Make 'em Smile

Group here

2009-06-10T13:57:00.000-07:00

we have our first group here using the partially finished youth house and a room of the clinic

we will have more groups here as well...i am staying busy helping them and the mission both, so i'm not sure when i personally can update

but to keep up with them and a little bit of me through them follow the link:

http://09ca0529rl2.myadventures.org/

Having a busy weekend

2009-06-07T05:25:00.000-07:00

We have a group of teenagers from GA (group of 20) staying in the bloquera bethel between our property and rostipollo in chinandega sharing books in the schools for book of hope...they did dramas in our friday night activity, we had a band here covering hillsong that Evan has been playing with, as well as some specials from a Christian rap band in chichigalpa. They put together a fun day for kids youth yesterday, and will do sunday school for all the kids up in the blue basketball arena in chichigalpla this morning

They will be here through thursday but will only be visiting schools and maybe showing some movies at night..not so much more with us involved i think....got our group of 7 staying on land shadowing them as well as doing some of their own things...city of God in chichigalpla is planning youth camps june 28 and aug 9...so today this morn from 6 AM (now) til 1 PM they are using our building to host this pre-camp to train leaders...the training will be for the leaders for those dates later on..we have 5 of our youth in this training.

Things are going great...our guards and consuelo are doing a great job taking care of our first hosted team on the land with meals and all other needs...they are enjoying it here, and we are hoping to see more of the house finished over the next 2 weeks they are here. They will be helping in building our goat shelter monday/tuesday now that it is rain season and most goats are staying 24 hours on land, not in homes of church members we need to get them out fo the rain to keep from getting sick

Hope all is well with each of you….want to give more updates about our team here, and how hosting them in the youth house is going, but my evenings consist of reporting each teams, new songs, and my own finances…plus I am still setting up my room. I am so happy to be in my room and Evan and Joshua are enjoying the youth dorm as well. The internet is working at good speed and we have it wired through a switch with up to 4 of us using internet at a time.

Hoping to get their doors bought and put on this week and then see other parts of the house added to. We also need funds to buy mattresses for the beds, right now people are sleeping on foam. God Bless everyone helping to see this house come along…we will be adding 4 more youth on June 15th and 17th.

Many Blessings,
Jim Bob / Diego
Juan 15:13

Happy Memorial Day!!

2009-05-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day to everyone! I want to thank those of you who have donated towards the youth house in the past couple weeks. The goal we have for completing this house is $8000.00 and we have had been donated $600.00 this month for the house. We have also had 2 clothing sales at the church the past 2 weekends to raise $200.00 from this end; putting us $7200.00 from our goal.

For this week, the last week of May, we are praying and hoping to receive the $1000.00 needed to have the house livable for the first summer team. Evan Dixon and I are currently in the clinic, but are hoping to be in the house the first day of June. On June 3rd, we have a group of 6 Americans coming to spend 4 weeks in the house. To be ready for this team we need 2 toilets, 5 beds with mattresses, and 2 doors.

I know that for some of you, the online donations have been a problem, but thanks to Kevin Howell, the site is working now. Mailing checks to ACC in Georgia is also available.
Visit our facebook event to see the pictures and videos we will be adding throughout the summer, as we will continue running this fund raiser until the house is complete. We hope to include pictures of the groups staying here and some of their thoughts/needs for the house, as they live and serve here this summer.

Facebook Event Link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=78735211386&ref=mf

Donate online at: https://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/mynewsong/ and choose Construction from the drop down menu

Send donations by mail, make checks out to New Song Mission Nicaragua and tag/memo to Construction or Youth House

Mail to:
NewSong Mission Nicaragua
3355 Old Jonesboro Road
Fairburn GA, 30213

Many Blessings in Christ,
Jim Bob “Diego” Norman
Make ‘em Smile
New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13

2nd 2009 Project: YOUTH HOUSE

2009-05-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

I find it hard to believe we are already into May of 2009. We have had a very interesting first third of 2009. We have had some great moments, and other very difficult times serving here in NW Nicaragua. We are learning from both our victories and mistakes and moving forward. One of the biggest successes I want to brag on all of you that gave to is the 22Fifty Project and school uniform fund raiser. This was a huge success for Make ‘em Smile and New Song Mission Nicaragua in 2009. With your help, we have over 250 children currently uniformed and studying from preschool through high school. We have 25 families receiving monthly support and contact from their American “adopted families” and another 9 youth receiving monthly support as they further their education in universities and trade schools. For those of you that gave as little as $5.00 to those of you that are still giving $35-$250 a month, we truly appreciate the lives you’re changing and pray that God continues to bless your selfless attitudes and giving hearts.

