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

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!

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

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:

• 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

MORE world racers

we are hosting more world racers...and they are AWESOME!!

video, pics, bios, links all COMING SOON!!


Diego

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/

Having a busy weekend

We have a group of teenagers from GA (group of 20) staying in the 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.

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

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

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

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

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!!!

Will Update SOON!

I promise i will update what has happened here since mid January SOON!! The Barnums were here, my family and other FBC Boone friends, and the Cannons.

I have not had time to do any blogging as I have been super busy with this school fund project..which was a huge success and would love for you to read the pre-draft report below.

Once feb is fully over I'll update the numbers for a formal report and get it out to everyone.

Hope all is well with you and yours!
Jim Bob / Diego
John 15:13

PRAISE GOD for Education

Coming towards the end of February, I have put together all of the adopt-a-family, school, and 22Fifty Project funds between December 1, 2008 and today (Feb. 25, 2009).

First and foremost, Thanks be to God, for seeing these children’s school needs met. In the past 3 months, we have been blessed with just under $8,000.00 designated to this specific need.
We had $1,430.00 given between December 1, 2008 and January 19, 2009, when I estimated that we would need another $5,000.00 to see over 200 children supplied with backpack, notebooks, pencils, uniforms, and shoes.

This is when I put together bulk emails and created an event on Facebook asking for people to adopt families and donate monthly, or send 1-time amounts for uniforms and supplies. We let the villagers know that we would meet whatever needs we could with the funds God would supply before the first day of classes, February 3, 2009. And ask for them to pray, for God to meet this need.

In the 10 days from January 21-30, we had $2,545.00 contributed and that amount, with the existing $1,430.00, allowed us to supply some needs before school started. On Sunday, February 1, 2009 we were able to bless 230 children with a backpack, 3 notebooks, a pen, and a pencil. Of these, 80 of our adopted children also received uniforms and shoes.

Feeling that God was not done here, I put together the 22Fifty Project in hopes to purchase every child a uniform and shoes. We estimated that buying uniforms and shoes in bulk for 150 students would cost about $22.50 per child. This was a 4 week project running from January 31-February 28, and it has seen a great response. This project was estimated at $22.50 x 150 students equaling a goal of $3,375.00. To date, the 22Fifty Project has brought in $3,971.10, and will run 3 more days to finish out February 2009.

In conclusion, the school fund promotion that started January 21, 2009 has been a great success, and proof of God’s faithfulness. Our goal of $5,000.00 was met and passed with Him supplying us a total of $6,516.10!

We are going to purchase the other 150 uniforms and shoes this week. Any money left after these purchases will be put into the adopt-a-family fund, to give it a solid 2 month base heading into 2009.

God Bless all of you that have prayed for and given to this effort. I will do a complete update (after Feb. 28), make a video/photo story, and send personal letters out in the first week of March. Thanks to each of you that were a part of making this a reality.

God Bless,
James “Jim Bob / Diego” Norman
Make ‘em Smile & New Song Mission Nicargaua
John 15:13

School Funds & Uniform Needs

I have worked this weekend to see where we're at with Adopt-a-Family, and put together all of the contributions towards sending our Sunday school children to school February 3rd.

At this time we have the amount of money to send 70 children to school; this includes all of the children of adopted families, and children of our church servants including: pastors, garden workers, and prayer warriors.

Therefore, we are short 130 children that have been faithful all year long coming to Sunday school. In the past couple of days, people have made 1-time contributions towards sending children to school as February is the month with are most expenses for education. Some people are adopting families, but other have emailed saying they do not feel they can commit to a full year, and they have sent 1-time donations towards getting more kids uniforms, shoes, and school supplies.

I am asking you each to pray and pass this on to any other contacts who might be interested in helping send our villagers to school when we pass out supplies on Sunday, February 1, 2009. We cannot take money from any other funds, as the general fund is just even to pay the February payroll, so we are hurting to think how many children will be standing empty handed next Sunday.

