Practically Speaking English Courses Jinotega, Nicaragua January 21-18, 2012
Buenos Dias! Sunday, January 22
Sunday morning here in Jinotega started with a sweet time of worship with our new team. Several of us shared our stories as we get to know each other. Archie, Mike, Bill and Eliud left early to go back to Puerta Azules to try again on the well repair. The rest of us went to the orphanage to deliver some supplies and to visit for a few minutes. While at the orphanage we were entertained by Linda. Gail began singing to Linda and after a few minutes baby Linda began singing and clapping with us. It was a very sweet moment to share together.
After lunch we went to the school to set up for registration. When we arrived the keys we had gotten for the principle would not work so we set up registration on the side walk out in front of the school. We had no feel for how many people might come. Earlier we had prayed for God’s favor in our efforts and as has been the norm this month God showed up in an incredible way. I personally was hoping for 250. If we could somehow someway entice 250 people to sign up that would have been HUGE! Well God has a bigger plan! We currently have 133 children registered at 10:00 am, 65 teens registered at 1:30 pm 95 adults registered for 5:00 pm, and 132 adults registered for 7:00 pm. Glory! With 425 already registered we are expecting as many as 25 to 30 unregistered students per session. We are all excited and a bit fearful but expecting great things from our God.
The guys did not get the well repaired today but they were encourage by the support from the community. We are going to try again on Wednesday! Please pray for God’s blessing on the well.
God has proven Himself so faithful in all our work here this month. What an awesome opportunity it is to be involved in just a small part of what God is doing in Nicaragua.
To God be the glory great things He is doing!
Monday, January 23
I am at a loss for an adjective that would convey just what an incredibly, awesome, powerful, loving, God we serve. Our first day of class was wonderful. Our team is meshing, God is blessing, and the people are grateful and hungry to learn. Our first day fears have subsided and we are excited to see what God has in store!
Read the reflection of one of our first time teachers:
The first day of teaching was a pleasant surprise. Two words come to mind – Joy and Appreciation. The Nicaraguans I taught were happy, fun loving people – always ready to laugh – at me and themselves! They were always thanking us for coming and giving our time to them. They are eager students and a delight to teach. God has blessed our effort more than we could have possibly imagined and I am truly thankful for this opportunity.
Continue to pray for God to pour out His grace upon our students. Please pray for us by name. God knows what each of us needs individually as you lift up our names to Him. Michelle is doing an awesome job as our administrator and Children’s emcee. I have enjoy observing Roy who came to do construction, but finds himself involved in everything. Yesterday at 5:00, He sat in on Mollie and Bill Mc.’s class and became a group leader by default and from the look on his face loved every minute of it. I hope I have his energy when I am 84!
We will check in again with more form Jinotega!
Thursday, January 26
We have had a wonderful time with our students the past two days. We are making friends and the Holy Spirit is preparing their hearts to receive the gospel message. Mike began introducing the gospel yesterday by sharing the story of Nicodemus and how he sought out Jesus to learn more about the message Jesus was preaching. Pray for us today as we will be sharing our stories of our encounters with Jesus. Thank you for your prays and notes of encouragement. We are excited and expecting great things the next two day!
Reflections
I have to admit after hearing all the wonderful stories that God had done through the construction and medical teams I was feeling a little discouraged about the English school. I was thinking that we are not providing our friends here at Jinotega with water or medical care and then God showed me Romans 12: 3-6 “…in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” God showed me why I am here and that we are all here for the same purpose and that is to share Christ’s love to the people in Jinotega or in other villages regardless of which team we are on.
At the beginning of the week I saw the fear and anxiety as everyone prepared to teach their “many” students. Nicole, a member of our team from Florida was one that I have really noticed getting anxious but this morning I heard the words, “I have no fear at all about teaching.” As I have watched her teach I have noticed those walls that she had up were very quickly disappearing. She has done an incredible job just as everyone on the team has. I love seeing God work and take our fears and anxieties and turn them into strengths. “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Blessings,
Michelle
