IN THE STATES week 2

My parents and I made a road trip Saturday to visit with my dad’s parents in Lincolnton, GA. We got there in time to suffer through the Bulldogs horrible game against the Gators and then watched an awesome Texas Tech win over Texas.

Sunday morning we went to Goshen Baptist Church and my grandmother led Sunday school. I shared about my mission work in the service, and then we all had a big lunch back home. My parents left to return to North Carolina and I rode with my grandparents down to see my cousins in Apopka, FL. Some friends came over from Orlando and took me into the city for the night.

Monday and Tuesday I enjoyed time with my Orlando friends in the day and enjoyed the Steelers game on MNF, but then sat bored through the election Tuesday night.

Brittany and I traveled to Miami mid morning Wednesday and hung out at the beach and pool for the afternoon. We visited with other Miami friends Wednesday night, and all day Thursday.

Friday I flew out of Miami and got to Managua, Nicaragua around 2. All my stuff made it fine, and I bussed into Leon for the night.

For those of you that I missed seeing, and for all that I got to pass time with, during the 2 weeks I was in the states I hope our paths cross again soon. I have no plans of coming back into the states until September 2009, and unless something changes it will just be another short visit. If you get a chance to come down for a visit or short term mission trip, I would love to see you down here in Nicaragua.

IN THE STATES week 1

FIRST WEEKEND:
I flew back to the states for the first time since February 14, 2008 on Thursday, October 23. I flew into Raleigh and stayed the night with my sister. I came to Boone on Friday and spent time with the rest of my immediate family. I also had time to see my old roommates and stayed the night where I lived for the past 3 years before moving to Nicaragua.

I saw a lot of old teammates, college friends, my grandad, aunt and uncle at the ASU football game last Saturday, and we beat Furman! On Sunday, I spoke to the youth Sunday school class at FBC Boone, and shared for about 10 minutes in the morning service. It was great to see everyone from my home church, and know that they are always praying for NSMN and me. Sunday afternoon I got to spend time with my oldest sister, brother-in-law and nephew, while watching some NFL games.

FIRST WEEK:
On Monday, I met up with friends and got to play some pickup basketball; we took time catch-up on the past year as well. Tuesday morning, I spoke with Mrs. Shirley who will be putting an article in this years Journey magazine, coming out in the high country between mid Nov-mid Dec. I also had time Tuesday night to meet up with more friends.

Mom and I started some traveling on Wednesday. We went to Canten, NC in the afternoon to meet up with Heath, Big O, the Sellers family, and Pinnacles youth group at the Hub. I had a great time introducing my mom to all of my Pinnacle friends and then sharing somethings from my past 9 months with the youth. They are hoping to make a trip down this summer. We went on to Morganton, NC to spend the night with my mom's parents.

Thursday morning, I had some time to share with my grandparents, and some of Big Dad's friends. Mom and I left around noon for Greensboro to meet up with the rest of the family for my younger brother's last home soccer game. We got to meet up with Preston and Sandra Barnum for lunch in Winston-Salem, and enjoyed talking about future trips to Nicaragua this winter! I saw my dad's parents, and got more time with the family at the game and post game BBQ. We came back to Boone and I got to see a friend who came up from Charlotte.

Today, I will be packing as much as I can before more friends come into town from Asheville, and Charlotte for the ASU Wofford Halloween game tonight on ESPN2. I plan to have a great last day in North Carolina seeing as many more friends and family as possible, and hopefully a big ASU win!!!

COMING UP:
I'll finish packing tomorrow morning and ride with my parents to Lincolnton, GA where my dad's parents live. I'm speaking at their church Sunday morning and then riding down to Orlando, FL. I'll visit with friends in Orlando and Miami, until next Friday when I'll fly back home to Nicaragua!

By next weekend, I'll post "IN THE STATES week 2" for all that I have seen, thanks so much, it has been a blessing and for any I have missed I am truly sorry. I love you all and plan to be back sometime in September 2009. If you want to see me before that PLEASE come visit, I would love to see you, and the kids would too, but be careful IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!

