Day 6 (July 7) - Bob

Hi Folks!

Time for a little reflection on this missions trip from another perspective. I still don't know why, but Jessica, the pastors' wife, took to calling me 'Foreman' right when she picked us up at the airport. Maybe it was a bit prophetic!

Throughout the time here I spent a lot of time getting people tools and supplies, figuring out why things didn't work, became the lead electrician, and chief cookie eater.

Have you ever had a day where everything you tried to do took longer than you expected? When the tools you would use to do the job didn't work because they needed maintenance too? I had such a day on this trip. “Let's mow the lawn!” The lawnmower broke. “Let's do the weed whacking!” The weed whacker broke. “Let's fix the chairs in the sanctuary!” The drill bits were dull and the batteries in the drills were dead. All these things were repaired and the team carried out all of the tasks... eventually.

There is a tool shed here on the property, as well as four large shipping containers loaded up with various supplies. I got into the habit of saying to myself, “Get back out to the tool shed, Bob! One more trip to the tool shed, Bob!” I have to admit, it was never a chore or drudgery. The Lord knows each of us and the activities that bring us joy. I'll just say that he has been very good to me this trip!

Working on projects and doing the maintenance here at the school and church is only one part of what we are doing here. Another part is visiting people where they live, asking them what is on their hearts that we could lift up to Jesus together with them in prayer; Many of the people we have visited are our brothers and sisters! This year it is clear that the people are asking for two things specifically. The first is for their personal health. There are many who suffer because of poor diet and previous exposure to some nasty pesticides. The second is for the country. This year, in particular, the local people have been talking a lot about the unusual heat and drought. If the Lord puts it on your heart, please pray for the crop in the fields. If the there is no harvest of food in the countryside, there will be less food in the city.

Even with the heat, our team has been accomplishing a lot of tasks and making a lot of visits, praying for many along the way.

Today we bought food supplies for a struggling family.  In a very small way, yet very emotional, we visited for almost an hour with a woman who has twin teenage girls and whose husband has abandoned them.  Very much like in the days of Jesus, there is no real help for women in this predicament in Nicaragua.  The body of Christ, showing itself in this small way, lets her know that she is not forgotten by the one who loves us the most.  She calls us brothers and sisters - as that is what we are - and had trouble expressing her gratitude.

Thank you all for lifting up the team in prayer.

As you know from other parts of this blog, Jayleen, my daughter, suffered from the heat severely. It was serious and I am glad I was here with her. Being out of the country puts additional stress on the situation, but our confidence comes from Jesus, the one we have a relationship with. The relationship we have with this, our sister church, has incredible value. Jayleen was well taken care of. And at the end of it, she spend only two hours in the hospital and bounced back extraordinarily well. The next morning she was asked how she felt. She responded with, “Ravenous”, and proceeded to serve herself a good helping of scrambled eggs. We are blessed!

Bob

Jayleen update

Jayleen, Bob, Victor, and Jess got back from the hospital early early this morning. She is doing very well today, pulling her own weight with the projects and making sure to stay hydrated.
Thank you all for your prayers and concerns!

Day 6 (July 7) - Victor

Hello church family & friends,

My name is Victor Rosado. When I first found out about Calvary Chapel's mission trips to Nicaragua, it was immediately in my heart to serve Jesus in this ministry, as if he put it there himself. As a new believer, 12 years ago I didn't understand what that meant. Three years ago I had my first chance to be a part of one of the trips to Nicaragua, an experience that changed my life! It changed my way of seeing how Jesus can really work in my heart. The people of Nicaragua really understand Jesus. All they have and all that drives them is their faith and love for God. 

I feel that sometimes we don't understand our own faith and rely on our own understanding, even though the scriptures say, “Don't.” (Proverbs 3:5). As a poor country they depend on Jesus to provide and their prayers are continuous. Here in Nicaragua, anyone can approach a native and ask them if they have a few minutes to talk about Jesus, their beliefs, where they are with their faith, and if they understand what will happened after death. If they have no understanding they will simply tell you that they don't know. They hold no hard feelings or shame and they don't feel degraded. Instead, they are hungry to understand and are willing to hear more about Jesus and their salvation. Even if they already know about Jesus they want to learn more.

