Worlds Apart - by Liz Christian

Liz Christian wrote down some reflections from our most recent visit to Nicaragua that we want to share with you.  These reflections very clearly speak of the work we try to do, and the challenge it is for many of us to part with our friends in Santa Maria.  Thanks Liz for these inspiring words.

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Worlds Apart:

In Christ we are one;

sinners cleansed by the blood of God’s Son.

Loved ones and comforts of home may be distant;

but our needs are all met

by our God omniscient.

We are welcomed as family.

Abundant smiles and hugs

 fuel a seamless adjustment

 to heat, dirt and bugs.

The joy of reunion is in the air,

side by side

we share meals, laughter and prayer.

Together we work; we worship; we play;

friendships grow stronger every day.

Spending time in God’s Word

sows encouragement and hope

and bolsters the faith

that equips man to cope…

Limited resources

make it challenging to see -

or even to hope, for opportunity.

But Jesus our Savior always has a plan;

He shelters his sheep in the palm of His hand.

When we leave our Santa Maria friends

We know they are wrapped in God’s love - that never ends.

We pray that their paths will be bright with His light

And with eyes fixed on Jesus they will keep fighting the fight.

     

Philadelphia

Home.

Philly Bound!

Landed USA!

Boarded

We are all aboard the flight for Miami!  USA here we come...

Breakfast in Granada!

Eating breakfast this AM in Granada at Casa San Francisco.  Headed to airport around 10:30 AM for our 1:55 PM flight.

Dinner!!

In Granada

We made it to Granada after stopping in Catarina to see this view- however, it was raining so we didn't get to see this.  This picture is from last Thursday.  Team is now enjoying a relaxing evening in Hotel Casa San Francisco.

On the Road!

Final day in Santa Maria and Departure

We are now on the road leaving Santa Maria.  It is always sad to leave our Nicaraguan family.  

Yesterday, the final full day in Santa Maria, was very busy as usual.  We started off with mime practice, followed by skit practice, craft preparation and a trip to buy water and cookies.  We also had a bit of time to walk around the community.  

The afternoon started with chicken enchiladas, a team favorite!  As the afternoon heated up, kids began to arrive.  About 150 kids on our final day of Bible camp.  The day's lesson was on faith- the Centurion who's son was healed, feeding the 5000 and Peter walking on the water.  

Once the skit was done, we experienced a rain storm then a dust storm.  Definitely interesting weather for us, but the team managed to pull off the activites.  We all pray they have grown through the teaching this year.

After Bible camp and a short break, we held Bible study with the men and women together. In wrapping up the week's study on faith and taking the narrow road, we shared laughter as small groups dramatized various scenarios of walking with God, living hypocrically, and being outside of the church. Butch and Ellen won the prize for best actors on the north american team. And seeing Dona Sonia, one of our cooks, giggling in anticipation of her part made everyone giggle. We are still talking about it today. 

The youth of the church surprised us by singing a song in English during the evening church service.  We were all so touched. The mime went off without a hitch. Then the good byes. Always a challenge. Another year of strengthened relationships and improved spanish. We are off to Granada. 

Finishing Strong on June 26

130 kids in Bible camp, men's Bible study  goes longer than the women's, and men play game "wide and narrow path". No running water forces team to creatively shower with buckets of well water. Lynn enjoyed a 2 1/2 inch bed bug, and everyone is healthy. Getting ready for the longest day with a church service after the Bible studies. Pray that our mime blesses the Santa Marian's. 

Lunch- the Calm Before the Storm

Just finished a good lunch of chicken and rice with a side of cucumber, tomato and onion salad.  We are now all energized and ready for this afternoon's activites.  Bible camp at 2 and group studies at 5.  We are enjoying a cooler and overcast day today.

1st Day of Camp

Today was the first day of Bible camp. A lot of preparations this morning as the team kicked the week off.  Todays lesson was on Elija and the prophets of Baal.  We habd about 75 kids at camp today which began a bit late due to the rain.  The skies opened up about an hour before camp was to begin, but praise God the rain stopped in time for camp and our afternoon activities.  After Bible camp the teMhad an hour break before the me 's and women's Bible studies.