Checks cannot make it to Atlanta in time for our upcoming wire, so I am asking you to please login to the website and make an online payment if God is touching your heart to help send our children to school. Any donation made before February 1, 2009 will be very helpful, but even better would be receiving them before Tuesday, January 27, 2009 so that they can make our next wire. You would be amazed what just $10.00 would do from 20 of you. All contributions are tax-exempt as New Song Mission Nicaragua is a recognized NGO in both the USA and Nicaragua.

You can follow this link, create an account, and mark your contribution for School Fund or Uniforms..if this option is not yet on the site make it for the General Fund then email me that it is for the school fund!

https://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/mynewsong

Thanks for your interest in partnering with us in 2009 to see God's Kingdom grow here in Northwest Nicaragua.

In Christ,
James "Jim Bob / Diego" Norman
Make 'em Smile & New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13

Starting 2009

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LAST WEEKS POSTS!

Greetings from Nicaragua and Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a good holiday season with family and friends regardless of America's current financial situation. I had a different holiday season, but it was very enjoyable. I spent December 24th and 25th with families of my co-workers, and the 31st in the park with a lot of the youth group.

I missed not being able to spend this time with my family, but 5 members will be here the first week of February. 5 friends are coming with them making a group of 10, and room for 1000 pounds of donations. If you have anything that you think we can use here, please be in touch with me so that they can pack it and bring down January 31, 2009.

First I want to say thank God that we finished 2008 with some much needed and unexpected donations. With Christmas and America in such financial trouble, the mission was really struggling the last 10 weeks of the year, and we were afraid we would never catch up. But God is so faithful, and we want to praise him for providing everything we needed in literally the last 3 days of 2008 to get us even. We are ready to push-off that strong finish and accelerate through 2009, in a year that our mission team feels is going to be an amazing season of growth for our mission here and God’s Kingdom as a whole in Northwest Nicaragua.

I find it very hard to believe that tomorrow is the 1-year anniversary of when I put foot on this beautiful country for the first time, Jan. 10th, 2008, not knowing what God had ahead of me. In this year, I have learned a lot and hopefully taught something as well. I have made many new friends, of all ages and backgrounds, and would not want to be anywhere else.
In 2009, I am really focusing on serving New Song Mission Nicaragua with the youth, 15-25 year olds. I am also overseeing the Adopt-a-Family project, and the further education of the young people. School will start back here on February 3rd, for ages 3-18, and the trade school and college classes begin in March.

I am praying for, and asking for each of you to pray for, helping these people in their education. The Adopt-a-Family program is for helping children ages 3-18 in preschool-high school with their most basic school needs. For $35.00 a month you can help an entire family cover their uniform, shoes, school supplies, and any health issues that keep them out of classes. This can be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or yearly; whatever is easiest for you. It can also be withdrawn online, so there is no pressure on you to remember each month. To learn more about this please view the promotion video here: http://vimeo.com/2436461 or see the families here: http://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/adoptafamily/

The further education program is for the kids that have graduated from high school and want to study in trade schools or universities. We currently have 5 young adults studying in areas including: Agricultural, Accounting, English, and Psychology. We have 10 others that are hoping to get sponsored with interests in Business, Computer Skills, English, Mechanics, and Welding.
Depending on which trade school or university sponsorship with transportation ranges from $30.00-$100.00 a month. To learn more about this please view the promotion video here: http://vimeo.com/2434042 or email me at: jimbobnorman@gmail.com

In these programs, as well as all of our programs, the sponsorship is much more than just sending money monthly. Building relationships with these children and their families, keeping contact with them thru emails, or even making visits are recommended. Keeping them motivated to become more than the generations behind them and helping them beat the oppression of poverty is our ultimate goal while teaching them real love and Christian community.

Other personal projects I have for the beginning of 2009, are raising money to complete the youth house, and the church building. I need internet on the land to keep contact with the states and to hopefully soon, allow adopted children to make more contact with their American sponsors. I want to see more groups making short term mission trips here to start building relationships with these people and seeing how they live. All of these goals can be seen in the promotion videos as well here: http://vimeo.com/user1005962/videos/sort:oldest/format:detail
There are 12 different chapters, with the mentioned goals above in the videos titled: Pastors, Youth, and US Teams.

