Here in
Nicaragua we are in Jinotepe a city about an hour south of the capital
Managua. As far as ministry goes we have
had our hands in a little bit of everything.
Some have said we may have been spread a little thin but on the flip
side we have the opportunity to see the needs of this community.
Our
week starts off by visiting a nursing home.
I have met some pretty cool and funny seniors. At times they are difficult to understand as
I am still brushing up on my Spanish and they are missing a few teeth or
so. All in all it has been a fun
time. We also, have been visiting a
local hospital. Getting a chance to hear
people’s stories and pray with them in their sickness. The Lord has definitely showed up in these
encounters.
We have
been visiting several different barrios (neighborhoods). Normally, we go door to door building
relationships with the community. The
needs of these communities are obvious.
Most are one room shacks where the whole family lives. We are most often
invited into homes with dirt floors and minimal possessions. All have desired
prayer and are thankful for our visits.
Gangs and addictions are common place in these neighborhoods. We have run across young men just hanging out
on the street corners with nothing else better to do. They remind me of my boys in Cambodia, just
needing someone to encourage and challenge them. We have come across the security guard of the
barrio inebriated at 10 in the morning.
Yeah, like I said the needs in these neighborhoods are overwhelming.
We have
visited a disabled kids school. 
This has
been one of our favorite ministries. The
kids are so precious and fun.
We are
also involved in three different churches. One is currently in a very poor
barrio where food is served to the youngsters.
At a church called Nueva Vida we partner up with another mission team
from AIM called Real Life and assist in church services throughout the
week. The last church we visit is home
to many needy/orphaned kids and teens.
What I
can see from all this bouncing around is that no matter where we go the need is
great. Money or no money most people are
desperate for something to hope for. We
have been blessed to be able to reach out in so many different ways.
Here are a few more pics of my time here so far in Nicaragua
Me and Enrique a little boy from the barrio we visit
This is our beautiful hotel we are staying at, our missionary contacts run Hotel Casa Mateo
Riding a horse on the beach
Me and Loretta one of the hotel’s birds
Normal transportation all of us crammed in the back of a pick up truck
