i am so sorry to those of you who have checked throughout the month hoping to get updates here...we are in a huge transition time and i just havent taken time to update those of you who arent in my bulk email list:
September has been a wild month and we are hoping it is all for the good! After the baptisms at the pool, the following weekend I baptized 4 youth at the ocean on the last day of the world race girls time in Nicaragua!
They were so awesome in really bringing our youth group along spiritually. They lived in the unfinished clinic and poured out love in a Bible study twice a week and thoughout each day. They helped bring out the most serious youth from our big Friday Night services and those are the ones who have most recently been baptized.
Since they left Tommy, Linda, Yaihaira, and I are continuing the Bible Study Tuesday and Thursday mornings and focusing all of our discipling into these interested baby Christians.
We are no longer doing the Friday Nights with 100-120 youth which seems to be just games for 100 nonChristians and headaches for all of us from NewSong. We have done an 18 person 3 day beach youth retreat, and a night out in Chichigalpa with our serious group the past 2 weeks. Tommy's Sunday sermons are more focused towards this group as well.
The Gables and I are taking Spanish classes 4 times a week with our newest NewSong employee, Sergio...he has been awesome in his first month helping us as an interpreter, disciple, teacher, and so much more!
Pastor Jose is retiring and his family and he will be moving to Bethel the last week of October. Tommy is praying and working towards who to put in as the Candelaria pastor in the future, but knows right now no one is ready to take that on. Daniel, Walter, and Eduardo will take on some of the load rotating we think to help in this transition.
I will be returing to the States for the first time since February 14th October 23. I will visit family and friends in North Carolina for 8-9 days. And then seeing some friends and family in Florida a couple days before returning to Nicaragua by November 7.
Upon return, Tommy and NewSong will be putting me in as Youth Pastor of Candelaria. I will be moving into the Pastor's house and living on the land 7 days a week. I am very excited for my time to visit in the states, but even more so moving to Candelaria to be with the youth as much as possible.
Sorry as always that I'm falling behind on updating here, but I am hoping to get internet in Candelaria in November and keep in touch with everyone from there.
Love and Miss you all!
DIEGO
john 15:13
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
EXCITING WEEKEND
This weekend we took a group of 50-60 people about 45 minutes north of Candelaria and Chinadega to the springs for baptisms and and afternoon of swimming and fun
Of the 11 people baptized, 9 were between the ages of 13-23. It has been so exciting in the past couple of months to see the changes in young people.
The youth that were baptized: Andres-13, Anthony-14, Claudia-23, David-14, Elizabeth-16, Itzel-15, Joel-13, Jose-18, Kenia-17.
Pastor Jose and Tommy did the baptisms with me helping in the water, while Scarleth translated and Daniel played guitar. The world race girls got a lot of pictures and videos that we will use friday night and hope to put online sometime next week.
After the baptisms, the kids enjoyed whatever snack lunches they packed and then had 4 hours to swim and play. There were three different pools at depths for all ages. Children ages 4 to adults in their 40s all had a great day.
We returned to Candelaria around 5 and the youth had planned a night service, but strong rains took out power for the night, they are hoping to have the service next saturday.
On Sunday, the world race girls and I hung out with youth and children after Sunday school. Leo and Scarleth rode out with Preston and Sandra for baseball practice. The Barnums got to spend some time visiting with Kervin, Andres, and other villagers for the afternoon before evening service when we all returned to Leon.
Of the 11 people baptized, 9 were between the ages of 13-23. It has been so exciting in the past couple of months to see the changes in young people.
The youth that were baptized: Andres-13, Anthony-14, Claudia-23, David-14, Elizabeth-16, Itzel-15, Joel-13, Jose-18, Kenia-17.
Pastor Jose and Tommy did the baptisms with me helping in the water, while Scarleth translated and Daniel played guitar. The world race girls got a lot of pictures and videos that we will use friday night and hope to put online sometime next week.
After the baptisms, the kids enjoyed whatever snack lunches they packed and then had 4 hours to swim and play. There were three different pools at depths for all ages. Children ages 4 to adults in their 40s all had a great day.
We returned to Candelaria around 5 and the youth had planned a night service, but strong rains took out power for the night, they are hoping to have the service next saturday.
On Sunday, the world race girls and I hung out with youth and children after Sunday school. Leo and Scarleth rode out with Preston and Sandra for baseball practice. The Barnums got to spend some time visiting with Kervin, Andres, and other villagers for the afternoon before evening service when we all returned to Leon.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
6 Month Report
Greetings from Nicaragua:
In my first 6 months serving here, I have stayed busy in many areas of ministry. I have devoted most of my time to serving the youth. I also support sports and activities for the community in Candelaria. I am overseeing Sunday school classes and the sponsorship program to keep kids in school. I am keeping myself available to assist New Song Mission Nicaragua with accounting, short term mission groups, video updates, and anything else I can help them with.
We have hosted Friday Night Youth Group in Candelaria twenty times now and this is the event
I put most of my time, energy, and support into. We started the event the first week I returned in February with just under one hundred young adults from ages 15-25 present. Of these, maybe twenty are Christians, but we are excited at the large number curious enough to always come back. We bring three communities together and enjoy two and a half hours of fellowship and fun. From around 6PM-7PM we have dance, games, and contests. Then we spend about 15 minutes watching videos of the week past and 20 minutes in praise in worship. Tommy, myself, or someone on a short term mission trip will share a Christian message and challenge our young adults to make the right decisions and build their character in ways pleasing to God. We close the service by having them circle in small groups to share testimonies and pray while we distribute soft drinks and snacks. For the past month, our numbers are closer to one hundred and fifty young adults with a lot of recent new believers. More of them are publicly professing their faith and eager to share a drama, dance, song, or testimony in the service. We have given them an open invitation to be more active in the service and we are seeing it evolve in the past couple weeks. I am in charge of this event: from setting the schedule, to making the first hour of fun and videos good enough to bring them back and new people coming, to running PowerPoint through worship, to getting people to share messages, and covering weekly costs of transportation and refreshments. I have great help in this event from God, Tommy, Linda, Scarleth and Oscar, with Daniel leading worship and know I could not take it on without them. We are seeing results, but have a long way to go, with more non-believers present each week. I believe this is why God has me here. It was the number one calling I heard when leaving in January, and is still the loudest voice I hear when He directs my mission. At least twenty youth, who in the past only came to church for Friday nights, are getting more involved in Saturday and Sunday services as well as bible studies and drama or sport teams in the past month.
As part of my outreach to get more children involved in Sunday School and young adults in youth group I support sports and activities in the community. New Song has a great piece of land available to the community and they keep it open to anyone, not just church members. Every day the land is filled with Christians and non-believers passing time on the courts or in the fields. Most of the competition and playing is unorganized but I have helped start a kickball team and kept a baseball team together by supporting a coach/trainer on monthly salary. I want to get volleyball, soccer, and basketball teams organized when time and support allow. We have a drama/dance team that practices with coaches on the weekends and I am looking to help them as well. By offering such activities, it builds relationships and raises interest in the people to get involved with other church events.
