TRIP TO NICARAGUA:

2^ND POOREST COUNTRY IN CENTRAL AMERICA

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2009

8:00 AM:

ARRIVED TO FFWBC TO LEAVE FOR TRIP. SEVERAL MEMBERS ARRIVED TO SEE THE TEAM OFF. A CIRCLE OF PRAYER GIVEN WITH PASTOR DEREK LEADING PRAYER. BY 08:30 WE WERE ON THE ROAD TO CATCH THE PLANE IN ATLANTA. 13 TEAM MEMBERS WERE LOADED IN 2 VANS WITH 26 DUFFLE BAGS FILLED WITH GIFTS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO TAKE TO SOMITILLO, NICARAGUA. THE TEAM MEMBERS WERE:

DIANNA & GARY BISHOP

DIANNE AND JENNIFER COBB

SHERRY CRAWFORD

TAMMY JOHNSON

CHRISTEL KING

DICKIE & WILMA PYLE

SUNNY SQUIBB

PAT STILWELL

KATHY WIEDEMANN

REBECCA YONTS

FLIGHT 369 FROM ATLANTA TO MANAGUA

ARRIVED AT ATLANTA AIRPORT AT 2 P.M.

CHECKED IN WITH ASSISTANCE OF 2 STEWARTS. WE ALL BOARDED THE AIRPLANE.

TAMMY AND MYSELF WERE SEATED IN ROW 13. THE PLANE WAS TO TAKE OFF AT 5:30 PM. AT 6:00 P.M, WE WERE NOTIFIED WE WERE WAITING ON A PILOT TO FLY THE PLANE.

THE PILOT ARRIVED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES BUT THEN WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE FLIGHT PANEL. MAINTENANCE BOARDED THE PLANE AND BY 6:45 P.M. EVERYTHING WAS FIXED AND THE OK WAS GIVEN TO TAKE OFF. ALL OF OUR TEAM WAS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE PLANE. 30 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE MANAGUA AIRPORT, FLASHES OF LIGHTENING WAS SEEN IN A DISTANCE AND THEN IT HIT. LIGHTS FLICKERED ON THE PLANE, THE PLANE STARTED BOUNCING AND THEN LIGHTENING STRUCK THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PLANE. ORANGE FIRE LIKE COLOR LIT UP RIGHT OUTSIDE THE WINDOW WHERE PAT, TAMMY & MYSELF WERE SITTING. A LADY IN THE ISLE WAY FELL. SEVERAL BENT OVER IN THEIR SEATS AND PAT, TAMMY AND MYSELF WERE PRAYING FOR GOD TO GET US THROUGH THE STORM AND LAND THE PLANE SAFELY. IT SEEMED LIKE FOREVER BUT WITHIN A MINUTE OR TWO WE WERE AWAY FROM THE STORM. THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT CAME AROUND AND SAID THE PLANE THAT ARRIVED TO MANAGUA PRIOR TO US HAD ALSO BEEN HIT BY THE LIGHTENING. AT 10:00 P.M. WE TOUCHED GROUND. CHECK IN AT THE MANAGUA AIRPORT WAS GOING WELL UNTIL ONE OF OUR BAGS WAS NOTED TO BE WET. I OPENED IT UP AND FOUND A BUSTED BLOODSPILL KIT. SECURITY CAME AND WAS QUESTIONING WHAT WE HAD IN THE BAGS AND BEFORE WE COULD SAY ANYTHING WE WERE TOLD TO HURRY AND GET OUR BAGS AND MOVE ON.

WE WERE MET BY PASTOR DIOMEDEZ SANTELIZ, EDWIN JOSSIEL DIAZ PRADO & ERICKA CRUZ ACOSTA OUR INTERPRETERS AND RUBEN OUR DRIVER. OUR BAGS WERE LOADED AND WERE ON OUR WAY TO A MISSION HOUSE RUN BY THE BUZBEE FAMILY WHERE WE WERE TO SPEND THE NIGHT. AS WE TRAVELED TO THE MISSION HOUSE YOU COULD SEE PLYWOOD WALLS ALONG THE ROAD SIDE WITH GRAFFITI WRITING WRITTEN ALL OVER THEM. BOBBED WIRE WAS ATOP THE WALLS. IF THERE WAS NOT BOBBED WIRE YOU MAY SEE BROKEN BOTTLE TOPS USE TO KEEP SOMEONE FROM CLIMBING OVER THE WALLS.

