Click here to read the team's most memorable and significant recollections from their trip to Nicaragua, August 1-7.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Monday Afternoon/Evening
Praise the Lord! He held off the rain until we concluded tonight's outdoor service. When we finished, it poured. No problem... we are heading to the hotel to pack.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday Morning
This
morning we were scheduled to host a program at a basketball court, but too many people were working. So, we decided to go house to house inviting people
to a 4 pm program. As we were walking and sharing the story of Jesus with
faith bracelets, we met a little boy, Jose, who actually finished the story.
After he shared he wanted to become a pastor, he told us that knew a boy
that needed to know Jesus. He took us to Harrrison, a 12 year old who has
been on crack since he was 10 years old. Harrison had no idea that today
his life was going to change.
After receiving Christ, Pastor Allen talked to his grandmother and on Thursday, the pastor is taking Harrison to a treatment center. Jose is already a pastor…
What a marvelous God!
After receiving Christ, Pastor Allen talked to his grandmother and on Thursday, the pastor is taking Harrison to a treatment center. Jose is already a pastor…
What a marvelous God!
Sunday Evangelism
This morning we turned the corner from our focus on
medical clinics to evangelism on behalf of the new Foursquare Church in
Maltagalpa.
The church had distributed flyers several days earlier, so we walked through the neighborhood knocking on doors inviting people to the park for music and dramas. As the music was playing, people started coming from the four corners of the park and before we knew it a crowd had gathered. We offered a program of puppets and dramas for about 30 minutes and then Pastor Allen preached a powerful message. At the end, 40 children and youth and 10 adults circled around him to receive Christ as their Savior. Looking at the sincerity upon some of their faces was precious.
When we arrived at the neighborhood park this morning, we
realized we would be conducting our program under this absolutely enormous
tree. What a blessing to be in the shade
while doing puppets and dramas. In the
midst of prayer, one of the team members prayed, "Lord thank you for
placing us under this tree, because you are the Tree of Life."
The church had distributed flyers several days earlier, so we walked through the neighborhood knocking on doors inviting people to the park for music and dramas. As the music was playing, people started coming from the four corners of the park and before we knew it a crowd had gathered. We offered a program of puppets and dramas for about 30 minutes and then Pastor Allen preached a powerful message. At the end, 40 children and youth and 10 adults circled around him to receive Christ as their Savior. Looking at the sincerity upon some of their faces was precious.
Preparing faith bracelets for tomorrow this afternoon
around a big table gave us time to share thoughts and stories as a team. Tonight we will attend the evening service at
the church, then tomorrow another open air program at a basketball court and
park.
Since March, the small band of 20 plus believers at the
church have visited over 1,300 homes to share Christ with them and personally
invite them to attend the church. We are
honored to come alongside fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are so
committed to reaching this city with God's message of love and grace.
More to come... Your Nicaragua team.
Saturday Medical Clinics
The temporary location of the first Foursquare
church in Maltagalpa, a city of around 200,000. Between the church (which
is also the pastor's residence) and two neighbors' homes, we treated and prayed
for 486 people in 2 days.
Saturday night... Lots of technical challenges
with internet to communicate to friends and family, but all these children
receiving balloon hats could care less. Third clinic held today on the
outer edge of Matagalpa. Over 300 patients seen and prayed for.
Everyone healthy and amazed at God's never ending goodness.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Day 1 Recap
Awakening to a beautiful morning in Maltagalpa. Even the
roosters were excited to face a new day at about 4 am this morning.
Yesterday began with worship, prayer and a devotion from
Acts chapter 3. We realized a fresh that
Peter and John were just ordinary people like us, but when they spoke the Name
of Jesus with faith and empowered by the Holy Spirit extraordinary things took
place. We left for our assignments
believing Holy Spirit could work the same miracles through us.
In closing our morning time together, Dr. Salinas, one of
our Nicaraguan doctors shared at time, that his mother was a very Godly
woman. When he was a young doctor full
of confidence in science, early one morning, someone knocked on the door of his
home screaming for their son was in extreme pain. When he answered and asked how he could help
them, the people said, "we are not looking for you, but your mother, we
want the servant of the Lord."
After his mother prayed for the boy, he was healed of a brain
tumor. Dr. Salinas then said, "that
day, I received Christ as my Savior and I have been diligent to be filled with
God science ever since." Yes, our
God is a miracle working God who flows through ordinary people yielded to Him.
Our first day of clinics started with a bit of a
surprise. Usually, we are in a church
that has a decent size room and maybe one other room. Well....since the new Foursquare church here,
is a pastor's living room, we found ourselves spread out in 3 homes in a
neighborhood. Once we figured out how to
function separated into three teams, we were able to treat 198 patients.
One difference we noted quite quickly was the emotion the
people were exhibiting in the prayer area.
Many bared their hearts and we saw more free flowing tears than any
towns we have been to before. Such a
sweet spirit moved in our midsts.
We'll be back in the exact same locations today with
great anticipation.
During dinner, which by the way at this little hotel is
delicious, we were paid a wonderful compliment.
Bismarck, one of our interpreters, said, "I get so excited when the
Grace Covenant teams are coming. When I
am with the teams from Grace Covenant, I go home with greater faith. I grow with you." What a nice ending to a day.
Blessings on your day,
The team
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Day 1 - Morning
The team has settled into our hotel in Maltagalpa. Last night the team unpacked and organized
all the supplies like an army taking a beach-head. It was incredible to watch everyone using
their gifts to accomplish a major task within 2 hrs to be ready for dinner.
Our hotel name Mana del
Cielo means "Manna from Heaven." How beautiful that the Lord would place us in
such a sanctuary. We are located in the
downtown of Maltagalpa, but out our window all you see is beautiful mountains.
Yesterday we discovered that Maltagalpa means
"entangled people." It is an
honor to us that we have been sent to do some "unentagling" in the
Name of Jesus.
We'll host our first clinic today. You can feel the expectation in all the first
time team members as they get ready to serve the people.
Having technical challenges with sending photos. We'll try to get that worked out so you can
see us in action.
More to come...
Dios le bendiga, (God Bless You)
Your Nicaragua Team
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Nicaragua Team Has Arrived Safely
The team has landed in Managua, Nicaragua. After getting their luggage, they will begin the bus trip to Maltagalpa, where they will be staying for the week.
Nicaragua Summer Team Flight Information
American Airlines Flight 3532
Depart Charlotte at 5:50AM. Arrive in Miami at 7:55AM.
American Airlines Flight 969
Depart Miami at 10:40AM. Arrive in Managua at 11:10AM.
Tuesday, August 7
American Airlines Flight 952
Depart Managua at 2:30PM. Arrive in Miami at 7:10PM.
American Airlines Flight 3533
Depart Miami at 10:05PM. Arrive in Charlotte at 12:15AM (Aug. 8).
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