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This year's banquet was a wonderful evening of praise to what God has done through the willing hearts of His people. We had over 225 persons attending for a wonderful meal and evening event. We were blessed by a great silent auction (which raised almost $3000), wonderful music by Heather and Jazz, and Wil Graham provided us with some wonderful words of encouragement and a calling to missions. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible! If you missed us, we look forward to seeing you at the next banquet in 2011.
A group of college students are heading to Nica for their 4th annual spring break trip. They will be joined by several others traveling from Ohio, Georgia, Washington and (of course) Asheville. What a blessing it is to see this group giving their time and talents to serve God in this way. They will be doing food distribution, giving out gift boxes to the children, having baptisms, youth and young adult Bible studies, as well as many other activities. May God go before them and prepare their hearts for a wonderful, life changing trip. Our next trips are scheduled for June and July; we would love to have you join us or help support someone to go.
God is using the center as a wonderful opportunity to provide employment for Bethel. The center currently provides work for about 23 persons; our prayer is that each person who enters into the facility will know that God's hand is upon the people and the work being done. We hope that others will come with additional ideas/funding for micro-enterprises that will help create more jobs and allow the people to support their families.
The Mission House is hosting multiple groups from North America as well as local Nicaraguan churches. Our largest group this year is 110 persons for a long weekend. We typically are set up for about 45 persons (based on US standards of capacity); however, the Nicaraguans have a will and desire to serve and learn that surpasses our typical need for comfort. We hope and pray that these groups will be blessed and equipped to reach further for the kingdom.
The Block Company is up and running well in 2009; we continue to pray for God's blessings for the seven workers. Pray that God would continue to bring new contracts and new employment opportunities. Ron Read is down from Indianapolis for his second trip this year to help with the businesses. He brings invaluable experience in manufacturing and is helping the teams with planning and organization.
The Welding Shop received its first contract from the local schools to fabricate chairs and desks. We pray that the 3 new workers will have pride in their work and be able to exceed the expectations of customer. We pray that we can continue to provide good management and direction for profitability and growth.
The Tienda is doing great and is developing a good customer base. All of the goods that we collect and ship down (electronics, clothing, sports equipment, shoes, etcetera) are a real blessing and we are praying that we can send another container down this May. They have now started buying items in from different areas and can sell it on site. We pray for the two ladies who are running the store.
The Medical Clinic: Dr. Michael and Connie are now working full time at the clinic. They see the sick men on Mondays and Fridays and have open clinic on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday typically seeing at least 100 persons per day. We continue to pray for the sick men and increasing number of widows in the community. We also pray for the continued supply of medications that are needed for the clinics. It's really tough when we have the means to see the patients but can not provide the much needed medications. Currently, the family support money that was raised with WMIT in December is helping us to provide these much needed medications. We can use your support and prayers to continue this throughout the year.
Vision Nicaragua is seeking God's direction for our future representation in Nicaragua. We have been blessed to have several people with willing hearts show interest in serving in Nicaragua on more full time bases. We are trying to research and establish our direction for these opportunities. We are praying that God will continue to help us make the right decisions as we evaluate these possibilities.
The kids have gone back to school and, with your help and support, we are now providing an education for hundreds of students from High School, Trade School, and on to University and Bible College; your support is making as huge difference for the future. We are, once again, so very thankful for the people who continue to sign up and provide this monthly support. Please continue to join us in praying for these students and the continued support needed to give the gift of education.
Please view the following PDF file, which is a call for prayer and assistance for Ceferino's niece Ninosca in Nicaragua. She needs a healing from a recent infection, and the family is overwhelmed with medical and prescription costs. We are praying and believing that God will move upon the hearts of His people and that many of you will partner with us to relieve some of the suffering in Nicaragua. Thank you for considering this opportunity to be used by God. We look forward to hearing about and rejoicing in how He will move. (Please view the PDF file here.)
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