Wednesday 3/8/2006 Report
We had a great day in Villa Nueva. We held our clinic in the Baptist Church that
our group built four years ago. It was wonderful to be back there again.
Today they had me working in the clinic, dispensing medicines for the first time
in all these trips. I really never realized how many medicines we prescribe
until today. By the end of this week we would have served around 800 men, women
and children in these clinics. King Pharmeceuticals donates all of the medicines
for our trips. On this trip the medicines were valued at over $120,000. But they
are a great evangelical tool.
In the pictures that we are sending today, I have one of Pastor Santo leading a
young lady to the Lord. Just wanted to say to Pastor Mike of the Union
Lighthouse Church; JESUS IS STILL AT IT!!! One of the pictures is of our
group visiting a young lady of 21 that is wheel chair bound because she was
exposed to pesticides at the age of 5 or six. She has not grown since then and
is able to only say a few words. Several years ago Paul bought her a wheelchair,
and was able to find her. This time he went to Chinedega, and buy her a special
bed to meet her needs. Paul just loves this stuff!!
One other picture is of the Villa Nueva wildlife. I put that one in for my
sister’s mother-in-law, who likes to collect all kinds of ornamental pigs. I
just wanted her to see the best of the lot! Today is the big Crusade day.
There is a lot of energy in town, and we can all feel that something special
will be happening. Everyone is fine. There is much going on, so pray for
God to lead us where we need to be. -Steve
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Tue 3/7/2006 Report
We visited Rodeo Grande today, a place I have never been before. It is only 8
miles from Somotillo, but takes one hour to drive. On the way we cross two creek
beds and one river, still with water in it.
Rodeo Grande is small, only two little stores that sell just the basics. It is a
very agricultural place though. All of the animals look well fed and healthy.
The people are also well fed, and very polite. The children come one at a time
for pieces of candy and always say thank you.
The clinic was also very orderly, except for that we left Somotillo without the
medicines and had to send Emerson back to get them. Such beautiful children and
families. It was a real pleasure to work in this town.
While the folks were doing the clinic, I took a two mile walk in 100 degree
temperatures to a high hill where I could see the panoramas of the mountains.
Living in West Virginia, I love the mountains and this was breathtaking. As I
sat and pondered on things, I recollected Pastor Diomedes dream of moving the
radio station tower to the top of the highest mountain. I wondered how far that
blessed signal could go from there. We will definitely have to see about moving
that tower. Maybe we might even be able to pick up the signal from the States!
Paul, Greg, Bruce and the gang hit the streets again to see what God had
prepared for them. Door to door visitations, children’s fiestas, school fiestas,
and just enjoying the town. David told me they went to one school, and the
children were out and there was really no one to fiesta to. He was thinking,
well this was a real bomb. Then an older man came out and invited them to his
house. He set up chairs in the street, the folks came a gathering, and they had
a street service right there, with Pastor Jose leading the way! Then Greg
and Bruce and Diomedes went to another school where the children were out, but
they were having parent teacher meetings. So the group presented the gospel to
them and 6 accepted Jesus as their Savior. I tell you, it is something to share
the Word all the time.
Christ Community Church, home of Pastor Scott and Pastor Paul, along with Pastor
Dan Bennett, has always had a special relationship with Pastor Jose here. On the
last trip they were able to raise the funds to buy the church of Pastor Jose
some land. This time they were able to bring the money to build the church. What
a blessing. Well, one cannot build a church without a celebration opening. So
they have planned one to happen during our next trip in July. They needed a pig
for this so Paul collected the money and they went shopping for a young pig. It
was hog tied bagged and brought back to Somotillo with us. It was a very noisy
affair though. We decided to name it Miss Piggy. What wonderful adventures we
have.
Last night I was back at the church in Somotillo downloading pictures from the
day, and the music group at the church was jamming, preparing for the big
Thursday night Crusade. There are 15 of them, young, talented and full of
energy. What a joy that we have been in some portion able to empower their
ministry.
They just light up the night.
Today we are going to Villa Nueva, to support the ministry that our group built
a church for several years ago. I plan on taking Susan for her first Nicaragua
shopping adventure, in small little shops that have the things that the local
folks live with. All are well. Dave is still dealing with his cold, but
otherwise everyone is strong. This is a great group. Enjoy the pictures!