THE CLOSER WE GOT TO THE MISSION HOUSE THE MORE POT HOLES WE HIT IN THE ROAD UP TO 1 FOOT DEEP. ON ARRIVAL TO THE BUZBEE PLACE WE WERE ALL VERY TIRED. THE TEAM WAS SPLIT IN 3 GROUPS AND EACH WENT TO A CABIN. INSIDE WE EACH HAD A BUNK WITH 1 PILLOW, 1 SHEET, 1 TOWEL AND 1 WASHCLOTH. THE ROOM WAS LIT WITH ONE OVERHEAD DIM LIGHT AND A LAMP AND 3 FANS TO COOL THE ROOM. ALL OF US WERE HOT AND SWEATY. THE SHOWER WAS COLD AND QUICK. I AM THE LAST IN MY GROUP TO FALL ASLEEP. IT IS 00:30 TENNESSEE TIME BUT 10:30 P.M. MANAGUA TIME. TOMORROW WE BEGIN A NEW DAY.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2009

DAY 2

WE AWOKE TO A BEAUTIFUL MORNING. BREAKFAST WAS PREPARED AND READY FOR US CONSISTING OF FRUIT, EGGS, BREAD AND PICO. AFTER BREAKFAST A WALK AROUND THE GROUNDS TO FIND BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS, BANANA TREES, COCONUT TREES AND MEETING CAMILLO THE MONKEY.

NEXT WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO HOGAR RANCHO HEBRON – ORPHANAGE/SHELTER.

ALL THE CHILDREN LOVED TO HAVE THEIR PHOTO TAKEN. SOME OF THE GIRLS SANG US SOME SONGS, SOME OF THE CHILDREN JUST WANTED TO SIT ON YOUR LAP, DICKIE PLAYED MARBLES WITH THE BOYS, AND MOMA CARLA (JOSSIEL’S MOTHER) MADE US ALL WELCOME TO HER HOME. WHEN THE CHILDREN WERE ASKED IF THEY COULD HAVE ANYTHING THEY WANTED WHAT WOULD IT BE, BOTH THE BOYS AND GIRLS SAID A MUSIC BOX. DICKIE WITH THE HEART OF GOLD LATER BOUGHT 2 AND HAD THEM SENT BACK TO THE ORPHANAGE.

MOMA CARLA HAS ESCAPED FATAL ILLNES X2 (CANCER AND KIDNEY FAILURE) AND THANKS IT TO THE POWER OF GOD AND THE PRAYERS FROM HER FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CHILDREN OF THE ORPHANAGE.

FROM THE ORPHANGE WE LEFT TO MASAYA (THE MARKET) FOR ONE HOUR TO SHOP. THERE I OBTAINTED 2 MOHOGANEY BOXES, SOME COCOCNUT EAR RINGS AND A LEATHER JOURNAL.

FROM THE MARKET WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO MASAYA VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK WHERE WE TOOK A HIKE AND WENT INTO A BAT CAVE. 11 TOOK THE HIKE TO THE BAT CAVE. AFTER HALF WAY INTO THE CAVE 2 TURNED BACK. EVERYTHING WAS GOOD UNTIL WE GOT TO THE END AND ASKED TO TURN THE FLASHLIGHTS OFF. BEING CLAUSTROPHOBIC AND AFRAID OF THE DARK I FREAKED OUT A LITTLE. ON THE WAY BACK OUT GARY FELL AND CUT HIS FORARM. SOMEWHERE ON THE JOURNEY I LOST MY SUNGLASSES AND LEFT CONTACT IN WHICH I SEE UP CLOSE WITH.

FROM THE VOLCANO WE LEFT ON OUR JOURNEY TO SUNNYSIDE MSSION HOUSE WHERE WE WOULD BE STAYING FOR THE NEXT WEEK. ON ARRIVAL WE MET PASTOR DIOMEDEX FAMILY: WIFE – CLAUDIA, DAUGHTER – RAQUEL, SONS DIOMEDEX AND STEVE.

INTO OUR ROOMS WE WENT AND PICKED OUR BEDS FOR THE WEEK. ALL UNPACKED, SHOWERED AND PREPARED FOR BED. WE WERE TOLD TUESDAY WAS A BIG DAY FOR US AS WE WERE GOING TO CACAO.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009

DAY 3

UP EARLY FOR BREAKFAST. TODAY WE HAD EGGS, BEANS AND RICE. AFTER BREAKFAST DIANNA AND MYSELF WENT WITH GARY, DICKIE AND PASTOR DIOMEDEZ TO THE RADIO STATION 102.9 WHICH IS HEARD ALL OVER NICARAGUA, EL SALVADOR & HONDURAS. PASTOR DIOMEDEZ IS ON THE RADIO EVERYDAY FROM 8:00 TO 8:30 WITH SCRIPTURE AND UPDATED NEWS FOR THE DAY SO ALL WILL KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. GARY AND DICKIE SPOKE TODAY AND TALKED ABOUT FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE WITH THE HELP OF JOSSIEL INTERPRETING FOR THEM.