God Bless,
Jim Bob / Diego

October Update

PHOTOSTORY VIDEO UPDATE - of our most interested youth

hello to all and im sorry for being out of touch for so long...for the past month i have been working my way into living in Candelaria full time...i have been staying in the village 4-5 nights a week the last month and this weekend i am fully moving out onto the land...pastor jose and his family moved to bethel after his retirement and we are working to turn his house into a youth house with all my things in 1 room, and another room for the 3 boys that watch over the land and sleep in the church every night as security...when i come into leon for spanish classes and staff meetings i will have a little bit of time online and hope to keep up with each of you

i am also making plans this next week for my first return to the US since feb 14...ill be flying into raleigh oct 23, and then spend a week in boone, NC..on nov 1-2 ill be heading to florida and fly back to Nicaragua nov 6...i have plans to speak at a few churches the last week of october, and if anyone else would like to try and setup a time for me to share what God is doing here I would love to get with your church or youth group

when i return in november i will be put in by New Song as the Youth Pastor...we want to then work on fixing up the house as a youth house, that will also serve as a small store for selling used clothes and meals, snacks, drinks...the other bed rooms we hope to setup as classrooms for our bible study and children during evening service

i am hoping to raise funds to secure all the windows and doors, as well as add electricity and a kitchen not only for myself and the 3 boys living with me, but to give the youth a safe place to come and hangout, watch movies, play games, fellowship, pray, study the bible, get a hot meal or snack, practice dance or drama, and run small businesses as alternatives to laying around their house or in the streets

i hope this update finds all of you doing well, and i hope we have a time to meet up during my trip to the states...once i get back in november i hope to have a better update and video plan for the youth house and adopt-a-family that i am currently heading up

God Bless,
Jim Bob "Diego" Norman
john 15:13
Make 'em Smile




LINDA'S UPDATE:
We have great news this month!!! Thanks to God and some dear friends, we will complete the Medical/ Dental clinic this year. Our administrator is getting busy preparing everything to comply with the government of Nicaragua and doing inventory this month. Once the clinic construction is completed we will build the kitchen and Bakery. We plan to begin our children's feeding project February 2009 when school resumes. We look forward to being able to serve the desperate needs of our community.
We are in a time of transition as our senior Pastor retired this week. He was 67 years old and in fragile health. We had a big celebration party for him to honor him and his family for 6 1/2 years of hard work for the Kingdom of God. Tommy is working with a team of local men and women to carry the many responsibilities of the community. Jim Bob Norman is going to live on the land and be our presence there.He is doing a great job with all of the new youth as they are growing in the Lord. They are really enjoying Tommy's discipleship classes!
It is exciting to see new life- spiritually and physically, seamless as a whole, transforming our community. Lives are being changed as people are finding their purpose in a framework of projects that give them a place to belong, be mentored, learn, and provide for themselves. Our Garden and our sewing group are finally self sustaining businesses, following a business plan that gives back into the community. We are harvesting fruits and vegetables now and have planted every square inch of our 5 acres possible to grow our own food so no one will be hungry.
I, Linda, am coming to the States November 7th-19th to present this mission to interested investors. Near the end of the year, charitable organizations may be interested in our work here and we would appreciate your help to locate or schedule presentations for me to come and share. This has been an incredible year and we stay in awe at how God has helped us during such times as we are in all over the world. Now that we are ready to open the clinic we need a broader funding base so we know that God will open that door. When He starts something He promises to finish it!
Please help us get our children adopted. Share this information with your friends to help us get the word out. For $35.00 per month you can choose your family on line, set up payments easily and we will personally take communications to the children for you. It is an opportunity to develop real relationships with families in another culture. It is a win-win for all!
We pray for you all, that God's blessings will outweigh the difficulties as you come to know Him in more of a reality than ever before.
We love you and feel thankful for your love!
Tommy and Linda

SEPTEMBER

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!