Happy Easter: He is Risen!!

We had a great Resurrection Day service in Candelaria this past Sunday. We were able to get all 4 churches together, and had a team of Passport young adults with us from the United States, and couple other American visitors. Worship, dance, and specials opened the service, and each church participated. Tommy shared a great message, and Linda and he gave testimony and thanks to our entire church body. We closed the service with the Lord's Supper, prayer, and praise music.

The weather is hot, and super dry. Rain should be coming by mid May. The summer is looking very busy with some more long term missionaries joining out family, and many short term trips from June-August. We are extremely excited to see where God will direct the mission and its partners in the coming season.

Emma has made a great video about the mission, and the dreams of our staff. We hope you will watch:



We thank you all for your support and prayers. Please read more at: newsongnica.org or email us at info@newsongnica.org

Jim Bob "Diego" Norman

Harvest Equippers Video

Relationships from Harvest Equippers on Vimeo.

July 2011 Update & General Fund Needs

see the newest New Song Newsletter here

NSMN July 2011

The following update can be read with pictures and html formatting by clicking here

Greetings and blessings to all of our faithful followers and supporters:

We would like to share with you about the amazing things the Lord is doing here in NW Nicaragua and with New Song Mission. We also want to present the needs of our general fund.

As all of our churches and ministries grow, our mission needs are also growing. We have noticed that in the last 3 months our general fund needs have well exceeded what our general fund gets in a month. General fund is what most people call the boring fund. It is what people least give to in a church or ministry of any size. It is the fund that covers overhead and basic operations, but it is also the fund that everything we do depends on. Without our general fund we have no mission. We are unable to have pastors on salary to keep them leading and teaching the churches. We have no way to: help children continue in school, see people 6 days a week in our medical dental clinic, or be legally represented before the Nicaragua government. We do not have a place for youth and adults to visit and share ministries with a lost nation.

God has blessed us in the past 2 weeks to get our general fund almost back to even with some large and much appreciated contributions. We are trusting Him to have us balanced by the end of July. We are presenting the opportunity for some one-time gifts toward our general fund, and hoping each of you will prayerfully consider donating. No gift is too little, rather it be 1-time or a monthly commitment. We are encouraging donors to commit to and send towards general mission needs each month: as power bills, cell phone bills, truck gas, pastor and staff salaries are not something we pay only in July, but each month.

Please make checks payable to:

New Song Mission Nicaragua

c/o Atlanta City Church

3355 Old Jonesboro Rd.

Fairburn, GA 30213

Give Online:

http://newsongmissionnicaragua.com/donate

Another, more exciting way to support our general fund, is by entering a chance to win a 1996 Firebird for $10! Evan Dixon has the event on facebook here: 1996 Firebird for $10. Contestants can enter to win as many times as they please. Each ticket is $10 and the raffle will be held at a New Song Mission Nicaragua Golf Tournament (details to follow). For full details on the car raffle please click here.

Please read below to hear about what God is doing here and what ways the general fund can continue to support all of the life and excitement that is building His kingdom in NW Nicaragua.

The rainy season has begun and it is a time that we are seeing new life, and changes. Speaking of new life and changes; most (if not all) of you probably know, one of our youth: 16 year old Anthony Cadena passed away April 19, 2011. The grieving process for this in our staff, youth, church, and partners is still in effect, but so many positive things have begun and are starting in our community, both young and old.

To read more into the lives being changed in a chapter of “Life after Death” visit the links below:

Barbara Coupe: Anthony’s Story: Death and Life

Aftermath: Anthony’s Legacy

Lisa Smith: closure.

Remembering Anthony: Stories

Ripples of FREEDOM

grateful.

Clara Copley: Forever My Friend

Whitney Foreman: I Will Fight for your Dreams

We are also in a season of growth and change with our mission staff. Currently our long term missionaries (listed in order of full-time service in Nicaragua) are:

Jim Bob “Diego” Norman: serving since Feb 2008: Make ‘em Smile

Lisa Smith: serving since Feb 2010: Bringing the Kingdom, Walking in Love

Barb Coupe: serving since Nov 2010: Barbara Coupe in Nicaragua

Whitney Foreman: serving since May 2011: Creo en ti

We have a local staff of nearly 20 Nicaraguans, as this update is written. God is stretching us to depend more on Him, and through trusting Him a new confidence is built in all of us. We have enjoyed seeing God take us to new places, and walking beside locals here growing in their responsibilities and love for the Lord.

Please take time to read more into the growth of our community, pastors, churches here:

Barbara Coupe: What is the Abundant Life Anyways?

Rainy Season Update: I Have a Moat

Lisa Smith: The Difference a Dad Makes

Jesus my Firm Foundatio

From Death to Life

Summer is always a time that we lots of teams and individuals making short and long term mission trips to help in a variety of ways. This summer has been no different. We have enjoyed seeing so many high school and college students give time from their summer break to serve others and feel God’s presence with us and the people of Candelaria, La Isla, Santa Matilde, and Nuevo Amanecer. World Race and Front Runner continue to work alongside us, and later in July we will have 2 more churches bringing a variety of ages and ministries to our churches and villages.

