One thing we take for granted...being connected to the internet--access has been very limited since we arrived in Managua as of Thursday evening.
All week long we worked on building relationships within the three communities ECC supports and it was an absolute blast to see our team bond as we wrapped up the week. We spent some at the Monkey Hut which involved swimming in an old volcano that is now a lake!
We hopped on the bus and headed to the top of another mountain, got strapped into our harnesses and...ziplined through the rainforest--every one one of us!!
Today, we begin our travel home. Family and friends be ready to receive a bunch of excited students and volunteers filled with stories and ways in which Christ changed their lives. Please do us a favor and ask us about our trip--but be ready to be touched by the stories we will share!
See you in church on Sunday morning.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Day 3 in the communities
"Wait...we are leaving the communities early tomorrow?? Todd, seriously, I'll give up my free day to be in the communities one more day!!" said a student very concerned and yet filled with passion.
It has been an absolute joy to serve along side these students and volunteers. During mission team training we learned what FH's definition of poor is: relationships that are broken. It has been incredible to be a part of an experience that has allowed students and volunteers to grasp the concept of how God desires a perfect relationship with His people and between His people.
Each night we have shared our "God-sightings" and my (Todd) God-sighting almost each day is when I have witnessed students leading other people in their area of giftedness. We have students leading in face painting, games, crafts, dancing, jewelry making and Bible lessons. The time spent in Nicaragua has been a constant reminder of what the Body of Christ should be--people coming together each using their own gifts for the glory, edification, and expansion of The Kingdom.
Today, we wrap up our construction projects followed by an art fair to which those children who have participated in the daily VBS will display their art projects. We will leave the worksite early in order to travel back to Managua before sunset.
Again, we thank you for your continual prayers and support throughout our journey--God is not finished with us yet.
It has been an absolute joy to serve along side these students and volunteers. During mission team training we learned what FH's definition of poor is: relationships that are broken. It has been incredible to be a part of an experience that has allowed students and volunteers to grasp the concept of how God desires a perfect relationship with His people and between His people.
Each night we have shared our "God-sightings" and my (Todd) God-sighting almost each day is when I have witnessed students leading other people in their area of giftedness. We have students leading in face painting, games, crafts, dancing, jewelry making and Bible lessons. The time spent in Nicaragua has been a constant reminder of what the Body of Christ should be--people coming together each using their own gifts for the glory, edification, and expansion of The Kingdom.
Today, we wrap up our construction projects followed by an art fair to which those children who have participated in the daily VBS will display their art projects. We will leave the worksite early in order to travel back to Managua before sunset.
Again, we thank you for your continual prayers and support throughout our journey--God is not finished with us yet.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Day two in the communities...
The day started with a bright sunrise followed by rain showers that continued until we arrived on our worksites. As you probably are aware, the rain doesn't stop work from happening on missions trips so we pressed on.
The work projects today consisted of painting a health center in Terencio, prepping the land at the local school for planting trees in El Porvenier, and painting the local school in Ameya.
The topic we taught on today was on serving others and it was lead by Beth Schrader's group consisting of Raelynn Chastain, Olivia Ours, Jessie Best, Ally Furnas, and Gabby Caspar. After our first day under our belt of VBS, the second day went much smoother.
God has continually shown himself faithful in many ways on this trip especially in the area of unity. The group of students and volunteers that are a part of this trip have created an environment that is contagious. Anyone not a part of ECC Student Ministries would surely want to be in our group!
The work projects today consisted of painting a health center in Terencio, prepping the land at the local school for planting trees in El Porvenier, and painting the local school in Ameya.
The topic we taught on today was on serving others and it was lead by Beth Schrader's group consisting of Raelynn Chastain, Olivia Ours, Jessie Best, Ally Furnas, and Gabby Caspar. After our first day under our belt of VBS, the second day went much smoother.
God has continually shown himself faithful in many ways on this trip especially in the area of unity. The group of students and volunteers that are a part of this trip have created an environment that is contagious. Anyone not a part of ECC Student Ministries would surely want to be in our group!
Monday, June 18, 2012
The Communities--Part 1
The rain didn't last long today which was a blessing because it kept us dry during the day, but we all know what comes after a nice rain--gnats! By the end of the day we probably swatted enough gnats to create energy powered by wind.
The students were champs throughout the entire day. During the morning we split up into three groups to work in the three communities of Terensio, Ameya, and El Porvenir. A lot of the time spent was cleaning up the land of trash and brush from fallen trees. The spirit of flexibility kicked in among our team as we waited for our lunch for about an hour. Following lunch we helped serve kids from the three communities food, taught the kids the concept of unity, and then ran a VBS.
Most of the students and volunteers are splashing in the pool as we wait for dinner. Tonight we will finish up with a time of debriefing and then some much needed sleep. More on this tomorrow...
The students were champs throughout the entire day. During the morning we split up into three groups to work in the three communities of Terensio, Ameya, and El Porvenir. A lot of the time spent was cleaning up the land of trash and brush from fallen trees. The spirit of flexibility kicked in among our team as we waited for our lunch for about an hour. Following lunch we helped serve kids from the three communities food, taught the kids the concept of unity, and then ran a VBS.
Most of the students and volunteers are splashing in the pool as we wait for dinner. Tonight we will finish up with a time of debriefing and then some much needed sleep. More on this tomorrow...
Before We Head Out 6/18
Good morning! It's a rainy morning here in Nicaragua but if the day progresses like yesterday, the sun will shine for a few hours and then it will rain again and so on... The topic we will be presenting on today is Unity. Please pray specifically for the following students and volunteer as they lead this time during VBS: Chris Parker, Darby Ellis, Casey Ferrell, Daniel Wright, Scott Espich, Michelle Hoover, Austin Werner, and Angel Spurgeon.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Day 1 & 2
We have arrived! I apologize for the delayed response as this is the first time we have been around wifi to blog.
We landed in Managua on Saturday evening around 7:00 pm (mst), 9:00 pm (est) and were greeted at the FH headquarters with a delicious Nicaraguan meal to which the students and volunteers scarfed down!
Today (Sunday) we went to church in Managua, took a quick historical tour of the city, grabbed our luggage at the FH headquarters and made the 3 hour trek to Chinadega. The students and volunteers are settled into the rooms and the dinner bell is about to ring. Tomorrow morning we hit the ground running with various work projects in the morning, VBS in the afternoon, and child sponsorship visits at various times throughout the day. Thanks for all of your prayers, this team rocks!
We landed in Managua on Saturday evening around 7:00 pm (mst), 9:00 pm (est) and were greeted at the FH headquarters with a delicious Nicaraguan meal to which the students and volunteers scarfed down!
Today (Sunday) we went to church in Managua, took a quick historical tour of the city, grabbed our luggage at the FH headquarters and made the 3 hour trek to Chinadega. The students and volunteers are settled into the rooms and the dinner bell is about to ring. Tomorrow morning we hit the ground running with various work projects in the morning, VBS in the afternoon, and child sponsorship visits at various times throughout the day. Thanks for all of your prayers, this team rocks!
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