I feel like it was just last week that I wrote my 2nd report & project fund raising letter. I think the past 4 months went by faster than the 4 between February and June. I cannot believe it is already October 2009! What an interesting year it has been here in northwest Nicaragua serving God with New Song Mission Nicaragua. I cannot tell you how many friendships God has opened me up to this year. I have had a great time helping and being helped by Nicaraguans and more so with young adults here from the states. I want to thank every one of you who has partnered with us this year here in the country and others from the states. This work could not exist without your prayers, contributions, donations, and visits. Thank you for being a blessing to the mission, the projects, and to me personally thus far in 2009.
As most of you know, when I started my second year, I planned to help fund-raise for 3 projects a year. In February, the Adopt-a-Family and 22Fifty Project was a huge success as we sent over 250 children to school with uniforms, shoes, and school supplies. I want you all to know that last week we gave notebooks and pencils out to those children in Sunday school, as they have 6 weeks of school left this year, and a lot of work and testing to complete. Thank you to each of you that gave as little as $5.00 towards this project, and a bigger thank you to those of you giving every month helping your adopted family’s school needs. In May, God helped provide us enough support to host over 50 people (in-and-out) living on the property to date. The youth house is also being used to do youth discipleship, Sunday school teacher training, and many hours of fellowship. Thank you to each gift given towards putting the roof, doors, beds, and flush toilets into the house for the summer teams that visited. I also want to thank the ones of you who gave to my personal bedroom, bathroom, and closet in the house.
We have completed 2/3 of our mission year, and our first two projects have been a great success. Thanks again for each of you who has made them possible. The summer teams have gone back to the states, and we have finished paying off the beds, doors, and septic system. Many groups and individuals stayed on the property in the past 4 months, and the youth house served its purpose, but our mission is about to really change. We have young adults that were so touched in their short-term trips here, that they are coming back to serve full-time. Four people already have their plane tickets to be with us in late December and early January, with plans of serving for 4-months, 8-months, and 12-months. We have a couple, and another individual highly considering coming in January or February for 6-12 months. With this being said, I present my 3rd project, The New Song Mission House!
The dormitory style housing worked for the summer, with people here between 7 days and 11 weeks. But God is sending young adults here to serve for a longer term, and we need to finish this house to fit their needs. We want to completely finish the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms in this house by the end of 2009. Of course, we will finish it into 2010 if needed, but right now the rooms are open for construction and we can welcome our long term missionaries into a much more comfortable living space. As I said, everything we have to this point is paid off, and we are ready to start work again because the rooms are empty. Please help us take advantage of the time we have right now with the house unoccupied to get funds here and finish construction.
As money is made available, we will tile floors and put ceilings throughout the house. We want to screen all windows and add air conditioning units to the bedrooms. Once these are finished, we will be putting organizational shelves or furniture into rooms to store clothes and personal belongings. We have one piece of furniture in the living room, but for the most part it is open space. The open space is good during our youth and children discipleship; we separate the children here during the evening services for hearing bible stories and watching animated DVDs. We want moveable chairs and tables in this room for children and youth to come and do their homework and hangout with our long term missionaries. The kitchen is functional, but also needs funding for building counters and tables and buying appliances and utensils.
We are asking that you prayerfully consider helping complete our mission house for the missionaries who will start serving with us here in December and January. The house will have some people staying in it short term in November and December as well, and we would like to have most construction done before they arrive to not disrupt them during their stay. We will be able to do work in open rooms throughout November and December with them here, but the biggest help would be having the funds to start as soon as possible while we are empty. We know the economy is a disaster right now, but as little as $20.00 from each of you can get the work started and keep work going throughout this year so that this project can be just as successful as the first two.
Once again, thank you so much to all of you who support New Song Mission Nicaragua, Make ‘em Smile, and me personally. Nothing here is possible without the support given by each of you. We are overjoyed at the new people God is putting into His plans here. In the future, we want to have a two story dormitory for the short term teams that come, but we cannot start that dream until we see this mission house completed. I hope to hear from you soon and pray that all is well with you and your families.
Donate online at: https://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/mynewsong/ and choose Construction from the drop down menuSend donations by mail: make checks out to New Song Mission Nicaragua and tag/memo to Construction or Mission HouseMail to: New Song Mission Nicaragua, c/o Atlanta City Church, 3355 Old Jonesboro Road, Fairburn GA, 30213
I will be in Boone, North Carolina from January 8-11, before making a 2-week mission trip to Kenya, Africa with my dad and others from First Baptist Church Boone, NC. I plan to be back in Nicaragua by the end of January, so those four days will be my only ones in the Boone area. I would love to see all of you then to fellowship and share with you personally how great God has been to this ministry and me for two years. I love and miss you all, and cannot wait to see you then, or before for those headed this way.
Many Blessings in Christ,
Jim Bob “Diego” Norman
New Song Mission Nicaragua
Make ‘em Smile
John 15:13
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
NSMN Sept. 2009
Greetings to everyone from Jim Bob Norman...below you can read the september update Tommy, Linda, and I put together...it is also attached as a 2-page word document for those of you who wish to print it off to read and/or share...God is doing a great work here, and I have loved my first 20 months serving with New Song...God is sending so many short-term and long-term people to us from the states to help in the harvest here, and I am really loving the lifetime friendships that are starting. For those of you who email, facebook, or ask me in person on my short trips to the states how you can help, or what area we are mostly in need; the youth house is our top priority right now. We are starting work back on October 1, building onto and improving its living conditions for our American groups and individuals who are being called to come and stay on the land in the village in our main community of Candelaria. Please enjoy the updates below and the video links! If you can help in anyway towards our youth house construction and furnishing, please get in touch with me. May God bless you all, and thanks for all the support, love, and prayers that have allowed me to serve here for the first 20 months.