DIANNE & JENNIFER COBB DECIDED TO STAY BEHIND AND GO TO A BASEBALL GAME THAT WAS PLAYED IN A CATTLE PASTOR.

WE PACKED FOR OUR JOURNEY TO CACAO.

BEANS & RICE WERE PURCHASED TO GIVE TO EACH FAMILY IN CACAO. 1 ½ SCOOPS (APPROXIMATELY 3 CUPS OF EACH WOULD FEED A FAMILY OF 4 FOR ABOUT 4-6 DAYS). IT MAY BE WEEKS OR MONTHS BEFORE THEY RECEIVED MORE. THIS IS THE SAME AMOUNT WE WOULD BE GIVING OUT THROUGH OUR JOURNEYS TO ALL THE VILLAGES.

WE WENT AS FAR AS WE COULD WITH THE TRUCK AND THEN AWAITED FOR PASTOR SANTOS AND THE HORSES. TODAY WE WERE ACCOMPANIED BY PASTOR DIOMEDEZ, PASTOR SANTOS WHO WAS THE PASTOR OF CACAO, PASTOR SANTOS MARTINEZ, PASTOR REYALDO, PASTOR IDALIO, RUEBEN, JOSSIEL AND ERIKA. THE JOURNEY TO CACAO WAS QUITE THE ADVENTURE. WE TOOK TURNS RIDING THE HORSES AND CARRYING THE BACK PACKS. THE FRAIL HORSES CARRYIED THE BEANS, RICE AND US UP THE STEEP MOUTAIN. WE WALKED UP ROCKS AND WOULD PASS PIGS, COWS AND HORSES ON THE WAY. GARY, DICKIE AND SHERRY EACH GOT HIT WITH HEAT EXHAUSTION AND WE WOULD STOP, DRINK SOME GATORADE, WATER AND REST UNTIL THEY FELT BETTER. AFTER WE REACHED THE TOP WE WERE TOLD THAT OF THE 3 TIMES TEAMS WERE BROUGHT UP TO THE TOP OF CACAO THAT WE WERE THE ONLY TEAM THAT MADE IT ALL THE WAY ON OUR OWN.

IT WAS LUNCH TIME WHEN WE ARRIVED TO CACAO. NOT KNOWING HOW LONG IT HAD BEEN SINCE THESE PEOPLE HAD EATEN THEY STOOD AT A DISTANCE VERY QUIETLY WHILE WE ATE A PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICHS THAT WE HAD PACKED.

THERE WERE 58 CHILDREN ON TOP OF CACAO . 75 FAMILIES WERE GIVEN BEANS AND RICE. GIFTS OF TOOTHPASTE, TOOTHBRUSH, HAIR RIBBONS AND TOYS GIVEN TO ALL THE CHILDREN.

I NOTICED A BOY WITH A BROKEN ARM THAT WAS WRAPPED WITH A PIECE OF CLOTH. THROUGH THE INTERPRETER I FOUND OUT IT HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR A MONTH. SINCE THERE IS NO MEDICINE ON CACAO, I SHOWED THE FAMILY HOW TO SPLINT THE HAND AND ARM AND WRAPPED IT WITH ACE WRAP. I TOLD THEM IT WOULD PROBABLY NOT HEAL BACK PERFECT DUE TO THE TIME IT HAD BEEN BROKEN, BUT THERE COULD BE SOME IMPROVEMENT WITH PROPER SPLINTING AND PASSIVE RANGE OF MOTION ON A DAILY BASIS. THE FAMILY EXPRESSED GREAT APPRECIATION.

PASTOR SANTOS HAD A MESSAGE AND MUSIC IN HIS CHURCH ON TOP OF CACAO AND 13 PEOPLE WERE SAVED. OUR GOODBYES WERE SAID AND WE JOURNEYED BACK DOWN CACAO MOUNTAIN EACH TRAVELING AT OUR OWN PACE. THERE WERE PLACES I AM AMAZED THAT THE HORSES CAME BACK DOWN IN SOME VERY STEEP PLACES. I DID NOTICE COMPARED TO HOME THAT THEY ONLY SHOED THE HORSES FRONT FEET.

WE ARRIVED TO THE BOTTOM OF CACAO AND WHEN ALL ARRIVED BACK TO THE TRUCK PASTOR SANTOS GATHERED THE HORSES AND MADE HIS JOURNY BACK UP THE MOUNTAIN ONCE AGAIN WITH HIS SON. WE LOADED UP AND HEADED BACK TO THE MISSION HOUSE. WE SHOWERED AND ATE SUPPER (BEANS, RICE AND FISH) AND HAD SHARETIME ABOUT WHAT OUR DAY MEANT TO EACH OF US PRIOR TO GOING TO BED.