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Tue 3/7/2006: Folks:
I am here in the church courtyard at 7:00 am, writing the team report. I wish
that you could all see and feel the spirit of this place. It almost seems like
when one goes through the courtyard gate that one enters a magical place infused
with the work of God.
The music from the radio station is playing that wonderful, joyful central
American Christian praise music. Over in one corner the ladies are preparing to
cook all day long for Pastors and visitors that come to the radio station. Ivan,
the music minister for the church is setting up the equipment for broadcasting
for the day from the courtyard. The lady staff members of the church are coming
to work, all dressed in the same red skirt and coat, with a white blouse. Work
uniforms for the ladies at the church. What wonders we see. In the streets
the school children are preparing for school, the bicycle taxis are running up
and down the street, and the dogs, chickens and pigs are coming to life.
I tell you this place is magical. The spirit of this work is overwhelming. I
COULD JUST SPEND ALL DAY HERE IN THE COURTYARD, WATCHING FOLKS COME AND GO. The
work is so alive!!
Yesterday the team to Santo Tomas fulfilled what I was imagining. Although we
are only 9, this team is so experienced that they were able to take the town by
storm. The medical clinic team set up court and the day began. The church yard
for the clinic was just surrounded by people everywhere, looking to see the
doctor, some just wanting to see what an aspirin was.
There is a table set up where folks sign in. Shampoo and toothbrushes were given
to each and they are escorted to the doctor. From there they go to the table
with the eye glasses we bring, and they are fitted. Next they go to the pharmacy
for their prescriptions. Then they are led to Pastor Jose and the local Pastor
where they received the most important medicine, Jesus.
Out in the street Greg, Paul and Emerson are working the schools and conducting
street children’s fiestas. Everywhere they go Jesus is presented. It takes
some getting used to presenting Jesus every day, all day long. Once one does it
the experience never leaves.
Paul as usual has the opportunity to get into some adventures. He has bought a
large basket of fruit from a lady in the streets, and is feeding most of it to
the children. But the opportunity arises to feed a pig the fruit. He is
wondering why all of this froth is running out of the pigs mouth. Turns out the
fruit is pungent, and very moist. So he decides to see what this will do for the
horse standing at the corner. Same thing it turns out. Froth everywhere.
This time though the horse must like it because it eats three or four of the
fruit from Paul. Then Paul notices that the horse’s teeth are completely black.
He is told the horse’s teeth need to be cleaned. He goes to the clinic, but
unfortunately all of the toothbrushes have been given away.
Oh by the way, while all of this is going on, almost 300 folks accept Jesus as
their Savior. I would say that the sun is shining very brightly in Santo
Tomas!!!
Dave and I spent the day in Somotillo. Dave was recovering his strength and
voice, and I was preparing a presentation for the Pastors on Thursday. Pastor
Doimedes wants me to talk about organizational administration. I have lots of
ideas. But this is such a different environment than the states, that I am a bit
intimidated about making this applicable to the world here. We will do our best.
Dave was able to fix a beautiful laptop that was given to Diomedes, but that was
terribly infected with viruses. I am now using that computer.
Susan came back to the guest house a little earlier than the others. Silvia
wanted to be sure that she did not get overheated on her first day out. I had
the chance to listen to her thoughts. The main one was what seems to hit first
timers. How can people who really have NOTHING be so joyful. Susan discussed
that one can read about these conditions, and see pictures, but only by being
there can they feel what this is like. This is why we bring people. To show them
the conditions that too many people live in. On the other hand though few people
are happier! Today we go to Rodeo Grande. All of us are going. This will
be another great day. Pray for what God is doing here!!
Love,
Stephen and Silvia
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Mon 3/6/2006: Greetings from tropical Somotillo.
This day has been one of preparing for the great week ahead. Sunday morning
services in the church are very low key. I realized why when we saw this is
because the mornings are very hot. Sunday night is the real service.
During Sunday School for the children, a young fellow took hold of the mike and
put on a show like no other we have ever seen. He was only 3 feet tall, but he
sure did let it loose. I could tell that he has been watching the music group
here and was just trying to emulate his heroes. Believe me it was worth the
price of admissions.
