Parting Note to the Team

Dear Team – I hope this final email for the 2011 Nicaragua Mission Team finds you well and rested, and back into the daily grind of “everyday” life.  I know for me it has been a bit of a challenge getting back into work and our everyday routine here at home.  Please take special note, I included my personal pictures this time….no sales pitch needed anymore!

I want to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for the work that you all did in Nicaragua.  I continue to be convinced that our time there is more appreciated than we realize.  I was reminded of this once again when I had 4 teenage guys leaning on my shoulders on our final evening in Santa Maria to look at the stupid pictures I have of snow on my phone for the 3^rd or 4^th time during the week.  I encourage you to not underestimate the power and witness of just “being there” in Jesus’ name, and the love, care and faith that this demonstrates.  May our Lord have used our time and each of us to be such a blessing!  I also pray that you too might have been blessed in this mission to “present yourself” in Nicaragua.

I am also happy to report that the lunch program now goes on, under cover!  The roof is done!  The blue paint is now red (really).  I know that there are horns still blowing in Santa Maria!  Songs are being sung.  Reflections on the Bible Studies are also continuing.  Please continue to keep all these kids, young adults, and adults in your prayers.

While I cannot never say exactly what our future holds in Nicaragua, I am ever reminded of the importance of the work that we began in 2005.  Praise God that the door remains open, and in some small way, we are able to be a part of His work in Santa Maria.  As we look towards the future, please pray that the Lord would continue to give us clarity of purpose and a patient heart and mind to see His will!  The people in Santa Maria need the church and the encouragement of faith, just as Paul returned to previously visited cities on his missionary journeys.  “…they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith…” (Acts 14:21-22).   The folks in Santa Maria, like all of us, need encouragement, a strengthened foundation in Christ, and a level of maturity in the faith.  I continue to see this as one of our goals, and I welcome your ideas on how we can work to accomplish this.  As you reflect on your time in Nicaragua, please be in prayer for the people, and for the future of the ministry, and please share your thoughts and ideas with me.

Once again, on behalf of myself and St. John’s, thanks so much for your dedication and work over the past several months.  I pray you were as blessed as I was.

As always, serving together for His glory,

Chris 

Arrived in Philly

Late leaving Miami, but we are on our way soon.

Landed USA!

On the plane on the taxiway in Managua....waiting for the showers to pass. Back in the USA soon.

Meet me in Managua!

The team is all settled in to the Princess Hilton in Managua.  Despite the rain, many of the team did get a nice swim in before getting a nice hot shower.  It has been a good week in Nicaragua.  Yesterday´s VBS was certaintly interesting in that shortly after we started the skit (outside), the rains came, and did they come!  So inside the church we all went.  So after some planning adjustments, we got through the last day of camp with the kids, and managed to get them home in between the raindrops.  We estimate about 130 kids on the final day.  Women´s Bible study wrapped up on Thursday, and was followed by the Despedida (Farwell) service.  Lots of hugs and thank-yous all around.  Up early this AM, we left Santa Maria around 8 AM after more hugs and goodbyes.  So a nice meal tonight and a cool room before heading off to the airport tomorrow around 10:30 AM.  Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

Heading home

The team is starting the first leg of the journey home. Traveling to Managua today to spend the night in a hotel (and getting a well deserved hot shower) then flying home tomorrow. I hear that the team has been very busy and that all is well with everyone. Please keep them in your prayers for safe travel. Also, praise and thanksgiving to God for such a faithful team!

Tuesday update

Just heard from the team and all is well. VBS had close to 150 kids today! The skit today was Daniel in the lions den and it was well received. Women's bible study is on Philippians and had lots of participation; what normally lasts 1 hour went on for 1 hour 20 minutes. Still very hot and buggy....thank goodness for deet.

Its hot! Very hot. Steel is up for the new roof. Spaghetti lunch with fresh guacamole....a winning combination. VBS day 2 in 10 minutes....expecting more than 100 kids.

VBS started. We had about 100 kids following our delayed opening due to rain. After we lost electricity on Sunday night, the power finally came back on Tuesday AM. The team after a few minor illnesses is back to healthy. Today we continue VBS and Bible Studies.

First day of VBS about to get underway. The project also began this AM. The red paint is blue, but oh well. Time for lunch, chicken and rice. Electricity still out from last nights storm.

And down comes the rain! Cooling off nicely for tonight.

Sunday update

Heard from the team around 3:00 today and everyone is doing fine. The church service this morning went well. The team was heading into town after practicing their skits. The skies were getting dark and they were expecting the usual afternoon storm which will cool things down abit. Looking forward to starting bible study and other activities tomorrow.

Good morning from Santa Maria. We managed to sleep through the roosters, dogs, cats and various other human noises. Team has eaten breakfast and is now waiting the 9 AM service. All is going well.

Just received some additional info via Ray who spoke with Debbie. Again, all is well. After dinner they will have a meeting and some time of prayer followed by collapsing in their beds. Also, regarding Lynn, our "first class passenger"......she's the only one who received 2 meals today.....

They've arrived in Santa Maria!

