Day #10 Update [October 22]

Today is Dave's last full day in Nicaragua.  Awake at 6:30am, he organized a bit and began packing for tomorrow’s return home.  Regan met Dave at V*rbo church in Veracruz at 8:30am.  Regan brought coffee and a ham and egg sandwich that his son, David, made for Dave.  Blanca did not sleep well the night before and was resting in hopes of being able to join the guys for the Pastor's lunch later in the day.  They talked to Pastor Sergio to make possible arrangements to get Janet, a church member, new lenses for her glasses.  During the service, the Pastor announced to the congregation that Dave was leaving tomorrow, so everyone was saying theri "hasta la proximas" or, “see you laters" at the end of the service.  Church went from 9:45am to 12pm.  

After church, Regan and Dave picked up Blanca and Pastora Petronila and the Pastora from her sister church, Via Sol.  They met the other Pastors and their wives for lunch at Wing Box (Dave's new Veracruz office).  All together, they had representation from 6 of the 8 churches with whom One By One (OBO) partners.  Dave said they had a good lunch and visited.  The churches reviewed where they all were in their Community Bible Study (CBS) journey as well as their next steps since they are all in different stages of implementation.  

When our team was there last summer, OBO gave four of the churches $300ish and so they spent some time sharing how they had used the funds.  New Jerusalem bought new chairs and Hermanos en Cristo reported they repaired their roof.  They thanked the Pastors of the other churches for their members helping with the labor.  While changing the tin roof, they discovered some exposed electrical issues that were also repaired.  Dave saw the roof and electrical work at the CBS training last Saturday and said it was very nicely done.  Both of those churches provided documentation of the spent funds.  Prince of Peace Church has not yet spent their funds.  They plan to use it to put a roof on Buena Vista (their sister church).  Buena Vista is a relatively new congregation of less than 2 years, and has no walls or floor, just a roof, and it’s leaking.  They want/need to make the space bigger to keep them completely out of the rain because they have grown all the way to the edges of the space.

With regard to CBS, the number of churches in Veracruz using the materials increased from three to seven on this trip.  And all seven are now also trained in the use of CBS for children.  One of the 8 churches we partner with has been trained but has not begun using the material.  They want to use it, but Pastor Moises has not pushed forward with making groups, organizing, etc.  He was invited to lunch today, and accepted, but was not able to make it.  He is a full time taxi driver in Managua and is on rotating shifts.  He is a hard worker who loves the Lord.  He did call to apologize for not being there.  Dave assured him that he completely understood.  Regan agreed to meet with the Pastor this week, encourage him, and find out how we can help.  They discussed encouraging him to delegate more.  After serving the group lunch, the waiter introduced himself as a believer.  Everyone hung out and visited with him for a little while.

After lunch, the guys and Blanca went to Managua to visit Pastor Earl who you may remember was in a very serious car wreck last summer.  He is the director of V*rbo Nicaragua, appointed by Bob Trolese (founding Pastor) prior to his death in October, 2021.  Dave said he has no use of his body from the chest down, limited use of his arms, pain in his left arm, and has lost 60lbs (and was not overweight before the accident).  They had a good long visit with him and his wife, Demaris. 

From 6-9pm, the trio met with A***** and his wife A****** over dinner to follow up on their discussions over the last four visits regarding their relationship.  They have a new daughter who is 2 months old.  They had an encouraging visit, talking about a lot of things, and being very honest.  They both are very committed to having a healthy, Godly marriage.  Dave dropped Regan and Blanca at their home at 10:15pm, and returned to CasaB for the final night of this trip.  He wanted to read before dozing off, but was so tired he said he didn’t even remember turning the page. 

Day #9 Pictures

Jairo's first Championship baseball game (Veracruz vs Nindiri)

Lunch in Granada after Veracruz English Academy (VEA) students practiced their English with other English-speakers on the square.

*A bonus picture of the bicycle One By One purchased for Angel to help him get from the V*rbo property to VEA and anywhere else he needs to go!

Day #9 Update [October 21]

Today Dave got to sleep in, up at 6:30am.  He was at Regan’s house (location for Veracruz English Academy) by 7:30am to greet the VEA students for today’s Granada outing. 19 older students (mostly high school aged) and five adults left for Granada at 8:30am.  Dave stayed back for a little while to watch some of Jairos baseball game.  He left after the 4th inning to meet up with the group and Veracruz was up 6-1.  It was the Veracruz champion team playing the Nindiri champion team in a best of seven series.  The players are ages 10-11. 