When I was asked by Joe Pirrello if I would be willing to lead the team this year, to me it was and is a privilege. This kind of opportunity is something that has been in my heart for a long time. I was scared and excited all at the same time! Luckily for me, the team has been great and has proven itself to be very hard working! I could not ask more of them. Having 5 Spanish speakers has helped a lot. I was worried that we were going to have projects that we would not be able to handle, but again, that is me thinking again and not remembering Proverbs 3:5. Guess what? Jesus is good and whatever had been thrown at us is now done: from plumbing to electrical to fixing broken gutters, cleaning & oiling fans, and the famous bathing of the guard dogs, Oso and Pepper. God has been with us on every job and all we have done has had his blessings. We will see what tomorrow holds!

I am extremely proud of this team. I never hear them complaining about the heat, and it gets hot here! In fact, the natives are the ones making comments about the weather. Whatever was asked of this team, they were there, and for that I personally take my hat off to them; THANK YOU.

My favorite jobs:

• Fixing the gutters: They wanted us to replaced a big section and it would take us possibly 2 days to do, but Angel and I suggested a different way and it took us only 3 hours! It worked great too. Just as we finished it, the sky opened up and gave the repair a good testing.
  
  
  
• 
  Changing the class rooms lights: Paying for electricity is the school's largest bill. We brought with us very efficient LED light bulbs. We removed the old florescent tubes, replacing them with single bulb fixtures in 9 classrooms, then installed the LED bulbs. There were some doubts that we could finish the job. But guess what? God is good and he blessed all our hands on every job. Thank you Lord!
  
  

 

Ceiling falling apart!

My favorite evangelism:

• Tent City is always my favorite. Especially the way it touches newcomers. The people there are so real, love prayers and are very welcoming. Nothing quite like what we can experience back at home. It showcases what true faith is all about and it tests your own. Our first time missionaries were really touch by these Nicaraguans.
• Evangelizing at the public park was an experience more like home. After having been to Tent City it was different, but easier to stop someone, ask them if we can talk to them, and then allow Jesus take over and have a great experience all over again.

Thanks and hope every one is enjoying all the blogs,

Victor.

Emergency post - Jayleen in hospital

Although we have had a wonderful trip so far, Jayleen has been throwing up all day and is now in the hospital recieving IV fluids for dehydration. The doctors are going to run blood and urine tests just to make sure she has no viruses. She will hopefully be back in a few hours, but we would like to ask for your prayers for her safety and speedy recovery.

Thanks to all,

Michaela (& the Team) 

Day 5 (July 6) - Michaela

¡Hola a todos!

Today dawned a beautiful, sunny, breezy Sunday in Managua. Due to my recent development of circumstantial insomnia, I've been able to confirm that our neighborhood rooster starts his morning harrowing at 12 a.m.

We went down to breakfast at 9. Rosa had made us gallo pinto (mixed rice and beans), maduros (sweet fried plantain), eggs, watermelon, and my one of my favorites, the gorgeous pitaya juice. The younger team members went down the street to the school for Sunday school at 10:30 until the service started at 11.
 

Norman, his sister Elieth, Herndon, and Medardo led us in worship before Elvis went up to preach while the kids clamoured down from the sanctuary balcony to go back to the school for games (#ADHDfriendlyservices).


Because pastor Noel was away in Leon due to his father's recent passing, Elvis, a third year seminary student attending and practicing at the Capilla, gave his last minute sermon while some team members and a visiting family from Nicaragua Christian Academy (where Jess teaches), went up to the balcony for a translation provided by Norman. Elvis is a very skilled public speaker and I enjoyed the message immensely.

After the sermon, the kids went over to the Comedor for lunch, provided for each Sunday by the church, while many conversations began and Nick went upstairs to take a nap.

After our lunch, we split up for house visits: Victor, Angel, Carmen, Nick, Jayleen, and Victoria to check in on and converse with two older members of the church, Eufemia and then Josefa; and Jess, Bob, and I to bring a Bible to a delightful abuelita named Maria who we had met during our trip to tent city. After talking and praying with her and her housemate, Marina, we returned to the Capilla to find the others still out in search of Josefa's house, having no real address and only the general neighborhood.

During the hours after their return, we played futbol and revelled in the hispanic cultural treasure of siesta and "hanging out" - talking, laughing, playing, building relationship stuff.

Eventually the time for dinner came, and we all piled into the church van, along with Jess, long term missionary John, his fiancée Yadi, pastor Noel (who had returned earlier that afternoon), his wife Maria, and their son Samuel, to go to La Finca, a restaurant in downtown Managua where the team goes every year for Sunday dinner.

