Tonight I talked with Deb Freisheim, and she filled in a lot of info about the VBS. Yesterday and today there were more than 150 kids, butthey worked out a rotation for crafts, games, coloring pages, what have you, and everyone made it through the assembly line. But the team was exhausted as you can well imagine.
At the end of VBS, they brought out water balloons and the kids went crazy. It also started pouring rain, but that didn't stop the battle royale. Then they hauled out all the team members and our translators. Everyone got wet, either from the water balloons or the rain. A great wrap-up to a great week.
Warren Mehl made 150 sets of cross necklaces, and they were all given out. Thanks Warren!
The women's Bible study wrapped up today with more than 35 women, not including our six. They studied Esther, led by Sue Steege. It was excellent, and the women were very receptive. Men's Bible study went for three days and had a good turnout too.
Yesterday the team visited the school that our sponsored students attend. They got a chance to see the kids' classrooms, and many of them brought out their report cards. Pastor Jose administers this program at the Nica end and is very demanding that the kids keep up their grades, and also that the parents are responsible with the money.
The team did a lot of home visits with Pastor Jose's assistant Rolando. Over the four days they visited every house in the village, and Rolando read scripture and talked with the people, and invited them to the Bible studies, VBS, and to church services. His evangelism contributed to the wonderful turnout.
The last day of VBS is always very long, and very emotional. And busy. The water balloon fight ended around 4; then the team went out visiting one last time, and then had to get back for Bible studies. Right after that, church service began and went for two hours. I spoke to Deb at 8 pm their time, and church services were just ending. They hadn't yet eaten dinner, and then they need to pack and clean up. L-o-n-g day.
Tomorrow they go to Granada for some well deserved R&R, then home on Sunday. Praise God for a wonderful week!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Day 3
Another successful day for VBS. The lesson today was Noah, and when it came time for the flood, the team threw water ballons at the kids! Took them by complete surprise, and I think they didn't know how to react at first, but then they loved it.
As part of the project for this year, we bought ceiling fans for the church and kitchen. They really are not needed in the sleeping rooms because it does get cool at night. However, we learned that the church uses those rooms for Sunday School, so fans in those rooms may be a consideration for next year.
I promised to tell you about the "dancing." Verbo church does not believe in dancing per se, however, once a week, usually on Friday nights, they have a service of -- not sure what to call it -- dancing in the spirit for lack of a better term. They play praise music REALLY LOUD, and then as the spirit moves, so do the church members. We were there for this service last year and joined in. But I mean, it keeps up for at least an hour or more, and have I mentioned that it's HOT in Nicaragua? So ... the ceiling fans will be most welcome.
One more day of VBS to go! This week really has been flying by.
As part of the project for this year, we bought ceiling fans for the church and kitchen. They really are not needed in the sleeping rooms because it does get cool at night. However, we learned that the church uses those rooms for Sunday School, so fans in those rooms may be a consideration for next year.
I promised to tell you about the "dancing." Verbo church does not believe in dancing per se, however, once a week, usually on Friday nights, they have a service of -- not sure what to call it -- dancing in the spirit for lack of a better term. They play praise music REALLY LOUD, and then as the spirit moves, so do the church members. We were there for this service last year and joined in. But I mean, it keeps up for at least an hour or more, and have I mentioned that it's HOT in Nicaragua? So ... the ceiling fans will be most welcome.
One more day of VBS to go! This week really has been flying by.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Report -- Day 2
The Lord continues to bless (I think!). 140 kids today. The hardest tasks are crowd control and where to put them all for crafts, but we figure if He sends them, He'll make a way. Butch and Ellen were Adam and Eve. I hope Chris got it all on tape :-)
A second blessing is the attendance at the men's and women's Bible studies. There were about 10 men today, which is amazing because men don't do much like that in the village. They are not used to opening up and sharing, a cultural thing, but Chuck is doing a great job with trying to draw them out. Women's Bible study had more than 25 women! This is a big increase over even last year's numbers for both groups.
Today is Father's Day in Nicaragua (yes, even third-world countries have Hallmark moments), and the women's Bible study made a cake for the men. Very nice.
Weather continues hot; the challenge is to stay hydrated. Still, everyone continues healthy, if beat.
Ladies brought around needlework today, so we'll have fresh items in church in addition to the things people have ordered.
A second blessing is the attendance at the men's and women's Bible studies. There were about 10 men today, which is amazing because men don't do much like that in the village. They are not used to opening up and sharing, a cultural thing, but Chuck is doing a great job with trying to draw them out. Women's Bible study had more than 25 women! This is a big increase over even last year's numbers for both groups.
