The McGrew's

Yes! We are still here...

2012-01-29T10:06:00.000-08:00

I apologize that it has been so long since I updated the blog. At times it seems so funny to write just about our life and then it seems like so much has happened and where do I begin??? I remind myself, I just have to begin...

I love the opportunities God gives us living in Nicaragua. I love that I have the opportunity to do ministry with North Americans! This picture was taken in Granada with a team from Allendale Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. I had a good laugh as I watched from a bench as they found their way through the city. This team put on a Vacation Bible Camp in the week that they were in Nicaragua. The VBS was for kids from the neighborhood surrounding the Villa. We had 35 kids in the morning and 15 teens in the afternoon ~ it was great! The team was challenged as they gave the salvation message. Why is that so difficult? If we truly believe that their is salvation and eternal life in Jesus alone and if He has changed our lives ~ shouldn't we be thrilled to share all that we know?

Erminia and Scarleth participated in the VBS and had a great time!

Erminia and Scarleth are sisters that live at the Villa. In December their mom, Angela, passed away. In the month leading to her death the girls and I visited her in the hospital several times. Each visit we saw God do great things. Our saying together was "God is the owner of this hospital and He wants us to be with Anglea". There are strict rules at the hospital and even one visit should not have been allowed but every time we were permitted to spend time with Angela and each visit the girls learned to say thank you to God that He allowed us to pass through.

Here's some highlights from the last few months:

Visits from Grandpa Dan, Tamara Nelson and my mom.

Josh was accepted to a program called HACIA Democracy. There is a link at the bottom to read more about this.

Quince's (15 year birthday party) for Guissel Nohemi, Monica and Diana.

Our family traveled to Costa Rica in December to renew our visas, we had a great time together!

Josh and Maggie both have higher that 97% in school and William is right close behind that with 85%!

We added a chocoyo (parrot) named Raulito and a kitten named Kai to our family.

We are keeping busy and continue to learn every day. God is good and has provided for all our needs. We trust him daily to live and serve in Nicaragua.

I will be home in February for two weeks to participate in a Forward Edge facilitators training weekend and then to visit with many friends and share with many what God is doing in Nicaragua.

Thank you for loving us and always remembering us...

http://www.haciademocracy.org/english/

A New Car and my dear kids.....

2011-07-28T22:32:00.000-07:00

We are on the look out for a new car. Would you pray with us that God shows us the right car, at the right time and that we would be ready.

Please pray for Josh and Maggie that their final weekend in the U.S. would be a huge blessing and that God would be the One preparing their hearts to join us on Tuesday.

We are always thanking God for each of you.

We're home...

2011-07-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

I had a great expectation ~ that when we went home to the United States it would be like exhaling after a year of new things, new relationships and new situations. As it turned out that exhale didn't come until we returned to Nicaragua. It is good to be home.

It was such a strange, almost surreal thing being home in Edmonds. When we started our car insurance, the people told us our insurance would be more because as missionaries we are riskier, really? But as it turned out, maybe they are right. My first day driving I almost got in a fight in the Costco parking lot. I moved my car a little when there was a couple walking near by and the man started hitting on my car, came to the passenger window, yelling at me. Really I was a little heart broken, I didn't understand why he was so angry. I saw so many impatient people and had a sense of an attitude of "it is my right".

One day Dwight and I were at a store at U Village and I saw a bracelet made from wooden beads and magazine beads, they wanted $48 for it! This type of bead I have been trying to make with the girls in the Villa, we have also been finding seeds from the Guanacaste tree to make into jewelry. Our bracelets will look the same. I think what got me that day was that the price tag said "made in Cambodia", and I couldn't help but wonder how much of that $48 will that person in Cambodia receive?

Later we went to Starbucks and covering a whole wall was a giant picture of a man sorting through coffee beans. All you could see of the man was a straw hat and giant black arms. The question in my mind, how much does this 1 Starbucks make in 1 day and how much is that man making?

All of these moments made my heart and my mind so heavy. Would I ever have understood without living in Nicaragua? Without knowing the people that are working so hard everyday just to feed their family for 1 day? I know God has not forgotten even one of these. What is He calling me to do? I don't know the answer to that yet, or how to solve anything but i know that He has asked me to walk alongside many to give them hope for today.

Did I tell you yet about the amazing friends God has put in our lives? I am overwhelmed by their love and sacrifice for our family! There were a few times when I thought maybe we are crazy for having left such beautiful friendships but it has been those friendships that have pushed us and given us the confidence to live a new life. They continue to encourage us, remember us, support us and love us even from a long distance.

I loved the moments when I could sit in a group and just listen to everyone talking....because I understood! I loved the moments that I had with different groups of women studying God's Word, listening to all that He is doing in their lives. I loved listening to Pastor Brian Boone, preach God's Word from the book of Judges ~ hard truth. I loved meals shared with good friends. I loved the lingering conversations I had with friends as we would say goodbye. I loved the hugs of so many precious people. I loved eating crab. I loved looking for whales. I loved just being together with all of you.

I am so thankful for the listening ear when I was tired and couldn't make sense of things. I am so thankful for the one that said rest, don't worry, everything will be ok. I am so thankful for the delicious food that our country has, but I am not thankful for the 8 extra pounds I brought home!

Josh and Maggie are still in Washington, spending the rest of their summer break! Maybe we should call it a winter break as the weather in Washington has been grey, rainy and cold. They are loving it! William, Dwight and I made our way back to Managua on July 7. A team from Edmonds was here and so we went right to work.

Our dear friends Kerri and Landon stayed a few extra days. Our activities were limited as I had yet to unpack from a month away and then the radiator on our car blew up. We were without a car for several days and once it was fixed the smell of gasoline lingered. I didn't think too much about it because it had the same smell the last time we had it fixed. Dwight suspected a problem and indeed when I talked with the mechanic and he checked more closely, he discovered a leak in the fuel line. He told me to park immediately, that if I drove the car it could explode. We are starting the process of looking for a new car! We need something strong and reliable, that can carry a lot of people ~ would you pray with us that God show us the right car, at the right time and that we would have the money. Cars are very expensive in Nicaragua, so we need God's direction.

I don't want to tell you everything now.... so I will save a few stories for next time. It is good to be back. We have Landon Machado living with us and working with us until September, he is a huge blessing! I have had lot's of time to spend with the girls at the Villa, it's been good. Last night we celebrate Geyzel's 15 birthday, it was a beautiful night marked with much heart break as well. Please pray for her family.

I love you all and hope today that you will look to see where God is working, because He always is and He is waiting for you to join Him!

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.

Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

John 16:24

We are going home soon...

2011-06-05T09:18:00.000-07:00

In less than a week we are headed home for awhile... at one time I was just excited, excited to understand things, excited to visit and be with our dear friends, excited to have fresh, cool air, excited to be in our very own church. I am still excited but also feeling a little sad; I am sad to leave our dear friends here in Nicaragua, the warmth, the teams, the unpredictability of each day.

I know God has good things planned for our time.

I am so excited to watch Josh, Maggie and William experience their old life in the U.S..

I have had these strange thoughts lately, thoughts that come with a little grief. The reality that we are forever seperated from what used to be home. We have set ourselves apart from that life. Really we have no home; we cannot call Edmonds home and we are not yet at home in Nicaragua ~ where is home? The song Dwight and I had at our wedding was Sandy Patty's "Love Will Be Our Home" ~ I always giggle when I think of that song because I remember listening at our wedding and almost cringing as she went on and on in such a high pitch. Now I recognize that song was just another indication of where our lives were headed.

God is good and for our entire lives has been inviting us and preparing us to serve Him...

I hope that Dwight, Josh, Maggie and William will have words to share what this year has been.

We cant' wait to be home with you soon and then return to the country we love...

a funny moment...

2011-04-10T13:14:00.000-07:00

We were at the kids school on Friday night for Maggie's performance of "The Toymaker and His Son", she played a toy bunny. It was a mime performance, telling the story of the cross, it was well done. Maggie sang a beautiful solo. I was so proud of her.

We took our friend Mario, he works at the Villa as a guard and gardener, he is a dear friend of Dwight's.

While we were waiting for the show to start Dwight was visiting with Mario and one of the stories I overheard was Dwight telling Mario that the 'man in the black bed is a prince'. I was laughing so much and even more as I watched Mario trying so hard to understand what Dwight was saying. What Dwight wanted to tell Mario was that the man in the black t-shirt is the principal. There are so many things that

we miss in translation ~ but bring us many great laughs!

Praise God that Dwight's spanish tutor comes this Tuesday!

A few highlights of our weekend.... the play with Mario was great, he invited us to visit his house on Saturday ~ it is such a gift to me when we are invited into peoples homes. Once again, they treated us so well. I colored with the kids. Mario tried to give William a rooster, but I had to decline. His wife, Sylvia shared a cooked fruit dish with us (papaya, mango, grosera, jocote, and other fruits). Mario took Dwight and the boys down into a valley to cut plantains, it was quite a hike. When they got back everyone was dripping with sweat. Mario raced into the house and told his wife "quick we need Coke with ice!" (in spanish though) He was so serious and as it turns out he was worried about Dwight and wanted to get him something cold right away. Their friendship is very dear to watch. We are so thankful for Mario. He is hardworking, a loving husband and father, he is so proud of all that he has accomplished and all that he knows. It is a gift to have him in our lives.

We were also invited to Lizzy's birthday party on Saturday. It was a great party. There were games, a pinata, vigaron and cake! We loved being there with so many of our favorite people! At the end, Josh said "that was really good". I was so thankful for that moment. It is not easy going into a situation where you don't speak the language (well) and don't understand customs and yesterday was full of situations like that. When we finish those days and everyone is still filled with peace ~ that is a victory!

The little girls from the Villa went with William, Josh and I to Lizzy's birthday party. It was fun for all of us.

This is Mario's mom and some of her grandchildren.

This is a Martha. Every Tuesday night we have Youth Group at the Villa. We play games, sing and hear a message. This night we were sucking skittles with straws.

A little update...

2011-04-07T18:11:00.000-07:00

The last week has been full of moments that all of us were forced to rely completely on God and we were reminded, again, that as much as we try ~ we are not in control. As much as we plan, there is One with a plan so much greater.

I don't think I have so much to write tonight. I just want to share some photos and tell you again that it is your prayers that are helping to fight the battle that is happening here in Nicaragua. I am so thankful to have a group of people that I can send a text message or email and I know immediately that they have stepped into the battle.

There was one day in November when I was working with a team in Rio Blanco, it was a long day mixing concrete and pouring a slab floor ~ it was hard work and felt so good.. I loved working so hard and using every muscle in my body. I was happy to be working with the team and was surrounded by good friends.

Out of the blue, I was hit with a serious spirit of discouragement. I physically felt a weight on me and wanted to sit and cry. But if I cried at that moment I would have wailed because of the weight that I felt on my body. It was a moment that I was able to identify that Satan wanted to hurt me. Maybe not just hurt me but devour me, like the Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8 "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."

I was thankful to be able to identify the reality of the battle. And I was thankful that I was not alone. I was able to ask some dear friends to pray that the heaviness would be lifted. The amazing thing.... within an hour of sending that message, I was free.

This is a picture of my dear friend Raquel. She lives in Leon. Her baby was born March 28 ~ a baby girl 9 1/2lbs, Esperanza Sarai.

This is Mama Sandra and Xochilt.

Xochilt's family took her out of the Villa in November. This week she came back to the Villa because her parents realized that they cannot care for her the way she was cared for in the Villa and give her the future that they want for her. Xochilt returned to the Villa Esperanza on Monday afternoon! It was so humbling to sit with her parents as they explained the reasons they cannot have her. I was so proud of them for desiring the best for her. Her mom, Raquel was so proud as she told us that Xochilt wants to be a teacher, she is so proud of who her daughter is, so are we! We are so thankful to have Xochilt with us, would you pray for the readjustment and also for her mom and dad as they adjust again to being with out their sweet daughter.

Dwight, Josh and William with our friends; Raquel, Yarixa, Steven, Jose and Stephanie.

We were invited to a wedding in Leon. We felt so honored to be a part of the day.

This is the lawn at the Villa, the guys use the hedge trimmers to cut the lawn.

Dwight has created his own laboratory to check all the chemicals and "other stuff" that lives in the fish water. This story of aquaponic gardening would be so much better if he would write it. He is so good at doing what he is doing, I am so proud of him.

Thanks for always praying.

God Brought Doctors

2011-03-30T07:10:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I was in the dump with the team from Tennessee. We had walked and met many people. We prayed for Efraim, the man with the broken knee, and his family. We prayed for a woman who had been robbed and was now being accused by the police of staging the robbery herself and facing criminal charges. We prayed for a man who's eye had been burnt by sparks from a fire, the doctors sewed his eye shut to keep it protected and when he missed his appt. by a few minutes, they would not reschedule him for 3 weeks ~ just to remove the stitches. I saw so many needs this day it was overwhelming.

As I saw overwhelming needs, I was confident that God would provide! I had a plan ~ Jennifer was coming in just a week and could fix it all, the people just needed to wait until she got there. It was a great plan and I was a part of it, perfect!

Later in the day we were helping with the feeding program and saw a group of older gentlemen arrive. Something about them looked like doctors ~ they looked smart, put together and like they had a mission. I asked Susie, "do you think they are doctors?" We walked closer to inquire more and sure enough these guys were wearing scrubs ~ doctors!

We approached the men and told them of the many needs we had just seen. They went right away to check in on each person. They removed the stitches from the mans eye and he could see! It was a miracle and the best part was that God had something "better than I could ask for or imagine". I had my plan but God has His perfect plan. In a moment where my pride was creeping in God had the best!

As time passed, Susie became concerned that we were running late in our schedule, that maybe we wouldn't get to El Faro with enough time to finish our projects. As she expressed her concern to me the only thought in my head, the one that flew out of my mouth was...."Susie, God brought doctors!"

We are still laughing and reminding each other that God brought doctors. There are many moments when we think we have it all figured out and maybe more times that we are unwilling to allow things to be different than we think they should be ~ in those moments are we missing God? Allow Him to be in charge. Allow Him to change things. After all, it's not about what I want, or what I think is best ~ it's all about what He is doing and He has invited us to be involved.

Open your eyes and I think that God will surprise you with something more than you could ask for or imagine ~ even today!

*************************************************************************************

I received an email from a dear friend in response to what I wrote here. Her words made me realize what a struggle it is for each (daily) to trust God that He has the absolute best plan for each of us! I was encouraged by what she wrote and hope you will be too.

from a friend......

During my prayer time this AM, I realized I keep hoping/wishing my job will be different next year - according to "my plan". But I know that my "plan" is not necessarily God's perfect and best plan. In my head, being at one location for work would be sooooo much easier/simpler - which is my own pride trying to nudge in without having to rely fully on God. But, I know and cling to the fact that the Lord WILL meet me in the midst of my crazy schedule and HE will send "doctors" I don't even know are coming. Thanks for the reminder. Not sure what those "doctors" will look like, but that is part of the spectacular blessing God has for me. I will know it is from Him. I don't need to worry about how the next year will go - nor do I need to waste time fretting about the unknown. In HIS strength I will experience HIS victory and God-sized provision day by day - and I will be sweetly awed as it occurs. My job is to be attentive and watchful so I can give God all the glory and tell how He is sustaining me each day.

We're staying....

2011-03-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Did I mention that? Most of you know already that our family decided in January to stay in Nicaragua longer than the first agreed upon year. It would be silly for me to say anything different than, we'll be home when God makes it clear that we are to be home.

In December Josh and Maggie were in tears at the idea of staying in Nicaragua but for whatever reason we always said we would decide in January, so I tried not to worry so much about those tears. But I was worried, especially as Dwight and I were feeling that we were going to stay, how could I do that to the kids? As I worried, God told me not to ~ that He was speaking to their hearts and He would give them peace. Sure enough, the day we told Josh and Maggie that we were thinking of staying, they said, "OK".

In February I was home for 2 weeks. As I travelled home, I was so tired. I wanted to sleep on the plane but couldn't. Somewhere in my travel day, God gave the verse Psalm 73:28 "As for me it is good to be near God. The Sovereign Lord is my Refuge. I will tell of all your deeds." Since I read that verse I haven't forgotten it!