The dinner conversations over the delicious food lasted until around 8, when we drove back through the city to the Capilla, dropping off Noel, Maria, and a very sleepy Samuel. 

Back at the church, we were able to play a few more games of street fútbol and have those invaluable conversations that seem to remain with me for years.

I continue to be overwhelmed by the innumerable blessings and invaluable experiences and people I have been allowed to encounter in my life, namely here in Nicaragua. I cannot thank you all enough for your prayers and support for our trip. 

Muchísimas gracias,
Michaela

Day 4 (July 5) - Angel

Hello brothers and sisters!
Today as usual, I got up at 7am and by 7:30am we had our team meeting and talked about what we liked about our previous day and our experiences during it. We prayed and we had breakfast: pancakes, rice, scramble eggs, and mixed fruits. We left for the orphanage shortly after. On the way, we stopped at PriceSmart, something like BJ's whole sale club, to buy some food and candy for the orphanage. The scenery was beautiful as we drove away through the countryside, with ups and downs and twists on the road.

I saw many small three wheeled taxis (rickshaws), which are really motorcycles with adjustments made to them. I find it interesting how many people they can carry. We passed through several crowded city-like small towns on the way there, too, as well as many beautiful colourful fruit stands. I also saw horse-drawn carriages used as transportation and/or to carry supplies.

We arrived at the orphanage in the beautiful Jinotepe countryside. We greeted Tina, the director there. I also met Aaron, a temporary missionary there, and the kids, as well as several locals that help in the orphanage. We talked a bit while the kids were getting ready to come out and play soccer (which I'm sure they were anxious to play). It seems as if this is the only sport they play in Nicaragua. I met two neighbouring kids that were watching the orphanage farm for hours in the day because they plant corn seeds and the birds and crows will eat them if no one shoo the birds and crows.
As we gathered at the field, the Nica kids wanted to play against us as has been the norm every year the group has visited. I told them that we can mix the team so it can be fair, since every year they have beaten the team consistently and brutally. We enjoyed playing soccer with them. It was fun and exhausting under the hot sun and the heat, but we often got a good breeze. Overall, it was fun and good to share the experience with the kids. The orphanage is very well taken care of.

On the way back home, shortly down the road, we drove by the local dump site where locals spend the day searching for recyclables or things they can use for their own benefit.






Later, we stopped beside the road to enjoy and take pictures of the scenery.

Our next stop was at a fruit stand, where we bought some native fruits. They were very colorful and beautiful to look at.

Then we went for lunch at El Cafecito bistro in Managua, which had a beautiful view of the mountains and a lake-filled valley. When we arrived back at Calvary Chapel we finished replacing the rest of the light fixtures at the school. One more project finished.


God bless!
Angel

Day 3 (July 4) - Carmen

Hello friends & family: 
Dios los bendiga! Well so far this has been an amazing experience as my first short term missions trip here in Managua, Nicaragua.  I have to say that in the past 3 days my appreciation for the little things has grown; as well as my recognition of the blessed life I live.  We have so much and yet we complain.  I have met some amazing people who have opened up their homes and hearts to us.  There seems to be a difference in the strength of the faith and culture and ours.  They are so welcoming and appreciative of the prayers and small blessings.

Day 1 was a lot of labor, cleaning fans, laundry, cleaning gutters and visiting with the school kids etc.
Day 2 was spent cleaning, organizing, fixing light fixtures and doing other projects and then we went to evangelize in tent city.  This has been my favorite part of the trip.  I will admit I was initially nervous... but my  heart was filled and I was emotional from the first visit. God gave me confidence to speak and pray for strangers and probe for their stories.
Day 3 we did more projects, the men continued replacing classroom lights, working on roof leaks as we cleaned at the house, washed the dogs, mopped etc. before heading to evangelize in Guadalupe.  When we arrived the street was closed so instead we went to the park and split up into two groups.  We would go up to people and ask if they know God and then ask if they wanted us to pray with them. Surprisingly, most said yes and they welcomed our prayers, quickly sharing their needs.  Its been a blessing to share my time, and be able to speak the language and interpret for my fellow missionary team.  I am looking forward to tomorrow as we are headed to the orphanage.

Angel and I had some great discussion last night about our experience so far.  I love seeing the kids and how great the are doing.  Nicholas has truly made me proud with his hard work and involvement. They are headed to youth group as I finish this piece. The girls are so engaged and excited.  You can see them light up when they engage others and seeing them physically working and sweating (its about 90 degrees) without complaining is inspiring.  In the evening they are playing soccer on the street with the neighborhood kids and I love hearing them talk about the cultural differences, how God is working in their lives and even saying they dont want to leave.  God is working in our lives.

