Scripture for today!

Phillipians 1:21
For me living is Christ and dying is gain.

I continually learn to humbly give my life to God everyday.  Many times it is more than I can handle but with the grace of God, He is helping me to let Him guide and direct my life, my marriage and my children.  I pray today for strength and peace as our family makes decisions and deals with life.  I pray also today for our many friends and family around the world who are serving Christ and walking in His path.  I also pray for those we know who do not know Christ.  I pray their hearts will be opened and God will place in their paths today someone who is willing to share the Good News of Jesus Chrsit with them. Amen

Measured as one of the best days yet.

Wow, what an amazing day we have yesterday.  You see, Nicaragua celebrates Mother's Day on the 29th of May.  I have two days to celebrate now, because we also as a family celebrated mother's day on the 10th.  Anyway, I want to share why yesterday was so great.  We started out with the work of cooking a meal for all the mothers.  The cooking began at 10 and we finished at 4.  It was a lot of work but I was able to fellowship with many ladies from the church in La Paz and we had a great time cooking together.  I stopped in to visit a little girl who has been recovering from surgery and is having a hard time of it.  We gave her medicine, took her temperature and talked with her about how to better care for herself following the surgery.  We had fun running to several different places to try and find some food for us for lunch and ended up finding a place that makes fried chicken.  It was delicious.  We returned to the church to help with final preparations for the mother's day service.  Lenin and Sara prayed for my daughter as last night she preached her first sermon to the whole congregation.  I had tears in my eyes.  She spoke on the visible truths of Jesus excistance.  The topic was her choice and she did all the preparations herself.  She spoke confidently and God was filling her with the words she needed to say.  I think she talked for about 25-30 minutes.  I knew God was going to use our children for His glory but I didn't expect this.  God is such a great God.  I am glad He is in charge of our lives because His story is so much better than any life story I could create for myself.  Praise the Lord, To God be the Glory.

Growing in Faith

I have read posts on facebook lately about many people struggling in life.  I can't agree more.  Life can be very difficult at times.  As I also struggle here in Nicaragua to do God's will and live a life that will honor and glorify Him, I look to the Lord for help.  It is always one thing to talk about letting God take care of us and trusting Him with all our needs, it is quite another to actually do it.  I have memorized and understand Hebrews 13:5 which says Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you, but taking that extra step to put my faith in Him has been such a big struggle.  I know the bible says count ourselves blessed to be persecuted but since I have lived in the states the majority of my life, persecution hasn't really been a big part of my christian walk.  As I talk with the local pastors here and see and learn how they live and what they experience, I know their faith is stronger.  The spirit world forces them to either sink or swim.  Without faith they would sink and therefore as they swim their faith grows deep.  The persecution and evil they believe in and experience creates a life of daily faith in God.  Poverty and uncertainty of the future create a daily faith in God.  I have never had to wonder if I will eat again today or whether I will have food for tomorrow.  I don't always rely on God to provide for my needs because I have been able to go to the grocery store if I needed food.  It's not that I don't want to have a deep faith in God, it is just that without trials, persecution, and difficulties in life, my faith doesn't grow.  Reading the bible, praying, singing, going to church, they are all wonderful activities but their main purpose is to educate us about God, not really instill in us a deeper faith.  My prayer today is that God will enlarge my territory and protect me from harm but also to deepen my faith in Him so that I can count myself blessed.  My prayer for our family and friends in the states and around the world is for God to lift each one up and be the Great Comforter to all.