To assist with Sunday school I am currently helping the teachers by supplying attendance sheets and photocopies of curriculum materials. We support Sunday school classes in full in Candelaria with outreaches to four other communities. In Candelaria, there are five classes ranging from ages 3-20 with 150-200 children present weekly. I help these teachers with cost of some materials for crafts and photocopy bible stories and worksheets for each month’s curriculum. In the other outreaches, I am working to get teachers in place and divide children by age because right now they just meet as one class with children 3-20. La Isla/Guanacastal has around 40 children and there are about 60 in Quitanka. Nuevo Amanecer has over 70 and Santa Matilde brings around 100 a week. I keep up with attendance for all of these communities to help learn the names of the kids and to try and divide classes by age in the future. Candelaria’s Sunday school has become very well organized and with time I hope to model the others more like it.
Keeping up with Sunday school and learning about each kid also helps me with the Adopt-a-Family program that New Song has begun. For children active in Sunday school and good attendance in classes we are working to get those in school land keep them in school. Schools are public, and require only a little bit of money towards cost of uniforms and school material, but in these communities, most families cannot even afford these small costs. I am working to get the children/youth with the most service to the church and highest needs sponsored by families in America so that they can get an education. I am working to gather more information for each family to post online and hoping to have every family adopted/sponsored. Once linked with an American family, I stay busy keeping Nicaraguan and American families in touch communicating letters and reports.
Along with the four major projects I have listed above I use any other time I find serving Tommy, Linda, and New Song Mission Nicaragua with whatever needs come up. I often help Oscar with accounting and teaching him to run the computer software. When the groups come from the states on short term mission trips, I do my best to help them with their goals while trying to keep Tommy and Linda free to keep New Song running close to its schedule. When Linda gets time to send her updates of their mission projects back and wants a video or pictures to assist the report I get those made and online or put on DVD. There are many other things we do our best to tackle, when they come up as planning here can only get you so far. Staying flexible is extremely important and making decisions on the fly is daily practice.
The best things happening here recently that I want to praise God for are the young people who have decided to be baptized. Two girls were baptized about 2 weeks ago and this coming weekend we will have 3 guys and 5 more girls baptized. I am enjoying the personal friendships that I am making and helping with the sporting events, etc. but it is far more rewarding to see these people starting relationships with Jesus.
My short term future plans include taking Spanish classes and a 7-10 day return to the states. I am desperate to learn Spanish better and improve my communication with people here. I can understand and read Spanish decently, but I need to expand my vocabulary and work on speaking the language. I am hoping to start classes next week. I will be back in the states in 10 weeks to see two home football games at Appalachian, visit with friends and family, and work to raise more support for future goals.
I want to say thank you to everyone’s interest in my work here. I am building some great relationships and seeing some awesome changes here as God works in me and through me. I love and miss you all, and want to extend a special thank you to all who have supported me in prayer and finances. Although I may be far away in distance, I still feel your love and encouragement each day. I am anxious to see you when I am home the last week of October. I only see that visit lasting about a week as I have no plans of finishing what God has put in front of me here soon. Thanks again for your support through prayer and an extended thank you to those of you who have supported me financially.
In Christ,
Jim Bob “Diego” Norman
John 15:13
In my first 6 months serving here, I have stayed busy in many areas of ministry. I have devoted most of my time to serving the youth. I also support sports and activities for the community in Candelaria. I am overseeing Sunday school classes and the sponsorship program to keep kids in school. I am keeping myself available to assist New Song Mission Nicaragua with accounting, short term mission groups, video updates, and anything else I can help them with.
We have hosted Friday Night Youth Group in Candelaria twenty times now and this is the event
I put most of my time, energy, and support into. We started the event the first week I returned in February with just under one hundred young adults from ages 15-25 present. Of these, maybe twenty are Christians, but we are excited at the large number curious enough to always come back. We bring three communities together and enjoy two and a half hours of fellowship and fun. From around 6PM-7PM we have dance, games, and contests. Then we spend about 15 minutes watching videos of the week past and 20 minutes in praise in worship. Tommy, myself, or someone on a short term mission trip will share a Christian message and challenge our young adults to make the right decisions and build their character in ways pleasing to God. We close the service by having them circle in small groups to share testimonies and pray while we distribute soft drinks and snacks. For the past month, our numbers are closer to one hundred and fifty young adults with a lot of recent new believers. More of them are publicly professing their faith and eager to share a drama, dance, song, or testimony in the service. We have given them an open invitation to be more active in the service and we are seeing it evolve in the past couple weeks. I am in charge of this event: from setting the schedule, to making the first hour of fun and videos good enough to bring them back and new people coming, to running PowerPoint through worship, to getting people to share messages, and covering weekly costs of transportation and refreshments. I have great help in this event from God, Tommy, Linda, Scarleth and Oscar, with Daniel leading worship and know I could not take it on without them. We are seeing results, but have a long way to go, with more non-believers present each week. I believe this is why God has me here. It was the number one calling I heard when leaving in January, and is still the loudest voice I hear when He directs my mission. At least twenty youth, who in the past only came to church for Friday nights, are getting more involved in Saturday and Sunday services as well as bible studies and drama or sport teams in the past month.
As part of my outreach to get more children involved in Sunday School and young adults in youth group I support sports and activities in the community. New Song has a great piece of land available to the community and they keep it open to anyone, not just church members. Every day the land is filled with Christians and non-believers passing time on the courts or in the fields. Most of the competition and playing is unorganized but I have helped start a kickball team and kept a baseball team together by supporting a coach/trainer on monthly salary. I want to get volleyball, soccer, and basketball teams organized when time and support allow. We have a drama/dance team that practices with coaches on the weekends and I am looking to help them as well. By offering such activities, it builds relationships and raises interest in the people to get involved with other church events.
To assist with Sunday school I am currently helping the teachers by supplying attendance sheets and photocopies of curriculum materials. We support Sunday school classes in full in Candelaria with outreaches to four other communities. In Candelaria, there are five classes ranging from ages 3-20 with 150-200 children present weekly. I help these teachers with cost of some materials for crafts and photocopy bible stories and worksheets for each month’s curriculum. In the other outreaches, I am working to get teachers in place and divide children by age because right now they just meet as one class with children 3-20. La Isla/Guanacastal has around 40 children and there are about 60 in Quitanka. Nuevo Amanecer has over 70 and Santa Matilde brings around 100 a week. I keep up with attendance for all of these communities to help learn the names of the kids and to try and divide classes by age in the future. Candelaria’s Sunday school has become very well organized and with time I hope to model the others more like it.
Keeping up with Sunday school and learning about each kid also helps me with the Adopt-a-Family program that New Song has begun. For children active in Sunday school and good attendance in classes we are working to get those in school land keep them in school. Schools are public, and require only a little bit of money towards cost of uniforms and school material, but in these communities, most families cannot even afford these small costs. I am working to get the children/youth with the most service to the church and highest needs sponsored by families in America so that they can get an education. I am working to gather more information for each family to post online and hoping to have every family adopted/sponsored. Once linked with an American family, I stay busy keeping Nicaraguan and American families in touch communicating letters and reports.
Along with the four major projects I have listed above I use any other time I find serving Tommy, Linda, and New Song Mission Nicaragua with whatever needs come up. I often help Oscar with accounting and teaching him to run the computer software. When the groups come from the states on short term mission trips, I do my best to help them with their goals while trying to keep Tommy and Linda free to keep New Song running close to its schedule. When Linda gets time to send her updates of their mission projects back and wants a video or pictures to assist the report I get those made and online or put on DVD. There are many other things we do our best to tackle, when they come up as planning here can only get you so far. Staying flexible is extremely important and making decisions on the fly is daily practice.
