Greater appreciation!

Hi Everybody!

In Pali there are empty shelves and the meat section is closed...

Today, as some of you have heard, there was a national shut-down here in Nicaragua. This meant all businesses (commercial, private, big and small) were to close for 24 hours, nationwide. Thankfully some people were able to get out and make some purchases yesterday, but at the same time, there has been less and less to even buy over the last few weeks to a month. It has been a very humbling experience for me, definitely, and I am grateful for it! Propane ran out in town last week, so we are cautious about how we cook so that we can conserve what we have. Cold showers and hang-drying our clothes is not new for us since we have lived here. We've been blessed to have had hot running water and dryer use at times as God provides for it, so not having it now really reminds me to appreciate it!  I did used to complain though about the lack of variety of fruits and vegetables that we can buy here. I thought “I wish we had broccoli and brussel spouts (I love those!), or Napa cabbage, good lettuce like romaine and butter, or zucchini and leeks (love those too!)...good berries and peaches!” Now, I am wishing I could just find our basic veggies again like carrots and onions that haven't gone bad or skyrocketed in price.  It's been an adjustment for us for sure, but it has been even harder on many Nicaraguans who struggle to make ends meet every day. In town, I've been asked by many people if what is going on in the country scares me or makes me want to leave. I do mention that having someone break in did make me nervous for a time, but that overall my trust is in the Lord and I don't feel afraid.

The vegetable and fruit section is almost emptied out. No supply trucks have been coming through...

Prayer Requests:

Wisdom for the president and government

That we could continue to have peace and confidence in the Lord, so that as others see it they may want to know how they could have peace, too! In a relationship with Jesus Christ!

As food is scarce, and many people are out of work, pray that this would cause people to trust in God for their provisions.

That while it seems like the country crumbling all around, that people would find refuge in the Lord, and would be steadfast in Him

Jaqueline's progress

I thought I'd give you an update on Jaqueline. She is moving forward in her service and in her walk. We are continuing in the study of Calvary Chapel Distinctive's on  Saturday mornings. We always have a great session because she loves to talk about the way God is showing her truth in the solid teaching of His word; book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. It's a stark contrast to how she learned to read/study the Bible at the churches she visited before. She has a lot of questions, too, and she is always glad and assured when she can get a clear answer from the Scriptures. 

In youth center, she is moving forward from an observer to a game-player! She gets right in there with the kids to play, which I let her know is what they love! Next week, she is going to prepare a devotional to do with them. I know I have mentioned it before, but she is sure that one of her gifts is teaching. Pray for God to continue to develop that gift in her, and that the Spirit would use it to the fullest for God's glory! 

Victoria

I was happy to welcome Victoria to discipleship class on Tuesday nights. She is a 19yr old young lady who has been coming with her mom for some time now. When she was younger, she would come out for kids center in the afternoons, but for college went to live in Managua for a time. She and her family used to visit the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah's Witnesses, but stopped a long time ago. She hasn't yet made a personal decision to receive Jesus as her Lord and Savior, but she is on top of homework assignments and listens carefully during studies. I pray that God would open her heart to Jesus, and that she would grow in knowledge of the truth about Him. Please pray for her with me.

Teachable kids in the park!

As most of you know, during the day we have kids center from 2-4pm (12 and under), and on Friday nights it's youth center from 6-8pm (13 and older)

Well, last Friday night, no older girls came out for youth night. I thought I would go out to the park with a volleyball and see if I could find some to invite. As soon as I stepped out of the gate, little Sani and Loemaren ran up to greet me and find out why I was outside! These are the young girls that come during the day and they were out in the park playing with some other young kids there. So, I made my way out and couldn't find any older girls so I decided to just play with the kids that were there. It started out with a few, but then more came so we played volleyball. After, I took them to the pulperia to get some Taqueritos (their favorite spicy chips), and we sat on the park benches and read the parable of the pearl of great price. When we finished we sat on the grass together and were looking at the stars and the moon. Then they started asking all kinds of questions about their size, and why the sun and moon follow you. It was cute. I really prize these moments that I get with them!  Continue to pray for he kids in Nueva Guinea. A lot of them live in Catholic homes where they have Mary statues that their families (and some of them, even) pray to. Andy, another boy who comes regularly, was telling me that night that he prays to Mary. I told him that Jesus is the one who hears our prayers and answers them, not Mary. They have a lot of influences around them, so pray that God's truth would be what takes root in their hearts!

