Make 'em Smile

A Tuesday Off, Mostly

2008-05-13T23:04:00.001-07:00

This morning Scarleth went with me to buy time, it was $35 to stay here another 90 days, so I am thankful that is taken care of. After that Scarleth and I handled some calls and emails from the Gables house. Larry and I grabbed lunch and shared some more family stories. After lunch, he and I went to pickup the truck that he had left to have a custom tarp made for the bed for traveling in the upcoming rain season. They did a great job at a low price and then we took the truck to have an antenna put on it.

We then had the full afternoon off. I took a long nap and have spent the night organizing my room and catching up some of my personal emails and contacts back home.

We will be out in Candelaria in the afternoon tomorrow for baseball and some small project reports.

Hope all is well in with you and yours...and to everyone in Boone I hope some spring weather comes soon!

LOVE...Jim Bob Norman "DIEGO" John 15:13

Monday in Leon

2008-05-12T22:59:00.000-07:00

We all worked from the Gables house/NewSong office today getting more things setup to complete in Larry's last week with us. We picked what things on our to-do list are possible with the current traffic and transportation strike. Today marks a full week and nothing seems to be changing soon.

Larry and I also drove out to look at cars in Chichigalpa and Chinadega just to get an idea of something I might try and get in the future. Both cars I saw today were too old, and I will be looking more around Leon and Managua in weeks to come.

I also went to buy time today, so that I can stay another 90 days here without leaving the country since I am not a resident. I actually have to come back tomorrow to finish the process, but they todl me what things to bring with me in the morning.

Global Day of Prayer Service

2008-05-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

We recognized the Global Day of prayer with a service involving Candelaria, La Isla, and Santa Matilde. Larry preached on the importance of prayer with supporitng scripture in Pslams and James. We then spent about 45 mintues with pastors and church leaders praying for specific things.

Pastors Jose, Walter, Pablo, and a pastor from the corner church in Candelaria all prayed for world peace. Then there was prayer for healing the sick by all of the pastors. Then each pastor prayed for different needs including: safe travel for the Gables in the states, NewSong Mission Nicaragua, traffic problems, small business and other funding, medical dental clinic, all the people of the surrounding communities, the future teams that are coming to help, and then a paryer over all the church pastors, sunday shcool leaders, elders, deacons, and leaders.

The rest of the day we worked from Leon to catchup emails and other office duties. I hope every mother had a great mothers day! I got to call my mom and each grandmother this afternoon. I will celebrate mothers day with my mom when she comes here for the last week of May because "La dia de la madre" is May 30, 2008 in Nicaragua!

Saturday Driving Lesson

2008-05-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

We had thought we were going out to Santa Matilde and bringing the lawyer from Leon to discuss more about the land being purchased there by IHBC. There was a conflicting schedule so we are hoping to get to that later in the week. Instead Scarleth and I did some things from the Gables house/office and then Larry took me out towards Poneloya to practice driving the 5-speed truck where there is not much traffic. I drove for about 45 minutes and it went very well. I am hoping to practice some more in the upcoming week if time allows. Power went out for the whole city around 5 today, and the sky turned very black. It never rained but it the wind picked up and it looked like a flood was coming. Power was only off about an hour.

I grabbed some dinner and then I took my N64 up to play Mario Kart with Alejandra and Eveling. We enjoed that until the power went back off, but it only stayed out 30 seconds or so, then it rained, REALLY HARD! Their roof is tin so it was the loudest thing ever and within maybe 10 mintues the roads outside had water even with the sidewalks. Everything looked like rivers flowing together. The girls went outside and to play, and Alejandra lost her flip flop in the rapids. I waited about 45 minutes for the rain to stop and biked home, anytime my foot was down in the cycle of pedaling I had water above my ankle. It was good to get some rain here though finally.

With the current strike, we are still not doing anything outside Leon after dark. Tomorrow is the global day of prayer so we have flipped the morning Sunday school to be at night and hoping to have a big service with people from La Isla, Santa Matilde, and Candelaria to observe the day of prayer. We will be out in Candelaria around 10 am and stay until 12:30 or so.