The best things happening here recently that I want to praise God for are the young people who have decided to be baptized. Two girls were baptized about 2 weeks ago and this coming weekend we will have 3 guys and 5 more girls baptized. I am enjoying the personal friendships that I am making and helping with the sporting events, etc. but it is far more rewarding to see these people starting relationships with Jesus.
My short term future plans include taking Spanish classes and a 7-10 day return to the states. I am desperate to learn Spanish better and improve my communication with people here. I can understand and read Spanish decently, but I need to expand my vocabulary and work on speaking the language. I am hoping to start classes next week. I will be back in the states in 10 weeks to see two home football games at Appalachian, visit with friends and family, and work to raise more support for future goals.
I want to say thank you to everyone’s interest in my work here. I am building some great relationships and seeing some awesome changes here as God works in me and through me. I love and miss you all, and want to extend a special thank you to all who have supported me in prayer and finances. Although I may be far away in distance, I still feel your love and encouragement each day. I am anxious to see you when I am home the last week of October. I only see that visit lasting about a week as I have no plans of finishing what God has put in front of me here soon. Thanks again for your support through prayer and an extended thank you to those of you who have supported me financially.
In Christ,
Jim Bob “Diego” Norman
John 15:13
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Heading for Costa Rica
Our season for groups has come to an end and what a great 6 months it has been! Our most recent group from IHBC of Charlotte, NC was 2 weeks with about 20 people serving in many ways in Santa Matilde. They fed children and families, repaired and built houses, had medical and dental clinics, held Baptisms, did manicures and pedicures, along with many other activities for children and families.
They left this past Friday morning and Linda actually got a flight with them to Texas to spend some time with her daughter, Trisha. The only other group we have is 5 girls with World Race who are spending the rest of August in the dental clinic out in Candelaria and helping us in so many ways. They are building relationships and hosting a bible study two mornings a week mostly for the youth. They are very independent and a true blessing to us for the month.
I am leaving Leon for Costa Rica early tomorrow morning because my 90 days are currently up and I need to border cross. I think that I am only going to stay for a night or 2 and return to keep things going with our growing youth group and catch-up things I have not had time for with all the back to back groups. I do plan to visit Costa Rica another time, as well as the other Central American countries for more extended time, but for the next couple days I think I will only be traveling just south of the border, to Liberia at furtherest.
They left this past Friday morning and Linda actually got a flight with them to Texas to spend some time with her daughter, Trisha. The only other group we have is 5 girls with World Race who are spending the rest of August in the dental clinic out in Candelaria and helping us in so many ways. They are building relationships and hosting a bible study two mornings a week mostly for the youth. They are very independent and a true blessing to us for the month.
I am leaving Leon for Costa Rica early tomorrow morning because my 90 days are currently up and I need to border cross. I think that I am only going to stay for a night or 2 and return to keep things going with our growing youth group and catch-up things I have not had time for with all the back to back groups. I do plan to visit Costa Rica another time, as well as the other Central American countries for more extended time, but for the next couple days I think I will only be traveling just south of the border, to Liberia at furtherest.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Busy Busy Busy
Even though I have internet back, I am staying busy with all these groups here so the blog is still behind...
The group is spending almost all of their time in Santa Matilde and we are joing them there as well as trying to do all of our things in Candelaria.
For the next 2 weeks you can see what IHBC is doing by following Evan Dixon's blog:
http://www.evandixon.com
And to see our 2 month video report please right click below and "Save target as..." download, then watch our 13 minute update:
http://www.makemsmile.info/0722big.wmv
May God Bless You This Week!
Jim Bob "Diego" Norman
John 15:13
The group is spending almost all of their time in Santa Matilde and we are joing them there as well as trying to do all of our things in Candelaria.
For the next 2 weeks you can see what IHBC is doing by following Evan Dixon's blog:
http://www.evandixon.com
And to see our 2 month video report please right click below and "Save target as..." download, then watch our 13 minute update:
http://www.makemsmile.info/0722big.wmv
May God Bless You This Week!
Jim Bob "Diego" Norman
John 15:13
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Big Youth Weekend
7.18.08
I spent the morning getting everything ready for youth group tonight while the groups did some last day shopping and touring around Leon. We got to Candelaria around 1 this afternoon and the group visited homes and Morgan held his last first aid class. Tommy went to Chinadega and was successful in getting Pastor Pablo’s motorcycle. About half of the group went with Big O to a public high school in Chichigalpa beside the big baseball stadium and got to minister to 3 different classes. We all had dinner at the bloquera and returned for an amazing youth event.
We had some relay races in extra clothes and some water games. Daniel and Kervin played keyboard, with Tommy on drums and Joel on bass for our best worship time to date. The kids were extremely enthusiastic and it setup a great message from Big O. The kids gave him great attention and many kids were touched.
7.19.08
We all came back to Leon after the youth event near 10 pm and some of us stayed up until the bus left for the airport at 2:30. I rode along so that the driver, Pablo, would have someone riding home with him from 4:30-6:30. We got the group to the airport and they prepared for their flight out at 6 am. I went to sleep around 7 am and slept until mid afternoon. This evening I caught a bus out to Candelaria for their youth service and spend the night. About 7 of the youth guys stay in the church every night to make sure no one is stealing from the garden or bodega over night, and I wanted to stay a night. There is an all day youth event tomorrow with City of God church in Chichigalpa that starts at 6 am, so I needed to be out here anyways.
7.20.08
We woke up at 5 am and left Candelaria at 5:30 to meet City of God Church and bus out to the ranch for the all day event “My New Heart.” Pastor David and his wife invited 40 youth from Candelaria to join their 60 youth in full day together. The morning included verse memorization, dramas, and testimony and prayer in small groups. Then around 20 youth shared their testimonies in front of the entire group with a lot of forgiveness, hugs, and tears. It was a very powerful morning as so many of these young adults have a lot of stored hate in their hearts. We had a break for lunch and then had some dance time and a beauty pageant. 2 sister from Candelaria came in first and second place. The day at the ranch ended with some awards and prizes before the busses returned to City of God Church for an evening service. Some of the youth shared their testimonies in front of the whole church and their parents, and then Tommy shared some bible verses and a message about not caring what others think.
7.21.08
Scarleth, Leo, and I had the day off and bussed out to the beach for the afternoon. I spent most of the day napping in a hammock catching up from the long weekend and 10 days of the group being here. We have a group coming Friday from IHBC of Charlotte, NC so we will spend the next few days getting things ready for their arrival.
I spent the morning getting everything ready for youth group tonight while the groups did some last day shopping and touring around Leon. We got to Candelaria around 1 this afternoon and the group visited homes and Morgan held his last first aid class. Tommy went to Chinadega and was successful in getting Pastor Pablo’s motorcycle. About half of the group went with Big O to a public high school in Chichigalpa beside the big baseball stadium and got to minister to 3 different classes. We all had dinner at the bloquera and returned for an amazing youth event.
We had some relay races in extra clothes and some water games. Daniel and Kervin played keyboard, with Tommy on drums and Joel on bass for our best worship time to date. The kids were extremely enthusiastic and it setup a great message from Big O. The kids gave him great attention and many kids were touched.