Today is Father's Day in Nicaragua (yes, even third-world countries have Hallmark moments), and the women's Bible study made a cake for the men. Very nice.
Weather continues hot; the challenge is to stay hydrated. Still, everyone continues healthy, if beat.
Ladies brought around needlework today, so we'll have fresh items in church in addition to the things people have ordered.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Report -- Day 1
Hot. VBS was off to a rousing start, with 120 kids! With a start like that, it's easy to think they may surpass the 150 that was estimated. Butch did a great job pulling props together for the skits. The kids and adults all loved it.
Bible studies started well too. But everyone is totally exhausted from the number of kids and the heat.
Yesterday it started raining around 2 pm and rained until well after bed time. It was actually really chilly during the night. But today was sunny and hot, and tonight the stars are out.
Praise God for the turnout; pray for strength, stamina, good moods, cheerfulness, and energy for the team.
Bible studies started well too. But everyone is totally exhausted from the number of kids and the heat.
Yesterday it started raining around 2 pm and rained until well after bed time. It was actually really chilly during the night. But today was sunny and hot, and tonight the stars are out.
Praise God for the turnout; pray for strength, stamina, good moods, cheerfulness, and energy for the team.
Sunday PM
Hi All,
Talked with Chris Sunday afternoon. It was an early morning for everyone -- awake at 5 am! Church service with lots of singing, then working on craft materials in preparation for Monday, then church again at 5 pm.
Verbo Church in Santa Maria is much different from ours. It's basically a LOT of praise and worship singing, then some prayers, then Pastor Jose gives a message (and Mark, it's not timed :-) ). Then more singing. There are a few ladies who "lead" the singing up on the stage. May I just say with all Christian love that what they lack in talent and pitch they make up in volume and energy. Truly a JOYFUL NOISE to the Lord. A few years ago, in what seemed a good idea at the time, we brought them a sound system with amplifiers. So now it's not only joyful, it's LOUD. The whole congregation joins in as they use all familiar and much-loved songs. Once a week they have a "dancing in the spirit" service, but more on that later.
Chris says there were a lot of kids in church, so VBS should be very full.
Food has been good too. In addition to the staple of rice and beans, Saturday night they had spaghetti with chicken, and Sunday's dinner was stew with lots of fresh vegetables. Really, the Donas are wonderful cooks, and if you saw what they turn out with the facilities they have, you would be amazed.
Everyone is well and enthusiastic. The weather is hot, with rain late afternoon or night, but by God's grace the electricity and water are all working. Ron Fell is happy to hear his dog is doing fine :-)
Talked with Chris Sunday afternoon. It was an early morning for everyone -- awake at 5 am! Church service with lots of singing, then working on craft materials in preparation for Monday, then church again at 5 pm.
Verbo Church in Santa Maria is much different from ours. It's basically a LOT of praise and worship singing, then some prayers, then Pastor Jose gives a message (and Mark, it's not timed :-) ). Then more singing. There are a few ladies who "lead" the singing up on the stage. May I just say with all Christian love that what they lack in talent and pitch they make up in volume and energy. Truly a JOYFUL NOISE to the Lord. A few years ago, in what seemed a good idea at the time, we brought them a sound system with amplifiers. So now it's not only joyful, it's LOUD. The whole congregation joins in as they use all familiar and much-loved songs. Once a week they have a "dancing in the spirit" service, but more on that later.
Chris says there were a lot of kids in church, so VBS should be very full.
Food has been good too. In addition to the staple of rice and beans, Saturday night they had spaghetti with chicken, and Sunday's dinner was stew with lots of fresh vegetables. Really, the Donas are wonderful cooks, and if you saw what they turn out with the facilities they have, you would be amazed.
Everyone is well and enthusiastic. The weather is hot, with rain late afternoon or night, but by God's grace the electricity and water are all working. Ron Fell is happy to hear his dog is doing fine :-)
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Sunday morning
Team got unpacked and set up last night, and had a good night's sleep. Today's activities include church and then home visits. Still very hot. But sunny, which we can all appreciate :-)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
The Team Has Arrived!
Tea m landed -- about 1-1/2 hours late, but still, they're there safely and in one piece. Cleared immigration and Customs without losing a single team member! As we speak they are their way to Santa Maria. They should arrive around 5 pm their time. It gets dark early there, so they'll have just enough time to unpack sheets and get the mosquito netting secured. Then a hearty dinner of rice and beans!
