We wanted to take a moment to show how your monthly giving frees us to respond and serve our community well. Sometimes it’s easy to see big projects and not realize that we are able to be here because of faithful monthly giving. For example…
Because you give monthly…
When abuela (grandma) is sick, we can buy her pig and she can go get the treatment that she needs.
Because you give monthly…
We can turn on the very expensive power and run a computer lab where kids can work on projects and finish homework.
Because you give monthly…
We can give salaries to the teachers who make the reinforcement class manageable and effective.
Because you give monthly…
Everyone who comes to our property and asks for clean drinking water receives it.
Because you give monthly…
We are able to use discernment and give microloans to people who work for us when we believe it will enable them to provide for their families. Like the other day when one of the faithful workers came to us early Sunday morning on his day off to ask for a loan for three weeks to buy tools so he can do more construction jobs in the future. He had a friend who was leaving the country for Costa Rica and was selling all his tools for really cheap. He was so excited to have the opportunity and had creative ways to pay it off as quickly as possible.
Because you give monthly…
When there is an earthquake and the pipe breaks in the kid’s club bathroom we are able to repair it.
Because you give monthly…
We can pay for visa extensions and residency paperwork to stay in Nicaragua as foreigners.
Because you give monthly…
We can replace pencils, erasers, paper, and ink for copies. We can buy bracelet making supplies, paint, and craft paper and all the things that are available to be creative here.
Because you give monthly…
We can buy lots and lots of food to feed our growing family. Fruit and vegetables at the market (cheap), overpriced things we miss like crackers or parmesan cheese, and lots of rice and beans. When someone is in need we can bag up rice and beans that we always have on hand.
Because you give monthly…
We have gas to go to a house church 30 minutes away where we feel loved, connected, and challenged. We can attend Spanish classes and the kids can attend guitar lessons that are not available in our small village.
Because you give monthly…
We get to wake up each morning and whisper the truth. In a country torn by fighting and fear, we get to declare He is near and His kingdom has come. We get to pray for courage to boldly stand for a Kingdom that we can’t see.
I think our greatest freedom has been the ability to respond to immediate needs (like notebooks, food, and medicine) without hesitation when it falls in the perimeters we have decided. This freedom would not be possible without faithful monthly giving. Please don’t misunderstand, there are more needs where we live than we could ever respond to, but we are seeking discernment about our role living among poverty. We constantly refocus and ask for direction and wisdom to maintain the dignity of our friends. The gift for us is that we get to live day by day asking, “What should my focus be about today?” Or, “What peace and love could I extend to the kids who show up in the rancho today?” We have found the Spirit is very faithful to answer and lead when we start our day with open minds.