7.19.08
We all came back to Leon after the youth event near 10 pm and some of us stayed up until the bus left for the airport at 2:30. I rode along so that the driver, Pablo, would have someone riding home with him from 4:30-6:30. We got the group to the airport and they prepared for their flight out at 6 am. I went to sleep around 7 am and slept until mid afternoon. This evening I caught a bus out to Candelaria for their youth service and spend the night. About 7 of the youth guys stay in the church every night to make sure no one is stealing from the garden or bodega over night, and I wanted to stay a night. There is an all day youth event tomorrow with City of God church in Chichigalpa that starts at 6 am, so I needed to be out here anyways.
7.20.08
We woke up at 5 am and left Candelaria at 5:30 to meet City of God Church and bus out to the ranch for the all day event “My New Heart.” Pastor David and his wife invited 40 youth from Candelaria to join their 60 youth in full day together. The morning included verse memorization, dramas, and testimony and prayer in small groups. Then around 20 youth shared their testimonies in front of the entire group with a lot of forgiveness, hugs, and tears. It was a very powerful morning as so many of these young adults have a lot of stored hate in their hearts. We had a break for lunch and then had some dance time and a beauty pageant. 2 sister from Candelaria came in first and second place. The day at the ranch ended with some awards and prizes before the busses returned to City of God Church for an evening service. Some of the youth shared their testimonies in front of the whole church and their parents, and then Tommy shared some bible verses and a message about not caring what others think.
7.21.08
Scarleth, Leo, and I had the day off and bussed out to the beach for the afternoon. I spent most of the day napping in a hammock catching up from the long weekend and 10 days of the group being here. We have a group coming Friday from IHBC of Charlotte, NC so we will spend the next few days getting things ready for their arrival.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
July 10-17 Pinnacle & Friends!
07.10.08
Linda spent the day meeting with some dentists that might be able to help her once the clinic gets going. Tommy and I rode in the van to pickup Jennifer, her 2 sons, and Allison from Pinnacle Church of Waynesville, NC. My friend Brittany McManus from Miami also flew in to stay a week. 8 more people from Pinnacle will be coming Saturday. The 4 from Pinnacle made it on time, but arrived with none of their 8 checked luggage and Brittany arrived a few hours late but had no problems with luggage. We came back to Leon and met up with Linda for dinner at Solera.
07.11.08
The Gables and Jennifer spent the morning having a board meeting with 2 different people involved over phone. The youngsters of the group and myself planned for Friday Night Youth Group and had lunch together at Tip Top. We went out mid afternoon and had some fun playing volleyball and setting up for the night. Daniel and Allison did a lot with the first 30 minutes of games and entertainment, then I shared some videos. Joel played drums in place of Tommy who went back to Leon to meet a taxi driver with the luggage. Daniel led a good worship service and then Joel shared verses and a message on God’s love with Oscar interpreting. We got back late in taxi and met Tommy, who was successful in getting all of the luggage.
07.12.08
A college friend, Rebecca Adams, who is teaching English for the year of 2008 in Costa Rica emailed me last night saying she was in Leon and she met up with us this morning. Tommy took all of us to climb and sand board / run down Seiro Negro, while Jennifer and Linda spent some friend time. The volcano was a lot of fun and afterwards Rebecca decided she wanted to stay and hang with us a few more days before continuing her vacation days further north. We all went and had dinner at Hollywood Pizza and played cards and hung out at Hotel San Juan waiting on the rest of the Pinnacle team to fly in. I left in a taxi at 10 to meet Ben Rexroth at the airport and returned at 2 am.
07.13.08
This morning was a fully packed Sunday School service, with extra children there from Pastrana’s new reach out community, Quitanka and others from Nuevo Amanecer. Oscar used Lorencito to tell the miracle of the feeding the 5000 with bread and fish. Yaihaira and Rigoberto dressed as clowns and the kids loved it. In the afternoon, Pinnacle took our top 20 Candelaria youth members (hopefully soon to be leaders) to the Bloquera Bethel for lunch and an afternoon of games, dancing, and sharing with Big O. My friends joined Tommy, Oscar, and I in Guanacastal for a short message. We then had our Sunday night service with Tommy preaching from 1 John chapter 4.
07.14.08
The 4 of us from my house went out by bus this morning to the beach for a full Monday off from the mission, while Pinnacle did some tourist things in Leon. They also visited with children in the hospital. The rest of Pinnacle joined us early afternoon and gave the Gables some time alone. Many of the group rented surf boards and a few actually got up. We had a competitive afternoon of beach volleyball and time to just relax and visit, and just get to know each other better. We had a great seafood dinner at Suyapa and headed back to Leon.
07.15.08
Linda and Big O went to Chinadega this morning after dropping off Shawn, Jody, and Lee in Candelaria for their first of 3 days doing roof repairs. Big O started the process of getting a motorcycle for Pastor Pablo in Guanacastal. Ben, Leo, and I organized all of the trunks and luggage donations Pinnacle brought in the clinic and separated trunks for a big clothing sale tomorrow. Most of the Pinnacle group helped Linda get things ready for a medical clinic we have planned for tomorrow and playing with kids. Morgan, the nurse of the group, held his first of 3 planned first aid meetings teaching people from different villages. Big O had a late afternoon meeting with youth leaders of Candelaria and we all came back for dinner at Casa Vieja.
07.16.08
Oscar, Tommy, and Big O continued working in Chinadega to get Pastor Pablo’s motorcycle bought and are hoping to have it paid for and all paperwork compete Friday. Shawn and Jody roofed all day. Linda and the rest helped in the medical clinic. Scarleth, Leo, and I spent the entire day running the clothing sale of the trunks Pinnacle brought last trip and this trip. New clothes were sold for less than half price of market clothing and some used clothing and shoes were next to nothing. All of the money is going into more roof repair with the heavy rain season coming soon. Morgan had his 2nd session of first aid class and Jennifer met with her craft ladies. Dana and Jennifer also went to visit some of the new, smaller villages we have started working in with stuffed animals for the children. Big O had a youth service tonight for people in Candelaria with awesome results. 7 or 8 young adults came forward at the end to give their lives to Christ.
07.17.08
Today was the groups “fun day.” We left in a full 15-passenger van for Masaya and Granada this morning. We had a snack lunch in Masaya and did some shopping. I got a huge hammock and I’m very excited to put it up soon! We went out on the lake and to monkey island in the early afternoon and then went to the rain forest zip lines. The group really had a lot of fun with all fun things Granada offers. They continued some shopping just before dark in Granada’s central park and then we had dinner at the Roadhouse. We got back to Leon with enough energy to crawl in bed and sleep.
Linda spent the day meeting with some dentists that might be able to help her once the clinic gets going. Tommy and I rode in the van to pickup Jennifer, her 2 sons, and Allison from Pinnacle Church of Waynesville, NC. My friend Brittany McManus from Miami also flew in to stay a week. 8 more people from Pinnacle will be coming Saturday. The 4 from Pinnacle made it on time, but arrived with none of their 8 checked luggage and Brittany arrived a few hours late but had no problems with luggage. We came back to Leon and met up with Linda for dinner at Solera.
