It's coming to an end

A story from yesterday...

Emily Price--

"We went to a waterfall yesterday that isn't to far from where we are staying. ​ It was a long walk to the bottom of the waterfall.  We walked over a few bridges and got some beautiful pictures.  Once we got down some people started getting in the water and more and more went in after that and by the half of the group was in and playing with the Nica's!  We got so many pictures of us in the water and it was a happy time for everyone!  God's work was beautifully shown at the bottom of the waterfall because it was sunny out with no rain and joy all over!"

Today was was our last day here in La Esmeralda! This morning we came together, Fox River and Nica's to share in encouraging each other​.  We had been given a name at the beginning of the week of someone we were supposed to get to know throughout our time together.  We were asked to find an item that would represent the person that we had been getting to know and then share why we chose this specific thing with some word of encouragement!  This was a precious time as we all sat and listened to what others saw in each other!  

We then spent the afternoon packing up and hanging with our friends! ​

We ended our day at Church service.  Seth shared how fear can so easily take over our lives and how the only way out of that fear is to give it all to Christ!  Pastor Denis then called the Fox River team up front to allow his congregation to thank us and to say goodbye! This service always pulls on the heart strings as all the people we have come to know come up and give hugs.  

As we prepare to leave tomorrow morning bright and early will you pray for us?  ​

For the Hearts that are heavy with goodbyes, that travel goes smooth, and for those who get motion sickness. 

​We will be home soon, but first a day to celebrate what God has done with our Nica's!

Buenas Noches​

More Stories

It is just so much better when the team shares....

Delaney-- 

Our final VBS was bittersweet. Being able to plant seeds in these little ones is truly an amazing experience. Knowing it was are last time was sad but we did some amazing work all to glorify God and further his kingdom. This crowd was a bit smaller and younger than the others but that allowed us to be more up close and personal with them. Watching their faces light up from the dances or the simple high fives from winning at a game has truly made me think about the things I find myself not showing gratitude towards and how back home I take for granted all the things that can make me happy, or even smile. Being apart of VBS was my favorite part of what we did. Getting the opportunity to be easy going and full of energy with the little Nica's brought me much joy. Knowing that now they know there's an all powerful God that loves them through any circumstance or situation brings me even bigger joy. Those smiles are just the beginning of Gods plan for them and I'm so grateful God allowed me to be a part of planting a seed to further his kingdom.

Elijah--

This trip was amazing so far and I hope to be able to come again. The VBS were very fun and I enjoyed the kids, they were hard to control but knowing that God is with them and they want to be there just makes me very happy! I am very happy that I was able to come and be a part of this team.

Stephen--

After dinner each night, behind the clinic and under the pavilion, we've been blessed to share and listen to each other's 'stories': the ways that each of us have come to know Jesus and the ways that He now personally works in our lives. Nightly, 2-3 from both the Nica's and the FR team have shared.

I've been amazed, from the beginning, how open and detailed the Nica's stories have been. Of course, it's been moving to hear the different ways the teens on our FR team have trusted God in their lives, but it's difficult hearing some of the stories from the Nica's and not knowing how to comfort them after. While their circumstances are very different, the setting of their story in Nicaragua is far from my own, the hurts that they feel and the ways God brings comfort through His Word and Church is the same. Praising God and joining together after, in prayer, is something I hope I never forget. - Stephen

Rain, Rain Here to Stay

After lunch, we headed out to the soccer field, which was an open grass area where horses roamed. As soon as we got there, it began to rain. But, the rain doesn't stop us, not in Nicaragua. We grabbed some soccer balls and had some fun. I'm pretty sure just about everyone left muddy and wet. We had tons of fun enjoying the rain, even if we weren't playing and just cheering on. The cold and wetness of today's soccer experience did not stop us from from getting to know each other more and build relationships with people all around us. Also taught us to be patient as we waited for showers afterward. -Sara Powers

Today for our VBS opportunity, we walked to the church that we are familiar with here in Nicaragua. I enjoyed today's VBS because we recognized the kids, and could strengthen our relationships with them even more. I felt very welcomed and comfortable with the people at this church when we worked with them all day. First, we sang songs with them in Spanish. I still enjoyed it even though I didn't fully understand what the songs were saying. The love that the kids show is so powerful, and it opened my eyes that Gods love has no language. After songs, we played games with them, taught them the story of Jericho and made some crafts. It was a good day! -Megan Price

Full day

​We had a very full day today!  Check out what the students have to share...

Abby Buck--​

This morning we had the amazing opportunity to go to la escuela de Paraiso, a public school, and teach the kids there a bible story, sing, dance, and play games. Each kid was also able to make a hacky sack. I loved seeing all the kids playing and enjoying what we brought for them. Even though we didn't get to spent a lot of time with them, we know that it a huge impact and it's something that they will remember. But what's more important is that We were able to show God's love to kids and teachers who might not see it everyday.

Maggie--

After lunch we all loaded onto the bus and traveled to Las Nubes. We were able to pass out more hygiene packs to the Nica's and pray with them as well. Many of the families that we encountered welcomed us into their homes to pray. After handing out all of the hygiene packs we lined the property where the church is going to plant another site. We were able to pray for the upcoming church and bless the people involved in the process. 