To see some pictures and hear stories from individuals and teams that have been with us this summer:

WR: I Love Nicaragua, Reflections, Lots of Pictures

Front Runner: Pics 1, Pics 3,

Calvary Boca: Pics

Jamie: Pics

Thanks for all of your continued prayer, interest, and support. We love all of you very much. Please email us at info@newsongnica.org with an interest in donating or making a trip down to see us. God is really pouring out his blessings with each afternoon shower, and we are all humbled to be playing a part.

New Song Mission Nicaragua

NSMN New Hyundai Truck

Hello to all,

The following update is about our new mission truck! Thanks to all of you who partner with us here at New Song Mission Nicaragua.

The report can be read here in the email or to see the report with pictures click here to open a web browser.

New Song's New Hyundai Truck

Truck Fund Raiser and Purchase


As many of you know, our mission started raising awareness about the need for another vehicle in June 2010. God answered those prayers through many of you, and we want to thank you as we had enough funds in January of 2011 to start shopping. During the six months that we were raising funds, we had ideas of what kind of truck we wanted, but until we had the money in hand, we couldn’t guarantee someone would take us as a serious buyer.

After a lot of prayer, research, and searching we found a truck in Leon that we felt would best serve the mission during this season. We would like to extend a big thank you and much gratitude to Larry Sellers and Alex Marin who found the truck that would later become our mission vehicle.

Upon finding the truck and taking interest in it, Larry and some locals got to test drive and have our mechanic give it a full check-up. Everything turned out to be in good shape, and the price was unbeatable. Larry presented the board with the details, and we made an offer. On Friday, March 4, 2010 New Song Mission Nicaragua bought a large flatbed truck for $5,900.00. The mission’s newest vehicle is a 1999 Hyundai, blue, 5-speed, diesel, single-cab truck with a large flat bed. A month later, after a few trips and trials, we present this report with much joy and thanks.

Change of plans to fit Mission Needs

The original plan was to get a second vehicle for the mission’s growth, and outreach to our satellite churches. The Mazda truck was commonly getting caught up with so many projects in Candelaria, and was giving trouble on any trips long distance. We had plans of getting a 2004-2006 Toyota Hilux around $13,500.00, that would work well visiting the outreaches and do well for traveling longer distances where the Mazda had problems.
More growth in our close churches has put a need on the mission to haul more people to services, funerals, and events. We have also had God bless our mission with many short term teams and interns from the United States. A pick-up would limit the space for hauling people and meeting the needs of the season the mission was facing. We contacted the largest donors towards the truck project, and they felt very good about a large-bed truck, including one supporter, that made a trip here to search with us.

Getting the truck at a lower price than expected, has also given us funds to add on and maintain this vehicle and the Mazda truck. These decisions were also agreed on by supporters. There is a day, the Mazda will need to be replaced, or we could trade it in and use the extra funds towards a newer pick-up truck. Having both styles is very helpful to the various needs the mission presents each day.

Lots of use in 1 month

In the past month, we have added a large rack to the truck that allows people a safe place to sit or stand while traveling. We will get a custom tarp for the rack during the rainy season. We have racked the spare tires on the rack of the cab; complete with chain and lock, and put a chassis and lock on the battery. The cab has a small cargo space behind the seats, with wrenches, a jack, and liquids. The truck and its accessories are stocked and secure.

In a month’s time the truck has helped us bring people from La Isla and Nuevo Amanacer to church services. It made a 3 hour trip last weekend to take 23 youth on an amazing retreat in the mountains around Matagalpa, and carried some pastors and leaders to the beach last Monday for some rest and recovery. It has run errands with American groups, and taken people to funerals and to visit the sick. It has been a blessing in this first month, and we expect it to be a great help to our mission efforts for years to come. We have hired a professional driver, Evert, who is Bismark’s brother-in-law. For the past 3 weeks he has been very reliable, punctual, and safe, God blessed us with him as well.

Thanks again, and see you soon!

In closing, we want to thank you for your interest in this project and everything our mission is working to accomplish. For those who have helped make this possible through prayers, awareness, and giving we truly thank you. If you are interested in more pictures or updates on the truck or other projects, please let us know. If you are wanting to go for a ride: please make a mission trip down and let this truck, that you helped provide the mission, provide you transportation around Nicaragua and New Song’s churches.

NSMN Food Project Report

Feed the Hungry and Food Staple Store

Our cry for help
Around the middle of October 2010, we informed many people through emails and blogs about the food crisis our community was hit with, and the response was unbelievable. You can see the video here: We were able to help people of our community for six weeks, donating food staples until the workers were able to re-enter the San Antonio Sugar Cane Plantation. Your generous donations were able to feed families for that final month of winter, until they had work again to provide for themselves, and we thank each of you for that.

The answer
God answered the call through many of you, and over $3,500.00 came in to support our “Food for the Hungry Project.” We want to also let you know how this project has grown and become a real blessing to our community and our mission. We told the Nicaraguans that we would be helping them in this desperate time of need with free food, but we also told them that when the first paychecks started in late November, we would no longer be offering free food, as to keep from hurting people with our help in a welfare system. We told them we would still stock provision that they could buy for cheap.

