CFCI-Nicaragua

Esperanza and her husband Angel are strong leaders in their home church here in Managua, Hosanna Sur. Our relationship with their church began four years ago when medical team worked with their church. We have seen lots of growth in their development, discipleship and community. Several other teams have had the privilage of working with Hosanna Sur, Angel and Esperanza as well.

When I approached Esperanza about the possibility of going to the Literacy Training offered a few weeks ago she was so excited and immediately began to dream of what she would do once she was trained. Esperanza is the director of the Christian School that is run by the church. Angel, her husband agreed to cover her post at the school for 2 weeks while she came to the training. This is something that is not common in most marriages in Nicaragua. She felt honored and blessed to have the support of her husband in this literacy endeavor.

From LEI

Now that Esperanza has completed the training she has big dreams. She plans to train the teachers who work with the after school program because there are still many students at the school who do not know how to read. Also she wants to train her teachers so that they can work with the parents of their students in the upcoming school year. Juan another member of her church also received the training and together they are hoping to train the small group leaders of the church so that they can reach farther and wider in their own church community and beyond.

From LEI

Seeing people take initiative and dream big is our prayer for the ministry here in Nicaragua. Join us in praying for Esperanza and all the other graduates of the Literacy Training as they take steps to bring their dreams and plans to fruition.

From LEI

The last two weeks 12 Nicaraguans representing 6 departments gathered as one to take part in a leaders training for Literacy and Evangelism International. The time was amazing as we learned how to first use the curriculum and then how to train other teachers. The bit test at the end was to hold a 3 day training for volunteer teachers where we lead the whole class. Praise the Lord we had very gracious volunteers who soared with flying colors.

From LEI

Meet Hermana (Sister) Encarnacíon. She is 53 years old and has been using this literacy method for a few years now. She has lived out in the country in Northern Nicaragua and has lived a long and hard life. She enjoys serving with her church and runs a little cake shop from her home. She is excited to return to her church and train other volunteer teachers how to work with adults who want to know how to read. Hermana Encarnacíon worked so hard on all of her lessons and really did the best she could each day. It is our hope that God will continue to water the seeds of literacy that are growing in the town of Choutillo as Encarnacíon reaches out to one illiterate person at a time.

From LEI

Stay tuned for more stories of participants from the training.

From LEI

It’s time for another round of “Five Questions on Short-Term Missions!” Today on the hot seat is Brittany Meyers. Brittany was one of my first friends when I moved to Charleston, SC after college. We had a lot of fun times together with our “Tweeners” gang at Seacoast Church. It was such a blast to reconnect with Britt when she came down to Nicaragua on a medical mission trip. It was just like old times: joking around, laughing, and generally behaving like kids. Since Britt is such a good friend, and since it’s been awhile since our last round of “Five Questions,” I’m going to throw in a bonus question today:

Nathan: How has your understanding of the Great Commission changed since your trip?

Brittany: Going to Nicaragua and serving in a medical clinic allowed me the opportunity to spread God’s love and to embark on the Great Commission strictly by “showing up”. I’ve always thought of the great commission as more of verbal evangelism, but I realized on my trip that simply by our willingness to serve as the Lord’s hands for 10 days, hundreds of people were served medically, loved beyond words and language barriers, and many were impacted eternally. I learned actions do speak louder than words sometimes and by simply showing compassion and love, hearts can be won for Christ.

Nathan: Your Christian friend has never been on a mission trip and says, “It’s just not for me.” How do you respond?

Brittany: I would encourage anyone doubting whether a trip of this nature would be “for them” or not, to take a risk and step out of their comfort zone for 10 days. God can use ANYONE and needs EVERYONE to reach those that need aid, love, and hope. You’ll find the strength needed to make the trip and will learn more about yourself in 10 days than you ever thought possible. (I wrote a little about this is my blog entry titled “Here Am I. Send Me.”) I also uncovered passions inside of me, such as nursing, that I may not have found had I not been outside of my comfort zone.

Nathan: What surprised you about your short-term mission experience?

Brittany: What surprised me most about short-term mission work was the long-term effect a tip would have on me. I still find myself referencing the trip daily and sharing with others what I learned about the people, the culture, the need, and even myself. I also didn’t expect to create such soul ties with the people I met in Nicaragua as well as my teammates. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to leave our Nicaraguan “teammates” behind, knowing I may never see them again on this side of eternity, and that I would cry harder saying goodbye to them than I have in my entire life. As for my Seacoast teammates, although we all seemed distant during the meetings that led up to our trip, once we arrived in Managua I honestly felt as though I was with family. I have never cared more deeply for 17 total strangers.