Hello from Nicaragua to our family and friends!!!!
We are happy to be able to write you all and give an update of the mission to catch you up. We are singing a New Song!! Jesus is Lord of ALL as we scan 2009 in awe of what He has done! We constantly acknowledge that this is His work and exists for His glory! We are learning firsthand how God uses all things for good. Even the financial depression has been used to purify and focus the mission. We thank God for the testing and sifting of this year, as it has produced a team of Kingdom minded workers that God has sent to help us reap the great harvest . We are all jelling like a family, both Nicaraguans and us foreigners, as we walk together through the trials of this year; we are emerging as a vital community of God. His ways are far above ours!!September Update Video: http://vimeo.com/6598469
Children Discipleship
We have also noticed the eye of God on the next generation. We have 15 youth, many of whom are new believers, coming to a weekly training preparation for teaching Sunday school the following Sunday. Our Nicaraguan daughter, a mighty woman of God, Yahaira is training the teachers in the weekly Bible lesson, focusing on the manner in which Jesus valued and loved children. We desire the next generation to know God in His whole story, so they are beginning with creation and will continue through the final judgment. Each teacher has their own small group with the 180 children divided among the 15 teachers. In this manner God has given wisdom to disciple the youth and children, giving them a firm foundation of truth and a healthy network of relationships.
Youth Discipleship
These 15 youth Sunday school teachers plus 10-15 more youth are faithful to our Wednesday night youth discipleship, and Friday night youth activities. Tommy and Diego are really enjoying these Wednesday nights with messages and themes focused for youth and young adults between ages 14-25. They are learning to listen, and we are hoping to see them walk-out these teachings as they learn about maturity. In the future, we see these youth traveling around to outreach villages and even on to some of the bigger cities of Nicaragua, sharing real Christianity with the lost. On Friday nights, we are rotating between fellowship times and “important life choices” teachings. The fellowship times include things ike monthly birthday parties, movie nights, or trips to the park. Our Christian Psychologist, from the clinic, is helping every other Friday with the youth teaching on different topics the youth have asked for guidance in. Some of the 10-15 topics we are covering with them include: self-esteem, boyfriend/girlfriend advice, depression, and abstinence. The Nicaraguan youth and Diego are really enjoying the friendships and encouragement found in the American youth that God has sent and is continuing to send this way. For the groups coming this way we mix ministry with tourism days of fellowship like the beach or water fall. American Youth: http://vimeo.com/5587337 Waterfall: http://vimeo.com/6049133
US Youth Involvement
Kevin Costner said “If you build it, they will come”! Well… the youth dorm is not completely finished but they are here!!! This summer we had 30 youth (in-and-out) full of life youth buzzing around on the land. They were here from 2 weeks to 3 months. By January we will have 5 full time US young people serving full time in community. We feel called to offer young adults an opportunity to experience God in-country, teaching this generation how to listen and partner with Him to bring His Kingdom. It has brought life to tap into the gifts in both the US and Nicaraguan young people as it give them a place to express life and be a part of developing a Christian community. Here is one of the 2 murals we received as a gift in the summer groups: http://vimeo.com/6000838.We have watched the local youth wake up spiritually with a new genuine hunger for the Lord and applying truth. Much discipleship training is offered weekly and they are forever having fiestas for all of their birthdays. They know how to party!!! Love gives way to sorrow when these strong friendships have to part ways but strong eternal bonds of love are formed forever. These youth have been transformed and strengthen on their path with increased purpose and vision.Birthday Piñata Video: http://vimeo.com/6141561
Clinic
The Lord has provided for us to run the medical and dental clinic one day per week since April. We have a Doctor, a Dentist, a Christian Psychologist, a Pharmacist, an administrator, a receptionist and a house cleaner. We have recently partnered with a local medical facility to do rural clinics in outreach communities. Our Pharmacy is now legalized and so am I (Linda) after 2 years; I am finally a Nicaraguan resident. Now I am able to complete the legalization of our Nicaraguan Association under which we can legalize the clinic. Thank you Jesus!
Projects and Small Businesses
God has blessed Daniel’s goat ministry!! Within less than 2 weeks 8 goats were birthed which makes 22 goats now!! I get so excited to see the goat shelter, now with water and lights and secure from theft. They make really good popsicles with goat milk and bananas!! We are selling goat milk and cheese also. Goat Ministry Video: http://vimeo.com/5586628
Our garden workers recently harvested over 5000 ears of corn. We also have begun a good relationship with the head of the largest agricultural center in our area and he is coming once a week to help us! Our next goal is to get the bottom field irrigated for the upcoming dry months.
The sewing and craft classes are turning into businesses which are producing very professional work. They custom-make every article of clothing after measuring the person and drawing their own patterns! Our next step is marketing and sales.
Our Bakery group is baking in a hand built wood burning oven and has begun the first step toward their business. We are waiting to hear if we have been approved for a grant that will allow us to finish the bakery/kitchen and dorms. The kitchen staff cooks daily to serve as many as we have on the land and the food is delicious!!
Several young men are thankful for a small gift that enabled them to continue with the skills to make hammocks. They stay busy and are producing well made hammocks quickly and are buying their own materials.
