All in a Summer's Work

 The summer started with a visit from my brother David. He came to finish building the kitchen in our Rancho and the kitchens in the two new girls homes at Villa Esperanza. He originally came to stay for two weeks, little did he know he would live here for a month. He finished the kitchen in the Rancho just in time for our first team to arrive. And let me tell you how happy our kitchen staff was!! He also built a bathroom with two new stalls in the Rancho, helped build and finish two kitchen islands in the new girls homes. All the while teaching and mentoring Reynaldo, one of our workers here at the Villa. What a blessing it was to have David here at the Villa for a long visit. We did have a few days off to go sight seeing and visit some places that are not on the usual short term mission team schedule. He got to taste a little of the daily life here in Nica.

David w/ Cori and Flor de Lis in their new kitchen.

 

Also during David's stay we hosted a Family Day celebration in Villa Esperanza as well. We partnered with El Faro church, a church that ministers to the community that lives in and around Managua's city dump.We expected almost 400 people to fill our village to help celebrate. And almost all showed up!! We had great time of worship, a message was presented on family values, lunch and fellowship, games and fun for the kids. But I think the adults had just as much fun!

Worship

Girls living at Villa Esperanza dancing in worship.

We took pics of ourselves...

 played on the playground...

 ate together... (Pastor Ramon and his wife Miriam)

We raced in potato sacks...

and walked blindfolded learning to trust.

 We made friends (Gloria's nephew Alex and my bro Dave)..

 and we gave out Coke's as prizes!!

We had a wonderful time just laughing and being together. The summer season was coming soon and we were preparing for 3 months of hosting God sent visitors. Now I know summer is over, but this is mi time to get caught up and update you all on the last four months of happenings for me in Nica. Please forgive the late  but, better late than never, updates.The next installment coming soon!

Prayer:

• Praise God for the moments He gives to spend time with our friends and family.
• Praise Him for every new day of life.
• Pray for FEI's field staff in Nica for wisdom and guidance as we choose a new girl to move into the Villa.
• Pray the Lord would prepare her heart as well as her family's.
  

In the Future

It was nice to travel back to Nicaragua with two friends from the Forward Edge home office that were joining us down in Village of Hope to help plan for the future. We arrived at the Village and we were greeted by the wind blowing and the sun shining. A team from New York was holding teacher training classes for the teachers from the dump school. All the girls were off school and playing on the playground. And a back- hoe, yes, I said back-hoe clearing the land for the next two girls homes!! The Village was bustling with all types of activity. Since there was no school, children from the dump were bused in for afternoons of sports camps help in the open field near the back of the property. It was wonderful to hear the shouts and the laughter coming from the kids all day, knowing that the possibility of some of the girls who came to visit for the day will soon call the Village their home.
Our future planning involves the possibility of buying an adjacent property to the Village which will have a medical clinic, vocational center, missionary training and housing and a small guest home. The idea of opening this area to the community is a great vision FEI has for the Village of Hope. To offer training and education for those that live around the Village will fill a great need in the community.

New construction on girl's home #3.

Thank you to all who wrote letters and sent pictures to the girls of the Village. They have enjoyed receiving greetings and treats from all of you, especially the ones they have met before. They really feel special and are realizing there is a possibility for future relationships. They love to see pictures of your families and, of course, of themselves. This, I believe, boosts their self-esteem every day.

Martha reading a letter from my home church.

This week its back to school and a daily routine for us all as we anticipate and plan for our next team March 10th. A group of fourteen women ages 23 -69, are coming to minister to women. Women here Nicaragua love their girl time too.
Please pray with me:
· Preparation for the next 16 girls moving into the Village and their family’s hearts.
· Construction would be smooth and timely.
· Gloria’s health as she comes into the final 2 months of her pregnancy.
· A re-invigorated relationship with the Lord for all of us serving him here in Nicaragua.

A Look Back At 2008

I don't want to use many words, the pictures speak for themselves. Thank you to all who helped support this wonderful project and who helped support me personally these last two years.

God Bless you!

The first homes in Villa Esperanza are built.

The first 16 girls moved in to their new homes July 1, 2008.

A day at the beach for the girls: Maria Celeste, Alondra,

Julieth, Betty, Ana, Erminia, Brittany, Xochilt.

Dance class at Villa Esperanza.

Homework time with Alondra and Xochilt.

Ana, Brittany Perla, Erminia and Karina.

Washing the Villa dog, Milo with Wilbert, Monica Scarleth and Betty.

Brittany and me.

Baptisms: Karina and Pastor Ron and Ramon

Scarleth

Perla

Monica

Graduation from primary school: Roberto, Perla and Gloria.

Making new friends: Jose Ramon and girls from Motastepe.

Privilege of the girls washing my feet for my birthday.

New Christmas dresses for everyone!! Thank you Nick and Johnna.

Christmas caroling with Newtown Church!!!

Lights at every rotunda.

Out searching for Christmas lights with Hazel, Hope and Elizabeth.

Maria Celeste, Alondra, and Brittany our angels.

Christmas time in Quinta Malu, my home.

My new home.

My new puppy Lucy.