07.11.08
The Gables and Jennifer spent the morning having a board meeting with 2 different people involved over phone. The youngsters of the group and myself planned for Friday Night Youth Group and had lunch together at Tip Top. We went out mid afternoon and had some fun playing volleyball and setting up for the night. Daniel and Allison did a lot with the first 30 minutes of games and entertainment, then I shared some videos. Joel played drums in place of Tommy who went back to Leon to meet a taxi driver with the luggage. Daniel led a good worship service and then Joel shared verses and a message on God’s love with Oscar interpreting. We got back late in taxi and met Tommy, who was successful in getting all of the luggage.
07.12.08
A college friend, Rebecca Adams, who is teaching English for the year of 2008 in Costa Rica emailed me last night saying she was in Leon and she met up with us this morning. Tommy took all of us to climb and sand board / run down Seiro Negro, while Jennifer and Linda spent some friend time. The volcano was a lot of fun and afterwards Rebecca decided she wanted to stay and hang with us a few more days before continuing her vacation days further north. We all went and had dinner at Hollywood Pizza and played cards and hung out at Hotel San Juan waiting on the rest of the Pinnacle team to fly in. I left in a taxi at 10 to meet Ben Rexroth at the airport and returned at 2 am.
07.13.08
This morning was a fully packed Sunday School service, with extra children there from Pastrana’s new reach out community, Quitanka and others from Nuevo Amanecer. Oscar used Lorencito to tell the miracle of the feeding the 5000 with bread and fish. Yaihaira and Rigoberto dressed as clowns and the kids loved it. In the afternoon, Pinnacle took our top 20 Candelaria youth members (hopefully soon to be leaders) to the Bloquera Bethel for lunch and an afternoon of games, dancing, and sharing with Big O. My friends joined Tommy, Oscar, and I in Guanacastal for a short message. We then had our Sunday night service with Tommy preaching from 1 John chapter 4.
07.14.08
The 4 of us from my house went out by bus this morning to the beach for a full Monday off from the mission, while Pinnacle did some tourist things in Leon. They also visited with children in the hospital. The rest of Pinnacle joined us early afternoon and gave the Gables some time alone. Many of the group rented surf boards and a few actually got up. We had a competitive afternoon of beach volleyball and time to just relax and visit, and just get to know each other better. We had a great seafood dinner at Suyapa and headed back to Leon.
07.15.08
Linda and Big O went to Chinadega this morning after dropping off Shawn, Jody, and Lee in Candelaria for their first of 3 days doing roof repairs. Big O started the process of getting a motorcycle for Pastor Pablo in Guanacastal. Ben, Leo, and I organized all of the trunks and luggage donations Pinnacle brought in the clinic and separated trunks for a big clothing sale tomorrow. Most of the Pinnacle group helped Linda get things ready for a medical clinic we have planned for tomorrow and playing with kids. Morgan, the nurse of the group, held his first of 3 planned first aid meetings teaching people from different villages. Big O had a late afternoon meeting with youth leaders of Candelaria and we all came back for dinner at Casa Vieja.
07.16.08
Oscar, Tommy, and Big O continued working in Chinadega to get Pastor Pablo’s motorcycle bought and are hoping to have it paid for and all paperwork compete Friday. Shawn and Jody roofed all day. Linda and the rest helped in the medical clinic. Scarleth, Leo, and I spent the entire day running the clothing sale of the trunks Pinnacle brought last trip and this trip. New clothes were sold for less than half price of market clothing and some used clothing and shoes were next to nothing. All of the money is going into more roof repair with the heavy rain season coming soon. Morgan had his 2nd session of first aid class and Jennifer met with her craft ladies. Dana and Jennifer also went to visit some of the new, smaller villages we have started working in with stuffed animals for the children. Big O had a youth service tonight for people in Candelaria with awesome results. 7 or 8 young adults came forward at the end to give their lives to Christ.
07.17.08
Today was the groups “fun day.” We left in a full 15-passenger van for Masaya and Granada this morning. We had a snack lunch in Masaya and did some shopping. I got a huge hammock and I’m very excited to put it up soon! We went out on the lake and to monkey island in the early afternoon and then went to the rain forest zip lines. The group really had a lot of fun with all fun things Granada offers. They continued some shopping just before dark in Granada’s central park and then we had dinner at the Roadhouse. We got back to Leon with enough energy to crawl in bed and sleep.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
July 2-9
i turned 24 wed, july 2...i feel the oldest and really wish i just turned 20...other things of this week include:
of my original to-do list of the week i feel most of them turned out well...youth group went well, the bodega is much more organized, and the things that need to be in the dental clinic have been cleaned and moved there...i very much enjoyed seeing the great things pastrana, eduardo, and rigo have started in the community behind candelaria...i have gotten a few of the big families broken down with full names and ages added to adopt-a-family...rigo has his bike and is currently investigating the best place to begin drum lessons thanks to God and Richard for helping with such a unique and willing young man...sunday i got new headshots for everyone that was present in sunday school (about 100 3-18 year olds) to help with IDs or other attendance sheets
the best things of this week i feel were the blessing of young people that helped me with the bodega organizing and moving supplies to clinic because without them this would have never happened in an afternoon
saturday was very refreshing as the gables and i went without translators and got many things accomplished in chinadega and just schedule-free fellowship and love with some of the best youth young men and seeing the santa matilde girls' parents house and how willing they are to share their fruits and have you visit with them
i also felt like tommy had terrific lessons on both friday and sunday night with great response
we have a team of 12 coming in from asheville, NC on starting this thursday for about a week...i also have a personal friend, Brittany McManus, coming from Miami and Ben Rexroth is making another 1-week trip down from Indiana.
should be a great week with a medical clinc and youth retreat planned along with other outreach fun and games
God Bless You all up north,
Diego
John 15:13
of my original to-do list of the week i feel most of them turned out well...youth group went well, the bodega is much more organized, and the things that need to be in the dental clinic have been cleaned and moved there...i very much enjoyed seeing the great things pastrana, eduardo, and rigo have started in the community behind candelaria...i have gotten a few of the big families broken down with full names and ages added to adopt-a-family...rigo has his bike and is currently investigating the best place to begin drum lessons thanks to God and Richard for helping with such a unique and willing young man...sunday i got new headshots for everyone that was present in sunday school (about 100 3-18 year olds) to help with IDs or other attendance sheets
the best things of this week i feel were the blessing of young people that helped me with the bodega organizing and moving supplies to clinic because without them this would have never happened in an afternoon
saturday was very refreshing as the gables and i went without translators and got many things accomplished in chinadega and just schedule-free fellowship and love with some of the best youth young men and seeing the santa matilde girls' parents house and how willing they are to share their fruits and have you visit with them
i also felt like tommy had terrific lessons on both friday and sunday night with great response
we have a team of 12 coming in from asheville, NC on starting this thursday for about a week...i also have a personal friend, Brittany McManus, coming from Miami and Ben Rexroth is making another 1-week trip down from Indiana.
should be a great week with a medical clinc and youth retreat planned along with other outreach fun and games
God Bless You all up north,
Diego
John 15:13
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
ADOPT A FAMILY
Adopt-a-Family is offically online!
The project I have been gathering information for and getting online for the past couple months is now up and running!
Thanks so much for the help Kevin Howell and Evan Dixon!
Please take time to watch the video and visit the site.
VIDEO:
http://makemsmile.info/adoptfam.wmv
ADOPT SITE:
http://newsongmissionnicaragua.com/adoptafamily/
If you fill led to adopt-a-family and help with their school needs and basic living costs please do not hesitate to do so today!
