Missions

Nicaraguans Capture Hearts of Teens  -  Summer Mission Trip 2011

Since leaving for Nicaragua on July 4, the experience has dominated the Facebook posts of our teens. Here’s the trip “as seen on Facebook”

6.15.11

Car wash this Saturday at the church. Be there by 8:30am and ready to have a splashing good time.

6.20.11

After our meeting on Sunday. I was so encouraged and uplifted by everyone there and practicing and becoming united.

6.21.11

ONLY 13 DAYS!!!

6.25.11

Well Lord, you must have a mighty plan for us. It rained and so once again NO CAR WASH. God you are the provider and keeper of all things. You know the need and YOU are faithful.

6.27.11

I am not sure what supplies we are still in need of to go in our check bags but you could be checking around the house for stuffed animals (even McDonald toys)…coloring books…. for the packets that the children are taking home so they don’t go home empty handed.

6.29.11

I’m thinking about taking a man bag/purse on the plane to Nicaragua. Who’s with me?

7.1.11

If anyone has a carry-on luggage they would be willing to let me borrow I would love you forever…any takers??

7.2.11

Anyone have a Jesus-ish lookin’ robe for Jim Ballard?

7.3.11

Tonight at Midnight, I and 17 other individuals will be heading off to Managua, Nicaragua. We will be spending 6 days spreading the Word of God to children. I ask that you please pray for our safety getting there and also for surrendered hearts of every person that we come in contact with.

7.3.11

Leaving for Nicaragua in a few hours..so excited to see what God’s got for our group for the next 10 days!!

7.3.11

Is it time to go yet????

7.4.11

Woot! woot! We are on the road. Nicaragua here we come. We should be in Dallas by 2 pm.

7.4.11

Just finished an awesome worship practice for Nicaragua, singing by a fountain in Dallas, couldn’t get better till we’re actually there

7.5.11

The flight to Nicaragua is in an hour! Can’t wait!

7.10.11

So, so cute. Last day at Eliab’s church, we brought out Justin Bieber and the kids loved it. (Watch video)

7.11.11

Having an awesome time! Can’t wait to see y’all!  Yes. I actually did get sick. I’ll tell you about it when I get back.

Got pretty crisp today cutting grass with a machete. Legit.

Mom or dad..if you’re reading this I just want to say I love you but I will probably not be returning from Nicaragua

7.12.11

Heading home soon! Leaving Managua,at 1:11am

7.13.11

Just talked to the boy. The Nicaragua team has arrived safely in Dallas. They drive to Oklahoma today & then home tomorrow.

I made him call! Lol

7.14.11

We are now in Nebraska….go Huskers!

Left part of my heart in Nicaragua! Those people will always have a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to go back some day! What an amazing experience God shared with us while down there! He is a great God to serve!!

WOW! What an amazing experience to see God working through us in Nicaragua! There is no greater joy than serving Him!

Just got back from Nicaragua and I’m feeling lucky to be an American! The trip was amazing! We hopefully blessed a lot of people and they definitely blessed us. I thank God for the awesome opportunity:) Thanks to all who prayed for us! We couldn’t have done it without you!

Over 700 pictures from Nicaragua, be prepared for photo take over, Facebook.

You tagged 38 photos of me?? Love it! Thanks so much mama! You the baus.

Final Post – July 14, 2011 – Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

Mission Nicaragua Diary

Wednesday, July 6

We ministered in a little colonia situated right beside Lake Managua – one of the most polluted lakes in the world. Pastor Walter had a huge crowd waiting for us – almost 150 children excited for Vacation Bible School! That evening, we held an evangelistic service in that same village. Prior to the service, Managua experienced a tremendous rainstorm that flooded the streets and made the roads leading back to the church impassable. That was no problem. Pastor Walter and his men carried a tent, chairs, and sound system and set up on the basketball court so the service could go on as planned.

Thursday, July 7

The team traveled to Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, where Pastor Moises had a group already waiting for VBS to begin. That afternoon, we traveled across town to the state run orphanage to minister to the children who had been abandoned at the hospital by their parents. It was truly a touching moment seeing beautiful little boys and girls, some with severe birth defects, singing and having a good time with the teenagers. Before we left, we passed out toys we had packed in our luggage. That evening, we ministered to a packed house with standing room only at Pastor Moises’ church.

Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9

Only a five minute commute! We went to Mt. Horeb Baptist Church where Pastor Eliab greeted us with another huge crowd. We spent two days helping him minister to his community. Friday afternoon, we took a trip to the state run hospital. We were able to visit room to room in the children’s ward passing out packets of containing personal hygiene products and school supplies. Part of our group did a VBS presentation in the cancer ward, where sadly, many of the children received the last gift they will ever receive in this world. Friday evening, we held an evangelistic service in the open air and four people prayed to receive Christ. Saturday was much of the same, ministering to the same community in the morning through VBS and in the evening with a Gospel presentation. Saturday afternoon held a special treat – a basketball game between the Managua city champions and some guys from our youth group. Braving the heat and humidity, we managed to keep the game close and not perish from a heat stroke. When it was over, we were able to share Christ with each of them.

Sunday, July 10

This morning, we traveled into the foothills east of Managua. There in the hills, we entered another beautiful Baptist Church. The Pastor had no car, but instead rode a bus across Managua for one hour with his family so he could pastor the congregation. Despite the poverty in the village, we sensed that this church was very established. The teens ministered to the children while Jim Ballard gave his testimony and then Pastor Steve preached from Mark 5. After church, we went and ate pizza at Valenti’s – in an air conditioned room! Sunday night, we attended the church that hosted the Pastor’s conference Pastor Steve taught at in March and took communion with the congregation.

Monday, July 11

We left early and traveled an hour north of Managua to a little village where the pastor had been ministering three years with no building. None of the children in this village attended school. There, we held VBS for the children and afterward mowed the yard – Nicaraguan-style – with machetes! Fortunately, we had Antonio, former Contra-rebel, to demonstrate the fine art of machete-mowing. Rain set in for the next 6 hours making an evangelistic service impossible for that village.

Tuesday, July 12

Our last day in Nicaragua. Sight-seeing! First, we traveled to beautiful Lake Nicaragua for a boat ride and tour of the volcanic islands. Next, it was a lunch of the best fried chicken on earth (better than Chick-fil-A?) at Tip Top Restaurant. Afterward, it was a trip to the market for shopping. The day concluded with a trip up Masaya Volcano to peer into the seemingly bottomless crater and inhale lots of noxious fumes that made for quite a memory.

 Reflecting back on the twelve days we spent together either traveling or ministering, it is safe to say that we were blessed in mighty way by our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua. We saw poverty we had never before seen, yet at the same time saw the riches of His grace – a grace that knows no boundaries. Please pray for the people of Nicaragua, especially the pastors, as they seek to preach God’s Word and turn their country to Christ.