Beach Outreach.

Do you remember Rosalinda? This is me and Rosalinda a while back when we first met.


Oh the stories behind these beautiful faces...... I will try to write more tomorrow. For now, I hope you enjoy the photos!
Hello there, I took my time getting back to this blog coz the story behind it all makes me sad. The stories of these children and many like it are just heartbreaking. So I have decided not to write all the details as I said I would, but just know that these smiles are a testimony to God's goodness and grace. If it were not for the fact that He is still in the business of doing miracles in this day and age, these smiles would not be possible. These children represent redemption. Praise you LORD!

Rosalinda last Saturday.

Martita last Saturday.

We found a live star fish!

and a live sand dollar.

Click here to view "Beach Outreach! Rosalinda and Martita".

More about the flip flop fellowship!

The children at the Vineyard, Gainesville wanted to connect with the children in Nicaragua so they decorated some flip flops to give to those without. These children are holding a photo of the child in Gainesville who decorated the flip flops.

This was one of the 1st pairs we gave away. Thank you Vineyard Children!

Carrying a baby barefoot

she was embarrassed about her barefeet

before

after, with smiles! Thank you Mary.

Thank you Meaveen!

Thank you Elise.

before

before

after,with smiles. Thank you Billy!

before

after, thank you Gideon!



after with smiles. Thank you Zoe.

after, more smiles

after, and smiling!

Angela, one of the nanny/s I worked with at the orphanage brought some of her extended family with me to help. It was great to see local children reaching out to other locals in need.

before

before

after, with smiles!

after

carrying a baby barefoot

pretty

after., with smiles. Thank you.

This young girl had been sent out to run for some washing powder and soap.

wearing broken flip flops

after, with smiles. Thank you Elijah!

She was so happy to get them that she ran off and left the old ones in the same place!

She ran off into the distance and just left them there!

Angela and I became close friends whilst working at the orphanage together for 3 years. Her son, Angelito just celebrated his 1st birthday

and got his 1st pair of flip flops!!! It was wonderful to see that something so simple could bring so many smiles!

This little guy was so cute! But we did not have any flip flops left.

Wish we had just one more pair for her...

Sorry we had none left. We will come back with more.

Amazing Blessings.

  my Summer... June 14th to July 17th

This was the longest break I have taken since moving to Nicaragua 5 years ago. Almost every minute was packed with amazing blessings beyond anything I could have ever asked for. I experienced the love of Christ through so many people.

 There were friends who gave me the keys to their home and invited me to spend as much time as I needed there, to treat it as my own. All thanks to God, I met them while they were stationed in Nicaragua for a year. I was blessed to find out later that when they returned to the USA, they live less than 5 minutes from my son. Their family blesses me in so many ways I cannot even begin to write them! You make me smile! Thank you!

 Another amazing blessing was to be able to spend time with another friend who I met in Nicaragua. She had been there to adopt a young girl with the same name as me. No coincidence that she also now lives about 5 minutes from my son?! Despite her own heartaches and struggles, she took time out to drive me around town to run errands since I did not have a vehicle at my disposal. How can I thank you enough?

Matt 21v22  “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” As a God of integrity, He even provided someone to help me with my taxes. Someone kind enough to sacrifice a Saturday morning to meet with me, go over all my information then put my mind completely at ease. He took care of all the details for me and would not accept any financial compensation. Amazing!

Oh, and my friend who helped me get a great deal on car rental so I could drive the 600 mile round trip up to Gainesville. Who also offered to let me use his home address for my USA mail to buffer the frustrating communications going to my family about a pending legal issue. Thank you for being willing to act as a go between on that and soften a few blows. Thank you for keeping me connected. Thank you for Outback dinner!!! Thank you for making me laugh!

 Thank you to the lawyer who always listens, sometimes advises, but never charges. I always feel better after speaking with you!

 My list of heroes goes on......

I have to mention the very special lady * see below* who had never met me but was willing to share her home with me for a week so I could be in Gainesville with my home church. What a precious time that was with my Vineyard family and friends. Again, I cannot begin to write thanks for all the ways you touched my life. The times of fellowship and devotions together were a rich treasure that I continue to draw from. Oh and the meals were fantabulous! Thank you thank you for all the delicious meals we shared. I had some super special breakfasts, lunches, dinners and coffee times with you guys n gals. How precious to be with old friends again!

  And new ones too. * Through that woman's willingness to be obedient and faithful to scripture.... Hebrews 13 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to entertain strangers.. well, we became good friends and sisters in Christ and now she is heading up a team to come and visit me here in Nica in a couple of months. This has been one of my prayer requests ever since I came here to Nica back in 2007. Five people will be coming out in Nov and I am so excited about their trip.

As I write, I am seeing a common theme here, with connections from Nicaragua to USA. Interesting to see how many people I met in Nicaragua that God is now connecting me with in USA. All this to say, I had a wonderful week in Iowa with another friend I met in Nica. She shared her whole family with me, and I could write a book about the blessings they were to me. Oh how glorious to have the freedom to just be yourself and share real life with folks. I truly experienced Christ's unconditional love from you. And it was totally unmerited and undeserved, you didn't even know me! I thank you sincerely!

My thanks to all of you who supported me with love, encouragement, finances and prayers! May you be richly blessed in amazing ways in return!!!

I remember when I was a young girl at school, long time ago, we were told not to use the same words or expressions over and over when writing an article. I know that I have broken those rules in this news edition! But then I reflect on the Bible and see how many times words are used over and over. Take Psalm 136 for example, His love endures forever! In case you haven't noticed, the words I have overused here are Blessed and Amazing, and to be truthful, I do not have sufficient words to describe all the amazing blessings I experienced, so I will leave it at that! I was Blessed in Amazing ways!!!!

I never used to understand scriptures about how God could restore what the locusts have stolen, or bring beauty from ashes, but was given a peek into God's storehouses of wealth and treasures this trip! I was blessed with an amazing, extravagant portion of it despite my past sins and failures! And I know the best is yet to come for all those who believe in Him. I send heartfelt thanks to all of you who made it happen, who represented Jesus to me. I know I haven't mentioned everyone here, and I apologize in advance. I lift you all up in the power of prayer, may The LORD bless you and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you, may He turn His face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6v24/26
I love you!

Flip Flop Fellowship!

 As you can see from this photo, many of the children who live on the streets of Nicaragua are barefoot.

 The children of The Vineyard of Gainesville did a project to decorate some flip flops. I will deliver them when I return to Nicaragua in a few days.

 

Working to bridge the gap between Gainesville and Managua.

Thank you for being such awesome warriors for God's Kingdom!!

BIG HUGS to all my Vineyard Children!! I love you!!