The project I have been gathering information for and getting online for the past couple months is now up and running!
Thanks so much for the help Kevin Howell and Evan Dixon!
Please take time to watch the video and visit the site.
VIDEO:
http://makemsmile.info/adoptfam.wmv
ADOPT SITE:
http://newsongmissionnicaragua.com/adoptafamily/
If you fill led to adopt-a-family and help with their school needs and basic living costs please do not hesitate to do so today!
Still No Internet...ACC trip posted
After tropical storm Alma and some other thuderstorms I no longer have internet at my place...the times I can get on are limited right now and will only become less as we will be busy with teams from june 19 until august 9
i truly appreciate all the love, support, and interest from my readers and i will do my best to get updates up when i can...posts will not be as frequent, but when i post it will be a long time covered (like the 10 days below)
the short times i do have at cyber cafes or quick minutes we meet before heading out from the gables house are used to try and keep up with emails and work on newsongs adopt a family website
i am hoping to get back on more often soon...love you all and please continue to pray for the work here...
Jim Bob "Diego" Norman
John 15:13
i truly appreciate all the love, support, and interest from my readers and i will do my best to get updates up when i can...posts will not be as frequent, but when i post it will be a long time covered (like the 10 days below)
the short times i do have at cyber cafes or quick minutes we meet before heading out from the gables house are used to try and keep up with emails and work on newsongs adopt a family website
i am hoping to get back on more often soon...love you all and please continue to pray for the work here...
Jim Bob "Diego" Norman
John 15:13
ACC Trip
Sat. 21
After a long day in the village yesterday and late night with youth group Scarleth and Linda both used today to try and recover from being sick. Tommy took the 6 from ACC to the beach for the afternoon. I did some work this morning from my house and then spent the whole afternoon and night celebrating Alejandra’s 5th birthday. It was a lot of fun meeting more of her friends and family. They had 2 piñatas and lots of dancing. Viky and Oneada stayed busy feeding around 60-people the entire night. I was very glad to be there to experience that day with Alejandra and her family.
Sun. 22
We went out to the village for the afternoon and ACC had an all afternoon drama workshop. A couple of different churches from Chichigalpa came to Candelaria and they worked with small groups on mimes and skits. We had planned to have an evening service as well, but Tommy started feeling bad mid afternoon and we came back to Leon after the drama workshop.
Mon. 23
June 23rd is Father’s Day in Nicaragua. Just like mother’s day it does not have to fall on a Sunday, but is celebrated on a date each year. We went to La Isla for an afternoon Father’s Day service. Pastor Daniel led some great worship, with help from Adam and Pastor Pablo’s wife. ACC did two different dramas and Jessalyn shared her testimony. The event was very well attended by many fathers from Guanacastal/La Isla, an area where nearly no men attend any church events. Pastor Pedro’s brother, Isaiah, has been doing some home visiting there and got a good turnout. He and Pastor Pablo both shared scripture and then we all had soft drinks and cookies.
Tues. 24
Tommy took the ACC team to climb and surf the volcano this morning, while Oscar and I worked on finances from the Gables office. In the afternoon, we went to the basketball arena in Chichigalpa to meet with some of the youth from Pastor David’s Church of God. They had been a big part of the drama workshop Sunday and were hosting a team from the states that had a basketball game planned for the evening. We watched the first half and then ACC did a halftime mime/drama.
Wed. 25
The Gables left with the ACC team to enjoy 4 days at Montilemar Beach this morning. Oscar and I did what we could to catch-up finances with Susan over the phone this morning. Leo and I took local transportation out for baseball practice in Candelaria, while Oscar stayed to work on getting the medical/dental container here later this week we hope. Scarleth is still taking time off to try and get better and has seen a few different doctors.
Thurs. 26
Today was a lot like yesterday, with Oscar and I working from the Gables this morning and then Leo and I going out for baseball practice. The garden is really looking great! The corn and papaya trees have gotten so tall and other plants are beginning to produce. Oscar worked hard again today getting things in line for delivery of the container to Candelaria. They told him today, that it should ship from Managua tomorrow afternoon and be unloaded in Candelaria tomorrow night.
Fri. 27
Scarleth went out with Leo and I for baseball and then we all ran the Friday Night Youth event. Daniel spoke in Tommy’s absence and everything went very well. Oscar did a lot of communication work from Leon and the container got to Candelaria around 6 this evening. While we had youth some of the men/youth boys in the church worked hard to unload everything and get it locked into the clinic by 8:30. Oscar and many other people in Manugua and the states did an unbelievable job to get this container here very fast and smoothly.
Sat. 28
I rode with Pablo, a co-worker of Freddy’s, to get the team at Montilemar in the van early this morning. We picked up the original 6 and two men that joined them Thursday night at the resort. Their senior pastor Rick Snow and Richard will be with us for the next 4 days before the whole team flies out July 1. We got back to Leon around noon and then headed to Candelaria for an afternoon service led by Pastor Snow on leadership. It was well attended by 5 different church pastors and many leaders of Candelaria. With Oscar busy in class, his brother, Alvaro, served as Rick’s interpreter and did a great job!
Sun. 29
We took a truck load and van load out for a great afternoon and evening! The ACC 8 plus our normal 5 and extra interpreters: Alvaro, Laura, and David spent time visiting Santa Matilde and La Isla in the afternoon, and then went to Candelaria for Pastor Rick to lead the evening service. We trucked in big groups from La Isla/Guanacastal and Santa Matilde to fill the church for an amazing night. Daniel led worship and Pastor Snow encouraged us all to become servant leaders. There were probably over 150 people and then 60 plus kids in the congregation. Tommy and Rick married a couple from Santa Matilde after the message and then ACC said their goodbyes and had an extended send off of hugs and goodbyes.
Mon. 30
Tommy, Linda, and I took ACC to visit some other parts of the country today before they head back for the states tomorrow morning. We left Leon in the morning and grabbed lunch in Granada. They spent time walking around, Nicaragua’s top tourism city buying souvenirs and getting massages until mid afternoon. We then took a boat ride for 90 minutes around the world’s largest lake and visited monkey island. The group really enjoyed feeding/petting the monkeys and then the girls decided to jump off the boat for a little swimming. We went to Masaya to let the group see one last city and buy their last gifts. We all ate dinner at a great Mexican restaurant in Managua’s newest mall and then took the team on to stay at the Best Western across the street from the airport. Tommy, Linda, and I rode back to Leon with Pablo driving, and ACC will fly out at 6 am tomorrow morning.
Tues. 1
I cannot believe that it is already July! I spent the day getting the rest of the biographies up for adopt a family and updating the past 10 days worth of the blog. We will have a full day staff retreat tomorrow to plan for the upcoming month and groups. Adopt-a-Family should also be launching tomorrow from NewSong’s website. Scarleth and I have been working a lot with the help of Kevin Howell and Evan Dixon to get this online and ready to go.
Please take time to watch our video and visit the site. If you fill led to adopt-a-family and help with their school needs and basic costs please do not hesitate to do so today!
