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On Saturday, July 9, the Kenya team packed their supply bags in preparation for their July 17 departure.
That same weekend Fox River commissioned the team and prayed over them in every service.
Please pray for the team as they travel to Kenya to represent Fox River and serve beside our partners in Bomani and Vipingo.
At the beginning of June, we had the privilege of sending off Kerri Roberts to Nicaragua for her internship for the summer. She has had an exciting and busy few weeks, so without further a due...I'll let you hear directly from her!
"This year coming to Nicaragua has been a very different experience for me than usual. I have had the privilege of coming before Fox River and getting to help prepare for the team. It was really cool to get to see all the things that go into preparing for a team and being part of that. There is so much more work than I ever knew or cared to think about. The Nicas work many many hours getting La Esmeralda and the houses we stay in ready for us, and Donna runs around the country getting all the things together for us, so that the team will be comfortable while they stay."
"God worked this week. We had two different groups in our team this year, the ones in the clinic and the ones going out into the communities. I got to be part of both sides and I can honestly say that both work extremely hard to accomplish whatever task God has given them on this trip. This year since we had separate groups that meant we had less translators…which meant I was a translator this time. Friday the medical people had their first clinic and saw patients! The community group went out into Las Nubes and La Esmeralda to hand out hygiene packs Fox River donated. We broke up into three groups and headed off in different directions. As we walked around to the houses and started to share these gifts it opened the door for us to invite them to the events we would be having that week, and also to share about the hope we have in Christ and the love He has given us. This is always one of my favorite parts of the trip, and this year was no different. I love this part because even though I don’t know much Spanish I can still communicate to the people that they are loved. In all it was an impacting week, as 84 people accepted Christ!!! Thank you God!"
"On Friday, I had my first young women's event at the church in Pochocuape. I was blessed to have a great group of ladies to help me make this day possible. The five of us were able to speak and show and be Christs love to thirty-five girls and it is our prayer that they felt it. It is my desire that these girls are able to understand that they are so much more than this world tells them. Some of them are starting to have children at the extremely young age of twelve and are told that if they aren't married and starting a family by 18, that they are worthless. They are told they are useless and ugly and unwanted, and the list could go on and on. That is why I chose to take a day and try to help them they are loved, chosen, and blessed. I pray that they would be defined by that instead of the worldly standards!
We broke up the day up into three different sessions. A session contained worship, a message, and some small group time to discuss. We played some games to start the day. Between the sessions we had some activities for them to do. They got to paint a canvas, we painted their nails for them, and we did a photo shoot. They all really enjoyed painting the canvas and getting to make it their own, we had written "Loved, Chosen, and Blessed" on all of them so that they would have a daily reminder of these truths. Nobody here really has many pictures of themselves so we took some single shots and some group shots for them. And who doesn't love to be pampered a little?! They really like bright colors so most of them left with neon nails! We had a great lunch made by a woman named Kathy, she is a fantastic cook!"
"Being part of the beginning of Pochocuape has been so so cool! The other night at youth group a young man named Fran accepted Christ. He helps us in Sunday school. Marcelo who is the pastor at this new church is so passionate about reaching these people and it really neat to watch and listen as he gives the gospel. Tuesday we were having bible study there and I was just sitting and thinking about how cool it will be to see the growth of this church. I need to step out more and talk to some of the girls. I am not very confident in my Spanish skills, but I just need to set my pride aside and make a fool of myself if that's what will get me going. In Pochocuape we have Bible study on Tuesdays, youth group on Saturday evening, and service on Sunday. I literally get to watch this church be raised up and that is something so different and special. It is so humbling to me that God would use me in the ways He has."
We love hearing what God is doing in and through Kerri and in the lives she comes in contact with. For more updates, please follow along on her journey at www.persiguiendo13.blogspot.com
Well, we have been home for a week and the emotions and the adjusting are in full swing. I love trips... I love the people... I love the team... I love the place... I love being the hands and feet of Jesus... I love seeing the difference Fox River has and continues to make in this country, in this community. But, man the emotions that come with saying goodbye, leaving (your baby sister make it even worse), adjusting back to 'life' are tough to swallow. I am so thankful I serve a God that holds my heart and knows the pain and the joy that comes with missions!
With all that being said, let me share what God did...
You might have already read some of this, but bare with me and keep reading...
