It is about time to send our first 2018 Nicaragua team out. These men will have the opportunity to help construct a children's facility next to the church, giving the children a place to have their Sunday school and also a space to have a nursery. This is really exciting because our partner church in La Esmeralda has never had a space that they could dedicate to the children, they have had to either meet behind the church outside or under the (tiny) porch of the Pastors home. Now they will be able to start a nursery and have classrooms for the children to learn and play and be loved on. We are also excited to be putting some bathrooms in that same building. All of these things are giving the church the capacity that the need to grow and reach even more people in this community and those surrounding!
Each missions team that we send has the honor and privilege to be prayed over by our congregations before they leave which is something we value so much as we prepare to go. This past weekend Fox River prayed for this work and the men going to do it at every service. One of the reasons we value this so much is because we believe that prayer is so powerful as God tells us in His Word. Another reason is because we want those who do not get to go to be involved in what God is doing through our church. Each prayer and outstretched hand that is lifted up is making a difference in the lives of these children and their families that we are going to impact through this building. If you were there this weekend praying over us, thank you! If you weren't and would like to be part of God's working its not too late! Pray now that God would do something new and exciting in and through each of these men, and that this facility will bring more people to know Christ and in turn bring God glory!
After church we met up and had some lunch and fellowship and began packing our bags. Yes, even though we don't leave til Friday we have 14 bags packed and ready to be loaded up. These bags are very important because they carry supplies that the men will need to complete the projects they have been tasked with. Will you start praying now for all the bags to arrive and for God's hand to guide us smoothly through customs in Nicaragua? I love packing together with the team because it starts us all off working as one and also brings some understanding to the new culture we are about to be in for 10 days. This is when it starts getting exciting seeing everything start to come together, all the prayers and fundraising and conversations and meetings all getting us ready for what God has in store for next week.
Will you pray these next couple weeks? Pray that God will start today working in the hearts of each man who has sacrificed to go on this trip? Pray for the Nicaraguans we will be working with, that their hearts will be softened to what God has for them as well. Pray too for safety and health.
You can follow along with the team as they travel and are on the ground in Nicaragua right here! Look for our next post on Friday.
Since my sister was not able to fly with us I decided to pack her as my checked luggage. She has done a lot of the work in getting this team ready and planning all the details for them. Shout out to Abbey for all the work she does for all our Nicaragua teams!
