The gang! What a great send off.

We had a great send off. Our final night in Granada with our Nicaraguan friends. Our hope is that we can come back someday. If nothing else, raising funds for sanitation systems would be HUGE. Sanitation systems are so badly needed. Each cost $1,800.00, but allows a family to have a toilet, shower, and water basin. It utilizes a septic system. How wonderful to be a part of such a blessing. Thank you Habitat Nicaragua. You were fabulous hosts, and wonderful examples of God's love.

                                                        FAREWELL!

No, we were not robbing banks.

In order to make mortar we had to screen our gravel for sand. It was dirty, but one of the easier jobs! I'm in! 

Our 150 year old tree....give or take a few years....it was old!

David! David loves ice cream!

Mom didn't love it that day...she had just given David a bath to prepare him for our dedication...ooops. Our bad. 

Cathedral

What an interesting service.  Confession took place during service, and stopped at communion. After the Lord's Prayer we went for silent prayer in another room. After that we were ushered into this room for quiet contemplation. Wow. 

Sorry for the delay!

This was a Catholic Church in Granada. What a beautiful day. We went on a wild walk in search of Nicaraguan keepsakes! We met interesting people that tried so hard to help us find our treasures, but it was a bust. We ended up in the duty free store at the airport! Go figure. 

My blogging was delayed. We lost Internet late in the week...I will be making a few more entries as the final farewell. 

The Yuck is invading...

On a personal note. I want to thank Luke S. For his "steroidal" cream. I contracted a nasty something on my face and chest. It worked like a charm! The rest of us had some other creepy rash..hydrocortisone did the trick. Ugh. Now we sing.

More Pics of loved ones

Just Pictures of your loved ones

5:30am

We wake up everyday listening to the surf. The Pacific Ocean crashes in just outside our bungalows. If we close our eyes it sounds like we're on vacation...sadly, our eyes are not closed; although God's beauty is surrounding us we see the despair left behind by poverty. The horses roam the the beach starving. Their ribs are exposed and they walk like sloths up the beach. The dogs sit in the roads skinny and disease ridden. One out of every 5 children dies before their fifth birthday. It's an understatement to say Americans have a good standard of living. 

We asked the locals about crime and they looked puzzled. "No crime" they said. "We know each other". "We help each other". San Rafael del Sur, Nicaragua is a populated community consisting of some of the very poorest people in Nicaragua, and yet crime is almost non-existent. Why? 

Before and after...

Matthew Sandberg - reflection

1 Corinthians 6-

Simply praying- not claiming. A new Christian asks "What does it mean to move mountains when we pray...?"  Matthew is asking "God help Nicaragua."

Our discussion during break time...we're good

"How do you feel?"

"Dizzy, but good"

"Tired, but good."

"Dirty, but good"

"I hurt all over, but good"

"Ready to die, but good"

"Delirious, but good"

Today.

We have all of these witty things we talk about putting on the blog as we work...and then...exhaustion sets in and we can't think of anything witty by nights end. 

Reflection- Travis Rose

Calling and purpose- putting action to those words is the hard work. "Go" is the key word in our scripture tonight. What makes us want to respond?  

Harrington Sunscreen

David Harrington had some rock'n socks! With a few holes in them! Ha- dirty day:)

Pentecostal Missionaries - Jayson and Nellie Long

We welcome our guests and learning about their work on experimental water treatment and Sunday School! They have been in Nicaragua for 6 years. They love the jungle and the mountains. They described the people as friendly and accepting. The country people are more trusting and work together to keep their communities together. They work hard to keep family the priority. Working for the people of Nicaragua allows a few things like a soccer ball for example. We dedicated the bibles and we have mission accomplished!

Thrivent doing good- better.

213 million has been contributed from Thrivent to Habitat. Today we aren't thinking about millions we are thinking about 3. We are embarking on a community of 80 homes, and are invited to build 3 of them.  We are excited to start our mission, because we have witnessed the poverty first hand. It's a stark contrast to the natural beauty God put here...we are at the ocean's edge filled with the noise of the surf and wildlife. Our minds are uncluttered from being removed from our material concerns and we are free to listen to Him. What an amazing thing that we work for a company so generous that it allows and encourages its employees to make the world a better place. Our true journey has begun.

Reflection April 19, 2015 Luke 12:48

36 hours in. We are here. Constance Waisanen is delivering the reflection.

"To whom much has been given much is expected."  Luke 12:48

The American myth is that exceptional performers are special... In fact, we were born somewhere special. Take the opportunity to watch the happiness around us, and prepare to make room in your heart to see that happiness. The picture may be dark, but Constance has given us some light tonight. Thank you - Constance.