Every minute of my time at home was full ~ full of friends, family, His presence and blessings. In my own strength I would have crashed but God was my Refuge and He gave me words. I was even able to share on Spirit 105.3 the work He is doing through Forward Edge International in Nicaragua! Here's a link if you want to listen Spirit 105.3.

Thank you to every person that made my time at home so special.

While I was at home, Dwight was here in Nicaragua facilitating a team from Roseville, California. This stretched the whole family but they did beautifully and when I came home ~ they were all still happy!

The team built an amazing chicken coup! They bought 20 chickens and within hours of them arriving we had our first egg, whith in the first week, each chicken was laying 1 egg a day!

It is so fun to watch the 3 houses taking turns owning the project! They are doing so well. This picture is Luisa and Maria del Carmen visiting the chickens.

When I got home we had one day together as a family and then welcomed a team from Cookville, Tennessee. They were a great, fun team of only 7 people. They worked hard and blessed a lot of people!

Tennessee left on Saturday and then Sunday night our friends Jennifer and Glen came from Yakima. Jennifer is doing her residency in Yakima and so we had to take every medical opportunity we could ! There is man in the dump that broke his knee in December. He has had 3 surgeries and has been many months in bed. Forward Edge teams have helped a lot.

It was great to take Jennifer there to give him some medical attention that he needed. From several doctors opinions, his knee looks good. There was an abscess that Jennifer was able to help with. It's amazing to see someone that for so long was just a kid, now as an adult with the knowledge of how to save lives!

While Jennifer and Glen were still here, we welcomed our very own men from CCF, our home church! They were a small team so we combined them with another small team from Ohio. The teams mixed beautifully, thanks to great leadership from both teams.

The men kept a blog while they were here, please click on CCF men if you want to read how lives were transformed in their time here in Nicaragua.

It was such a blessing to have them here!

This week we are working on finding a little bit of normal. God has been doing so many good things ~ the best..... a sweet girl named Melissa received Him as her Savior last Friday! and there has been so much more. Remember "every good and perfect thing is from above" and therefore when something good happens we know that God is working!

I love you all so much and hope you always remember that we could not be here with out you!

***Melissa is wearing the green tshirt. Please pray for her as she adjusts to this new life in Christ!

CCF Men in Nicaragua 3/11: Friday 3-25

2011-03-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends..... I am linking you to another blog of a dear team that we just finished with. Please read and be a part of the work that we have the blessing to be a part of every day!

You are all so dear to us.

We love you and miss you and will see many of you soon!

CCF Men in Nicaragua 3/11: Friday 3-25:

2011-01-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

WOW! I forgot to tell you so much of what we have done! Things I have to tell you!

So many amazing things have happened in the ministry in this last month! The girls from the Villa spent a week at home for the first time in 2 and 1/2 years ~ God blessed them and protected them in this time. The morning that they were leaving we had a long talk about what they could possibly expect and the reality of their lives became very real. Wilbert and Gloria explained to them what to do if there was no soap to wash with or toothpaste to brush their teeth with, what to do if there was not food for meals. How to protect themselves and what their rights are as young women. The harsh reality of what "home" is.... was so harsh, and they still LOVE their homes.

We had several Christmas parties! The families of the girls came for dinner at the Villa, they received a "canasta", a basket filled with food and we had a pinata for the parents ~ it was awesome!!!

Their is a man that has a huge heart for the kids in

Nicaragua and he sent money to buy gifts for kids from many different locations; Leon, Motastepe, the children of the Villa workers and El Faro. For most, this was the only gift they received this year. One little girl said to me, "you know what my favorite thing is? the shampoo."

Xiomara worked so hard to prepare these amazing gifts for all the kids!!! I think close to 300 gifts.

Needless to say we saw more happy kids, beautiful ministries and pinatas in December than ever in my life!

I saw the love that Wilbert and Gloria have for each person (and family) that works at the Villa.

There was a special dinner for the workers and a party for their families. We had a 3 hour end of the year devotional to share what God had done in the year and a goal for the new year. Some workers shared that the devotional time has been one of the most important times in all the year. As a Villa staff we are all committed to our devotional time every Tuesday at 9am!

A woman named Denise came to the Villa early on January 1. She is a counselor and trains

people that are doing foster care or adopting. She helped in assessing each of the new girls and met with several of the original girls to help us create a plan for different behavioral issues and some learning deficits. She brought great insight and understanding to all of us. I appreciate that Forward Edge and Wilbert and Gloria value this information. It will help the girls so much.

Everyday there is so much more happening. As things come to my mind I will tell...

Again, God bless you and I hope you too will tell of all the good things that God has done!

Happy New Year....

2011-01-13T10:12:00.000-08:00

With much peace and anticipation I write today.

The longer we are here the more I realize I don't understand so many things. I know that eventually we will be in a place with so much more wisdom and understanding than we ever had, but I think before that can happen our slates have to be cleared and space has to be made for the new information we are receiving daily. Our slates can only be cleared if we are willing to let go of our own ideas and our old ways of thinking ~ our grip has loosened and God is taking the old and planting the new.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world (in our case the patterns of the U.S.), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his

good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17, 18

If you know me, you know that what comes out of my mouth is what is in my heart. I struggle to say what someone might want to hear if it is not what is the truth of my heart. I think for that reason I haven't written so much. I have thought a lot. I am confident that God is good, He is faithful and He has an eternal plan for each one of us, I hope you know that.

This time in Nicaragua has been amazing and so hard. (Right now I can hear mom saying, "well then, come home immediately!" Hahaha I love that response because it is rooted in so much love.) My point in sharing is that I know that there is no better place to be than exactly in the middle of God's plan - and I can say without hesitation that we are in the palm of His hand and He will never let go. What joy we have knowing that He knows every moment of everyday. He is transforming our family and making us a new creation - that to me is a priceless gift that I hope we can share with others.

I imagine you want to know a little of what we have been doing....

Josh, Maggie and William just returned to school after almost a month of vacation. As always it is good to be in bit of a routine again.

December started off with my brother, Tyler, visiting for 2 weeks. We loved this time. To be able share with my family our life in Nicaragua and those that are so precious to us was amazing. Tyler told me that before he thought we were crazy for leaving our life but after being here and spending time with so many people he understands completely why we are here.

Christmas morning was a blessing for the kids thanks to my mom and Lucy and our sweet CCF family, who showered us with little things we were missing from home.

December 26, Boxing Day.... we were up early and off the Costa Rica. Nicaragua requires that after 180 days in the country - you leave. So we took the bus and headed south. We learned that the day after Christmas is the worst time to go to Costa Rica :) But our visas were renewed, we ate good food, spent time as a family, had plenty of laughs, a few tears and came home.

New Years Eve was a hit! For the first time ever we bought fireworks and at midnight Josh, William and several others lit them off. Josh was ready take up residence in Nicaragua that night! He said the fireworks were the greatest thing EVER!!!!

New Years Day we headed to the beach. While we were there a friend sent Josh a text saying the the Winter Classic Hockey game was on tv. He couldn't believe there was a hockey game on tv and he was missing it. On our way home that night I received a message from my brother saying that the Winter Classic was on tv, hmmmmmm. It didn't make sense to us. As it turned out and God's great blessing to Josh (and me because I love hockey) was that the morning game had been postponed for rain, an old game was shown and we made it home in the first quarter of the Winter Classic! God is good!

Our friend Andi visited us January 4-10. She was Maggies blessing! Andi loved Maggie so well in this time and they talked and talked. We were busy. It was good. God is good!

Everyday good things happen and we know that "every good and perfect thing is from God". So we will give him all the glory.

I'm sorry that I haven't communicated well in this time. I know God has asked me to share. So if you don't mind I will share more of the process ~ some days will be a better story than others.

This week we wrote an acronym for our name:

Masterpiece

Compassionate

Growing

Relationships

Equipped

Worshippers

What an awesome family!

May God bless you today.

from Mother Teresa....

We should ask ourselves, "Have I really experienced the joy of loving?" True love is love that causes us pain, that hurts, and yet brings us joy. That is why we must pray and ask for the courage to love.

McGrews Nicaragua ~ Nov\Dec (63 photos), by katie mcgrew

2010-12-12T14:44:00.001-08:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Happy Thanksgiving...

2010-11-23T05:56:00.000-08:00

90 degrees in Managua and snowing in Edmonds...Happy Thanksgiving! We are slowing convincing ourselves that is really is the holiday season ~ the malls are helping to convince us of this, we have put Christmas lights in the windows and fall scented candles burn through out the house. The best comment came from Josh the other night as he declared that "now this is starting to feel right", as I cooked almond cakes, mashed potatoes and green beans for our Thanksgiving celebration with our new church.

The month and a half between Thanksgiving and Christmas is our families absolute favorite time of the year. It's a time when there is no better place to be than with family or enjoying longs days at home together ~ there is something magical about this time of year! How will this happen in Nicaragua? Dwight and I will work hard to make our home, "our home"! I know that God will give us the same peace and joy that He has faithfully given and we will give Him all the credit as He does this.

One great blessing, that comes with a hint of sadness too... we will be getting a couch and loveseat on November 29! Our dear neighbors, the Beaustamontes are returning to the states after living for 4 years in Nicaragua. We committed to buy some of their furniture several months ago and I think in God's perfect plan the furniture will come at a time we need to create a home more than ever!

We are more thankful than ever this year! We are thankful for....

all of our family!

all of our friends!

for a beautiful church family in Edmonds and also in Managua!

to have the opportunity to serve God in a tangible way every day!

for our health!

for everyone that has and will visit!

for Gods provision!

He has truly given us more than we could ask for or imagine! He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith, so we will continue to trust Him daily. He will accomplish the work He has started and He will allow us to help if we are willing to be willing.

So much has happened in the last month! Here is a brief run down...

We have added 9 more to the Villa family.

We met a wonderful family from Oregon that was a great encouragement to Dwight with the aquaponic project and a blessing to all at the Villa ~ thanks Rick and team!

My dear friends LaFon and Kari visited, encouraged and learned so much!

"My Virginia Beach Team" came with a 3rd team to Nicaragua ~ we spent the week in Rio Blanco.

Josh is training for a triathlon on December 4.

The kids, once again received the most amazing progress reports.

Dwight spent a weekend at Montelimar with the men from International Christian Fellowship, he was refreshed and so encouraged.

We continue to lead the youth group at the Villa.

And what is coming up...

We are spending Thanksgiving with Mario's family in the community of Pochote... I went about a month ago with them and loved the community, this time we will work with a school and people that live out in the mountains.

We are going to Leon on Saturday for a Tombola ~ I will explain what this is when I understand more! It is a celebration with the kids.

Xochilt from the Villa will be going home to live with her family this Saturday. Please pray for her, for safetly, love and continued health and growth.

My brother Tyler is coming on December 3!!!!

I am sure I have missed something but that gives a brief glimpse.

We love you guys and are so thankful that you are a part of our lives.

I lift my eyes up

unto the mountains

where does my help come from?

My help comes from You

Maker of Heaven

Creator of the Earth

Oh how I need you Lord

to come and rescue me

to come and bring me hope

~a psalm, a favorite song of mine!

God bless you today.

Everyone in Edmonds ~ ENJOY THE SNOW!!!!!!

When Life Becomes Normal...

2010-11-08T17:57:00.000-08:00

This is the family of two of our new girls at the Villa ~ Geyzel (Hazel) in the black and Kenia in the black and grey stripes.

I don't ever want to stop recognizing God at work every day! You know He is always at work? I am so thankful for the "Experiencing God" study, for the last 3 weeks I have been working on the study with the women that work at the Villa. I love to watch these women take bits of these truths and have a new encounter with God. I am reminded over and over again that it is God who changes hearts and my job is to be obedient to what He asks me to do.

I have been thinking so much about the ministry that Jesus had in his time on earth. I don't think there was anything very fancy about it ~ the amazing thing was His obedience to His Father. I desire and am learning to walk daily with Him trusting that He will show me all that I need to see and understand. The longer we live here the more I realize I don't understand. I was reading a book the other day and it was discussing Proverbs 3:5,6, a familiar verse to many. The author talked about how we desperately try to understand everything and if we don't understand we think there is a problem ~ but this verse says... "lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight". It's ok that I don't understand. In a way the less I understand the more I am dependent on God, a really good thing.

The family is doing well. Maggie and I will go to the airport tonight to pick up my friend LaFon and her friend Kari. We are excited to show them everything we love!

Last weekend we went to a place called Matagalpa ~ beautiful and cold! I was invited to go with my friend Ann to visit the Young Life camp, "la finca vida joven". On our way we dropped Dwight and the kids off at a place called "Selva Negra". They had a great day exploring, hiking, resting and eating. At Selva Negra we were surrounded by hills and trees, you could hear the howler monkeys all around!

To visit the Young Life camp was such a blessing! It brought back so many memories. I loved seeing the 270 young adults (19 - 30ish) worshiping, learning and sharing with each other. I was so impressed to see the excellence in the entire ministry. God is doing great things through the Vida Joven ministry here in Nicaragua.

We had 8 new girls move into the Villa in October. Before the girls arrived we were blessed with the beautiful house mom, Eveling. She is a gift to these girls and to the ministry at the Villa Esperanza. Bringing 8 teen age girls into your home is not easy, these girls have lived tough lives and now Eveling is loving them and bringing stability and security into their lives. Please pray for her as the transition is not easy.

This Saturday my Virginia Beach team arrives! We will leave for Rio Blanco on Sunday until next Friday. The kids are staying home and being cared for by our Quinta Allyson neighborhood, Natalie, Shirley and the Apilados ~ it takes a village!

Dwight is going with the men from ICF (our church) to the Montelimar for a retreat. I am thankful for the time for him to be able to process all that God is teaching.

We are doing well. We are thankful for your prayers.

It's been a while....

2010-09-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

These last weeks have been an important time for Dwight and I. We have had a lot of time to talk about a lot of things. We are learning so much, so so much. We will celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary in December and when I think back to learning how to be married and live with someone else seemed so difficult, deciding who was right about where to put the silverware. Silverware seems so easy now. Living in a new culture has made us aware of all of our insecurities and shortcomings. We are learning to love each other with grace and humility ~ recognizing that God will still give us a peace that surpasses all understanding. God is good all the time!

Maybe 4 weeks ago we all started to feel a little antsy, we were really missing a church family. We had been going to El Faro, the ministry to La Chureca. It seemed very important to be at church with the girls that we are here to support, but something was missing. We didn't understand anything. We would go because it felt like the right thing to do but our hearts and our minds did not receive what they so desperately needed. So after much conversation and prayer we are going to a church called "International Christian Fellowship", they meet at the kids school. The kids had received many invitations to be there from classmates and so they were happy to make the change. We are thankful for the opportunity to worship with some amazing missionaries and in english, hahaha.

Dwight and I started spanish classes on Monday. It's important. We both want to communicate with the people we are with. Dwight shared an interesting perception with me the other day. He said usually, in english speaking situations, we pick up what other people are saying. We hear things at the super market, on the news, on the radio, somewhere that trigger thoughts in our heads that lead to other thoughts and so on.... When you live in a place where you don't understand the language, your mind is not triggered by any other conversations, you can be in a busy place and hear nothing but noise, you are stuck with your own thoughts and what your eyes see but nothing more. I shared with him that I was feeling like such a dummy, like I have no intelligent thought to share and at the end of the day I am so tired. When he shared this, I felt relieved that indeed I am no dummy, I just have to be proactive in filling my mind with thoughts that it can process; God's Word, other books, more great conversations with Dwight, my neighbors and even this spanish class that brought much laughter and appreciation for the beautiful language we are learning.

I GOT MAIL

What a wonderful surprise it was to have my friend Jhonny come to my house the other day saying that a letter had arrived for me at his house! I was so surprised. I only gave my address to 2 people because I was sure that it was not possible to receive any, the church and the insurance company. I didn't even give my address but the address of our dear Nica friends, they live behind us.