TODAY WAS A GLORIOUS DAY.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2009

DAY 4

TODAY WE START BREAKFAST WITH BISCUITS AND GRAVY, BEANS AND RICE

TODAY DIANNA AND MYSELF SPOKE ON THE RADIO 102.9. I THANKED PASTOR SANTOS FOR LETTING US COME TO HIS VILLAGE IN CACAO. I SPOKE FROM HEBREWS 11 1-3 & 6

NOW FAITH IS BEING SURE OF WHAT WE HOPE FOR & CERTAIN OF WHAT WE DO NOT SEE. THIS IS WHAT THE ANCIENTS WERE COMMENDED FOR. BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNIVERSE WAS FORMED AT GOD’S COMMAND, SO THAT WHAT IS SEEN WAS NOT MADE OUT OF WHAT WAS VISIBLE. AND WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD, BECAUSE AUYONE WHO COMES TO HIM MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS AND THAT HE REWARDS THOSE WHO EARNESTLY SEEK HIM.

AS COLLEEN TOWNSEND EVANS WROTE: THE HARD THING TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT FAITH IS THE ONE AREA IN OUR LIVES WHERE GROWING UP MEANS WE MUST GROW TO BE MORE LIKE A CHILD, TRUSTING SIMPLY IN THE GOODNESS AND COMPLETE KNOWLEDGE OF A FATHER WHO HAS OUR BEST INTERESTS AT HEART.

THE PASTOR ASKED US TO SPLIT THE MEDICAL SUPPLIES IN 3 GROUPS. ONE GROUP TO GO TO A VILLAGE THAT HAS NO MEANS OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND NO DRS. OR NURSES, ONE GROUP TO GO TO A MEDICAL CLINIC AND THE LAST TO GO TO A HOSPITAL IN SOMITILLO. TODAY WE ARE GOING TO EL OJO CHITO AND SAN FRANCISCO.

OUR FIRST STOP WAS EL OJO CHITO. HERE I WAS TAKEN TO A HOUSE WITH DIRT FLOORS AND INTRODUCED TO A LADY THAT TAKES CARE OF PREGNANT LADIES AND ASSISTS WITH DELIVERIES AND CHILDREN. HERE THEY HAVE NO MEDICINE AT ALL. WE SAT UP A VERY SIMPLE CLINIC ON A DIRT FLOOR WITH 3 BLANKETS (ONE SUPPLIED BY THE LADY AND 2 THAT WAS DONATED BY ONE OF OUR NURSES AT JCMC RHONDA MCLANEY) HERE WE PLACED BABY BOTTLES, POWERED FORMULA, DIAPERS, SANITARY PADS AND PANTYS, TYLENOL FOR ADULT AND CHILD, INFANT CLOTHES, DIAPER CREAM, BANDAGES, NEOSPORIN , BABY SHAMPOO & LOTION, SCISSORS, BABY BLANKETS, TAPE,

SOAP, WASH CLOTHS, NORMAL SALINE, ACE WRAPS, GLOVES AND SOME ODDS AND ENDS.

WE SPOKE WITH AN INTERPRETER FOR ABOUT 1.5 HOURS AND WENT OVER ALL THE SUPPLIES WITH RETURN APPRECIATION. I REMEMBER HER TELLING ME THAT THE 3 CANS OF FORMULA WAS LIKE GOLD AS THERE MAY BE A INFANT BORN AND THEN THE MOTHER LEAVES THE INFANT BEHIND.

THE MAYOR ARRIVED TO THE VILLAGE AND GAVE HER APPRECIATION TO US FOR OUR DONATIONS AND HELP, AND SAID IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WE NEEDED TO PLEASE LET HER KNOW. SHE ASKED TO TAKE PICTURES OF US WITH HER IN WHICH WE DID.

LUNCH WAS PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICHES AND POTATO CHIPS. WE RAN OUT OF WATER AND PASTOR SANTOS SENT FOR SOME BOTTLED DRINKS. WE HAD NO CUPS SO WE POURED SOME IN BAGGIES AND TIED A KNOT AND PINCHED A HOLE TO DRINK FROM. THIS TRICK PASTOR SANTOS SHOWED TO US. DICKIE WAS A HIT WITH THE CHILDREN AS HE GAVE THEM PEANUT BUTTER BREAD AND POTATO CHIPS. 55 BAGS OF BEANS AND RICE WAS GIVEN AS WELL AS GIFTS & SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THE CHILDREN.

