Moving forward ...

It has been three weeks since we came back. Pastor Eliseo and his congregation keep moving forward.

The foundation is complete, inside dirt leveled as required, and they are ready to start building the main walls. This is very exciting to see.

Please keep praying for the work in Nicaragua.

Day 5

Our week of work is finished. Tonight as I write this I am reflecting back over the week. We have made friends with a group of Christian people who a few weeks ago we never knew we would meet, let alone come to love. They are a people who love God and is very thankful for what has happened here this week. First is the construction of a new church, which has been supported by so many back home. Secondly, is the furthering of God's kingdom through relationships. There is the relationship we have built as a team and with the people here, and there is a cooperative relationship which has been established between the local pastors and their congregations. This has happened through His leading in the construction, the Bible School with the children, and the three nights of the street revival.
They have told us the progress on the church is ahead of their expectations. This, of course, makes us happy. The last night of the street revival found many people who came forward to pray with one of the seven Pastors. We know that one of the young men working with us has accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior this week.
It has been a great week. With our sore muscles and blistered hands we begin our journey home tomorrow. We have felt and experienced your prayers. Please keep praying for the team, an for our new fiends in La Trinidad. We will be home on Saturday, and look forward to sharing our stories, experiences, and pictures with you. God bless you.

Mike

Day 4

"Levantate y Resplandece"were the first words we heard today, telling us to raise and shine. We had a greaqt morning devotional by Mr. Marty, inspiring us to think on what our purpose was to come to Nicaragua. We then headed to the job site, ready and eager to begin the hard work. As soon as we arrived on the job site, we were given the job to dig a seemingly never-ending hole that we nicknamed "The Pit". the pit was a 4x4x4 hole for the column that will be the main support for the building. As we were digging holes, wheel barrowing dirt to its appropriate holes, and packing dirt with the tamper, our teammates were boarding re-bar, making cement, and shoveling dirt. After a lunch of Beanie Weenie and Vienna Sausages, we were ready to finish digging "The Pit", and we began getting ready for VBS. Bible school was interesting because we got to know and play games with the 60 children that attended. After finishing up Bible School, on our way to our hotel, we took a detour to downtown Esteli in search for disposable cameras and double A batteries. It was a unique detour. We saw all different kinds of driving, going the wrong way in a one way street, U-turns in the middle of the road, and passing cars at stop signs to take a left or right. Once back at the Hotel, we ate a delicious supper of steak, chicken, and shrimp, then headed off to experience a different type of excitement, that night's street revival. Pastor Luis delivered a very inspiring message. With reverend Jimmy interpreting, made all thye more exciting with passing of cars and people on the street we were on. After the service we shook hands and said good bye to every one, then headed back to the hotel for a refreshing night of sleep, before heading on for the last day's work.
Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Samuel Canty & Zac Hannaford

Day 3

Today is Tuesday, and once again the roosters did not over sleep. It was a drizzly, breezy, cool morning, that turned into another gorgeous Lords day.

We know the eggs for breakfast were fresh as we saw them being delivered to the hotel. Breakfast as usual was delicious. Walter started our day with a mountain top devotion.
We are literally inn a mountain range, and all of God's creation is evident. We left then for the construction site.

It was already a bee hive of activity. Talk about doing work the hard way! Sand was poured in the center of the street, mixed with rocks, formed into a dome. A volcano was made, water added and mixed there; put in 5 gal. buckets, and carried to various forms. The Lord sure knew what He was doing when He gave men strong backs and arms.


In spite of the language barrier, there is a universal knowledge of what to do next. Talk about teamwork!! The comraderie of Christian service to build this church is present, and the Holy Spirit is definitely the bond carpenter.

Our cuisine of beenie weenies, pjb sandwiches, chips and cookies will once again be our lunch. It is really good Manna from the Lord.

Mondays VBS had about 35-40 children, not including Mamas. Tuesday there was about 40.

After a hard day's work, the team returned to Esteli, ate supper and prepared for the Street Revival. Pastor Luis will preach tonight.