The stats
By the first week of December, we had provided $1,800.00 worth of provision: rice, beans, oil, sugar, and salt. Based on a help of $10.00 per family per week, your donations provided 30 families food for 6 weeks! Now we wanted to continue blessing the community, with a project that would last, and not see what was raised for the project be gone in just a 2 month time. We bought some big plastic barrels and built some shelves in our church bodega to create more space. Then we bought 200 pounds of rice and 200 pounds of beans, along with (3) 5-gallon buckets of vegetable oil.

Our daytime guard, Julio Rodriguez, said he was fine to weigh and receive payment for people coming to purchase from the pulperia, and when the supply was low he would let the mission know, so that a new supply could be bought with the money that was made in sales. We buy in bulk to get the best price we can on rice, beans, and oil of mid quality; we then offer it on our property for the same price we bought it at in small quantities only adding transportation to the cost. This allows the community to receive products at an affordable price, but the project itself doesn’t lose money. Julio receives rice, beans, and oil weekly for running the store, and other widows and families in real need are still blessed from time to time.

It took people a little while to begin shopping with us, we were stocking 3 times a month in December and January, but now in February and March we are stocking 6 times a month. In other words, we have around 200 pounds of rice, 200 pounds of beans, and 15 gallons of oil come in and out every 5 days!

How the community is still able to provide
For those of you thinking this sounds like nothing more than a Wal-Mart that came to town and offers the lowest prices, and the small corner stores in the area are now without sales, allow us to elaborate. Our mission knows about times when helping is actually hurting, and we have learned from our mistakes and others’ mistakes. Locals started asking us when would start offering ketchup and other sauces in our store; others wanted to know when we would sale soap, shampoo, and other hygiene products. If things are working well with rice, beans, and oil why not add more. We want to provide the essentials and nothing more. Our little store is a ministry and in it you can buy the food staples. We do not want to expand. We also will not allow any buying on credit. The other little stores offer credit, and then high interest, we will not do it! If someone cannot buy from us, they are able to go buy on credit and help the other little stores around us. If they want a higher grade rice, bean, or oil they can also go to the other local stores. For their needs more than rice, beans, and oil we also encourage them to shop with their neighbors because we not want to take in all the business. We want to offer the best price there is through buying in bulk and charging no gain more than the transportation.

What’s even better?
The first 2000 pounds of rice was grown by the garden workers on our property in Candelaria, and the next 4000 pounds of rice (which we are currently selling) is from the other 2 church properties within our mission in Santa Matilde and La Isla. So those workers are selling their products to the local community, through our mission.

What’s even more?
The sales are out of the bodega attached to our church building, on our mission’s largest piece of property. So every person that comes to buy is seeing our dance team, baseball team, softball team, clinic, and other life happening all around them as they place and receive their food order.

The project is very simple, and we hope to keep it that way. We are humbled by the donations you all made to the project, and overjoyed seeing people come on to our property and having their needs met, through food and spirit. The project has run the last four weeks, turning the same sales into another bulk buy and resale; thanks for your interest and answering the call. Stay alert for the update of our new mission truck coming soon!

Links

i want to share a few links with you all, as I have taken on other mission responsibilities, and as you can easily see have not had the time to update this blog in the past year...I am truly sorry to those of you who have been following, and have not seen any updates...I am praying for a time to open up to get this blog and my personal website more regularly updated.

Lisa Smith and Barbara Coupe are full time missionaries with us, and are both very talented writers...They share pictures and stories often

Lisa Smith: http://lisasmith.myadventures.org/
Barbara Coupe: http://newsongmissionnicaragua.com/barbcoupe

They have some pictures on facebook, that are public, and others that show to their facebook friends...so please follow them their as well:

Lisa Pics: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=686055203&sk=photos
Barbara Pics: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=563297447&sk=photos

NewSong Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/newsongnica

Newsong website (getting updated now): http://www.newsongnica.org

I am sorry that some of these updates will not be in my own words, and i am honored to know that people still follow me here...Please enjoy these places to follow New Song Mission Nicaragua and all God is doing here!!!

email me personally whenever you want a specific update or just to stay in touch, i love hearing from all of you back home, and pray God is blessing you and your families in these difficult times

In Christ,
Jim Bob "Diego" Norman

Walk with Me: A Year in My Shoes from Lisa Smith on Vimeo.

Make 'em Smile Computer Lab

INTRODUCTION

My name is James Robert Norman “Jim Bob” and I graduated from Blowing Rock Elementary ’99, Watauga High ’03, and ASU ’07. At Blowing Rock, I remember my love for sports and computers beginning at a very young age. By middle school, you could find me in two places: the computer lab, or the gymnasium. I remember learning about typing, digital photography, and the internet with Mrs. Oswalt. While at Watauga I played football and basketball, and recorded high grades in nearly all my classes. I maintained many of the schools websites and enjoyed taking many computer classes with Mrs. Sheets and Mr.Shook. I continued my education and football career at Appalachian State University. I graduated in December 2007, with a degree in Industrial Electronic Computer Technologies and a minor in Computer Information Systems.