NEXT TO SAN FRANCISCO. 1^ST WE TOOK MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO THE MEDICAL CLINIC.

DAVID BERRY FROM BARRY’S PHARMACY IN KINGSPORT IS TO BE MUCH COMLIMENTED ON ALL THE ANTIBIOTICS AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES AS WELL AS DAVID BACON MATERIALS MGT JCMC, JILL NAYLORS CHURCH MEMBERS AT PLEASANT BEACH BAPTIST CHURCH THAT DONATED ALL THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND BACK PAKS, DIANE COLLETTE FOR DONATING CLOTHES AND BACKPAKS FROM HER STORE, RHONDA McCLANEY WHO BOUGHT BABY SUPPLIES, JENNIFER CANNON &, RAQUEL WHO DONATED CHILDRENS CLOTHES, MOLLY WHO DONATED FURNITURE AND CAKES TO RAISE MONEY AND ALL THE NURSES FROM THE NICU AT JCMC FOR THE SUPPLIES & UNUSED INSTRUMENTS DONATED.

AS WE WERE BEING WERE TOURED AROUND THE CLINIC I COULD NOT BELIEVE THE NEEDS. THEY SEE APPROXIMATELY 35OO PEOPLE A MONTH. THE MEDICINE CABINET WAS ALMOST EMPTY. THE ER ROOM AND BEDS WERE IN MUCH NEED OF REPAIR. I FELT LIKE WE STEPPED BACK 75 YEARS IN TIME. THERE WAS ALSO A DENTIST (DR. HERNALDO BENITO ARIAS) BUT HE COULD NOT DO MUCH AS HE HAD NO INSTRUMENTS TO REPAIR A TOOTH NOR NO MEDS TO NUMB WITH. HE SAID HE WOULD NEED ABOUT $5OO.00-$600.00 IN SUPPLIES JUST TO BE ABLE TO DO SIMPLE PROCEDURES. THE DENTAL CHAIR WAS BROKE AND THE LIGHTING WAS POOR. THE POWER GOES OFF MID DAY & IS THEN CONTROLED BY BATTERY.

WE TOOK 2 LARGE DUFFLE BAGS AND A SUITCASE FULL OF SUPPLIES AND MEDICINES . THE DOCTOR (DR. MARIO LAINEZ) WAS MUCH AMAZED AT ALL THE ANTIBIOTICS WE HAD BROUGHT THAT WAS DONATED FROM BARRY’S PHARMACY. THE SUTURES, HEMOSTATS AND SCISSORS WAS A GREAT TREASURE TO THEM. AND THE IV TUBING WAS SOMETHING THEY WERE IN MUCH NEED FOR. THE LARYNGOSCOPE BLADES AND ETT TUBES WERE SOMETHING THEY RARELY GOT. THEY ARE IN MUCH NEED FOR RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT ESPECIALLY NASAL CANNULAS BUT WE DID NOT HAVE THEM. THEY WOULD SHAKE THEIR HEADS AND KEEP SAYING GRACIOUS (THANK YOU).

20 FAMILIES IN SAN FRANCISCO WERE GIVEN BEANS AND RICE.

A LADY WAS BROUGHT TO ME WITH A DEEP INFECTED WOUND ON HER ARM. WE CLEANED IT WITH NORMAL SALINE AND APPLIED ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT AND COVERED IT WITH GAUZE AND A WRAP AND GAVE HER A TUBE OF ANTIBIOTIC AND GAUZES TO DO DAILY CHANGES.

MUSIC WAS PLAYED AND THE PASTOR SPOKE. TODAY ALL JOINED IN AND CLAPPED AND PRAISED JESUS. TODAY BETWEEN THE 2 VILLAGES THERE WERE 14 PEOPLE ACCEPTED JESUS

WE LEFT TO RETURN HOME AS IT WAS GETTING DARK. I RODE IN THE BACK OF THE PICKUP TRUCK AND THROWED CARAMELO (CANDY) OUT TO CHILDREN ON THE WAY BACK HOME.

TONIGHT WE HAD CHICKEN, BEANS AND RICE FOR SUPPER.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009

DAY 5

TODAY BANANA PANCAKES, RICE AND PICO FOR BREAKFAST

REBECCA AND KATHY WENT TO THE RADIO STATION 102.9 AND SPOKE.

