¿Qué hay de nuevo? - "What's new?"

This is the first of many ministry updates you'll be able to find here.  I'm going to do my best to keep everyone updated on our progress and what's happening with the Nicaragua ministry as well as my part in it.  I hope you will stay in touch and get involved!

It's been a bittersweet month for us.  On the sweet side, we are doing well at raising the funds we need to get me down to Nicaragua full-time so we can work on some projects with our students and some local fundraising ideas.  At this point, I am a little over half-way of my minimum budget and I'm hopeful that it will keep coming. 

I recently got wind that the local church in Quilali, the town where we are well connected, is in the process of developing ideas for a cooperative of church members who will be working together on some farming and other agricultural projects.  I asked Jonaton if they were good plans and he said, "very good."  I recently received the proposals and I'm in the process of reading them over as my Spanish level allows.  The major hangup for these proposals is financing.  I am hoping to get more information on micro-loan and other financing potential to assist with getting these ideas off the ground.  If they are successful, it will provide additional income for the church to assist the local community and provide for the needs of the members.  I am anxious to be involved and get working with these kinds of projects.

Jose and I were able to communicate via Skype today and it was great to see him and his wife, Rosie.  I was babysitting my best friends' kids and so they got a chance to "meet" Jose and vice versa.  I was happy for that!  I also got updated on Jose's ideas and the team he is forming.  He is really looking forward to having me there and is anxious for me to arrive.  We have been discussing August but I am waiting on clear confirmation and funding before my decisions are final.

On the bitter note, one of our dear friends, Rosario, a very elderly lady in the community and someone we have been supporting, is in bad health.  It has become very difficult for her to eat and she is already very frail.  I was hoping to make it down to see her.  But, due to Jose being away from Managua for a while, I won't be able to get transportation and therefore won't likely be able to see her.  I am strongly hoping that she makes it though until I come. Please keep her and her husband, Santiago, in prayer.





I am anxious to get my feet on the ground and get some new things started.  I keep asking God, "when" and I keep sensing the word "faith" instead of the answer I would like.  Sometimes the faith has to come before the communication so that your heart will be in the right place and you'll be ready to trust when you hear from Him or when His direction becomes clear.  Please continue to pray for my faith, God's timing, and maturity and wisdom for all of us involved.

Saludos,
Russ