Short but Productive Friday

2008-05-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

With the current strike and a possibility of getting stuck outside the city at night, we only made the trip during the day time. Before we went out Scarleth, Leo, and Larry went to buy beans and oil in Leon. We took a full truck bed of that out and locked in the bodega at Candelaria. Our agricultural engineer, Roger, came along as well to look at the garden and spend time training the gardeners about the new irrigation system. Before leaving Leon, Leo grabbed some baseball equipment for the younger guys that have been attending practice…catcher’s equipment and smaller gloves along with more baseballs. Upon arrival, we found out that Pastor Jose was stung by a scorpion in the morning, so Oscar and Larry went to the pharmacy and got him some aid. Alfredo and I fixed 2 big flood lights and, with Walter’s help, installed it onto the corner of the medical/dental clinic to watch over the garden at night. Scarleth got a list completed of all the library books both children’s and pastors so that we can start renting books out. I spent a little time before we came back riding my bike to visit with some of my Candelaria youth members at their houses and let them know we would not have service tonight. We called the pastors at all 3 villages, but not everyone would know without coming down to see the empty church at 6. When we got back last night the team went out for pizza to celebrate Larry’s 2 year anniversary of open heart surgery. We got to hear the story and the months of rehab following, while telling jokes and enjoying fellowship.

Regular Thursday

2008-05-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

We heard that the police actually arrested some of the men who have parked buses and trucks across the road and that things for now are clear on the main highway to the villages. So we got the truck this morning and did what we could around Leon until 1 pm, then Larry took Scarleth, Leo, and I out.

Leo ran baseball and we went to La Isla to check up on Pastor Pablo. He had his prosthetics on and was sitting outside with his family. He said that he had sent someone in his family to get him some antibiotics and for past 3 days was getting shots. He is feeling much better, but has not been able to enjoy his new bike yet. His wife was getting the yard setup for evening service at their house since he cannot get under the trees where church usually meets.

As we headed out of La Isla, Daniel and his daughter were coming in to play music in Pablo's service.

We went back and got Leo and came back a little before 5 pm. We did have any trouble and there are over 20 policemen on the edges of the road where the blocks have been waiting to break-up anymore attempts of blocking access in and out of Leon. We think we will get to have a regular Friday now, when earlier in the week we had figured there would be no way to travel in and out at night.

Unable to go out Wednesday

2008-05-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

The strike was more of a pain for us today because we do go out Wednesday afternoons for baseball practice and to check on small business things. The roads are still blocked and no busses, taxis, etc are running. Knowing that we wouldn't need the truck, we got them to take their time and fix a few other minor things.

We met down at the Gables and did what we could up until noon with emails and phone calls as a group. Scarleth and I are working on getting together more information for the adopt-a-family part of the NewSong website.

In the evening, I went to visit Eveling and Alejandra. Their uncle, Juan, age 25 is a taxi driver and works the 7pm - 7am shift so I have seen him, but never really talked with him. He was there and bored without work like me so we talked for a while about basketball, football, etc. He told me that he does not think the strike will go longer than a week, but does not know for sure.

We are hoping to get the truck in the morning and be able to go out to the village, we have plenty of work to catch-up in Leon, but after 3 days stuck here we are all ready to go out and be with the kids.

Strike Continues Tuesday

2008-05-06T06:38:00.000-07:00

We met as a team this morning at the Gables house to discuss things Tommy and Linda had left for us to do. We were planning to setup which projects to do each day, but because of the strike it became more of which of these can we do without driving outside the city.

We took the truck in for some work including: pulling out the dented fender, fixing the front passenger door, and putting all the bars on the back for a tarp in rainy season.

Scarleth and I took the rest of the day off with it being a Tuesday so the strike did not really affect us much today.