1/3 of 2009 is over, and our education project is going very well. As of May 1, 2009 I am starting my 2nd trimester of projects for the 2009 NSMN mission year. The project is to complete our youth house! This building housed our pastor and his family for the past 5 years, and upon his retirement we are making it into a youth house.

I will personally live in one of the rooms, and we are going to use the others to outreach to our young people, ages 15-25. We began this project in November of last year, planning to have me live in one room and use the rest of the house for our youth. I estimated $1000.00 to make this house “livable” and God saw this need met very quickly, but our plans for the youth house have grown and the need as well. This house will still serve youth, but we are not limiting that to Nicaraguan youth. God is calling an unbelievable amount of young people from the States to come and serve with us here, and we need a place for them to live and work out of.

I will be finishing my room of this house with my own support, God willing, in the next 2 weeks, but the rest of the house has a way to go. We have somewhere between 30-50 youth and young adults with plans to serve here this summer. Some will be here for a week and others for 10 weeks. These high school and college students cannot afford hotels in the city for trips of this length, so we are making half of the house a dormitory.

We need to finish roofing this house, and add a ceiling. The walls and floors need to be completed as well. We still lack doors, windows, and lights in each bed room. The most expensive part will be finishing all of the bathrooms with a septic tank and flush toilets. Our best estimate at this point is $8,000.00, but building materials are more expensive each week. We are asking that you prayerfully consider helping our youth house make progress for the groups this summer; we know the economy is a disaster right now, but as little as $20.00 from each of us can keep the workers busy and this project can be just as successful as the education project.

We have some young Americans coming down alone for the entire summer, and others coming in groups as large as 20. Please, if you can, make a donation to the youth house so that God’s love can be shared and our community of youth can be served by American youth all summer long. The American youth start coming May 17th and go through August. Our goal is to build this youth house in 1 Month, so that we can build youth relationships for a lifetime.

Join our Facebook event: “Candelaria Youth House & Dorm: Build Youth House in 1 month, Build Youth Relationships for a Lifetime”Facebook Event Link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=78735211386

Donate online at: https://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/mynewsong/ and choose Construction from the drop down menu

Send donations by mail, make checks out to New Song Mission Nicaragua and tag/memo to Construction or Youth House

Mail to: NewSong Mission Nicaragua, 3355 Old Jonesboro Road, Fairburn GA, 30213Many

Blessings in Christ,
Jim Bob “Diego” Norman
Make ‘em Smile
New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T15:04:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter to everyone, may this day bring you each of you great joy! We will be having a special service tonight celebrating Jesus Christ's Resurrection, and are really looking forward to it following our Wednesday night service of His crucifixion.

Hope each of you enjoy this video as well, http://vimeo.com/4109670

It sums up our last couple months mainly focusing on children discipleship and introducing our newest project: youth house/youth dormitory.

We have 4 young people from the states booked and ready to come serve along side us here this summer, and another 5-10 set on coming, just finalizing their dates. They want to live on the land and be with me here in the village building relationships and helping our mission in their own unique ways. Please pray for us to have this house ready at lastest the 1st of June, when our larger summer groups will be here needing a place serve from and rest in.

I love you all, and Happy Easter!!!
Jim Bob / Diego
John 15:13

Tommy and Linda's Easter Email:

May the Resurrection Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ live in us all in surprising ways. We are seeing the lives of many children and young people be the focus of Gods heart now.
This 4 minute photo Story update will fill you in: http://vimeo.com/4109670

It is interesting to see God preparing many young people to come and live in our community for extended periods of time. We are working on the youth house toward completion by June for our first team to stay in. We love to see how both, the children and teens here and the young people from the US experience life changing results as they spend time together.Tommy will be in the States the first 3 weeks of May. If you would like him to come and visit, speak or tell old jokes just let us know!!

We love you all!!!
Tommy and Linda

MakemSmile NSMN Spring 2009

2009-03-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

HAPPY SPRING 2009! Hope your weather is improving there, and if your not happy with it come down and visit us in Nicaragua where it's 75-95 24 hours a day!

