|
Newsletters
Jun 2010 |
Newsletters - Dec 2003Alongside Ministries en Nicaragua Dear Friends, Feliz Dia de Gracias! Happy Thanksgiving! I’m sure it’s no surprise, but the Nicaraguans don’t celebrate Thanksgiving! There are no reminders in the stores or in advertising, no pressure to buy the turkey and all the trimmings, and no one to tell us about everything we should be thankful for. In a way, it’s good. We are left with just a few other Gringos to remind us about this day to stop, reflect and be thankful. And we are so thankful! But actually, we live with daily reminders. . . When we see the busses and taxis careening down the road or read about the latest bus accident we are thankful for the physical safety that God has given to us. When we see our home being built by a crew of trustworthy men we are thankful for God’s provision (through the sale of our Woodinville home) to be able to buy and finish this house and for the workers that he brought our way. When we share and laugh and talk and dream about our vision for the new sports center with our new “daughter” in Christ, Amanda, we are thankful for the people God has brought alongside of us to share our vision and strengthen our commitment. When we serve 90 children at the feeding program – serving them food as well as the gospel through songs and stories, and the food doesn’t run out we are thankful for a God who knows our needs so well. When we fellowship with friends – both Gringo and Nicaraguan who have filled our need to have “family” close by, we are thankful for a God whose greatest commandment is love because we get to receive it as well as give it. We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with all the tradition of the holiday and the remembrances of the blessings of our abundant God. Feliz Navidad! Merry Christmas! Without Thanksgiving the decorations in the stores around here change from Halloween to Christmas at the first of November. We get to enjoy the lights (there are a few) and decorations for a good 2 months or so. It’s not so overwhelming that it becomes tiresome – just enough to put us in the holiday mood. Kathy will start doing some holiday baking, although with the oven on the kitchen heats up to 85+ degrees and it seems odd to be making candy cane cookies and fudge in that kind of heat. This is when we miss the beautiful northwest winters, a fire in the fireplace and having to cuddle up to keep warm! Our very best Christmas gifts will be arriving here on December 22nd – Brandon and Britton (like you didn’t already know – I think I’ve mentioned this in every newsletter for the last 6 months!). We are looking forward to taking a week off with them, just having fun and celebrating together. We hope your Christmas, too, is filled with special gifts like this. You may not have special sons coming home but we all have the special Son of God, sent to us so many years ago, whose birth we celebrate and whose life and death has given us the gift of eternal life – the only gift that really keeps on giving! We pray that if you haven’t already received this gift that you will accept it and receive it this Christmas. It is the greatest, life-changing gift you could ever imagine!
The end of school also means greater numbers at the feeding program. We served 90 lunches last week with a little bit left over. We’re sure we witnessed a bread and fish miracle since Kathy wasn’t thinking or planning for 90 when she shopped. We will be starting the new year in the ministry center with or without power so that we can be more comfortable and efficient. A special thank you goes to the Vacation Bible school groups that have helped in the purchase of bowls, cups, tables and benches. In all that we are thankful for, you continually come to mind. We are able to serve here through the power and love of Jesus Christ and by the financial and prayer support of our friends and family. We pray God’s continued blessings on you and your families as we serve together.
Serving Together, Thank you for supporting our ministry in Nicaragua. Eastside Development |
The school year here in Nicaragua has come to an end as they have their “summer” vacation during December and January. This means several things for us and our ministry. Kathy just recently celebrated preschool promotions – a big deal down here, with 2 of her preschool groups. They put on quite a party for their children complete with mortar board hats and Pomp and Circumstance type of marching music. They receive certificates from the Ministry of Education that shows they are ready to enter 1st grade. They also honored Kathy and asked her to return next year to continue teaching English. How can she say no? With these promotions comes the end of classes although Kathy will continue with the third group which has really become just an informal circle of kids that meet on Nora’s front porch. (Nora is a woman for whom our church mission team built a house back in July of 2000.)