If you are feeling led to help us in any way please visit us online at http://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/, you can login there and pay easily with credit card, or you can send a check to:
New Song Mission Nicaragua
3355 Old Jonesboro Road
Fairburn GA, 30213

Please memo your check, or choose from the pull down menu online, for how you want it to be used, and remember all donations are tax-exempt. If you are sending monthly towards a project or pastors salary, PLEASE get these in the mail by the 20th of each month or done online by the 24th of each month, as it takes a few days to go through Atlanta and wired to us in time to do payrolls the 1st of every month. We cannot distribute any money out that we do not have, and wait for the wire the following month, so getting things before the 1st is very important.

To keep up with things here on a day-to-day basis, please visit my blog at: http://makemsmile.blogspot.com/ ...as of now I usually update weekly, but God willing I will have internet this month in the village where I can update every night.

Thanks for your interest in partnering with us in 2009 to see God’s Kingdom grow here in Northwest Nicaragua. I hope to see some of you here this year. May God bless you and yours this year regardless of the hard times America is facing. I love and miss you all!

In Christ,
James “Jim Bob / Diego” Norman
Make ‘em Smile & New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13

Sending Larry, Running Errands, Receiving Linda

Sergio, Brittany, and I went to Managua this morning around 11 to take Larry to the airport. He had a good 2 weeks here and got a lot of things done for the mission. He spoke 2 great sermons in the village, that I think were very well received, and I really enjoyed. He got a lot of things on the truck fixed including: insurance updated, permanent bars on the back, tires, steering, and lights fixed. Spiritually, he led pastor Jose's brother to Christ in what looks to be his final days here on earth, and has raised some interest for Christianity in our money changer. Of course, he kept us all laughing with many jokes, treated us to eat more than enough times, and held down the Gables house/mission office as well.

After dropping Larry at the airport, we got lunch and started on some of our errands. I found out it will be at least another week before I can get internet in the village, but we think we're making progress. I purchased a ceiling fan and light for my room in the youth house, and we got some prices for some lights, fans, tile etc for the bakery. We went and let Brittany see the lagoon behind a nice restuarant in Managua and with a few hours left to spend before Linda's flight came in we went to the mall. We went and saw the newest Jim Carrey movie, Yes Man, which was very entertaining.

We got Linda from the airport a little after 9 and made it back to Leon safely around 11. She was very excited to be back, and also very excited to share with us about her time in the states.

Beach & Birthday Party

We had Bible Study in the morning, and then there were no other real plans on the day, so I told Brittany we could bus to the beach and then we had been invited to a birthday party in Leon.

With only 3 days left in her trip and Wednesday already being scheduled as a day in Managua, she was happy to take a beach day.

We got there around noon, and had lunch, played some more cards, and visited. We hungout for the afternoon and after sunset bussed back into Leon.

Eveling, the 13 year old daughter of Oneda, and grand-daughter of Viky, from my favorite Leon comedor had invited us to their house for the night for her party. When I was living in Leon, I would go and visit them almsot weekly at their house some nights and really love this family. It was fun to see some of the same friends I had met from Alejandra's birthday back in July, and the food and cake was good of course.

Monday, Monday, Monday

We had breakfast at Consuelo's house late Monday morning, as there are no Monday morning plans and had planned to sleep in. Consuelo's goat had 2 baby girls Sunday afternoon and they were trying to learn how to walk in the morning.

We spent some time up until lunch just visiting in the clinic and listening to music. We returned to Conseulo's for lunch, and Brittany brought her hair straightener to play with the grand daughters. After lunch she stayed around a few hours with them, and took more pictures.

Carlos came out and had drama practice in the afternoon while I did some undistured computer work in the clinic. Anthony hungout with Brittany and taught her how to make bracelets.

We went to the park in ChiChiGalpa for the night and had dinner, played cards, and just hung out, before returning to the property and bringing Itzel down to stay in the clinic with Brittany.

Larry Preaches Another Great Service

Marvin and Anthony came into Leon in the morning by bus to see if Brittany was feeling better. They hung out with us until we headed out in the afternoon for evening service.

