Nicaragua Team Update 6/22 and 6/23/12

June 25, 2012

June 22nd
Gary Justesen:

Most of the team either got sent to paint one of the roofs (the
roofs are galvanized roofing but because of the combo of moisture/heat
you need to paint to keep them from rusting out) or plant some bushes
along the walk. It's been nice and toasty most of the time here in Los
Cedros but sure enough, we planned to paint and we had a very heavy dew
in the morning. The plan was to get up at 4:30, be ready by 5, paint till it
gets really hot, come down rest and then finish later; we had a great
time fellowshipping, then breakfast and painting. But it went fast and
got done. Had time later to play soccer with the older boys and time
with the little ones too (mini VBS).  Got all the planting done but
have stuff left over that we'll need to find out where they want it
planted.

Kristi, Amy, and Gary went with the CHE representatives to visit the
Nehemiah Center. We met with the Director and heard of the different
ministries that work together to help bring health and wholeness to the
communities. One of the areas they focus on is bringing pastors and
wives together, to help strengthen their marriage. We left there and
traveled approx. 3hrs to Boaco, a community up in the mountains. We
visited 3 different communities, they provided lunch at one of the small
rather primitive homes. It was wonderful and we were very blessed by
them. It was great to hear how CHE communities have come together to
help provide for one another and even others that are not a part of
their community. Very long day but rewarding seeing the body of Christ
functioning like the body of Christ should.

Saturday we will work on some projects in the morning and then go to the
market in the afternoon.

Thank you all for your continued prayers (a few scrapes, bumps, and
bruises but nothing too much).


June 23rd
Bryan

Yesterday - The weather has continued to be warm and on the muggy side, but
cooler than our first day in Los Cedros.  We finished the planting here at
Los Cedros that we started the day before. While some of the team finished
the planting the rest of the team walked the property here praying over the
orphanage and crops, the children and the workers. Later in the day, the
team was able to go to one of the local markets and do some shopping to buy
hammocks, local crafts, etc.

Last night the power went out around 2am for quite a large area. Three of us
led worship at a local English speaking church that we attended this
morning. The power was still out just before church started and we were
scrambling to setup and change our songs to simpler ones since we wouldn't
have the projector we had planned on, let alone the piano, speakers, and
mics we had expected. Thankfully, right before church started, the power was
back and worship went well.

After lunch we took the older boys and toddlers to the beach. Three team
members were baptized as well as the head missionary's adopted son. It's
always amazing and uplifting to see baptisms in the ocean in Nicaragua. We
then got surfing lessons from a missionary who works at the orphanage and
also does work with Surfers with a Mission. It was a lot of fun to play
soccer with the boys on the beach, to see the toddlers play in the surf and
relax with the kids under a rancho.

Tomorrow, our last full day in Nicaragua, we're planning to go to a local
barrio to pray for and meet the people who live near the orphanage.