WE SAW 84 PEOPLE GIVE THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST!!! In just 6 short days 84 people became part of the Kingdom!! REJOICE!!!! We have new believers to celebrate! And that number is only a portion of the hundreds of patients, kiddos and families that we came in contact with, that we had the opportunity to share and plant seeds into their lives that could change their eternity.
We had a year of firsts in the midst of all the 'normal'.
Our Medical team was the first team that was working in the clinic when a baby was born! Some of our medical gals got to be hands on! So cool!
We had a movie night for the first time... So much fun! Something that was a treat for the people of La Esmerelda! We watched 'Inside Out' in espanol.
We Celebrated 5 years of the clinic being open and all of the work God has done through that time!
We were able to go, see and pray over the land that Fox River purchased for a new church in Las Nubes! You might only see green, but we were able to hear the vision of this land... God has BIG plans for this community!
We swallowed children with a giant whale! Oh, the laughter that came from those sweet kiddos!
We rode in a cattle truck, on motorcycles, bus and in the back of a pick-up (and that doesn't even include all the walking/hiking)! SO many forms of transportation that made for lots of laughter, muddy backsides and a few bruises!
And so much more...
Through all the fun, tasks, and work that we do there the best moments consist of getting to know and encourage the Nica team! We couldn't do what we do without them and I know the time we spend in their community, in their life is such fuel for them! Yes we get to see people come to Jesus and we get to see babies being born, kiddos laugh when another gets 'swallowed' by a whale, we get to give out hygiene packs and bless those people... But then we leave (even when our hearts don't come with us). The most important thing we do while we are there is encouraging and supporting the ministry that Pastor Denis and his team work hard at everyday, day in and day out! If I could only describe to you exactly the amount of gratefulness and heart felt love that these people have for Fox River's partnership and teams you would be in tears. God has formed such a strong bond between our churches that the only way to describe it is 'Family'! Language has NO power over the love that we share through OUR God!! We laugh, we cry, we share, we pray, we love TOGETHER!!
We had to ask so many people to join us to make this trip and this week a reality, and we are so grateful for them and all the work they did with us and for us! From translators to kitchen ladies we had quite the team of Nicas that stood beside us all week. The people of La Esmerelda are so very special to Fox River and we can feel that that is a shared feeling! If you ever wonder how the blood of Christ connects his people you should come to Nicaragua!
I can honestly say that leading a team is one of the most exhausting yet rewarding jobs I have ever been given. From the tiny details to the giant spiders I have had to 'handle', I'm glad I have a team to laugh at or with me, to cry for or with me, to pray with and for me... My God has such wonderful plans and I in the midst of all the rain, mud, tears, laughter, goodbyes, heartache, joy, 'colored' tent poles, bugs, rats, bats, snakes, and on it goes... am so glad to be a part of this ministry!
Para mi Nicas~ Te amo y muy profundamente a todos de menos. Estoy muy agradecido de Dios escribiria una historia como la nuestra.
To my Fox River family~ THANK YOU! You make this all possible through your giving and prayers! You are not unnoticed!
To those of you just following along~ I hope you see what the power of Unity in Christ can do!
You have read our stories, yet there is still so much to share... so ask us!! Ask anyone of the team members, I promise they have something you haven't heard yet!
As I sit here this morning waiting for the shuttle to the airport with a heart full of emotions, I choose to think about the amazing things God has done this week through the partnership Fox River has made with the people of Nicaragua!
Goodbyes never seem to get easier even when you know God will bring you back!
Out flight is at 12:30... Will you pray us home?? And for all the emotions and things running through our heads this morning as we leave this place that has hold of so much of our hearts.
We will see you soon!
Hola!
We know our blogging has been scarce, so buckle up we have a whole awful lot to share with you!!!
First.... Our most exciting report... 84 people decided to give their lives to Christ in the last 7 days!!!! PRAISE HIM AND REJOICE with us that we have new family members!
Some team members are going to share with you...
Bree~
I have had the blessed opportunity to work with the VBS team this Nicaraguan trip. We visited four different schools in the surrounding areas to share the word of God with the children. We started off with some songs and dances, and then told the story of Jonah, with props and audience volunteers of course. Then the kids had the chance to surrender their their life to Jesus before heading to games and crafts. It took a lot of prep to coordinate everything for this VBS, but seeing a child's face transform into a genuine smile made it all worth it.