Boxes and Change

As John and I with the family continue to serve God here in Nicaragua there is much time for self reflection and inner soul searching.  I would venture to say that when this is all over I will have a much better understanding of who I really am and how people really see me as a person and representative of Jesus Christ.  I find myself constantly telling the children to mind their behavior.  The thing is, down here the only reputation we have is the one they see.  We are unable to explain ourselves, our words, or our actions. What we do and how we do it is the only connection the people here have with us.  It has boiled down to the simple behaviors we really didn't think much about in the states.  If one of the kids talks with a rude voice, or pushes another, or retaliates against a child who is getting on their nerves.  All these actions or reactions are watched and looked upon and judged by those around us.  We are supposed to be servants of God.  I have always wanted our children to behave well, but it was for different reasons.  Now, I am having to teach the kids the message of their behavior affects what people think about Christianity.  The last thing I want to do down here is become the stumbling block for a new believer or unbeliever.  Once again, I am humbled at what God has asked us to do here in Nicaragua and am continually being reminded that it needs to be for His glory.  In our weakness, God will be shown stronger. 
To God be the Glory!

Humility

One of those traits that are really hard to learn because of the nature of the beast.  These last few days of been ones of learning humility.  I don't really think I came down here with pride but even in my understanding of where I stand in my Christianity, I realize that I am still so young.  The people in ncaragua have such a greater faith and understanding of who God really is.  The spirit world here in Nicaragua is real.  I am real.  When we lived in the states, I understood in my head the Holy Spirit existed but I really never tried to wrap my brain around it.  I kept my thoughts on the side of the fact that God is good and therefore so is the Holy Spirit.  The problem I didn't really think about was the fact that there is another spirit that is also very real and alive and causing trouble in the world.  Whether we want to believe it or not, Satan is real and so are his host of angels.  He is constantly working in our lives even when we don't think so and he is constantly looking for ways to destroy any joy and hope we might have in the One True God.  He is just as real and the Holy Spirit and when we choose to ignore that fact we are living a very one sided life.  Casting out demons, speaking in tongues, praising the Lord without inhibitions, and simply just showing God how much He deserves our worship is real.  Before I lived here in this type of culture, I always knew those things were real in my head but now I am beginning to see them for myself and actually experience some of them.  I pray that God will continue to open my eyes to the real battle we are facing every day and for peace that He will continue to protect not only my family but the many believers and unbelievers here in Nicaragua. 
On a very different note, I wondered if there are any people out there that would be willing to help an 11 year old boy get surgery.  He fell off a wall when he was two, they didn't set his leg and now his leg is so distorted and bent that he can't even walk.  We met him this afternoon walking on two arms and one leg while his damaged leg just hung there.  We are going to start the process of getting him to a hospital and making arrangements for the surgery but from what we understand because the injury was so long ago they will charge him to make it better.  I am told it will be very expensive and as we begin this process we will very quickly learn exaclty how expensive it will be and will gladly share the total cost of the surgery with those who are interested in helping to make him better.  Please pray for him, his name is German.  He is eleven years old and without the help of those who can, he is destined to live a life of poverty because he is unable to stand and walk.  We need your help to get him surgery.  Please prayerfully consider helping with the cost of the surgery and let us know at jvspeigle@hotmail.com.  Thank you for your prayers in this matter.
To God be the Glory!

Food for the hungry? have you eaten today?

We look forward to bringing food to 15 families this morning.  Many of them will only have food for as long as the bag lasts.  We put 2 lbs. of rice, 2 lbs. of beans, oil, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, carrots, and potatoes in the bag.  It really only lasts about 4 days if that.  We bring food again the following friday but I wonder how they make it through the other days.  I was talking with David a friend of ours that we bring food to about the brooms he was making.  They are hand made and probably take about one hour or more to make smooth on the handle.  I asked him how much he would get for the brooms, he said $.50.  I couldn't believe it.  For all the work he will put into one broom his wages will be only .50 cents.  I don't believe it is possible even in Nicaragua to live on that low of an income.  He is supporting 2 small children and a wife.  He told me a wonderful story that really helped me to keep in perspective what life is truly about.  David is a believer and loves the Lord.  His wife is sick most days and wonders around La Paz all day.  David is solely responsible for the children and providing for their needs.  Martha is the wife and she does come home at night but not every night.  David thinks she has cancer but her mind is not able to understand such concepts and so doesn't seek help from the medical clinic.  I was overwhelmed by all that he has to deal with and told him I would pray that God would help him and Martha.  He said,"don't worry about my poverty.  Jesus was a very rich man and he was born in a poor stable.  If Jesus can be poor so can I.  I would rather you pray for Martha and the children.  I know the things of this world that I have or don't have won't matter and when I die I will be rich in heaven."  David really understands what matters in life and as I looked at his situation and thought how unbearable and unbelieveable it was, I realized his perspective on his life is a blessing from God.  I ask that as you go about your day today, you whisper a prayer for David and Martha and the kids.  They so badly need help with very basic things in life.  Food, clothing, water, keeping the kids clean and healthy, and for Martha to understand how much she really needs to go to the doctor.  This family has been blessed by God and now it is our turn to bless them phsically and spiritually by supporting them in prayer.
To God be the glory!

