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!

Sorry about the late update! The power went out again this morning (it is a common occurrence here). So this is yesterday’s update: The first half of the team had a little tour of Pastor Earl’s compound. We got to see the orphanage, the medical clinic, and the church while a couple leaders took a scouting trip to Betonia. The second half of the team arrived while the first half was playing with the kids in the orphanage. We are really excited about what God has planned for us later this week! Because we don’t really have a defined schedule, blog updates may be at different times of the day but they will happen (depending on if and when we have power).

Happy Fathers Day to all you fathers out there, look below for a special note from your kid:

• Hey Padre!! Happy father’s day! I couldn’t ask for a better dad in my life! You are such a great person and a wonderful role model!! Love you forever- Connor Osterberg
• Hola from Nicaragua! I am having a great experience so far but wish I was home to tell my Dad Happy Father’s day, but I guess I’ll have to do it here…Happy Father’s day dad, love you lots and thanks for all that you do for me! Hope you had a great day! See you soon- Ray Richards
• Hola Papa!! Buenos Dia de los Padres!  I am so happy that you are my dad, and you are the best dadI could ask for. Thank you for always being there for me. I love you lots. Hasta luego, Padre! –Rissa Roo
• Hey Daddy, HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!!! I miss you so much and wish you were here with me! You’re the best dad in the world! I wish I could give you a big fathers day hug and kiss, but I guess it will just have to wait till I get home! LOVE YOU TONS!!!!!  ~Riah <3
• Happy Father’s day dad! Love you!! I miss you guys already, im having a great time though. Can’t wait to see you, mom, chloe, and chandler. If you see this mom I love you!!!-Casey
• Happy Father’s Day dad!  I can’t wait to get home to see you again.  I miss you and I hope you are having a great time in Lake Wenatchee.  Thank you much for your support and allowing me to go on this awesome trip.  I hope God uses me in whatever ways he has planned.  Love you and tell mom I miss her too.  – Kam
• Thank you for being mom and dad…I know its fathersday but you give me the best of both worlds even though I don’t really have a dad..So thank you mom, again, for all you do. I love you and I really miss you but I am having a great time. This has been an awesome experience. Tell koda I love him and again happy “fathers day”xoxox-Jenny
• HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD!!:D sorry I can’t celebrate it with you, we’ll have to do something when I get back!, But I hope you have/had a good day!! I miss you!! And mom and the rest of the fam as well. Im having fun down here! PEACE love yallsJ  ~Bonnie
• Happy Father’s Day Daddy!!!! Hope you had a great day! I miss you, tell Maddie and grandma and Kobe hi!!! Mom and I are having a blast. Love you lots and see you soon!!!! ~Hailey~ J
• Dad!  Happy Father’s Day!  You are the best!!!!!!!  Love, Karly
• Happy Father’s Day Dad!! I’m having a fun time here, but I miss seeing you every day! I hope you’re having fun without me –Will
• Happy Father’s Day, I’m sure you would have had fun here but then again I’m sure you’re having fun at home.  So far everything’s been good.  See you in another week-Christian
• Happy Father’s Day!!! Hope the whole family is doing well; I miss you guys a ton! We are having a great time down here though and I am looking forward to telling you all about it - Aaron
• Happy father’s day dad! I’m sure your days have been pretty good so far this weekend but I also hope that you and mom are not sitting around worrying about me down here while I’m here. Hope all is well in Newberg and with the family. Say hi to everybody for me! Love you dad! See you soon – Nicole
• Well hello there sensai, Hope you had a pretty dang good Father’s day. I know it couldn’t have been that great since Iwasn’t there….but you know, hope it was good anyways. Hahah. Anyways tell everyone I say hello and see yall when I get back!!! -Sofe

The Second team has arrived safe and sound here in Puerto Cabezas! The first team had a fun day getting a little tour around the orphanage and played with the kids. Also, from now on, we will be updating the blog in the mornings with the previous days adventures. Check back tomorrow for today's pictures!

Praying before leaving PDX

Playing Spoons (or pencils) waiting for the plane

Ray and Jordyn, being Ray and Jordyn

Ray is ready to go to Nicaragua

Little team meeting before leaving on the plane to Managua

Waiting for the plane to Puerto Cabezas

Yesterday, the first half of our team arrived in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua! After 3 long plane rides we arrived here and began to settle in and play with the kids at the orphanage. There was a power outage right as we were getting ready to download pictures and stuff to the blog so that’s why this post is today! We will be playing with the kids most of the day while some of the leaders go out to Betonia and check out Austin’s farm. Be praying for the second half of our team as they arrive today in Nicaragua!

The day is finally here, the first half of our team will be leaving tonight at 11:50! Pray for quick travel and smooth sailing through the airports

This last Sunday, our team went to the Fricker's house for a little BBQ and a packing meeting. Afterwards a couple of us went to the backyard/shooting range to do a little "team bonding"

Some of the team chowing down on our lunch

Fricker giving us the run down of to pack

After we had team meetings, we did a bit of team bonding... Alex is very excited 

Nicaragua Bible Story Meeting

This morning we had a meeting for our bible story groups! Everyone is very busy planning. Only one more month until we leave!!!