Hello to everyone...and sorry i have been so out of touch...living on the land 6.5-7 days a week now has me pretty busy...I am hoping soon to put together some reports and videos to send back of a lot of the exciting things going on here right now. We are all extremely busy making a lot of changes in the mision right now, but know these changes will benefit God's kingdom in time. I love and miss you all and will be back in the states for the first week-10 days of August.

The biggest things I hope to share more with you all on ASAP, as they are things I have found myself doing mostly with the mission include:
6 members of my family and 4 members of FBC Boone spending the first 8 days of February here helping get kids in school, supplying sunday school materials, playing soccer/volleyball, medical clinic, visiting homes, holding finance meetings, praying, and much much more..and of course visiting with me!
Sending 250 children/youth to school with full uniforms, shoes, backpacks, notebooks, and other school supplies thanks to the 22Fifty Project and School Fund contributions throughout February...our goal of $7,000.00 was matched and then some with around $8,200.00 donated..The $1,200.00 is saved with our adopt-a-family fund. Thanks to everyone of you and Praise God!
Having 25 families adopted through adopt-a-family now, where families are being supported throughtout the whole school year, and excited to have contact with their US families
Having 10 youth sponsered to take University and Trade School classes for the entire 2009 School Year
Handing out over 1500 shoeboxes from Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child in the past 3 weekends to 6 communties
Seeing progress made to the youth house and my future bedroom on the church property
About 4 US teams/groups on short term missions changing lives, giving time, and donating in many unique ways who have already visited us in 2009, with April, June, July, and August filling up very fast!!!

I want to Thank God and all of you for your help in all these areas and for those of you wondering our missions current needs, or my specific project needs:

Youth House / my future bedroom / short term missions dorm construction...This project will need $10,000.00 which I have received $1,000.00 towards.
Adopt-a-Family....we have 25 families adopted, but still need sponsors for another 50 familes in Candelaria and 25 families in La Isla/Guanacastal

Please let me know anyways you would like to help us here, or anything you would like more details on what God has been doing here thus far in 2009...If nothing else, I'd love an email back simply saying hey from any of you who like me, feel like we haven't had any contact this year.

Love and miss you all, hope our paths cross in August...May God Bless you, your family, your church, and everything else this Spring!

In Christ's Love,
James "Jim Bob / Diego" Norman
Make 'em Smile
New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13

This past Thursday we celebrated 7 years of the church and start of NSMN..Linda put together the following video and short message! What a blessing it has been to be a part of this for the past 13 months. Really hope to see more of you down here and involved when your time allows,
Hoping to make some videos of all the things I listed above as my time allows!!!

http://vimeo.com/3798219 to watch the Photostory

We invite you to celebrate with us all that God has done in 7th years in the community He has blessed us with. If you have been following us we are blessed by your love!!! Thank you all for joining with God and us to see His work increase here.

We love you, Tommy and Linda

http://vimeo.com/3568386 THE CLINIC BUILDING IS COMPLETE and we have had 2 clinics so far in 2009 in the beautiful building God has supplied!!!

Will Update SOON!

2009-02-25T15:23:00.004-08:00

I promise i will update what has happened here since mid January SOON!! The Barnums were here, my family and other FBC Boone friends, and the Cannons.

I have not had time to do any blogging as I have been super busy with this school fund project..which was a huge success and would love for you to read the pre-draft report below.

Once feb is fully over I'll update the numbers for a formal report and get it out to everyone.

Hope all is well with you and yours!
Jim Bob / Diego
John 15:13

PRAISE GOD for Education

2009-02-25T15:23:00.001-08:00

Coming towards the end of February, I have put together all of the adopt-a-family, school, and 22Fifty Project funds between December 1, 2008 and today (Feb. 25, 2009).

First and foremost, Thanks be to God, for seeing these children’s school needs met. In the past 3 months, we have been blessed with just under $8,000.00 designated to this specific need.
We had $1,430.00 given between December 1, 2008 and January 19, 2009, when I estimated that we would need another $5,000.00 to see over 200 children supplied with backpack, notebooks, pencils, uniforms, and shoes.

This is when I put together bulk emails and created an event on Facebook asking for people to adopt families and donate monthly, or send 1-time amounts for uniforms and supplies. We let the villagers know that we would meet whatever needs we could with the funds God would supply before the first day of classes, February 3, 2009. And ask for them to pray, for God to meet this need.