The team is all doing well, and we are all continuing to build relationships with the people in Santa Maria.  We are constanty reminded of the challenges life brings to the people in this community.  It reminds us of how blessed we truly are.  Thanks for your continued prayers.

Visiting the Church Leon

The power returned about 10:30 PM last night. Many in the team went to sleep early to catch up on missed rest from the early wake up and flights.  Team members all slept well and feel much more rested this moring.

Today is a slower day.  A few of us are in the church in Leon for the 9 AM service and will return to Santa Maria after.

The rest of the team is organizing the supplies for the week and awaiting the arrival of Juan, our translator, who had to work his teaching job yesterday.  We are also waiting for Erick to arrive on Monday as his wife had surgery this past Friday morning.

We are all happy to be back in Santa Maria with our friends from the community.

Team Has Arrived

The team has safely arrived in Santa Maria.  We just finished our forst dinner and now have had our first storm taking out the electricity.  Welcome to Nicaragua!

The Team Arrives

The team arrives in Nicaragua without much of a hitch. Well except that Butch's one suitcase broke open. No worries we have duct tape. Lydia's first time and she says, "I'm just taking it all in."  Our biggest prayer is for good communication. No translator for the first 24 hours. Thanks for your support and prayers. 

Team In the Air

We are about to leave Granada to meet the team in Managua.  So far all is on track with flights!

Train the Trainer

This morning, before going to Masaya, we are working with some folks to prepare them for leading Bible studies here in Santa Maria.  Once they are finished, we will head to see Juan at the school the works at in Masaya.  It should be about a 2 hour drive.  So far, the trip has been very smooth.  Thanks for your continued prayers.

Clear Day in Nicaragua!

Crystal clear morning here in Santa Maria.  Nets are hung, cots are out, water is on ice and all is set for the team arrival.

Last night was the first Bible Study at the church, starting the 2 week study on the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew chapter 5.

Today we are off to the beach with some of the young people before this afternoon's activites back at the church.  

Tire Fixed (we think)

Back to Santa Maria after shopping for food and water and all sorts of things.

Changing the tire

Well, 3 tires are better that none, but the truck really needs four full of air. So, making a quick stop in Chinandega to replace the driver side rear tire which seems to be losing air.  Then we are off for food and water shopping at the market and the supermarket.  Hoping our "quick" stop is truly quick.

The gentle sound ...

We awoke this morning to the gentle sound of barking dogs, roosters which don't know what time it is. Burning ... whatever ... tickles our nostrils with its fragrantly unsophisticated bouquet. Yep, we're back in our second home, Santa Maria!

What makes it so homey? That's easy! The warm greetings, the hearty "Bienvenidos" from the several dozens waiting for us, eager questions about who is coming next week - it's just as it should be!

Arrived Santa Maria!

Many greetings from the folks at Verbo Church.  There were a number of folks waiting our arrival at the church.  Thanks for the prayers!  We are so happy to be back visiting our friends!

Arrived and off to Santa Maria!

Leaving Miami!

Miami!

Landed in Miami.

On The Way!

After several team meetings, lots of preparation, prayer and packing, the 2014 trip is now underway.  The advance team of Mark and Chris has arrived at the airport for our 6:05 AM flight to Miami.  The team has a few more days to prepare before their Saturday AM flight at the same time.  This years team is 11 members.  In addition to Mark and Chris, Chuck and Sue Steege, Lynn Rudolph, Ellen and Butch Bodenheimer, Liz Christian, Mayo Dunn, Lydia Wegner and Chris Chambers will be making the trip this year.  Please keep the team in your prayers as the advance team gets things ready for the team arrival, and the team at home completes their final preparations.  We look forward to sharing this journey with you.  Boarding the plane soon....

Welcome to the 2014 Nicaragua Mission Trip team blog.  We are very happy that you are following our trip this year.