A blast from the past

As we were in Managua this week, buying things for school at PriceSmart (our kind of Sam's Club), we ran into Jairo & Lorenzana RodrÍguez. We worked with them in the early 90's developing the children's ministry in a good sized Managua congregation and have lots of memories with them. They are still in the ministry, and in spite of many trials, are going forward. They just looked a lot older to us, and unfortunately, us to them. Keep them in your prayers.

Jim & Pat Sorum

  Recently we traveled to South Dakota to visit our friends Jim & Pat Sorum (and kids Jamie, Micah, and Jacob). Jim has been deeply involved in Nicaragua since the late 80s and is currently part of our ministry board. Jim pastors a church in Rapid City where he works with the indigenous Lakota population. We are excited about the work they are doing and to see what God has for them in the future. We ask your prayers for them, their ministry, and their family.

Trip up north

  During our break from Nicaragua, we had the opportunity to not only see our families in New Mexico, but to visit Jim and Pat Sorum in South Dakota. They have been friends since we first met them in Nicaragua in the early 90s. Jim is also part of our ministry board. Soon I will do a blog on them and their ministry. We return to Nicaragua in mid January. Feliz año nuevo a todos!

Manto de Gracia's first preschool graduation

Yesterday, December 3rd, we had our first preschool graduation at Manto de Gracia in Nueva Guinea. It went really well and we had nice weather for our walk to the school (see video). The custom is that the boys are accompanied by a female relative (mom, sister, aunt, grandma, etc.), and the girls by a male relative. The kids are now on vacation until next February. Next year we plan to add 3rd grade and possibly an extra first grade class depending on the registration in January.

I'm on to second grade

Today was the last official day of school - kids had their parties and got their report cards. Here is Jenifer "feliz de la vida" because she got good grades and is going to second grade.

Shoe shine boys

  As many of you know, we have over time ministered to the local shoe shine boys. The most creative ministry was done by Jim Lugar and a group from his church when they washed their feet.
  Passing through the town of Juigalpa, Barb and I saw a statue in the central park honoring the shoe shine boys as honorable workers. In the case of Juigalpa, this one eventually became the Mayor. We appreciate your prayers for all the young men and women looking to find their way in the world down here.



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"Four Gospels" Traffic Circle

Nueva Guinea may be small, but we do have something that qualifies as a "rotunda", or a traffic circle. It has been decorated and named "The 4 gospels Rotunda", and each entrance to the circle is named after one of the gospels. Well, I was teaching a Bible study and asked why there were four gospels, and one of the kids said "Because there are 4 streets that go into the rotonda".



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