Cresthill Mission Reports

Nicaragua Youth Crusade

June 2003

Sent: Monday, June 16, 2003 11:37 PM

Subject: 2nd Report - Monday evening

Monday evening:   It sure does rain hard here during the rainy season. When it is not raining it is very very hot. The team is still adjusting to extreme conditions, but are all healthy and well!  

This morning some of the team was privileged to meet with the school directors from the entire Somotillo region. These directors represented hundreds of teachers and thousands of students. They all gave their introductions to our group and spoke of their appreciation for our love of the children. We then talked about the need for sports in the schools. The vast majority of the schools don't have any sports because they have absolutely no equipment. Not so much as a baseball, baseball bat, soccer balls, or basketballs. We were blessed to be able to bring 100 baseball bats, 25 basketballs, 75 soccer balls, and 125 baseballs. But just think of it. We all have old sports equipment in our houses, the towns we live in all have sports equipment considered "old". These simple tools of engagement are so needed. We are praying that we can collect enough so that each school can offer organized sports to their children. And let me tell you these kids can play. We participated in a baseball tournament this morning in Somotillo, and our high school kids could not hit pitching by 11 and 12 year olds. These kids in Nicaragua are something!  

We are discovering very quickly that this trip is as much about the interaction of our team members as the sports and evangelism we are enjoying. We have kids from 5 different churches, and they are just plain mixing it up together. This evening about 7:00 we were hit with a long torrential rain. Robbie from Calvary Baptist decided to take the lazy mans shower and rushed into the open courtyard at the house we stay with his shorts and a bar of soap. Within 5 minutes there were 12 crazy teen-agers dancing in the rain. This went on for over an hour. What a great time they had. Of course soon Daniel, Jim David and sundry other adults joined in the fun. They were all able to cool off. This team will be interesting to see by Friday.  

We looked up the Strasser family and had a great time of fellowship ,They are so appreciative of the prayer and financial support they have received from our church group in Maryland. Their literacy ministry is growing, and has stretched as far as Chinendaga. Dave brought a box of books for the Strasser boys, and they enjoyed their wonderful treasure of books to read.  

Tuesday the group will once again break into three teams, We will be sure to rotate in order that each team member gets to visit all three communities participating in the crusade.  

Please continue to pray for the team, and the lives that will be touched this week.  

One last note, to Mama Mencarini. Mike said to be sure to let you know that all her boys are doing fine and are in great shape. Tommy had hired a couple of the local boys to catch an iguana for him. Later in the day they said it would be tomorrow before they could. Then we milked it out of the boys. They were going to buy the iguana's in the market place and then charge Tommy 10 times what they paid. What a bunch of marketing specialist. Tommy will be searching the market himself now that he knows the plan. Till tomorrow!