We just kind of laid low this afternoon. Dave Burriss had Diomedes string up a
hammock in the yard of the guest house that was upsized to fit our el gordos
"big guys". I was swinging in it for a while, under the palm tree, listening to
tropical birds with a beautiful canopy of trees. I was thinking that this is the
ultimate fantasy for a vacation for Americans. And there is no place I would
rather visit than this great town of Somotillo.
Brother Paul preached the sermon tonight. He has been declaring that this is his
tenth birthday "in Christ". He preached the finest sermon I have heard
since Pastor Mike from our home church in Union, West Virginia gave the keynote
sermon last year. It was simply that it is the sheep's job to make more sheep.
The Pastor protects and leads the flock, but the power of the ministry belongs
with the sheep. So get out there and let them have Jesus!
I just love it when the sermon has anything to do with what we are to do when we
leave the doors of the church. To those that are on this team, this is a
manifestation of missions starting when we leave the church doors!
Tomorrow we are going to Santo Tomas. This is the village that Pastor Painter
and Sister Silvia evangelized to three years ago. They felt a spirit of
oppression there that seemed to squelch the power of the Word. But a seed was
planted that week, and a new church was started thereafter. Sunshine has begun
to peak through the clouds over that village. Tomorrow we are praying that the
clouds will be spread wide open, and the sunshine of Jesus Christ will light
that town up. Pray for this. We know that Satan flees in the presence of God!
All of the team members are safe and healthy. We are ready to go!
Love,
Stephen and Silvia
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Sat 3/4/2006: Folks
We are all safely at the guest house and church in Somotillo.
This is the very first time we traveled all the way in one day.
Here is a recap.
We started out with a bang. Sarah Nagel could not locate her brand new passport.
Sad to say I was the last one to have it on Friday night when I visited the Nagel's and looked at it. From there I fear I must have done something wrong because we just could not find it. The whole team was at the Nagel's at 3.30, searching feverishly.
We could not find it though and we had to leave, including Sarah's mom, Andrea. We do not yet know here in Somotillo whether it was found, or whether Sarah can possibly make it tomorrow, so we are praying.
This was not a good start to our day. We were able though to arrange with the airlines that Sarah could use the ticket within the next 6 months. So if she does not make this one, she will be able to go to our summer youth crusade.
Following that start our day was extremely easy.
Our check in at the airport was super smooth, and we made the flight without any additional excitement at all.
We arrived in Miami with plenty of layover time to have all get a bite to eat.
Our flight to Managua was very smooth and comfortable.
We spent so much time detailing the contents of each box this time, to assure that all of the medicines made it through.
At the airport in Managua, we were met by Doctor Alvarez, who loves Silvia.
We were given the passage papers for the medicines and we literally flew right out of the airport.
We were met there by Pastor Diomedes, and crew, who had a beautiful large truck for our boxes courtesy of 'Because We Care' ministries who work hand in hand with Diomedes in Somotillo, an air-conditioned pickup and air-conditioned van. We stopped and ate at a fancy
restaurant, where Paul Cooksey proceeded to eat all of his meal and four desserts. He loves retirement!!!
Our small group traveled in the van, driven by Emerson, a bright and energetic young man from Managua, who speaks beautiful
English and Spanish, and loves to talk about the Lord and the Ministries. He and other young people are just infusing this work in Somotillo with such energy. We cruised all the way from Managua to Somotillo in three hours, a trip that used to take 8 hours, in wonderful air-conditioned bliss. We then arrived at the air-conditioned and beautiful guest house where a great supper meal awaited us!!
Now those that have been to Somotillo before probably think that the above report was fiction.
You probably think I am being sarcastic, and that our day was hot, dusty, and entirely exhausting.
But my report was the absolute truth!!! This is a very veteran team, and we just laugh to think of how God has blessed this ministry.
Tomorrow starts our week for real.
We are excited to be here for the Sunday morning service, and just are so ready to get this week on!!!
Special message for Jerry Houchins and the folks at Appalachian Christian Center. Susan is doing great. She saw things on the way from Managua to Somotillo that only being there can effect one. The poverty, old fashioned ways, and long stretches of nothing but dried out fields were a first.
Tomorrow Susan will experience the joys of the great people here though and it will never be the same for her!
Pray for us as we get going in God's work here tomorrow.
Until then;
Stephen and Silvia