Each of these small businesses has a director who loves the Lord and is working well to oversee their project. These directors work under Erick Roche who is our missions administrator and he works closely with me so I am able to supervise but nor be consumed with too many things. The best part to me is that each of these projects have provide a structure where small groups can form trusting relationships and real friendships and the real Kingdom of God can be walked out!Various Summer Activities Video: http://vimeo.com/6143636
Our Immediate Goal
Our priority now is to finish the youth dorm/bakery/ kitchen, after which we need to build another dorm/office/industrial building where we will provide a place of employment and security for the sewing, craft and hammock making businesses. We are presently housing the girls in the clinic and the guys in the dorm and we feel that and we feel that the next step is to provide affordable housing for many young disciples to participate in bringing the Kingdom of God in this area of Nicaragua.
We are convinced that God has mighty plans to transform this country through this generation rising up as mighty warriors to bring His Kingdom and see His will be done!
May the blessings of the Lord be on each of us as we each have a special part to play in these last days!
With much love, Tommy and Linda Gable and Jim Bob Norman
Hello from Nicaragua to our family and friends!!!!
We are happy to be able to write you all and give an update of the mission to catch you up. We are singing a New Song!! Jesus is Lord of ALL as we scan 2009 in awe of what He has done! We constantly acknowledge that this is His work and exists for His glory! We are learning firsthand how God uses all things for good. Even the financial depression has been used to purify and focus the mission. We thank God for the testing and sifting of this year, as it has produced a team of Kingdom minded workers that God has sent to help us reap the great harvest . We are all jelling like a family, both Nicaraguans and us foreigners, as we walk together through the trials of this year; we are emerging as a vital community of God. His ways are far above ours!!September Update Video: http://vimeo.com/6598469
Children Discipleship
We have also noticed the eye of God on the next generation. We have 15 youth, many of whom are new believers, coming to a weekly training preparation for teaching Sunday school the following Sunday. Our Nicaraguan daughter, a mighty woman of God, Yahaira is training the teachers in the weekly Bible lesson, focusing on the manner in which Jesus valued and loved children. We desire the next generation to know God in His whole story, so they are beginning with creation and will continue through the final judgment. Each teacher has their own small group with the 180 children divided among the 15 teachers. In this manner God has given wisdom to disciple the youth and children, giving them a firm foundation of truth and a healthy network of relationships.
Youth Discipleship
These 15 youth Sunday school teachers plus 10-15 more youth are faithful to our Wednesday night youth discipleship, and Friday night youth activities. Tommy and Diego are really enjoying these Wednesday nights with messages and themes focused for youth and young adults between ages 14-25. They are learning to listen, and we are hoping to see them walk-out these teachings as they learn about maturity. In the future, we see these youth traveling around to outreach villages and even on to some of the bigger cities of Nicaragua, sharing real Christianity with the lost. On Friday nights, we are rotating between fellowship times and “important life choices” teachings. The fellowship times include things ike monthly birthday parties, movie nights, or trips to the park. Our Christian Psychologist, from the clinic, is helping every other Friday with the youth teaching on different topics the youth have asked for guidance in. Some of the 10-15 topics we are covering with them include: self-esteem, boyfriend/girlfriend advice, depression, and abstinence. The Nicaraguan youth and Diego are really enjoying the friendships and encouragement found in the American youth that God has sent and is continuing to send this way. For the groups coming this way we mix ministry with tourism days of fellowship like the beach or water fall. American Youth: http://vimeo.com/5587337 Waterfall: http://vimeo.com/6049133
US Youth Involvement
Kevin Costner said “If you build it, they will come”! Well… the youth dorm is not completely finished but they are here!!! This summer we had 30 youth (in-and-out) full of life youth buzzing around on the land. They were here from 2 weeks to 3 months. By January we will have 5 full time US young people serving full time in community. We feel called to offer young adults an opportunity to experience God in-country, teaching this generation how to listen and partner with Him to bring His Kingdom. It has brought life to tap into the gifts in both the US and Nicaraguan young people as it give them a place to express life and be a part of developing a Christian community. Here is one of the 2 murals we received as a gift in the summer groups: http://vimeo.com/6000838.We have watched the local youth wake up spiritually with a new genuine hunger for the Lord and applying truth. Much discipleship training is offered weekly and they are forever having fiestas for all of their birthdays. They know how to party!!! Love gives way to sorrow when these strong friendships have to part ways but strong eternal bonds of love are formed forever. These youth have been transformed and strengthen on their path with increased purpose and vision.Birthday Piñata Video: http://vimeo.com/6141561
Clinic
The Lord has provided for us to run the medical and dental clinic one day per week since April. We have a Doctor, a Dentist, a Christian Psychologist, a Pharmacist, an administrator, a receptionist and a house cleaner. We have recently partnered with a local medical facility to do rural clinics in outreach communities. Our Pharmacy is now legalized and so am I (Linda) after 2 years; I am finally a Nicaraguan resident. Now I am able to complete the legalization of our Nicaraguan Association under which we can legalize the clinic. Thank you Jesus!
Projects and Small Businesses
God has blessed Daniel’s goat ministry!! Within less than 2 weeks 8 goats were birthed which makes 22 goats now!! I get so excited to see the goat shelter, now with water and lights and secure from theft. They make really good popsicles with goat milk and bananas!! We are selling goat milk and cheese also. Goat Ministry Video: http://vimeo.com/5586628
Our garden workers recently harvested over 5000 ears of corn. We also have begun a good relationship with the head of the largest agricultural center in our area and he is coming once a week to help us! Our next goal is to get the bottom field irrigated for the upcoming dry months.
The sewing and craft classes are turning into businesses which are producing very professional work. They custom-make every article of clothing after measuring the person and drawing their own patterns! Our next step is marketing and sales.