My life is changed already, and we still have 6 more days!!  I hope God is blessing you today, even if its a quarter of what I am feeling -- may your day be amazing and your cup runneth over.
Carmen

Day 2 (July 3) - Nicholas

Greetings!
Today was a very eventful day. I met many amazing people and learned about their lives. I also learned about Iginio's past evangelizing and he taught me about the Word. We fixed some chairs and cleaned some fans. During recess me and Victoria played 2-on-20 basketball with the schoolchildren and they beat us 6-4. The children were very nice and fun to be around. Rosa and Maria Estelle cooked some very delicious meals for us and we made a run to Pali for snacks and necessities. We then went to Tent City to evangelize and I was surprised that every house we went to had Christian residents. We prayed with the people and they shared their life stories with us. One woman was part of a major protest against the government because the fruit packing company she worked at was exposed to pesticides called demago which attack the organs, the woman now has liver problems. I was very surprised that people opened their doors for us and invited us in with no shame. I was very moved by their hospitality and trust in God.

The prayers were very emotional and meaningful. When we asked people what they needed prayers for, many wanted us to pray for their health. Others wanted us to pray for God to take them out of that neighborhood and for the Lord to give them the grace to maintain themselves firm in their faith.
After visiting Tent City we got back to the chapel and played soccer with some kids from the neighborhood and stayed talking and joking around with them.
I really can't believe it's only been two days. I'm really going to miss this place. I feel like part of my heart will be left here in Managua.

Thanks for your prayers and support!
Nick

Day 1 (July 2) - Victoria

Hey guys,

Today was our first day of work. In the morning we ate an amazing breakfast of scrambled eggs, fried platanos (maduras), and fresh fruit made by our cook, a local woman named Rosa. After breakfast Michaela, Jayleen, Nicholas, and I went on to the roof of the church bakery to sweep out the gutter and clean up the oranges that fall from the surrounding trees. When we got up there we noticed little bones everywhere. We later learned from the pastor's wife, Jess, that the birds and cats eat the iguanas. 

After the roof was complete we went over to the school. Jayleen and I fixed desks, replacing screws, boards, nuts, and bolts while Michaela and Nicholas dissected, washed, dried, and reassembled at least a dozen or so dusty fans. The fact that this country is hot and we are in a drought right now makes everything dirty and covered in at least and inch of dust. Later on in the afternoon after lunch the team went back to the school to continue working. In the middle of repairing a very very sad and broken desk, the skies opened up in a downpour; everyone was so happy that the rain had finally come. Then all the rain stopped just as quickly as it started. 

Throughout the rest of the day we experienced little showers every now and then. After most of the work was done there, Michaela, Jayleen, Carmen, and I went to shower while the other guys finished up some of their projects. After a delicious dinner that Rosa had left for us, the rest of the team went to shower while us girls opened up the church gates for the Wednesday night service. That was a funny experience, watching Bob Peatfield get all confused because he didn't understand the Spanish and then watching one of the Nicaraguans, Gustavo, turn to be confused at the English. 

I forgot to mention this before, but there is this rooster who suddenly decided that it's okay to crow every five minutes. I have yet to find him. Seriously, I don't think that it sleeps. Carmen, Michaela, and I were joking that we would secretly go find that rooster and that we would make a chicken dinner out of him and eat him for the Fourth of July. 

Something that I have learned from today was the friendliness and curiosity of the people down here. While we were cleaning the roof of a man who lived next door pulled out a plastic chair and sat down to watch us. I said buenos dias to him thinking that he would carry on whatever he was doing but he stayed the whole hour and a half that we were there and contently watched us with a smile on his face. Also when Jayleen and I were hammering away at the desk in one of the classrooms a little girl came over and she stayed in the entrance of the doorway giggling at our frustration over the stubborn nails and screws. We came here to help these people without realizing that in the grand scheme they don't need our help; they are perfectly content with their everyday doings. We are the ones who need the help: we need to learn how to stop and enjoy the day for what it is, not to worry our lives away over the little things, and how to have a laugh at the little oddities in life that God gives to us for enjoyment. That's all for the day. You all should hear from me again sometime soon. 

Also this is the view from my hammock. 

Victoria Rosado (15)