God is so amazing!

What a wonderful day!  The breeze kept us nice and cool, the people were comforting and loving, the service was a tear jerker, and all my kids are now asleep in bed.   We shared the movie "Facing the Giants" with the church in La Paz this evening.  It was a spanish version and even though I couldn't understand most of it, I have watched it in english several times and every time I watch it, it is a tear jerker.  God is just so big and strong and amazing.  He can really bless us if He chooses and our lives are just not the same without Him.  I pray that many people who watched the movie tonight will be encouraged and feel God's love in a real way this week.
To God be the Glory!

Different Culture, Different World

Well, as our family continues to learn and grow here in Nicaragua we often get eye opening experiences.  I know that all humans have similar tendancies but when faced with a different culture it can be amazing how different we can also be. 
We had a wonderful time today in La Paz Centro.  They have dug close to 150 holes for the plantain trees and about 10 feed into the well.  You know everything, and I mean everything, is done by hand.  They said the well would end up being about 20 meters deep and that again is going to be dug all by hand.  I keep asking John if there is an easier way but unless God blesses us with a huge amount of money, by hand is the way it will be done.  I look at some of  the projects that the people here in La Paz are working on to better their lives and think to myself, this task is impossible.  Yet, when I look at the people working, their faces and body expressions say they can do it and will prevail in the end.   I am humbled by what I see.  So many times in my life I see a project and decide before I have even started whether I will be able to do it or not. Often if I think it is too difficult I won't even start it.  I believe after learning so much in this culture about life and perserverance, I have really been missing out on many blessings because I have chosen not to start. 
We also had the priviledge of attending a civil wedding.  That was interesting to say the least.  I was surprised when the lawyer began talking about why two people might get married and that is should be for life and not just for a few months.  He even talked about how God will bless them and take care of them.  I thought civil weddings didn't include God.  Another new experience to open my eyes to different cultures and different worlds. 
Today Natalie turned two.  Some of you may remember her.  I talked about her back in February. She is the one that has a head smaller than my hand.  She was in a bicycle accident last thursday.  Her ear was split by a barb from a wire fence.  I gave her some ointment for her ear and prayed it would heal without trouble.  I saw her today and her ear is almost completely healed.  I am so thankful her mom knows how to care for her so well. 
I am just extremely thankful for all God has allowed us to do and see here in Nicaragua.  He has truly blessed us and I pray continually that we will be a blessing to those around us.  We came down here to share God love with others and to make a difference in their lives. 
May God receive all the Glory!!!!!

Praises and Thanksgivings

True Worship

I know something that I have really started to take for granted down here is the way worship is done here in Nicaragua.  The people pour out their hearts no matter what other people think.  The arms wave in the air, the feet dance and praise our Lord, even the children shake tamborines and ribbons.  There are so many beautiful things about worship when it is true and free of constrictions.  We sing many different songs at church and the style of the song varies from quick paced to quiet and worshipful.  I think my two favorite songs I know most of the words to are:  Lavanta mis Manos (Raise your Hands) and Dios esta Aqui (God is Here).  Yesterday Caleb and I went through our worship songs we can play on the guitar and worshipped God for about one hour.  It was the most precious thing I could ever have done with my son.  He is so talented and his heart is so pure.  He sang all the songs and played the ones he could and just put everything he had into it.  I pray that as he continues to grow and difficult times come into his life he will rely on what talents God has given him to get through. To God be the Glory. 