Upon graduation, I visited a rural village in Nicaragua for a week in January 2010. I fell in love with this place and moved back February 2010 to live full time. I have been here 25 months, and my love for sports and computers is as great as it has ever been. I am working with children, youth, and adults to see their lives improved in these areas and many others. I remember the excitement of having time in the library or computer labs, and learning more about the inventions that have grown and run life as we know it today: computers & internet. I now understand what an advantage it was to have that technology available for educational and relational purposes alike. The schools here do not have textbooks, much less computers and internet access. I am currently doing my best to raise awareness of the needs here, and build a computer lab for the students of our community. I want them to research their homework assignments and improve the very little knowledge and curiosity they have for computers and the internet.

THE CURRENT SETUP

I currently have 1 MB of high speed internet hooked into a wireless router that networks my personal computer with two desktop machines and two laptops. This is a great start, as it took me one year to get internet access, and another year to get more than my personal computer down here. It has been very exciting for a few of our students to be able and do their homework on the laptops throughout February and March of this year. Our community has about 200 students between ages 5-15, and another 50 students between ages 16-25. Of the 50 older students 20 are studying in colleges and trade schools. The four computers we have are not nearly enough to meet the demands of these 250 children and young adults.

I have wanted to do this project since February 1, but we lost power in our community in mid January, and have been without steady power for over ten weeks! We, as of yesterday, have a sufficient power supply running into our community after months of using a gas generator. My dream for a computer lab is beginning! I’m ready to start the project.

THE PROJECT AND DREAM

So what’s the project you ask? I want a real computer lab, not 2-3 computers that must be shared among 250 people. No money is being asked for this project! For those of you, who have replaced your desktops, laptops, monitors, and networking devices, or plan to replace them soon, please do not get rid of your old machines. Any computer from year 2000 and newer would be a blessing to this project. These cannot be shipped to me in Nicaragua, but groups and I will be in and out of North Carolina in the next 6 months to bring these down in hand.

For those of you who have asked me multiple times how you can help from your end, but have not been able to give financially, here is my request from you. Ask people in your family, where you work, at your church or school who have replaced or no longer use their computers and computer electronics including monitors, keyboards, and mice to donate them towards the Make ‘em Smile Computer Lab.

Please start spreading the word among your: family and friends, workplace, church, and school who have replaced or no longer use their computers and electronics to donate to our mission and not just throw them away. I see this lab, one day, running in its own building, serving as a library with a classroom for computer technologies and greater education possibilities than the local schools provide.

WHERE AM I SEEKING HELP?

It is my understanding that Watauga County is changing out some computers as the high school is getting ready to move to their new building. I assume these machines will be used until the end of this school year, but I do not have many details. Anything you all can share with me, or anyone that you can put me in touch with would be greatly appreciated.

I am headed to North Carolina Friday, April 2 and will be in and out of Boone up until April 27. I would love to have some time to talk with someone via telephone, or even better in person. I would love to be in touch with people at Blowing Rock School, and Watauga High School, as they are my alma maters, but any of the 9 county schools that can help would be a blessing.

I want to touch base with Appalachian State University, especially in the techonology department that I graduated from. The applied technology students make trips ever year or so to Nicaragua, and I feel this is a great common interest for us.

I am hoping to make this public to businesses and individuals around the high country as well. I am not limited to solely computer towers or laptops: monitors, mice, keyboards, printers, network and power cables can all be a great help, and I know businesses and individuals have equipment stored in a closet or taking up space on a desk, after purchasing newer machines.

Anyone can help, that’s the beautiful thing about this project, anyone can raise awareness to others, and put them in touch with us. I want to collect things at Martin Real Estate in Boone, NC. I will be in and out of North Carolina in April and May, and some other people are making trips down to Nicaragua in June and July, so please help us get things collected soon!

Jim Bob Norman
jimbobnorman@gmail.com
Make ‘em Smile
New Song Mission Nicaragua
Dan & Teresa Norman Home Phone: 828-264-2535
Dan Norman at Martin Real Estate 828-264-3444

Big Welcome to 2010!

The following report is nearly 2500 words and 4 full pages as a word document. I know that some of you only want a quick recap, while others will enjoy the full detailed report. Below you can see bullet points, or key facts, of the report. For those of you who want to print the document, please download the attachment and print copies to share with your friends, families, and churches.

· 2009 has passed quickly with many highs and lows for our mission, but ended on very high notes. God’s planning and faithfulness has our mission healthy and blessed for a great 2010!

· We have had many trials and staff changes this year, which currently leaves our Nicaragua staff stronger and made up of 3 Americans and 7 Nicaraguans. Of those 10 people, 7 are 32 years old and under, and of those 7, 4 are 25 years old and younger.

· Our mission house is seeing great results, thanks to God and the support of many of you, this house will be full by February 1.

