Works out perfect!

I’ve spent a ton of time on the computer working on the introduction and planning documents for Living Grace Ministry. Laura, another person here at the Guest house, has helped me so much with this. It’s her expertise to analyze programs, procedures and policies for businesses and organizations. She volunteered her time to help me. What a gift from God! I was finally ready to start sending the info out!!

I had eaten some street food on Saturday night and my tummy was not happy come Sunday morning. I had to miss church. I hated that. I love my new church and I kept thinking about them singing praises and I missed it terribly.

I had been working on a personal Bible study during the week. Sunday afternoon I got to join some other ladies via Skype to do week one of the study. What a blessing! I’m looking forward to doing this study. I know it will knock my socks off!

I had to give in and start taking cipro for my stomach. I guess the street food won this round. I made some phone calls, sent some emails, paid some bills on line and mostly slept all day Monday. I did venture out to a pulperia across the street for a big bottle of Fresca. Can’t wait to feel better!

Tuesday morning started out with breakfast from the corner comedor (gallo pinto and scrambled eggs). That was okay on my stomach. Mid-morning, Jason took us all on a tour of the Big House that he is remodeling for a huge Guest house. There is so much work to be done, but it will be awesome when finished! He’s really good at this!

Today, there was a ‘random’ visit from a guy looking for work as a handyman, gardener, pest control, roofer, etc. I happened to open the door at the Guest house and we started talking. I invited him in to get his contact number. Before we really talked much about his skills and such, he started talking about his relationship with the Lord. Keep in mind that this 20 minute discussion took place all in Spanish and I held my own! We had a wonderful time talking about God and our walk with Him. I asked why he stopped at this house. He said that he felt that God was telling Him to. I also think that maybe the store owner across the street might have shared what I told him about using the house for a ministry. Anyway, I look forward to more conversations with Taylon, whether I hire him or not.

In the last 2 days, I’ve sent out 40 personal emails with information about the new ministry. I have about 20-30 more personal emails to send out about it and then I can switch to some group emails. I’m excited to share the info. God is putting things into place and I love watching it. He is faithful!

My tummy is still not happy, but it’s getting better. I’m trying to behave myself. Before you know it, I’ll be back out there on the street eating the good stuff again!

On the 14th, I will be back here for one month. It feels like I’ve been back ‘home’ for months. It’s just natural to live her and I’m loving these new experiences. God is so good to me! I want to glorify Him in everything!! He is worthy!

February 1-5, 2014

Saturday started the month of February. I’ve been saying February 16th… after February 16th… when I move Feburary 16th… classes will start after February 16th… so many times! Now I can just say ‘the 16th’. That may not seem like a big deal, but to me, it means that I’m getting closer to the next steps in the ministry getting on track.

I spent a lot of time on Saturday doing computer work, bookkeeping stuff (blah), communication, etc. I also got the chance to visit with Jason’s mother, Maritza (another NA missionary who comes and goes between here and the states). I met a couple of guys from the Guest house next door. Justin is from England (love the accent) and they are here working with an organization teaching ‘circus skills’. Interesting…

It’s been fun meeting the different people renting rooms in Jason’s Guest houses. I love to hear their stories about their lives and their travels. It reminds me a lot of meeting people in NYC. I loved those times and I’m loving this, too. It’s really exciting to hear what God is doing through other ministries and organizations. I love being connected to others as we are all doing Kingdom work in the ways that God has purposed for us.

I called Deanna for my weekly Saturday check in. She said that the weather was turning bad in NWArkansas yet again. Poor Jet (the dog) may never get to take his cherished afternoon walks if winter doesn’t straighten up!

I rode to church with Tamara’s family and we stopped at a favorite gas station snack bar for lunch. Jalisa’s family, visiting from the states, treated us to a Superbowl party at Tamara’s house. They cooked all afternoon. We had some of the usual Superbowl food and some special recipes from PA and from Columbia! Yum! The game was boring after Seattle got so far ahead, but we had fun talking and eating! It was a great day!

On Monday, we found out that another missionary couple had their baby girl. I believe she was born at 5something am and went home that night. Anyway, she is well and the family is happy. So many baby girls!!! Awesome!

We have a new renter at the Guest house (there are 6 bedrooms in total). His name is Daniel and he is from Amsterdam. I like his accent, too.

