Day 3 - House #1 completed!

Today was a long yet fun filled day. For me it began at 5:30 a.m. and we returned to the compound at 9:40 p.m.  It consisted of lots of building for me and yet I still got time to play with the many children. The children here are so sweet, loving, giving, and most of all they are patient. Despite my poor Spanish (hablo muy poquito español, I find myself often saying) the kids still love to play and communicate in other ways.

Their beautiful smiles, bubbly laughs, and kind-hearted gestures are more than contagious. While I adored working with kids, as I thought I would, I was reminded that lifting heavy things and working on construction may not be my thing.

                I had the privilege of learning much today about construction, building, and about how much heavier things are than they look (the cement bags). I also realized all the more that if Ryan or Miss Becky can pick something up, that does in no way mean I can. I had to smile and look down with a small bit of shame when I heard the native workers say “gringos” and begin to loudly laugh. The workers however are extremely patient. Despite our many, many, mistakes they teach and re-teach us how to do it right and do nothing more than laugh when we mess everything up. I am so grateful for them, the work that they do, and the things they taught the group to do.

                The bus rides are another fun part of this trip. I enjoy sitting with my friends, but also getting to know others better. Sitting back and listening to the many funny and highly entertaining conversations going on around me may just be one of my favorite parts. Today I listened to Timothy present himself again as the chicken of death (Tim, el pollo de muerto) and Kiana’s story of how her black eye really happened (her tale is much more heroic than that of those with her).

Speaking of favorite parts today, we watched one of our translators, Eduardo, do many amazing card tricks and despite what others said I determined he is magical.

To finish off the day we went to Pizza Hut and I ate more pizza than I have in a long while.

                As for God’s work it is more than evident. God truly works in amazing ways. Communication is incredible with the children and the people despite the fact that I can communicate very little with them in words. Language and culture really are the only barriers between us and the native people. Through the prayers, the messages shared, and the looks that the children give we can see that God’s mighty hand is in control. It has only been two days here and my eyes have been opened so much. God is so good!

                                                                       In His Name,

                                                          Chelsea Kukulski

                As for me, the morning came all too early. Today has been an extremely long day. We left the compound at about 8:00am and returned at around 9:00pm. My team was tasked with completing the house the other team began to build yesterday. We had to put up the top half of the walls, which were made of wood. We also leveled the dirt floor of the house to prepare it for a proper floor. Although the group assigned to this task thought we did it correctly, the builders were less than satisfied with the floor. I still cannot believe how patient the workers were with us. They eventually completely redid the work that we did.

                

At lunch, I was reassigned to the VBS/evangelism team because of my enrollment in the Spanish 3 program. Jacob and I gave the plan of salvation using a “salvation cube” to the children.

We also, as a team, danced with the children to several songs. After all the previous events, we had the opportunity to play games such as pato, pato, gonzo (duck,duck, goose), soccer, and several parachute games. While a group of kids played outside, another made crafts inside the church.

                After VBS, we attended a church service at the same church where we held VBS. Mr. Goede had a very encouraging message for us all.

                

On the way back to the compound, we stopped at a Pizza Hut and had an “American” dinner.

                Today was very encouraging. Seeing how joyful people at church were, and how happy the children were, was truly amazing. 

The people of Nicaragua are very encouraging to me as a whole, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the week brings!

                                                -Alexander Baker

Day 2 - Building Homes and Building the Kingdom

Today was an experience that I will never forget.

We were all able to start the day right in God’s word. 

Next we ate an extraordinary breakfast followed by an hour and half bus ride to our job site. We worked on building a house for Pastor Justo.

Shortly after, we had the amazing opportunity to minister to the kids while playing games, singing songs, presenting the gospel, and putting on plays.

Jacob shared the gospel - in Spanish!

The first day in Nicaragua was the best I have ever lived and can’t wait for more like it in the coming days.

                        

                                                                                                        -Tim Alvarado

                Even though it has only been two days, this is an experience I will never forget.  I have loved every second of it.  After a great nights sleep, my dorm-mates and I got up to spend some one-on-one time with God. 

After taking this well needed time with God, we walked into the mess hall only to see a beautiful looking breakfast.  I enjoyed plates full of fruit, sausage, beans and rice, pancakes, and eggs.  After that, we all sun screened and bug sprayed up and loaded on the bus.  During this hour and a half bus ride, I tried to take in as much of the culture as I could.   I found it fascinating.  There were many open shops, and everything was very colorful.

Today my team was going to work on building pastor Justo’s home.  I hammered nails, moved blocks, cemented walls, and cut tar strips.  I was a little nervous about the language barrier but it was much easier than I thought.  When they pointed to my bucket of dirt and then pointed to a hole, I understood.

