Sunday, April 3, 2011

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.