Emily Buck--

When we were done handing out hygiene packs, we all got back on the bus to head to El Leon to watch Inside out with the people in the town. The movie was in Spanish with English subtitles which was amazing because we all could finally understand and experience something together. I remember at one point during the movie, I looked beside me and saw everyone laughing. Everyone! We could all enjoy the moment without trying to figure out what each other was saying or needing a translator. That moment was raw and genuine. The experience helped me bond more with the Nicas and I think others can say the same. 

Church day

Here just a quick update from today...​

​Today we had a low key day, yet an adventure none the less!  

We started our day by attending church and participated as much as we could!  Some of the students jumped in for Sunday school with the kids and the rest of the team participated in the service! ​

In the afternoon we spent time preparing for our VBS events by practicing the drama, music, craft and games!  It's fun to share what we had planned with our Nica team! ​

​We then went back to church for the evening service!  I will say this... These students are eager to serve!!! It's so awesome to watch them step up and out! 

​Health is a big prayer for our team right now!!  

Let's get started

Today was are first full day here in La Esmeralda.  

I will start by sharing that Our God is GOOD!  He has shown us his presence and has heard your prayers! ​

​Some of our students share about what we have done...

Andrea-- Today we had the opportunity to go out in the community and hand out the hygiene packs we had assembled. We were able to go into the locals houses, give them the packs and pray over them, their family, and their household. It was an amazing start to the week.

Michaela--  We have really started to form relationships with the Nicas. Today we got to play a bunch of games and even had a color war. You really figure out who your friends are when you're running around and chucking colored powder at people. It was a lot of fun and even though we can't always talk with them, playing games really does break the communication barrier. 

Megan Paulson-- After an incredible day, building relationships and meeting people in the community, we had the opportunity to be apart of "teen night" at the local church. This was an awesome experience because everything is led by the teens, but you would never know it! Our team put on a skit for everyone, and we continued to build relationships and grow with the people around us! I can't wait to see what the rest of the week will hold! 

As we end our day will you pray for us?

The team has had some trials and we ask you pray for their hearts as we step into the rest of the week!   

Rest and breakfast

​Buenas Dias!!

We have rested and had breakfast!​

Selva Negra promises us good food, warm showers, and a bed to crash!  They have have definitely fulfilled that promise!

We will load up the bus and head up to La Esmeralda here shortly!   

Pray with us...

for dry and safe roads.

health for those who have motion sickness.

energy levels. 

that our relationships grow stronger with eachother and those who we will be working with!  

We will post again soon!!  

We are here!

The team has arrived safely in Nicaragua! 

For the most part travel was uneventful. All luggage accounted for, Praise God! Thank you for praying with us!! 

We had lunch at the airport and then headed out on the bus!  We have stopped for the night at Selva Negra a good stopping place for a good nights rest and good meal!

The team is exhausted and ready to hit the hay, but they are excited to be here!

We will eat dinner and turn in for a early night!

We have felt your prayers, so keep them coming! 

Buenas Noches

And here we go!

Today is the day! Our team gathered this morning at 1 am at the church to pack all our bags onto the bus and head to the airport for the first leg our journey to Nicaragua. And we couldn't be more excited!! Please pray for our team as today will be a long travel day, for all members to stay healthy, and for all our luggage to make it with us! 

These are our 1 am faces :) 

We are at our gate and ready to board! Next stop Houston, then to Nicaragua. Keep up with our trip here on the blog! Thanks for following along and supporting us throughout our journey from fundraisers to praying. We love you church family!

Talk soon!

Commissioning and Packing

Are you ready to join us on our adventure!!  We now leave in just a few short days and are very excited to see how God uses this team.

Commissioning

Last weekend Fox River (all campuses) commissioned our Nicaragua team.  What a privilege it is to be sent and supported by our entire church body! 

Just to give you a glimpse of what a commissioning weekend looks like...  We start at our Waukesha campus for our Saturday night service and then again on Sunday morning, we then split our team to go to our Muskego and Waterford campuses. And do a little hopping back and forth.  3 campuses covering 6 services over the weekend! 

Two of the team members were willing to share about how it feels to know our church is praying...

Delaney- "The fact that we have so much support from our congregation and Pastors throughout our journey brings such comfort.  As we were praying the Holy Spirit really opened my eyes to the fact that complete strangers can pray for something directly for me and it still has impact.  I found comfort in this weekends commissioning and it also showed me how supportive a church family can truly be."

Heath- "Commissioning is important to me because it allows me to feel that the church and senior staff is supporting us and behind us. I'm excited to go on this trip and allow god to work through us aswe are there. Amen"

Packing day!!!

That's right, you heard me!  We are so close it's time we got our supplies in some suitcases!  

18 students and 9 adults!! 27 people = lots of luggage... and today we packed one bag of supplies for each team member!! 

As we have shared before packing day is a daunting task when you look at the piles of supplies we need to fit into our limited suitcases, but it always seems to work out!   

From bubbles to peanut butter we pack it all! 

As we zip up the final suitcases, and our trip approaching quickly, will you join us in prayer in this specific area? Prayers that all of our luggage makes the trip with us and is accounted for on the other side.