· By February 1, we will have 8 young Americans, including myself, living on the land and working in Candelaria from 3-12 months as long-term missionaries. 5 of them have been there since December 2009, and all are open to staying with us longer if God calls them to it during their commitments.

· We had over 80 people serving in lengths of 7-21 days throughout more than ten groups from mid-November until the first week of January. They all came with different ways to bless our mission and community, and this momentum has our mission so excited for 2010.

· I cannot share enough about God’s timing and perfect plan for our mission, as He has called Tommy, Erick, and I into other ministries in January, but supplied our mission staff with great Christians to keep things going with Linda, and our staff will be even stronger when we return.

· W cannot say thank you enough to those of you who have supported the many projects in 2009. The adopt-a-family, goat house, mission house, bakery, clinic, and other projects have been blessed with funds, and those funds have been used to see amazing progress in all areas. We are also receiving blessings for our outreach communities, which is so exciting and encouraging for us, but even more so for our villages.

· We are currently asking for prayer and support in our general fund, and are hoping to see it blessed in 2010 the way our projects were supported in 2009.

· My next project is starting a computer lab, this project does not need money raised, it needs donations of all computers, laptops, and electronics. More info coming in February, but please start letting people know I want their old electronics.

I am headed to Kenya for 2 weeks on a mission trip with my dad and other NC Baptists. I will have a weekend in North Carolina, 2 weeks in Kenya, and return to Nicaragua in the last days of January. I hope to see many of you during this short trip. I will also be back in North Carolina for two weddings in April, and for those I miss in January, I hope to get some time with you in April. Thanks to everyone who has stayed interested in my mission work, thanks for the prayers and support these first 2 years. I still feel at home here, and hope some of you will come visit when time allows.

Jim Bob “Diego” Norman
Make ‘em Smile
New Song Mission Nicaragua

A Big Welcome to 2010

Well 2009 has come and gone, and it seemed to go by faster than 2008 for me here with New Song Mission Nicaragua. It has been a year of ups and downs, joys and disappointments, tears and laughs. Through everything this mission has faced in 2009, we have stayed confident just as we are told to do in Philippians 1:6 knowing that God who started this great work will see it carried to completion until Jesus Christ returns.

God’s Amazing Timing and Faithfulness

I am always amazed at God’s timing and how He truly orders things to work for His perfect plan. Allow me to give you a real example. From March 2009-September 2009, our mission faced some storms. I am talking about some powerful storms, like we hear about in Matthew 7. Storms that had this mission not been built on the rock, it would have certainly fallen with a great crash. We lost some key members of our Nicaraguan staff, the drop of the United States’ economy caused lower contributions in a year with greater in-country costs closing the old and legalizing the new organization. Also, some of the short-term mission teams were unable to come, or fell short of results they had planned. But God was only giving our mission and its staff a trial of faith through these months, as He strengthens us and provides everything in His time.

Staff and pastor changes over the past year, have caused the responsibilities of locals to grow and they have matured indescribably in the process. Walter is leading and pastoring multiple communities in real Christian ways, and Erick is being a great assistant to him in the churches and running the projects, as if he is three people in one. Yader and Juanita have jumped in whole-heartedly to help wherever they are asked, from women ministries to project managing. Daniel has really been restored, and is doing great leading our worship and helping with the projects. Julio’s English vocabulary is growing every day. He is a great interpreter and is now teaching English two times a week in the community. Yaharia and Darling seem to have matured 5 years in six months and are running many things on their own. They are great examples in the community to the children, youth, and adults. Everyone is really buying into their part and growing!

Current Nicaragua-based Staff

Our mission staff and project workers have changed almost more times than we can count, but we feel God is forming this mission for what He wants here in 2010. After many successes and failures, we or God rather, has shown us the best way to form our current Nicaraguan-based staff going into 2010:

Tommy and Linda Gable as founders and spiritual and project heads respectively
Jim Bob “Diego” Norman as head of youth, Candelaria property manager, and state-side accounting
Walter Varela as senior pastor of Santa Matilde and leader of New Song Church of Candelaria
Yader Sanchez as project and in-country accountant
Daniel Campos as project manager, marketing and sales, and worship leader
Julio Briones as full-time mission interpreter and English teacher
Yahaira Gonzalez as Director of Children’s Ministries and assistant to Darling
Darling Matamoros as New Song Medical & Dental Clinic administrator and assistant to Yahaira
Erick Rocha started a good full-time job in Leon January 4, but stays committed to the mission, helping the whole staff and working to legalize our Nicaraguan organization and medical/dental clinic as time allows

Mission House Progressing

Thanks first and foremost to God, and then to many of you and your churches, our mission house is making great progress. All of the rooms have tiled floors, painted walls, drop ceilings and ceiling fans installed. We are still raising funds to add furniture and air conditioning to bed rooms. Thanks to God and all of you that have been such a big part of this project. Because of you, all of the people listed below are living on the mission property, where they can help our community and me full-time. Donations to the house project can be made by mail or online, please mark them for construction.