Larry prached his sermon titled "One Bath, Many Footwashings" with scripture from John 13:3-15. He preached about how we do not need to be baptized over and over, and that after we become Christians we will still sin, but we do not have to be re-baptized. This message is very important here as so many people think that they earn God's love, or earn their way into heaven with good deeds. They feel like God loves them today because of all the non-worldly things they did, but tomorrow he won't love them if they have faults. Church attendance was very good, with probably around 100 total in attendance, 70 or so over 13 years old.

Brittany stayed with Itzel over night as she thinks her cough has passed, and wants to finish out her trip spending as much time as possible in the village.

Some Weekend Rest

Brittany had planned to share with the youth in the Friday night youth service, but she has had a cough bothering her some, and it got a lot worse today. She decided to stay back in Leon, and I went out for youth with a DVD copy of Alex Campos' testimony that Carlos let me borrow. The youth really enjoyed hearing this after seeing him in concert just a couple months back, and it was a nice change in pace for a Friday night.

Saturday morning I went with Eduardo, Daniel, Jairo, and Rigoberto to Nuevo Amanecer for a special kids service. They had praise music, a clown, and a few pinatas as a kickoff to 2009. It was a lot of fun being there to see how much that community is growing with some of the local men in Candelaria reaching out to minister there.

I headed back to Leon for the afternoon as Brittany was still not feeling well enough to be in the village, nor wanting to spread anything to anyone else. We watched the NFL games and took some time to relax.

Hanging Out & Straightening Hair

Thursday morning we had Bible Study and Erick, who is one of our male leaders and youth Sunday school teachers came down to help lead. We had about 10 kids there and afterwards we had a pretty chill day.

Brittany brought her hair straightener so the girls all took turns letting her straighten their hair and then take a lot of pictures. We also spent a couple hours visiting with Conseulo and her family in the afternoon.

We came back to Leon for the night and had a good dinner at Hollywood Pizza and had shared some great conversation on the attitudes and things we notice in the youth, and how much we really want to get them to grow out of that.

Leon, La Isla, Bethel, and Candelaria

Wednesday morning we had staff meeting and then Oscar and I worked more on finances. I also took some time to do more internet work. Brittany went with Yahaira, her sister, and other friend to their English school that Oscar's brother, Alvaro teaches. She had a lot of fun with them and has plans to go back Friday and teach again.

After class, she hung out with them and gave them each gifts that she had brought to donate. They practiced more English phrases and had girl time. They did some dances and straightened each others hair, did make-up etc. etc. We had lunch together at Viky's and then all headed out to the village.

Oscar, Larry, and us went to visit Pastor Pablo in La Isla and started gathering information about getting insurance and a driver's licsense for his motorcycle. Larry prayed for his work and family this coming year, as his church, Pinnacle is the support for La Isla.

Then we went to visit Pastor Jose in Bethel, as he has a brother that is very sick. We visited with the family and Larry led Pastor Jose's brother to the Lord. His kidneys are failing and he will probably pass away in the next week, but praise God as he became a Christian today.

Brittany, Deyaniara, and I went back to Candelaria for the evening service. All of the youth were very happy to see Brittany back. Service went well, and was pretty full, with around 70 children, youth, and adults. Brittany ate with me at Consuelo's and then Deyaniara stayed with her in the clinic for the night.

Brittany Makes It (Finally)

We had our first Bible Study in a while this morning, with Yahaira's exam schedule and the holidays throwing some of us off schedule we didn't meet for a couple Tuesday or Thursdays. I combined Saul's verses and message from Friday night with Larry's from Sunday and we talked about them deeper.

Each person defined what each word of the 9 fruits of the spirit meant to them and shared how they are important. We also talked about things that we should forget and never forget in our Christian walks. Each person had time to share things they have trouble forgetting and remembering that they are hoping to improve this year.

After bible study I bussed to Managua to get Brittany, and this time she made it, but the flight was an hour late. I am just glad she made it, after the trouble Saturday. We got back to Leon, had dinner with Oscar, and enjoyed fellowship.

Half Workday Monday

I worked with Oscar, and on the phone to Atlanta in the morning to get a grip on our final donations of 2008. Thank God we had some much needed prayers answered financially to close out 2008 even, and ready to move foward in 2009.