Busy schedule

Wow time just keeps on flying.  Just when I commit myself to blogging every day for the month of May, I miss several days.  Okay this time I will be more careful and really try to blog everyday. 

We have had such a wonderful week and have a very full schedule ahead of us.  This week we will begin a clothing ministry, continue with the feeding ministry on fridays, begin to work on finding plants and trees for the property, help the farmers dig a well and begin to prepare the fields for planting, somewhere in all of this squeeze in school and build a set of bookshelves for our school books, help a little girl get her surgery done here in Leon, and follow up on a pregnant lady who needs prenatal vitamins.  Not real sure if we will get it all in but certainly have to try.  God is good and He will provide a way for us to get done what needs to get done in His timing.  Thank you Jesus for your constant help and assurance.

Lost and Found

This week has been one big roller coaster.  We started out this week excited about the new team that was coming and planning on doing a medical.  Lots of hours go into a week like this and we were very thankful we had a few nurses that had done it before.  We saw over 1200 patients this week and many people made confessions of faith.  However, during the week John and I both lost things that were precious to us.  John misplaced his wallet at the beginning of the week and Sydney misplaced her bag of favorite clothes.  We did lots of praying and asking around for help to find the stuff but without success.  Finally, today we had both things found along with an amazingly cool day from a very refreshing down pour of rain all night last night. 
One of the team members almost was drowned at the ocean today and the story is just amazing.  God truly does use us in mysterious ways.  The gentlemen that pulled her out of the ocean and got her breathing again didn't know Jesus Christ as his saviour and when she told him she wanted to see him in heaven with her someday because of what he had done to save her life he said he also wanted to be there and accepted Christ as his saviour.  There have been many things and people lost this week and God has redeemed them all.  I know without a shadow of a doubt that God is watching over us and taking care of us down here.  He has sent a very special lady this week to help us with Kyle.  Sometimes when parents are at the end of their ropes God will send a redeemer and that is what He has done this week.  I can not thank Him enough for what He has done for our family this week.  Not only for helping us find the stuff we had lost but to bring redemption and grace back into our family.  I will never forget this week and what Molly has done for us.  May God richly bless her life for what she has done.  To God be the Glory

long time without writing

Well, life seems to be settling down again into a routine I can live with so that I am able to give some thinking time to blogging again.  I apologize to all those who have wondered what has happened to me in the last few months.  Blogging takes thinking power for me and these last few months have required a lot of thinking for me to get through them.  So many things have happened in the last few months.  Just to name a few.....John was in the states, we have helped with several different teams, many difficult decisions we being made by our family and the kids have been missing their friends.  It really all adds up to excuses for me not writing about what is going on but I have decided it would be better to share some of my thoughts with you regardless of how busy life gets down here.  We came down here to serve God and share with our many friends the wonderful and powerful things God is doing in Nicaragua.  I vow to continue to do that no matter what Satan tries to throw at us.  I thank everyone for your prayers and care during these past few months and the ones that follow as well.  I know we are being lifted up in prayers and without that we would not be able to stay here in Nicaragua.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.  May God richly bless you as you also serve Him in prayer for us.  To God be the Glory.

Feeding the five thousand?