For I believe that Gof portrays this essence of joy through children. they have an open sincerity, and it is amazing to witness a girl or boy point that sincerity towards Jesus. Several kids gave their life to Christ in VBS and we are praising God for it. My soul is filled knowing that we could provide hope to these schools. I hope and pray that these kids continue to have more opportunities to witness the love of Jesus, and that His presence continues to fill these schools. I thank God for this chance to serve a great Nicaraguan community with a wonderful team. There have been challenges, including rain and sickness, yet people have kept incredible attitudes through it all. Working with such an amazing team has allowed us to better fulfill our mission. I am excited to hear how the church in La Esmerelda will impact the kids and people of the surrounding communities in the future. Pray that go blesses such a glorious church and beautiful people.
Jodie~
My husband and I had the privilege of going on Fox River's first medical mission to Nicaragua and we are completely blessed to be on the second. On Monday, we had a laboring woman walk 2 miles to give birth to her eighth child. To be with her for this experience was priceless. No medications, no air conditioning, a room for her and her baby with four medical personnel the size of a small bathroom and she never made a sound. After the baby was born, she asked us to name her baby. We came up with the name David. Mom was doing great after the birth but the baby had possible/probable muconium aspiration and needed to be seen at the local hospital which is about an hour away. The mother sat in the back seat of a truck with her IV bag held up by the rolled up window. Her mother was to her left holding the newborn baby boy and the doctor was sitting up front. Before they ventured out on their journey through jungled and bumpy roads, our team circled around the mother and baby David and prayed over them in Spanish. Even though we speak different languages, we speak to the one true God. God is so good! All the time! This clinic has done so much for the people. I thought two miles was far to walk laboring, but if this clinic in La Esmeralda was not established, she would have had to walk for hours or may not have went to a hospital at all.
Kevin~
I am once again humbled by the physical hardships of the coffee farmer. A drink that the rest of the world takes or granted causes immense hardships for Nica families whose lives would consist of coffee bean farming.
We had a couple team members who chose that this week was a perfect time to show the world that they are followers... Brittany and Kevin were baptized Tuesday, June 28th at the waterfall in La Esmerelda!!! IT WAS SO AWESOME!!!!
I have very few pictures of the medical team which I will share with you here, but I'm so excited to say that they had the privilege of helping with a birth this morning! What a great joy! His name is David. I'm sure we will hear more about this story when the team is at a place where they can communicate. Until then, let's thank God for this precious little life!
One of our Nicaraguan partners praying with a patient at the clinic.
Waiting to see the medical team.
Many walk a great distance to receive medical care at the clinic.
There will be an all day clinic on Tuesday and half a day on Wednesday before the team departs La Esmeralda. Thank you for praying for the medical team!
Yesterday we celebrated the 5-year anniversary of the clinic in La Esmeralda, Nicaragua. Here are some highlights.
Putting up tents for the celebration.
Hanging decorations.
The greeters. It was a rainy day
A great band!
Pastor Denis and Karen honoring Fox River.
Children's presentation.
Presentations and preaching.
Some of those in attendance.
After the service each person received lunch, a Coke and a flashlight with the clinic logo in it.
In the afternoon we dedicated the doctor's house with Pastor Denis, Karen and missionary Brian Weed.
Our last activity of the day was to visit the newly purchased land for the church plant in a community about 30 minutes from La Esmeralda, called Las Nubes.
The Fox River team is an amazing group of servants. Their final difficult chore was to clean all the mud off the rental chairs so they could be returned.
Despite the rain it was a very special day! There were somewhere around 500 people in attendance. Thank you to all that have been praying for that day!
Internet and communication is always very difficult on the mountain. We hope to be able to get another post out Tuesday night.
Thank you for your support!
A few fun pictures from the team!
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The team has had a busy couple of days.
Some of the team members want to share with you what we have done and the impact that it has had on them!
Friday we handed out the Hygiene packs that Fox River funded...
Melody~
Hellloooo it's me. I'm in Nicaragua thinking about the next time we will meet. To go over everything. ;) But until then, let me fill you in on what has been going on. Yesterday we went out into the community's of La Esmeralda and Las Nubes to hand out the much needed hygiene packs. As someone who never thinks twice about having shampoo, soap, or something as simple as a toothbrush, giving out the hygiene packs was a humbling experience. This is not my first rodeo. I have been here to Nicaragua four times now, but even so, every time brings new experiences, new opportunities, and even more spiritual growth.