Long-term Missionaries

A new chapter has begun in our mission, and it is very exciting. After the Gables move to Nicaragua in June 2007, and mine in February 2008, God has sent an uncountable number of short-term missionaries and mission teams (Short-term being anything under one month). Starting 2010, He has called a large number of young long termers, many of which made it a week before 2010 started. They have their own blogs!

Brittany McManus, age 24, FIU graduate, from Orlando, FL came September 2009, and plans to stay until mid April 2010 or longer http://blog.brittanymcmanus.com/
Jacob Willingham, age 22, ASU graduate, from Hendersonville, NC came in the last week of 2009, and will be here through June 2010 or longer http://wordsfromawillingham.blogspot.com/
Ashley Willingham, age 22, ASU graduate from Hendersonville, NC is Jacob’s wife and came in the last week of 2009, and will be here through June 2010 or longer http://wordsfromawillingham.blogspot.com/
Evan Dixon, age 20, UNCC student, from Huntersville, NC did 11 months here the summer of 2009, and got back the last week of December with plans to be here until April 2010 http://evandixon.com/blog/
Kelly Young, age 20, UNCC student, from Huntersville, NC is Evan’s girlfriend and came the last week of December with plans to be here until April 2010 http://kelly89.com/
Lisa Smith, age 26, King graduate, from Beckley, WV did the month of August 2008 with us during her World Race and after completing it, is headed back for the 2010 year http://lisasmith.myadventures.org/
Lindsay Dobner, age 21, Campbell graduate, from Indian Trail, NC will be with us by February 1, and plans to serve for five months http://lindsayinnicaragua.blogspot.com/

All of these missionaries come with their own talents, gifts, and ideas for helping New Song, and we are tickled to have them with us this year. Some of their gifts include, but are not limited to: marketing and sales of local business and projects, construction, dance and worship leadership with hearts to teach children, photography, graphic and webpage design skills, audio/video talent, children ministry, sport ministry, and hearts for abandoned children, youth, and young women.

They have plans to help our projects productivity, build and repair, teach dance and worship, improve mission website, liven church services, and be disciples and Christian examples for all age groups and both genders. All of them are self-supported, so please pray for them, and support as you can as they work for God’s kingdom alongside us at New Song. All of them are current college students, or have just graduated. People always comment on how young I am to be doing what I am doing, and to see God call so many more my age and younger has us so excited. To see them all answer that call and step out on faith and obedience is so encouraging. Pray for funds for others who have made contact and might join us later in the year.

Riding the End of 2009’s Momentum

In the last 7 weeks, He has opened the doors and poured a waterfall of blessings on this mission. We have had over 80 people stay between a week and three weeks serving with us between November 16 and January 5. In the final two weeks of November: Bice, Cindy, Dwayne, and Nancy led our staff and community through powerful teaching and prayer in spiritual warfare, World Race sent us 13 more racers who encouraged our youth and adults in many activities and graduations, Atlanta City Church brought a small team that worked like a huge team; leading evangelism, worship, and services in new, creative ways.

December was a month like no other, starting with Rachel, of WWOOF, helping in our gardens and construction of Francisca’s house for a week. The Armstrongs provided an unbelievable children’s Christmas party and blessed the Garcia family during their Christmas vacation trip. Living Water brought a group of 22 made up of college students and graduates, the Roberts family, and the Greenes for three weeks that closed 2009 with a bang and gave us an amazing momentum starting 2010. They blessed churches with music instrument and audio equipment, dance, drama, artwork, and puppets. They did house construction in the community and on our mission house. They taught worship, dance, art, and other skills while leading many to Christ through: home visits, prayer, and interactive services for children, youth, and adults. On the heels of their encouraging and motivating trip we had a team of six from Independence Hills Baptist and Steele Creek that blessed the community of Santa Matilde with tables and swing sets, and encouragement for big progress in 2010. We currently have a team of thirteen college students from Concordia University of St. Paul, Minnesota serving in Candelaria and building off of that momentum from the last six weeks of 2009 and sharing in our community until mid January.

More of God’s Amazing Plans and Timing

I told you how much I love seeing why God does what He does, and how His timing is so perfect; knowing that He is up to something, but not knowing why, and later figuring out parts of it. I find myself questioning His timing, not getting an answer, and learning to practice patience until He is ready to let me understand part of His plan. So here I am bragging on Him again in this aspect. Tommy and I have both been called out of Nicaragua for a big part of January to do some other ministry. Tommy will be in Charlotte, and I will am headed to the NC mountains followed by a trip to Kenya. Tommy’s trip happened very suddenly, whereas mine has been planned for a few months, but neither one came as a surprise to God. He had already equipped New Song with everything it needed in our absence. God put Darrell Roberts and his dynamite Living Water team in our community to lead services in Tommy’s absence. He also got 5 of the 7 long-term missionaries into the community two weeks before my departure, where they have become a great team that understands managing things on the property. Just a few days later, we got the news that Erick had accepted a good accounting job in Leon. We were happy for the opportunity he was taking, but worried how Walter and the church, our clinic and other projects, and Nicaraguan organization would suffer in his absence. Darling was out of the country visiting family, but God sent her back a few days early to train to not only do accounting and reception for the clinic, but fully administer it. God gave her and Yahaira willing hearts to help wherever else they are needed during this transition and they have a couple months to train full-time before starting their senior years of university classes. Erick is also committing to help on weekends when they are in classes and teaching Sunday School. Classes. I am fascinated by God’s timing!