Servants in Training

One thing about serving with the kids at youth center is teaching them how to serve without expecting something in return. A while back, I started doing a star chart rewards system with them. When they cleaned up, behaved really well, did homework, they got a star. They loved it, and I loved it! That is, until they began doing things only to get a star! Over the course of their earning stars, they began to fight over who had more. They began to demand a star when they did extra cleaning or helping. Some would think up a hundred different tasks to do if they would get a star for each one. I would tell them that they shouldn't do things JUST to receive a star. That would usually end with them not doing anything at all. Then I would find that kids were giving themselves stars when teachers weren't around. And on this went. So for a time, I stopped doing the star chart so that they could learn to do things without demanding/expecting things in return. There are a few kids that come that genuinely like to help and they don't ask for anything after. I love when kids just want to take the broom and mop and clean up after youth center. To these kids, I love to give a little something because their heart is right about serving, but they won't always get a treat and they are ok with that. More than just a treat, I like to really verbally encourage their effort and let them know that it pleases God. I know this blesses the heart of God, and it blesses me to see that. This is the service that we want to encourage, and we pray that they continue this way and grow up to be examples for other kids that come.

Andy and Amir are two of those boys who just like helping! One Friday after youth center they stayed to help clean up. Andy picked up trash and Amir cleaned out the bathrooms, and they did it gladly! Pastor Leon Sr. used to tell us “Always remember who you serve, but also remember WHOM you serve”. Pray for the kids to not only know that they serve God, but to come to know the God that they serve in Jesus Christ.

Friday Nights

Here is a glimpse of our newest group on Friday nights. There are more boys than girls, but I know God will continue to bring them out. This is for those, ages 13-17. Some of the 18 and older group have moved on into discipleship class with Greg on Tuesday nights.

The Friday before last I invited two young girls from the park. They came in and stayed for worship, but as we went into the classroom and were going to start Bible study, one of the girls was a bit uncomfortable because she said she was a Jehovah's Witness, so they didn't stay, and I hadn't seen her since. I honestly didn't know how to respond, and I didn't want to make her feel like she had to stay. She was free to leave. Over the next couple of days, I was praying for her, and on Saturday I ran into her on the street and she was asking again about Friday nights with youth. Lord willing she will be back again, and hear the truth about Jesus! I can't remember her name well, but pray for this girl, and for other young girls and boys to hear about Jesus!

Sunday School

We continue to have a class full of kids on Sunday mornings which has been great, although there are days when only three or four kids come out. 

I never saw myself as a Sunday school teacher. Ever. But, I see the value and blessing in it now that I am older. As a young girl, I remember being in Sunday school myself, and how learning about the Lord brought light to my life since I grew up in a broken home. My mom teaching us the Bible and taking us to church are really some of the more wholesome memories that I have of my childhood. In the midst of craziness, being in Sunday school is where I sensed Jesus in my life and where I felt safety. 

Now as a Sunday school teacher myself, my heart grows for the kids God brings each morning, knowing that some of them experience the same difficulties in their homes, and need to know that God sees and knows them. I love for the classroom to be a warm, welcoming place for kids to come into, even just making it a point to acknowledge them by name. The Bible says in Psalm 92:13 that "Those who are planted in the house of the Lord will flourish in the courts of our God" Pray that as the kids come out each week, being planted in the Lord's house, they would flourish spiritually as they grow older! At the same time, pray for us teachers: Gabriela, Suyen, myself and Lucy, to be led by the Holy Spirit, and create a space for the kids to thrive in.

My Newest Project :)

Hi Everyone! 

I am currently working on a small project making coin jewelry with Centavos, Nicaraguan coins! This will help to raise funds for missions support in a creative way. 

I made my very first pair, and was excited to show them to you sisters....(and brothers too, should you want to buy a pair for that special lady in your life :)

Now, this is not the only style I have in mind. I went out to buy a few different beads and things to make them with so that there is a variety. I wanted to get your opinion on them first, thought...especially from you crafty sisters!

Private message me if you have any ideas or suggestions as far as style/colors/look, etc., and if you have any Jewelry-making do's and don'ts to suggest for me. Let me know what you think of them!

Puppet Theater

Here is what our theater would look like

Hello again,

So, as some of you know, we are putting together a kid's fair outreach at the end of this month. There will be carnival-like games including a bucket toss, ring toss, a guessing booth, punch-prize game....etc. . I thought about making kettle corn! Worship and two puppet shows are part of the outreach, as well as evangelism.

Today I did some shopping and price-checking for the different things that will be needed for the games and prizes, and also for decorating. The one thing that we are looking to put together not just for use at the fair, but for long term ministry use, is a puppet theater. The cost for this to be done (including the fabric necessary to cover) is $50.

If you would like to help out with this, we would greatly appreciate it! You could just click on the link: www.graceministriesint.com/donate to donate, and also send a note to Greg, greg@graceministriesint.com to let him know you donated for this project.

This would really bless the children's ministry in general as well as other events in the future. 

Thank you so much, your support makes these ministry opportunities possible!