Carolyn & Debra

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Day 2

Monday is the first day of “on site” construction and Bible School. The construction can best be described as CLOSE QUARTERS! When the old time song about the low cost of a place in Managua, Nicaragua, was written, the author hadn't anticipated the current price of real estate. Our host congregation is a small, warm, hospitable, and growing band of fervent believers. As we understand, only about ten members of the congregation have regular (perhaps full-time) employment. Even so they are so committed that they borrowed money to purchase an expensive (relatively speaking) lot and have a small building for their services. Close quarters describes the working space, the lot lines, and the need to mix concrete at curbside in the street. We were quite pleased to see the preparation of the construction site prior to our arrival this morning. Fourteen reasonably deep footers (approximately three feet down into volcanic rock) about three feet square awaited our finishing touches, then our assisting the local workmen to place square re-bar. Concurrently others were assigned to assemble re-bar columns about twenty feet long – four of which were erected and concreted in by end of work. All the grade stakes and boards to hold the elevation strings had been placed. We are blessed to feel that our time and manual work are not only appreciated by efficiently utilized.


In the afternoon, a lively Bible School was held just a bit down the street in a school location. Our team led enthusiastic children in games and Bible stories. Rev. Jimmy Cantey was a boon in making certain that “the heavenly language” of Spanish (as Pastor Luis Chavarria describes it!) was amply and effectively used to tel the stories.

Weather wise we couldn't ask for anything better. To describe it as perfect would not be an exaggeration! A light jacket felt good this morning and then again this evening for the street revival. The host pastor semi-apologized for how cold it was, but that is clearly a relative descriptor. Most of us were comfortable enough in our short-sleeved polo shirts although a jacket was welcome.

Pastor Luis has facilitated the arrangements and bridged the needs of the congregation to the expectations of our mission team splendidly. There has been virtually no wasted time because of anything overlooked. For that we are blessed.


The street revival was held along a section of a street which hadn't been closed off. It was a new experience to have a couple cars drive through during the message. The pastor is a believer from Mexico City who risked family ridicule and rejection by accepting Christ and leaving the Roman Catholic church. His message (in Spanish) was interpreted, at least to those sitting close enough to hear, by Rev. Jimmy Cantey. This gave some of us the drift of the gospel message tonight.

One more thing: Mike Hannaford asked that we pass along to those family members of the mission team that his wife, Becky, has the telephone contact information for you in case you need to make a call to one of us in Esteli. Some of us are working on the Spanish pronunciation which is close to “ace-tell-EE” with the emphasis on the third syllable.

Day 1

Early Saturday morning we set out for Nicaragua from Texas and Tennessee, meeting up in Atlanta where Pastor Luis and Dave Hewson joined us. Other group members are Mike and Zac Hannaford, Debra Utley, Walter Smith, Kevin Bankston, Marty Marshall (all from Jackson), Jim Glenn, Barry Reed, and Sam and Carolyn Hunley from Humboldt, Tom Orr from Brownsville, and Jimmy and Samuel Cantey from Longview, Texas.

After traveling all day Saturday we arrived at Esteli, Nicaragua about 1 am. Sunday. One unusual aspect of our trip was that of the 150 people on our airplane, probably 140 were from various churches and mission groups. In addition, two more planes arrived carrying mostly North Americans. It was impressive to think that many Christians were fanning out over the country for medical, building, and teaching ministries.

We woke up tired but excited Sunday morning. After a good breakfast we drove to the nearby town of La Trinidad. There we worshiped in the morning at the church where we will be working this week. Sunday evening we worshiped at another church, also in La Trinidad.
On Sunday afternoon we had a bountiful lunch around three and some folks found time for a nap.

The weather in Etali has been pleasant and since it is the dry season we won't have to worry about rain.

Jimmy Cantey

After traveling all day Saturday we arrived at Etali, Nicaragua about 1 am. Sunday. One unusual aspect of our trip was that of the 150 people on our airplane

God is the difference!

January 22, 2009

From the 2009 Cumberland Presbyterian Mission Team to Nicaragua

Dear Friends,

Excitement is abundant for those who are going on the Mission Trip. Departure is near. You know the trip is close when you start buying the travel size toothpaste and sun block in January. I did that today.