THE GIRLS DECIDED TO TAKE THE 3 WHEEL BICYCLE TAXIS TO DOWNTOWN SOMITILLO MARKET AND TO RIDE AROUND THE STREETS OF THE SMALL CITY. OUR COST FOR 1 HOUR WAS $5.OO PER BUGGY THAT CARRIED 2 OF US IN EACH. ON THE WAY THERE WAS A LOUD POP, I SCREAMED AND JUMPED ONLY TO FIND THAT THE TAXI DIANNA AND MYSELF WAS ON HAD A BLOWOUT. EVERYONE LAUGHED AND WITHIN SECONDS A NEW TAXI WAS AT OUR SIDE. I FELT SO BAD BECAUSE I THOUGT WE HAD TAKEN AWAY HIS MEANS OF SUPPORT BUT LOW AND BEHOLD WE SAW HIM AGAIN TOWARDS THE END OF OUR JOURNEY AND HE WAVED AND SMILED AS HE PASSED BY.

FROM HERE WHILE THE MEN WERE WORKING ON REPAIRING THE ROOF AT THE MISSION HOUSE THE LADIES WENT TO THE CORINTILLO SCHOOL. THIS SCHOOL WAS AN OLD CATTLE SHED WITH FENCE AND CARDBOARD. THERE WERE FORTY SOME CHILDREN AND 2 TEACHERS THAT WAS DIVIDED INTO 2 ROOMS. (1^ST, 2^ND, & 3^RD ON ONE SIDE AND 4^TH, 5^TH, & 6^TH ON THE OTHER)

HERE WE GAVE THE CHILDREN A SCHOOL BOX FILLED WITH SUPPLIES (PENCILS, SHARPENERS, SOAP, WASHCLOTH, 1 SMALL TOY, TOOTHPASTE, TOOTHBRUSH, ERASERS, HAIRBOWS, COMBS, HAIRBRUSH). YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT SANTA HAD COME TO TOWN.

TAMMY MINISTERED ABOUT JESUS AND THERE WERE 12 CHILDREN WHO ACCEPTED JESUS IN GRADES 1-3. THEY WERE SO PROUD AND WANTED A GROUP PICTURE AND WE WERE SO HAPPY TO TAKE IT FOR THEM. WE ARE UNSURE OF WHAT CHILDREN IN GRADES 4-6 MAY HAVE ACCEPTED JESUS AS THERE WAS SOME DIFFICULTY IN INTREPRETATION AND THEIR UNDERSTANDING, BUT THE IMPORTANT FACT IS THE SEED WAS PLANTED.

WE LEFT AND WENT BACK TO THE MISSION HOUSE TO GET THE TRUCKS AND MEN. WE LOADED SOME MORE BEANS & RICE AND SUPPLIES AND LEFT TO GO TO A VILLAGE BY THE NAME OF NANCE DULCE. PASTOR SATURNINO WHOM THE TEAM MET EARLIER THIS YEAR IN JANUARY WAS THERE. HE WAS ELECTRICUTED IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING HIS CHURCH WHEN A PIECE OF TIN HIT A LIVE WIRE. THEY SAID HE WOULD NOT LIVE BUT HE DID. THEY SAID HE WOULD BE BEDFAST BUT HE HAS GONE FROM A WALKER AND IS NOW ON CRUTCHES AND HESAYS IT IS ALL DO TO THE PRAYERS AND FAITH HE HAS IN GOD. HE RODE A HORSE FOR 2.5 HOURS JUST TO BE ABLE TO COME AND JOIN US TODAY. HE FEELS AT TIMES HE IS USELESS BUT IS STRIVING TO GET DONATIONS FOR A GRINDER THAT CAN BE USED TO HELP HIS FAMILY & THE PEOPLE IN HIS VILLAGE. SOME OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS PUT TOGETHER $5OO.OO TO PUT TOWARD THE NEED. THE COST WAS TO BE BETWEEN $1750.00 & $24OO.OO DEPENDING ON THE TYPE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO OBTAIN.

THIS WAS A LONG JOURNEY. WE TOOK 5 MOTORCYCLES, A PICKUP TRUCK AND THE VAN. TAMMY, GARY, REBECCA & PASTOR SANTOS MARTINEZ, DICKIE & CRYSTAL AND SHERRY & PASTOR REYNALDO ROAD THE MOTORCYCLES. WE CROSSED RIVERS, PUDDLES, ROCKS, AND MADE OUR WAY MORE THAN ONCE IN MOVING CATTLE AND HORSES. WHEN THE VAN COULD GO NO FURTHER WE HAD THE PICKUP TRUCK, MOTORCYLES AND OUR 2 FEET.

