Day 2, Nicaragua

Hola amigos :]

The offical day one is coming to an end. Today was so great. God is showing us so much about his people in Nicaragua. We started the day off with a trip to the market. It was very different than anything I've ever experience. Vendors ages 4 to 84 lined the streets with their various goods. We were able to use some of the money everyone back home gave to by shoes for the local pastor and his family. Praise God! We got SEVEN pairs of shoes for only about 90 dollars! Afterwards, Luke and Pastor Manuel went and bought us pizzas for lunch. They were great, very different taste. The guys also got to share Jesus with the workers at the pizza place. They said they knew Christ already so they encouraged them to share to others who didn't. Then we went and got ice cream. Again, a different taste. It was very rich. Only a dollar for 2 big scoops. After the ice cream we came back for naps. Walking around everywhere really wears you out! Then, my personal favorite of the day; church. A three hour sevice. When we got there the people greeted us with smiles and hugs. They were so beautiful. You could just see Christ radianting through them. The church service contained singing and dancing and a wonderful message. It was a lot different than any service I've ever been to. We met so many wonderful people after the service. Like back at Shiloh, our crew we the last ones out. Broken english and spanish conversations were going on everywhere. It is so neat to talk to the people here. You'd be surprised how much you have to brush up on your spanish, and quick! We met one little girl who was so precious. She was eight and was visiting from Costa Rica. Everytime Tiffany or I would look at here she would just smile the biggest smile. I was able to talk to her in spanish and she gave me a big hug before we left. She's my best friend down here. :] We also met a young woman named Ruth. She's Pastor Manuel's daughter. She is such a Godly women. All the people we've met here are wonderful. They have next to nothing. The same thing that lines our trashcans puts a roof over their heads. You're considered rich if your house is made out of concrete walls. It's incredible and so humbling. We are blessed beyond measure. Our hope and prayer is that although these people don't have many physical thing, hopefully they have Christ. And if they don't we are praying that we can bring a clear, inspired message of the gospel.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. [Psalm 90:1-2]

That is Ruth's favorite verse. He is God. He is in control and has been since the beginning of time. Although proverty is heartbreaking here, we have to put our trust in the God of provision. Jehovah-jireh.

You can be praying for us by lifting up the people here:

Pastor Manuel and his family.
- Pray for there health and well being.
- Pray God provides food and clothing.
- Pray God one day provides him with a church building.

Pray that La Quinta, the church that we went to today.
- Pray for the people there.

Pray for the people on they streets.
- Pray God will give salvation
- Pray for a revival in the community.

Pray for the doctors and medical clincs.
- Pray for supplies.
- Pray for more doctors and nurses.

Also pray for us, that we will continue to do the work God has planned out for us. Pray we don't get bogged down in emotion and shock but we stay focused on Christ.

Hope all is well.

Dios te bendiga!

-Courtney