It’s hard to believe in less than 2 days we will be a continent away where its 90 degrees. We will be the minority, the only few who speak English. What a thrill (and blessing) it is to be in a position to truly have to depend on God. No matter how much planning and preparing we do there are always obstacles to handle for us to complete our intended task. God is the difference.

Each morning will begin with a devotional. The day will be full of ministering to others through helping build a church and teaching the Gospel in Bible School. We will share God’s love through smiles, handshakes, hugs and even prayers to His children who are different, and in most cases, considerably less fortunate, than us. They, in this part of the world, are hungry for Him. The fields are ripe. We are anxious to participate in a street revival. We hope the Harvest is plentiful. We are praying that a hundred, or more, lives will be given to Christ during that time. God moving in that way will be a wondrous sight to see and feel. Not a huge thing for Him, but could be a once in a lifetime thing for us to be a part of.

This whole effort is God centered and God focused. We pray that His will be done, and He uses us, fully, to enhance His Kingdom. In the end, we will be blessed much more than those who we are around. And we look forward to sharing it with you when we get home.

To those of you reading this, we would like to thank you for your support in all ways. The excitement you have shown as we ready ourselves to depart “pumps us up,” and is of great encouragement. Thank you for your prayers that are lifted up for us, and those for the Nicaraguan people we are serving. Know that while you go about your daily tasks we will be thinking of you, too. To our families at home, we thank you for allowing us this opportunity to serve our Father. We will return better from this experience. We pray for you, too, as you serve here, at home, in our absence.

Plans are for this blog-site to be updated each evening of the trip. Hopefully, if things work out right, it will tell of the days’ happenings and show pictures of them. We hope you enjoy following our progresses and opportunities.

We will be returning Saturday evening, January 31, and look forward to seeing you in morning worship on Sunday. Until then “To God be the Glory.”

2009 Mission Team

Marty Marshall, Walter Smith, Kevin Bankston, Dave Hewson, Debra Utley, Barry Reed, Sam and Carolyn Hunley, Jim Glenn, Jimmy and Samuel Cantey, Tom Orr, Luis Chavarria, and Mike and Zac Hannaford.

Almost there ...

The Mission Trip to Nicaragua is only a couple weeks away. We will leave on January 24 and return January 31. The team will consist of Marty Marshall, Walter Smith, Kevin Bankston, Dave Hewson, Debra Utley, and Mike and Zac Hannaford of Jackson First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Barry Reed, Sam and Carolyn Hunley, and Jim Glenn from Humboldt First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Rev. Jimmy and Samual Cantey from Elmira Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Longview, TX, Tom Orr from Brownsville, TN formerly of Dyer Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Pastor Luis Chavarria of Atlanta, GA.

The Mission Team, thanks to our leader who cannot go this year: Russell Little, secured the nearly $8,000 to begin construction of the church in La Trinidad. The church will be a two story building, and will be built somewhat sturdier than those we built in Honduras. Nicaragua has volcanoes, therefore, having earthquakes. The Building Team will be pouring footings and laying blocks. Becky Joe Maxwell has volunteered to meet with Carolyn and Debra sharing what they have done in the past trips to Honduras with the Bible School. They will be sharing the Good News with the local children.

Beginning on Sunday evening they are having a Street Revival in the city of Esteli, where we will be staying. A platform will be put down, and preaching in the streets will begin. I understand that when something out of the ordinary is happening, especially when Americans are present, people show up with interest. Pastor Luis wants us to come as much as we can, but at least a couple nights. I think this will be very interesting. It would be awesome to be in the presence of the working of God where hundreds of people came to know HIM. WOW!! Anyway, that is my prayer.

The team is making preparations for departure on January 24. If you are reading this please pray for health and safety of the team from now until departure, and for health and safety while we are gone and for the families behind. Also please pray God would work in a mighty way for His glory during the construction, the bible school and during the street revival. To God be the glory.

Mike Hannaford

'09 Team Leader