The team has arrived safely in Santa Maria. God is good! They will be having dinner shortly and I'm sure looking forward to settling in after such a long day. Please continue to keep our team and the people of Santa Maria in your prayers.

Arrival in Managua

The team has arrived safely in Managua! It's a little after noontime in Nicaragua. (they are 2 hours behind us) Just waiting to get through immigration. Next will be the 2 hour ride to Santa Maria. FYI the time that posts on this blog site is 3 hours behind.

Waiting in Managua

Bruce and Chris are waiting now in the hotel in Managua.  We are about to head to the airport in about 30 minutes so we can be there waiting for the team to arrive.  Looks like both the flight from Houston - Cliff- and the flight from Miami - rest of team - are scheduled to arrive right at around noon.  We will be there waiting for them as usual.  It is a nice day here in Managua.  Hot as usual, but hey, it's Nicaragua.  Once the team arrives, we will have about a 2 hour drive to the village. 

Yesterday started off with a trip to Chinandega to get food supplies.  We stopped at Walmart - well, Pali here in Nicaragua, for food and water supplies.  From there it was back to the church to drop of the supplies.  Pastor Jose and Rolando then went into Leon to get the project supplies.  We will be building an extension on the roof of the church for the lunch program which feeds about 150 kids daily at the church.  It will be a great help for them to have a place to set the tables out of the sun and rain.

So everything is going as planned so far.  Another long drive this afternoon.  Keep the team and travel in your prayers.

The team has arrived in Miami safely and is awaiting their connecting flight to Managua.

Bruce is behind the wheel on our way to Managua. Food and supplies purchased, cots ready to go. Managua overnight then to the airport to get the team tomorrow.

After a nice welcome by familiar faces, we settled in well and somewhat quickly last night. It finally cooled off when the storm came around 8. After such a long day of traveling, it wasnt long before we were off to sleep. This morning we will be headed to the supermarket and the building supply store, then off to Managua to await the teams arrival tomorrow. Thanks for your continued prayers.

Dinner at On The Run. Almost to Santa Maria!

They're there!

Heard from Chris and Bruce. They got in right on time. Trip through security at the airport was not bad, and apparently they had no problems through immigration either. Pastor Jose met them at the airport and they were on their way to pick up the car, then the donas, then shopping.

Bruce said it was hot and muggy. It's going to be a long day. After shopping, gassing up Rolando's truck, stopping for water, and the drive out to Santa Maria, they will set up our cots and mosquito nets, then eat and bed. Tomorrow they get supplies for the project, then drive back to Managua to wait for our arrival on Saturday.

Sadly, we just got the news that David Hanson will not be able to join us on the trip. His mother has been in the hospital, and now that she is home she needs round the clock care. We will miss David terribly, but what he is doing for his parents is far more important. There's always next year.

On are way to Santa Maria. Long day !

We are boarded and on-time to Managua. Seems like it should be time to sleep. A long afternoon awaits.

Landed in Miami. So far so good!

Bruce and Chris are awake (we think) and en route to the airport. Early morning and a long day ahead!

Team Dinner....ready, set, gooooooooooo!

With the final team meeting past, the team is now fully ready to go.  Final team questions have been answered, supplies have been spread among team members to pack into their bags, and transportation to the airport has been arranged.  With the final gathering held this past Saturday, we are all ready to go.  A final check in occurred today with Pastor Jose down in Nicaragua, and they are eagerly awaiting the advance team arrival of Bruce and Chris on Thursday AM, and the rest of the team on Saturday AM.  After many months of preparation, the team is all set.  We are looking forward to beginning our 7th visit to Santa Maria.  We continue to ask for your prayers for all that is to come over the next week and a half.  We are extremely grateful for those who have provided miles, money or prayers in support of our work.  The next post will be from Miami on Thursday after the first leg of our 2011 journey.  May we "present ourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and our members to God as instruments for righteousness.” Romans 6:13

Bake Sale

Thank you to everyone who participated in the bake sale on Sunday May 29th. The baked goods were good and plentiful as well as the donations. ($351.00) A special thank you to Rosemary Trojan for her hard work coordinating and executing the effort!

Team Orientation Meeting #2

Preparations are well underway for our trip.  It's hard to believe that we are just under 4 weeks away now.  The time is moving past us very quickly!  We are very thankful that the Lord continues to provide for us in our preparations.  VBS, Bible studies and project plans are all very close to completion.

During our meeting yesterday, we were reminded of the many gifts that the Lord has provided each team member, and that He has brought us together in His service to use these gifts.  We are also reminded that He may choose to use us in some way that we are not expecting, and that we must be faithful to this.

I am so grateful for this team, and the energy and enthusiasm that each person of the team is bringing.  Looking forward to serving in Nicaragua with the team.  Please keep us in prayer.

