God's Jewels.

God's Jewels update..

Angela has done such a wonderful job in Los Cedros at the feeding program over this past year, 2013,  and she finished strong with a big Christmas Fiesta complete with God's Word, prayers, Praise, pinata and presents for all.

I have not been able to go every week since my car accident on December 27th so she has been moving forward without my help. This was one of my goals to eventually phase myself out of the program since it was her vision, as opposed to mine. Never intended it to be like this though, due to lack of transportation!

 My heart was to come alongside her and help and encourage her to reach out to her own community. Her vision was to feed 25 children every Saturday, then teach 3 other people how to run a similar program. It has been a lot for her to handle alone, yet she has done a great job and never complains. No-one seems to want to help without getting paid!

A few weeks ago, her local church told her they would like to run a similar program on Sundays after their service and have asked her to train them.  Hallelujah, part of her vision coming to fruition.

Things have changed a little since we started the program:

* she is now feeding about 50 children each Saturday (double)

* she is getting donations of rice and dried potato from a local ministry here

So I have asked her to come up with a new plan, taking into consideration the changes above, and the fact that we have been running in deficit the past few months. 

Will keep you updated. I try to post photos regularly on Facebook to keep you guys n gals in the picture! pun intended!!

Once again, many thanks to you all, on her behalf and on behalf of the children, for your participation in this program.

I will try to get an interview with Angela soon and post it for you!

Love you!

blessed to be a blessing,

in His hands,

andrea

Guess what?

Greetings from Ciudad Sandino:

We are struggling through the heat and dust of the 2 hottest months here in Nicaragua: March and April. The the rains will come soon after and cool things down bringing a host of fresh, rich colors to the landscape.

Life has been so crazy I haven't had time to stop and write. 

As you know, it has been on my heart for years to open up my own home for children in need here in Nicaragua. I thought that opportunity had finally come when I sent you the update last November. Since then, God has been moving and shaking and doing amazing things. (as only He can!) There are so many miracles woven into this story, too numerous to mention them all, but I couldn't write this update without reminding you guys that God is still a God of miracles in this day and age!) Hallelujah!!

Long story short, the whole plan changed. I ended up living and working around the clock in an orphanage in Managua. I was there alone during the Christmas and New Year holidays since the promised help did not show up. It was even more clear to me during that time that when the ratio of children to adults is high, it is impossible to love and care for them as they deserve. It made me more determined, against all odds, to open up my own home, according to God's plan for my life. And the worldly odds were stacked highly against me. A foreigner with no transportation and no money.

My car was wrecked in an accident back in December leaving me without transportation, and my meagre bank account had been frozen for some reason. Thankful to be alive, after the awful car wreck, I was now completely dependant on God to do anything!

 Again, to cut a long story short: with God's amazing provision, direction and favor, on February 20th 2014 I got my final approval from The Ministry of Family to receive children in critical need into my own home to love and care for them until such time as they could either return to family or be adopted into a family. Phew, long sentence!

I think it is similar to the foster care program in USA. They are called "hogares solidarias" here/translated Support Homes. I am the first foreigner to be accepted into this program in this delegation! Thank you LORD!

Within hours of me getting certified they brought me a two year old, and a few days later, 4 siblings who had been abandoned. That was full house for me. I have decided not to take more than 5 children at a time, so I can love them fully and operate as a normal family unit, the way God intended. 

On top of that, I was voted as President for the local delegation of support homes. I have to plan the annual calendar with a monthly event/teaching. I will kick of the program next Wednesday with a testimony on how and why I am here doing this and a presentation on childcare and keeping records of the children. May God be glorified in ALL I do and say. I could not have done any of this without Him, neither can I get through a day or even a minute without His help. 

My friends, I appreciate your continued support with prayer, love, encouragement and finances, especially now my family has grown! Please pray that I may have wisdom when making decisions concerning the children regarding doctors, dentists, schools, menus, etc. and for continued provision. Thank you so very much!

So that is the latest news here!

Now it's your turn! Please do write back and let me know what God is doing in your life, or what you would like to see Him do so I can join you in prayer!!

I love you guys!

May you be richly Blessed in all you do!

blessed to be a blessing,

in His hands,

andrea