THIS VILLAGE WAS A BIT MORE PRIMITIVE. HERE JOSSIEL PLAYED SIMON SAYS WITH THE CHILDREN AND HAD A BLOWING BUBBLE GUM RACE. THEN THE TEAM AT JOSSIELS DIRECTION TOLD THE CHICKEN STORY WITH THE TEAM ACTING OUT THE PARTS. SUPPLIES GIVEN, HATS & TSHIRTS TO THE MEN, TOYS, TOOTHPASTE AND TOOTHBRUSH TO THE CHILDREN, AND COOKING UTENSILS AND LINENS TO THE LADIES. 56 BAGS OF BEANS GIVEN AND 57 BAGS OF RICE GIVEN TODAY.

15 PEOPLE FROM THIS VILLAGE ACCEPTED JESUS.

ON THE WAY BACK TO THE MISSION HOUSE THE RAINS CAME. SOME OF US RODE BACK IN THE BACK OF THE PICKUP & WERE DRENCHED. PASTOR REYNALDO ROAD BACK WITH US TONIGHT AND WE PICKED UP SEVERAL PEOPLE ON THE WAY BACK DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. IF THEY COULD HANG ON THEY COULD RIDE UNTIL THEY GOT TO THEIR DESTINATION. WE PICKED UP A GROUP OF 4 AT ONE POINT AND I GOT KICKED IN THE FACE (BY ACCIDENT OF COURSE). THANKS TO THE RAIN FOR WASHING MY FACE OFF AS IT WAS MUDDY. BUT IT NEVER FAILED THAT NO MATTER WHO GOT IN OUR PICKUP TRUCK WITHIN SECONDS PASTOR RENALDO BEGAN MINISTERING TO THEM. HE HAD A MIRACULOUS WAY WITH WHOM EVER ME MET.

EVEN IN THE RAINS WE WOULD HEAR CHILDREN SHOUTING IN THE DARK “CARAMELO” AND YES WE WOULD THROW CANDY OUT TO THEM. THIS MAY BE THE ONLY CANDY THAT THEY MAY GET FOR MONTHS.

AS THERE WERE NO BATHROOMS IT WAS QUITE HUMUROUS WHEN WE ASKED PASTOR DIOMEDEZ TO STOP SO WE COULD “PEE”. SEVERAL SQUATED AROUND THE TRUCK FOR THE “PEE” BREAK AND THEN WE WERE OFF AGAIN.

I GOT MY FIRST HAIR CUT IN NICARAGUA TONIGHT PRIOR TO GOING TO BED. I HAD GOTTEN MY HAIR CUT AT HOME PRIOR TO LEAVING BUT WAS NOT HAPPY WITH IT SO WE HAD A BEAUTICIAN IN THE TEAM AND SHE FIXED ME UP. I MUST SAY IT DID LOOK MUCH BETTER.

TONIGHT WE WERE ALL VERY TIRED AND WERE IN BED FAIRLY EARLY.

EACH DAY HAS BEEN A DIFFERENT AND TOUCHING DAY. YOUR HEART IS LIFTED BEYOND ANYTHING YOU CAN IMAGE TO FEEL THE WARMTH FROM THOSE YOU ARE ABLE TO HELP AND REACH OUT TO. EVEN THOUGH THESE PEOPLE HAVE ALMOST NOTHING THEY ALWAYS HAVE A SMILE ON THEIR FACE AND NEVER FORGET TO SAY “GRACIOUS” THANK YOU.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16^TH, 2009

DAY 6

TODAY WILMA & SHERRY WENT TO 102.9 TO SPEAK ON THE RADIO.

AFTER BREAKFAST WE HEADED TO PRAYER MOUNTAIN. FROM THE TOP OF PRAYER MOUNTAIN YOU COULD SEE HONDURAS BORDERLINE.

PASTOR DIOMEDEZ TOLD US ONE OF THE CHURCHS IN SOMITILLO HAD BEEN FASTING THE PREVIOUS DAY FOR ONE OF OUR CHURCH MEMBERS BACK HOME BOB GREEN WHO HAS TERMINAL CANCER. JOSSIEL GAVE US HIS CELL PHONE AND PUT IT ON SPEAKER AND CALLED HVMC IN TENNESSEE TO SPEAK & PRAY WITH BOB. BOB SAID HE COULD FEEL THE PRAYERS AND WAS IN HOPE THAT ONE DAY HE COULD RETURN TO NICARAGUA.

