CFCI-Nicaragua

We’ve been blog slackers for more than a month now! Today’s blog entry is my attempt to plead for your forgiveness — and to catch you up on what we’ve been up to since our last post. So, before I go any further, please forgive us for neglecting our loyal blog readers (i.e you!).

Are we friends again?

Okay, good!  Now here’s a run-down of all of the latest news from the Babcock household:

• As you know, August wrapped up our summer tsunami of short-term mission teams. Between us, Amber and I served with three mission teams in July and August (Amber with two medical teams, me with one of the medical teams and one you team). You can read all about these short-term teams in our last “Field Notes” newsletter.
• September was supposed to be a recovery month, but it turned out to be just as busy as the summer slam! My aunt (Dawn) and uncle (Keith) called us to let us know that they were flying to China to adopt their new daughter (Sarah). The news was not unexpected, but sudden (the Chinese government sent word that Sarah was ready and that they should come and get her…now!). They were in a bind to find someone to watch their three boys (ages 13, 11, and 9) for the two weeks while they were away. We decided it would be good practice for us; we hopped on a plane and flew to Northwest Florida! For two weeks we were acting mom and dad…and teachers (they home school)…and chauffeurs (to piano lessons, soccer, and football).  And we were honored to be the welcoming committee when Keith, Dawn, and Sarah arrived!
• During and after our two weeks in Florida, Amber worked diligently on researching and applying for grants for the Nueva Imagen ministry.  She’s been doing an incredible job — along with Hellen Castro — at caring for the women and working on their behalf. The goal is to see that all of the women in the Nueva Imagen program have the resources they need to leave “the life” and become self-sufficient, fully devoted followers of Christ. We’re praying and believing that God will provide for the needs of the women and for Hellen as she serves in the ministry full-time.
• Last week the CFCI-Nicaragua team participated in two days of 2009 evaluating and 2010 planning. It was a productive time of looking back at what God accomplished — through us and in spite of us! — and looking forward to mission teams and ministry opportunities in the upcoming year.
• This weekend we will be serving in a national medical outreach in a rural area of Nicaragua. While I’ve been on numerous medical mission teams, this will be my first national outreach. I’m looking forward to working in the pharmacy and seeing patients get the medicine they need. Please join us in praying for a fruitful outreach, with many Nicaraguans receiving medical attention and hearing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Now you’re caught up!  I promise to be more diligent in posting blog updates; be on the look-out for October’s e-newsletter, coming up in the next couple of weeks. As always, thank you so much for your prayers and support.

Que Dios les bendiga.