Jhonny said that a motorcycle came to his house calling for (phenetically speaking) "Kotty MaCru", they had no idea who he was looking for! They all looked at each other a little puzzled until they looked at the envelope and with a sigh said, "oh..... Katie!" Then they proceeded and persisted to tell him that I didn't live there, that I lived at Quinta Alyson. I love this because Jhonny was coming to my house in 5 minutes!!! I think they were a little nervous because there would be a big problem if the mail didn't get to the person it was addressed to. Eventually they signed for it and the man left.

When Jhonny gave me the letter I just looked at it for the longest time! I couldn't believe something like that could find me. The line from Amazing Grace that says "I once was lost but now am found" became so real! I was so thankful.

The letter was from our church, Community Christian Fellowship. It was a birthday card from the Missions Committee for me. I opened it and then came the painful part........... there was a Starbucks Card! This gave Dwight and I the biggest laugh because in Nicaragua there is no Starbucks. I think the laugh that I got was the best gift!

The letter had been opened a couple of times I think, it was resealed and taped quite well. It's a good thing they don't know Starbucks or the card and the laugh would have been gone.

In this picture: from William to the right, Maria Celeste, Mama Sandra, Ana, Murel y Brittany.
Saturday night we went to a beautiful choir concert and the Reuben Dario Teatro in Managua. It was wonderful to sit in the midst of beautiful music. Afterwards we went for a very typical Nicaraguan dish; carne asada, gallo pinto (rice and beans) tajata frita (fried plantain) y queso ~ muy rico!

From Dwight to the right: Natalie, Maria, Alondra, Susie, Martha, Sara y Scarleth.

From Josh to the right: Monica, Maggie, Perla, Xochilt, Erminia

And these little guys.... Eveline (9), Ana (5), Frania (3), Eduardo (?), Jose (6) and Aron (9)

Jhonny introduced Dwight and I to these little guys last week. They live on his street. He asked me if there is anyway we can help them. They spend the day unattended, their mom sells ice cream in the street and often comes home drunk, their dad works all day and comes home around 9:30 or 10. Their dad brings them food and the other day we saw them collecting firewood together, it seems like a sweet relationship ~ a dad working hard to give the best that he knows to his kids.

I smile every time I see these guys. It is such a privelige just to have time with them. We have been reading books, we have washed their hair (they have plenty of lice) and their little feet. What do they need the most? This question stays with me always. What can I do for them that will stay with them when I am not?

Please pray for them. I will keep you posted.

Another new friend...

Is it a tarantula? I think so. It looks like every picture I have ever seen. We found this in Maggie and Williams bathroom the other day. Of course we killed it. As Dwight was hitting it with the dust pan we had legs going every direction, when it every leg and the body were separated it still tried to escape, it was yucky!

Managua has already doubled it's rainfall from last year. 4 kids have died because of the rain. Many times kids don't go to school because of the rain. The rain does a lot of damage in Nicaragua. The system does not handle so much rain so well so roads are always changing; potholes and floods. It is always an adventure and during a rain storm you have to either stop or just make sure you are not going to a low spot in the city!

Josh, Maggie and William are doing so well! Josh and Maggie have so many friends, the other night at the theater they saw many people they know from school. Josh is going to Young Life tonight and he and Maggie both enjoy the Youth Group that happens every other Friday night at ICF (our church). Josh has his 2 soccer game on Friday ~ he plays Flor de Liz's sons team. Their is a service club that meets on Saturday mornings and the kids enjoy that. William is busy with all the kids in our neighborhood, there is always a soccer game, bikes or frisbees.

Our family is working together to have a youth group for the girls at the Villa on Tuesdays. Our time last night was very special, we played silly games, sang songs and talked about how it is possible to have joy in the midst of a difficult situation. I see joy in these girls, maybe more than any other change ~ they have the joy of the Lord.

Dwight and Mario, the guard, are going to plant carrots, onions, peppers, lettuce and cilantro tomorrow ~ we went to the seed store with Mario today so he could choose foods common to Nicaragua. We have tons of albahaca, basil, growing in the aquaponic project BUT.... this is not a typical food here. We'll see how it goes.

Tonight Dwight and I are going to dinner with Gloria and Wilbert. I hope it is a time of laughter and relaxation for all.

We love you guys and are so thankful that you are in our lives. We would love to hear from you, whether an email or maybe you will send us a letter. The address you can use is.....

The McGrew's

km 11 1/2 carretera a vieja a leon

entrada a residencial bosques de Miraflores

300 metros al norte, 50 metros al oeste

Managua, Nicaragua

2010-09-07T14:53:00.000-07:00

Maggie and little Luna washing the dishes. She loves to chase brooms and mops

and barks at pringle cans.

Xochilt, Erminia and Tamara at Tip Top.

Brittany and Maria Celeste.

This is the view from our balcony on a Saturday morning!

Lot's of kids!

Maggie sharing with the girls from Leon. They have become so dear to us.

A service for the kids in Leon. Thank you Jesus for this time.

Dolores and I ~ I love this woman and I am so thankful for her.

The whole crew that spent the day in Leon.

Thank you for praying for us all the time! I have so much to share with all of you right now but no time. I will just write soon and tell you everything! God is working and my job is to join Him, I wish He could write a clear job description sometimes.

Love you all!

Good Times and Tamara for Dwight

2010-09-03T07:45:00.001-07:00

We were celebrating Flor's birthday in front of the computer ~ Bart, Kerri and family were talking on skype with us. Technology at this moment was such a blessing!

Dwight and Dolores ~ beautiful Dolores!

Dwight and I at Katarina ~ Laguna de Apoyo is close behind and Lake Managua or Nicaragua (I am not sure) in the distance!

Not everyone is so excited about Lola the monkey! We had a great day with the staff from the Villa boating through the the islands in Granada. We laughed so hard. I love to see people laugh, maybe that is my hearts desire to spend time with people I love the most and laugh and laugh and laugh!!!!

The beginning of the journey into Lake Nicaragua with the Villa staff.

The whole staff at Katarina ~ they are so cute! and they worked so hard this summer.

I will only write a little. Dwight left on Tuesday to go home to spend time with his dad, the next day my dear sweet friend Tamara came. This is a huge gift from God that he would give us so much time to catch up and share our hearts. She is such a gift because she see's God working all the time and see's the pain of a broken heart ~ we can share so much. The week before I got to the point where I wanted/ NEEDED to hear the Word of God! I can read it and saturate myself with spanish worship but in this moment I was longing to hear Gods Word, my precious friend has spoken Gods Word and encouraged me to receive it more.

It seems like Dwight is doing well at home. My prayer is that the time would be refreshing to him and that he would receive the love from many people. I think it is a good opportunity for us to process all that has been happening so we can share with each other when he returns.

God is so good.

Tamara brought salmon and sweet corn from home, yesterday we purchased a bbq and had the most amazing dinner!!!!!!

I lift my eyes up unto the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from You, Maker of Heaven, Creator of the Earth!!!

Oh how I need you Lord, you are my only hope, you are my only prayer. So i will wait for You, Lord, to come and rescue me. And as He does; rescue me, lift my eyes and give me hope ~ I will share with everyone who gives me the opportunity to share the hope that I have.

Love you all!!! If you see Dwight give him a big hug! If you want to contact him 425 773-3517

Church, Garden y Lili

2010-08-24T08:11:00.001-07:00

Everywhere we go kids are drawn to Maggie and she is always open to loving everyone one of them. This little girl started out sitting in front of her at church and half way through the service this is how I found them.

Dwight and Mario have been working hard on the aquaponic gardening system. They have a ton of basil growing, one plant is 10" tall and probably 5" wide ~ time for bruchetta. They are having a great figuring things out together, lot's of cleaning.

LILI...

Every time we drive we pass a puppy vendor, well we couldn't take it anymore! Yesterday we brought home our new puppy Lili. She is a maltese (so they say) and so precious. We are super pleased because she is so well behaved, which tells us that she has been well cared for. The kids were so happy and quite a hit with all the other kids in the neighborhood.

We love you all and look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Rain, rain, rain and rain

2010-08-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

There has been so much rain! We had the first big day but it continues! The weirdest thing about it is that it is only where we live!! It is not the same 5 minutes down the road. Our road is washing out and everyday the potholes change because some get filled in and some road washes out creating new holes. Walls are falling down because they were built without a foundation. For this reason God tells us to build our house on a rock with a firm foundation so that when the storms come you will still stand!

We had a great day yesterday, time at the Villa; Maggie, Will and I walked with the older girls, Josh played with the littles and Dwight visited with the Tilapia and Mario. One of Dwight's jobs is to care for a hydroponic gardening system (it's new and everyone is learning), there is a tilapia tank as part of this garden. They are growing like crazy and multiplying even more. The funny thing about that is they were only supposed to sell us male fish so they could never multiply ~ God has once again multiplied the fish.

For lunch we drove an hour toward Leon to get Quesillos. A very typical Nicaraguan food ~ tortilla, with something like string cheese (quesillo), cream and onions. I have had fun making fresh tortillas in my house and using the quesillo cheese ~ que rico!!! We went on that adventure with Mario and Natalie.

In the evening we had Mario, Natalie and all of the older girls from the Villa to our house for an amazing Top Ramen dinner. It was a fun time. We cooked, painted nails, watched TV and just visited. We ate our dinner next to the pool and finished the time with singing, sharing and praying.

Maybe the best surprise was when my friend Jhonny (no I didn't spell it wrong) sent me a message asking if he could go to church with us this morning and then finding out that his sister Shirley wanted to go as well!!! I think they see our consistency in attending church and want to be involved. So our morning at El Faro Iglesia was with all the girls from the Villa, Natalie, Mario, Shirley and Jhonny ~ it was awesome!!! What did I understand? Not much of the sermon but I can see that it is God who draws others to himself and I will be obedient to what He asks me to do.

Dwight is off to have lunch with Mario, Jhonny and Larry ~ a guy day, they are at some big meat restaurant and the kids and I had leftover quesillos with Shirley. We will go the Villa at 4 to watch a movie with everyone.

I am feeling very peaceful and confident that God has great things in store for those who keep their eyes on Him.

Love to you all!!!

Around a round-a-bout and around and around and around.....

2010-08-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

Having way too much fun at the mall in our free time!

Our Virginia Beach Team (maybe I am a little possessive)

Martha, Maggie and Monica looking beautiful for Karina's quincenera. The girls dressed Maggie this night, it was very special!!

We worked all day at Bethel School and then the kids shared cultural dances with us.

Katia y Katie ~ she is at HAT, a temporary foster care program for kids in danger.

She has captured my heart.

A family that lives at Tipitapa, across the road from the kitchen we built that will host the feeding program.

Praying to dedicate the kitchen and feeding program to God.

One of the 342 islands in Granada. How did they get there?

kids at Tipitapa

Maggie is in the red shorts, she is so good with kids.

It's all about the rotundas here in Nicaragua! What used to terrify me, I am now thankful for because it allows to me try again to find the place that I was trying to find! And when I still don't find it I just go around again. Maybe there should be rotundas in life!

The number one rule on a rotunda is, you cannot change lanes. So before arriving at the rotunda you have to know which direction you are going ~ I would say left, right or straight, Dwight says "how do you tell someone which direction" and then there are those that speak spanish but are giving directions in english and can't get it straight if a la izquierda is to the right or the left and inevitably it is always wrong! Dwight thinks at a rotunda you should speed up, after all it doesn't say to go any slower and I was thinking that we should slow way down ~ the correct answer is slow down a pay attention!

We have had a lot of laughs and moments where we should probably be fighting we have chosen to still laugh ~ what else can you do when it just does not make any sense? He's not right and I am not right ~ it's all just different.

School is going well! What a difference a week makes. There is a lot of homework and many new friends. Josh started soccer, which he loves. The coach works them very hard. He is not sure if he will make the team but he is having a great time working out with them. I love the school because they are tough academically and challenging my kids physically. Josh and Maggie have school pictures today, I am not sure how it works because they didn't send home the packet or a note with information.

I am thankful because the kids are seeming peaceful. I am sure it is a combination of many things; I am with them, they have a routine and they are getting rest. It's good.

Dwight will be going home on August 31 until September 10, we found out that his dad's long time companion, Phyllis past away last Saturday. Phyllis was very special to all of us; especially Maggie. Phyllis was such a great encouragement for my kids to love reading. Dwight wants to help his dad out with whatever he needs right now.

Yesterday we had the most amazing rain storm! I have NEVER seen rain like this, within minutes the roads were rushing rivers. We happened to be out driving, we were running errands and it was time to pick the kids up from school. We were going probably 15 or 20 mph and still could barely see. The roads are FILLED with potholes and the rain always brings new ones and fills some in. It was like ......... well really I have no words to describe it.

We found out last night that a girl named Ana, 14 years old, was walking home from school at the time of the rain and she lost her footing and was washed away by the water and drowned, this happened on our street. How could this kind of thing happen? Her mom hasn't left my mind. I don't know her, apparently she is a cook at the kids school. My heart breaks for her and my prayer is that she can let go of the image of her daughters death and remember her daughter in every good way.

Dwight and I have taken time this week to get a lot done at our house. It feels like we are settling in. I think we have decided to buy our furniture rather than rent it, this way we can make it how we want our home. One of the greatest blessings for Dwight is a man named Eddy that works here at Quinta Allyson, he is the fix it man. He and Dwight have spent a lot of time together and he has helped Dwight with this list in his mind that is always growing. Things that would be second nature to him at home, he is completely handicapped in here. Eddy has helped Dwight so much!!!

Ok, maybe that is enough for right now. We are so thankful for all of you and I am so thankful to hear from you, hint hint. katiekmcg@gmail.com

I will try to get the kids to write soon.

They did it!!!

2010-08-09T21:17:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU FOR PRAYING AND REMEMBERING THEM TODAY!!!

This is after the day ~ with our sweet friend Amy.

Thank you for praying, they did it! And now tomorrow is a holiday so..... NO SCHOOL!

School Starts Tomorrow

2010-08-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

I just want to let you know that the kids start school tomorrow. We are home and in bed earlier than any other time ~ there are many nerves. The uniforms are ironed and ready to wear. The school supplies are in the back packs.

Of course I will take pictures and post them in the evening. I am working with a team so life is busy. Dwight and I will both take them in the morning. I am nervous, especially for Maggie. She is going to do great but she is very nervous. Please pray for quick friendships!!!!! And a quick normal.......

Love to you all!

Our New Pets

2010-08-05T14:31:00.000-07:00

I have forgotten to tell you that we have an infestation and it's not pretty! Cockroaches have invaded. The guy came to spray the other day and then we found some dead but really I think they just left our house and moved to the neighbors. We received a notice that they will fumigate all tenants that so desire on Saturday. I hear this can be quite startling, that the cockroaches come out of everywhere when you do this. Maybe it will be quite a sight to see! Too bad I will be with my team!

I want to share everything with you guys!

This is a picture of one that I killed after chasing him around the house with a broom and screaming! They are so fast!!!!!

Casa Abanico

2010-08-05T14:13:00.000-07:00

We have officially named our home "Casa Abanico", which translates "fan house", it sounds way more beautiful in spanish!

We decided that buying a washer and dryer was a necessity. Clothes can rarely be worn twice here and with the rain and humidity trying to line dry the clothes of a family of 5 is nearly impossible. I know there are many people that do this every day but........... ok, I am well aware of the luxury but when you visit us you too will appreciate our purchase.

As we were making our deal, Dwight and I decided we would ask the guy to lower the price a little ~ only by like $23. It was clear that he couldn't lower the price but then he started talking about abanicos, fans. Well, as it turns out he wanted to throw in a fan for the washer and one for the dryer! Needless to say our spanish is in need of much improvement.

So, Casa Abanico..... the house of fans. We have 6 fans blowing in our house! The good thing is the new ones are quite a bit quieter so maybe we will be able to hear each other again.

I was hit with quite a cold the other night and it seems William might be getting it today. Please pray that he doesn't get it because school starts Monday and I want him to start well.

