We have completed our first full day in Nicaragua. It was a great first day. On Tuesday morning we got started by 9:00 am … Paul Burns said since it was our first day he would let us start an hour later. However for the rest of the trip, we will have an 8:00 am start time.
Our Missions Team will be working on the 2nd storey of this church
During our two weeks, the two main areas we will be working in will be kids ministry and building construction. As you can see from the pictures, the church building has a fully functional main floor but they have not been able to complete the second storey. In Leon, land is at a premium so they need to build up as there is no room to build out on the current property.
The women spent Tuesday morning setting up and planning for the kids club. They had a great start with about 30 kids attending the first day. The men surveyed the work site and started doing whatever was necessary. As the day progressed, it was clear that we were becoming more and more helpful to the skilled local workers we are partnering with in the project.
While we are here, we will be attending all the church services held at the church where we are working. They have services on Tuesday night, Thursday night and Sunday morning. I found out this morning that they were expecting someone from the Canadian group to do the sermon for this evening. As you can expect, I got selected. You can see me in the photo, delivering the sermon, with Elsie interpreting. Melanie was also asked to sing so she sang “Open The Eyes of My Heart” in Spanish. It was really great.
At the end of the long day a bunch of us walked down to the local ice cream shop … for the second night in a row. I have a feeling it may be a daily trek.
It has been a great time already but it is an exhausting day doing construction work in 33 degree temperatures. Then again, it sure beats shoveling snow.
Kids Ministry
Todd, hard at work
Dave and Matt enjoying the view from the 2nd storey
Todd Preaching
Melanie singing at church
The team sent back lots of photos from their travel day and their first full day of work. 30 of these pics have been uploaded to an album on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Westheights?v=photos
Looks like you just dove right into the thick of things and immersed yourselves into the lives of the locals. Praying for you as you connect with and work alongside them. The snow here is breathtakingly beautiful; you don’t know what you’re missing. No risk of heat exhaustion here!
So awesome to read this update…to hear that you guys have begun your ministry….and that you are hard at work. I am trying to feel badly about the 33 degree weather you have to work in – but as I look at the window – having trouble doing that. 🙂
Sound like a fantastic first day at work! We are praying for you all!