In the 10 days from January 21-30, we had $2,545.00 contributed and that amount, with the existing $1,430.00, allowed us to supply some needs before school started. On Sunday, February 1, 2009 we were able to bless 230 children with a backpack, 3 notebooks, a pen, and a pencil. Of these, 80 of our adopted children also received uniforms and shoes.

Feeling that God was not done here, I put together the 22Fifty Project in hopes to purchase every child a uniform and shoes. We estimated that buying uniforms and shoes in bulk for 150 students would cost about $22.50 per child. This was a 4 week project running from January 31-February 28, and it has seen a great response. This project was estimated at $22.50 x 150 students equaling a goal of $3,375.00. To date, the 22Fifty Project has brought in $3,971.10, and will run 3 more days to finish out February 2009.

In conclusion, the school fund promotion that started January 21, 2009 has been a great success, and proof of God’s faithfulness. Our goal of $5,000.00 was met and passed with Him supplying us a total of $6,516.10!

We are going to purchase the other 150 uniforms and shoes this week. Any money left after these purchases will be put into the adopt-a-family fund, to give it a solid 2 month base heading into 2009.

God Bless all of you that have prayed for and given to this effort. I will do a complete update (after Feb. 28), make a video/photo story, and send personal letters out in the first week of March. Thanks to each of you that were a part of making this a reality.

God Bless,
James “Jim Bob / Diego” Norman
Make ‘em Smile & New Song Mission Nicargaua
John 15:13

School Funds & Uniform Needs

2009-01-26T09:28:00.000-08:00

I have worked this weekend to see where we're at with Adopt-a-Family, and put together all of the contributions towards sending our Sunday school children to school February 3rd.

At this time we have the amount of money to send 70 children to school; this includes all of the children of adopted families, and children of our church servants including: pastors, garden workers, and prayer warriors.

Therefore, we are short 130 children that have been faithful all year long coming to Sunday school. In the past couple of days, people have made 1-time contributions towards sending children to school as February is the month with are most expenses for education. Some people are adopting families, but other have emailed saying they do not feel they can commit to a full year, and they have sent 1-time donations towards getting more kids uniforms, shoes, and school supplies.

I am asking you each to pray and pass this on to any other contacts who might be interested in helping send our villagers to school when we pass out supplies on Sunday, February 1, 2009. We cannot take money from any other funds, as the general fund is just even to pay the February payroll, so we are hurting to think how many children will be standing empty handed next Sunday.

Checks cannot make it to Atlanta in time for our upcoming wire, so I am asking you to please login to the website and make an online payment if God is touching your heart to help send our children to school. Any donation made before February 1, 2009 will be very helpful, but even better would be receiving them before Tuesday, January 27, 2009 so that they can make our next wire. You would be amazed what just $10.00 would do from 20 of you. All contributions are tax-exempt as New Song Mission Nicaragua is a recognized NGO in both the USA and Nicaragua.

You can follow this link, create an account, and mark your contribution for School Fund or Uniforms..if this option is not yet on the site make it for the General Fund then email me that it is for the school fund!

https://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/mynewsong

Thanks for your interest in partnering with us in 2009 to see God's Kingdom grow here in Northwest Nicaragua.

In Christ,
James "Jim Bob / Diego" Norman
Make 'em Smile & New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13

Starting 2009

2009-01-19T11:17:00.000-08:00

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LAST WEEKS POSTS!

Greetings from Nicaragua and Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a good holiday season with family and friends regardless of America's current financial situation. I had a different holiday season, but it was very enjoyable. I spent December 24th and 25th with families of my co-workers, and the 31st in the park with a lot of the youth group.

I missed not being able to spend this time with my family, but 5 members will be here the first week of February. 5 friends are coming with them making a group of 10, and room for 1000 pounds of donations. If you have anything that you think we can use here, please be in touch with me so that they can pack it and bring down January 31, 2009.

First I want to say thank God that we finished 2008 with some much needed and unexpected donations. With Christmas and America in such financial trouble, the mission was really struggling the last 10 weeks of the year, and we were afraid we would never catch up. But God is so faithful, and we want to praise him for providing everything we needed in literally the last 3 days of 2008 to get us even. We are ready to push-off that strong finish and accelerate through 2009, in a year that our mission team feels is going to be an amazing season of growth for our mission here and God’s Kingdom as a whole in Northwest Nicaragua.