I spent a lot of time on the computer and then went with Tamara to walk around and buy supplies. We stopped at our favorite bakery, but only got drinks. (how’s that for self-control) I finished reading the book “Grace Walk” and typed up some of the highlighted parts. I will use this book in my daily life and I also want to use it in a future English Bible Study. Good stuff!

The EBSG newbies came over and we had a nice time together. I had given them a list of the books of the Bible in English/Spanish. I could tell that they had been practicing! They all read them with almost perfect pronunciation. I felt ashamed that I could not do that in Spanish. I need to get busy studying!!! This is a really fun group!

Tuesday morning was a big day of computer work and bookkeeping. Carol, a friend from AR, who is here with a team working with VOH, came to visit me for a while. It was so good to spend time with her. We had started a friendship last year after her husband had made a couple of trips to work with VOH. They do not live in the same city as me in AR, but her mother does, and when Carol came to Rogers to visit her mother, we would meet and have lunch together and discuss sewing projects, etc. Carol brought me a kit she had made up for making quilted tote bags. She also brought me a new sewing machine to add to my sewing class/workroom. How blessed am I?!?!?! I enjoyed her visit so much.

I bought my place tickets between AR and Nica for May to Dec. I’ll have to extend my visa a couple of times and leave the country at least once during that time span, but it gives me options. I’ll be flying to the US less times per year now. I will have the chance to continue the Bible study classes year round. I will also have less travel money as I pay housing costs. It’s all good, though. I can’t wait to move into my house. (have I mentioned that before? Lol)

I went out fairly early for Chinese food for dinner and then went to bed really early. I don’t know why I was so tired. It is getting hotter every day (it IS summer/dry season here now) and it will continue to do so until May. The heat really zaps your energy and you sometimes wonder why. But it felt good to get a cold shower and jump in bed by 8pm and read a little bit.

Wednesday has been a good day. I walked downtown and enjoyed the free wi-fi, A/C, bathroom and a mokaccino (that’s how they spell it here) at Casa del Café. The walk was nice and I jump started my brain by being in a different place. I also was treated to a special conversation orchestrated by God. So instead of feeling guilty for the pleasures of the morning, I was actually being obedient, so that I could be where God wanted me. Right??? I loved the conversation about ministry that I got to have this morning.

I started reading a new personal Bible study that I will get to participate with some ladies in TX with over Skype for the next 8 Sundays. How fun!

I’ll be going with Maureen for dinner at a frantanga on the streets by central park. Yum! Then it will probably be early to bed for me again.

I sure do love my life and all that God allows me to experience. I am His and I’m so thankful that He claims me as His own!

January 27-31, 2014

Monday started off with a trip to Maxi Palí grocery store. It’s like a mini-Walmart (and I mean mini). But they have some stuff that can’t be found in the closer stores. Craig (another person at the Guest house) went with Tamara and I, and enjoyed seeing more of León. We ran into Lesly and Danilo from VOH. It was good to see them and get a hug.

Tamara and I then went to visit Carmen and Luis and baby Annabella, who was 2 days old. She is soooo cute! Then Tamara and I treated ourselves to a good lunch. I love the pita rolls at Carnivoro and since they are hard to hold to eat, I just unrolled the giant fresh pita bread and ate the meat and veggies inside with a fork. Sooo good!

After lunch, I got to chat with Maria Danelia, my new landlord. I had been praying for our negotiations and she was thinking it over. God gave me a peace about knowing that this was the house that He has chosen for me and that the negotiation process was something He wanted to happen for a purpose. To my delight, Danelia agreed that the original $400 per month rent was acceptable and is promising it to me for 2 years! That was better than the negotiation started off with! Thank you Lord! Danelia and I are on friendly terms and I think God will work through this relationship in the future. So thankful for His hand in it all. I also got the chance to buy 4 plastic tables and 20 plastic chairs for just a bit over what 3 new tables would have cost me. I was thrilled to be able to give the money to Danelia as an extension of our business relationship. Now, I just need to really clean up these tables and chairs so that they will be ready for classes to start mid-month!

Monday evening, the new group of students for English Bible Study Group came again and we talked a lot and shared some devotions. It’s good for them to get used to the way I speak. They asked if I always speak slowly and clearly like in class. No… but it’s important for them to get used to me and then I’ll talk faster. Lol They love it. I have gotten messages from students from last year asking when we will start classes again. They are so anxious! I am, too! Just a few more weeks until I move into Living Grace House. Then we can fill the place with students!