 After getting some walls built and getting the roof up, we stopped for lunch.  We ate PB and J’s with chips, crackers, and pudding.

Then, we split up and some went to VBS and the rest of us went to building again.  We got a lot done on the home so Kristi, Stephanie, and I had time to go and meet a family with three cute little boys.  We tried our best to talk to them but it was difficult.  We did connect through laughter. 

So far, I’ve loved every second of this trip and I don’t think I’ll be ready to leave any time soon.  Please keep us in your prayers.  Pray that we all will be strong both physically and spiritually, and pray that we will just be able to be a beacon of light to the people down here.

                                                                                                                                -Olivia Johnson

BIOS

1) What one thing has impacted you so far on the trip?

2) What do you hope/pray to see God work/change in              you?

Timothy Alvarado

16 yrs, Junior

1) Seeing how the kids found joy in the simple things, like watching us being silly, a balloon animal, playing a simple running game.

 2)I hope that God will give me a better perspective of how other people live and give me more gratitude for what I have.

More great moments from our day:

Pastor Justo, the Pastor whose home we are building, came to share with us today.

We have been richly blessed as we serve where God has brought us.

Day 1 - Monday We made it!

Well after a long day of changing altitude and seeing many new places, experiencing many new things, we made it to Nicaragua.

Even though the plane rides and security checks were stressful, we are all praising God and thanking Him for the safe travels. 

We had about an hour drive from the airport to the compound.  Everybody is settled in and ready to start a busy week.    

Preparing lunches for Day 1 on the job site.

Ryan Nuss

It was a very early start this morning, but we are grateful to all who came and sent us off with prayer.

God blessed us with several opportunities to share about our up-coming mission. One conversation even took place in Spanish between Chilean Italians and brave Spanish 3 students.

We are grateful for smooth flights and smooth going through customs - thank you for praying us through.

It's late here (remembering that we are in Central time zone), so check back for daily updates.  By the way, sign up on this page to the right to be notified when new entries are posted.

Buenas noches - hasta luego.

Mrs. Heys

One Week!

In just one week, we will arrive at the airport in the wee morning hours (4:00 a.m.) to check in, have a time of prayer, get through TSA and then wait for our 5:40 a.m. departure.

We're all pretty excited (well, maybe not so much about that 4:00 a.m. thing) and so looking forward to seeing what Jesus is going to do through us in Nicaragua.

We had a great team retreat this past weekend, which really helped to begin the bonding process. We lugged our sleeping bags, pads/mattresses, pillows, Bibles, notebooks, etc. into the school about 6:00 p.m. Yay, sleepover!

Our 18 hours together were spent in prayer, singing (yes, in Spanish), eating (of course!),

discussing how to work through conflict, discussing the travel and cultural logistics, team building exercises and trust building exercises.

 



(In this trust building exercise, one team member was blindfolded while the partner had to direct them through a course using only Spanish directional words. We did pretty well... only one person ran into a wall when the directing partner couldn't remember the word for "stop" (alto).  ;o) )

We also practiced the two skits and signing song and packed about 20 tubs full of clothing, toiletries, towels, toys, peanut butter, Ranch dressing, sheets and pillowcases.

This coming week will be busy with school, basketball tournaments and last minute packing.

In the last post, it was mentioned that the team would be introduced here. I apologize that illness kept yours truly from gathering pictures and info for that. So you will meet everyone in a coming post.

We deeply desire that you would lift this team to the Throne this week for God's work and way. Some needs that we have are:
1) Several of the team members are ill, please pray for recovery before our long day of travel.
2) That each team member would be watching for ways to step out of their comfort zone and share the gospel this week here at home. (If we can't do it here, how can we expect to do it there?)
3) That God will expedite all our luggage and tubs through customs without any issues or confiscation. (It's a third world country, sometimes when they open a tub they may like something they see and take it.)
4) That God will build servant hearts in each of us to love and serve the Nicaraguan people.

This Wednesday (22nd) there will be a prayer time for the trip and team during chapel and all invited to join. It will start at 8:05 a.m. in the gym.

Thank you so much for your prayer and support!

Nicaragua 2017!

How can a year pass by so quickly? It truly seems like just last month that we returned from Nicaragua.

If you recall (or you may not even know), rather than the juniors and seniors from Heritage Christian School, last year's team was from New Beginnings Church in Bozeman. You can read all about our sharing and God's working in the entries below.

This year's team is again made up of Heritage juniors and seniors. Seventeen students and 10 adults make up the team, our largest yet.

We will leave Bozeman on Monday, February 27 and return Tuesday, March 7.

Please return here soon to meet the entire team. In the meantime, we ask if you will please begin to pray for us. Pray for team unity, health and God's preparation in our hearts for what He has planned. Thank you!