Final Day of Conference

Final Day of the Conference, tomorrow early, but not too early, we fly home.

Our Brother Aaron writes the following:

Wow what an awesome final day to the Men’s Foursquare Leadership Conference here in Esteli, Nicaragua. Over one hundred men heard the messages from three team members today.

Juan spoke first on being the “Light” of Christ in this world. His testimony was quite powerful – you can tell that Juan is a man who has a deep desire to share God’s truth with other men.

I had the honor and privilege of speaking second. I spoke on “Harmony” in the home and in the church. A key to harmony in the home is affirming our spouses. I had the men at the conference spend a few minutes building one another up in Christ, as often we forget about how awesome each one of us is in the eyes of God.

Tom Simonson spoke last on “Victory” explaining how we as men need to put on the full armor of God, if we are going to have success in this life. Tom also gave every one of the men a one-year reading plan in Spanish, that also serves as a bookmark, to help them remember to read the Word every day.

The conference concluded with the gift of a book on how men can be leader in all areas of their lives. It will be sad to leave, but every one of the men on this trip poured their hearts out – every man gave their all for the sake of the Gospel. The Good News was proclaimed and men’s lives were forever changed. We look forward to hearing the mighty things God will do in the coming year in the lives of these Nicaraguan me, both in their families and in their churches!

Our Brother Tom writes the next report:

It was a joy to see many familiar faces as I spoke to the men of Nicaragua today. I was fortunate to be able to provide a brief recap after each session. This gave me a chance to work out the jitters before I shared the message at our final session! More importantly, it gave me special insight into the words the Lord gave each of our team members. The heartfelt words that each shared were so interwoven, only He could have been the author! Experiences were shared, tears were shed, and we were bonded together through the common language we share through our God our Father. I'm ready to come home, but can't wait until next year...

Our work, HIS work through us in Nicaragua is now done. So many more stories and blessings than we can write. Now pray for our travel mercies.

Thank you.

ddd

Lights Out!!!

Greetings from Nicaragua

Sorry this blog is late, the reasons will be revealed in a moment.

The time came to start our formal presentations. After an introduction of the team by Butch and of course prayer Matt kicked us off on the topic of Unity. His presentation went overwhelmingly well that many came to the front for continued prayer.

Soon we were a little behind and we were asked to limit Lon's presentation on Purity to finish at an exact time as dinner was waiting. Here is Lon's report:

What a night and what a difference twelve or fifteen minutes can make. The time allotted for my task had to be shortened because a meal was coming up right behind me. I decided to abandon my script altogether ad speak on the subject extemporaneously. The men were really engaged. Later, one of the Pastors, with tears in his eyes said to me “Thank you”, for that message God spoke to my heart, he meant that message just for me. God knows what he is doing. Lon

OK so now are in the midst of our presentations and the lights go out!!! Not just in our conference area but he whole town. Did that stop us? No!!! By the light of three very small flashlights, we continued. Not a man walked out, we could not see much except perhaps beating in expectation of what would come next. Here is Dean's report:

What an incredible experience! Under different circumstances, the changing agenda could have dampened the energy in the room. Not with this group of Godly men! even though at times I couldn't see them, and my talk followed a full meal that took us into the evening, the rousing response to Gods word was energizing. The room was dark, but the Holy Spirit illuminated the hearts of the participants! Dean.

Hmm, the Lord is surely playing laughing with us as tomorrow's first topic to be presented by Juan is..... you guessed it!!! "Light". It will be followed by Aaaron on "Harmony" then Tom on "Victory". Keep sending prayers...

And so we begin...

The day starts early with devotions. We are anxious to start the work the Lord sent us here to do and at the same time realizing that our work began the moment we said, "Lord, here I am, Send me" (Isaiah 6:8). In the morning we visit the site of the church we began constructing last year and pray with Pastor Douglas that the Lord will provide what they need to finish. After that we wash up and change clothes to head to Foursquare Church Number 1 where Pastor Butch (here called Pastor Bush" delivers a strong message.

Tomorrow our formal presentations to more than 200 men some who will travel for more than 150 miles to hear us. Matt will be the first up who will speak on Unity, followed by Lon on Purity and then Dean on Love. Please pray for these three men and the rest of the team that the Lord will grant us HIS words.

ddd

Nicaragua, we have arrived

While the majority of you were tucked away in the comforts and warmth of your homes seven men woke up very early. Some may have bid a quiet good bye and prayer to their families, others prayed with them for a moment and then drove the quiet dark streets to the airport to the first part of a journey called by God. Before six this morning these magnificent seven men they met for their flight to Nicaragua.

