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