Everybody woke up a little earlier today because we were leaving the hotel at 7:30am. We ate breakfast early and Roy Herrera brought our devotion for the day. We loaded our luggage in the bus and headed to the airport early because we thought it would take 25 minutes to get there. It didn't really take us that long to get to the airport and going through the TACA ticket counter check-in went very easy. We also got through Immigration without any problems, which was a blessing to us. We had about an hour and half to wait to board the plane, so we had time to walk around the airport, and some of us got shop again. I found out one thing about our group on this trip, and that is that they like to eat. They went around the airport buying food and snacks, even though we had just eaten breakfast.
We flew back home on an Airbus A321. We were scattered all over the plane and few of us got to sit together. Aaron, Michelle, Emily and I were in the back of the plane. There was a small baby in front of me, but the he slept the whole way back (Praise the Lord!). Our approach to Miami Airport was a little bumpy, but we landed safely. Going through Customs and Immigration was a breeze, even though 2 of our group were chosen to go through agricultural inspection. We got linked up with our bus, and got back in LaBelle safely even though the bus had a transmission problem.
We are already thinking about what God would have us do next year. This trip was truly a blessing for us and the people of Managua, Nicaragua. We will be giving our report on the trip this Sunday night, July 31st at 6pm. I hope you will come and hear our report.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011 Nicaragua Mission Trip
Preston brought the devotion this morning.
We had a different bus driver today. This driver wasn't as smooth as our other one and the trip was bumpier than before. Today we went to a different church that has it own school attached to it. This church is the one that Rosa, our main translator for the week, attends. We did three days of VBS lessons in one day, as a whole group because we didn't have enough translators to break into smaller groups and teach the lessons by class. After teaching the ABC's of salvation to the children, they broke the group up into age-group classes and did some crafts. The children enjoyed painting and some ended up painting things other than the crafts we provided. One of the other crafts was making bracelets and they enjoyed this as well.
A small meal was served for the kids, which was fried chicken, some sort of slaw, and juice. It was very warm today and our group was looking forward to lunch, just to cool off.
After lunch at the mall, Howie and Rosa had a surprise for us. They took us to an old volcano in the heart of the city and we were able to learn some of the history of Managua, Nicaragua. The real surprise that they had set up was for the group to be able to take a zip line trip over the old volcano.
Several in our group went: Preston Jr., Preston III, Paul Martin, Greg Zimmerly, Aaron Deerey, Corie Tolar, Tonie Marie Tolar, Emily Hull and Howie Hooper. They all seemed to enjoy themselves and we got some funny pictures.
Since Thursday was our final day Howie took us to a big market so we could buy gifts. It was very hot inside this market and it was easy to get lost in there. I would have to say it was a very interesting place and overall the people were nice.
Tonight we had a "typical" Nicaraguan meal. It was set up buffet-style and I was surprised that everybody seemed to enjoy it. After supper we started packing to go home. I think as a group we are sad to leave, but ready to go home and be with our families.


After lunch at the mall, Howie and Rosa had a surprise for us. They took us to an old volcano in the heart of the city and we were able to learn some of the history of Managua, Nicaragua. The real surprise that they had set up was for the group to be able to take a zip line trip over the old volcano.