It's HOT and HUMID, but no rain at the moment.
Thanks be to God for safe travel and landing. Stay tuned for updates.
It's HOT and HUMID, but no rain at the moment.
Thanks be to God for safe travel and landing. Stay tuned for updates.
Waiting for the Team to Arrive
Cliff and I are here in Granada now, waiting patiently for the plane from Miami to take off. No surprise, but it is delayed one hour, which is typical for the flight. Once we confirm that the plane has left, we will depart Granada for our one hour drive to the airport in Managua to meet the team, the van driver and Erick our other translator. Its a warm morning here in Granada, but not too bad.
Hello to all from Cliff and I. Thanks for your continued prayers.
Hello to all from Cliff and I. Thanks for your continued prayers.
Friday, June 19, 2009
We're busy packing!
Butch and I are mostly packed and ready to go. We will be at the Rodgers' house at 3:30 AM to leave plenty of time to catch the plane. Butch plans to sleep on the flight to Miami. Some fun he is!
Please pray for safe travel for the team tomorrow. Also, please pray for the family members we are leaving (especially for Bert, my mom). She is becoming more and more dependent on me and as she puts it, "I'm not happy about this." I have most reliable substitutes who will keep an eye on her and I know the Lord will watch over her as He always does!
Santa Maria, here we come!!!! Ellen
Please pray for safe travel for the team tomorrow. Also, please pray for the family members we are leaving (especially for Bert, my mom). She is becoming more and more dependent on me and as she puts it, "I'm not happy about this." I have most reliable substitutes who will keep an eye on her and I know the Lord will watch over her as He always does!
Santa Maria, here we come!!!! Ellen
Call from Granada
Chris has arrived in Granada and is going to contact Cliff. He has done the grocery shopping and also bought a new 4-burner stove for the kitchen. On Monday he will get the ceiling fans.
Still hot, but he's getting used to it now. As we talked, he was watching a man cut down a big pine tree with a machete.
He's looking forward to seeing everyone at the airport tomorrow!
Still hot, but he's getting used to it now. As we talked, he was watching a man cut down a big pine tree with a machete.
He's looking forward to seeing everyone at the airport tomorrow!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Chris has arrived!
Hi all,
Just heard from Chris (8:00 pm our time). He arrived in Santa Maria, it's hot, there are bugs, and it's raining. Some things never change :-). The cots are full of dirt, so his first job is to clean one off and hang mosquito netting. Tomorrow he will do the others, then go shopping. He's all excited because he has a 4x4 automatic pickup truck. Big boys and their toys.
Warning: On the plane, you have to fill out a slip whether or not you've had flu or cold symptoms. Regardless, when you go through immigration, you walk through an infrared machine that measures your body temperature. No idea what they do with you if you have a fever. Everyone in the airport is wearing masks. Huge precautions. It took him more than an hour to clear Customs.
Everyone in Santa Maria is happy to see him and really looking forward to the rest of the team to arrive. David (the translator) is with Chris and he's doing fine, Jelmer is there too, and Jose Vargas. And of course Pastor Jose and the Donas.
More next time!
Just heard from Chris (8:00 pm our time). He arrived in Santa Maria, it's hot, there are bugs, and it's raining. Some things never change :-). The cots are full of dirt, so his first job is to clean one off and hang mosquito netting. Tomorrow he will do the others, then go shopping. He's all excited because he has a 4x4 automatic pickup truck. Big boys and their toys.
Warning: On the plane, you have to fill out a slip whether or not you've had flu or cold symptoms. Regardless, when you go through immigration, you walk through an infrared machine that measures your body temperature. No idea what they do with you if you have a fever. Everyone in the airport is wearing masks. Huge precautions. It took him more than an hour to clear Customs.
Everyone in Santa Maria is happy to see him and really looking forward to the rest of the team to arrive. David (the translator) is with Chris and he's doing fine, Jelmer is there too, and Jose Vargas. And of course Pastor Jose and the Donas.
More next time!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Team Dinner
We are looking forward to our team dinner tonight. It is an annual pre-trip tradition now in which we share a meal, spread out the supplies for people to pack, have a time of prayer and enjoy the time together. There are a lot of last minute things to get done, but we have confidence that the Lord will bless and guide us in the work we are about to undertake.