My next team comes tomorrow ~ my Virginia Beach team. We are excited for their arrival. We also have Open House at the school, the kids will get their schedules and meet their teachers. It seems like most of the teachers are our neighbors. We have Williams teacher around the corner, Maggie is going to babysit for her on Monday afternoons. Next to her is Mrs. Hall, Josh and Maggie's principal. It is a great place that we live!!!

We are trying to decide if it is better for us to purchase furniture or continue to rent. It has gone through all of our minds that we could be staying longer than a year and this would really influence whether we purchase or rent. Hmmmmmmm....... so much to think about.

We got our second water bill and although the amount was a little more ($12) the bill was still tiny! So cute.

Thanks for reading.

Tonight we will be a the Villa for Karina's birthday dinner and then to have a meeting with Wilbert and his family. We had Top Ramen for dinner last night ~ it was fast and easy.

What a random post I have written for you... I hope you enjoy.

We are so thankful for you.

A Day of Rest.....

2010-08-02T08:34:00.000-07:00

Good morning.... I am thankful that I have been able to post pictures during this busy time. Every once in awhile I have thoughts go through my mind that I want to write for you but of course now that I have a moment to sit and write............

There is so much. Everything is still so new. Dwight and I had a role reversal this last week (kind of), I was at work each day by 7:30 and he was here with the kids and taking care of paying bills and grocery shopping. He had to make several trips to the bank because you can only withdrawal $400 each day and our bills are more than that ~ he got it all figured out and learned to drive through the city. He is still learning that you slow down at the rotundas and not speed up, for some reason he steps on the gas ~ this makes even our Nicaraguan friends scream!

He did all those household things and made his way the Villa each day to work on the bookkeeping with Enrique ~ Enrique said Dwight is a very good work partner!

On Saturday night we had the opportunity to share our highs and lows from the previous week (Mario and Larry were here with us)

Maggie said her high was having so much fun with William at our house
Williams was that he lost a tooth in only 20 minutes (we are a little concerned that the toothfairy doesn't come to Nicaragua ~ we'll let you know)
Josh has declared that he wants to translate for teams and is learning so much spanish and working with teams was his high
Dwight loved spending a morning with Josh and Mario going to the hardware store, getting our tires repaired and eating a bacon, cheese hotdog!
My high was having God direct me so clearly when to step in and share His word and encourage my team to share. I got to visit so many homes and pray!!!
Mario was thankful to see God working in his life and and encouraging his heart and of course scoring a goal in his first game back from a broken nose.
Larry's high was a man on the bus sharing about what God was doing in his life.

It is important for our family to have these times together. For 21 days straight we have had our days filled with people, it's good but also very difficult to catch up with each other. We have a week now before school starts. We have a lot to get done; new student orientation, open house, final pieces for the uniforms and a lot more ~ we will still spend a lot of time at the Villa, creating our "normal" schedule.

God is faithful and He is so good. There are so many needs, so many. I struggle to understand what I can do and what will help the most. I will be studying Isaiah with my friend Tamara this year and just this morning I received an email from her talking about standing up for the oppressed and clothing the naked ~ while we were at the dump the other day I watched a little boy play all day with the team, eating the lunch that we brought, having a butterfly drawn on his face and all the while ~ no pants, no underpants, nothing. I want to be able to clothe the naked because they really exist! I want to feed the hungry because they are everywhere. I want to give water to the thirsty because there are so many that don't have access to clean water or water at all!

It is so easy to close our eyes or turn our heads so we don't have to see it. Praise God that He is close to the broken hearted, the naked and the thirsty.

Prayer requests:

At night William has been getting homesick, especially when he gets very tired.
That things could feel a little normal to Dwight.
That we could understand how to fix the washing machine that was given to us so we can wash clothes.
For unity in our family, loving words and patience ~ I know this is our greatest witness to those watching and to each other.

Love to you all!

A Family of 7!

2010-08-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

Last night we were treated to an amazing meal of carne asada, gallo pinto, ensalada and platanos fritas by Larry and Mario ~ they make our family complete!

2010-08-01T06:47:00.000-07:00

Martha and Alondra enjoying the day out at the soccer game! Free Saturday's are a gift for all of us!

Josh and Brittany at the Lion's soccer game yesterday. You have to be careful where you sit or stand because there are these tiny black ants that will swarm your foot in seconds, they bite and it hurts!!!

I am not sure how to type so my words are next to each picture so I will just have to write and you can figure out what picture I might be referring to. Not a blog master yet!

We enjoyed the soccer game yesterday, Saturday after my wonderful Rock of Roseville team left. They were here for a week and it was great to see how God worked in their lives. The team leader was a man named Bob Hasty, he used to be the head Pastor at MillCreek Four Square church. What a small world, we know many of the same people. Our team spent time in several places, a favorite was spending time with the people from la chureca that live near the lake. This is a part of the dump that doesn't get the same attention of other parts. The people are sweet and so willing to receive our love as well as give us their love. We took 20 of the kids to see Shrek 4 one afternoon, it was very fun to take them away for an afternoon, to a clean, cool place where they could just rest.

Josh has really stepped us as a leader in so many ways. He is always willing to help with worship and games. He said yesterday that next summer he wants to work as a translator for the teams ~ that is ambitious! His spanish is progressing..... he is asking lots of questions about all the locations we serve so he can answer questions.

We work with great people! Mario and Natalie took Josh, Maggie and William to a game arcade, pizza and to see a movie on Friday night ~ they all had a great time and I got to go to sleep early!

Dwight, Mario and Josh had "blind man massages" one day while we were visiting Granada. At first I thought that was kind of a rude way to talk about it until I saw the sign and that is exactly what it is ~ A Blind Man Massage. When you think about it, it makes a lot of sense that they would be great at feeling all the knots and pains when they depend on their hands to sense so much! I think I could use a massage soon, the floors are so hard and it seems like all day we stand.

A Picture of Life in Nicaragua

2010-07-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

Bob Hasty, Gloria and woman from la chureca in her store front window.

William playing with Stephanie from Rock of Roseville Church

Xiomara, Me and Sara

A Quick Switch Day...

2010-07-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

Today our kids from Edmonds leave. We have had a great time with them, seeing more of Nicaragua. It's been a good time for them to experience life here and to unravel all that God has been showing them. Has it made it easier for them to go home? That remains to be seen. They are seeking God and therefore I can give them the direction that when they return home they need to focus on God's amazing love and not just everything that happen in Nicaragua. Please pray for them as they travel today and as they re enter the US.

I am headed to the airport in 45 minutes for my next team! A group of California, 18 people. I think I am ready. Of course I am tired but God will give me the strength and endurance to enter into these relationships and serve as an encourager for them and one that can direct their eyes to God.

Dwight and the kids will take it easy a bit. 2 weeks non stop with a team has worn them out, not to mention Dwight's sprained ankle has slowed him down. They will fit in when and where they want. I think it will be very good for them to land at the Villa for a time.

Payton Young has been here since the 20th, it has been a great time for her. What a great opportunity to spend time with a group of amazing kids that are seeking God ~ she is watching and learning and sharing so much!!!! She will go with me and the team this week to la chureca and several other places.

We decided that when there are teams our whole family will eat at the Villa for lunch and dinner ~ there is no way I could cook and facilitate a team. Yesterday someone mentioned that they can't imagine living with out a microwave and that was the first time that I had noticed that we were missing something! God is good.

The kids have about 2 more weeks until school starts. We had an interview with the Director last week, all went well. We have a little uniform shopping to, the kids were relieved to find out that they can wear more casual shoes that first expected. I can't wait to post those first day of school pictures.

Last night as we were sharing with the Edmonds kids, Josh said he could live here forever. Hm.

Ok, no more time to write.

We are so thankful for all of you and for your loving words and encouragement. We are praying for you.

More soon........

2010-07-23T06:56:00.000-07:00

Our Edmonds team after working hard at the Villa.

They were greeting us at the entry to their house.

A little girl from La Chureca, in tree watching.

This is a picture of a fabric store in Leon ~ I took this picture for my friend Tamara.

The central park in the city of Leon.

Dwight was well cared for after spraining his ankle. For the rest of the day different kids took turns holding the ice on his foot, what a humbling experience.

Me and my little name sake born March 5!

Dwight being assisted by Claudia, a friend in Leon, after twisting his ankle playing soccer.

Josh, hanging out with kids in Leon.

There is a new well at Dolores' church in Leon. They cannot drink the water only use it to wash and for the bathroom. The well is hand dug and 100 feet deep, it is AMAZING! What an amazing opportunity to understand what it is like to have to work for your water! We took turns pulling up the 5 gallon bucket ~ not easy! Understanding this makes it easier to understand the woman at the well and why only the outcasts would go at the hottest time of the day. Clean water is such a gift! Later that day I walked with a woman to a location to fill another 5 gallon buck with drinking water, 2 blocks away.

Women in Nicaragua (and probably most of the world) have the best arm muscles! Between washing clothes and drawing water....... i'm considering getting a well, I already have a wash basin at my house and attempt to wash towels.

Maggie, Kimberly and Payton ~ we had lunch at a favorite pizza restaurant in Granada.

We love the monkeys in Granada! It was Dwight's first time to meet them.

Our Edmonds team loving and praying for the kids at HAT, a government run temporary housing for kids from abusive homes or off the streets.

Mario and William ~ a friend that is like a brother here in Nicaragua!

He is a light to all who know him and such a gift to so many!

The Highlights

2010-07-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

God is good and so faithful.

He brought us joy out of sickness (21 out of 24 sick with stomach virus)

He opened hearts to see God in a new way ~ only God can open our hearts and minds.

9 people were baptized in the Rio Blanco ~ Billy, Kaitlin, Nicole, Andi, Julia, Janelle, Joseph, Emma and one woman from Verbo Church named Marlyng!

He overcame conflict and allowed people to live in freedom.

and now He is working in hearts as most of the team returned home, it's not easy to go home and attempt to share or even understand the experience you had. Please pray with me that those at home have an open ear close by and that they recognize that God did everything and that He is waiting to do amazing things right where they are also!!!!

There is a group of kids that have stayed with us in Nicaragua a little longer, it is fun to show them all the things I love about Nicaragua! Last night they wanted to cook dinner at our house so Dwight and I could go out on a date ~ it was so fun to shop with them and see them work together to accomplish good things. They also cleaned our kitchen.

Today we are going to Granada ~ it should be a fun day! My challenge to them is to serve people and continue to see what God is doing ~ He is ALWAYS at work.

About our family...... William had a big homesick moment in Rio Blanco, he had been sick and so so tired and all he wanted was to go to our home in Edmonds. All but Dwight were sick while in Rio Blanco, we are doing well now.

We had our family interview at Nicaragua Christian Academy yesterday, it went well and the thing I love the most was, before we said anything the Director prayed!

What else....... we are learning so much. The reality of we are staying for a long time is beginning to sink in. Dwight said yesterday that "it is so weird when nothing is normal in our lives and that nothing is normal is starting to feel normal". I agree!

We loved having our friend Mike Eslinger here with the team, what a refreshing friend and what a blessing it is to have him open his heart to all that God is doing. It is a blessing to have someone experience this with us right from the beginning!

God is good!

We love you all and dare I say...... we miss you lots!!!!

Tomorrow ~ Rio Blanco

2010-07-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

We have made the decision that tomorrow we will travel to Rio Blanco. We postponed traveling for a day because of many sick team members. For the most part they are all better. There have been some sympathy pains and a little anxiety over getting sick but they say they want to go.

Please pray for us as many are going with uneasy stomaches.

We are doing well... tired and seeing God do great things.

I think we will all appreciate our little home so much when we have free time again.

Love you all!

Prayer Request

2010-07-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

Please pray for Billy, Greyson, Julia, Julianna and William. I am at the Villa with them while they are throwing up and using the bathroom often. Fortunately I am doing my laundry today and can help them out a bit. I am confident they will recover by the end of the day. Pray for good rest.

We travel to Rio Blanco tomorrow, 6 hour drive.

I'll update tonight!

What I Forgot to Say...

2010-07-12T05:49:00.000-07:00

Billy's eye is good ~ he has been good at asking girls to help him.

Today is Mike's 50th birthday ~ I think a cake and pinata are in order.

Emma is eating well ~ all is in the freezer and we are only having salt and pepper as condiments this week.

The Team

2010-07-12T05:35:00.000-07:00

This post is mostly for the parents of our Edmonds Team! They are here, the are great and they are learning so much already!

What a great team. They are eager to share their hearts and share in relationships together.

When they arrived they were WIPED OUT! The Houston airport was cold and the floors were hard. Our time at the hotel they spent sleeping, swimming and worshipping together. They ate well. We attended El Faro Church yesterday, this is the church that ministers to families from the dump. As it turned out they were having elections for the student ministries so church was extra long! Mike and I were asked to be International Observers, making sure the vote was clean. While we were involved in the voting, our team totally jumped in by loving the kids all around them (there was probably 100 kids there yesterday). I was so please that they didn't wait to be told what to do, but the saw the need and met it!

Sundays are usually a day of rest, so our afternoon was spent watching the end of the World Cup with everyone from the Villa and then we watched the movie "The Tooth Fairy" with the girls. After dinner we had a great time of worship and sharing with the girls. It was amazing to see God work and see Him open hearts and mouths to share why they love Him and what their hope is (our team and the Villa girls).

For me, it was a really neat moment being with the kids I love so much from home and the kids that I came to love and disciple. To have them all together was really amazing to me.

God is doing good things already!

This morning we are going to the dump and then our afternoon will be spent working at the Villa. This will give our team a more complete picture of the necessity of the Villa Esperanza. Please pray for them as they go, this can be difficult for some. They will be asked to pray for the needs of many people, the stories are hard and the surroundings can be icky. I want them to see the yuck so they can appreciate the beauty.

This is the same with our lives; we have to see the yuck and the sin to be able to see our need to be saved! If we don't recognize that we are in the yuck we can't recognize the One who wants to make us clean and give us a way out.

Love to you all!!!

A Few Pictures

2010-07-10T08:08:00.001-07:00

Sara and Monica washing towels in our laundry sink.

I made guacamole and Sara, Monica and Maria enjoyed it.

Perla, Monica and Katherine took over in the kitchen making an amazing dinner for us.

After working hard to clean the house they rested in front of the TV.

Martha with Genesee, the granddaughter of Alba.

This is Maggie playing games with girls from the Villa and the surrounding neighborhood, soccer in the rain!

Our first water bill was very little, I wonder if the next one will be bigger? I want to create a little tiny file folder to save them!

Our Team Comes Today...

2010-07-10T05:37:00.000-07:00

I woke up early this morning, Dwight and I have many things on our minds with our team coming today and just getting started at the Villa and still so much settling in to do. My priorities this morning; update you all a little on what's going on, visit the girls at the Villa before they go for the day to see their families, shower and pack for the night in the hotel. We will be at the airport by 11:30 to find our team.

Dwight's priority is to find all the things necessary to wash our car! He is going with our friend Larry this morning to the ferreteria and one other place to find all things wonderful to him. He cannot stand to have a dirty car. He has noticed that everyone in Nicaragua keeps their cars very clean and when you drive on gravel roads with POTHOLES the car does not stay clean! Maybe I will find him everyday washing the car, i'll keep you posted.

We had our first date night last night. We went to a wonderful little Italian restaurant called "Casa Mia", the food was wonderful, the atmosphere was romantic and our waitress was so kind. I told Dwight that if I lived in Nicaragua I would want a house just like that restaurant, many round wooden beams, big stone tile floor, totally open to the outside ~ it was beautiful! I could picture us having many people there with us.

During our date, Josh and William finished a worship time with the girls and Maggie helped to prepare dinner in our home. The all eventually ended up at the house with Larry, apparently dancing and singing.

Larry is a person that you will hear about regularly in our blog, he is like a brother and an uncle for the kids. He has taught us so much and helped us in so many ways. I know that our time together encourages him to keep his eyes on God and he is growing.