VIDEO:
http://makemsmile.info/adoptfam.wmv
ADOPT SITE:
http://newsongmissionnicaragua.com/adoptafamily/
After a long day in the village yesterday and late night with youth group Scarleth and Linda both used today to try and recover from being sick. Tommy took the 6 from ACC to the beach for the afternoon. I did some work this morning from my house and then spent the whole afternoon and night celebrating Alejandra’s 5th birthday. It was a lot of fun meeting more of her friends and family. They had 2 piñatas and lots of dancing. Viky and Oneada stayed busy feeding around 60-people the entire night. I was very glad to be there to experience that day with Alejandra and her family.
Sun. 22
We went out to the village for the afternoon and ACC had an all afternoon drama workshop. A couple of different churches from Chichigalpa came to Candelaria and they worked with small groups on mimes and skits. We had planned to have an evening service as well, but Tommy started feeling bad mid afternoon and we came back to Leon after the drama workshop.
Mon. 23
June 23rd is Father’s Day in Nicaragua. Just like mother’s day it does not have to fall on a Sunday, but is celebrated on a date each year. We went to La Isla for an afternoon Father’s Day service. Pastor Daniel led some great worship, with help from Adam and Pastor Pablo’s wife. ACC did two different dramas and Jessalyn shared her testimony. The event was very well attended by many fathers from Guanacastal/La Isla, an area where nearly no men attend any church events. Pastor Pedro’s brother, Isaiah, has been doing some home visiting there and got a good turnout. He and Pastor Pablo both shared scripture and then we all had soft drinks and cookies.
Tues. 24
Tommy took the ACC team to climb and surf the volcano this morning, while Oscar and I worked on finances from the Gables office. In the afternoon, we went to the basketball arena in Chichigalpa to meet with some of the youth from Pastor David’s Church of God. They had been a big part of the drama workshop Sunday and were hosting a team from the states that had a basketball game planned for the evening. We watched the first half and then ACC did a halftime mime/drama.
Wed. 25
The Gables left with the ACC team to enjoy 4 days at Montilemar Beach this morning. Oscar and I did what we could to catch-up finances with Susan over the phone this morning. Leo and I took local transportation out for baseball practice in Candelaria, while Oscar stayed to work on getting the medical/dental container here later this week we hope. Scarleth is still taking time off to try and get better and has seen a few different doctors.
Thurs. 26
Today was a lot like yesterday, with Oscar and I working from the Gables this morning and then Leo and I going out for baseball practice. The garden is really looking great! The corn and papaya trees have gotten so tall and other plants are beginning to produce. Oscar worked hard again today getting things in line for delivery of the container to Candelaria. They told him today, that it should ship from Managua tomorrow afternoon and be unloaded in Candelaria tomorrow night.
Fri. 27
Scarleth went out with Leo and I for baseball and then we all ran the Friday Night Youth event. Daniel spoke in Tommy’s absence and everything went very well. Oscar did a lot of communication work from Leon and the container got to Candelaria around 6 this evening. While we had youth some of the men/youth boys in the church worked hard to unload everything and get it locked into the clinic by 8:30. Oscar and many other people in Manugua and the states did an unbelievable job to get this container here very fast and smoothly.
Sat. 28
I rode with Pablo, a co-worker of Freddy’s, to get the team at Montilemar in the van early this morning. We picked up the original 6 and two men that joined them Thursday night at the resort. Their senior pastor Rick Snow and Richard will be with us for the next 4 days before the whole team flies out July 1. We got back to Leon around noon and then headed to Candelaria for an afternoon service led by Pastor Snow on leadership. It was well attended by 5 different church pastors and many leaders of Candelaria. With Oscar busy in class, his brother, Alvaro, served as Rick’s interpreter and did a great job!
Sun. 29
We took a truck load and van load out for a great afternoon and evening! The ACC 8 plus our normal 5 and extra interpreters: Alvaro, Laura, and David spent time visiting Santa Matilde and La Isla in the afternoon, and then went to Candelaria for Pastor Rick to lead the evening service. We trucked in big groups from La Isla/Guanacastal and Santa Matilde to fill the church for an amazing night. Daniel led worship and Pastor Snow encouraged us all to become servant leaders. There were probably over 150 people and then 60 plus kids in the congregation. Tommy and Rick married a couple from Santa Matilde after the message and then ACC said their goodbyes and had an extended send off of hugs and goodbyes.
Mon. 30
Tommy, Linda, and I took ACC to visit some other parts of the country today before they head back for the states tomorrow morning. We left Leon in the morning and grabbed lunch in Granada. They spent time walking around, Nicaragua’s top tourism city buying souvenirs and getting massages until mid afternoon. We then took a boat ride for 90 minutes around the world’s largest lake and visited monkey island. The group really enjoyed feeding/petting the monkeys and then the girls decided to jump off the boat for a little swimming. We went to Masaya to let the group see one last city and buy their last gifts. We all ate dinner at a great Mexican restaurant in Managua’s newest mall and then took the team on to stay at the Best Western across the street from the airport. Tommy, Linda, and I rode back to Leon with Pablo driving, and ACC will fly out at 6 am tomorrow morning.
Tues. 1
I cannot believe that it is already July! I spent the day getting the rest of the biographies up for adopt a family and updating the past 10 days worth of the blog. We will have a full day staff retreat tomorrow to plan for the upcoming month and groups. Adopt-a-Family should also be launching tomorrow from NewSong’s website. Scarleth and I have been working a lot with the help of Kevin Howell and Evan Dixon to get this online and ready to go.
Please take time to watch our video and visit the site. If you fill led to adopt-a-family and help with their school needs and basic costs please do not hesitate to do so today!
VIDEO:
http://makemsmile.info/adoptfam.wmv
ADOPT SITE:
http://newsongmissionnicaragua.com/adoptafamily/
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Past 2 Weeks
Wed 11
We took 200 pineapples to be planted later this week. Pastor Jose bought a new keyboard for the church with the money raised through offering. The land at the end of the field down by the river has been plowed and ready for corn and beans to be planted. The Gables got back tonight from their week vacation and will be catching up in the village tomorrow.
Thurs 12
We went out today for the afternoon and Tommy and Oscar met with some pastors. Linda and Scarleth talked with the sewing ladies and garden workers. Leo ran baseball and I spent time visiting and letting the youth know about the big youth event at the baseball stadium in ChiChigalpa tomorrow that we would go to instead of hosting our usual Friday Night Youth Group. Linda and I met the 4 girls with World Race at the bus station in Leon and took them out to stay at the Bloquera Bethel for the night.
Fri 13
We went and got the girls from the Bloquera and made it to Candelaria around 2. Leo began baseball practice and Scarleth got the girls setup with some of the garden workers and other women in the church to plant corn. The church got the pineapple planted in the morning. Scarleth and Tommy held some pastor meetings and I visited La Isla. We went to the Chichigalpa baseball stadium for a big youth event put on by some people from Managua. There were probably 250 or more young adults in attendance. The first couple hours were drama and worship; we had to leave to get the World Race girls to dinner at the Bloquera and ourselves back to Leon.
Sat 14
We rode out to get the girls at the Bloquera and then drove back through Leon and out to Poneloya for an afternoon at the beach. We had time to talk to the girls about their 11-month Thailand-Central America World Race and make plans for them to lead Sunday School tomorrow. We had dinner at Suyapa and then drove them back to the Bloquera and back for bed in Leon.
