Uh yeah, this is men's Bible study...

For sure it's a relaxed atmosphere in our men's Bible study.  But so many seeds are being sown and the men are soaking up the Gospel message!  Thank you Lord for these guys!

Time & Attention

Don't we all just want a little time and attention?

Kellie with Magdeline and Dalila

Please Pray For Them

Only a few weeks before moving to Nicaragua, the Lord distinctly adjusted my heart and gave me a burden for young adults.  I knew He was leading me to do something specifically with this group of "youths" as they are in a tumultuous time in their lives. Just as we saw in Kenya, this age group is often lost, truly "sheep without a shepherd".  They have finished their primary schooling, are not longer children protected under the guidance of their parents, are free to make their own decisions and are likely to make choices which will literally change the direction of the rest of their lives. No longer compelled to attend church and often rebel against that Holy institution, this generation is desperately seeking the Truth to the purpose for their lives.

God is indeed fulfilling his calling of me to lead these peoples.  At this point, four months in Nicaragua, the Lord has brought several young adults into the life of our family with whom we have personal trusting relationships with.  As I disciple these individuals, I ask that you would join me in praying zealously for them, specifically that the Spirit would draw them to Himself and that they would respond to Him submissively.

I will list those who are currently in my sphere of influence so that you can pray for them by name.  We know that God hears our prayers and wants to give us what we ask so we can pray knowing that He will respond.  Therefore as they develop and grow in Christ, I will be thrilled to update you how God moves.

Gema

Sandra

Kelly

Maria

Yorleni

David

Kenia

Gerald

Teresa

Abel

Alejandro

Christmas Eve in the Park

So thankful to have Papaw and Nana with us for Christmas!

Just who does the black hat belong to?

Some Pre-Christmas Fun at Jiquillio

Jacob practicing his surfing with PaPaw

Michael and Gema goofing off

Abigail and Nana found some shade

A walk on the beach with Papaw and Nana

Christina enjoying sand art

Gabriel and Gema take on Diego and Kenia in a game of Rook

Brandon posing with the sun.  We miss you man!

Gema and Kenia enjoying God's breathtaking sunset and ocean

PaPaw teaching Abigail to play checkers

Jacob learning to surf

Gabriel

So thankful for our time together!

Hoy es La Griteria

On December 7th at 6PM heard from different cathedrals and churches is “¿Quién causa tanta alegría?” (Who causes so much happiness?). The response from many people is ‘La Concepción de María’ (The conception of Mary). At that time, in cities and towns people start exploding fireworks and firecrackers. In the larger cities, including Chichigalpa, it gets so noisy that many tourists might think that a war has just started in Nicaragua. Of course, this also happens Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Mary is the reason for ‘La Gritería’. The virgin is thanked for the miracles. It is a celebration used by people to thank the virgin for miracles and it takes place before the official day. Faithful people decorate altars in their houses in a place where they can be seen from the street. In some neighborhoods you can find more than three altars in just one block.  People visit the houses with altars and sing for gifts.  (Kind of like a mixture of Halloween and Christmas.)

This is my neighbor's altar.  There was a bowl of burned incense on the floor.

She sat just inside her gate, and handed out gifts as people came by to sing.  Although I'm certain God is not pleased with the misplaced worship of this holiday, He did use the tradition to bless me today.  When I asked Magda if I could take her picture, she gave me a gift of an oven mitt before I left.  I really needed one of those!  I'd been using thin hand towels as hot pads.  Praise the Lord for His provision!

Holiday Season

It's the time of the year to celebrate Christmas but here in Nicaragua it seems as if all of the praise and glory goes to Mary, the mother of Jesus.  We're learning a lot about the rituals of Catholicism as we walk around town, watch the processions, listen to the fireworks, hear the shouts in the streets, and talk with the local people.  Unfortunately there is much empty religious activity, and little evidence of personal relationships with Jesus.  We're truly living in a lost world which needs to seek Jesus as the Savior He came to this Earth to be.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...

A New Friend

So glad to have a new friend Maria over for a time of getting to know each other and discussion about life in Nicaragua.