Before coming to Nicaragua, God put so many things on my heart. Things that at times I wondered if I was being presumptuous or was God revealing things to me. To see these things come to pass now is amazing evidence that God is at work and was preparing me and inviting me to be involved with what He is doing. One of those things was a conversation that happened in the kitchen at the Villa 2 days ago. I was talking with Xiomara, the sister of Gloria, she noticed that when Dwight was here in May he left many things; towels, sheets, shampoo and also many books called "Experiencia con Dios", "Experiencing God". She asked me if she could have one. Apparently they had started the first day in this book with the girls and it was a little too much but she really wanted to continue. I asked Xiomara (and the other women in the kitchen) if they would like to study together and they were so excited. We all recognize that we will have to wait awhile to start the study because once our team arrives today, we are with teams constantly until July 31.

God is working in the kids! OF COURSE!!! There is a man named Bill staying at the Villa, he is here with one other woman. They have been to Nicaragua many times. Bill has an amazing gift of ministry to youth. Next week he will have a sports camp at Nicaragua Christian Academy, with kids from the school doing an outreach to kids from La Chureca. Josh will try to get involved when he can because it is a great way for him to meet kids that he will go to school with. This week, Bill has had kids from the community (about 25 or 30) and taken them to a beautiful sports complex nearby to do games and to share the gospel. He invited Josh and William to be a part of these times. Josh has been amazing!!!! He has been up each morning early to go and do his part. Bill has trusted him as a leader and he has lead so well! He has loved working with these kids. He is absolutely exhausted by the end of the day but returns to the Villa ready to spend time with the girls and play some more.

William has gone each time with the group and participated in all of the activities. He plays hard, he eats a lot and he does not cry in Nicaragua! He is so satisfied here, he is very at home and loved by so many people.

Maggie had a wonderful break through, I think that is a good word for it. She is more timid, she is trying to figure out her place, she is missing her friends, she hesitates to speak not knowing what will come out of her mouth. She doesn't like to be laughed at when she doesn't get it right. I have explained this to the girls and I think they are understanding. The break through came the other day around 2:00 in the afternoon. There were 3 people taking a water tank to Leon for a team to install and confident that the answer would be no, I asked Maggie if she wanted to go ~ SHE SAID YES! I almost fell over, I was so excited!!!! She drove 1 1/2 hours to drop off a tank and say hi to a group of people that we love so much, that embraced our family last year and loved us so much. She was gone a long time, came home exhausted and (I think) very proud of herself.

We are doing well. God is working.

Dwight's comment the other day, "this is the hardest thing and the easiest all at the same time". I have thought a lot about this, it is a very true statement. We have learned so much, we have so much to learn and we will continue to walk where God leads.

Thank you to all of you that are praying for us! Thank you to all of you that have encouraged us with your words! Thank you to all of you who worked so hard to get this team ready with so many things for our family !

We love you all and wish we could show everyone of you the things we are seeing.

Our First Days....

2010-07-05T07:44:00.000-07:00

Good Morning and happy day after the 4th of July! In honor of most of you it rained all day here!

I think blogs are way more interesting with pictures but the first time I opened my camera to take one it decided not to work! So be patient and enjoy the stories knowing that soon enough you will have pictures!

Where do I begin? Our first days in Nicaragua have been all about learning; where to buy what, what everyones expectations are, how to be a family in a new place, how to listen when you don't quite understand everything, how much water to drink, when to eat, what to eat and how to cook it! The funniest things that at home are so simple have been more complicated ~ only because we are learning.

Our first day we brought all of our things to our house but didn't stay because it just wasn't ready and our friends had prepared a wonderful place for us to stay at their house. We shared a great meal and when we were ready for bed, the tears kicked in. Maggie wanted to stay close to me, so Dwight took her bed and William didn't want to sleep on his own so he shared with Josh. It was settled quickly but that seems to be how it is, they hold things together really well and then it all pours out when they are so tired.

We have so much to learn and the kids are so amazing! Maggie has made a great effort to step in and not wait to be invited always. The language is difficult for her but the girls at the Villa love her and will be great teachers.

As far as language, yesterday Dwight and I were told that he understands well and I speak well. At first I was a little sad but quickly realized that that is how it is even in english!!! Nothing is different! I want to understand but I don't always comprehend everything so well but always have so much to say!!! Like I had to tell any of you that!

Our first full day in Nicaragua I spent shopping with Dolores and Shirley. We went in a taxi all day ($20) and bought all of those house necessities. Our first stop was for Dolores to have a check up at the hospital. While we were there I notice 2 things... in the office where she had her visit there was a dead cockroach in the corner of the office where I stood. I really thought about this and wondered what the news report would be if this happened at home, would this be a news worthy story? After all this was a very nice, private hospital. As I looked at the cockroach I was thankful because I really wasn't bothered at all by it.

The second thing I noticed was the group waiting at the pharmacy, there was no line just a group and if you stepped away or didn't forge ahead you were out. Why do lines work? I thought of the order at the Costco pharmacy, why don't we just push to the front? Just a thought....

That was a good day, learning where to shop and what to buy. I bought coffee and was so looking forward to sharing coffee with Dwight in our new home. The next day we woke and I was ready to use our new french press, I put the water on the stove and turned it on but NOTHING. We hadn't had our gas tank filled yet. Dwight thought maybe there was a little gas in tank so he turned it on and we tried again but NO MATCHES! We were dragging that day and finally bought phosphoro in the tiny store outside of our community and shared our first cup of coffee at 4:00 in the afternoon.

I will stop for now because I don't want you to be bored with this reading. Maybe if you are a student at King's it could count as your summer reading, haha.

I miss my ladies, I miss the kids at our house on Monday nights and all the other times but in missing these relationships God is preparing us for the people here and trust me our house has not been empty. Now if He would just loosen my tongue (or maybe I should say my ears).

Love you all!

We Are Here!

2010-07-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

Yes, we are here and have been for a few days. I am sorry that I haven't written sooner but.......

On Monday night, June 28 I received a phone call that our flight was canceled! They rescheduled us to fly out at 1pm on Tuesday, June 29 and arrive in St. Louis, MO at 6:45 pm and fly out at 6:05 am to Miami and arrive in Managua at 11:45 on the 30th. WHAT? Our 11 hours of travel turned into 23 hours, what could we do but laugh and watch to see what God would do next. As Dwight and I were considering what was best for our family, Josh was in with my parents praying that we wouldn't be stressed out or worried and that God would show us what was best for our family. Of course what was best for our family was to fly to St. Louis and have a night together, just us. We laughed and talked and ate great food at the TGI Fridays in our hotel ~ it was such a great gift from God and not once did we have to question why He would do it this way. God has been so faithful in our lives and as we walk, trusting Him, He faithfully puts the next step in place right when we need it! We needed time to be together as a family.

A great blessing came in our flight to St. Louis as we talked with the flight attendants, apparently they were supposed to be on our canceled flight with us and now they were missing vacation it was a good opportunity to listen to them and encourage. We were most blessed by the people sitting behind us, Chris and Chris after sharing a little of our story they eagerly prayed for us and asked us to keep them updated on how things go and if they can help. People are amazing!

You know we were a little judgmental about St. Louis, why St. Louis? As it turned out the place is beautiful and so green. Our waitress at the restaurant grew up there and told us all the wonderful things about her state, I think she would have sat with us our whole meal if we invited her.

The other thing I was praying constantly was that whoever received our baggage would be FULL of grace! We packed 12 50lb. suitcases, 5 large carry ons and each had a back pack. We were met curbside by the most gracious porter, who checked us in all the way to Managua! Every piece of luggage made in to Managua with us, though, we were quite a site in the Managua Airport.

Well this is our third night in our new home, 4th in Nicaragua and I haven't even mentioned a thing that has happened here! That will have to wait as our days are exhausting and now I want to sleep. I will write soon. I just want you to know how our canceled flight turned into a gift.

Please pray for Maggie, the thought of this being our home is a bit of a reality check. Pray for Will and Josh to remember to wear sunscreen, we are not in Seattle anymore (sorry that it's still raining), and finally please pray for Dwight and I to catch up on our rest and understanding all the quirks of living in Nicaragua. Not quirks, just not Edmonds.

We love you all! Thank you for being a part of our lives!

I Packed My First Suitcase!

2010-06-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

I packed my first suitcase today! As I look around my house I see things that have to go in a box, things that have to go into a suitcase and the other stuff.... garage sale? garbage? why did I ever buy it???? I suggest every person move out of their house every 8 years and purge your life a little. This has been good and several times the question "will you really want this when you come home?" has come up. How do you keep that mindset?

We are doing well. Last week I asked Maggie how she was feeling about going and she said she was excited, YES! Today she and William are home sick. Hopefully it will pass quickly so they can enjoy their time with friends in the last 2 weeks.

I was reminded last night of how God has taken care of every detail, big or small, for us to be able to leave for Nicaragua. When didn't know who would rent our house furnished - He provided Ali, when we didn't know who would drive our cars - He provide the Smith's and Kappus', when didn't know where Bella would go - He provided the Edward's and Johnson's, and for Rosie the Mylie's. He has provided peace that surpasses all understanding, we haven't worried or been afraid. God has provided the finances. God has provided the friends. God has provided a home in Nicaragua and friends to prepare it for our arrival. God has provided a car. God has provided more than we have asked for or imagined! He is faithful.

Today I was reminded of John the Baptist (again) and how he prepared people to see Jesus, his life was about pointing others to the one true God. This is what He wants us to do. This is what I want my life to be, that when others look at my life they will look right past and see the one true God.

God bless you today and thank you for walking with us!

2010-05-25T19:25:00.001-07:00

2010-05-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

Praise God ~ it looks like our house rented today!

thanks to everyone for praying.

The Letter: March 2010

2010-04-04T13:27:00.000-07:00

We sent this letter out at the end of March. Thank you to everyone who has faithfully been praying for us and encouraging us in this process! We can't do this alone and we are so thankful that we have a loving family and so many amazing friends, willing to listen and share in this with us.

March 25, 2010

Dear Friends & Family,

We’re moving to Nicaragua! Did I really just write that? June 29 we will board a plane to spend 6 months, to a year, to…. living in Nicaragua, serving with Forward Edge International.

We have learned to never say never and always keep our hands open to what God wants to take away and what He will give us next; after all He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. If He truly has written the story of our lives then that is the story we want to live daily ~ we are walking closer to Him than ever before: personally, in our marriage, raising our children, moment by moment. There have been many steps leading us to this decision and there are many steps ahead of us. We want to share every part of this with you because each step has been amazing!

In Nicaragua we will work with Forward Edge International; facilitating short-term mission teams, helping with the “business part” of F.E.I. and bringing spiritual encouragement to the staff. We will also begin developing a Spanish language school to help with the sustainability of the Villa Esperanza. The ministry in Nicaragua has grown quickly and our hope is to bring encouragement to those who pour out their lives daily.

There is a song by Casting Crowns called “In Me”, the words say, “I’ll go, but I cannot go alone”. That is how we feel. We are ready and so willing to go but we can’t go alone, we need the power of Christ in us and the support of so many people! Would you join us in bringing hope and encouragement to this country? We know that you will receive hope and be so encouraged as you see all that God has planned unfold.

In 1 Peter 3:15 it says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” It is our purpose to always share what God is doing in our lives so others will be blessed. We want to share with you why there is hope in the depths of despair in this sweet country of Nicaragua, and hopefully someone will begin to see the hope for their life right here.

We invite you to our home to hear more and have all your questions answered on

Sunday, April 18 from 2-3:30

Thursday, May 13 from 7-8:30

Would you pray for open hearts of the people we will serve? Would you pray for us? Would you consider partnering with us through a monthly donation? Would you look at the list on back of this sheet, is there an item you can help with or do you know someone?

If you have any questions for us please call or email, Dwight and we would love to share more. katiekmcg@gmail.com or 425.275.6961 or 425.329.9016

We’ll go but we cannot go alone… by the power of Christ in us.

Love ~ Dwight, Katie, Josh, Maggie & William McGrew

______Visit our blog at mcgrewsgonica.blogspot.com

______Partner in prayer (maybe for one of us specifically)

______Pray for Josh

______Pray for Maggie

______Pray for William

______Pray for Katie

______Pray for Dwight

______Be a monthly financial partner

______Make a one-time donation

______Visit us in Nicaragua (we are counting on you to visit)

______Rent our furnished home (4 bedroom, 2.5 baths $2600 month)

______Provide a home for our sweet Bella (2-1/2 year old yellow lab)

***If you can help with any of the above, please call or email us, to donate financially use the enclosed Forward Edge International response sheet and return to F.E.I.. You can also donate online at forwardedge.org ~ go to contributions and find McGrew.

Dwight’s contact: groovydyt@gmail.com

Katie’s contact: katiekmcg@gmail.com

***prayer requests for now

that we would seek God moment by moment

that our family would stay unified and communicate well

that we would trust God as our leader and provider

that the kids finish this school year well

Well, that's it for now. I look forward to sharing the whole story, little by little and hope that you will consider joining us a prayer partner, financial partner or come down and visit.

God is faithful.

It's Time to Start Writing Again

2010-04-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! I have little time before going to my mom and dads and thought, maybe this is my opportunity to start writing again. Since my last entry........... oh my!

Last fall I thought it was possible that, maybe, I would never go to Nicaragua again. Dwight missed us so much last summer and my greatest priority was to strengthen our marriage. I believe that our marriage is our greatest ministry and if that wasn't my first priority then who am I to go and share any where else. God gave us great opportunity to spend time together! We started reading together and Fridays were our "date day", since Dwight isn't working Fridays. The five of us went to Disneyland at the beginning of November and had a great 5 days!

Before going to Disneyland I told a friend that I thought things were going to change at Dwight's work when we came home. I had no reason to think this only a nudge in my heart from God. Sure enough, the day we came home Dwight was told to consider the possibility of going half time. I had a feeling of yikes and an abundance of peace.

One thing I have always known in my heart is that Dwight would NEVER leave Michel Construction. Rob and Karen have been the most gracious, supportive, loving, giving and faithful employers and friends! Dwight is so devoted to them ~ I love this about him. But with changes in the economy maybe Michel Construction would be taken away from him, at least for a time. This lead us to the possibility that maybe God was calling us somewhere else.

Possibly Nicaragua........

2009-08-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

My blog writing has really gone down hill these last few weeks! It is not nearly as fun when I can't add pictures. But, ok I still want you to know what is going on!

Leslie, Payton and Marlee left yesterday. We had the best time! I have become proficient in Nicaragua driving, thankfully because without a car we would have been extremely limited! Our first day together we went to El Faro church and drove into La Chureca to help serve lunch. I am so thankful that this is the ministry the girls got to see. We spent that afternoon at the Villa. Payton, Leslie and I went on a long walk with Martha, Monica and Sara.

Friday was Leslie's birthday ~ so we went to Granada. I have learned that August is filled with all sorts of celebrations, I am not sure what we were celebrating but I drove right into the middle of it!!! (If you can have Leslie tell you the story you will be laughing) The streets were so crowded with people selling everything! I felt like I was on an episode of "No Reservations" with Anthony Bourdain on the travel channel! I was telling Leslie that I am so not a risk taker and she could only laugh. The adventures that we have had here in Nicaragua will make me smile for the rest of my life, I am so thankful.

Saturday we travelled to Leon to be with Dolores' church. Once again, an amazing day!

Ok, we have to take a break here because I have to wake the kids and get ready for breakfast.

I will continue my stories. I decided that when I do get home I will continue to write and post pictures, I think it could be an important part of my debriefing.

I love you all and appreciate your prayers so much. I told Dwight to not wish my week away too fast, haha.

Oh.... One more thing. At church on Sunday Pastor Ramon asked us parents who wants to lose one of our children? Who wants to lose one of our children? Who? Who? Who wants to lose one of our children?

God is a Father. That question is crazy! Of course none of us ever wants to lose any of our children, it is the worst thought ever, the worst feeling is to think you have lost one of your children. And for God it is the same..... He doesn't want to lose even one of his children. So my question.... are you lost from your father right now? Return quickly.

2009-08-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends....

As our time is coming to a close here I find myself reflecting so much. I want to take EVERYTHING in and make sure it is etched in my mind! I am always telling the kids to pay attention to where we are because so soon it will be hard to believe we were ever in the places that we are walking today. Everything that seems normal right now will seem so distant. I know the transition will be difficult. I am asking God to fill me with thanksgiving and his joy and peace.

