Nicaragua December 2014

 Hola Amigos!!!

We have had a very busy first few days.  When Jack Mease, Len Rodgers, Sarah Mease, and Sandra Thomas arrived Friday night Demo (our wonderful friend and interpreter) and Enrique (another wonderful friend who is the pastor at a Presbyterian church in Masaya) met us at the airport.  After waiting for a bit to get our truck, we went to Demo's house and visited with his family.  Then we got settled in at our hotel, Hotel Raizon.  

On Saturday, Jack, Len, Sarah, Sandra, Demo and Enrique got up early to make the five hour drive to El Cua to pick up Daniel.  Daniel is a boy Jack met at Remar in 2006 and then began to sponsor.  Since then, Daniel has left Remar, graduated high school and English school.   He now lives near his father and grows coffee, beans, and corn and teaches English on Saturdays at a technical school.  After we arrived in El Cua, we had lunch with Daniel, his father, Manuel, and his brother, Otoniel.  We then drove 30 km., which felt like 100 miles and took and hour and a half to Daniel's house down a very narrow, bumpy dirt road.  After approximately 20 km. the electric line ended so all the residents in the area do not have electricity unless they are able to buy solar panels.  Due to being Americans and several areas we drove through were not the safest, Manuel got a police officer to ride with us to Daniel's house,  Daniel's house was about two miles off the road, so we parked at his brother's house and Jack, Len, Sarah, Sandra, and Enrique road horses to his house.  Due to the long car ride, several stops, and eating lunch, most of our horse back ride was in the dark.  The path to his house is up and down steep hills and through several creeks.  Once we made it to his house we looked at the coffee plants he is growing.  It takes two years to grow coffee before the beans can be picked.  Daniel's coffee plants looked great.  He has approximately 9,000 plants and he wishes to plant more after the clears two more acres of land.  We all enjoyed the horse ride in the moonlight.  After we got back to the road, we tried to feed the horses carrots Sandra bought, but only two of the horses ate the carrots. They wanted to eat brush instead.  The police officer thought us gringos were crazy riding horses in the pitch dark.  After we dropped the officer back off at the police station, we headed back home and arrived at the hotel around am.

View from our drive to El Cua

A creek we crossed driving to Daniel's house

Daniel's coffee plant

 On Sunday, we went to Remar church.  We saw Macho, a former boy from Remar who Sarah and Daniel were friends with, and his adorable son, Carlos.  Then we went to Vera Cruz and discussed the grades of the 25 students that NESH sponsors in school with Angelica.  Angelica is a women who is in charge of taking care of the administrative duties for the children NESH sponsors.  Most of the students did very well, a few performed well, and a couple did not perform so well.  To sponsor a  student in school, it cost approximately $200 a year for tuition, uniforms, textbooks, and supplies.  We then went to Enrique's house to visit with his family.  NESH sponsors Enrique's three children in school as well.  Dennis just completed his sixth year of medical college, Dinia just finished her second year of medical college, and Donnie just completed his first year of dental school.  To sponsor a student in medical school it is $200 a month.  While there, we discussed with Enrique materials and costs for the house we are building for a family in his church.

Remar Church

Macho and Carlos

Jack discussing student's grades with Angelica

On Monday, we went to Hogar Issac, Remar's house for the elderly men.  This house is under construction so we were able to look at the progress being made.  The elderly men are currently living at the Remar recovery house, which we went to next.  There we visited with the men and handed out prayer shawls members from Fifth Avenue Baptist Church knitted and blessed while knitting.  After we left Remar, we went to Vera Cruz to discuss plans for the house we are building for Marcos, his wife and daughter.  Once materials were determined, we went to purchase the majority of the materials from the hardware store and still have to go the block factory.  It costs approximately $3,500 to build a house.  Surprisingly, this was one of the fastest hardware store purchases so far.  While Jack and Len were purchasing materials, Sarah, Sandra and Daniel studied the menu at a restaurant across the street to help Sarah and Sandra learn Spanish and Daniel learn English. There were several things on the menu that were not very appetizing such as bull testicles.   Then rest of the afternoon and evening, we shopped at the market, ate dinner at Hiedie's Kitchen, and went to see the Catholic celebration of the Virgin Mary.  It is celebrated by viewing many large alter displays alongside the road.  It reminded Len of Its a Small World at Disney World.