Ervin rode to Granada with Dave and they met up with Regan and Blanca and the VEA group at Querubes in Granada for lunch.  The students had split up into four groups, with an adult in each group, and introduced themselves to English speakers they met on the square to welcome them to Nicaragua and have conversations in English. 

After lunch (above) they returned to the Granada square as a group and boarded the bus to return to Veracruz.  When they arrived at VEA in Veracruz, most of the younger students were waiting there for them to begin the second part of the day, a trip to Managua.  The bus stopped to pick up some students closer to their homes along the way, and they all went to Sabana Grande Park in Managua.  Regan had some games prepared for the young people and they also split up into boys vs girls and played soccer on the concrete at the park.  It was drizzling the whole time, but not a hard rain.  The group of 41 students and 8 adults went to Valenti’s for a pizza dinner.  After eating, they returned to Veracruz and had the students home by 8:30pm.  Regan, Blanca, and Dave debriefed a bit, and he was back at CasaB by 9:30pm.  Another great day in Nicaragua!

Day #8 Update

A stop at V*rbo Chr*st*an School for coffee began the day for Dave again.  While he was waiting for Regan to pick him up, Dave got to take some pictures of the 2023 senior class (see below) as they were taking their official class photos.  Their last day of school will be November 20th and graduation will be December 1st.  The returning students will then be on their break until the first week in February, 2024.  Angel, that I've mentioned before, is pictured below, 8th from the right - one of the two smaller boys, on the right.

Faris, one of the V*rbo/VEA students that One By One (OBO) supports, stopped to talk to Dave while he was waiting at the school's outdoor cafeteria.  He is 16 years old and has one more year of high school left.  He shared with Dave that he has feelings for a young lady who we also know (she is a 16 year old VEA student as well and they have known each other since they were small children).  The feelings are reciprocal and so they talked a bit about their "friendship” and Faris agreed to continue to be a good friend to her, and continue to honor God in all they do.  Dave was encouraged that he wanted to talk about it, and he could see that Faris cares about her.  When Regan and Blanca arrived to pick up Dave, they agreed to continue the conversation later.

From there, the trio went to pick up Carol at her home and made a quick stop at her parent's road-side tortilla shop (see below) to greet her parents.  

Then they went to pick up Melisa and her mother, Anjelica.  The group went shopping at Huembus market, and then had a great lunch at PriceMart (like a Sam's or Costco).  The girls were home by 12:30pm, in time for their school which begins at 1pm.  “Reddy”, Regan's van, was now ready to be picked up from the mechanic after getting new bearings in the rear wheels and a tire replaced.  Usually in Nicaragua, one has to pick up the parts and take them to the mechanic since they don't have auto parts delivery like we have here in the USA, but because the guys were short on time and they have a good relationship with him, the mechanic went to pick up the tire and wheel parts for them and then made the repair.  These types of things (picking up parts, getting a haircut, etc.) are all day events in Nicaragua.  The parts totaled $98 and he asked for $16 in labor and time; so under $120 later, Reddy was back on the road.  

Following that, they went to pick up Jeysi, Jairo, and their parents for an outing together.  The siblings have been OBO-sponsored students at VEA for about three years.  Jairo is a very good baseball player and the first of his best-of-seven championship series is in the morning.  They had dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings so they could watch MLB.  Dave said they watched Houston’s come-back and some of Arizona's win.  As Dave noted, "that was crazy special for him".  They do have a TV in their home, but no cable and the screen is broken, so it is hard to watch anything.  And the opportunity to eat out with their family at a nice restaurant with air-conditioning and TV is a very rare and special experience.  

The students that we are mentioning in these updates are students that OBO sponsors (quite a few of them for numerous years) and so you can see that sponsorship goes far beyond them simply learning English (which by itself is extremely impactful in their lives).  Together, we are able to come alongside the family to provide encouragement, friendship, and to make a difference in their lives in multiple ways.  When they ask "why?", we get to share the Great News of God's amazing love for us and the hope and peace that can only be found through Jesus Christ.  Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus through your partnership in this ministry!  We are encouraged by the number of people who read the updates.