Magnificent Seven they are Aaron, Butch, Dean, Juan, Lon, Matt and Tom not because of who they are but because of who the know, who they love and who they follow. They follow Our Lord Jesus and his call to bring his message to the men of Nicaragua. Hundreds of books tucked away in their luggage but more important the words of our Lord tucked away in their hearts. The words that they will lay upon the hearts of Church Pastors and Leaders during the men's conference they have planned for months but the Lord planned since before time.

After an unscheduled "equipment check" stop in Orlando, Florida they arrived in Managua perhaps a bit tired by the journey but eager to start. By the grace of the Lord they are in Nicaragua, sustained by your donations and prayers.

To be continued...

Team Has Arrived

The Nicaragua Fall Missions Team has arrived in Nicaragua, later than scheduled but they arrived safely.

Nicaragua October Mission Team Flight Information

Outbound flight - October 6, 2011

Delta

Flight 944: Depart CHARLOTTE at 7:10 AM
Arrive in ATLANTA at 8:30 AM

Flight 369: Depart ATLANTA at 10:00 AM
Arrive in MANAGUA at 12:05 PM

Return flight - October 10, 2011

Delta

Flight 370: Depart MANAGUA at 1:05 PM
Arrive in ATLANTA at 6:53 PM

Flight 1442: Depart ATLANTA at 9:07 PM
Arrive in CHARLOTTE at 10:26 PM

South Africa Team Is Now In Charlotte

The team landed safely in Charlotte this morning around 9:50 am.

South Africa Team on Their Way Home

We are on our way to the airport with full heart of what the Lord has spoken to us, ministered through us, and did among us. Next communique will be upon landing in Atlanta. Can't wait to share the stories.

Shade-Gardens

Celebrating the fourth year of the shade-gardens at Thu Tu Ke Leone Community Centre in Soweto with Director Johann Lephepelo. She gives thanks for all the advice and encouragement she has received over the years regarding the gardens. "The gardens help us. The need is growing and people need healthy vegetables for their health."

Part of the spinach grown here is sold to the community to help sustain these gardens.

Momma Johann says to all Harvest of Hope supporters, "Thank you and keep up the good work. You are hope-givers."

Giving the "Grannie Garden" a little facelift. It's called the Grannie Garden because the grandmothers who are tending to this garden are raising food for their grandchildren. The grandchildren's parents have died of HIV.

Eating the spinanch today...future gardeners?

Last Night with South African Team-mates

What a beautiful, sacred way to end our time with the Body of Christ tonight. We taught on the first three parts of the Tabneracle and after repentance, we offered a washing of their hands and anointed their hands for service. We left them a "servant" towel from or Sevolution service. It was powerful!

Pillow Case Dresses

We ministered to people living in the city dump this morning. It was too complicated to distribute dresses individually, so we left over 100 dresses with Pastor Genia to distribute at Christmas. Pastor Genia was thrilled to have these beautiful dresses, for these girls and young moms haven't anything as nice as these dresses. In December it will be very hot, so the dresses will be a double blessing.

Sack Packs

Thank you, Senor Saints Class, for all the sack packs. We shared them with "grannies" who care for disabled children and adults. They were so excited to receive a gift that was made with love.

Ministering at a Community Center

Ministering the pure and simple message of the Gospel with preschoolers at a Community Center we have supported with shade-gardens for 4 years. The children LOVED the faith bracelets. Thank you to everyone who assembled them; you've been an important part of this trip.

Ministering at the City Dump

What great joy to have the opportunity to minister to people who live in the city dump.

Installing Gardens at Brammfischerville

This morning in corporate prayer our team asked the Lord to multiply our time so we might put two gardens up in Brammfischerville. God answered our prayer in ways we didn't expect.

The lord met us at the garden site with Immanuel and his army of thirty neighbors. Immanuel lives in this community and provides Godly leadership.

After a morning of work, laughter and music we had one tunnel up, bags installed and the next tunnel up as well. We took a lunch break and upon return, the community had already installed the bags in the second tunnel and were planting. At the end of the day God had knit our hands and hearts together as one team.

Sunday's Service

Sunday was a full day of ministry starting with service at Covenant Word and ending with a crusade in a community where a new church has just been planted. The drama team ministered powerfully at both services. Click here to watch the skit on Youtube.

We celebrate the 4 salvations yesterday, however, what gave us great joy was that a lady who received Christ on Saturday as we distributed oranges attended church hungry for more of Christ.

Dorah's Arc Shadegarden

The community comes together as we install a new shade-garden at Dorah' Arc orphanage in Johannesburg. Forty-eight children orphaned by AIDS will eat the spinanch grown in this garden.