The elderly men with their prayer shawls

Marcos' house

                         

Marcos, his wife, and daughter Crystal in front of their house
  

 

  

                                     

                                             Buying supplies from the hardware store

Men loading the truck with the supplies

The old cathedral in Managua 

We want to send out a special thank you to the many individuals who have donated to help send students to school, build houses, and much much more.  God Bless and continue to pray for God's work being completed in Nicaragua!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Nicaragua 2013 Update

Marta & Jenny at their old house before it was torn down.  Roof had so many holes in it during rainy season it was more like a shower.

Marcos standing in the doorway.

Jacqueleen Alexandra

Father Walt from Fairmont, WV with Jacqueleen Alexandra

This is Marcos who helped up put roof on Church when he was 16.

For some reason this hog wanted me dirty before the Graduation!

Leaving for Selena's graduation

Len Rogers and Selena 

Christmas Party at New Jerusalem Church, Vera Cruz, Nicaragua

Suzanna, Selena's little sister, receiving her Christmas present.

Jacqueleen Alexandra at her 3 year old birthday party.

Suzanna relaxing.

Marta, Jenny and David now have a new home.

Jenny doing laundry.

Christmas Party at Holy Mountain Presbyterian Church, Masaya, Nicaragua

Hola Family and Friends,

     Len Rogers and I are home from our 16^th and very rewarding trip to Nicaragua.  One house was almost completed and the Parsonage at the Holy Mountain Presbyterian Church was started 2 days before we left.  Escorting Salina in her graduation, the 8^th annual Christmas Party at the New Jerusalem Church and the first Christmas Party at the Holy Mountain Church are memories I will never forget.  If you could only see the looks on the children’s faces as they receive their gift, you would go back year after year.  As always it is hard to get into Christmas once I return.  Going to the mall and seeing all the people carrying all their packages isn’t the same after knowing the children we just left will only have the 1 present we gave them. This Christmas I ask my family not to buy me any gifts but to write a check to NESH instead.   A few years ago my Daughter Sarah and I spent Christmas in Nicaragua and it was a very interesting experience.  On Christmas Eve most everyone goes to Church and at midnight they shoot off tons of fireworks to celebrate the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ.  For years I was amazed at how these people, being so poor and living in the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, could be so happy.  But their Faith and Love for Jesus outweighs their lack of material things. 

     The Christmas parties for the children were again wonderful.  There were 80 kids at the party at the New Jerusalem Church and everyone left happy.  With 80 kids this party cost more than usual, but it was well worth it.  Angelica, the lady who oversees the children that we support in school, is now the Administrator of the Children’s Sunday school.  She kept strict roles of attendance to make sure the kids attended regularly to be able to come to the party.  Of course, with the children coming to Church, the mothers would come also.  This Church really grew this year.  My last blog talked about how Enrique has grown the Holy Mountain Church and there were 30 children at their party.  After this blog, there are two short videos from this party that you will enjoy watching.

     This past year we supported 23 children in school.  That is 5 in college and 18 in primary and secondary school.  I said I had to learn to say “no” and not add any additional children unless someone would do really bad in school or quit and would drop off.  Everyone did well and no one dropped off.  I now have a waiting list of 15 waiting for someone to drop off.  I do have to admit, that list has now grown to 25.  The Pastor of the New Jerusalem Church asked if we could support two special teenage girls that are Sunday school teachers for the children.  One girl is in the eighth grade and her family has no income, and the other will be in the seventh grade and didn’t go to school this past year because she didn’t have a uniform or supplies.  How could I say “no”?