I want to share with you something that really captured my heart throughout the hygiene packs experience. Let me set the scene...it's raining, muddy, the rain jacket I brought was not so much a rain jacket but more a wind breaker, and my group was taking the path with lots of hills and very few houses. Time for some honesty, I was feeling like it was not worth the hike. The ratio did not balance. It is times like these where I need to stop and take a look inward at the condition of my heart. As we continued on our hike to these remote houses, God showed me how much every single child of his matters. It is a deep desire of my heart to reach those who may not have any other opportunity. To reach the unreachable. I would walk miles in the pouring rain if it meant that one more person would get to hear the good news. As we are here in La Esmeralda and the surrounding communities this week, God is fulfilling this passion that He gave me. I am so thankful to be a small part of Gods great plan for this community.
Melody and the team putting together the hygiene packs.
One of our Nicaraguan partners explaining the hygiene pack.
The team praying with the family.
The team as they are delivering the hygiene packs.
Dawn-
Hola from Nicaragua :) I can't begin to tell you how happy it makes me to be sitting here at the clinic, surrounded by Nica's & American's and be able to tell you guys back in the states just a little of what we are doing. Yesterday we were able to go out into the community and give hygiene packs to families and pray for them. It was an unbelievable experience to be able to walk to homes, tell them about Jesus, and pray for their specific needs in both languages. It was truly a humbling ministry experience. It really opens your eyes to what a day in the life of ours Nica partners is like. For me, this day was extra special because I got to spend my morning with my team handing out these packages...which I can't stress enough how important these every day items we take for granted are, and then I spent my afternoon working in the clinic. Working in the clinic was a whirlwind and very fast paced. It honestly brings me to tears to be able to be a part of God's plan this way. And my hope is, that as you are reading this back home that you realize what a great impact you have made on their lives, as well as mine by giving so generously. I can't thank you enough. God is truly amazing and a God of all nations.
Saturday Morning we hosted a Women's event...
Beth~
After a night of storms, we were blessed with a sunny Saturday morning. About 60 women gathered at the church for a time of fellowship and crafts. Katherine, a Nicaraguan teenager who works in the church, led us in song and prayer. We had a fun icebreaker with balloons -- both young and older women joined in the laughter. Karen, Pastor Denis' wife, talked about God's grace for each person. We followed Karen's talk with three activities:
During the women's event, the men played baseball in the church's courtyard and discovered that competitiveness reaches across borders.
The women of La Esmeralda enjoyed this special time set aside just for them. Also crossing borders was the camaraderie of women bonding together. It was wonderful worshipping in Spanish with them, knowing that God's message doesn't depend on language, culture, or borders, but celebrates all of our differences in His common grace.
Balloon ice breaker at women's event.
Bree painting nails.
Picking flower seeds.
Decorating a tote bag.
The medical team has been busy at work as well.
Jim~
On Friday the Medical Team held our first full clinic day. We treated a total of 196 patients! It was a very busy day and afternoon and everyone on the team performed admirably bringing the healing touch of God through Fox River to our Nicaraguan neighbors. Our pharmacist Katie, along with her Nicaraguan partner Fatima, filled 458 prescriptions! We are also happy to report that 25 of our patients accepted Christ as their Savior. We are all excited to continue to have opportunities to serve in our remaining time here.
Pat~
Saturday morning was not what we expected. Unlike yesterday, there was no one waiting in line. Unknownto us, this was the day that everybody needed to register to vote. We wasted no time moving supplies around and installed a shelving unit. We had a mess when a group arrived to be treated, but we were ready to jump into action. For a half day of clinic we saw about 50 patients, some accepted Christ while we were treating them. That makes it all worthwhile. The shelves were full of supplies before we ate lunch.
Pictures of the medical team are coming.
The ladies on the team.
The guys on the team, our "bus ninja" driver and one of our new friends.
We are all rested up and ready to go up the mountain! The team enjoyed a nice breakfast this morning, our last warm shower for the week, and lots of coffee!!! Everyone is excited to get up to La Esmeralda and see our friends and meet new ones!
Pray for our final leg up the mountain, for preparation for the rest of the week, our health, and our focus for why we came and who we came with! We can't wait to share what God does! Stay tuned!!