I find it very hard to believe that tomorrow is the 1-year anniversary of when I put foot on this beautiful country for the first time, Jan. 10th, 2008, not knowing what God had ahead of me. In this year, I have learned a lot and hopefully taught something as well. I have made many new friends, of all ages and backgrounds, and would not want to be anywhere else.
In 2009, I am really focusing on serving New Song Mission Nicaragua with the youth, 15-25 year olds. I am also overseeing the Adopt-a-Family project, and the further education of the young people. School will start back here on February 3rd, for ages 3-18, and the trade school and college classes begin in March.

I am praying for, and asking for each of you to pray for, helping these people in their education. The Adopt-a-Family program is for helping children ages 3-18 in preschool-high school with their most basic school needs. For $35.00 a month you can help an entire family cover their uniform, shoes, school supplies, and any health issues that keep them out of classes. This can be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or yearly; whatever is easiest for you. It can also be withdrawn online, so there is no pressure on you to remember each month. To learn more about this please view the promotion video here: http://vimeo.com/2436461 or see the families here: http://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/adoptafamily/

The further education program is for the kids that have graduated from high school and want to study in trade schools or universities. We currently have 5 young adults studying in areas including: Agricultural, Accounting, English, and Psychology. We have 10 others that are hoping to get sponsored with interests in Business, Computer Skills, English, Mechanics, and Welding.
Depending on which trade school or university sponsorship with transportation ranges from $30.00-$100.00 a month. To learn more about this please view the promotion video here: http://vimeo.com/2434042 or email me at: jimbobnorman@gmail.com

In these programs, as well as all of our programs, the sponsorship is much more than just sending money monthly. Building relationships with these children and their families, keeping contact with them thru emails, or even making visits are recommended. Keeping them motivated to become more than the generations behind them and helping them beat the oppression of poverty is our ultimate goal while teaching them real love and Christian community.

Other personal projects I have for the beginning of 2009, are raising money to complete the youth house, and the church building. I need internet on the land to keep contact with the states and to hopefully soon, allow adopted children to make more contact with their American sponsors. I want to see more groups making short term mission trips here to start building relationships with these people and seeing how they live. All of these goals can be seen in the promotion videos as well here: http://vimeo.com/user1005962/videos/sort:oldest/format:detail
There are 12 different chapters, with the mentioned goals above in the videos titled: Pastors, Youth, and US Teams.

If you are feeling led to help us in any way please visit us online at http://www.newsongmissionnicaragua.com/, you can login there and pay easily with credit card, or you can send a check to:
New Song Mission Nicaragua
3355 Old Jonesboro Road
Fairburn GA, 30213

Please memo your check, or choose from the pull down menu online, for how you want it to be used, and remember all donations are tax-exempt. If you are sending monthly towards a project or pastors salary, PLEASE get these in the mail by the 20th of each month or done online by the 24th of each month, as it takes a few days to go through Atlanta and wired to us in time to do payrolls the 1st of every month. We cannot distribute any money out that we do not have, and wait for the wire the following month, so getting things before the 1st is very important.

To keep up with things here on a day-to-day basis, please visit my blog at: http://makemsmile.blogspot.com/ ...as of now I usually update weekly, but God willing I will have internet this month in the village where I can update every night.

Thanks for your interest in partnering with us in 2009 to see God’s Kingdom grow here in Northwest Nicaragua. I hope to see some of you here this year. May God bless you and yours this year regardless of the hard times America is facing. I love and miss you all!

In Christ,
James “Jim Bob / Diego” Norman
Make ‘em Smile & New Song Mission Nicaragua
John 15:13

Sending Larry, Running Errands, Receiving Linda

2009-01-14T21:40:00.000-08:00

Sergio, Brittany, and I went to Managua this morning around 11 to take Larry to the airport. He had a good 2 weeks here and got a lot of things done for the mission. He spoke 2 great sermons in the village, that I think were very well received, and I really enjoyed. He got a lot of things on the truck fixed including: insurance updated, permanent bars on the back, tires, steering, and lights fixed. Spiritually, he led pastor Jose's brother to Christ in what looks to be his final days here on earth, and has raised some interest for Christianity in our money changer. Of course, he kept us all laughing with many jokes, treated us to eat more than enough times, and held down the Gables house/mission office as well.

