nicaraguamission.ca

 

 

Hello Brother:
All the team say hello. This is after noon and I am sitting in the courtyard were we hold our debriefing and planning each day. Things are progressing and we are rapidly learning to be very flexible. Our group (Myself, Liz, Danielle and Ray) is in the most remote area, yet largest number of children. We are under a tree with not a blade of grass anywhere with goats crossed with sheep on one side. There is a family home outhouse, and shower on the other, a kitchen of another home on the other with a well. A Fighting Cock in a cage just over the fence a few feet from the group – he likes to crow loudly when the Pastor starts to talk. No tables – no chairs – no electricity but we still manage to colour, cut, paste and hand out the goodies. Many of these little ones have already latched on to the each of us. They are well cared for and well groomed and so appreciative of what we have to offer and never hesitate to yell out “amen!” Some children that live close by are accompanied by mothers, grandmothers or older siblings. We are thankful for their presence as they lend a hand when it comes to the cutting and colouring. Others come walking in groups from a distance, through the fields and down very remote looking roads. 20 + were delivered in a stake truck that would have drawn many tickets and probably the vehicle would have been impounded in Waterloo. A few have even proudly tried some English words, while Pastor has learned to yell out “Silencio” very loudly. At times the situation is very emotional.  Group 2 (Ruth, Lucille, Kristen and Darla) can look out the church door, across the field to at an active Volcano. This is the setting that most reflects what we would know as a church structure. It has pews and kneelers. It is quite a beautiful site out in the middle of the Nicaraguan countryside. Group 1 (Cathy, Darryll, Wayne and Myra) are meeting in the church that you have seen in pictures before and where we attended service on Sunday.  Every time we look around Wayne has a little one in his arms, yet has time to address the organization of the older boys. Tomorrow afternoon we are going to a retreat at Pastor Maximos’ house. He is anxious for us to see his home, which he says Redeemer congregation helped pay for.

 

Pastor & Liz (Roberto & Leez)

Carol please include this letter to Bernie in this Sunday’s bulletin 

 

Rejoicing in His days
Robert C. Krestick, pastor
Redeemer Lutheran Church,
Waterloo, Ontario
2nd Vice President, Lutheran Church-Canada

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