V*rbo Chr*st*an School Class of 2023 (above) 

Carol, in between her mom and dad beside their road-side tortilla shop (above)

Pictured L to R: Regan, Blanca, Jarito, mama, Jeysi, and Jairo Sr.

Day #7 Update [October 19]

This morning Dave arose to a knock on his door at 5:45am.  It was Eduardo, bringing him more purified water and his clean clothes.  He was at V*rbo Chr*st*an School again before 7am for his morning coffee.  Regan made his way to Verb* school to meet up with Dave and to speak with a young teacher about helping out at Veracruz English Academy (VEA), since the teaching staff is down to Regan and "Teacher Giovani" and they need some additional help.  

While there, they learned that Amy (daughter of a friend of ours) was very sick.  She was throwing up in class and had a terrible stomach ache.  A very generous donor (THANK YOU!) contributed funds a year or so ago for One By One to purchase a 2011 Prado that Dave drives when we are there.  Good used vehicles in Nica are hard to find but we had the opportunity to purchase this one from the Mennonite community in Nicaragua.  We have developed a friendship with the Assistant Director of CAM in Nicaragua and his family, as we have helped each other over the last few years with medical clinics.  They are very meticulous about caring for what God has blessed them with, so the vehicle purchase was a great opportunity and has been used well in ministry thus far.  They were able to give Amy and her mom, Erica, a ride home, so her mom could let the ladies at the bakery (that they own and operate with their husbands), know she would be gone this morning while they took Amy to a medical clinic in Ticuantepe about a 30-minute drive away.  The men left the ladies there with money for a return taxi ride and lunch since they were going to be there for at least three hours, probably quite longer. 

On the way back to Veracruz, Regan and Dave stopped for breakfast and then returned to the Down's house to take care of some administrative business and finalize more plans for the rest of his time there this trip.  Receipts were provided for routine maintenance, a new timing belt, and insurance registration on the Prado; for the breakfast and lunch on Sunday's CBS training at New Jerusalem Church; a bicycle for Angel's transportation to class; and for Mateo’s rehabilitation and transportation costs, including special shoes.  Those items totaled $685.  Mateo is the little boy we met last summer who was a healthy boy before he fell in the dump behind their home and has been suffering from seizures and has not been able to walk or talk since then.  With your support since the summer, Mateo has been evaluated by specialists and is receiving much needed and potentially life-changing therapy.  Marcos, Mateo's dad said Mateo is getting a little better as he goes.  Dave noted that Marcos sounded encouraged but he knows that the family still hopes for more progress.  Will you please continue to remember this family in your prayers?  So much time went by between the accident and initiation of therapy, but we know God is the Great Physician and can heal Mateo completely if that is His will.  Thank you for supplying some of this family's needs (2 Corinthians 8:1-15) so they know they are not in this circumstance alone.  They are so very appreciative.  When you give to One By One, these are some of the many things that your money goes to support!  

On that note...Would you please be in prayer about if God is calling you to join One By One as a recurring supporter or to make a one time contribution to advance God's Kingdom in Nicaragua?  Many of you have been with us on this ministry journey from the beginning and we are SO THANKFUL for you and the way you faithfully pour yourself out, in prayer and financially, for others who you may never know in person.  Thank you for carrying the burdens of your brothers and sisters in Christ in Nicaragua (Gal. 6:2).  You are making a difference in the lives of so many and we hope you get a glimpse of the difference you are making through these updates.

The guys left Regan’s house around 12:30pm to pick up Angel (the lone young man still remaining from C*sa B*rnabe Orph*n*ge who now resides with a family on the V*rbo farm) to purchase his graduation clothes.  On the way out of Veracruz, they stopped at Carol's house to confirm she could go with them tomorrow morning for breakfast and school shopping.  The group traveled into Managua to Centro Commercial and then Huembes market, making a stop for lunch at Rosti Pollo in between.  They were able to buy some dress pants, a belt, white t-shirts, two dress shirts, socks, and new shoes for $110.  They were back in Veracruz at 6pm and stopped to confirm that Melisa and her mom would be able to join the shopping venture with Carol in the morning. 

