Nueva Imagen
The ministry “Nueva Imagen” (“New Image”) is with women earning their living through prostitution in Managua, Nicaragua. It began in 1998, founded on the belief that God has beautiful plans for womanhood, no matter what a person’s background may have been, and He is ready to start in our lives the moment we let Him. God is an expert at “lifting the needy from the ash heap, and seating them among princes”(or princesses!) as Psalm 113:7 tells us. It’s totally exciting, watching Him do it!
Many of the women we see on the streets of Managua have deeply wounded lives –- in many cases, the home that should have protected them has been the instrument of pain. God has worked in the hearts of a number of them, transforming their lives. They now refer to that “life” as a “black hole” and have a heart to see others rescued from it. Over time, and after much prayer and lesson-learning, He has also worked in the lives of several of the men, and by God’s grace, homes are being transformed. Most of the women who responded had steady partners, who were the fathers of their children. Four couples have been married, one marriage restored, and it is encouraging to see a pattern of godly family life developing. Unless the men in their lives are changed too, it is an uphill battle. Disappointments come — some have turned back to their former life-style.
The challenge for them to earn a dignified living is huge. I could not emphasize enough the importance of the support of the Body of Christ; God so kindly supplies in others what we ourselves lack. One friend came to teach them the use of sewing machines, another to teach handcrafts, Christians came from Honduras to teach them underwear-making, and for some years a group worked daily in my home. Establishing a micro-enterprise in this country is not easy, and we experienced many pitfalls. We lacked a qualified person to oversee the day-to-day running of the business, also proper marketing. With the help of Christ for the City International, who have graciously come along-side, we hope to correct these deficiencies. We plan to revive the Beauty Salon, also the underwear-making, as cotton underwear, so essential in this hot climate, is scarce in the local market. We have applied for legal recognition of the ministry.
The goal is for this to become a self-propagating ministry, with those rescued becoming the channels of God’s redeeming grace to others caught in the same trap. We are visiting women soliciting on the streets round the market, inviting to a refreshment and Bible study in the Beauty Salon. It is a joy to have Amber Babcock, with her enthusiastic love for the Lord, accompanying us in this effort, bringing helpful ideas for things to do.
Helen Goatley
Founder and Director