God's Love at Work in the Kids

During Sunday school class, I am going through the days of creation series. They are learning how God created all things so, I had made playdough for the kids to play with so that they could “create” what they wanted.

Well, I took the play dough out during a day of kids center and the kids loved it! While they didn't 'create' something new, they were more than excited to make tortillas, enchiladas, donuts and cakes! Sani and I made ourselves noses like Mrs. Potato head and the kids thought it was hilarious.

We had a good time and good laughs.

It is good to see Omar, Dona Karla's nephew, laughing more and enjoying kids center. Before, he was more anti-social and could not play peacefully with other kids at all. 

Read more about Omar and his brothers here : http://graceministriesint.com/angelas-blog/2017/10/2/change-in-eric-and-elias

But as he continues to come out we are given more and more opportunities to show him and others like him God's love for them, and in turn see how God brings about change in them.

Pray that we would work joyfully with them, loving on them, that they may know God's love in Jesus.

Discipleship with Jaqueline

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Jaqueline and I just finished our second week in Calvary Chapel Distinctives class. She loves it so far, and it has only been one week! 

She is a lawyer and also a teacher at a college, so she can get pretty busy. During our last class, she explained that for a long time now this question comes to mind of “is this all there is? I should be doing something more in life, this can't be all.” She told me that she senses God's call on her life to serve in ministry. Currently she is on the roll sheet for church cleaning and is helping a lot at youth center. Being with the kids has been a challenge for her (in a good way) because working with the kids does require patience and energy. But even more important, it will hopefully cause her to press into the Lord more to depend on His Spirit's guidance and strength. She has been a great help there, and the young girls are growing more fond of her the more she comes around.

I love to spend time with her, and I love that she loves the Lord.

Please keep Jaqueline in prayer, specifically for:

-Growth and maturity in her relationship with the Lord

-That she would know that her strength and ability to serve comes from Him

-Continual hunger for the truth of God's word

-Direction for her life and how else God would like to use her

Canastas Basicas-Basic Baskets for Families in Need

10 Baskets=10 Families!

Judith helping to carry a basket

Delvin carrying baskets

Elizabeth and Eneysi's houses Zone 7

Gabriela delivering to Jamilet's house

Elizabeth (left) and Melisa (right). It was Melisa's birthday on that day. They were grateful for the basket, praise the Lord!

Growing Up in the Lord

This last Friday was the last day of school for most kids here in Nueva Guinea. They are out for their summer break. Summer begins from December until the rainy season in April. They go back to school in February.

The kids that I have been giving class to are going to be in the 6th grade. It is exciting because I have been giving most of them class since they were in the third grade. Three of them (Juan Carlos, Emily, and Marelin) I gave class to when they were in Kindergarten! Some of them have since switched to studying in the afternoon (12p-5p) as opposed to the morning turn (7am-12pm) which is when I go to the school. So, some of the students in my class now are new for me….but many of them I have come to know well over the past few years! It is great because I was not only able to present the Gospel to them, but also come back each year to keep teaching them about the Lord. This is what I appreciate about the school ministry!  Profesora Francisca has always allowed me to come back and teach in her class. As they get older, they will always remember what they learned in Bible class in elementary school. I can still remember when Llesner, who is now in 5th grade, told me when he was younger that he learned to pray when I started there to do class with them.  That blessed my heart so much! Next year may be my last year with them at Ruben Dario, and I really look forward to it.

Thank you for your prayers and for your support!

Please remember that giving financially towards missions has been what has helped me be able to be here and minister in this way to the kids of Nueva Guinea. Your donations, big or small, make a big difference in advancing kingdom work!

Much love, and God bless you all!

Angela

One student starts us out with prayer 

Youth Girls

Ok, so here is the post I promised you of the young girls that are coming out for youth center. Again, these are not all of them, but they are the ones who come out every single week. Vanessa is missing here, she is in Costa Rica with family, but she also comes out weekly. Vanessa, Sani, and Loemaren come out for church services also. 

Please pray for them! 

Loemaren

Sani

Yoseling

Angely

Youth Center Boys

Hi All,

I thought I would introduce you to a few of the boys that have been coming out for youth center (and some to church services). Here you can get their pic along with their names so that you could remember to pray for them. While these are not the only boys that come, they are the ones that come EVERY single week! God is moving among the kids here in Nueva Guinea. Pray that they grow in Jesus! My next blog will be of the girls that come out :) 

Kevin

Joiner

Reynaldo

Larry

Carlos

Yolstin

Kenet

Joslin(left), Esteven(right)

Andy

Jacqueline's Walk

Jacqueline has been coming for almost two years with her husband, Wilmer, and son Jonathan. She is fun, smart, and she LOVES Jesus. She and I connected right away, and always have a good time when we get together after church services, and/or outings and Bible studies. She loves being in God's word and sharing the things that He has shown her. So, that makes our get-togethers special......we love to share with each other! We like to meet up and go for coffee every now and again, although it has been a while since we have last gone

This same Jacqueline is the one who is helping me on Friday afternoons with youth center. She does a good job, and really is seeking to be used by the Lord how He desires. She believes she has the gift of teaching, so she has expressed wanting to teach in Sunday school class at some point, but would have to go through inductive Bible training first.