     This year, Pastor Enrique, will have all 3 of his kids in Medical College.  Since Dennis finished his 5^th year, he will begin his internship and will make a little money.  That will free up money for Dina to start her second year in Medical College and Donnie will start his first year in Dental College.  Now all three of these kids speak English, which makes it much easier for me.  I mentioned this will free up money, well that is if I can raise the money again this year.  If anyone would like to sponsor one of the kids in Medical or Dental College, I and they would very much appreciate it.  It cost $200 a month for each of them and I Pray that I can find a couple people that will do this.  It cost $200 for the year for the kids in Primary of Secondary School.  That is unless they are graduating and then it is another $100.  The other kids in college cost $30 a month.

     Salina’s graduation was wonderful.  I was so proud to escort her; you would have thought I was her Father.  Escorting her to her seat, then across the stage and then out.  I am sure, as you can see in the pictures; I am beaming as much as she is.  The sad thing is, there were 48 kids graduate, which as you can figure, is a small percentage when you consider there were 80 children at the Christmas party.  Salina is a special young lady.  If you will read past blogs, you can find out why.  I mentioned walking her across the stage.  This stage was built by people from Fifth Avenue Baptist Church on one of our first trips.  The entire cost of this came from a very good friend of mine that I grew up with in Charleston.  I can never put into words what this friend has meant to me in my Mission work in Nicaragua!

     Our first trip in 2002, we put a roof on the New Jerusalem Church.  There was a 16 year old boy named Marcos that helped us. We were all amazed at some of the things he would do and he even slept inside the Church to make sure no one stole any of our materials.  A few years ago he moved out of town to find work.  He is now back, is married and has a 3 month old Daughter.  We went to his house and you would not believe the deplorable shape it is in.  There are a few pictures after this.  It is 4 small trees, anchored at four corners holding up old tin and burlap.  Other small trees cross the top holding up tin and burlap for a roof.  It is a little bigger than the bed inside of it.  I desperately need to raise about $2,500 to build him a house.  With the use of family and friends there will be no labor cost and his Dad has a few of the materials.

           Now comes the part where I ask for YOUR help.  God says you won’t receive if you don’t ask, so I am asking!!  I haven’t raised all of the money yet to pay for school clothes, supplies and fees for the upcoming year in school, which runs February through November.  Many of you have helped with our Nicaragua work in the past and I could never tell you how much I, the people in the 32 homes, the kids in school, and especially Dennis, appreciate it.  I already call him Dr. Dennis and, every time I talk to him, I can’t count how many times he says to me, “God bless you Jack, and all your friends.”  I know he is going to make a very good doctor.  

     You are all invited and I wish you could all come with me sometime to see and experience how grateful these people are.  It really makes you realize just how blessed we are to have been born in the United States.  If you have any interest in ever going to Nicaragua, please let me know.  I will be going again next December.  So you have a whole year to plan, get your shots and save the money.  I like to go in December because of the Christmas parties, the weather and the kids are out of school for their summer break.  In December the temperature get to about 90 in the day and around 70 at night with little or no rain.

     I know the economy has been bad and everyone’s budget is tight, but if you could find it in your hearts to help me and all the people I just talked about, I, and they, will be truly grateful.  You can make a tax deductable check to “NESH”, Nicaragua Education, Shelter and Health Fund, Inc. and send to NESH, P.O. Box 731, Barboursville, WV 25504.  NESH is a 501c(3) Non-Profit Corporation, Incorporated in the state of West Virginia.   You will receive a letter confirming your contribution to use a your tax receipt.  As long as your check is dated December 31, your contribution letter will be for 2013.  I need to raise $3,000 in the next couple weeks to pay for school clothes, supplies and beginning fees.  I would like to raise $2,500 for Marcos house as soon as possible.  Then I need $600 a month to pay monthly school fees.  I guarantee to you that NESH has no administrative costs because they are paid by the Kroger Corporation through their Gift Card program where we receive 5% of the money put on these Gift Cards.

     God Bless you all (Dios Te Bendiga) and I Pray that everyone of you have a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

     Look at the following pictures of Marcos’s house.

NESH, P.O. 731, Barboursville, WV  25705