Bake Sale May 29th

You can become a part of the Nicaragua Missionary trip by baking for our bake sale and by showing your support of our 14 team members who are leaving their "comfort zone" to minister to our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua for the sixth straight year. We are proud of our tradition of offering our very best food offerings at no charge to the congregation and watching the Holy Spirit fill our offering baskets to overflowing in appreciation of the Missionary zeal estended in Christ's name. Mark your calendars now! Rosemary Trojan 215.938.1180

A meditation on "Present Yourselves"

A little while ago my daughter Rachael sent me this blog. I wish I knew where it came from so that I can credit the original author, but I don’t have their names, except that obviously they are missionaries to Haiti. I don’t mean to imply that Nicaragua is dangerous! But I think it is a really good thought and apropos of “crossing the tape” and “presenting ourselves.” I sent it to the team, and thought you might enjoy it as well.

From a blog:

The safest place to be is in God's will.

We once believed that this meant no harm would come to us or our family if we were at least attempting to follow Jesus to the best of our ability. These days that is seeming pretty shallow, wrong, and fairly self-centered. Why should it be easy and where did we get that cock-eyed idea anyway?

Things happen. There are challenges. Darkness attacks.

We're slowly learning that He heals, that He turns things intended for evil into things He can and does use for good, but mostly in the battle against darkness and injustice there are no easy pathways of 100% guaranteed protection ... because this is war and war is not without cost. In truth we've come to a place of recognition that our safety is not something we should cling to so tightly.

Does this mean we are never fearful?
No.
We experience seasons of doubt and fear. We fear losing our children in Haiti. I find myself spinning tales in my mind of the horrible way I might lose one of them. I wonder how awful it will be to know that my choice to live in a place without great medical care could ultimately result in a death. At times it makes me want to tuck-tail and run back to a place I perceive as safe. But in my rational mind I know that I could lose them anywhere and at anytime - and that sometimes in order to follow Christ - increased risk and uncertainty will be necessary - and possibly even required.

I want to learn to be less fearful. I desire to be wise but not necessarily "safe". I want to believe that my friends who are walking away from their safety-nets will be provided for in miraculous ways. I want to trust fully in my Father's ability to get me through whatever the future holds; the mountains, the valleys, the good, the bad, through war or darkness.

From Radical - David Platt writes -

Jesus told them, "Go to great danger, and let it be said of you what people would say of sheep wandering into the middle of wolves. They're crazy! They're clueless! They have no idea what kind of danger they are getting into!" This is what it means to be my disciple. We don't think like this. We say things such as, "The safest place to be is in the center of God's will." We think, if it's dangerous, God must not be in it. If it's risky, if it's unsafe, if it's costly, it must not be God's will. But what if these factors are actually the criteria by which we determine something IS God's will? What if we began to look at the design of God as the most dangerous option before us? What if the center of God's will is in reality the most unsafe place for us to be?

Moving forward

Uh, gee thanks Chris. You make it sound like it's going to be so much fun. ;-) Actually folks, despite the "hardships" Chris mentioned, it IS fun -- sharing with the kids and the whole community, learning to live in close quarters with good people, and working really hard in HIS service.

We are busy writing VBS lessons and skits. Our theme this year is "heroes of the Bible".

Please be in prayer for the following:
o Open hearts and minds in Santa Maria
o VBS/Men’s and Women’s Bible Studies
o Pastor Jose, our hosts at Verbo
o Chris/Sandy – leadership guidance
o Safety
o Joy in serving our Lord

Team Preparations

The theme for the team this year is "Present Yourselves" based on Romans 6:13.  As the team prepares, they are focused on presenting their full selves, skills and talents, to the Lord and His service.  In doing this, each member of the team has committed to step inside the yellow caution tape, one of the major themes of the Renewal Weekend at St. John's and the focus of the Friday evening message of Bishop Barnum (found at http://www.toknowchrist.org/drupal/content/bfi).  The team will not be in the most comfortable environment.  Bugs, dust, rain, and oppressive heat and humidity are just a few of the challenges.  Still, the team presents themselves to serve God.  Please keep the team in your prayers as they continue in the many preparations for this mission. 

Team Meeting #1

So, we now have our team, and it's a little larger this time than in the last few years. Members are:

Butch Bodenheimer
Ellen Bodenheimer
Bruce Buckley
Sandy Buckley
Liz Christian
Ben Cramer
Mayo Dunn
Chris Freisheim
Deb Freisheim
Missy Gentles
Cliff Gobin (our colleague from Texas)
David Hanson
Lynn Rudolph
Sue Steege

-- 14 in all! Added to that are our two veteran translators, David and Eric. It's evenly divided among men and women, so it's a toss-up who gets the larger sleeping room, but the men say they should have it. Whatever; ours has a nicer door.

Liz, Ben, Missy, and David are new to the team this year and we welcome them. We tried not to scare them too much at our first meeting, but hey, the airline tickets are bought so they're in it now for better or worse. :-) They all bring terrific skills with them, and I for one am really excited to have them along. And, Missy knows "Pharaoh Pharaoh" which gets me off the hook! \0/

Yours in Christ,
Sandy

Team Forming

Welcome once again to the St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church summer mission trip blog.  Once again, we will be going to Santa Maria, Nicaragua.  The team is now forming, and we invite you to return often for news and updates.