I now understand a little of what Jesus did with the 5 loaves and 2 fishes when he was feeding the 5 thousand.  We were given a gift of 50 lbs. of rice and 50 lbs. of beans.  With joy and excitement we have been able to feed 16 families for the last two weeks.  We added onion, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes and oil to the bags of rice and beans.  We have enough rice left to probably do it one more week. The big bags of rice and beans cost 40 dollars each.  The cost of the veges was about 25.  That would make it possible to feed 16 families every week for about 30-40 dollars.  Isn't it amazing how far food can go down here.  I know we don't have much to give away but they say it lasts them about 4-5 days.  They are so good at stretching the food so it lasts and using every part of the meat or vegetable they are using.  Nothing down here goes to waste.  When they eat chicken or fish the only thing left on the plate is a very small pile of bones.  Not even the grissel is left.  
Having mom here and for God to allow her to be a part of the feeding has been so pleasant.  I'm glad we were able to share those moments with her.  She is heading home this week and then it will be just 4.  What a strange and quiet house we will have before John and Kyle return from the states.  We covet your prayers of protection on travelling for mom, John and Kyle. 

Good Times

This has been such a good week with my mother here.  We have been to several church services and been able to see the land that was bought by a ministry down here.  They are going to use the land to start a larger feeding center, build a mission house, build a house for the pastor of the church they work with and a coop garden with animals to boot.  It is so amazing that God would consider me and my family to see and be a part of this project.  I am humbled to know that God is using us to do His will.  I am thankful the doors are beginning to open here for us to minister to the people.  I am excited to share about the three families we gave food to last week.  They were very thankful and we are going again this morning to give them food but this time we are adding about 7 other families.  So that brings to total to 10.  It will cost about 10-15 dollars a week to feed each family.  We give them rice, beans, oil, onions, peppers, and then if money allows we are providing every other week a few healthy vegetables.  I am so excited to be able to do this. 
On another note, Sierra and Caleb have joined a dancing group here in Nicaragua.  They go to different churches and do presentations.  Tomorrow night will be their second presentation.  I am so glad God has included them in this ministry.  It has boosted Caleb's self-esteem and Sierra of course absolutely loves what she is doing.  They are supposed to practice with the group every day but since we don't have transportation their everyday they only practice about 3 times a week.  They are quick learners so it doesn't seem to bother them much.  We continue to pray that God will provide the things we need down here to do ministry.  To God be the Glory. 

Sad good-byes and Happy Hellos

Yesterday was a happy and sad day all wrapped into one.  We were able to get Katie and Kyle off safely to the airport and heading to the United States.  There were several tears and I had to do a lot of praying and trusting that the Lord will be with them as they return to the states without me.  I did however have a wonderful time picking up my mother.  She has decided to spend several days with us and it was just very good to see her again after so many months.  As she gave me another set of sheets for our bed, I smelt them and realized how much I really did miss her.  Isn't it funny how we can live without something for so long and then all of a sudden realize how deeply one can be missed.  Anyway, we are enjoying each others company for a few days. 
Sierra and Caleb have an opportunity to dance with other church members this Sunday and we are excited they allowed us to participate in the program.  I wasn't sure Caleb would really do it but he even has a smile on stage which warms my heart. 
Lots of prayers and guidance is needed for making decisions regarding Eliazer.  They went ahead and did some kind of surgery yesterday but from what I understand it won't fix the closed fontanelle problem.  We will have to wait a few days to see what exactly they did to him and how it will affect the situation before we can move further.  I want to thank everyone who has been praying for this situation and I will continue to post updates regarding his condition as I become aware of them. 
I also would like to thank everyone that has been praying for John while he is in the states.  There are so many doors opening for him and we are really seeing God work.  Thank you very much.

May the little children come....

