Final days with CCS

The final day we spent in the community was a semi-longer one but a very special day. We were able to go into the community public school and share the gospel with every student and teacher in both the morning and afternoon class sessions. This was an awesome opportunity as many of the students put their faith in Christ as a result of this gospel presentation! Balloons are a huge hit with students, I have never seen such a long line of students waiting for just a normal blown up balloon. We ran out!

We were also able to have a special meal for the teachers. They really appreciated us doing this for them. One teacher said, "I am so happy you took the time to do this for us because sometimes we feel like our work isn't valued here." We didn't realize our chicken and rice lunch with the small gift of school supplies would go such a long way in encouraging these teachers. Ms. Sonya from the team did a great job leading a devotion with the teachers entirely in Spanish! I was very impressed.

 The team's final day consisted of a few R&R activities around Nicaragua. We spent the morning at the market and then had a great lunch at La Catarina overlooking a beautiful lagoon. We zip lined and visited the volcano in the afternoon.

The team headed out early this morning to fly back to Knoxville. Please be praying for their travels throughout today! I thank God for giving us a great first team to work with, the kids, faculty and parents of Concord Christian School are great people that are passionate about serving and sharing the Gospel to the nations!

El Cañon and Sunday Service

Saturday we were able to spend the day in the orphanage in El Cañon, playing with the kids and cleaning. The team brought little styrofoam planes for the boys to make and fly which was a big hit with them. Also in the orphanage I was able to go with Pastor Josue and help lead a discipleship class with the older boys of the orphanage. This was a great opportunity for me to share about my life and ministry to boys interested in being involved and working with the local church. Pastor Josue stressed to them that no matter what profession they go into that is their ministry and mission field. 

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to preach to the church and I spoke on John 9. The story is about a blind mans life that was changed by Jesus and how he then went and told EVERYONE about it. We need to be as bold as him, some people didn't even think he was the same person because he was so radically different after meeting Jesus.

Sunday night we showed the movie Courageous. This was a great activity for the community! After talking with Pastor Alfredo I learned that had 10 first time guests that night which is incredible news for a small new church plant like this one is.

Keep praying God is definitely working here! Pray for energy for me and the team as it was a late and long Sunday and we have a early morning today.

We're headed to share the Gospel in the school! I'll write soon!

Church Painting and Rooster Crossing

Yesterday we spent the entire day inside of a brand new concrete church. This church was a really good sized church here in Nicaragua but it needed some color so we made that happen. The Concord Christian School team was very diligent in working throughout the day to finish the entire inside of the church and as you'll see in following photos it looks great and much more inviting than plain unfinished concrete walls! I asked Pastor Armando, "What do you think?" He told me, "It looks so amazing, I'm very happy!" We're heading down to El Cañon today to visit the orphanage today and do some cleaning there along with playing with the kids. 

Be in prayer for me as Pastor Armando asked me to preach to his church this Sunday!

On a side note, I hit a rooster with my truck today. Not on purpose he just flew up in front of it and met the hood and windshield during flight. First time for everything here in Nicaragua!

Before:

After Primer:

After: 

God is doing some amazing things here and I am excited to see how he uses this new church to reach even more people in the community! 

praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. - Acts 2:47

First Team!

The first team of the summer arrives tonight. The staff and I are all very excited to begin all of the official work with the teams and communities. The prep work and supplies have all been bought and we are just waiting for the plane to hit the runway here in Managua.

This team is a school from Knoxville, Concord Christian School. With them, we will be painting a local church, visiting the orphanage, and playing sports with the kids in the community. 

I will post more details about our week as we get more busy! God bless and please be praying for the teams safety as they begin traveling shortly.

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

- Philippians 1:6

And so it begins...

I am currently riding in the car to the Nashville airport to log my first batch of air miles in my journey back to my second home, Managua, Nicaragua! I am very excited it has been almost 10 months since my feet have been on Nicaraguan soil but that drought ends today! Please be praying for safe and smooth travels today!

Update: I am at my gate and should be boarding the plane to Miami very shortly.