Thanksgiving for Project Funding & Prayer for General Fund

The waterfall of blessings that God is pouring on us that I mentioned above; it has not just been with people coming, but He is also releasing funds. In the final two months of 2009, God has allowed us to nearly complete the mission house construction and Francisca and Edwin’s house construction. The oven for the soon-to-come bakery was finished January 7^th and a large contribution has been given to the medical/dental clinic. This will help legalize the clinic and allow it to be open more days a week. It will also get containers shipped to provide dental equipment, and much more. Our outreach community of Tonala has also had a great amount of funds raised for purchasing land and beginning construction of a church shelter. Our faithful Sunday School students had a great Christmas party with: a message on giving, individual gifts, and a big lunch.

We want to extend a very large thank you to everyone who funded these projects and came to work in country towards completing them in 2009. We want to encourage everyone to contribute towards the mission’s general fund in the beginning of 2010. These projects are wonderful and give a sense of ownership to contributions, but be that as it is, none of these projects can exist without the mission, and the mission cannot exist without its general fund needs met. We are trusting God to provide for our general fund, and know He will be faithful with it as He has proven faithful in all of our project fund raising. Once again thank you to everyone who has given faithfully in 2009, we know this was as difficult a year as any, your contribution statements will be mailed out from Atlanta City Church the last day of January.

Near Future, My Next Project

For those of you who follow me closely, you know that I enjoyed taking on my own personal projects throughout 2009 in trimesters. One of my personal goals when I left in February 2008, was to start a computer lab within 2 years. Well, let me tell you that two years is right on target! In February, we will have 2-3 computers with Windows XP Spanish installed and available for our youth and pastors to use for school and bible research. We have had internet on the land for the past year now, and a few donations of routers and CAT5 has us networked and surfing. No money is being asked for this project, as I stated above, we want money contributions to go towards the general fund. For those of you replacing your desktops, laptops, printers, monitors, keyboards, mice, and networking devices please do not get rid of your old parts. Any computer from year 2000 and newer would be a blessing to this project. The official project awareness letter, with more info, will be sent the first week of February. For now, please start spreading the word among your: family and friends, workplace, church, and school who have replaced or no longer use their computers and electronics to donate to our mission and not just throw them away. I see this lab, one day, running in its own building, serving as a library with a classroom for computer technologies and greater education possibilities than the local schools provide.

Closing Thoughts & Prayer Requests

In closing, I want to thank all of you who continue to have an interest in our mission work here in Northwest Nicaragua. I cannot tell you how excited I am to see what God has in store for 2010. Please pray for my travels between Nicaragua, NC, and Kenya throughout January. Please pray for all of the new people we have with our mission and the new roles our staff are stepping into this year. In Christ, JB/Diego

Happy Holidays

Happy holidays to everyone!

I just finished typing all of this and realized how long it got, and want to apologize in advance, but I have been so out of touch I wanted to share everything that has been going on here since my last bulk email. Thanks to all of you who will read this entire report .

For those who will not read it all please read this paragraph and look at some of the videos we have posted. I will not be in the states for Christmas or New Years, but I will have 4 days in Boone, NC before taking a 2 week mission trip to Kenya, Africa. For those of you around Boone January 8-11, I would love to visit with you. Be blessed in this exciting time of year. I love you all!!

I hope that everyone has had a great Thanksgiving and is excited for Christmas and the New Year. We have had a very exciting year here in northwest Nicaragua, especially in these final 3 months. I want to share a few of the newest things going on with everyone. I believe that pictures say so much more than words, and videos do even more than pictures, plus they are probably more interesting than what I can type. So below you will see a list of different video links to a few of the many activities and ministries we have been a part of in the past 2 months.

There are 5 videos and they are listed oldest to newest by clicking on the following link:

http://vimeo.com/user1005962/videos/page:3/sort:oldest

If you only have time or interest to visit one of these videos here they are in the same order:

Rural Medical Clinics with Pinnacle Church: http://vimeo.com/7427563

Wheelchair Distribution with Rotary Club: http://vimeo.com/7479013

Thanksgiving with Bice-Cindy & Dwayne-Nancy: http://vimeo.com/7861732

Santa Matilde Rice Harvest: http://vimeo.com/7983537

New Song Mission Land Tour with World Race: http://vimeo.com/7984558

For those of you that want to read more about our last 3 months…

Barbara Coupe, from south Florida, was with us at the end of August and first 10 days of September. She came in March with One Hope and had been wanting to come back to do a trip by herself, and see if God is calling her into full-time mission work. She left convinced as ever that God is calling her to long-term mission work, and that she wants to start it with us here at New Song in late 2010.