I went out with Yahaira and Carlos in the afternoon for drama practice, and I took some time to straighten up the clinic and rest in the afternoon. For the night, there was nothing planned but some of the youth came and we looked at some of the newest pictures and videos of things we have done in past month.

It was a very peaceful night, visting with 4-5 youth and then spending some time with Consuelo's family as well.

Larry Visits & Preaches

I spent the morning doing a lot of computer and internet things, and got to watch 1.5 more of the Wild Card NFL games before Sergio, Larry, and I headed out.

Larry got sometime before service started to visit with some old friends and see how some of the projects are progressing on the land since his last trip here in May. He took a lot of pictures of the goats project his son supports, and some of the clinic, bakery, house, etc.

In the evening Pastor Walter led service with Daniel and Rigo leading worship. Rigoberto also took the kids out and Larry preached. He shared a message based from verses 43:18 & 46:9 in Isaiah; where we are told to forget the former things and then 3 chapters later remember the former things. He went on, with a lot of scripture support of what things God wishes we would forget, and not continually dwell on, and then on the other side what things God wants us to never forget, and how He is God.

The service was very well attended as they have been in the past week or so. We have 70-80 people in the weekday services and right at 100 or a little more on Saturday and Sunday night services. I came back for the night with plans to work with Oscar on our year-ending finances tomorrow.

Brittany's Overbooked Flight

I woke-up and did a few things in the village before heading into Leon mid-day to head on to Managua and pick up my friend Brittany McManus from the airport, who was set to arrive at 3:00 PM. Luckily before I got on the local transportation for Managua, Larry called me and let me know that Brittany had told him that there was a problem with her flight and she would not be coming in today so I did not make a pointless trip. Thank God for looking out for me and getting me that message, literally 15 minutes before I wasted 4-5 hours this afternoon.

I got in touch with Brittany, and found out that all the flights from Miami-Managua are overbooked with people returning after the holidays, and she will have to wait until Tuesday to fly down. We are both pretty upset as her original trip was going to be 5 weeks, but with a new job her trip was shortened to 2 weeks and now 10 days.

In the afternoon, I did some catching up with Leon-side mission work and got to watch the 2 Wild Card NFL games, which were both very entertaining. I will be here for the night and head out for service tomorrow with Sergio and Larry, as he is preaching the next two Sunday night services.

Leadership Meeting & 4th Youth Service

With Larry getting work done to the truck in Leon, Sergio couldn't come out until later in the afternoon so I did my best talking with the Candelaria leadership about our plans for 2009. We shared our goals for starting a new year, and I took time to explain how things work as far as only able to do projects and make payrolls when the money comes in, and can only pay out to where donations are designated, for example which pastor or project is tagged.

We spoke about how we will be only meeting the needs of the church community this year,and want to encourage more people to be apart of everything we are doing, especially the services, not just receiving when someone is here distributing goods. We spent time praying for the spiritual side of the mission and the physical side of projects for 2009. Each pastor picked different parts of our fund raising to pray about as well to close our meeting.

We had another good youth service of the 15-20 serious young people. Kervin and 2 of his friends shared Christian Reggaeton specials along with our videos and Daniel's worship in the first 45 mintues. Then Saul shared a message on living in the light and fully becoming a Christian with the 9 fruits of the spirit from Galations chapter 5.

I challenged each of the youth to pray for God to make them a 100% Christian in 2009, and not a lukewamr Christian with daily ups and downs for how interested they are in the Bible and church. Yahaira closed the service with a very powerful prayer, and Joel rejoined the youth group and church.

Happy New Year!

Last night some of the youth and I went to the park to bring in New Years, it was really packed with some ferris wheels, photo booths, and other attractions brought in for the night. At 12:00 AM everyone lights a tube sock and newspaper stuffed dummy in front of their houses to say goodbye to the past year. Very different for me, but fun to watch I guess.

We did not have Bible study this morning with everyone staying up late last night, but we hung out later in the morning and in afternoon made a trip to the swimming pool.

At night, I took Nubia out to eat in Chichigalpa and we got ice cream afterwards. Her birthday passed on the 28th, so I was a few days late, but it was fun to thank her for all the translation help she has given me over past couple months when I've needed it.