October rains...

Rains Trigger State of Emergency in Nicaragua

Managua -  With more rain forecast for the Pacific, central, and western regions of Nicaragua, President Daniel Ortega declared a state of national emergency in recent hours to cope with the immediate needs of thousands of people affected, and to arrange additional resources to mitigate and control the effects of the intense rains in the country.

Since Oct. 10, several Nicaraguan localities, particularly in the Pacific and northern regions, have reported severe environmental and economic damage, as well as human losses.

According to official estimates, 133,858 people have been affected nationwide, with the greatest devastating effects in the departments of Chinandega, Leon, Managua, Esteli, Nueva Segovia and Madriz, Carazo, Rivas, Masaya, Granada, and Rivas.

Following the president's directions, the ministries and state-run entities must act immediately to repair the damage caused to communications, houses and infrastructure works such as electricity networks and aqueducts.

He also ordered to prioritize the restoration of basic services, and maintain in operation the Committees for Prevention, Mitigation and Attention to Disasters to guarantee adequate attention to the evacuees at more than 90 shelters.

Though rains have eased up in the latest hours, the Nicaraguan president called on the population to remain alert, because the most important thing is to preserve human lives.

Ancianos Coronados celebrate Nicaragua's Independence Day!

Covenant Church Managua runs a feeding program for folks 60 and over. Every Wednesday and Friday we serve about 100 meals and once a month on a Saturday we have a special celebration with them also. It is a a time for sharing God's Word, Praise and Worship and prayers throughout the outreach. As a Grandma to 5 very special angels, I am blessed share "nieto" stories with many of the Grandparents here.

The Nicaraguan Flag flies proudly from the treetop.

What a shame to cut such a beautiful cake. It was delicious though, and it was divinely multiplied, enough for more than 100 people!

This is the humble kitchen where the food is prepared. One day we hope to have a Center for the elderly/Ancianos Coronados, where we can provide a hot meal for them every day and enjoy other fellowship activities too like games, hairdressing, manicures, and all that good funstuff!

Feliz Dia de la Patria at NCA!!

Our cute Kinder angels at Nicaragua Christian Academy celebrated in style/full Nican costumes and dancing followed by typico comida.

Education for this Nation.

Heavenly Father, of all knowledge, wisdom and truth, we thank you for sending your only Son, Jesus, the first teacher, to teach us the way to you. 

Father God, we pray for all those who are in authority in this nations’ education system. May there be a move of your grace and power among those in leadership positions. May they be brought to their knees to honor you and do what is right in your sight. We pray that even now you are working in their hearts so they can make decisions with your guidance. 

Father God, we lift up to you all the institutions of learning here in Nicaragua/the universities, schools, pre schools, home schools, church schools and daycares, anywhere that learning is taking place.

LORD there are schools here with plenty, and there are schools here in need. There are schools with dirt floors and only plastic tarps for walls to protect the students and teachers from the weather. There are schools where if the children do not bring their own chair, they will have no where to sit once they arrive. Father I have seen children so physically hungry that they cannot even begin to think about learning to read and write. Father God, you have seen it too, these are your children, this is your Nation and we stand firm in our faith that you have a plan for your people here in Nicaragua. We pray for provision, that all children will have an opportunity to get an education, that  you will open up the heavens and pour out your abundant blessings on our places of learning, and all who pass through them. May our schools be a safe place to be, with an atmosphere of discipline, peace and order that encourages our children to live according to Your Word.  We pray that it will not stop at the schools,  but be carried into the homes and passed on to build up communities who love you LORD and will advance Your Kingdom of justice, love and peace.

We pray that the teachers will have a “God perspective”, and see the students as you see them LORD. Give each teacher a renewed passion for teaching, give them strength, energy and creativity in methods and lesson plans in order to encourage each child to reach their full potential and become who you created them to be. May they be filled with Your love and patience to equip the children with spiritual discernment and moral courage as well as academic excellence so they can impact society through Christian living motivated by a heartfelt love for you.

Father God, we praise you for we are fearfully and wonderfully made. You have created us with a wonderful capacity to learn on many levels/practical, social, cultural, intellectual and spiritual, may we continue to learn throughout our lives until we arrive at the full knowledge of You.

Eph. 4v20 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us, to Him be glory in our schools the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever, Amen.”

God can.....

...   achieve extraordinary things using ordinary people.

Like you and me!


Here I am LORD, I am yours.   


Thank you that we can be co-laborers with you LORD.
                                                      

Give us your perspective.


Let's advance your Kingdom here on earth.


May your will be done, not ours.

Ruby and Luviana

Meet 2 of the girls at the children's home in El Crucero...

13 year old Ruby



Ruby and Luviana



Ruby loves life and has the most contagious giggle!!!

Luviana, I am so proud of you. You are learning so much so quickly now you are at school!

The simple things in life.

I spent the day at home today. 

What a luxury! I haven't had a day at home for so long! 

I listened to praise and worship music as I organised my things and tidied the house. 

And sometimes, I just sat still , just because I could! I enjoyed the quiet. The song of the birds outside and the chuckle of the gekkos inside. 

I prayed as I worked, and journalled some too. Not wanting to forget the pleasures of the simple things in life.

Oh the joy of sleeping in past 5 am!

Oh the fulfilment in catching enough rainwater to do a machine load of laundry and water the indoor plants. Hey, rainwater is free, directly from heaven! And if you leave it outside in the 5 gallon bottle long enough, it gets warm in the sun so you can actually do a warm wash! :)

Oh the delight in picking lemons off the tree in the garden and making fresh lemonade. Yummm, what a reward after moving all that furniture around to re-do the house, in the heat of the day. 

Oh to throw caution to the wind and sing at the top of your voice without disturbing anyone.

And to shed a few tears in private from the sorrows of the world, but being comforted and lifted up by The One and only I AM.

I AM.
I AM always here for you. Always have been, always will be.


Thank you Father God, for spending the day at home with me today!