My friend from Orlando, Florida, Brittany McManus, has visited 3 times between July 2008 and January 2009. She became a Christian during her first trip here and has done her best to come back as often as possible while finishing college and working 2-3 different jobs. In September 2009, she put all of those things behind her and is now living on the land and serving with our mission full time. She teaches English classes on the weekend, and throughout the week is being a great help to me and the entire mission with the youth in our community. She is also working with Daniel to help sale and promote things from our garden, sewing ladies, and other small business projects.

For a short, but fun 5 days in September, Darrell Roberts and some young men from Living Water in Boone, NC came down to do a scout trip for their church, and later this week they will have a group of over 20 young people here spending the holidays and an extra 10 days ministering through music, construction, crafts, and much more. They are blessing our ministry with a lot of music equipment and a possible retreat in the mountains of Matagalpa.

Also in September, Lisa Smith, who was a part of the 2^nd world race group to visit us, came with her family and best friend for a week. Lisa is planning to be here in January 2010 for a year or longer serving with New Song Mission Nicaragua. Her family had a good time visiting the community where she will be serving and getting to know Tommy, Linda, Brittany, and myself.

In October, the Gables and I each had trips to the states and Mexico respectively, before the big groups we had planned for November, December, and January came in. At the end of October, Jennifer Sellers and Lynda Baltzell of Pinnacle Church in Canter, NC came and helped in 3 clinics in 1 week. They did our normal Friday clinic in Candelaria, followed by rural clinics in La Isla and Santa Matilde. They were a great help and have started and continued some great friendships.

In the first week of November, The Wheelchair Foundation and Rotary Club were her to distribute 270 brand new wheelchairs in Leon and Chichigalpa. Yader and Erick from our mission staff along with a lot of our key men and youth helped build and distribute all of these in 2 days. It was a real blessing to see that plan come together and see so many needs met for people of our community and many others in the area.

Later in November, we had visits from 2 couples, Bice and Cindy and Dwayne and Nancy, who had ministry days for the women, pastors, and staff of New Song Mission Nicaragua as well as a week of training on Spiritual Warfare that we are still studying each Sunday afternoon. They have been a great help to our mission over the past year in so many ways, and this trip was a true blessing for our staff, pastors, and church community.

Throughout the entire month of November we had 2 teams from the World Race with us. Weston and his team of 7, along with Cristina and her team of 6 filled our mission house and clinic up for the whole month and were an awesome help to Brittany and I with the youth. They led nights of discipleship, fun, and made many friendships with the youth and children of our church. They also helped do some work projects including laying floor in the bedrooms of the house, harvesting 8,300 pounds of rice, and building an outdoor shower for a widow in a neighboring village. This was the 4^th World Race group we have hosted, and cannot wait for another. They always, always bring such life to our community!

Overlapping with the World Race teams in the last week of November, Atlanta City Church had a group of 6 here that brought fun and powerful messages to our community. They packed their days with all kinds of ministry. From playing with children and educating the Sunday school teachers to interactive creative worship and services for personal prayer and ministry. They shared dramas, music, and messages in a new and interesting way that the church enjoyed.

We have had about 10 days now to collect ourselves and get ready for a full 2^nd half of December and January.

We have a young lady coming to help in the garden tomorrow for a couple weeks, and a couple from Boone doing construction projects and living in the mission house at the community. This weekend a group of over 20 young people will be spending the next 3 weeks ministering in countless ways, including praise and worship which I am most excited about.

In January, a group of 13 college students from Concordia University will be serving with us for 2 weeks. In the last week of December we will be welcoming the first 4 of our 6 long term missionaries planning to live on the land between 4-12 months along with Brittany and I. By the last few days of January 2010, there with be a total of 8 of us between ages 20-27 living on the land and working together with New Song Mission for His kingdom. I am excited for the new friendships ahead and the help each of them will bring our ministry and me personally.

I want to say thanks to everyone and report things that are still needed for those of you who are still with me…

First of all, thank you all so much for all the prayers, interest, and support you send out way each month. This mission could not exist without all of you! The amount of people God is sending this way now, would not be able to stay with us, without all the help we have received getting the pastor house turned into a dorm and kitchen, and now into a long-term mission house. The past 6 months, have been very exciting to see the progress of the house and it is really looking great. By the end of this week we should have the tile down throughout all the bedrooms, bathrooms, and living room. We want to then go back and install ceilings throughout these same areas and paint all the interior and exterior walls; both of these will require more funds.

Our general fund, house fund, and other small business projects could all use support here at the end of 2009. All contributions are available to be written off on taxes and will qualify for the year 2009 if sent in the next 2 weeks. You can send checks to New Song Mission Nicaragua, 3355 Old Jonesboro Rd., Fairburn, GA 30213 or logon to www.NewsongMissionNicaragua.com and send online.

Thanks to all of you who have read this entire report and I hope that God Blesses your holiday time. I will not be in the states for Christmas or New Years, but I will have 4 days in Boone, NC before taking a 2 week mission trip to Kenya, Africa. For those of you around Boone January 8-11, I would love to visit with you. Be blessed in this exciting time of year. I love you all!!

In Christ,
Jim Bob / Diego
John 15:13

Oct. 2009 Report & 3rd Project

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

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