Since Thursday was our final day Howie took us to a big market so we could buy gifts. It was very hot inside this market and it was easy to get lost in there. I would have to say it was a very interesting place and overall the people were nice.
Tonight we had a "typical" Nicaraguan meal. It was set up buffet-style and I was surprised that everybody seemed to enjoy it. After supper we started packing to go home. I think as a group we are sad to leave, but ready to go home and be with our families.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011 Nicaragua Mission Team
Tonie Marie Tolar led us in our devotion this morning at 7am and she spoke from Hebrews 12 and 1 John 3:18.
It was a busy day at the Nursing Home. Preston was doing electrical work and Roy was doing plumbing. Some of guys were cutting down tree limbs that were on the roof of one of the buildings. When they removed the branches they realized it had rotted some of the tin. Roy and Preston patched the roof with some of the materials they bought the day before. Some of the team scraped the bars on the windows and then painted them. Paul Martin painted the small office and Emily Hull did the trim work. Some of the girls spent time with the residents, and they made bracelets for them and passed out gifts and snacks they had purchased for them.
Debbie Tolar had a special project. His name was Daniel, aka Oscar the Grouch, and he was 95 years old. He was a very hard patient. Debbie was consistent in her ministry with him and she finally was able to pray with him on the last day.
The Director of the Nursing Home spoke to us today and gave us his welcome. He shared his vision for the Nursing Home. They will be celebrating their 60th anniversary in August and the painting and cleaning work we did is helping them get ready for their anniversary. They have 12 residents and unfortunately that is all they can have because of their dilapidated buildings. The main building that used to house residents has damage to the roof, water leaks, and mold. It is being used now for storage, as it cannot have residents stay in it. They are hoping to build new rooms and a chapel in the future. They have problems with their sewer lines and they are working on getting it fixed. They must also install bug screens on all the windows, and they are in the process of putting screens in to keep the residents from being bit.
There are several live-in workers that stay 24-7 with the residents and care for them. The ladies work 15 days on (day and night) and 3 days off. Those three days are the only time they see their families at home, and the director told us most of them have husbands and children, but love the residents so much they choose to do this. They make about $125 a month for their salary. These ladies that work at the Nursing Home are doing everything from yard work to bathing, feeding, and giving medications to the residents. We hope we can go back in the future and work with these people again.
Working at the church today was wonderful. Freddie, one of the translators, got with Preston III, Emily, and Corie and they sang a song during VBS this afternoon. Preston Jr., did the ABC presentation and 25 kids raised their hand to receive Jesus Christ as Lord. The church presented each of the Mission Team a small gift for coming and helping them with these street children, which we treasure.
During VBS, Howie Hooper and I were able to visit with the Pastor of the church at his home. He has been pastor of this church for 20 years and is 78 years old. The Pastor shared his salvation testimony and then we talked about the work in Nicaragua. When Howie and I got back to the VBS the meals were being served to the children. Since Wednesday was our last day at this church, Preston Jr., and Roy Herrera made arrangements to have a Ice Cream wagon at the school and give the children ice cream. The children were really excited about the ice cream and it was a blessing to see all the smiles on their faces.
Our team was sad today when we left the church and nursing home because we had made so many new friends and we hated to leave them. We will miss the children, the nursing home residents, and the workers we met here terribly. Please be in prayer for the continued support of Orphan's Heart, Bethel church, and Hogar Senil Bautista nursing home, so that their incredible ministries can continue to bless their community.


The Director of the Nursing Home spoke to us today and gave us his welcome. He shared his vision for the Nursing Home. They will be celebrating their 60th anniversary in August and the painting and cleaning work we did is helping them get ready for their anniversary. They have 12 residents and unfortunately that is all they can have because of their dilapidated buildings. The main building that used to house residents has damage to the roof, water leaks, and mold. It is being used now for storage, as it cannot have residents stay in it. They are hoping to build new rooms and a chapel in the future. They have problems with their sewer lines and they are working on getting it fixed. They must also install bug screens on all the windows, and they are in the process of putting screens in to keep the residents from being bit.


During VBS, Howie Hooper and I were able to visit with the Pastor of the church at his home. He has been pastor of this church for 20 years and is 78 years old. The Pastor shared his salvation testimony and then we talked about the work in Nicaragua. When Howie and I got back to the VBS the meals were being served to the children. Since Wednesday was our last day at this church, Preston Jr., and Roy Herrera made arrangements to have a Ice Cream wagon at the school and give the children ice cream. The children were really excited about the ice cream and it was a blessing to see all the smiles on their faces.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011 - Nicaragua Mission Trip


Tonight we had supper at 6pm and so we have more time to rest up for tomorrow. Today has been a good day. The heat continues to take a toll but the group is doing good. On Wedneday, we will be sharing the plan of salvation with the children at VBS. Please be praying for these kids as they hear the ABC of salvation.
Monday, July 25, 2011 - Nicaragua Mission Trip

For lunch we went to the mall and ate at the Food Court. We had a wide selection of places to eat. McDonalds, Burger King, Quinos, Pizza Hut, several chicken places and some more local fare. We found a great ice cream place and I had Brownies and cream. It was GOOD.


We left the church around 4:30pm and went back to the hotel. That night after supper, we had a birthday party for Lori Spangler. Howie Hooper got us a birthday cake and the girls got her gifts and a card. Fun was had by all.
The group is doing very well. The heat is taking its toll on the group but we are doing a good job making sure everybody is drinking enough water. Please continue to pray for us as we continue to work at the Nursing Home and the Church. We are expecting more kids on Tuesday.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sunday, July 24,2011 in Nicaragua


After the service our group leader, Howie Hooper, took our group a sight seeing tour of the area surrounding Managua. We began with lunch and then spent about an hour in a open air market. Then we saw the Masaya Volcano which is still active, so we parked for a quick get-a-way. In fact, the first Catholic priest to see it declared the crater to be the door to hell and erected a cross.

God gave us a blessed day.
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