Sun 15
Scarleth and I went out this morning on bus to meet the girls to lead Sunday School. They shared dances, songs, and stories from the different countries they have been visiting since September. Scarleth translated and I hung out with kids in the congregation. In the afternoon, Oscar’s brother, Freddy, led drama practice and the World Race girls and I played with some of the other kids. Tommy, Linda, and Oscar came out for evening service, but with both Tommy and Linda fighting some sickness we only stayed through worship.
Mon 16
On Monday, Scarleth and I went to watch some baseball at a University in Leon. A team called Athletes in Action, AIA, from the US was in Leon to play a double header. The teams is made up of different college baseball players through Campus Crusade for Christ and they are in Nicaragua for 3 weeks. They scheduled some mission work, baseball clinics, and 18 games with young men in Nicaragua. We watched them play a 7-inning game that ended in a 0-0 tie and then another game against Leo and some of his Dominican teammates that ended in a 7-7 tie.
Tues 17
Tuesday was a day off for the Gables to try and fully recover before a group of 6 from Atlanta City Church get here for 2 weeks. Oscar and I worked to answer some emails and settle some finances from San Juan de Leon all day. Scarleth is still sick on and off the past 2 weeks, so Oscar and I are trying to stay healthy and praying for the rest of the team to feel better before all the groups start coming for the rest of summer.
Wed 18
We had our first full staff meeting since the Gables return from the States. We spent some time checking up on each other and Tommy shared from 1Timothy 4. We went over our extremely full calendar for the next 3 months and Linda shared dates for upcoming staff retreats and meetings. We all went out for a typical Wednesday. Leo is staying busy with a growing baseball team. Tommy, Linda and Oscar held a Candelaria church and small business leaders meeting. Scarleth and I went to meet with Pastor Pablo and Rosa in La Isla to help them with Sunday school attendance and getting the right families ready for Adopt-a-Family to kickoff soon.
Thurs 19
Scarleth and I worked with Linda today in Leon to get almost all of the families online and ready for Adopt-a-Family to be ready online. Tommy and Oscar had a meeting with Pastor Jose and took Leo to run baseball practice. Freddy drove the Gables and me in his bus to get the ACC team from the airport. We left Leon at 6 pm and got back a little after 10. The team of 3 guys and 3 girls ages 17-27 will be here for 2 weeks helping with youth group, drama, and whatever else comes up. They will also be spending about 5 vacation days site-seeing the country.
Fri 20
We went out today with a very big group: Our team of 6, ACC team of 6, 2 extra translators and a 16-year old girl named Sarah from California visiting my neighbors. ACC spent time visiting homes and playing with kids in the afternoon, while Scarleth and I setup for youth group. ACC ran the youth event tonight with games and dancing for the first 45 minutes. Adam led worship singing 2 songs in English and 1 in Spanish. Daniel also sang 2 songs in Spanish before ACC shared some drama and testimonies. Jade shared first, and then the full team did a drama called “the gift.” Adam shared his testimony and we all enjoyed refreshments.
We took 200 pineapples to be planted later this week. Pastor Jose bought a new keyboard for the church with the money raised through offering. The land at the end of the field down by the river has been plowed and ready for corn and beans to be planted. The Gables got back tonight from their week vacation and will be catching up in the village tomorrow.
Thurs 12
We went out today for the afternoon and Tommy and Oscar met with some pastors. Linda and Scarleth talked with the sewing ladies and garden workers. Leo ran baseball and I spent time visiting and letting the youth know about the big youth event at the baseball stadium in ChiChigalpa tomorrow that we would go to instead of hosting our usual Friday Night Youth Group. Linda and I met the 4 girls with World Race at the bus station in Leon and took them out to stay at the Bloquera Bethel for the night.
Fri 13
We went and got the girls from the Bloquera and made it to Candelaria around 2. Leo began baseball practice and Scarleth got the girls setup with some of the garden workers and other women in the church to plant corn. The church got the pineapple planted in the morning. Scarleth and Tommy held some pastor meetings and I visited La Isla. We went to the Chichigalpa baseball stadium for a big youth event put on by some people from Managua. There were probably 250 or more young adults in attendance. The first couple hours were drama and worship; we had to leave to get the World Race girls to dinner at the Bloquera and ourselves back to Leon.
Sat 14
We rode out to get the girls at the Bloquera and then drove back through Leon and out to Poneloya for an afternoon at the beach. We had time to talk to the girls about their 11-month Thailand-Central America World Race and make plans for them to lead Sunday School tomorrow. We had dinner at Suyapa and then drove them back to the Bloquera and back for bed in Leon.
Sun 15
Scarleth and I went out this morning on bus to meet the girls to lead Sunday School. They shared dances, songs, and stories from the different countries they have been visiting since September. Scarleth translated and I hung out with kids in the congregation. In the afternoon, Oscar’s brother, Freddy, led drama practice and the World Race girls and I played with some of the other kids. Tommy, Linda, and Oscar came out for evening service, but with both Tommy and Linda fighting some sickness we only stayed through worship.
Mon 16
On Monday, Scarleth and I went to watch some baseball at a University in Leon. A team called Athletes in Action, AIA, from the US was in Leon to play a double header. The teams is made up of different college baseball players through Campus Crusade for Christ and they are in Nicaragua for 3 weeks. They scheduled some mission work, baseball clinics, and 18 games with young men in Nicaragua. We watched them play a 7-inning game that ended in a 0-0 tie and then another game against Leo and some of his Dominican teammates that ended in a 7-7 tie.
Tues 17
Tuesday was a day off for the Gables to try and fully recover before a group of 6 from Atlanta City Church get here for 2 weeks. Oscar and I worked to answer some emails and settle some finances from San Juan de Leon all day. Scarleth is still sick on and off the past 2 weeks, so Oscar and I are trying to stay healthy and praying for the rest of the team to feel better before all the groups start coming for the rest of summer.
Wed 18
We had our first full staff meeting since the Gables return from the States. We spent some time checking up on each other and Tommy shared from 1Timothy 4. We went over our extremely full calendar for the next 3 months and Linda shared dates for upcoming staff retreats and meetings. We all went out for a typical Wednesday. Leo is staying busy with a growing baseball team. Tommy, Linda and Oscar held a Candelaria church and small business leaders meeting. Scarleth and I went to meet with Pastor Pablo and Rosa in La Isla to help them with Sunday school attendance and getting the right families ready for Adopt-a-Family to kickoff soon.
Thurs 19
Scarleth and I worked with Linda today in Leon to get almost all of the families online and ready for Adopt-a-Family to be ready online. Tommy and Oscar had a meeting with Pastor Jose and took Leo to run baseball practice. Freddy drove the Gables and me in his bus to get the ACC team from the airport. We left Leon at 6 pm and got back a little after 10. The team of 3 guys and 3 girls ages 17-27 will be here for 2 weeks helping with youth group, drama, and whatever else comes up. They will also be spending about 5 vacation days site-seeing the country.
Fri 20
We went out today with a very big group: Our team of 6, ACC team of 6, 2 extra translators and a 16-year old girl named Sarah from California visiting my neighbors. ACC spent time visiting homes and playing with kids in the afternoon, while Scarleth and I setup for youth group. ACC ran the youth event tonight with games and dancing for the first 45 minutes. Adam led worship singing 2 songs in English and 1 in Spanish. Daniel also sang 2 songs in Spanish before ACC shared some drama and testimonies. Jade shared first, and then the full team did a drama called “the gift.” Adam shared his testimony and we all enjoyed refreshments.
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