Regan and Blanca’s V*rbo Church community group/bible study started at 6:30pm.  They studied John 5.  While Regan and Blanca had been involved in Community Bible Study (CBS) with another church, V*rbo was one of the new-to-CBS churches that attended the training last weekend.  They plan to start a CBS study of Genesis next week.  After the Bible study ended at 8:30pm, Regan, Dave and Teacher Giovani took Angel to the store to purchase some hygiene items and food for Dave's final three days in Nica.  Regan dropped the other three off at CasaB by 9:45pm.

Day #6 Update [October 18]

In the mornings while Dave is getting coffee at V*rbo Chr*st*an School, he has been able to see some old friends (teachers, administrators, and parents bringing their children to school).  That is a perk of not having coffee at the Team Center.  God did not intend for us to be alone, and while Dave traveled to Nicaragua alone, I am thankful for the friends who walk alongside us in ministry and for those who we don't see very often (in Nicaragua, in the USA, and in other countries around the world) but with whom we are united in Christ (Psalm 133:1).

Today is focused on Veracruz English Academy (VEA) again.  After the 8-10am class, Regan and Dave took his van to the mechanic (the human mechanic, not the dog that sleeps under his van) because it had been making a loud noise.  After some crude but effective diagnostics, they left the van for some work to be done.  After a stop to pick up Regan and Blanca's grandson, Elias, and another student from school at 12:30pm and another stop to make copies for the afternoon classes they headed back to VEA.  Several students who were walking to class were picked up along the road to finish their trek in the car.  When they arrived, there were several students already there waiting.  Being the last day of class for the trip for Dave, he recruited the Eskimo (ice cream) man to come to school and provide ice cream for all the kids.  Between 4 teachers, 60+ students, a few parents who sit outside the gate on a cinder block wall waiting for their children, some timely passers by, and one transit bus driver, they bought $44 worth of ice cream.  The Eskimo man waited outside the school all day and after the five o’clock class he told Dave he was very appreciative.  It is always a lucrative day for him on Eskimo day. 

After the last class ended, the guys picked up Pastor Lionel and his 17 year old son, Emanuel, who is a VEA student.  They went to two of the five CBS groups from his church, Camino el Cielo (CeC).  Pastor Lionel was trained in our charter CBS class prior to the civil unrest.  Since last April his church has had three groups.  Members from CeC attended the training last weekend, so that puts them at five groups now.  Dave said he was very proud of the progress they have made toward having everyone in the church being in a healthy CBS group.  

Dave thought he was going to just be a part of each of the groups for the night like we did last summer, but after they arrived at the first group, the Pastor introduced Dave as the speaker for the night and he quickly began to pray fervently.  He was hot and sweaty, in shorts and a T-shirt, and said he hadn’t shaved since he'd been there.  He was also soaking wet from getting in and out of the car going to the homes in the hard rain.  He said he went with his “old faithful” and talked about me for 20 minutes each time.  As are the churches, the groups are made up of mostly women, so he said his topic was a big hit.  He said he stressed the importance of doing lessons each of the five days and attending the groups.  He encouraged them with some of his personal experiences as a group member.  He shared that many people asked questions and told what CBS had meant to them already.  One Facilitator (equivalent to our Core Group Leaders at CBS) shared that he was being honest when he said he was a little reluctant at first, but when he saw the results of CBS in his own life and how it was affecting others, he volunteered to start two more groups until they could get more folks trained last week.  For those of you who "do" CBS in the USA, this was much like our end-of-the-year Share Day and made it a heart-warming end to an already fantastic day.  After attending the 6-7:30pm group and the 7-8:30pm group, they went back to Mi Ranchito Restaurante for dinner and finished up around 9:30pm. 