Cliff's Arrival
Just a note to let you know I got here safe and sound on Sunday, and am here in Granada learning Spanish and getting to know the area. I´ve met a lot of student volunteers who are working at various schools in the area, and am getting a feel from them of what the education system is like. Here in Granada my perception is that the schools are more rigorous, i.e. teachers tend to show up for school most days, and the great majority of kids you see on the streets are wearing school uniforms, so school attendance seems to be better here in the city. The shool bands and drill teams are all practicing out on the streets for some kind of upcoming competition. It´s quite noisy outside right now with drums banging from one of the schools out in the central plaza next to the cathedral.
I´m staying about 2 blocks south of the plaza, boarding with a local family.
Oh, one piece of info is that Nicaragua isn´t on daylight saving time now, so the local time is the same as Mountain time in the U.S. - 2 hours before EDT. Sunrise is at 5:15 or so, and sunset about 6:45. And yep it´s hot like a steam sauna, and rains about 9pm most nights, but not any during the day so far at least.
What´s sad is that so many people are very under-employed here. Even the people who have an education barely make any money, and it seems like everyone just survives from one day to the next. On the other hand, the people don´t seem angry or depressed (much), although nobody seems to have any aspirations or much hope for the future. Everything and everybody moves slowly, because hey, what´s the point in hurrying? Well those are my impressions so far - I could be way off, I may have a totally different perspective a week or two from now.
Well I just wanted to touch base with you. It will be good to see you and the team next weekend.
I´m staying about 2 blocks south of the plaza, boarding with a local family.
Oh, one piece of info is that Nicaragua isn´t on daylight saving time now, so the local time is the same as Mountain time in the U.S. - 2 hours before EDT. Sunrise is at 5:15 or so, and sunset about 6:45. And yep it´s hot like a steam sauna, and rains about 9pm most nights, but not any during the day so far at least.
What´s sad is that so many people are very under-employed here. Even the people who have an education barely make any money, and it seems like everyone just survives from one day to the next. On the other hand, the people don´t seem angry or depressed (much), although nobody seems to have any aspirations or much hope for the future. Everything and everybody moves slowly, because hey, what´s the point in hurrying? Well those are my impressions so far - I could be way off, I may have a totally different perspective a week or two from now.
Well I just wanted to touch base with you. It will be good to see you and the team next weekend.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A Prayer from Africa
One of Chris's prayer partners is Eliezer Kimuga, whom he met on his first trip to Africa. Eliezer sent this beautiful prayer for Chris and the team:
Gracious Lord in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, your name is so exalted on Earth and in Heaven. You are worth of Glory and Honor almighty God, for the holy life and heart of mission work of your servant Chris Freisheim and St. John the Evangelist church. Thank you king of glory for the calling and ministry of your people. Thank you so much for the power of your Holy Spirit leading them to fulfill your great commission. Lord, thank you for the heart of Agape Love, and heart of commitment to care for others. I crown them with the blood of Jesus shed on the cross in the name of Jesus. Guide and protect Chris and the team as they travel to Nicaragua. Go with them o Lord, Bless their mission, bind them with your love, touch the hearts of the people whom they will be serving that they may receive your Son Jesus Christ to be their Lord and savior, in the holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Gracious Lord in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, your name is so exalted on Earth and in Heaven. You are worth of Glory and Honor almighty God, for the holy life and heart of mission work of your servant Chris Freisheim and St. John the Evangelist church. Thank you king of glory for the calling and ministry of your people. Thank you so much for the power of your Holy Spirit leading them to fulfill your great commission. Lord, thank you for the heart of Agape Love, and heart of commitment to care for others. I crown them with the blood of Jesus shed on the cross in the name of Jesus. Guide and protect Chris and the team as they travel to Nicaragua. Go with them o Lord, Bless their mission, bind them with your love, touch the hearts of the people whom they will be serving that they may receive your Son Jesus Christ to be their Lord and savior, in the holy name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Only 2 More Weeks
Today marks 2 weeks until the team departure day. There are still many things to get prepared prior to that day. Tomorrow, the Sunday School classes at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church will join in the ministry by helping make craft kits for the Vacation Bible School in wwe are running in Santa Maria. We are excited to be able to have more folks from the church participate in this ministry even though they are not able to travel with us. Tomorrow will also be the departure date of our team member from Texas. Cliff Gobin joins us this year from Houston where he is the Rector of King of Kings Anglican Church (http://www.kokchurch.org/). He leaves tomorrow for 2 weeks of intensive language study in Granada before meeting us the day the team arrives. Please keep Cliff in your prayers. A busy couple of weeks to go as we continue to prepare for our trip. We appreciate your continued prayers!
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