Well, it was a successful day yesterday.  We provided food for three families in great need.  I had Katie take pictures and will be posting them as soon as I figure out how. 
I was disappointed to find out the doctors have decided not to do the surgery for Eliazer.  They have other children in greater need.  I don't really understand how they can say that when his brain is being damaged everyday they leave it the way it is.  We are hoping they will choose a new date today for the surgery but they are just not in any hurry to do anything about this little boy.  For those of you who have not caught the earlier information about Eliazer, he is 4 months old, has hydrocephalis, a closed fontanelle, a detached retina and no tear duct in his one eye.  We have been working to get his surgery for over a month now and they just keep putting it off.  I don't think they realize what is going to happen if they don't do it soon.  If anyone in the states ever thinks socialized medicine would be better because it is free they are very wrong.  Send me their email and I can tell them story after story after story about children who badly needed surgery and have not received it yet because of the system and the way it is set up. 
I am excited and sad today if that is possible.  I have to say good-bye to Katie and Kyle today because they are returning to the states.  However, my mother has decided to join us for 10 days down in the hot beautiful sunshine.  Sydney in particular is very happy about this.  I don't think she realizes she will no longer be able to play with Katie.  It has been such a blessing and joy to have Katie here with us these last few weeks.  She has been able to translate thank you letters from children and organize medical supplies and it has warmed by heart to see her just enjoy and play with the children down here.  There were many children last night at church that asked Katie not to leave and really wanted her to stay.  I pray that God will bring her back here some day to stay for a long time.  May God richly bless her life for her willingness to serve.

Children are a gift from God

Wow what another week we have been through.  Yesterday was so heart wrenching.  We were helping distrubute backpacks for the children who need to go to school.  Some of the children were living at the dump in La Paz Centro.  I specifically noticed a mother with three children.  Her youngest child was maybe just under 1 year old.  He was hungry and wanted some milk from the mother.  She was unable to provide for him.  I couldn't stand it.  He was crying because he was so very hungry and the mother could do nothing about it.  Later in the evening I saw another little girl about the size of a new born here in the states.  She was probably 3 years old with a stomach as small as a new born baby.  Her legs couldn't have been bigger around than a large carrot.  She was so incredibly skinny and had trouble walking properly.  I wanted to take them home and feed them for the rest of their lives.  Some days are easy.  Yesterday was not. 
The kids and I spend the evening talking about these two families and did a few calculations.  It would cost us about 40$ to feed these two families each week with rice,beans,onions, peppers, oil and maybe a carrot or two.  I think we are going to just add it to our budget.  Maybe even add 100.00 to our budget and try to find a few more families to add to the list.  I know God sees these children and loves them very much and since we are here we need to do all we can to help ease the burden in their lives. 
We also had a gentlemen come to our house yesterday and ask for food.  I gave him what we had and asked him to come back on saturday with his family and wife.  He said he has three children.  I will take pictures and post if he shows up again.  It is so hard to see how difficult it is to find food for these children. 
We are also planning on bringing food to Martha and David.  They are the family that we have been trying to help but it is very slow.  We continue to pray for the mother and hope she will be willing to have surgery sometime this year.  We also pray that God will open the door for us to help the children during the day with food and health issues so they can heal from the problems they have.  Please join us in this prayer because where two or more are gathered so is the Holy Spirit.