Earlier in the day, Dave saw Carmen, Rudolpho's mom.  This is a lady he has only met twice in 16 years, but she told Dave that the day before the guys came to visit with her and her son, Rudolpho had really had a bad day and they had a blow up between them.  She said he really needed the visit (and she did also) and she expressed that she saw a positive response from Rudolpho immediately after they left and that he was also in better spirits that morning.  Dave shared with me that the night before, when they were hugging goodbye, Rodolfo grasped Dave extremely tight as he was pulling away, so they hugged a little longer.  Dave asked Carmen to keep Regan and Blanca informed of Rudolfo's progress in school and at home.  She agreed.  It is good to have a friend.  "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Day #5 Update [October 17]

Dave was up at 6am again today and was at V*rbo school by 7am where he had coffee and made arrangements to have his room cleaned and his clothes washed.  Then he headed to Regan and Blanca's home for another day at Veracruz English Academy (VEA).  Carol, one of the students we sponsor that Bethany worked closely with on last summer's trip, was again the first student to arrive (at 7:35am!).  Melisa, who we updated you on yesterday, came to class today (see below selfie of Dave with Carol in the middle, and Melisa on the right)!  Thank you for praying!

Dave shared with me that in the meeting yesterday with Melisa and her mom, there was an emotional point in the conversation, and Melisa went in her house and returned with a UGA souvenir baseball bat that she had kept in her room since she was nine years old living at Casa Bernabe.  Dave had actually given the bat to Regan's son, David, many years prior.  David had in turn given the bat to Melisa at some point.  Dave told me they all agreed that God knew of the moment they shared and had planned it well in advance.

Today, Dave worked with some of the students on reading and comprehension again.  As soon as the 3pm class was scheduled to let out, today's harsh rain ☔came.  Thankfully, Regan felt it coming and let the class out 15 minutes early so the students would have a head start to get home.

They are planning an outing for the students on Saturday, so Regan shared that news and provided details for the parents today.

All the VEA students attend classes on Monday through Wednesday, in addition to their regular school.  They walk, ride a bicycle, or take the bus to class.  Some students have no money for bus fare or a bicycle, so they walk to school, walk back home, then walk to English school, and finally walk back home.  These students want to be there and want to learn.  If you are interested in learning more about how you can sponsor a student to take English classes at VEA, let us know!

If you look closely below, you can see Regan's neighbor's dog under his van "Reddy".  The dog is known in the neighborhood as “the mechanic” because he is always laying under Regan’s car.

The 4-5pm class was rained out again with a short (about 2 hours) but extremely hard rain 🌧 that flooded the streets.  Regan, Giovani, and Dave debriefed the day before heading out to visit another student at their home.  When they arrived at Rudolpho’s house it was just sprinkling and Carmen, Rudolpho's mom, set out chairs just outside her home and offered the guys the seats that were at least partially covered.  The gentlemen politely made sure that didn’t happen.  Regan shared their concern about Rudolpho not attending class.  She cried as she shared that her husband had left and Rudolpho is getting more difficult to parent alone.  She shared details that were hard to hear.  Carmen offered them the opportunity to talk with Rudolpho.  He has a huge heart, and listened intently, crying sporadically as they shared God's love for him.  They visited from 6-7:45pm and Regan closed in prayer over them.  Rodolpho indicated that he wanted to return to VEA.  They told him he would always have a desk waiting for him when he was ready to return.  Dave said Rudolpho and his mom were very appreciative and they both cried together as they said their “see you laters”.   Regan, Giovani and Dave went for a late pizza dinner at Valenti's.  After dropping them home, Dave was back at CasaB around 10pm.  Another great day in Nicaragua!

Day #4 Update [October 16]

Dave got to sleep a bit later today, waking at 6am.  The next few days are being spent working with the students at Veracruz English Academy (VEA).  He began the morning with a 30-minute stop at V*rbo school for coffee and to visit with friends there.  He was able to give a ride to school to Novia, the former Principal of the school, and her two children.  Novia and her husband Isaac (who used to work at Casa Bernabe as the older boy's caretaker and now pastors a church) and their two children currently live on Verb* property.

After a short visit at the school, Dave stopped by Arturo's bakery at 7:30am to pick up pastries for VEA.  Arturo's wife, Arecely, was pregnant on our last trip and so Dave got to meet their 2 month old baby this time.  You may remember that Arturo is one of three brothers who we have mentioned before that grew up at C*sa B*rn*be and aged out of the orphanage.  He and his family are active church and community members in Veracruz.  

WIth pastries in hand, Dave then stopped by to pick up teacher Giovoni (VEA teacher) and they made their way to VEA.  Dave said the 8-10am class went well.  14 out of the 15 students were in attendance.  Dave worked with the class to open, then they broke into groups and he worked with Alejandra and Abigail.  They are two of the most advanced students.  Abigail is in her third year and Alejandra is in her second year; they have both come a long way.  Alejandra was one of the leaders, and the winner, of our field trip competition last summer.