Our Bakery group is baking in a hand built wood burning oven and has begun the first step toward their business. We are waiting to hear if we have been approved for a grant that will allow us to finish the bakery/kitchen and dorms. The kitchen staff cooks daily to serve as many as we have on the land and the food is delicious!!
Several young men are thankful for a small gift that enabled them to continue with the skills to make hammocks. They stay busy and are producing well made hammocks quickly and are buying their own materials.
Each of these small businesses has a director who loves the Lord and is working well to oversee their project. These directors work under Erick Roche who is our missions administrator and he works closely with me so I am able to supervise but nor be consumed with too many things. The best part to me is that each of these projects have provide a structure where small groups can form trusting relationships and real friendships and the real Kingdom of God can be walked out!Various Summer Activities Video: http://vimeo.com/6143636
Our Immediate Goal
Our priority now is to finish the youth dorm/bakery/ kitchen, after which we need to build another dorm/office/industrial building where we will provide a place of employment and security for the sewing, craft and hammock making businesses. We are presently housing the girls in the clinic and the guys in the dorm and we feel that and we feel that the next step is to provide affordable housing for many young disciples to participate in bringing the Kingdom of God in this area of Nicaragua.
We are convinced that God has mighty plans to transform this country through this generation rising up as mighty warriors to bring His Kingdom and see His will be done!
May the blessings of the Lord be on each of us as we each have a special part to play in these last days!
With much love, Tommy and Linda Gable and Jim Bob Norman
Monday, August 10, 2009
NEW VIDEOS!!!
Luke Cantrell from our last World Race group painted an awesome mural in our church, and has since made the following video:
http://vimeo.com/6000838
I also noticed that ashley has made a video about their time in Candelaria:
http://vimeo.com/5955752
Tara as well:
http://vimeo.com/5891855
Luke also added clips from our "fun day" at the waterfall:
http://vimeo.com/6049133
THANKS GUYS!!!! I love you all, and hope to see you soon!
http://vimeo.com/6000838
I also noticed that ashley has made a video about their time in Candelaria:
http://vimeo.com/5955752
Tara as well:
http://vimeo.com/5891855
Luke also added clips from our "fun day" at the waterfall:
http://vimeo.com/6049133
THANKS GUYS!!!! I love you all, and hope to see you soon!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Videos
Our current youth on the land:
http://www.theworldrace.org/widgets/meet/byteamFrame.asp?pteamname=Abandon
http://www.theworldrace.org/widgets/meet/byteamFrame.asp?pteamname=fuego
here are videos some of our groups have made this summer:
Beauty Day: http://www.vimeo.com/5572702
Goat video: http://vimeo.com/5586628
USA video: http://vimeo.com/5587337
Garden & Goats: http://www.vimeo.com/5567161
Bug Eating: http://vimeo.com/5595362
Weaterfall: http://vimeo.com/5602516
Making Tortillas: http://09ca0529rl2.myadventures.org/?filename=video-how-to-make-tortillas
Church Mural: http://09ca0529rl2.myadventures.org/?filename=candelaria-mural-in-progess
Pictures: http://09ca0529rl2.myadventures.org/?isFunction=photos&pg=2
http://www.theworldrace.org/widgets/meet/byteamFrame.asp?pteamname=Abandon
http://www.theworldrace.org/widgets/meet/byteamFrame.asp?pteamname=fuego
here are videos some of our groups have made this summer:
Beauty Day: http://www.vimeo.com/5572702
Goat video: http://vimeo.com/5586628
USA video: http://vimeo.com/5587337
Garden & Goats: http://www.vimeo.com/5567161
Bug Eating: http://vimeo.com/5595362
Weaterfall: http://vimeo.com/5602516
Making Tortillas: http://09ca0529rl2.myadventures.org/?filename=video-how-to-make-tortillas
Church Mural: http://09ca0529rl2.myadventures.org/?filename=candelaria-mural-in-progess
Pictures: http://09ca0529rl2.myadventures.org/?isFunction=photos&pg=2
25 Years & 18 Months
Greetings to all…I hope your summer is going as great as ours is here in Candelaria. On July 2, I turned 25 years old, and July 10 marked 18 months from the day I first placed foot in Nicaragua. This summer has been a blast so far! Since May 17th we have had nearly 40 Americans visiting, ministering, and living on the land. Thanks to everyone who as a part of contributing to get our youth house/dorm livable to host all these groups. The house has 5 beds, 2 showers, and 2 flush toilets, and lots of room for others to sleep in tents and sleeping bags in empty rooms.
Many of these American youth have helped us in projects around the land including:
Many of these American youth have helped us in projects around the land including:
- The youth house and kitchen are coming along, and very busy
- We have a goat house under construction for our 17 goats and pregnant cow living on the land.
- One of our church walls has a mural of Psalms 40 painted on it, and 2 more walls will have mission statements and art work painted on them by the end of July.
- The garden and lower field are full of corn and other vegetables ready for harvest later this month
- The women had a beauty day last Saturday with a focus on outer beauty during the day and a service focused on inner beauty for the night. They are planning another for next Saturday
But, where we have seen God moving the most using these groups is spiritually:
- Our Wednesday night youth discipleship that Tommy is leading has around 20 Nicaraguans and 20 Americans each week, and everyone is paying attention, hungry to learn biblical foundations of Christianity.
- Every Friday night we are doing different youth activities to keep the young people from getting bored. Between 20-30 people are around each week for different activities including: concerts, worship & prayer services, birthday parties, and game/movie nights
- The group here did a day of prayer and fasting yesterday and it was so powerful for them, and people watching that we are doing it again Sunday with any of the Candelarians that want to join.