Leon Monday

2008-05-05T17:19:00.000-07:00

Today I spent time doing some errands around Leon. Marcela has been asking me a lot of computer questions lately, and she decided that she wants me to come down in the mornings for breakfast at her house and help her to get more familiar with email and other basic things on her computer. She also got me to bookmark some websites for her to use the bible and work on her English.

Oscar, Larry, and I grabbed lunch together after they did some errands of their own. After lunch, they headed to Chinadega to meet about some land purchases in Santa Matilde by IHBC. I looked at some possibilities of how to put internet in to Marcela's office. I also spent sometime just walking around Leon and relaxing.

There is a current strike going on against the high gas prices nationwide. There are no taxis, buses, or trucks running for public transportation. Last night it took Oscar and Larry hours to get back from Chinadega and Juan Diego the same from Manauga because of trucks and buses parked across all the roads into Leon. Some bicycles and motorcycles could get around, but they are hoping to make everyone that uses gas to stop driving as part of the strike.

My mom just got a ticket to spend the last week of May here...she will be staying with me Monday, May 26-Monday, June 2 when the Gables return..VERY EXCITED for her to be here in 3 weeks!

Pablo's New Bike and Pedro Speaks

2008-05-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

This morning I went and got Pastor Pablo of La Isla a new bike. His has rusted to almost nothing, and the gears have been bad for about 3 months. He had mentioned the need to Oscar and I Friday night. He was very happy to get the new bike, that money was raised for by my mom and FBC of Boone, NC.

This afternoon, before going to setup for evening service in Candelaria I got to stop by his house and deliver the bike. Pablo was propped up inside the house with a towel and some ointment on his legs treating an infection. He won't use his prosthetic legs for a couple days while that heals, but then he can enjoy his new bike. I hope to get some pictures soon once he is using it.

Tonight Pastor Pedro spoke at his 1st of 5 Sundays while the Gables are in the states. His focus for the 5 Sundays is the teachings of what it takes to be a disciple. Tonight he shared from Luke chapter 14.

The Cost of Being a Disciple

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
31 "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

The service went very well. Pedro's wife, Maria, and older brother, Felix, came with us as well as Felix's 10 year old son, Ezikiel. Rigaberto shared bible stories with around 35 children ages 4-12.

Saturday Catch-up

2008-05-03T09:02:00.001-07:00

I am spending today to get all of my online things, and other tasks around Leon complete. We will be back in the village tomorrow afternoon and evening when Pedro begins his 5 week mini series for Adult Sunday night church.

No School & Youth Group

2008-05-02T08:47:00.000-07:00

With the kids out of school again today baseball attendance was high and Leo ran a long practice. I got the truck lined up to pickup people from La Isla and Santa Matilde an hour earlier to come and play soccer, volleyball, and basketball before it got dark.

Yasmina and Brenda wore their new shirts and 5 new boys came from La Isla for their first Friday night. We had 2 new people from Santa Matilde and 4 from Candelaria.

After the outdoor game time, we had an opening prayer and Scarleth led some funny games. She did some silly icebreakers and got more of the kids meeting people outside their small comfort zone of 2-3 kids.

Pedro shared from 1 Timothy and spoke on characteristics of young adults. The kids had great attention and he had a lot of fun and jokes mixed in to keep them tentative. The night went very well and more kids are getting comfortable sitting closer to the front instead of on the walls in the very back.

May Already!?!

2008-05-01T08:39:00.000-07:00

Can't believe we are already in May. May 1 is actually Labor Day in Nicaragua so Leon is dead. Traffic is almost nothing, and only a few busses are even running today. There is no school for the kids today or tomorrow for a 4 day weekend. We went out for baseball and the numbers were much higher with all the boys who normally have afternoon class ready for practice. After Scarleth shared a Bible story and I got attendance, we went to visit in La Isla.