All ages can help with shade-gardens

Orphans at Dorah's Arc watch as dumptruck with sand arrives for new shade-garden

Praying for Sebastian

While sharing the Gospel house-to-house and praying for people, Sebastain's two friends said, "Don't pray for me; pray for our friend to be healed." As we gathered around him to pray that the Lord would heal his leg, one couldn't help but think of the friends who put feet to their faith to lower their friend to Jesus.

Sharing Oranges

Sharing oranges in the community is a great way to invite people to church.

Faith Bracelets

God's Story as told through faith bracelets always draws a curious crowd. We pray the men come to church tomorrow.

South Africa Team Arrived in Jo'burg

The team has arrived safely and is currently going through customs.

Flight Information

Outbound Flight
September 1-2
Delta Flight 1652 - Leave Charlotte @ 2:05 PM. Arrive in Atlanta @ 3:28 PM.
Delta Flight 200 - Leave Atlanta at 7:20 PM. Arrive in Johannesburg on the 2nd @ 5:10 PM.

Return flight
September 8-9

Delta Flight 201 - Leave Johannesburg @ 8:20 PM. Arrive in Atlanta on the 9th @ 6:35 AM.
Delta Flight 2251 - Leave Atlanta @ 8:40 AM. Arrive in Charlotte @ 9:55 AM on the 9th.

Last Day of Medical Clinics

The team spent our last day holding a medical clinic and praying for people house by house in extremely poor community, La Chriza. One of the recent graduates of the Bible Institute has planted a church in this unreached barrio of 5000. Amazed that we treated 244 patients out of this 12x12 church and extra tarp. Again, the gratitide of the people was overwhelming.

When we ended the day with prayer over us by Pastor Ruben Amador and his wife,Pastora, they commented, "We are always praying for the people at Grace Covenant, who we admire so much. In our spirit's we know each of you."

Before we started packing our bags to head home, some were moved to tears as we shared with other our God experiences.

Here's how some in the team answered: Because I served on this mission's trip I...

...have more Jesus in me.
...am praying aloud.
...return home filled with joy.
...know I am able to hear God's voice
...know that even though it's difficult to step out of your comfort zone, it's worth it ...Was accepted by everyone on this team and I was healed of the hurt of being rejected by some other groups of peers.
...Know for sure I'm called to be a missionary
...Saw humanity through God's eyes.

Thank you for your prayers. By the time many read this, we will on the journey home.

2nd Day of Medical Clinics

Believing God to touch this young man who is deaf and mute. He had recently fallen off a bicycle and we think he had a collapsed lung. We paid for him to get to the nearest town to get a chest x-ray. Even in his pain, he had the sweetest countenance which touched all our hearts.

The people at today's clinic were grateful. No mission team has ever been to Pueblo Neuvro. Their medical and spiritual needs were great. The anointing on the evangelism area was amazing seeing. 154 people said "yes" to following Jesus.

Everyone loves a new toothbrush and we've blessed 571 people with one so far. Everyone gets one after prayer.

1st Day of Medical Clinics

As the team reflected on the day, here were some comments:

"It was humbling to see people stand patiently for hours, in hopes of receiving medicine to relieve their pain. I was convicted of my level of impatience."

"It was inspiring to watch people respond to the gospel as we use the faith bracelets." (FYI - As of today 232 people have accepted Christ as Savior, including a very prominent municipal judge.)

"The youth on our team have been amazing servant-hearted Ambassadors for Christ."

Sac-packs and Pillowcase Dresses

Little dresses are being distributed in Nicaragua thanks to an amazing group of sewers.

Thanks to all the senior saints that made these adorable sac packs. The are going to be shared with child living in the dump by Pastor Douglas and his wife Rosario.

Nothing like different people praying for each other.

VBS-2nd Day

We got to serve 300 children at our second day of VBS. It's hard to believe that 7 years ago we partnered with about 7 or 8 inexperienced children's ministry leaders and today we served with 29 such leaders, many of whom have graduated from the children's ministry certication program. All the leaders received "Service Awards" at VBS, which was a great honor for them.

Regardless of their age, all the kids wanted to pose in their new sunglasses (VBS craft).

Lot's of "Jesus Love" was shared today. Not sure who was blessed the most...the children or the team? Church tonight and first medical clinic starts early in the morning.

Saturday - 1st Day of VBS

The team welcomed 312 children from three towns to the first day of VBS today.

Puppets always bring the room alive

Feeding over 300 children lunch takes really big pots!!!! Waching this precious children try to save their lunch to take home to hungry family movers your heart though.

Pandamania has come to Nicaragua and children are loving it!