After dropping Larry at the airport, we got lunch and started on some of our errands. I found out it will be at least another week before I can get internet in the village, but we think we're making progress. I purchased a ceiling fan and light for my room in the youth house, and we got some prices for some lights, fans, tile etc for the bakery. We went and let Brittany see the lagoon behind a nice restuarant in Managua and with a few hours left to spend before Linda's flight came in we went to the mall. We went and saw the newest Jim Carrey movie, Yes Man, which was very entertaining.

We got Linda from the airport a little after 9 and made it back to Leon safely around 11. She was very excited to be back, and also very excited to share with us about her time in the states.

Beach & Birthday Party

2009-01-13T21:35:00.000-08:00

We had Bible Study in the morning, and then there were no other real plans on the day, so I told Brittany we could bus to the beach and then we had been invited to a birthday party in Leon.

With only 3 days left in her trip and Wednesday already being scheduled as a day in Managua, she was happy to take a beach day.

We got there around noon, and had lunch, played some more cards, and visited. We hungout for the afternoon and after sunset bussed back into Leon.

Eveling, the 13 year old daughter of Oneda, and grand-daughter of Viky, from my favorite Leon comedor had invited us to their house for the night for her party. When I was living in Leon, I would go and visit them almsot weekly at their house some nights and really love this family. It was fun to see some of the same friends I had met from Alejandra's birthday back in July, and the food and cake was good of course.

Monday, Monday, Monday

2009-01-12T21:29:00.000-08:00

We had breakfast at Consuelo's house late Monday morning, as there are no Monday morning plans and had planned to sleep in. Consuelo's goat had 2 baby girls Sunday afternoon and they were trying to learn how to walk in the morning.

We spent some time up until lunch just visiting in the clinic and listening to music. We returned to Conseulo's for lunch, and Brittany brought her hair straightener to play with the grand daughters. After lunch she stayed around a few hours with them, and took more pictures.

Carlos came out and had drama practice in the afternoon while I did some undistured computer work in the clinic. Anthony hungout with Brittany and taught her how to make bracelets.

We went to the park in ChiChiGalpa for the night and had dinner, played cards, and just hung out, before returning to the property and bringing Itzel down to stay in the clinic with Brittany.

Larry Preaches Another Great Service

2009-01-11T21:20:00.000-08:00

Marvin and Anthony came into Leon in the morning by bus to see if Brittany was feeling better. They hung out with us until we headed out in the afternoon for evening service.

Larry prached his sermon titled "One Bath, Many Footwashings" with scripture from John 13:3-15. He preached about how we do not need to be baptized over and over, and that after we become Christians we will still sin, but we do not have to be re-baptized. This message is very important here as so many people think that they earn God's love, or earn their way into heaven with good deeds. They feel like God loves them today because of all the non-worldly things they did, but tomorrow he won't love them if they have faults. Church attendance was very good, with probably around 100 total in attendance, 70 or so over 13 years old.

Brittany stayed with Itzel over night as she thinks her cough has passed, and wants to finish out her trip spending as much time as possible in the village.

Some Weekend Rest

2009-01-10T21:13:00.000-08:00

Brittany had planned to share with the youth in the Friday night youth service, but she has had a cough bothering her some, and it got a lot worse today. She decided to stay back in Leon, and I went out for youth with a DVD copy of Alex Campos' testimony that Carlos let me borrow. The youth really enjoyed hearing this after seeing him in concert just a couple months back, and it was a nice change in pace for a Friday night.

Saturday morning I went with Eduardo, Daniel, Jairo, and Rigoberto to Nuevo Amanecer for a special kids service. They had praise music, a clown, and a few pinatas as a kickoff to 2009. It was a lot of fun being there to see how much that community is growing with some of the local men in Candelaria reaching out to minister there.

I headed back to Leon for the afternoon as Brittany was still not feeling well enough to be in the village, nor wanting to spread anything to anyone else. We watched the NFL games and took some time to relax.

Hanging Out & Straightening Hair

2009-01-08T21:08:00.000-08:00

Thursday morning we had Bible Study and Erick, who is one of our male leaders and youth Sunday school teachers came down to help lead. We had about 10 kids there and afterwards we had a pretty chill day.