Transporting Bibles...A Group Effort

We have moved 250# of bibles for two days. It's been very hard on the back, but good on the heart! 

I think we are all looking forward to giving them to their new home tomorrow! We have traveled many Km from Managua with the bibles in tow. Everyone chipped in and helped move them from place to place. Great effort on everyone's part! Thank you God for giving the world such wonderful people, and to a company called Thrivent for bringing them all together.

Rebecca Neafcy gives a BIG shout out to everyone in RFO 165!

Impact meeting- leaving this "Americanized" hotel today...easy street is over...

Today we learn and are ready to set out! We are looking forward to doing good:)

We are leaving in good hands- Elisa, Katia, Tagnia, Andrea & Frank are leading our teams.

There are 6.1 million people in Nicaragua and the country remains the second poorest country in Latin America. 80% of the country is age 40 years old and younger...30%  of all children suffer from malnourishment. 1 of every 4 children DIE under the age of 5 years old. Our hearts are heavy from that statistic. 24% of children are in the labor force and not in school. 51.6 % of the population is underemployed. 

Why does habitat Nicaragua exist? 78% of families are living in inadequate housing. 45% has dirt floors and 75% of families have no toilet. Weather plays a huge part in the inadequate housing due to earthquake and hurricane. Hurricane Mitch killed 3200 people, and hurricane Felix destroyed 3 entire communities. Homes built are roughly 480sq.ft. Each house costs roughly $5,000.00

Where are we building? San Jose (Km 54) in a community now building for 80 families with a monthly income below $200.00. Habitat leads workshops in financial education, healthy living, and secure tenure (land ownership). Each home is made from reinforced masonry. Concrete floor, 26 gauge metal roof, 4 windows, 2 doors, 1 division dry-wall, 2 bedrooms. Kitchens are now outside. Porch is 12 sq meters.

Families: A single mother, her parents in-law are elderly and live with her. She lost her husband in a car accident and she has 2 children. She works at a hotel near the beach and makes 85.00/ mo.

A 31 year old widow. Lost her husband in a motorcycle accident. She has 3 children. She works selling seafood at the farmers market. It takes her 2.5 hours to commute to work each way. She takes her 2 year old to work with her, because she has no one else to care for him. 

 A 74 year old widow. She has been responsible for her 18 children since her husbands passing many years ago. Her daughter, Sonjia, has Down Syndrome and Sonjia got pregnant at 13 and now cares for her grandson also. All 18 children, 1 grandson, and Maria share one room and have no sanitary facilities. 

Ephesians 4:1

Bob DePasquale lead our reflection for April 18, 2015

My wife and I participate in a ministry called Spoke Folk (www.spokefolk.org).  It can often be challenging when beginning a mission trip with many people and tasks you are unfamiliar with.  We may doubt our worthiness or calling.  

I felt that in preparation of this trip, but the verse reminds be that we are all urged to live a life worthy of the calling.  

How empowering is that?

-Bob DePasquale

Atlanta to Managua...The transport begins!

The bibles made there way into the belly of Airbus A320... not without some earthy problems. The heavenly host intervened and we are hopeful to see them in Managua, Nicaragua! 😇 

250lbs of Love!

Thanks to Luke Suminski for adding 50# to his trip! Nope, he didn't eat a large dinner prior to take off! He volunteered to take a suitcase full of bibles! We now have 250 Lbs of bibles headed to Nicaragua! Thanks for all of the help that Kelsey Midthun and Gil Young gave us in getting God's word in the hands of our Spanish speaking friends! God Bless you all!

God of Truth and Love

We know that prayer makes a difference, so our first blog post is a simple prayer...

"Lord, please let us remain focused on you during our time in Nicaragua. Create a space each day that we feel your presence and spend time in your Word. We ask that you allow rest for weary bodies each night and allow us to wake refreshed and ready to begin the next day responding with humility and wisdom to all that we meet.  We ask that we all work together to accomplish those things in which you set us out to accomplish. All while staying focused and giving credit to you, Lord. We ask that you keep and guide those we leave at home and in our own communities. See that they remain safe and healthy. Lord, we ask that you help enlist a large group of those willing to pray that echo our needs and the needs of others to you. Lastly, we pray that we proclaim your Word as clearly as we should by our actions. In Your name we pray. Amen"

We are all looking forward to an amazing adventure. Pray often and pray long...looking forward to communicating our launch from Atlanta airport Saturday, April 18th 2015. Stay tuned! Photos will begin soon!