We have also had some days touring the country: visiting volcanoes, lagoons, waterfalls, and the beaches. I know for me personally having the American youth here has been a breath of fresh air. Every day we are having worship and devotions, and throughout each day our group is enjoying community and friendships.
I haven’t had time to get many of my own pictures or make videos, but the groups have there’s on their World Race and Adventures in Missions Websites. I will continue to add their links onto my blog at: http://makemsmile.blogspot.com
I will be coming to the states from August 5-August 17. I will be traveling only to North Carolina this trip as my brother is getting married August 8th in Banner Elk, and then we are taking a family vacation to the outer banks for my mom’s birthday August 14th. I hope to see as many of you as possible during this trip, and my schedule is open Aug. 9-Aug. 13 to speak to churches and youth groups.
Please visit my blog and the New Song Website to follow links to pictures, videos, and blogs to see all that is going on here with the American youth groups here building community and friendships with our Candelarian youth.
May God bless each and every one of you the rest of the summer, and if possible I would love to see you in August. Thanks to everyone for all the prayers, financial support, and interest in my mission work here over the past year and a half.
In Christ,
James Robert “Jim Bob / Diego” Norman
Make ‘em Smile
New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13
Sunday, July 12, 2009
MORE world racers
we are hosting more world racers...and they are AWESOME!!
video, pics, bios, links all COMING SOON!!
Diego
video, pics, bios, links all COMING SOON!!
Diego
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Group here
we have our first group here using the partially finished youth house and a room of the clinic
we will have more groups here as well...i am staying busy helping them and the mission both, so i'm not sure when i personally can update
but to keep up with them and a little bit of me through them follow the link:
http://09ca0529rl2.myadventures.org/
we will have more groups here as well...i am staying busy helping them and the mission both, so i'm not sure when i personally can update
but to keep up with them and a little bit of me through them follow the link:
http://09ca0529rl2.myadventures.org/
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Having a busy weekend
We have a group of teenagers from GA (group of 20) staying in th
e bloquera bethel between our property and rostipollo in chinandega sharing books in the schools for book of hope...they did dramas in our friday night activity, we had a band here covering hillsong that Evan has been playing with, as well as some specials from a Christian rap band in chichigalpa. They put together a fun day for kids youth yesterday, and will do sunday school for all the kids up in the blue basketball arena in chichigalpla this morning
They will be here through thursday but will only be visiting schools and maybe showing some movies at night..not so much more with us involved i think....got our group of 7 staying on land shadowing them as well as doing some of their own things...city of God in chichigalpla is planning youth camps june 28 and aug 9...so today this morn from 6 AM (now) til 1 PM they are using our building to host this pre-camp to train leaders...the training will be for the leaders for those dates later on..we have 5 of our youth in this training.
Things are going great...our guards and consuelo are doing a great job taking care of our first hosted team on the land with meals and all other needs...they are enjoying it here, and we are hoping to see more of the house finished over the next 2 weeks they are here. They will be helping in building our goat shelter monday/tuesday now that it is rain season and most goats are staying 24 hours on land, not in homes of church members we need to get them out fo the rain to keep from getting sick
Hope all is well with each of you….want to give more updates about our team
here, and how hosting them in the youth house is going, but my evenings consist of reporting each teams, new songs, and my own finances…plus I am still setting up my room. I am so happy to be in my room and Evan and Joshua are enjoying the youth dorm as well. The internet is working at good speed and we have it wired through a switch with up to 4 of us using internet at a time.
e bloquera bethel between our property and rostipollo in chinandega sharing books in the schools for book of hope...they did dramas in our friday night activity, we had a band here covering hillsong that Evan has been playing with, as well as some specials from a Christian rap band in chichigalpa. They put together a fun day for kids youth yesterday, and will do sunday school for all the kids up in the blue basketball arena in chichigalpla this morningThey will be here through thursday but will only be visiting schools and maybe showing some movies at night..not so much more with us involved i think....got our group of 7 staying on land shadowing them as well as doing some of their own things...city of God in chichigalpla is planning youth camps june 28 and aug 9...so today this morn from 6 AM (now) til 1 PM they are using our building to host this pre-camp to train leaders...the training will be for the leaders for those dates later on..we have 5 of our youth in this training.
Things are going great...our guards and consuelo are doing a great job taking care of our first hosted team on the land with meals and all other needs...they are enjoying it here, and we are hoping to see more of the house finished over the next 2 weeks they are here. They will be helping in building our goat shelter monday/tuesday now that it is rain season and most goats are staying 24 hours on land, not in homes of church members we need to get them out fo the rain to keep from getting sickHope all is well with each of you….want to give more updates about our team
here, and how hosting them in the youth house is going, but my evenings consist of reporting each teams, new songs, and my own finances…plus I am still setting up my room. I am so happy to be in my room and Evan and Joshua are enjoying the youth dorm as well. The internet is working at good speed and we have it wired through a switch with up to 4 of us using internet at a time.Hoping to get their doors bought and put on this week and then see other parts of the house added to. We also need funds to buy mattresses for the beds, right now people are sleeping on foam. God Bless everyone helping to see this house come along…we will be adding 4 more youth on June 15th and 17th.
Many Blessings,
Jim Bob / Diego
Juan 15:13
Many Blessings,
Jim Bob / Diego
Juan 15:13
Monday, May 25, 2009
Happy Memorial Day!!
