Sunday Update

The Lord’s Day and no better day to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. The day started with teaching Sunday school at the site of the church build, sharing the gospel with the kids through the beads of the salvation bracelet. Later was a time for songs, games and refreshments. This evening, service was held in front of a standing room only crowd at the home of Pastor Marcos. Each of the team members got to share his testimony and a message of God’s love. It was a beautiful experience with the Holy Spirit very evident in our midst.

Saturday Update

Each day we’re visited by a herd of cattle under the auspices of a skilled vaquero. We knew the Lord would never steer us wrong! Just one of many sights here at the church build. Worked a half day today, in keeping with the labor routine for Saturday. This evening we’re preparing to participate in the anniversary celebration for the first Foursquare church in Sebaco. Grace Covenant helped build this church six years ago, and Juan Lozano, who’s making his fourth trip to Nicaragua this year, was a member of that build team.

Friday Update

Today was as much about kingdom building as it was church building. We helped put up classroom walls until 3 this afternoon when we used a soccer ball to draw children in the neighborhood to Christ. No sooner had the ball come out when children and young people started flocking to the soccer field.  After about half a dozen goals had been scored, team leader Boris stopped play to distribute salvation bracelets. But before these gifts were given, he proclaimed the good news of the gift of eternal life through Jesus as represented by the colors of each bead of the bracelet. The Holy Spirit was moving as 15 children accepted Christ on that soccer field today. To God be the glory.

Thursday Update

It was off to work today and WORK we did. Today's goal was to start wall building for the classrooms. Tired, dirty and hunger at day's end, but happy and fulfilled laboring for the Lord.

Nicaragua Construction Team in Sebaco

The GCC missions team arrived safely by the grace of God at the church construction site in Sebaco this afternoon. They were greeted by Pastors Ruben and Marcos and visited the site. Team leader Boris Fernandez led them in prayer, where they asked for God's favor to be upon them and to establish the works of their hands. And they got their work orders for tomorrow!

Team Has Arrived

The Nicaragua Construction Team has arrived safely in Nicaragua.  They are on their way to Sebaco.

Nicaragua Construction Team Flight Information

Outbound Flights - August 27

                USAirways Flight 1877: Depart Charlotte @ 7:00 AM.  Arrive in Miami @ 8:58 AM. 

                American Airlines Flight 928: Depart Miami @ 11:05 AM.  Arrive in Managua @ 11:51 AM. 

Return Flight - September 2

                American Airlines Flight 344: Leave Managua @ 1:01 PM.  Arrive in Miami @ 5:40 PM. 

                     USAirways Flight 1828: Leave Miami @ 9:00 PM.  Arrive in Charlotte @ 11:07 PM.

Nicaragua Trip Summary and Praise Report

The 2014 Summer Nicaragua Team experienced the Lord moving in our midst, in part due to the power of prayer at home and in Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan people were blessed in ways too numerous to count.  At the medical clinics, 428 patients were treated and many of those were extremely ill children.  Between the clinics, VBS where we hosted 265 children a day, and the church services, 76 people gave their hearts to Jesus and 9 were water baptized.  A video was created by the Nicaraguans that shows highlights of our week. It’s important to note that this same video was seen on television in Matagalpa every weeknight last week with the name and address of the local Foursquare church at the bottom.

The rain is coming. 

Our last night, Sunday night , at the church in Sebaco, is not shown on the video, but what God did must be shared.  Northern Nicaragua has been in a drought state for 6 months.  Crops are failing and many farmers are losing their land.  Upon exiting the bus at the Sebaco church, the Holy Spirit prompted us to pray for rain.  At the end of the message about the crippled man healed by Jesus in Luke 6, we talked about how sometimes it takes courage to obey Jesus and that we were going to exercise courage and pray for rain.  We knew others had prayed for rain and no rain had come, but we prayed anyway, like our lives depended on the rain.  A declaration of faith was made that when the people in town saw the rain coming, they would know that Jesus answers prayer and that many would come to the church to find Jesus because of the rain.  On Thursday, Aug 7, one of the team members received the text and photos below.  Praise God for moving and Praise Him for all those who will put their trust in Him because it rained.

Sunday-The Team's Last Day

Our last morning here was a baptism service for 9 new believers at the Matagalpa church.  This is the church's 4th baptism service since being built.  It never ceases to amaze how much joy it brings to everyone to see people be baptized.  Pastor Jeremy shared a message prior to baptisms.  Tonight we minister in Sebeco , then homeward bound at 4 am.

Saturday Update

Another fantastic day of ministry to 265 children. Jesus and joy was present all day.

 

 The team had the honor to participate  in the graduation ceremony for 15 Bible Institute Graduates.  To date, Grace Covenant has helped 52 leaders graduate from a 3 year program.  A surprise at the graduation... First pastor Michelle address was broadcast on television.

 

Friday Update

Journey through the day with us...

The children loved these "live puppets."

Making the Bible come alive.  45 children opened their hearts to Jesus.

Praying with sincerity

Oh yeah, we got game!

Going through the "happy tunnel" to get lunch. It broke us to see many of the children who live in the city garbage dump save their box lunch for their family.

The afternoon was spent at the church, distributing shoes and washing children's feet. We served alongside our Nicaraguan brothers and sisters.  Very special time.

This young boy received Christ while getting his shoes.

2nd Day of Medical Clinics

  

Preparing for a Day of Ministry

During our medical clinic in San Ysidro, our hearts went out to this little girl. She was malnourished to the point the dentist had to find food for her to eat before they could work on her. She had to have four teeth pulled. There were more to be taken out but the dentist could not have her endure more. When the dentist explained to her mother that the antibiotic needed to remain cold, the mom said, "I don't have a refrigerator." The dentist explained how to dig a hole in the ground to keep the antibiotic cool. We ended up giving the pastor $40 so the mom could afford to have the little girl's 4 additional teeth removed on Monday.   When the mother arrived she was very cautious about being in the church and speaking with people in the church. But by the time she left, her heart was more open to the pastor's care and to the love of Christ.  The people of this church will continue to visit this family and hopefully one day they will all be part of the church family.  We will never know this side of heaven, what this day meant to a family watching their little girl suffer with rotting teeth and very little hope. Thank you for sending us to Nicaragua.