We have had the most amazing experiences! We travelled to Granada on Saturday with our friends Shirley and Larrys. The first part of that adventure was renting a car! I love having the freedom that comes with driving! Now I can be out past 6pm and can go to the store to buy a snack or whatever else we need (need?). Really my perspective on what 'we need' is so different. How do I keep this???

Ok, back to the adventures of Granada! We had a beautiful time. Shirley is studying architecture so as we looked through many old churches I thought of Dwight and how much I wanted him there with us! I was seeing things through his eyes and trying to appreciate how much he would love everything! Granada is a place with so much history. I think it is an important place to visit in Nicaragua because it was one of the first places landed in the America's. We ate in the city center, apparently when you visit Granada you 'have to' eat Vigoron... yucca, chicharon (fried pork rind), and spicy cabbage ensalada served in a big leaf.

After lunch we went to Lake Nicaragua ~ it is giant!!!! And it is filled with maybe 100's of tiny islands. We took a boat tour of the islands and had the opportunity to spend time on one of the islands for an hour. Many of the islands are privately owned by people with alot of money. There are some amazing homes ~ it would have been fun to tour some of them. There were 3 islands owned by a big coffee plantation owner ~ WOW!!!!

There was an island where 4 monkeys live. They were very happy to see us but I guess you can't go too close or they will come on the boat and if you don't have food they can get nasty! Maybe they will bite or steal your bag. So funny!

One day we saw Fuerza G (G Force) in the theater, cute. I think.

We went to a Mexican food restaurant the other night, it was good. I think the food that I miss the most is tortilla chips! They make the most amazing pico de gallo (they call it tomate ensalada) but no chips! I miss the chips! But the fried (really thin) plantains are muy rico and almost a replacement! I want to get a slicer to make them at home. Also this weekend Dolores is going to teach me to make tortillas.

We housesat for our friends Will and Karen this last weekend. It was fun to be in our own space but at one point I had a little break down (just to myself) because everything is different here, and it is hard to learn! There is not much I can do on my own! I stood in the grocery store ready to cry because I didn't know what to feed my family! Maybe that would be different if I wasn't looking for quick meal. At home I always have something in the freezer or can come up with a quick option but here................. It was a great moment to realize how much I miss Dwight and where he is, is my home!

We are back at Leyda's house now and this is definitely our home.

Leslie Young and her girls come tonight. We are excited to have them here and show them the things that we love! We will spend the weekend in Leon with Dolores' church. I am really looking forward to the time, I know it will be a stretch for them so please be praying that is a blessing to them and they can relax and love the people well. I want Leslie's family to see God in their time. I want them to be stretched and surrounded by the love of Christ! We will spend time at the Villa and hopefully a day at the beach.

Leslie is bringing a suitcase filled with good things for so many people here, my sweet Nica team put it all together and I am so excited to share it all with my sweet friends here. I love that this team doesn't forget the people. They care so much and this (I can see now) means so much to everyone here. Thank you thank you thank you!

I have so much to say thank you for..... thank you Dwight for giving us this opportunity, thank you Ramona for 65 letters that make us laugh all the time (did Dwight tell you he opened the one about the pink undies), thank you to Hannah and my girls for being at my house and keeping it lively while we are away, thank you to my precious women for your letters and for remembering to pray for us, thank you to everyone that has encouraged Dwight with meals together or phone calls, thank you Sandra for loving my crazy puppy (and to all of you skeptics, she loves Marlee), thank you LeComptes for taking on Bella, thank you to everyone that is reading, thank you to my CCF family for keeping us in your prayers, thank you Rich and Marla for encouraging my children with your beautiful emails, thank you to my Nicaragua family for loving us and teaching us so much, thank you Amy for waiting for me to come home and we will walk and talk and drink a lot of coffee, thank you to my mom and dad for missing us and being excited about this experience for us (I know it is hard to have us away), thank you to all of my amazing teams that I have facilitated ~ thank you Virginia Beach for sharing your lives with me and my family and for sharing your love for Christ with us! Thank you Ruby for speaking God's truths into my life, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Christ love compells us............

2009-08-05T22:23:00.001-07:00

Sorry my stories have been short lately, it's a lot of work with a team, a family and staying in different places! But I love it! What a great team. I think Maggie has already scheduled a family trip to Virginia Beach for spring break.

I want to ask for a lot of prayer for our day tomorrow, we are taking kids from H.A.T. (temporary government housing for at risk kids)to the beach. I think it will be a great day but this is a new adventure and I want to make sure everyone is safe and well loved. At the end of the day we will return with the kids to H.A.T. and pray with the workers and kids and hopefully encourage them with the hope of God. They are pretty worn down lately and hopefully the day will be refreshing for all of them.

I have some great pictures to send soon, when I can get them in my computer!

2009-08-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

Today we are going to La Chureca for the day. In the morning we will walk and meet people and pray for them. In the afternoon we will put plastic on roofs to make them waterproof. It will be a long day there, I am looking forward to it. The only thing I don't like is having to wear tennis shoes, it feels so claustrophobic! If that is the worst thing.... haha.

I am looking forward to spending time with Pastor Ramon and Miriam.

Love you all!

2009-08-02T11:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

We are doing well. God has answered my prayer this week and I want to tell you.

When we were at church last Wednesday night, I was so thankful to be there but desiring with all my heart to be able to understand the sermon and all that was being shared. I am so thirsty to be taught and filled by Gods word. Friday night my team from Virginia Beach arrived, they are the answer to prayer. Scripture flows from their mouths, their hearts and their lives. I am so thankful that they are here.

Thank you to everyone that is praying because He is always listening.

Sorry not so many pictures once again my computer refuses to accept them. I will work on this.

2009-07-31T17:09:00.001-07:00

Dwight left this morning. I think he was so focused on security that he forgot to turn around for that last look and wave! Our friend Ian drove us, on our way home we got pulled over by the police two times! Once because we had kids in the front seat, so we all switched and the second time because Ian crossed a double yellow line. For that one he got a ticket for 400 cordoba ~ $20.

Most of the day we just hung out at the house because it was raining so much but when the rain stopped for a bit we walked to the Cruz house to hangout out with Kimberlin and her cousins. Maggie played with 2 precious puppies and William somehow ended up with with another pollito! A little black one! We took a little taxi back to the house and I heard a cheep cheep and asked if someone had a chick ~ sure enough!!!!! Dont' worry he is going back in one hour!!!!

Tonight I have a team coming in from Virginia Beach. A group of adults ~ I hope I can do it! Tomorrow we are working in the Villa. I'll keep you posted!

Thanks for your prayers!

Much love to you all!

2009-07-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

It's hard to take a family picture so maybe you can piece these two together and have complete picture of our family.

We have had a great couple of days together as a family. We have rested alot and spent time with our friends Ian and Taryn that have been here since May working to adopt 3 precious boys. We have walked to a favorite spot called Raspados Loli, they sell shaved ice with different toppings, like a snow cone but my favorite flavor is Leche (caramel, amazing!) and the kids favorite is chocolate! Crazy, but I think I can recreate these at home!

We have spent time at home, enjoying the fans, which from what I understand is what you guys are doing now. The kids have watched movies on Dwight's laptop the last two nights with Judith, their sister here at the Hernandez home and today a movie with Natan, their brother. It is a precious time.

This morning we went to the Villa for Dwight to help with a few computer issues and I helped my sweet friend Flor d liz in the kitchen, have I said yet that I love this woman??? YES! I hope you can all know her one day.

We sure miss all of our friends at home! You are precious to us and we are so thankful for your support. I know that it has been difficult for some to respond to my blog but I know you are reading and praying!

Oh yes, Dwight's phone number.... 425.773.3517.

Dwight and I have had such a good opportunity to talk about many things today. We both know that God has such great things planned for us together! We are thankful for our friends in the Forward Edge office that are praying for us and so supportive and for everyone else!

Con mucho amor!!!

Katie

2009-07-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

For Christ love compells us... 2 Corinthians 5:14
I am compelled by his love to love others. I am compelled by his love to write this blog. I am compelled by his love to reach out and touch people. I am compelled by his love to live differently because of the things I have seen, the people I have met and the places I have walked. My hope is that you too are compelled by his love to love differently than you are capable of loving on your own. We returned to Managua last night after spending two days in Leon at the church of Dolores, the mom of all of my closest friends here in Nicaragua! It was such a blessing to be with her. 4 years ago we visited Leon with our very first team it was so fun to return and see the changes and even see some of the kids that I remember from 4 years ago! I am excited to compare pictures from both trips.

This is Dolores working on sand art with Maggie and some of the kids. She loved it! I love that so many people here find joy in such simple things, I want to be like this.

This is our bus ride to Leon. Do you see Josh, Larry and Will in the back? Maggie and Dwight up close? It took about an hour and a half there and I think 2 and a half home!

Friday night we went to Flor d liz's house for dinner. It was (of course) amazing!!!! I loved being there because my desire is to know the life of all of my Nicaraguan friends and they are so willing to share their lives with us! This picture is William and Shirley (another daughter of Dolores, sister of Wilbert, Larry, Flor d liz). She works with a ministry called CECNIC, it is a ministry connected with Intervarsity. She is also studying to be an architect. She was excited to show Dwight her drawing table and the plans that she had drawn.

This was one of the nights that we were at the Montelimar Resort and we called the Shoracks on skype because we knew they were having the team over for dinner. What a gift it was to talk with them and see them on the computer!!!! We were able to share highs and lows since they arrived home.

This is a funny picture but I wanted to show you the inside of our favorite fruit called Pitaya. It's that bright pink fruit at the top. It is so good with lime. William loves it!

Dwight and I at Pochomil Beach. It was so good to be there. It is a huge resort and there were so few people it felt like we were alone. The water is warmer than Hawaii, the beach is perfect sand. When you look back toward the resort all you see is giant palm trees. There was a great big pool and the whole place was dreamy. It was good for us to be away from Managua but we were all still a little tense after having our team leave. There is always an adjustment time and this time we adjusted while still in Nicaragua.

Our family at the Montelimar. They had a tiny zoo and put put golf.

Everyday I remind myself to pay attention to where I am! To look around and not take any of these moments for granted, I don't want to miss anything and everyday I want to experience all of this with my family. This hasn't been easy, Dwight and I have had difficult times, he came at a super busy time... I was staying with the older girls at the villa, facilitating our team and running all of our projects. This left me with little time to be a loving wife. I have always known that our strongest ministry is our marriage and I am confident that even this time is preparing us for what God has planned for us down the road. I am thankful we haven't just started a 5 year commitment as missionaries, only 2 months, this is a good starting point to work out all the kinks. Thank you for loving us so well, for praying for us and always remembering us. God is so faithful and has been so close to us on this trip.

Don't worry about us, I share all of this so you will be praying for God's strength and wisdom and for clear communication. Dwight is leaving on Friday and it is going to be super hard for him to be home alone for 3 weeks, if you want to visit I think he would love it. His phone number (because I changed all the phones while I was gone, which has totally isolated him) is 425.773.... I can't remember the rest, I will send it later. Love you all!

I just found out we're having pizza for dinner! YES!!!

2009-07-24T20:54:00.000-07:00

Our family had a wonderful time at the beach, at a resort called Montelimar, we are so spoiled! We returned tonight to rearrange all of our things, make ourselves at home back at the Hernandez home. Then we headed off to Flor d Liz's home for an amazing dinner of carne y camerones y gallo pinto, better than the dinner was the company! I love that family so much, they are my Nicaraguan family! It was great for Dwight to have the opportunity to know them, so important that he knows we have people caring for us when he is not here.

Tonight William is sleeping over at Larry's house, he is quite taken by Larry's sisters, Kimberly and Shirley! I hope it goes well the only option is.......... to stay the whole night!

Tomorrow we are leaving early for Leon. We have been invited to be involved with Dolores' church, she is the pastor (mother of Wilbert, Larry, Flor d Liz, Kimberly, Shirley). She is excited for us to be there with her and I am so honored to be going. It will be an adventure, for sure! We are taking the bus and then who knows where we will stay the night but as long as we have water I am sure that we will be just fine! I am excited to see what God has planned for our time, I know that He is going before us.

Last night we talked with our CCF team on skype, it was so fun to see their faces in the camera and we shared a few highs since they left, what a cool thing ~ technology!

Ok, it's time to go to sleep and prepare for our time in Leon. Please pray that the kids would feel secure, especially Maggie ~ she gets nervous in new situations. Also it is very hot and dry in Leon, pray that we adjust quickly and can love people well. I am so thankful for the opportunity to do ministry with my family! Larry and Kimberly will be our companions on this journey. Dolores asked Larry to share at the church on Sunday, pray for God's strength, peace and wisdom.

Love to you all! We are doing well. Pray that Dwight's spanish quickens and he can connect with many people. ok, now................. goodnight.

2009-07-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I have been able to put pictures online. I hope you enjoy them so much! Our team was amazing! I am so proud of them and how everyday their hearts and minds were opened so much more! They worked hard, they shared so much, they were always so willing! In the beginning I asked for prayers that their tongues would be loosened and WOW how faithful is our God.This is the day we spent at HAT, government run temporary foster care. It's a tough place but the place that really impacts people by the love and desperation they see.
Kerri with some girls from HAT
Our team with all of the girls from the Villa and several other amazing friends!
Coralia, Me, Kerri and Flor d liz on night in Rio Blanco. They came with us to cook all of our meals. One of the amazing things about this trip is that no one had any intestinal issues (except Billy, but that was different). Usually around day 7 everyone has some diarrhea but this time NOTHING!!!!
This is a crowd that gathered on Sunday morning in Rio Blanco while Kaitlin shared her testimony of what God is doing in her life. There was a man that accepted Christ this morning!!! Thank you Lord.
Dwight and I. He came to Nicaragua at an extremely busy time, I was divided with staying with the older girls at the Villa and having our team that he didn't get much of my attention until yesterday. Now we are at a beach resort for two nights, just our family. Very necessary!!! He is an amazing husband who has sacrificed a lot. I am so thankful for our time together and to introduce him to all of my special friends in Nicaragua!!!
Emily, Me and Kaitlin. These are two very amazing young women that have grown so much in the last year! I am so amazed at their faith and leadership!!! I love you girls.
These are my favorite men in Nicaragua!!!!!!! Dwight, Mario and Larry ~ each of them amazing and so obedient to what God has called them to!
Dwight and I with Pastor Ramon and his wife Miriam and their two girls. They have given up their lives to pastor the people of La Chureca! I hope to have much more time with this family.
This is our team with the Mayor of Rio Blanco. They are always so touched by our time and efforts in Rio Blanco. The local news station followed us during the day while we picked up trash. They did an interview with me and filmed us even as we took this pictures, we were featured on the news this night for probably 20 minutes, so funny!

Yeyling and I picking up trash. I have so much to write about this little girl. I first met her at HAT. The next week she had escaped and was brought back to HAT on some sort of drugs, the girls from the Villa watched as she was strapped to a bed screaming, it was a very traumatic thing for the girls to see. I was staying with them at the time and worked through the experience with them. That day she was picked up by her mom and they returned to Rio Blanco. Our first night in Rio Blanco with in 5 minutes of being at the park she found me, I was amazed! We spent a lot of time together. She said her mom left her in Rio Blanco and left for the Atlantic Coast. I will write the whole story soon, but it will take some time.

Yeyling accepted Jesus into her heart the night before we left. The next day I received a call from Karen Greene in Managua and she said she found a spot for her at a home for girls coming out of prostitution (see there is so much to this story!!!! I will write all soon) and that there was a place for her. We were literally on our way out of town, the team on the bus and the bus running. Something in me said we had to look for her one more time the city ~ thank you Jesus! Larry, Pastor Sergio and I went to a gas station that was out of town a ways and the location that buses depart from, why this location?????? We looked, didn't find her. Sergio asked an old woman if maybe she knew her, after a bit of a description, she pointed to a tiny shack down a hill and said that is where she lives her family. Sure enough we found her mom and a 20 month old sister. Yeyling wasn't there but I have so much hope that this family will be changed. We had the opportunity to pray for Olinda, her mom and invite them the Sergio's church. I am not sure what Yeyling is thinking now that she knows that I know she told so many lies, but I know God is working and trust her salvation is real and that He will continue His work in her life! I have so much more to write about my experience with this precious girl. God has given me so much peace and grace with her. I have no bitterness from all of her lies, I have hope that she will have a changed heart. From the first time I met her I could see something very special. I wouldn't be surprised if I see her again in my time here.

