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