I had some issues with my iPhone. I keep it going with unlimited International calling and data. It’s a bit pricey, but I can use it when there is no internet, so I feel more secure keeping it available. I have to say that the customer service person that helped me was wonderful and went out of her way to take care of everything for me. It was just a ‘settings’ issue, but she also asked me a lot of other questions to make sure that I was getting the best use from the phone. I was very blessed and pleased. Now, if they could just lower that monthly premium… ☺

On Tuesday, I walked around and bought some supplies. It’s not unusual to have to visit multiple stores catering to various needs. It reminds me of NYC a little bit. It takes more time than just whipping into Walmart, but you also get exercise, fresh air and get to see a lot of people.

Maureen (another renter at the Guest house) and I had lunch at one of my favorite places, Callejón. It’s only open for lunch and it’s really great Nica food. Such huge helpings and lots of veggies available! I went to the central market to buy some baby stuff and picked up some videos on the street. It was a good day of walking around. And I enjoyed a movie before bed.

On Wednesday, I did a lot computer stuff, including communication and ministry planning. I did get to make a visit to baby Annabelle again. What a cutie!

Thursday was filled with more computer stuff in the morning, lunch of quesillos and nacatamales with Maureen, wedding gift shopping and then back home.

Another missionary friend, named Jalisa, had invited me out to her place. I called my faithful friend Jorge to take me in his taxi. Jasila has a beautiful place for her ministry to Pastors, ministry personnel, retreat groups, etc. It is such a welcoming and calming place. A wonderful place to spend time with God. I enjoyed our visit. We brought her car back into town so that she could meet up with some visiting family arriving the next day. We went for some great tacos on the street. Tacos here are like giant taquitos. I got mine before the frying process, so they were more like a burrito, but they were soooooooooo good! Meat mixture inside a tortilla rolled up with crema and cabbage salad on top and some pico de gallo. Wow! Soooo good! I went to bed full and happy! I’ll remember that place! They are only open for dinner, so that will be a special treat.

On Friday, Tamara and I had planned to go to Managua for her to take care of some personal business. I wasn’t really looking forward to the road trip (I get car sick), so I was pleasantly surprised to find out that we were going to Chinandega instead. We went up there to a Sinsa store (owned by Ace Hardware) and I picked out some great tile to use as a border around the kitchen counter when I move to my new place. I also looked at paint colors. I’m chomping at the bit to get started on the house! I priced ceiling fans, too.

We drove all over Chinandega (we refuse to admit we got lost) and had some exciting times going round and round the rotunda (roundabout intersection). After giving up, we found a main road back south and ended up right where we were heading, to the La Colonia grocery store. And, of course, it was just a block or so from where we started! Lol I found lots of NA brands and treated myself to good groceries that I can’t get in León. We are excited to know that a La Colonia store is coming to León, but who knows when that will be completed! Anyway, after leaving the grocery store, we thought we would get smart and stop at the corner gas station for directions to the little mall. Guess what, the guy pointed to an orange building just the other side of the rotunda and said that’s it! He looked at us like we were a couple of crazy gringas. How right he was! We laughed and laughed and tackled the rotunda one more time. We had fun eating at the food court (only about 6 restaurants) and then shopped at a used clothing store and a little boutique. Then we had some coffee drinks and headed back to León. It was a good day out. I was thrilled to research the Sinsa store and dream of paint colors and tile.

Friday night, Maureen and I went to one of my favorite restaurants, Ya Voy, and we ran into a few of the VOH guys just back from the remote medical trip. It was nice to see some of them. I was trying to touch base with Mario, a friend from another ministry, to exchange something to ship back to the states for someone. We finally connected at Ya Voy restaurant. It was a happening place! Lol

Back at the Guest house, Laura and Maureen and I watched a movie on the computer using my little projector (a gift from a dear friend in the states). It worked wonderfully!

This ends January 2014. Even though I was only back for 2 weeks, it seems like it’s been much longer. (in a good way) God has opened so many doors and there have been so many little things to take care of and plan for. It feels like life as usual. I am truly blessed to be here and serve my awesome God.