God is so good. I hope part of my stories make sense. I am so happy to have the opportunity to write again! We are here at Montelimar Resort until tomorrow afternoon. We are hoping to go to Leon this week with Larry and his mom Dolores (and hopefully Kimberly and Jhonny) to visit her church, Dolores is the pastor there. We visited our first trip to Nicaragua 4 years ago.

Please pray for this time for our family that we are a blessing. That Dwights spanish would increase and that he would have the opportunity to build relationships.

The kids are doing great! Maggie is missing Janelle! William is still hunting every animal! And Josh he is loving the freedom that he has here. I am so thankful for this time. I am so thankful that you are on this journey with us! I hope you are able to give testimony to the amazing things happening in your life too!

Puedo escribir mas pronto! Dios le bendiga! Les amamos.

2009-07-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Buenos Dias!!! We arrived back to Managua last night very tired. What an amazing time we had, the kids did great. It rains like CRAZY there. I cannot write more now because we are headed to the beach with the girls from the villa.

I probably cannot send much detail until our team leaves tomorrow. Our family plans to find a quiet place to go away to for at least 2 nights, it is very needed! I still have not spent time with Dwight and we need time!!!!!!!

I have much to tell about Yeyling, the girl I met at HAT a few weeks ago and praise God 3 people accepted Him as their Savior in Rio Blanco!!!! Yeyling was one of them!!!

Love you all! Thanks for praying. Jaimi hurt her hand in the river, we are watching it and Billy has been struggling with an intestinal pain. There was a doctor in Rio Blanco that visited both of them and they are both being treated for their pains but please pray for wisdom and health for both.

I will write soon and hope to put pictures up!!!

2009-07-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

William with new friends at La Chureca. He thought we should give this puppy to Larry since he gave us Gallo Pinto. NO MORE ANIMALS!

Finally a few pictures! Here is a classroom at El Faro church after we painted.

Our team after helping to fix the water line. Yesterday another pipe burst, but today we have water again.

Praying for a woman named Sylia at La Chureca. Her family has started burning the bones to make compost, they also host youth group at their house every week, 20 kids come.

In the trash at La Chureca. We walked and prayed for people.

We had a wonderful free day today at Pochomil beach. We swam, rode horses, rented boogie boards and collected shells. It was a good day. Pray for energy to do this second half of our trip as well. I have sensed from the beginning of our time together as a team that our time in Rio Blanco would be very important. On Sunday (Billys 18th birthday) he will preach at church in the morning and Dave will preach at night, it should be a special day. Pray that they would have time to be quiet with the Lord and that God would speak to them what to share.

Tomorrow we leave for Rio Blanco until Monday night. I do not know if I will be able to write. I am thankful to be able to put pictures up tonight.

Thank you for praying, please continue.

2009-07-14T16:56:00.000-07:00

Today we went to HAT, hogar acogital de temporal, a government run temporary housing for kids that are from abusive homes or off the streets. It was a good day, we cleaned and played a lot with kids. We ended the day with a fiesta, complete with pinata and ice cream.

Once again our team was amazing! So willing all the time.

I forgot to mention that this morning as we were driving to HAT, Sam was looking out the window and as we drove away from a stop light a guy grabbed her eye glasses off of her face! She was quite startled. I told Mario and that fast we turned the bus around and found the guy that took them. He was selling fruits and fortunately had them sitting on his selling table and Mario was able to grab them back! Praise God!!!! It was quite an intimidating moment and good lesson, anything that can be sold is something to try to get down here. God is so good that they were sitting right out on a table!!!!

Dwight, Kerri and I have spent the last hour trying to upload photos, but Dwight thinks the internet is too busy right now. Who knows. Of course I will try again to update you with photos later, sorry.

Tomorrow we are headed to the ocean for a beautiful day off! It will be good.

Love to you all. Thank you for praying, please continue God is so faithful.

2009-07-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

What an amazing team!!!!!

Today we spent our morning at La Chureca, the dump. Pastor Ramon and his wife Miriam walked us through, introducing us to families and we heard many testimonies. One man who over sees the property where the feeding program takes place has been freed from alcoholism, he is so full of joy, his name is Fransisco.

After we visited Francisco, Miriam asked if we wanted to walk where they work in the trash. Of course I wanted to!!! This is not a normal part of the walk through, Miriam told our kids that God has big plans for them and after today they will not be the same. She told them to listen to their parents for they know what is right for them and love them so much.

We walked through so much trash. Things were burning all around us. There were hundreds of men, women and children working so hard. There were burning animal carcasses and then burning bones. They have started burning bones to make compost. It is a different world, but this morning I asked the kids to look for ways that we are similar, we will see what they say at our debrief tonight. We layed hands on and prayed for many people.

After our time at La Chureca we went to clean El Faro (the lighthouse) Iglesia. They only had a little bit of water, which made washing walls and floors really difficult. After we did all that we could, Dave asked if it would be possible to paint some of the classrooms, it would look so much better..... I was trying to think of a time in our schedule and really there was no other time, so I left with Mario, Josh, Billy and a few guys that work at the church and we bought 2 5 gallon buckets of paint and for our afternoon painted 3 classrooms blue! What a beautiful thing! The kids and the rest of us worked so hard. When you meet people that have given up their whole lives to love people that live in the trash you cannot help but want to give them the very best of what you have!!!!!

I know we will have a lot to talk about tonight!

As far as my kids, William has made friends with every Nicaraguan worker at the Villa and all of our bus drivers! He is out hunting for geckos now. Last night we almost ended up with two more baby birds, they had fallen out of a tree and one of the workers thought it would be good for him to keep them until they could take care of themselves! NO WAY I SAID, well not really cause I cannot say that in spanish, haha.

Josh and Maggie worked hard today, painting and cleaning with the team. Maggie has declared that she and Janelle Kono are two of kind, so sweet!

Love you all! Seriously I will put pictures on soon. Dios le bendiga.

2009-07-13T06:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a great day!!! I was a little concerned because we were just going to be at the Villa again with out a job, and a lot of time it feels good to have a job, but God had a job for us! In the afternoon there were workers working on the water lines in the road, all of our boys and eventually all of the girls went out to help. Soon enough it was all of us working and being watched by many Nicaraguan utility workers! It was perfect! Our willingness to work on their job spoke to their hearts. By the end we were taking pictures all together and the jefa, woman boss, asked for us to send her the photos!

We finished with a testimony for Perla and a heartfelt time of prayer for the girls at the Villa!

God has begun to loosen the tongues of my team, many laughs and lots of sharing.

We are at La Chureca this morning and El Faro church after lunch to clean. Really I will try to get pictures soon! Mama Alba comes home today so some of my time will be freed up!

Thanks for praying, thanks for reading! Our team is seeing God at work. The water being off was a big way God showed us himself, I will tell more soon.

BY THE WAY..... THE WATER IS ON!!!!!!

2009-07-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

I hope that tonight I might be able to post a few pictures for you! Things have gotten busy since the team arrived and I am still caring for the older girls at the Villa.

We are still with out water here at the Villa. This morning before church I was brought a giant bucket of water to my shower so I could shower, Perla helped me to wash my hair. I asked if she could help wash the hair of all the girls on my team, she was pleased to help, she is such a servant!

It is so good to have Dwight here, although time together is slim. I think our trip to Rio Blanco will be a huge blessing for our team and my family! The team is great, quiet but SUPER willing and ready to go exactly when I say lets go! I am excited for God to begin to loosen their tongues! I trust that he will.

Continue to pray, God is good. Today at church Pastor Ramon talked about letting go of the things you are holding on to from the past. A perfect message for everyone to hear!

God bless you all, thank you for being a part of our experience by reading!!!!!! te quiero mucho

2009-07-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not posting so much lately, since living at the Villa and taking care of the girls things got really busy.

My team comes tonight, so we will leave around 5 to go to the hotel and play, eat and rest before meeting them at 8 30. I am so excited for them to be here.

Yesterday we went with all of the girls and a team that is here and saw Ice Age 3, it was cute. I even understood most of it in spanish. It was good to sit and relax in a cool place for awhile.

Since yesterday we have been without water here at the Villa. Apparently a pipe burst out on the main road. With the heat, humidity and dirt..... EWWWWW! All I can say is we are bathing at the pool tonight!!!

We are doing well. I have had two great nights sleep. William got bit by a bug all over his foot, I gave him benadryl in the middle of the night and it really knocked him out.

I think those are the highlights. We leave for Rio Blanco on Thursday so communication will be slight then, I will try to update with pictures before then.

Love you all!

2009-07-08T20:28:00.001-07:00

Today has been a tough day. This morning we found out that Sara's grandpa died last night, she was able to spend the whole day with her family and all my girls went to pick her up with Wilbert and Mario now, I am waiting for their return.

And after posting all those precious pictures of our sweet Gallo Pinto, she died. My kids have really taken this hard, lots of tears from all! I think it is a combination of her dying but also holding everything together for these last 2 and half weeks. They have been amazing and this really allowed them to let go of all the difficult things they have seen and the tough situations they have been in.

We had a sweet little buriel for her, Josh prayed and we buried her near the chicken coop. What a funny thing that a tiny little chick can bring so much joy for a few days! Thank you Jesus!

Love you all, thanks for the comments, I look forward to every one!!!! Good night.

2009-07-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

You are probably wondering, why I would send this picture.... Well first to show you that I too love our new pet and this is a comman face I have because I am constantly sweating and then bugs stick to my face! Ewwwwwwwwww. Isn't Gallo Pinto cute?

There he is following Josh!

And sitting close to William

Maggie, Karina and Josh

We have moved in with the older girls at the Villa so Mama Alba can have a week off, it will be a busy week (mostly emotionally). Please pray for Sara, whose grandpa died last night.

Josh during his siesta!

William with Gallo Pinto, our pollito nuevo, the night he was given to us. This little guy is a lot of work, especially moving and he is pretty much helpless.

This is Flor d liz, she is the sister of Wilbert and Larry and........ Yesterday I taught her how to make chocolate chip cookies. Very fun but she thought the batch was way too small. Flor is the most amazing cook EVER!

Scarleth, Monica, Martha and William

Maggie and Ana, painting nails

We are doing well. My only concern right now is that I am so tired! I want to be fresh and energized for when my husband and team come on Friday, in my mind this seems impossible but I trust that God will give me the rest and energy that I need.

Thank you for remembering us and continuing to pray for us, I know that God is with us, He has spoken through letters from friends and through his word.

I was able to spend time praying with a Mario last night he is so broken by the things he see's everyday and he has such a beautiful heart to love so many people. Pray for strength for him, I know God has big plans for his life! He is a beautiful soul, a real treasure!

God bless you all!

2009-07-07T06:02:00.001-07:00

I forgot to tell you something last night! I was working in the office at the Villa yesterday and Wilert called to me from his truck. He told me it was time to learn. I said, learn what? He said, to drive in Nicaragua! OH MY GOODNESS!!!! Maybe another one of those things I said "never" to. It was a fun moment. It totally made me reminiscent of a time when I was babysitting and on the drive home the dad said, how about you drive! I only had my permit at the time and it was his Mercedes.

Well the drive was a success. We made it to and from our destination safely and everyone felt safe. Part of the excitement in driving here is the potholes, you just swerve all around them and sometimes hit them.

Just wanted to share that with you.

2009-07-06T21:25:00.000-07:00

this is Jeyling, she lives at HAT (temporary care for kids off the streets or in abusive situations). She has lived on the streets of Managua since she was little. I had the chance to pray with her and listen to her pray, it was so beautiful. Please pray that she can stay off drugs and find a place of peace and security. I hope to see her again but the kids at HAT come and go quite quickly, they are desperate kids.

Josh and one of the little guys that lives at HAT.

This iguana went running through the 1 year anniversary celebration at the Villa. You should have heard the screams. Don't you think it looks like a toy monster! William was in awe!

At Pochomil beach last Wednesday.

Riding horses on the beach. Guess how much it cost???? $2.50 for a half hour and the baby tried to eat the whole time.

Josh caught this giant rooster all by himself!

Ok, that's all for tonight. I love being able to share with everyone. We are having a great time. Did I mention that William was given un pollito last night? A chick, one day old! Everywhere we go we always add to our pets. Right now she (we say) is living in our bathroom and is well loved. I even find myself cuddling her. I think she likes us, but really is un pollito capable of loving? Haha. Her name is Gallo Pinto. You probably can't ever meet her in person because I don't think she would be allowed into the US but soon you will know her through pictures. I think she will eventually live at the Villa.

Actually, tomorrow she will have her first night there. We will be staying with the older girls for the week so Mama Alba can have a week off. 10 kids and 1 pollito ~ no problema right? We'll have fun, lots of laughs and what an amazing priveledge to be able to love and know the precious girls! They are so excited for Papa D'blanco to come on Friday!

I love you all! Thanks for reading.

2009-07-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

I have told every team I have ever brought to Nicaragua, don't touch the animals! Well, my family has broken that rule multiple times daily! They have touched everything we see! Centipedes, goats, kittens, puppies, bulls, pigs, geckos (as seen above, I found that tiny one in my shower yesterday), cockroaches, bugs that we can't identify, paraketes and horses. The animals are a highlight!

This was during Sunday school with the kids from La Chureca. William was the one to break the pinata! What a gift it is to be so involved with such a precious group of people.

2009-07-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

josh and larry

the red fruit is called, pitaya, it is one of my favorite juices here, leyda mixes it with lime juice and it's delicious.

2009-07-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

me and Rosa at the celebration on sunday for the Day of the Family. she recently decided to move back home to la chureca and not live at the villa anymore. my heart is breaking for her. she is the sweetest girl and she was always working so hard. when you know these kids you can't help but love them so much and so when one chooses what you know is not good for them it is so hard.

william and larry are on the roof of the truck. we got to watch him play soccer last saturday. after the game we all went to get a coke. this is how they drove down the street. don't worry! we were all in the cab, like royalty.

with the hardy family. Ian and Taryn are here adopting these 3 boys. soon they will be our neighbors at home too.

josh and perla

ok, i will be short and sweet because i really want this blog to be successful!!! i have really struggled to get anything up, it always erases and then i am too tired to rewrite.

we are doing great! we are tired because i have a team now. they have been here since last Saturday and will leave this Saturday. the kids have been along on every job site ~ and worked hard, built relationships and enjoyed the team very much! Josh stayed at the Villa all day yesterday because we spent time at the beach and it would have been a bummer for him not to be able to swim in the ocean (his cast, you know). BUT he enjoys the villa very much! He is working on his spanish and building great relationships with everyone there. he shuttled the girls to and from school with Eliezar. Josh is quite a gentleman and caretaker of his family and now all the girls at the Villa.

i have many pictures to download. so the pictures i am posting now are from a few days ago.

the team i have now is from Lake Oswego, OR. we have spent time at La Chureca, working on Pastor Ramon and Miriam's house, the Villa for church with all of El Faro and La Chureca, we painted the entrance to the Villa and tomorrow with finish, we spent a day at the ocean and today was at HAT, a temporary housing for kids on the streets or in abusive homes. it was a hard day because it felt like we weren't accomplishing much.

William was playing soccer with all the kids (way older than him) and fell on his wrist. For awhile i thought it could be hospital worthy. Jose Ramon wrapped it in a cloth really tight and he appears to be ok now. i would like him to sit in a chair and be still, haha. everyday he is sooooo filthy! really we all are but he just wears it so much more!!!!!

Speaking of dirty, Leyda washed our clothes for the first time the other day, that was so humbling and it's a crazy thing to be served by so many people. There are so many people in Nicaragua that are caring for us. They LOVE my kids. They want to know them well.

Ok, I can't write so much because I really want this to post!!!! So i'll try now. First more pictures. IF i can i will download and post more pictures tonight. I am so thankful to everyone who is reading and praying!!!!!!!

you know you can make comments on the blog, I would love to know what you are all thinking.