Brittany brought her hair straightener so the girls all took turns letting her straighten their hair and then take a lot of pictures. We also spent a couple hours visiting with Conseulo and her family in the afternoon.

We came back to Leon for the night and had a good dinner at Hollywood Pizza and had shared some great conversation on the attitudes and things we notice in the youth, and how much we really want to get them to grow out of that.

Leon, La Isla, Bethel, and Candelaria

2009-01-07T10:12:00.000-08:00

Wednesday morning we had staff meeting and then Oscar and I worked more on finances. I also took some time to do more internet work. Brittany went with Yahaira, her sister, and other friend to their English school that Oscar's brother, Alvaro teaches. She had a lot of fun with them and has plans to go back Friday and teach again.

After class, she hung out with them and gave them each gifts that she had brought to donate. They practiced more English phrases and had girl time. They did some dances and straightened each others hair, did make-up etc. etc. We had lunch together at Viky's and then all headed out to the village.

Oscar, Larry, and us went to visit Pastor Pablo in La Isla and started gathering information about getting insurance and a driver's licsense for his motorcycle. Larry prayed for his work and family this coming year, as his church, Pinnacle is the support for La Isla.

Then we went to visit Pastor Jose in Bethel, as he has a brother that is very sick. We visited with the family and Larry led Pastor Jose's brother to the Lord. His kidneys are failing and he will probably pass away in the next week, but praise God as he became a Christian today.

Brittany, Deyaniara, and I went back to Candelaria for the evening service. All of the youth were very happy to see Brittany back. Service went well, and was pretty full, with around 70 children, youth, and adults. Brittany ate with me at Consuelo's and then Deyaniara stayed with her in the clinic for the night.

Brittany Makes It (Finally)

2009-01-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

We had our first Bible Study in a while this morning, with Yahaira's exam schedule and the holidays throwing some of us off schedule we didn't meet for a couple Tuesday or Thursdays. I combined Saul's verses and message from Friday night with Larry's from Sunday and we talked about them deeper.

Each person defined what each word of the 9 fruits of the spirit meant to them and shared how they are important. We also talked about things that we should forget and never forget in our Christian walks. Each person had time to share things they have trouble forgetting and remembering that they are hoping to improve this year.

After bible study I bussed to Managua to get Brittany, and this time she made it, but the flight was an hour late. I am just glad she made it, after the trouble Saturday. We got back to Leon, had dinner with Oscar, and enjoyed fellowship.

Half Workday Monday

2009-01-05T09:50:00.000-08:00

I worked with Oscar, and on the phone to Atlanta in the morning to get a grip on our final donations of 2008. Thank God we had some much needed prayers answered financially to close out 2008 even, and ready to move foward in 2009.

I went out with Yahaira and Carlos in the afternoon for drama practice, and I took some time to straighten up the clinic and rest in the afternoon. For the night, there was nothing planned but some of the youth came and we looked at some of the newest pictures and videos of things we have done in past month.

It was a very peaceful night, visting with 4-5 youth and then spending some time with Consuelo's family as well.

Larry Visits & Preaches

2009-01-04T09:36:00.000-08:00

I spent the morning doing a lot of computer and internet things, and got to watch 1.5 more of the Wild Card NFL games before Sergio, Larry, and I headed out.

Larry got sometime before service started to visit with some old friends and see how some of the projects are progressing on the land since his last trip here in May. He took a lot of pictures of the goats project his son supports, and some of the clinic, bakery, house, etc.

In the evening Pastor Walter led service with Daniel and Rigo leading worship. Rigoberto also took the kids out and Larry preached. He shared a message based from verses 43:18 & 46:9 in Isaiah; where we are told to forget the former things and then 3 chapters later remember the former things. He went on, with a lot of scripture support of what things God wishes we would forget, and not continually dwell on, and then on the other side what things God wants us to never forget, and how He is God.

The service was very well attended as they have been in the past week or so. We have 70-80 people in the weekday services and right at 100 or a little more on Saturday and Sunday night services. I came back for the night with plans to work with Oscar on our year-ending finances tomorrow.

Brittany's Overbooked Flight

2009-01-03T09:32:00.000-08:00

I woke-up and did a few things in the village before heading into Leon mid-day to head on to Managua and pick up my friend Brittany McManus from the airport, who was set to arrive at 3:00 PM. Luckily before I got on the local transportation for Managua, Larry called me and let me know that Brittany had told him that there was a problem with her flight and she would not be coming in today so I did not make a pointless trip. Thank God for looking out for me and getting me that message, literally 15 minutes before I wasted 4-5 hours this afternoon.