At mid-day, Blanca prepared and served Regan, Giovani, and Dave a great lunch.  Blanca is a fantastic cook, so it is always a highlight of the trip when she prepares food.  The second class of the day runs from 1:30-3pm.  This is the largest class and has students ranging from third grade to the first year of high school.  There are 38 students in this class period.  

They started with reciting the Lord's Prayer in English.  The students then separated into two groups for a lesson, and then into 3 groups for other work.  Three students had a test today.  The third class of the day is from 3-4pm, while the last and smallest class of the day is from 4-5pm.  

VEA currently has a total of 73 students in the school and most of them have sponsors.  One by One, Inc. (OBO) (which likely includes you if you are reading this) sponsors as many as 26 of the students.  Sponsorship means OBO pays for all or a portion of their English classes at VEA.  But more importantly, we invest in their lives through an ongoing relationship with the students and families. 

☔ Rainy season in Nicaragua runs from about May through hurricane season in November and they had another extremely hard rain 🌧 today.  When it 🌂rains, the streets are flooded 🌊 for a couple hours or more, making it very difficult for people to move around.  Even so, after class, Regan, Giovani, and Dave went grocery shopping for their breakfast and lunch for the next few days.  After shopping they went to visit Melisa.  Melisa resided in V*rbo Orphanage at age 9 when her father left her mother, and her mother had no job or way to feed or provide for her.  When her mom was able, Melisa left the orphanage to return living with her mom.  Melisa would always find Dave when he was there to talk and use her limited English, which he loved.  She was very proud of what she learned and was always looking out for Dave to be sure he had water, etc.  Now she is 14 years old and is in need of some guidance.  Her father started talking to her by phone a few months ago, but he provides no support.  He has moved to the U.S. and has started a new family.  Last June, Regan, Blanca, and Dave invited her back to VEA.  It had been a few years since she attended.  She has been attending sporadically since June.  Since she was not in class today, they went to visit with her and her mother. The guys sat and visited with them outside their home for about two hours today and had a nice time.  Melisa made a commitment to return to VEA and to attend church with her mother.  Please hold Melisa and her mom in your prayers.

After a stop for dinner, Dave dropped Regan and Giovani at their homes around 10:15pm and he returned to the Team Center at CasaB where he was turned in by 11pm.  It was another full and wonderful day!  Thank you for coming alongside Dave on the trip!

Day #3 Update [October 15]

The day for Dave started early again, at 5am.  The Pastors began to arrive for a 7am breakfast and fellowship time at the Team Center with the CBSI trainers.  The pastors came with their wives and they were enjoying their conversation so much, someone finally realized it was 8:15am and training was scheduled to begin at 8:30am.  Dave said they jumped up and headed to New Jerusalem Church.  Thankfully, it is not far away from where they were, because they had the Pastor from the church with them, so it couldn’t have started without them.  They arrived exactly at 8:30am and participants were still eating the breakfast prepared by the church members, and didn’t even notice as they all trickled in to start the training.  Dave said it was awesome to have all the pastors and their wives together again to hear what was going on in their families and their churches.  From past experiences, I agree!  It is always a special gathering when they are together!

When they arrived at New Jerusalem Church, there were 52 people in attendance.  Representatives from four churches with existing CBSI ministries were there to be trained along with representatives from four additional churches ready to implement CBSI in the life of their churches.  

Delia led the Children and Youth CBSI training yesterday, and Saul took the lead today on the Adult training session.  They had another great Nica lunch prepared and served by the church members at mid-day.  

Dave noted that both Delia and Saul did a great job training and said that the information presented over the two days was well received.  So much so, that the churches already inquired about having another training next year.  Saul and Delia said that, Lord willing, they would return.  After the training ended, they (Dave, Regan, and Blanca) took Saul and Delia for a wrap-up dinner and shared a bit more time together before the husband and wife duo left on their 5 hour trip north to their Nicaraguan home.  

