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.