We are currently trying to decide which day of the week we can both set aside to go out evangelizing together, once or twice a month. It would be a good idea to help her along in sharing her faith,. When I asked her about it at first, she told me that she also had been thinking of asking me if I would be willing to do that with her. So, I look forward to seeing her growth there, also!

Please keep her in your prayers. She would love to serve more as God leads her. Pray that she would follow His leading and continue to grow in Him.

Change in Eric and Elias

I don't know if you remember me mentioning the three boys that live with Dona Carla. Omar is the oldest, Eric the middle, and Elias is the youngest. They have lived with her for about a year now, but Omar just recently left again to live with his grandma. So, just Eric and Elias live with her.

The three of them were such a challenge to deal with considering they came from a very difficult home life. Their mom is working in Panama, and their dad gets them every now and then. But, they miss their parents, and they have suffered quite a bit because of it.

Before, they were so wild! You couldn't even have a conversation with them because they couldn't focus enough to communicate. They ran around everywhere, and they wouldn't even stop to hear you speak. They'd jump off high stacked chairs, off tables, run all around the facility, jump out the window during Sunday school class! It was tough.

Since they have lived with Dona Carla, they have changed so much! They are able to be at church and kids center every week. They not only have calmed down, but they listen, they pay attention and communicate face to face when you talk with them. And now, Eric who is 5 years old looks for ways to help clean and pick up after youth center. He participates during worship and craft time, and is quicker to be obedient. I can actually carry on a conversation with Eric, and he loves to talk! Before he was so distracted.

I can't say they are perfectly behaved, obviously. They still are pretty energetic and they are kids, but I LOVE having them around, and having them in class. They are the sweetest things!

Please pray for them, too. Pray that God would continue His work in them and in their older brother Omar. Pray that as they grow older, they would not go far from the ways of the Lord. Pray that they would grow to know His love for them!

Meet Hilary!

View fullsize

Hilary and her family used to all come together for church about 4 or 5 years ago. Slowly, her family stopped coming, but Hilary and her little sister Gema would still come out when they could. Her family, being from a Catholic background, would go back to the Catholic church sometimes. It has been a couple of years since I have seen her mom, dad, and older sister Monica so I don't know where they are all at in their walk as of now. But Hilary has continued to come throughout the years; sometimes with Gema, and a lot of times without her. Yesterday she came to church and as always, I was glad to see her there with us.

I had asked how her family was doing, and she told me they were ok and they were at home. I asked about little Gema and she told me she didn't want to come. She told me “I told everyone 'Let's go to church', but they didn't want to, so I just came”. I can't tell you how that blessed my heart! She doesn't have anyone in her home that is encouraging her in the ways of the Lord, so I am always happy to see her and just love her. I do remind her to pray for her family, that God would draw them to Himself.

I ask your prayers for Hilary this week. That God's word would be hidden in her heart, and that she would grow in the truth of God's word and in Jesus, and not be confused by any wrong teachings from the influences of the Catholic church where her family is from.

Much love,

Angela

Purity Class for Youth Girls!

Last month we started a study through And the Bride Wore White by Dannah Gresh. Every first and third Friday of each month, girls ages 13 and up are invited to come out and hear this study on purity. 

The very first week one girl, Julipsi. showed up for the class. By the next week, six other girls came to join us. This upcoming Friday, we are expecting another young girl to come out, totaling eight girls.

Their names are Julipsi, Katherine, Juneysi, Faviola, Nayeli, Nurian, Nacheri, and Melissa.

Please be in prayer for each of these girls. 

Specific requests are:

*That each girl would learn to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ"-Titus 2:11-

*That they would continue to come out for each class and even invite other girls, also

*That they would learn the truth about Salvation in Jesus Christ and grow in a personal relationship with Him.

Women's Monthly Bible Study

Please continue to pray for the ladies that are coming out for our monthly Women's Bible study. We are still going through Hebrews chapter 11. Yesterday Gabriela taught on the faith of Sarah. She had her bouts of doubt about God's promises to her, but in the end she was acknowledged for her trust and obedience. It was an encouraging reminder for us.

Please pray for the ladies. Sometimes they come out, and many times they do not. It would be great if all the women who attend church on a regular basis also attended Bible studies regularly, but that is not always the case. Pray that they would really have a hunger for God's word and that they would be doers of His word and not just hearers.

Much love in Jesus, and thank you for taking the time to read!!

Angela