On the way back to Veracruz after dinner, they stopped by Hermanos in Cristo Church to meet with Pastor Cirilo and his family (wife Marta and son Gabriel) to take care of some administrative details (gathering receipts from Saturday's meals, One By One reimbursing their expenses, etc.).  You may remember that on our last trip in June, the team provided $300 to the church.  They used the funds to update all the wiring in the church and to purchase a few new oscillating fans on the wall.  The wiring is now in conduit and junction boxes and the lighting has been replaced.  Gabriel, the Pastor's son, takes English lessons at Veracruz English Academy (VEA) and Dave said he is using his English more, so they enjoyed talking with one another.  After dropping them off at their home, Regan and Dave were able to spend a little time catching up and then Dave was able to get in bed early and obtain some much needed rest.

Day #2 Update [October 14]

Dave was up at 5:30am today.  Janet and Maria, two ladies that have cooked for Dave and our teams before, prepared breakfast for the group which also included Pastora Petronila (Pastor of the church where today's CBSI training is being held) and Josue, one of her church leaders.  The team arrived at Hermanos in Cristo church by 8am where church members were already serving breakfast to participants.  The Community Bible Study International (CBSI) Children and Youth training began after breakfast, at 8:30am.  61 people from 7 different churches were there at starting time this morning.  

After this training, the churches will be ready to begin using the CBS materials with their children and youth.  Up to this point, they have only been trained to use the materials with adults, so this will greatly expand their sharing of the Gospel.  Delia, the daughter of the Nicaragua CBSI National Director, and her husband Saul, are conducting the training today.  They indicated they will be leaving a flash drive at the end of the training that will contain the materials the churches need for the children and youth to begin their study of Genesis.  The churches all plan to begin their children's programs this week!

Members of Hermanos in Cristo church served a special "typico Nica" lunch at 12:30pm and the training concluded for the day at 5pm.  After several trips to take home people who lived the farthest away, they were back at Verb* about an hour later.  At dinner, Dave, Regan, and Blanca had a productive time learning more about some of the happenings with the overall ministry of CBS in Nicaragua from the CBSI trainers, Delia and Saul.  They were back at V*rbo around 10pm to get some rest for the next day of training.

Day 1 Photos

Update #1

Thank you so much to Nathan Pettigrew for the 2am ride to the airport!  Dave arrived without incident in Nicaragua just before noon, Nica time (1:45pm ET).  

Regan, Blanca, and Marielena, Blanca’s sister, met Dave at the airport.  After stops for gas and water, and lunch at Plaza Las Americas, the next order of business was a stop at Huembus Market to buy groceries needed for the Community Bible Study (CBS) trainings on Saturday and Sunday.  One By One is sponsoring the trainings that are being hosted by two different churches whose members are each preparing breakfast and lunch for all participants at the events.  

Upon arriving in Veracruz they dropped the food off and went to Nuevo Jerusalem church where they met with church leaders and the cooks from 4-5:30pm.  Following this, they went to Hermanos in Cristo church where Saturday's training is being held.  Pastor Cirilo was there with some of his members who had begun cooking beans and preparing the church.  The Pastor was hot and sweaty and in his T-shirt.  He told Dave, “it may not look like it, but we will be ready”.  Dave said, it looked perfect to him. 

After the meetings, they dropped Dave's bags at V*rb*'s Team Center.  He was able to meet with the Director and her husband who caught Dave up on the latest happenings.  The evening was rounded out with dinner at Viejo Ranchito (a lovely, outdoor restaurant that we frequent there) with the CBS trainers to talk through plans for the upcoming trainings.  One of my favorite young people in Nicaragua, Angel, the only youth that remained on the V*rbo grounds when the orphanage was closed, also joined the group for dinner.  Dave noted, "that little boy can eat!".  They were back at the Team Center by 10pm (12am our time) and wrapped up the night. 

Dave noted that since the Team Center has been closed for about four months, many things have gone missing.  There have been issues with theft since V*rbo has only one security guard now (and it is a large property) and the grounds do not have very many people on them like they did in the past.  Please continue to pray for VChr*st*anMin*stries.  Please remember all the children who were displaced and whose lives were disrupted in this chaos and all of the staff that had to be let go since operations were so greatly reduced.  I am thankful that we serve a God who "changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings...He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him" (Daniel 2) and I continue to rest in Matthew 16:18, "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."  I know that the battle belongs to our Lord, Jesus Christ.