Back in oregon with  a lifetime of memories

Sorry for such late updates since the intrenet was not working right, but this was supposed to be posted on Wednesday the 20th (photos to come later):

Today we were in Betonia again; this time our story was about how Jesus died on the cross for our sins. During our small groups, many kids, and even some adults, accepted Jesus into their lives!!! We were also able to take a tour of Austin Fricker’s farm and we got to see how the the farm is impacting the community and how the RHCC’s contribution has been helping the farm. 

 Today we did our group skit and it was about Jesus dying for our sins, the kids really seemed to enjoy it. After, we split up into groups and talked and asked questions about what sin means to them and most of them said sin is disobeying God. Even some kids raised their hands that they accepted Jesus into their lives. We also went out and prayed for families again and I was playing with a little girl all day today and finally found her house and prayed with her dad and her, he told us that he was a Christian and we prayed for good health and to have the growth of God in him. Today was an overall good day J ~Hailey~

After being told I was not able to play in the Betania vs. “Gringos” soccer game because I was a girl and they would not let me play due to cultural issues, a group of disappointed young ladies went with an interpreter to the first house we came across. There were two beautiful young ladies sitting on the porch with a baby. We began to explain to these ladies, Kandall and Sarah; that we wanted to pray with them about whatever they needed. When I was finished praying for their family because they were not followers of Christ, we came to find out that Kendall was not a believer either. We began to tell her what it meant to us to be a Christian, and after a bit of talking she decided to accept Christ. Crystal then prayed in English, our translator then translated into Miskito, and Kendall repeated after him. God completely broke down not only a language barrier, but also softened a heart and met a need. We have seen Kendall around Betania this week and have loved seeing her gorgeous smile melting our hearts. Please continue to pray for Kendall and her parents, who we later found out, are in the hospital in Puerto Cabezas. Thank you for all the love, support, and prayers you have given us, and I am overjoyed to be able to say that I now have a sister in Christ all the way in Nicaragua. ~Jordyn

Well we have arrived in Houston! We have a bit of a delay until we come back, our flight doesn't leave until after 3.pray for a speedy flight and see you soon!!!

Hey everyone! So we have been having Internet trouble so we haven't been able to update the last couple days! Sorry for the wait! We have been in Betonia and God is definitely moving there! We had our last story yesterday and then we had a BBQ with the people of Betonia. We were also able to hand out A months worth of food to all the families. And just in case we won't be able to update today or tomorrow, we are having a carnival for the Puerto Cabezas kids today and then we will leave for Managua after church tomorrow.

Yesterday was another great day in Betonia! We shared with the kids about the first sin and did a little skit about different types of sin. Then we had them draw about different sins and they drew the story of Adam and Eve's sin. We went around and prayed for the people of Betonia also!

Hi family! I miss you all. I'm having such a great time. This has so far been such an awesome and amazing experience. Yesterday my group presented their skit. It went really well. I played Adam in the first skit because we were showing the kids in Betania at the school what sin was and how the first sin started. The second skit i played the sin "Alcohol". The kids really enjoyed the play. The whole time they were zoned in on what we were doing. Today we went back to Betania. I played catch with the kids, and played a bunch of other games with them. Then we went around and prayed for families at there homes. I love you all. See you soon!!!  -Casey

Yesterday was our first day in Betonia. When the bus rolled into the village, all the kids just started bolting after us! They were so loving, kind, and energizing! The guys helped with building the church while the rest of us told the story of creation at the school and the kids were totally entranced by it! After that we went around to different houses in the community and prayed with the people there. God is doing amazing things in the humble town of Betonia!

I was amazed at how quickly the kids in Betonia were willing to play with us. I was somewhat shy at first because the language barrier and my natural shyness in new situations. But within minutes, Cara and I were playing an intense game of keep away. I have no idea what the kids were saying, but it didn’t matter because laughter seems to be a universal language. I just loved seeing the huge smiles on the kids’ faces when I would pass them the ball, and as I look back I can’t believe that I was ever nervous. I am so excited to return the Betonia.  –Marissa

Today was an amazing day. I got to see the farm that Austin Fricker had started. There is so much that had been accomplished by the people and what Austin has started. Once we reached the school, the kids started rolling out and loving on us. I have never seen more love coming from a community or anyone before. I eventually got caught up in a really intense keep-away game with some of the kids and connected well with a few of the boys. Once we started our presentation about creation, the kids were intently listening. I was really surprised to see the kids connecting and loving what we were doing. I feel so connected to the people here and it’s already been the first day. I can’t wait for the rest of the week!!  -Cara 

The kids ran to greet us as soon as we got off the bus 

Creation group performing for the kids 

Small group discussions 

We tried to teach them leap frog.. it kind of worked!

Today we had our first church service and Jordyn shared her testimony with the congregation! Mark Began also shared a sermon about Jonah with the congregation. After that, the Indiana team (the other church that is staying at Pastor Earl's compound) invited us to go to the beach with them and the kids in the orphanage! We had so much fun getting to play with the kids in the water!