Much belated update

Wow, time really flies down here.  I was checking my blog files and realized I haven't blog for quite some time.  The days are filled with so many activities and before I know it the day is over and I am exhausted and ready for bed.  There doesn't seem to be much time to blog but knowing I am connecting with many friends in the states and allowing them to understand what we are doing continues to encourage me to keep at the blogging process.  So that being said here comes an update for the last several days.
We have been enjoying the company of one of our close friends this last week and a half.  She came down here the day after she passed her boards to become a licensed nurse.  She also has much interest in doing mission work down here in that capacity.  We continue to pray God will open the door for her down here to work with us and the children in need of medical care.
We continue to increase the work we are doing in La Paz.  The members of the church have asked that I teach them conversational english so two weeks ago I started teaching at the church.  I have about 20 students ranging in age from 8 to adult.  We have plenty of fun and lots of laugh because I really can't help them associate an english word with a spanish word because I don't know enough spanish yet.  It has been a challenge to figure out how to explain things to them in english when they don't understand very much of it.
We have also enjoyed Mrs. Raye Morgan coming down for a few weeks.  She is in charge of the ministry Hearts to God and Hands to Work.  Their ministry also works in La Paz and helps Lenin and Sarah with their church.  We have been delighted with the invitation from Mrs. Raye to join them in working out in La Paz.  Many exciting events and activites have been happening for that ministry.  This past week they purchased land out in La Paz that will help the community in so many different ways.  Lenin and Sarah will have a house built for them because they ministry in La Paz but currently live in Leon and the drive is about 30 minutes one way.  The ministry is also planning on starting a garden for the community to help with.  They will be planting vegetables of every kind and several more fruit trees on the property for the community to help grow.  If the community helps with this project they will also be able to benefit from the produce that is grown out there.  Mrs. Raye is also planning on building a mission house for the teams that come down and work in La Paz.  It will be such a blessing for them to be able to live in the community in which they work.  The people in La Paz are so welcoming of them and really have a great need in the community.  We have been so excited to see how God is really working there.  We continue to pray God's blessing on the ministry.
On another note, some may have been following the story of Eliazer these last two months.  He is a little boy aged 4 months old now with several medical problems.  The problems were discovered during one of the medical teams.  We have been helping Eliazer to try and get to the right doctors so they can do corrective surgery on his fontanelle and in the process have discovered he has several other problems.  The latest information we have found is as follows:  He now has been diagnosed with hydrocephalis as well as a closed fontanelle, additionally we think from the CAT scan he is also unable to see out of one of his eyes because he has a detached retina and no tear duct has grown in that eye as well.  There appears to be no real fix for his eye but they are planning on doing some sort of surgery on thursday of this week at 5:00.  I will continue to get more information and of course post anything new regarding his situation as soon as I find something out.  My heart just breaks for Eliazer. So many of his medical problems could have been avoided if his mother had been able to have proper medical care while he was inside her.  There are so many children down here in the same situation.  For example, we have been getting better acquainted with another mother how is currently carrying a child as well.  She was told two weeks ago the baby has an irregular heart beat and was encouraged just to go home and rest more.  That was the solution to the problem.  It might turn out just fine but without proper medical care it could also turn out terribly.  There is such a great need for doctors down here and certainly a better medical system to help these young mothers carry the babies full term and have them start out life healthy. 
Another family we have been working with I want to give you an update on:  David and Martha some of you know are in great need.  Martha needs surgery and the babies have been diagnosed with scabies and mal nutrition.  We visited them last week and found they have moved to a different location and the babies although they were improving from the scabies are not completely healed yet and they  should be.  David and Martha say they will continue to treat the children for the bug but because they no longer live close to the church there is no one that can help them look after the kids and they are on their own now.  When we visited their "house" little Martha the three year old was just screaming her little heart out because she was so afraid.  My heart continues to break for them and since they have moved away our hands are tied with what we can do to help.  Martha is not planning on having surgery and continues to bleed.  She refuses.  What can we do when someone doesn't want to get better.  God will have to intervene in this situation because we have done everything within human possibility to make it better and are no longer able to do anything more.  Please join us in praying for these families and ministries in La Paz.  We need several miracles in the next few days and weeks for these situations to improve.  May God receive all the glory and may we all know that what ever  happens God has a purpose and plan for each of these peoples lives.

Open doors!

Sometimes when God closes a window He opens a door.  We just spent an amazing morning preparing and feeding about 130 children living in La Paz.  We even were able to feed one of the teachers because she picks her students up at the feeding center and walks with them to school.  How cool is that!  I found out they feed these kids every day of the week and it is something different each day.  I'm not saying it is tons of food but it was certainly enough for one meal.  We have been so blessed to work with Lenin and Sarah from the church in La Paz.  They have invited us to do so many different ministry opportunities with them.  I am grateful to God for all He has placed in front of us to enjoy and be a part of.  We have not been able to return to the Compassion school since last December and some days it is hard.  I would like to continue growing those friendships with the teachers and with the kids.  Perhaps God will work it out so we can do both.  As I look forward to the future, I pray that God will continue to open the door in La Paz.  There are so many children's opportunities for us there and right now we are in Leon.  We need to have a very clear path to move to La Paz and I am not sure if we have it yet.  I pray that God will guide both John and I to the same conclusion of where we are to minister down here in Nicaragua.