Nicaragua Update #9
Friday, July 24, 2026
Dave was up at 6:30am and at the Downs home by 7:30am for breakfast. Regan and Dave met Pastor Juan at Casa Bernabe at 8am to pick up mattresses for the CBS trainers to sleep on at Dave's house over the next two nights. Elias Blanco met the group in his truck and they were able to move four mattresses after somewhat cleaning them.
As they were pulling out of the area of Dave's house, the mother of a current VEA student was walking with a friend and her daughter. They approached the guys to inquire about the possibility of the friend's daughter also studying at VEA. The guys went through their usual conversation about the rigors of attending regular school, English classes, and studying outside of class. At 10 years old, this usually requires a huge commitment from parents also, and especially so for a single mother. Both the mother and the prospective new student agreed to make the commitment and so Regan invited her to start on Monday. That makes six new students so far on this trip.
Next on the agenda was to go by Jaritza‘s work where she serves as a housekeeper, to give her money to purchase the food for lunch for 80 people who will be attending the CBS conference on Saturday. Then the guys went back to Reagan's house to load up David’s bed to take to Dave's house for some of the CBS trainers to sleep on. Dave has been sleeping on Isaac’s bed that the Down's set up for him in the house before his arrival. Blanca and her sister, Maryelena, cleaned the house and made the beds for the incoming trainers. Thank you for the sacrifice of the Downs young men; instead of giving the "shirts off their backs" to people in need, they gave up the beds they sleep on each night to others who came to Nicaragua to serve the Lord. What a great example of counting others more significant than ourselves and looking to the interests of others and not only to our own interests (Philippians 2:3-4). And a huge thank you to Blanca and Maryelena for helping to get the house that Dave is utilizing on this trip cleaned up and ready for habitation! They truly shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15).
After getting the house set up for additional company, Regan and Dave went to a local coffee shop where Dave did some work while Regan responded to phone messages and initiated calls to confirm things for Saturday's conference. Earlier in the week, Dave saw Arturo at a pulperia on the street in town. He asked if Dave had time to meet before he left. Dave asked him to call Regan so they could make a plan. While there at the coffee shop, Arturo called to ask when Dave was leaving and if he and his wife, Arecely, could have dinner together with the team before Dave had to leave. The CBS trainers had called just a bit earlier to say they were going to be at least two and a half hours late arriving, so Regan told Arturo that tonight was open. The group met up for dinner at La Nani restaurant at 6:30pm. A few years ago, A&A were really struggling in their marriage, and had been meeting together when Dave was there. They love each other and want to be together, so they have been committed to making things work. They have always had an encouraging time together. After some talk about the couple, they spent most of the time talking about the relationship they have with their two children. At the end of a three hour dinner, they closed down another restaurant. Security was putting the chain on the parking lot behind them as the group pulled out.
The CBS trainers arrived at Dave's house just before 10pm. This is the beginning of a two day period that One By One, especially Regan and Blanca, has been working toward for several months.
Thank you again for reading!
In Christ,
Katy, on behalf of Dave and the team in Nicaragua