Happy Memorial Day to everyone! I want to thank those of you who have donated towards the youth house in the past couple weeks. The goal we have for completing this house is $8000.00 and we have had been donated $600.00 this month for the house. We have also had 2 clothing sales at the church the past 2 weekends to raise $200.00 from this end; putting us $7200.00 from our goal.
For this week, the last week of May, we are praying and hoping to receive the $1000.00 needed to have the house livable for the first summer team. Evan Dixon and I are currently in the clinic, but are hoping to be in the house the first day of June. On June 3rd, we have a group of 6 Americans coming to spend 4 weeks in the house. To be ready for this team we need 2 toilets, 5 beds with mattresses, and 2 doors.
I know that for some of you, the online donations have been a 
problem, but thanks to Kevin Howell, the site is working now. Mailing checks to ACC in Georgia is also available.
Visit our facebook event to see the pictures and videos we will be adding throughout the summer, as we will continue running this fund raiser until the house is complete. We hope to include pictures of the groups staying here and some of their thoughts/needs for the house, as they live and serve here this summer.
Facebook Event Link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=78735211386&ref=mf
Donate online at: https://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/mynewsong/ and choose Construction from the drop down menu
Send donations by mail, make checks out to New Song Mission Nicaragua and tag/memo to Construction or Youth House
Mail to:
NewSong Mission Nicaragua
3355 Old Jonesboro Road
Fairburn GA, 30213
Many Blessings in Christ,
Jim Bob “Diego” Norman
Make ‘em Smile
New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13
Friday, May 1, 2009
2nd 2009 Project: YOUTH HOUSE
I find it hard to believe we are already into May of 2009. We have had a very interesting first third of 2009. We have had some great moments, and other very difficult times serving here in NW Nicaragua. We are learning 
from both our victories and mistakes and moving forward. One of the biggest successes I want to brag on all of you that gave to is the 22Fifty Project and school uniform fund raiser. This was a huge success for Make ‘em Smile and New Song Mission Nicaragua in 2009. With your help, we have over 250 children currently uniformed and studying from preschool through high school. We have 25 families receiving monthly support and contact from their American “adopted families” and another 9 youth receiving monthly support as they further their education in universities and trade schools. For those of you that gave as little as $5.00 to those of you that are still giving $35-$250 a month, we truly appreciate the lives you’re changing and pray that God continues to bless your selfless attitudes and giving hearts.
1/3 of 2009 is over, and our education project is going very well. As of May 1, 2009 I am starting my 2nd trimester of projects for the 2009 NSMN mission year. The project is to complete our youth house! This building housed our pastor and his family for the past 5 years, and upon his retirement we are making it into a youth house.
I will personally live in one of the rooms, and we are going to use the others to outreach to our young people, ages 15-25. We began this project in November of last year, planning to have me live in one room and use the rest of the house for our youth. I estimated $1000.00 to make this house “livable” and God saw this need met very quickly, but our plans for the youth house have grown and the need as well. This house will still serve youth, but we are not limiting that to Nicaraguan youth. God is calling an unbelievable amount of young people from the States to come and serve with us here, and we need a place for them to live and work out of.
I will be finishing my room of this house with my own support, God willing, in the next 2 weeks, but the rest of the house has a way to go. We have somewhere between 30-50 youth and young adults with plans to serve here this summer. Some will be here for a week and others for 10 weeks. These high school and college students cannot afford hotels in the city for trips of this length, so we are making half of the house a dormitory.
We need to finish roofing this house, and add a ceiling. The walls and floors need to be completed as well. We still lack doors, windows, and lights in each bed room. The most expensive part will be finishing all of the bathrooms with a septic tank and flush toilets. Our best estimate at this point is $8,000.00, but building materials are more expensive each week. We are asking that you prayerfully consider helping our youth house make progress for the groups this summer; we know the economy is a disaster right now, but as little as $20.00 from each of us can keep the workers busy and this project can be just as successful as the education project.
We have some young Americans coming down alone for the entire summer, and others coming in groups as large as 20. Please, if you can, make a donation to the youth house so that God’s love can be shared and our community of youth can be served by American youth all summer long. The American youth start coming May 17th and go through August. Our goal is to build this youth house in 1 Month, so that we can build youth relationships for a lifetime.
Join our Facebook event: “Candelaria Youth House & Dorm: Build Youth House in 1 month, Build Youth Relationships for a Lifetime”Facebook Event Link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=78735211386
Donate online at: https://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/mynewsong/ and choose Construction from the drop down menu
Send donations by mail, make checks out to New Song Mission Nicaragua and tag/memo to Construction or Youth House
Mail to: NewSong Mission Nicaragua, 3355 Old Jonesboro Road, Fairburn GA, 30213Many
Blessings in Christ,
Jim Bob “Diego” Norman
Make ‘em Smile
New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13
from both our victories and mistakes and moving forward. One of the biggest successes I want to brag on all of you that gave to is the 22Fifty Project and school uniform fund raiser. This was a huge success for Make ‘em Smile and New Song Mission Nicaragua in 2009. With your help, we have over 250 children currently uniformed and studying from preschool through high school. We have 25 families receiving monthly support and contact from their American “adopted families” and another 9 youth receiving monthly support as they further their education in universities and trade schools. For those of you that gave as little as $5.00 to those of you that are still giving $35-$250 a month, we truly appreciate the lives you’re changing and pray that God continues to bless your selfless attitudes and giving hearts.1/3 of 2009 is over, and our education project is going very well. As of May 1, 2009 I am starting my 2nd trimester of projects for the 2009 NSMN mission year. The project is to complete our youth house! This building housed our pastor and his family for the past 5 years, and upon his retirement we are making it into a youth house.