I got in touch with Brittany, and found out that all the flights from Miami-Managua are overbooked with people returning after the holidays, and she will have to wait until Tuesday to fly down. We are both pretty upset as her original trip was going to be 5 weeks, but with a new job her trip was shortened to 2 weeks and now 10 days.

In the afternoon, I did some catching up with Leon-side mission work and got to watch the 2 Wild Card NFL games, which were both very entertaining. I will be here for the night and head out for service tomorrow with Sergio and Larry, as he is preaching the next two Sunday night services.

Leadership Meeting & 4th Youth Service

2009-01-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

With Larry getting work done to the truck in Leon, Sergio couldn't come out until later in the afternoon so I did my best talking with the Candelaria leadership about our plans for 2009. We shared our goals for starting a new year, and I took time to explain how things work as far as only able to do projects and make payrolls when the money comes in, and can only pay out to where donations are designated, for example which pastor or project is tagged.

We spoke about how we will be only meeting the needs of the church community this year,and want to encourage more people to be apart of everything we are doing, especially the services, not just receiving when someone is here distributing goods. We spent time praying for the spiritual side of the mission and the physical side of projects for 2009. Each pastor picked different parts of our fund raising to pray about as well to close our meeting.

We had another good youth service of the 15-20 serious young people. Kervin and 2 of his friends shared Christian Reggaeton specials along with our videos and Daniel's worship in the first 45 mintues. Then Saul shared a message on living in the light and fully becoming a Christian with the 9 fruits of the spirit from Galations chapter 5.

I challenged each of the youth to pray for God to make them a 100% Christian in 2009, and not a lukewamr Christian with daily ups and downs for how interested they are in the Bible and church. Yahaira closed the service with a very powerful prayer, and Joel rejoined the youth group and church.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T09:14:00.000-08:00

Last night some of the youth and I went to the park to bring in New Years, it was really packed with some ferris wheels, photo booths, and other attractions brought in for the night. At 12:00 AM everyone lights a tube sock and newspaper stuffed dummy in front of their houses to say goodbye to the past year. Very different for me, but fun to watch I guess.

We did not have Bible study this morning with everyone staying up late last night, but we hung out later in the morning and in afternoon made a trip to the swimming pool.

At night, I took Nubia out to eat in Chichigalpa and we got ice cream afterwards. Her birthday passed on the 28th, so I was a few days late, but it was fun to thank her for all the translation help she has given me over past couple months when I've needed it.

Where Did 2008 Go?

2008-12-31T11:15:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe a whole year has passed since I finished college, and almost a full year has passed since my first trip here.

Andres, Anthony, and I are hanging in Leon until Sergio gets done working with Oscar. We will head out to take these guys back and check on everything at the house and bakery soon.

Larry, Oscar, and Sergio are going to get dinner and pass some time for New Years in Leon, but I have plans to hang with the youth and stay the night in Candelaria. I think we will go to the park then maybe come back and hang together as midnight passes. Not sure how many will actually make it til midnight including myself, but we will see.

Hope each of you has a great time, and safe time, tonight bringing in 2009. I'll hope to update again when I get back to Leon next week, and hopefully soon I'll be online in the village.

In Christ,
Jim Bob / Diego
John 15:13

Working to Finish Out the Year

2008-12-30T11:03:00.000-08:00

Scarleth, Oscar, Sergio, and I got together at the Gables house this morning with the money changers and got payroll ready as soon as possible. Every year they like to get people paid before the 31st, because New Years is a time to have a special time at the park or with family.

We got things done and everyone paid in the afternoon, only a few hours after we said we would be there, but at least it was taken care of. Larry stayed behind in Leon and spent time with Marcela. As Oscar got everyone paid and signed off, Sergio and I had meetings with some of the pastors and leadership in the clinic waiting room.

We came back into Leon in the afternoon, and I brought Andres and Anthony along for a video/chat Skype date with the World Race girls in London. They enjoyed that and then we had dinner and visited Sergio and Scarleth's houses.

We had hoped to play video games, but the PlayStation I think because of dust, is not reading discs...we watched Liar Liar and played on the internet instead.