Nathan: Did you go through any culture shock in Nicaragua?

Brittany: One of the “culture shock” moments for me was having to tell a thirsty child that he could not have clean water to drink from our supply. It was such a foreign concept to me and one that shook me to the core when I saw the children reaching into murky buckets full of stagnant water for a drink. (I wrote about this in my blog titled “Now that I have Seen I am Responsible.”).

Nathan: When you’re thinking about your Nicaragua mission trip, what makes you chuckle?

Brittany: What makes me chuckle? Definitely my many hours in the pharmacy! We had such an amazing crew and even though we were located in the hottest part of the clinic and were sweaty, tired, and thirsty, we managed to laugh all day, every day. Receiving a prescription for “No-flirt 500mg” still makes me laugh along with the countless hours of teasing one another while still meeting hundreds of medical needs daily!

Nathan: When you picture a face associated with your mission, whose face is it?

Brittany: The one face that has been engraved on my heart and mind from the trip is Gabriel. There were others, such as Karla who I will never forget, but to me Gabriel served as the face of the future of Loma Linda. He played all day long in the hot sun and never complained. He would be there to greet us from the minute we arrived to moment we left. He always seemed hungry for attention and although he was at an age where most American boys would shy away from a hug in an effort to not appear un-cool, he would embrace your hug and just walk with you, arms wrapped around your waist until you decided to let go of him. He was the hardest for me to leave because I knew what awaits him in that community (i.e. drugs, crime, and fatherless homes) and I wanted to be able to rescue him from that. I still do. (I wrote a little about this is my blog entry titled “Hasta Luego, Gabriel”).

For more fantastic stories and reflections on Brittany’s Nicaragua mission trip, check out her blog. You can also read about her recent “Back to Middle School” trip with her girlfriends, seeing New Kids on the Block live in Chicago. You can follow Brittany on Twitter here. (Extra credit to anyone who can figure out what Brittany’s Twitter name means.)

During the first week of November approximately 70 pastors and church leaders representing 26 different churches attended five-day intensive courses. The event took place in downtown Rivas, the capital of Nicaragua’s southern most department. Pastors from the region chose a morning class and an afternoon class. For many Nicaraguan leaders, this was the first time to ever attend a formal class which included a notebook and textbook.

The classes were taught by a team of pastors/church leaders from Grace Church in Greenville, SC. Christ for the City Nicaragua and Grace Church have been working together to bring Bible-based instruction to Nicaraguan pastors for the last two years.

Two of the courses offered focused on theology: the doctrine of salvation and the doctrine of future events. For some these courses added a depth in their understanding and for many it was their first time to hear a comprehensive, clear explanation of these doctrines from a Biblical perspective. Pastor Carlos Narvaez was asked what he appreciated most about the class. He responded, “In 25 years of pastoral ministry, this was the first time I ever heard a different theological position explained other than the one my denomination holds to.”

Pastor Orlando Romero’s testimony also reflects this. When first hearing about the salvation course, he was skeptical because he thought the teacher would just rant on about his own theological position. After being reassured that this would not be the case, he reluctantly attended. During the first session, Pastor Orlando sat as far back as possible. Throughout the week he slowly moved forward, and by the last day of the class he was in the front row!

Pastor Franlym Ortiz shared that these courses came to Rivas at a very opportune time. Recently a “missionary” had arrived and began to teach over the local radio station a radical, out-of-balance theological position. Some of the pastors embraced his teaching and some churches divided. Some pastors asked questions regarding this matter and through an educated and humble response much was cleared up.

Two more courses focused on Christian living and instant results were evident. The theme of one of these was Resolving interpersonal conflict with Biblical principles. During the course a pastor approached the teacher saying that he had an unresolved conflict with another man who was also in the class. When asked if he would like help in resolving this conflict he said yes. After the class, the two men talked through the conflict, reconciled and embraced.

Election Update!
The nationwide mayoral elections were held on Sunday. The end result was on late Sunday night was that the Sandanista candidate Alexis Arguello had won. Many inconsistincies have been reported by the Supreme Electoral Council. Election material was found in a city garbage can and many polling places closed early. As a result there have been many scuffles in the streets between opposing parties.

Today Sandanistas attacked several cars parked at a local mall and were threatening passersby.

From blog photos

The government has agreed to a recount. In the mean time please pray for peace in the streets of Managua. We pray for clarity, honesty and transparency from all sides in the coming days.