I will personally live in one of the rooms, and we are going to use the others to outreach to our young people, ages 15-25. We began this project in November of last year, planning to have me live in one room and use the rest of the house for our youth. I estimated $1000.00 to make this house “livable” and God saw this need met very quickly, but our plans for the youth house have grown and the need as well. This house will still serve youth, but we are not limiting that to Nicaraguan youth. God is calling an unbelievable amount of young people from the States to come and serve with us here, and we need a place for them to live and work out of.
I will be finishing my room of this house with my own support, God willing, in the next 2 weeks, but the rest of the house has a way to go. We have somewhere between 30-50 youth and young adults with plans to serve here this summer. Some will be here for a week and others for 10 weeks. These high school and college students cannot afford hotels in the city for trips of this length, so we are making half of the house a dormitory.
We need to finish roofing this house, and add a ceiling. The walls and floors need to be completed as well. We still lack doors, windows, and lights in each bed room. The most expensive part will be finishing all of the bathrooms with a septic tank and flush toilets. Our best estimate at this point is $8,000.00, but building materials are more expensive each week. We are asking that you prayerfully consider helping our youth house make progress for the groups this summer; we know the economy is a disaster right now, but as little as $20.00 from each of us can keep the workers busy and this project can be just as successful as the education project.
We have some young Americans coming down alone for the entire summer, and others coming in groups as large as 20. Please, if you can, make a donation to the youth house so that God’s love can be shared and our community of youth can be served by American youth all summer long. The American youth start coming May 17th and go through August. Our goal is to build this youth house in 1 Month, so that we can build youth relationships for a lifetime.
Join our Facebook event: “Candelaria Youth House & Dorm: Build Youth House in 1 month, Build Youth Relationships for a Lifetime”Facebook Event Link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=78735211386
Donate online at: https://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/mynewsong/ and choose Construction from the drop down menu
Send donations by mail, make checks out to New Song Mission Nicaragua and tag/memo to Construction or Youth House
Mail to: NewSong Mission Nicaragua, 3355 Old Jonesboro Road, Fairburn GA, 30213Many
Blessings in Christ,
Jim Bob “Diego” Norman
Make ‘em Smile
New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter
Happy Easter to everyone, may this day bring you each of you great joy! We will be having a special service tonight celebrating Jesus Christ's Resurrection, and are really looking forward to it following our Wednesday night service of His crucifixion.
Hope each of you enjoy this video as well, http://vimeo.com/4109670
It sums up our last couple months mainly focusing on children discipleship and introducing our newest project: youth house/youth dormitory.
We have 4 young people from the states booked and ready to come serve along side us here this summer, and another 5-10 set on coming, just finalizing their dates. They want to live on the land and be with me here in the village building relationships and helping our mission in their own unique ways. Please pray for us to have this house ready at lastest the 1st of June, when our larger summer groups will be here needing a place serve from and rest in.
I love you all, and Happy Easter!!!
Jim Bob / Diego
John 15:13
Tommy and Linda's Easter Email:
May the Resurrection Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ live in us all in surprising ways. We are seeing the lives of many children and young people be the focus of Gods heart now.
This 4 minute photo Story update will fill you in: http://vimeo.com/4109670
It is interesting to see God preparing many young people to come and live in our community for extended periods of time. We are working on the youth house toward completion by June for our first team to stay in. We love to see how both, the children and teens here and the young people from the US experience life changing results as they spend time together.Tommy will be in the States the first 3 weeks of May. If you would like him to come and visit, speak or tell old jokes just let us know!!
We love you all!!!
Tommy and Linda
Hope each of you enjoy this video as well, http://vimeo.com/4109670
It sums up our last couple months mainly focusing on children discipleship and introducing our newest project: youth house/youth dormitory.
We have 4 young people from the states booked and ready to come serve along side us here this summer, and another 5-10 set on coming, just finalizing their dates. They want to live on the land and be with me here in the village building relationships and helping our mission in their own unique ways. Please pray for us to have this house ready at lastest the 1st of June, when our larger summer groups will be here needing a place serve from and rest in.
I love you all, and Happy Easter!!!
Jim Bob / Diego
John 15:13
Tommy and Linda's Easter Email:
May the Resurrection Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ live in us all in surprising ways. We are seeing the lives of many children and young people be the focus of Gods heart now.
This 4 minute photo Story update will fill you in: http://vimeo.com/4109670
It is interesting to see God preparing many young people to come and live in our community for extended periods of time. We are working on the youth house toward completion by June for our first team to stay in. We love to see how both, the children and teens here and the young people from the US experience life changing results as they spend time together.Tommy will be in the States the first 3 weeks of May. If you would like him to come and visit, speak or tell old jokes just let us know!!
We love you all!!!
Tommy and Linda
Monday, March 23, 2009
MakemSmile NSMN Spring 2009
HAPPY SPRING 2009! Hope your weather is improving there, and if your not happy with it come down and visit us in Nicaragua where it's 75-95 24 hours a day!
Hello to everyone...and sorry i have been so out of touch...living on the land 6.5-7 days a week now has me pretty busy...I am hoping soon to put together some reports and videos to send back of a lot of the exciting things going on here right now. We are all extremely busy making a lot of changes in the mision right now, but know these changes will benefit God's kingdom in time. I love and miss you all and will be back in the states for the first week-10 days of August.