Three girls we really like from youth group are the Lira Mendoza sisters. Glenda turned 17 mid April and Yasmina 19 last Friday. Maria will be 21 May 31st. The 2 younger sisters are in afternoon class, so I only see them on Fridays with for 2 hours with 100 other people. I got them some birthday shirts and wanted to spend the afternoon visiting, plus record their interviews for Friday night. Scarleth got to spend some time talking with their mom, Rosa, about how things are going in church and Sunday school.

12 year old Rosa from Candelaria who always helps us setting up the church and other things rode out with us. She spent a good hour climbing trees and collecting Mangos from their yard.

Larry to the Village

2008-04-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Oscar and I got up early and met at the Gables house to have a conference call with Linda and Susan in Atlanta. We worked about 2 hours learning more about the PowerChurch software and asking Susan questions, to have a better feel of finances.

In the afternoon, Larry went with Scarleth, Leo, and I to Candelaria. Leo had baseball practice and Larry got to see Pastor Jose and a few others that he hasn't seen in over a year.

Larry is here on his 21st trip in the past 6 years. He has been in Candelaria to see a lot of the original buildings, sports fields, and basically every project that has happened until this year. The dental clinic was new for him, and the lights/fans in the main church. He enjoyed getting to see the new well and the green garden.

I got to go visit with Evenling and Alejandra for dinner and watch Aladdin tonight. I also got to meet their uncle, Juan, who is 25 years old.

TUESDAY OFF

2008-04-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

With the Colons long days teaching the Target, and then the final week of getting things lined up for the Gables trip, we have hardly found a minute to rest. I got to sleep in Tuesday and just try and catchup some of my own things around Leon. I got some time to talk with Larry and hangout at Marcela's house.

I got 2 full garbage bags of clothes, toys, books, etc that I had wanted to bring and donate in February and did not have room. My mom got it all to Larry and he brought it to me. I spent some time cleaning up my room and then organizing the gifts for age group and clothing size.

Working Hard to See Gables Off

2008-04-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

From sun up until Freddy drove them to the airport at 9 PM, we worked to see the Gables off and make sure everything is in order for May.

I worked all day finishing and burning both of Linda's DVDs, Pastor Tommy's spiritual side of NewSong DVD, and a collaboration DVD of Tim's 5 weeks here with pictures and videos.

Oscar and Linda worked on all the finance things for 2008 for Linda to take and discuss with Susan at ACC.

Gables Last Day in Village

2008-04-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

Linda and I worked more all morning on getting the first DVD done, and started on the 2nd for a group of men from Holland that have done a lot in Masayah, Nicaragua who we are hoping to have help us with expenses of the dental clinic.

We went out for Sunday afternoon and the evening service. Pastor Pedro and his wife Maria joined us so that Tommy could introduce them and put him in charge of Sunday nights for the month of May. It was Maria's first time in the village, and she and Pedro enjoyed meeting people there.

Tommy countinued his teaching from 1 John and then the end of the service was about 20 minutes of goodbyes, hugs, pictures, etc. The Gables do not leave until late Monday night, but they will be in Leon all of tomorrow, so the people in Candelaria will not see them for almost 40 days.

Saturday Church Meeting

2008-04-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Linda and I spent the morning putting more of our video reports together. A DVD we will be sharing with their friends and family when they get back to the states.

With the Gables taking the full month of May to visit family and friends and raise support in the states, we needed to have a meeting with pastors, people in small business, and other church leaders.

The Gables put together a full packet of how things need to run with them gone. They spoke about respecting Scarleth, Oscar, Leo, and myself in their absence. They also let the church know that Larry was going to be here to drive the team around and help with any emergencies.

The meeting took about an hour and a half and we addresses a lot of important topics, with times to answer questions and concerns. Of the 40 or so people there, everyone seemed ready to work together and keep things running as close to normal was we can during the Gables US trip.

Larry Sellers got to Leon this afternoon, and is resting after a day of travel at Marcela's house. I will get up with him tomorrow to get a lot of things he brought down that I could not pack in my original trip.