Here is an interesting article from the Associated Press about the situation.

Learning how to read is something that we as most North Americans don’t think twice about learning in elementary school. We can read books, signs, newspapers, notes and just about anything else without much effort.

1.8 million people in Nicaragua can’t read. In a country with only a population of 5.6 million people that is a lot of illiterate people. These people either never had the opportunity to go to school or were passed from grade to grade without ever learning how to read but becoming masters in memorizing what they would hear in class.

Last week we had the opportunity to partner with Literacy and Evangelism International and host a training for missionaries serving in Nicaragua. We learned how to teach adults in a simple way how to read. The curriculum that we received combines Literacy (reading) and evangelism beautifully. The books can be used to teach believers how to read and with unbelievers in a personal and non-threatning way. After each lesson the student leaves able to read a simple phrase or sentence.

From LEI

The next two weeks we’ll be partnering with LEI for another training this time with Nicaraguans from all over the country. They will learn how to teach the curriculum and also how to train trainers in their communities. Each one teach one. Pray for the seeds that will be planted through this ministry tool.

From LEI

As America catches up on sleep after election night, I want to give you a preview of the big day at the polls for Nicaragua…coming up on Sunday!

It’s not a presidential election year, but alcalde elections are taking place across the country. “Alcalde” is Spanish for mayor, but this position is actually more like mayor, governor, and future presidential candidate (at least for the Managua alcalde) rolled into one. It’s important. I’ve pulled biographical information on the two major candidates in Managua…

Alexis Argüello - Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN)

Alexis Argüello is a former professional Nicaraguan boxer and three time World champion. “The Explosive Thin Man,” as he was known, lost his first professional fight in 1968, but then won 36 of his next 38 bouts, which then led him to a world Featherweight championship bout, which he lost in a 15-round unanimous decision. Undaunted, Argüello began another streak of wins, and found himself in a title fight again, this time emerging victorious as the new Featherweight champion of the world. Argüello defended this title a few times, then moved up in weight and won the Junior Lightweight belt. He then moved up in weight again and won the world Lightweight championship, becoming only the sixth boxer to win world titles in three divisions, and the second Latin American to do it.

During the 1980s Argüello briefly fought with the Contras in his native Nicaragua, but after a few months in the jungle he retired from the war. He then attempted several comebacks into boxing during the late 1980s and early 1990s and had some success. He retired for good in 1995 with 82 wins, 65 by knockout, and 8 losses. Argüello was elected to the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 1992. In 2008 he was honored by being selected as Nicaragua’s flag-bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

Today Argüello is involved in politics. In 2004 he was elected vice-mayor of Managua under the banner of the Sandinista National Liberation Front — the same party against whom he took up arms in the 1980s. Argüello hopes to move from vice-mayor to the mayor’s seat of capital city Managua in the upcoming election. (I couldn’t find Argüello’s campaign website, but here is the official FSLN English-version website.)

Eduardo Montealegre - Constitutional Liberal Party (PLC)

Eduardo Montealegre was born in Nicaragua’s capital Managua. He received a degree in economics from Brown University in 1976 and an MBA with a focus in finance and strategic planning from Harvard University in 1980. He later became a businessman in Nicaragua.

Montealegre served as minister to the presidency in 1998 under Arnoldo Alemán. He also served as foreign minister from 1999 to 2000 in the government of Arnoldo Alemán and as finance minister from 2002 to 2003 in the government of the next President Enrique Bolaños. Subsequently, he served as minister to the presidency of Enrique Bolaños.

He announced his split from the Constitutional Liberal Party (PLC) in protest of the control of the party by former President Alemán, currently serving a 20-year sentence for misappropriation of funds. Montealegre objects to an alliance, referred to in the popular media as “El Pacto”, between Arnoldo Alemán and Daniel Ortega, who ran as the candidate of the FSLN in 2006 for the fourth consecutive time since his 1985-1990 presidency.

Under the banner of the Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance (ALN) — as a spin-off of the Constitutional Liberal Party (PLC) and in alliance with other liberal parties and the Conservative Party — Montealegre lost the 2006 presidentail election, finishing in second place after Daniel Ortega, receiving 28 percent of the vote.

After losing control of the leadership of the ALN in 2008, Montealegre agreed to run for mayor of Managua as a candidate of his former party, the PLC, in an alliance of opposition parties against the Ortega-led Sandinistas. Here is Eduardo’s campaign website.

Check back here on Monday for results from this exciting, important election in Nicaragua. And no matter who wins, thank you for your prayers for the people of Nicaragua and for its leaders!