(sorry about they no capitals)

2009-06-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

William, Alondra and Josh on the teeter totter

Walking to the Villa this morning, this picture gives no idea of the heat and humidity!

Josh doing a puzzle with Karina and Scarleth

Ana, Maggie and Brittany looking beautiful

Today was a great day!

Maggie took a bag full of dance costumes to share, the girls loved them. Josh really connected well today, they love him but are a little stand-offish because he is an older boy (i think), but today everything was clicking! He had a great time making puzzles and playing other games.

William and Josh rode with Mario to get lunch for Wilbert from Wilert and Gloria's house, they got to meet baby Naomi before me! Gloria is not bringing her out much yet because of her sickness, but maybe tomorrow I can meet her. For those of you who know of Naomi's sickness, apparently it was a virus that got to her heart and made the tissue around her heart swell, although that is bad it is not a diagnosis she will have to deal with her entire life.

William is everyone's friend, they think he is so handsome and love his smile. He is holding it all together so well. Today Juliette was teasing him and messed up his art project, well if you know William he doesn't do well with that sort of thing. He didn't hit her or scream he simply walked over to me and shed a few tears. It was good though because Juliette realized that maybe it wasn't very nice what she had done and felt his sadness and once he recovered, she helped him rebuild his masterpiece. It was good for everyone!

Maggie is loving the little girls and Jacob (Wilbert and Gloria's son) well. She is so good at loving little kids no matter what the language. Brittany was anxious to read the Bible with her today, they shared John 3:16 and many other verses. When we got home Maggie said she wanted to remember to take her Bible with her tomorrow so they could read more.

What did I do today... I forgot to tell my kids to drink water and wash the mangoes before they eat them, Josh and Maggie are suffering now from cramping stomaches and diarrhea. They both say they drank lots ~ please pray that they are recovered by the morning. I found lice in someones hair and spent time washing and picking nits. I helped clean one of the new houses, they are getting them ready because Sunday El Faro Church (the church to La Chureca) is coming to the Villa and they need bathrooms! They are bussing over the whole church plus many others from La Chureca, we are expecting 400 people.

I have to sleep now. Tomorrow night my first team comes in at 9:00. We are going to a soccer game in the afternoon and hopefully to the Villa en la manana. I want to send you some pictures before I sleep. If anyone see's Ramona can you please tell her that her letters have been PERFECT! I am so thankful for the wonderfully funny, encouraging and insightful notes she has sent.

I love you all!

2009-06-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

This is crazy every time I write on the blog, I lose it all once! I will have to get better! Because the second time around I can't write as much.
Yesterday was "twice as good as the day before" in Maggie's words. Already relationships are being formed and names are being remembered.
We rode with Pastor Eliezar to La Chureca in the afternoon to pick up the big girls from school. It was the kids first time to the dump and to them it was just fun! Maggie saw the cutest puppy she would like to own, we saw piglets, kittens, cows, goats and tons of dogs. William was thrilled when the little boys jumped on the back of the car and got a ride.
After a bathroom stop at the school and collecting all the girls and several teachers we left; 19 in all! "This would never be legal at home, would it mom?" was the question I got, I think that will be a question I am asked often.
We got a ride home around 4:30 and spent the rest of the day playing games and exploring around Pastor Ricardo's house. It was a great afternoon! A time that might be labeled boring at home was precious here. I loved watching my kids be creative and looking for ways to play alone and together! Each of them are writing in journals, I will share one of Williams entries one day. This pictures is after he was playing basketball last night! I LOVE IT! We got to talk with Dwight last night, it was so good to hear him and feel like he was so close! Our friend Larrys came to visit It was good because he already knows alot about the kids and now gets the pleasure of knowing them personally. He has a BIG family and on Saturday we will spend time at his house playing soccer and getting to know them more. They are like our family away from home ~ i'm so thankful! Josh is doing great! Today we will hunt for duct tape to (he just walked in and already found it!) ...... we have to tighten the cast. The kids are anxious to be at the Villa, the girls are off from school because it is Teach Appreciation Day, what a great way to appreciate them, give them a day off!!!! Ok, I will take more pictures today ~ especially of Josh. Maggie has her back pack filled with dances costumes, we'll see what happens.
Love you all, thank you for praying! God is with us!!!

Otro Vez: Estamos en Nicaragua

2009-06-24T20:32:00.000-07:00

This is my second attempt to update our blog, the first time the power went out several times and so finally I turned my computer off and lost it all.

So the fans are back on, I mean the power, the kids are all asleep and I will tell you briefly what's going on....

We successfully made it here through a huge storm of rain and lightening with all 16 of our bags and the loss of one arm! God is good, I know He has gone before us, with us and is following close behind!

My friend Larry presented me with a cell phone upon our arrival ~ with his number programmed in so I can call for anything!

All of Williams Nicaragua dreams were fulfilled today: mangoes in the masses on the ground right outside our door and geckos tonight! They are so golden and small that he mistook them for peaches! The workers at the Villa found him a beautifully ripe coconut and chopped it open for a refreshing drink of milk ~ not what he expected!

Maggie is missing her friends and being closely watched by 15 beautiful Nicaraguan girls. We went swimming this afternoon with 3 of the girls and it was a great chance for her to connect with a few of the younger girls; Erminia, Brittany and Maria. Perla has taken her under her wing and is determined to make her comfortable.

Josh was a bit bummed at the pool when he couldn't jump and dive like the rest but fell sound asleep in a hammock in the shade and seemed pretty peaceful. He said his favorite thing today was seeing how everything works and who all the people are.

We are doing well. It will take us awhile to figure out "normal" and how to do all of this but I am confident that God is near.

Please pray for Williams eyes, they are bothering him today. Pray that the kids adjust quickly. Pray that I can remember to pack well for our days out.

Thank you for all of your love and support!

Good night!

PS I figured out that my first team doesn't come until Saturday, this is very good so we have a few more days to adjust.

2009-04-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

This weekend Josh had his final PeeWee Hockey Tournament in Tacoma. We had a lot of fun and the team did great! They got 2nd place, it was GREAT hockey. It was the perfect way to end a really fun season.

We stayed with my brother, Tyler while we were in Tacoma. I had many trips between Tyler's house and the hockey rink. It seemed like every turn I took there was a new view of the breathtaking Mt. Rainier! Every time I couldn't help but to gasp and be amazed at the beauty and awesomeness of our God! What a gift to have His creation surrounding us and displaying His power all the time!

2009-03-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a group of the most beautiful women I know! They went to Nicaragua with hearts open and ready to serve and love who ever stepped before them. What a blessing they are, I hope that the opportunity to love continues to present itself to each of them, every day!
Precious boys; Carlos, Giovanni y David.

Vida en la chureca

2009-03-25T08:44:00.000-07:00

2009-03-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

I returned from Nicaragua last Wednesday night and the next morning headed to Kelowna, BC for a hockey tournament! I was so impressed with myself that I was in 3 countries in 2 days! We had a great time in Kelowna! Josh's team won 4 of the 5 games, so good! I'm sure it had to do with how hard I rang that cow bell.
This picture is a defining picture of our time in Nicaragua. God put on my heart to touch the hands of women on this trip, that was all, I knew we were supposed to touch their hands! Little did I know that He would give us the hands and feet of over 150 men, women and children. It was a wonderful way to love them and pray!

Weird? Or totally God?

2009-01-15T08:32:00.000-08:00

Since last year when I took the women to Nicaragua I have wanted to make an open invitation to all of the women at CCF. Mostly because I want everyone in the world to experience what I have but also I have this thing about appearing 'exclusive'. So an invitation to the church seemed like the best thing.

Before the service I made 10 packets of information for anyone interested. Well, I should have made 15. I received a few phone calls that night of women interested. What a cool thing to know that people desire to go and serve!

I received a call on Sunday night from a girl named Jessica that I had never met. She told me she really wanted to go, she had talked to her husband he would support her, but it would be really tough for them financially. I told her I would love to get together and talk more about the trip and we'll see what we can figure out.

Monday night I also talked to a Margie who said, "Katie, I am in. I am going no matter what!" The next day I get online to make her airline reservation - the price had gone up $300!!!!!! What God? I just made a public invitation and NOW the prices go up? Of course I didn't guarantee airfare but really the next day it goes up!!!! Should I wait till the next day? What if it goes up more? I feel sick. I have two women totally ready to join our team and now I have to tell them it's $300 more than yesterday! How do I trust God in this? God what do you want me to do?

Trust me. Christ died for freedom so you can be free. Let go of this and trust me. - that's what I hear.

All day, I feel this weight, a heaviness, I struggled to let go. I really want these 2 women on this trip and now I can't get a hold of them to inform them of this change. That night, Tuesday, finally I talked to Margie who said "I am going", and guess what? She still said, "I am going, buy my ticket"! So I got online and purchased that ticket before it went up again. There was a sense of relief, at least it wouldn't stop her.

That night Jessica called to change our meeting time for the next day and I told her of the change in airfare. I told her we should still meet and who know what God might do, now or in the future.

The next day right before our meeting I decided to look at airfare one more time, really so I could tell her the exact amount. Guess what? It was back down!!!! Now I was really sick. I had purchased Margie's ticket on this one day that prices went up - what a dummy. But on the other hand praise God - now Jessica can go. I felt like God was telling me to let go and receive this blessing, but what a funny thing when it seemed like I had made a foolish choice for Margie.

My meeting with Jessica went great! She was thrilled with the airfare and so excited for the trip. After our time together I raced home to purchase her ticket. All I could think was these two women are perfect additions to our team, thank you Lord.

Later that day, out of curiosity and because I am always checking prices for our summer trip, I looked one more time at airfare. You will never believe it, prices were back up! Weird? No I don't think so, I think it was totally God putting together this group of women that will serve Him and bring glory to His name in Nicaragua. And He wants all the glory even when it's just about airfare.

My lesson: let go. As much as I think I am in control of this trip - I am not. I guess maybe God wants to pry my fingers off this one so when it comes to the bigger things I will freely let go and be led.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians3:20,21

ps - airfare is still up today.

2009-01-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

Last night I was reminded of something that happened to me when I was 15 years old but this time it ended differently.

The summer after my sophomore year in high school I spent 12 weeks working at Miracle Ranch summer camp. It was an amazing experience and I learned a lot! One night I was sitting in with a cabin of girls and their counselor, we were having a little Bible Study when the counselor turned to me and said, "Dandy" that was my camp name (the first name Dwight knew me as) "tell us what John 3:16 says". I wanted to hide. By the way she said it, I knew I should know, but I had no clue.

Today I am thankful to say I do know John 3:16 and I don't want you to be embarrassed if you don't know it! "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son and whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." Praise God - what a gift!

So last night I was sitting at the Global Missions meeting at church, we had a man named Alex come and spend time with us. He started the meeting by asking each of us to share a scripture that we have in mind when we think of missions. Instantly I wanted to hide! Like I was 15 and at Miracle Ranch again. I have this problem of thinking, that I don't know much. I don't retain facts, dates, references, it drives me crazy! But you what, I DO KNOW! I know scripture because He has put it in my heart and mind and He always reminds me as long as I want it for His glory and not my own.

The scripture that others shared last night touched my heart...

"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." Matthew 28:19

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14

but they were so different than what came to my mind. If it were a test on what the best known missions scriptures are I probably would have failed but Alex asked what scripture is in my heart regarding missions.

God wants to speak to each of our hearts individually, don't conform to what 'they' want so you can fit in. Listen to what God speaks to your heart, trust Him and obey.

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." Matthew 16:24,25

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

Isaiah 61:1-3

All this to say what?

I will..."Trust in the Lord with all my heart, lean not on my own understanding but in all ways I will follow Him and He will make my path straight." Proverbs 3:5,6

And speak when He says speak, longing to please only Him.

Dios te bendiga hoy!

God is in the little things too.

2009-01-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

In 1 Kings 19 God asked Elijah what he was doing, Elijah tells Him how zealous he has been for God and that everyone else has rejected Him and His laws. He tells God he is the only one left following Him.

A bit of a pity party and although we may feel like this sometimes, like we are the only ones doing something important, it's not true. It's easy to spend time feeling sorry for ourselves and wondering why do I have to be the good one? Stay to the task that God has given you and there is a greater reward than what comes in the moment.

Ok, that is not where I intended to go with this....

"So God tells Elijah to 'go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.'

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire."

.... let's stop right there for a minute. If I was in the middle of mountains being torn apart and rocks shattering, I would call someone! I would have to tell somebody. But Elijah he says, nope - that wasn't God and he keeps watching. And then, a fire! This was the same mountain (i'm pretty sure) that Moses saw God in a burning bush, so if I were Elijah I might have thought, for sure this is God. I would become consumed with the fire, I am so easily distracted but bring on something big like an earthquake or fire and it consumes me.

Fortunately, Elijah kept watching.

"And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave."

So often we wait to see God in big events. We put off looking for Him everyday, maybe because we don't expect Him to be in the little things. But I think God cares about laundry and cooking dinner. He's interested in me when I go to Costco and the post office! Every where I go, I know God goes too and He longs to show new things.

The Bible says that "every good and perfect gift is from above", I love that because I know that when I see something good - it's from God! I think it's as simple as someone holding the door or saying have a good day. But do I notice? Do I thank God at that moment? My encouragement is, start thanking God for the little things and He will open your eyes to so much more!

Much of our focus right now is on our summer trip to Nicaragua. It's expensive for our whole family to go but we know it is what God has called us to. So anyway, as I paid our cell phone bill this month I noticed we had a $9 credit, PRAISE GOD! We received a check from our escrow company for $211, PRAISE GOD! Our mortgage payment was $200 less, PRAISE GOD! I know that He is paying attention and doesn't want our focus of this trip to Nicaragua to be on 'can we afford it', He has shown me already He is in the little things!

I will keep you posted on "the little things", I think that is where God does some His best work!

2009-01-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

"... For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,

and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you" declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-14a

I have been meeting with a group of girls for the last 4 years every Tuesday night. Many of them are from the group that went to the Swinomish Indian Reservation with me 5 years ago on my first mission trip and had the vision for Nicaragua. They had just finished their first year of middle school then and now in just a few short months they will be graduating and moving on. Between retreats, sleep overs and mission trips I have spent more time with this group than most people in my life! Our time together has been precious, I have learned a lot and realized that real wisdom comes from spending time seeking God not always from growing older.

If you ask these girls what my life verse is they will quickly tell you, "you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart". Now, I don't know if they could tell you where to find it in the Bible, but they KNOW IT! And they have lived it.

When I think of that verse I always ask myself (and them) rhetorical questions, like... if I seek with how much of my heart? a little bit? NO, all of my heart! I might find Him? NO, I will find Him! So... I will seek God with ALL of my heart and when I seek Him I WILL find Him! That leads me to the conclusion that if I am not seeing God at work around me, I haven't been looking.

Maybe soon I can put a picture of these sweet girls on this blog but for now I am a beginner blogger and cannot figure it out.

God bless you today and forever! Dios te bendiga hoy y siempre!

2009-01-05T10:09:00.000-08:00

Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is, destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal. If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me. John 12:24-26 MSG

Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.

Isaiah 1:17 NASB

Yesterday at church our Pastor started a new series in Ecclesiastes, it's the book of the Bible where Solomon starts out by saying that everything is "meaningless, meaningless, utterly meaningless, everything is meaningless." Gosh, really Solomon? Because I don't feel that way, do you? Fortunately, that was the whole point of the sermon, that NO everything is not meaningless, the original text uses the word 'hebel' which translates to a vapor or a puff of air. So the point of the message was that our life is but a puff of air! We long to manage and hold on to our lives but who can hold on to air and vapors? We try desperately to save it for next week or next year but that's not possible, we will only exhaust ourselves and be disappointed. So at the end of the message I was left with the serious question (which is also the title of the whole sermon series), "what is the point?"

The point is.... let go, love God and love people now. Ahora mismo (right now).

Like the verse above says, anyone who holds on to life as it is, destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, REAL and ETERNAL. I want a real life.