Colons Home, and Youth Night

2008-04-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

This morning Tommy, Linda, and I sent the Colons in a taxi to the airport for their return back to SteeleCreek Charlotte, NC. They were unbelievable in their 4 days in the village. They both led the target 3 straight days for 3 hours each day, and Pastor Gilberto led the evening services on Sunday then Tuesday-Thursday. The congregation was really moved and we had around 10 professions of faith in the nights he spoke. Having a Spanish speaking pastor makes such a difference, and we are very thankful for all the Colons did here.

Scarleth and I ran youth group, and with Tommy under the weather we brought Pastor Pedro along to speak to the teenagers. He is a young pastor born in Leon, but has been living in Portland for years. He and his wife and 2 girls have just moved back to Leon because he has a call to start a church here. We met him when Pinnacle was here, and Tommy asked him to come along with us anytime he wanted, and we have hoped he would be available to speak on Fridays and Sundays during May when the Gables are in the states.

Scarleth and I started the night with a game we did at Montilemar with pictures, songs, soundbytes of different athletes, celebrities, presidents etc and the kids have to run to be the first in a chair then give the correct answer. They seemed to have a lot of fun with that and Daniel led some good worship.

Pedro spoke on making good decisions, and how what you do as a teenager makes a world of difference in the rest of your life. The kids had great attention, and once again we saw how much better a service is without the dead space time of speaking English and them waiting to hear it in Spanish. We are really excited for him to here and help us in May and hopefully more after.

THURSDAY TARGET

2008-04-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

We went out to Candelaria around noon and stayed through the evening service. Pastor Gilberto had a group of over 25 men, and Maritza had the more or less the same amount of women for an afternoon class of the target day 2. The groups met for 3 hours.

Leo ran baseball practice, and is now taking time before practice to share some scripture and bible stories with the team, along with the required prayer before and after practice.

For the time that the Colons are here: Santa Matilde, La Isla, Tonola, and others in Chichigalpa are being trucked in for the evening service, so the chruch is packed with all ages. Pastor Gilberto led the evening service with Daniel leading worship. Yaihaira and Rigaberto had worship and shared bible stories with over 60 children.

WEDNESDAY TARGET

2008-04-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

We went out around the sametime today for target day 2. The Colons had numbers of about 25 each again. Linda and Scarleth took the truck to Chinadega to look and price some tile for dental clinic flooring.

Leo ran baseball practice, and is now taking time before practice to share some scripture and bible stories with the team, along with the required prayer before and after practice.

The coolest part of this for me was the number of teenage boys not on the baseball team that were paying attention and interested that Leo, a 25 year old would share the Bible with them and not just older people or visitors from the US.

I got things setup for Daniel's worship in the laptop, as well as Pastor Gilberto's sermon notes and scriptures. I also did my best to keep the children entertained with a dry erase board because the baseball field was occupied for practice.

The numbers trucked in from surrounding villages filled the church again and Pastor Gilberto spoke on superstitions. The congregation enjoyed his sarcasm and upbeat service about some crazy superstitions people believe. Rigaberto and Griselda helped with nearly 40 children behind the pastors house sharing Bible stories.

TUESDAY TARGET

2008-04-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

We went out to Candelaria around noon. Pastor Gilberto had a group of over 25 men, and Maritza had the more or less the same amount of women for an afternoon class of the target day 1. The groups met for 3 hours and shared testimonies and scripture.

In another corner of the church the newest members of the sewing class were meeting. A couple of women who finished the class in early February are now teaching new women. With 2 teachers the total people in the group varies from 10-12 women meeting 3 days a week. It is very exciting to see them growing and independent like the gardeners.

I worked on keeping kids playing outside and keeping the church quiet for the classes, and got things setup for the night service. For the time that the Colons are here: Santa Matilde, La Isla, Tonola, and others in Chichigalpa are being trucked in for the evening service, so the chruch is packed with all ages. Pastor Gilberto led the evening service with Daniel leading worship. Yaihaira and Rigaberto, after worship, shared bible stories with over 60 children.