The biggest things I hope to share more with you all on ASAP, as they are things I have found myself doing mostly with the mission include:
6 members of my family and 4 members of FBC Boone spending the first 8 days of February here helping get kids in school, supplying sunday school materials, playing soccer/volleyball, medical clinic, visiting homes, holding finance meetings, praying, and much much more..and of course visiting with me!
Sending 250 children/youth to school with full uniforms, shoes, backpacks, notebooks, and other school supplies thanks to the 22Fifty Project and School Fund contributions throughout February...our goal of $7,000.00 was matched and then some with around $8,200.00 donated..The $1,200.00 is saved with our adopt-a-family fund. Thanks to everyone of you and Praise God!
Having 25 families adopted through adopt-a-family now, where families are being supported throughtout the whole school year, and excited to have contact with their US families
Having 10 youth sponsered to take University and Trade School classes for the entire 2009 School Year
Handing out over 1500 shoeboxes from Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child in the past 3 weekends to 6 communties
Seeing progress made to the youth house and my future bedroom on the church property
About 4 US teams/groups on short term missions changing lives, giving time, and donating in many unique ways who have already visited us in 2009, with April, June, July, and August filling up very fast!!!
I want to Thank God and all of you for your help in all these areas and for those of you wondering our missions current needs, or my specific project needs:
Youth House / my future bedroom / short term missions dorm construction...This project will need $10,000.00 which I have received $1,000.00 towards.
Adopt-a-Family....we have 25 families adopted, but still need sponsors for another 50 familes in Candelaria and 25 families in La Isla/Guanacastal
Please let me know anyways you would like to help us here, or anything you would like more details on what God has been doing here thus far in 2009...If nothing else, I'd love an email back simply saying hey from any of you who like me, feel like we haven't had any contact this year.
Love and miss you all, hope our paths cross in August...May God Bless you, your family, your church, and everything else this Spring!
In Christ's Love,
James "Jim Bob / Diego" Norman
Make 'em Smile
New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13
This past Thursday we celebrated 7 years of the church and start of NSMN..Linda put together the following video and short message! What a blessing it has been to be a part of this for the past 13 months. Really hope to see more of you down here and involved when your time allows,
Hoping to make some videos of all the things I listed above as my time allows!!!
http://vimeo.com/3798219 to watch the Photostory
We invite you to celebrate with us all that God has done in 7th years in the community He has blessed us with. If you have been following us we are blessed by your love!!! Thank you all for joining with God and us to see His work increase here.
We love you, Tommy and Linda
http://vimeo.com/3568386 THE CLINIC BUILDING IS COMPLETE and we have had 2 clinics so far in 2009 in the beautiful building God has supplied!!!
Hello to everyone...and sorry i have been so out of touch...living on the land 6.5-7 days a week now has me pretty busy...I am hoping soon to put together some reports and videos to send back of a lot of the exciting things going on here right now. We are all extremely busy making a lot of changes in the mision right now, but know these changes will benefit God's kingdom in time. I love and miss you all and will be back in the states for the first week-10 days of August.
The biggest things I hope to share more with you all on ASAP, as they are things I have found myself doing mostly with the mission include:
6 members of my family and 4 members of FBC Boone spending the first 8 days of February here helping get kids in school, supplying sunday school materials, playing soccer/volleyball, medical clinic, visiting homes, holding finance meetings, praying, and much much more..and of course visiting with me!
Sending 250 children/youth to school with full uniforms, shoes, backpacks, notebooks, and other school supplies thanks to the 22Fifty Project and School Fund contributions throughout February...our goal of $7,000.00 was matched and then some with around $8,200.00 donated..The $1,200.00 is saved with our adopt-a-family fund. Thanks to everyone of you and Praise God!
Having 25 families adopted through adopt-a-family now, where families are being supported throughtout the whole school year, and excited to have contact with their US families
Having 10 youth sponsered to take University and Trade School classes for the entire 2009 School Year
Handing out over 1500 shoeboxes from Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child in the past 3 weekends to 6 communties
Seeing progress made to the youth house and my future bedroom on the church property
About 4 US teams/groups on short term missions changing lives, giving time, and donating in many unique ways who have already visited us in 2009, with April, June, July, and August filling up very fast!!!
I want to Thank God and all of you for your help in all these areas and for those of you wondering our missions current needs, or my specific project needs:
Youth House / my future bedroom / short term missions dorm construction...This project will need $10,000.00 which I have received $1,000.00 towards.
Adopt-a-Family....we have 25 families adopted, but still need sponsors for another 50 familes in Candelaria and 25 families in La Isla/Guanacastal
Please let me know anyways you would like to help us here, or anything you would like more details on what God has been doing here thus far in 2009...If nothing else, I'd love an email back simply saying hey from any of you who like me, feel like we haven't had any contact this year.
Love and miss you all, hope our paths cross in August...May God Bless you, your family, your church, and everything else this Spring!
In Christ's Love,
James "Jim Bob / Diego" Norman
Make 'em Smile
New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13
This past Thursday we celebrated 7 years of the church and start of NSMN..Linda put together the following video and short message! What a blessing it has been to be a part of this for the past 13 months. Really hope to see more of you down here and involved when your time allows,
Hoping to make some videos of all the things I listed above as my time allows!!!
http://vimeo.com/3798219 to watch the Photostory
We invite you to celebrate with us all that God has done in 7th years in the community He has blessed us with. If you have been following us we are blessed by your love!!! Thank you all for joining with God and us to see His work increase here.
We love you, Tommy and Linda
http://vimeo.com/3568386 THE CLINIC BUILDING IS COMPLETE and we have had 2 clinics so far in 2009 in the beautiful building God has supplied!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