Monday off with the Colóns

2008-04-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

Today is a day off for the entire team. In the afternoon we will go to the beach closest to Leon, Poneloya, and enjoy time with the Colóns. Stay for sunset and dinner, then come back for a full nights sleep.

The next 3 days will be very long in the village. The teaching of "The Target" will have classes all 3 days in Candelaria and then Pastor Gilberto will lead services every night. I think we will be in the villages something like 12-8 everyday, but we are all excited about this teaching, Tim has already done it at Steele Creek in Charlotte, and speaks very highly of it.

The beach was great, and the Colons enjoyed the time with Tommy, Linda, and myself. The tide was really high and a huge stingray had washed up. Some of the locals had skinned it and taken all the meat by the time we got there. Can't imagine what that tastes like, but I guess they like it.

We had a great dinner and good conversation, getting to know each other better.

Pastor Gilberto Begins "The Target"

2008-04-20T03:56:00.000-07:00

Pastor Gilberto Colón is the Latino Connection Pastor at Steele Creek Church of Charlotte, NC. His profile on their website reads:
Born in New York City, Pastor Colón moved to Puerto Rico as a teen and remained there for 17 years. Currently he actively reaches out to the Spanish and English speaking Latino community in Charlotte. Teaches and equips in accordance with SCCC doctrine and vision.

He is here with his wife, Martiza, for a week teaching "The Target." He will be leading Sunday night service as well as events Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in Candelaria.

Oscar and Scarleth get to take a break from standing up front interpreting and instead will be sitting with Tommy, Linda, Tim, and myself letting us hear the service in English. Oscar's wife, Jennifer came for the second straight week and she seems to really enjoy her time with us there. They send their thank yous to all the prayers for their marriage problems the past months.

Daniel led worship with Tommy on drums and Darling singing backup. Scarleth and I ran the powerpoint. The worship time was really great, maybe the best praise songs we have had at a Sunday service. Pastor Jose introduced G&M and they said their greetings from US, NC, and SC. Then Gilberto began the first of his 4 day teaching. The service was different for me, but I enjoyed it with Scarleth's help. The villagers were very into it, I'm sure they liked having a fluent guest Pastor for a change. 3 men and a woman all came foward at the end of the service and Pastor Gilberto prayed for each of them, and Tim shared some scripture with them and had the congregation acknowledge their decisions.

Yahaira did another great job with the kids. She taught the story of Daniel in the lion's den with the Spanish Bible Stories DVD as an aid. She keeps the attention of around 30 kids from ages 3-13 in the Pastors house for over any hour after worship Sunday nights. She is such a servant and blessing to us everyday she goes out. She let us know yesterday that with some of the support Sarah of IHBC has given her she wants to take some English classes to be a better help to us when we have teams here and also just easier to communicate with our team!

Recovery Saturday

2008-04-19T03:41:00.000-07:00

After going out for a full day Friday sick, I was dead tired and slept in pretty late this morning. I felt better when I woke up but still extremely weak and dehydrated. I spent a lot of time talking with my mom which is always a great part to any week/day. Tommy left this morning to pick up Pastor Gilberto of Steele Creek and his wife, Martiza.

I headed to Linda's around 1 and she got to play mom for me. I ate and drank a lot of things she knew would get me feeling better that she has used raising her 5 children. Jaunita then fixed me a full lunch and I was glad to eat my first meal in about 40 hours.

The rest of the day went fine for me and I just rested and did attendance/computer work that didn't take a lot of energy while the Gables spent time visting with Gilberto & Martiza.

After being confined to my bed more or less the whole day I got pretty bored, and since I haven't gotten to do anything fun with my hair since having to cut it before the Michigan game I went to visit Scarleth and let one of her roommates, Maria Elena, who does hair professionally brighten it. I almost have it as white as it was when I was growing up but not quite. Anyways I'm sure it'll be fun for the kids, and M.E. enjoyed having someones hair to do.