PASTOR REYNALDO GAVE A TESTIMONY IN REGARDS TO HIMSELF AND HIS SON. HE SAID HE USE TO DRIVE A TRUCK AND HIS LIFESTYLE WAS NOT ALWAYS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. HE WAS IN A WRECK AND LAID UP FOR 2 MONTHS IN SERIOUS CONDITION. HE SAID HE SAW THE LIGHT WHEN HE WRECKED AND PRAYED TO GOD TO GET HIM THROUGH FOR HIS FAMILY. HE DID RECOVER AND TURNED HIS LIFESTYLE AROUND. 2 YEARS AGO WHEN HIS SON WAS 5 YEARS OLD THERE WAS A RAT DISEASE EPIDEMIC. TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY HE PUT OUT RAT POISON BUT THE RATS WERE NOT ATTRACTED TO IT AND THEY CONTINUED TO COME. SO HE PUT SOME POWERED MILK ON TOP OF THE RAT POISON. HIS 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS HUNGRY ONE NIGHT & WOKE AND FOUND THE POWERED MILK AND ATE IT NOT KNOWING IT WAS POISONED. WHEN REYNALDO AWOKE AND WHEN TO CHECK ON HIS SON HE FOUND HIM LIMP, NON RESPONSIVE AND FROTHING AT THE MOUTH. HE CALLED FOR HIS WIFE AND ASKED HER TO HELP HIM PRAY. HE WAS RUSHED TO SOMITILLO CLINIC & STARTED ON IV FLUIDS BUT TOLD HIS CHANCES WERE NOT GOOD. REYNALDO CONTINUED TO PRAY AND ASKED TO BE TAKEN TO CHINANDEGA. THEY ARRIVED THERE AND ALSO SAID HIS CHANCES OF MAKING IT WAS POOR AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE. REYNALDO CONTINUED TO PRAY & WOULD NOT GIVE UP AND ASKED TO BE TAKEN TO MANAGUA HOSPITAL. HE WAS RIDING IN THE BACK OF THE AMBULANCE WITH HIS SON IN ROUTE TO MANAGUA WHEN HIS SON WOKE UP AND SAID DAD WHAT IS GOING ON. HIS FATHER TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS VERY SICK AND TO REST THAT THEY WERE TAKING HIM TO THE HOSPITAL. HE REPLIED DAD I AM FINE, I DON’T FEEL SICK. THEY ARRIVED TO MANAGUA AND THE PHYSICIANS CAME TO TALK REYNALDO AND SAID THEY COULD NOT EXPLAIN BUT THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF POISON LEFT IN HIS SON AND TO TAKE HIM HOME. EVER SINCE THIS TIME REYNALDO HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO THE MINISTRY OF JESUS.

WE LEFT PRAYER MOUNTAIN AND WENT BACK CORINTILLO SCHOOL TO LET THE MEN DO SOME MEASUREMENTS FOR POSSIBLE BUILDING AND TO TAKE ONE OF THE TEACHERS SOME READING GLASSES. THE CHILDREN WERE DRAWING AND WANTED TO SHOW US THEIR WORK. THEY GAVE THANKS ONCE AGAIN FOR THE SCHOOL BOXES WE HAD BROUGHT THE PRIOR DAY. WE ASKED WHAT NEEDS THEY COULD USE IMMEDIATELY AND THE TEACHERS SAID PENCILS, CHALKBOARDS, CHALK, PAPER, ERASER BOARDS AND MARKERS AND DESKS. SOME OF THE TEAM MEMBERS LEFT SOME MONETARY DONATIONS WITH PASTOR DIOMEDEZ TO GET SOME SUPPLIES FOR THE SCHOOL.

FROM HERE WE WENT TO CASADE SHELLY WHICH IS A TRAINING /AGRICULTURE CENTER FOR PASTORS. IT IS A 5 YEAR PROGRAM. THE COST IS $1200.00 PER PASTOR. THEY GO THROUGH EXTENSIVE EDUCATION TO TAKE BACK TO THEIR VILLAGE AND ARE GIVEN THE FOLLOWING AT INTERVAL TIME PERIODS. THIS CONSISTS

OF : 2 ROOSTERS, 10 GOATS, 5 SHEEP, 10 RABBITS, 20 CHICKENS, 12 VEGETABLE PLANTS, 12 FRUIT TREES, 4 KILO (9 LBS) OF WORMS TO PREPARE THE GROUND & GIVE TO CHICKENS TO PRODUCE GOOD EGGS.

THE REQUIREMENT IS THAT THEY MUST HAVE AT LEAST 0.7 ACRES OF GROUND. THEY MUST FULFILL ALL THE REQUIREMENTS OF EDUCATION AND AT THE END OF THE 5 YEARS THEY MUST GIVE BACK WHAT THEY WERE GIVEN TO START WITH. IF THEY FAIL THEY LOSE IT ALL. BY THE YEAR 2020 PASTOR DIOMEDEZ IS IN HOPES OF BEING ABLE TO START 20 NEW CHURCHES WITH THIS PROGRAM.

ON THE SAME PROPERTY IS A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL THAT WAS BUILT AND MUCH WORK HAS BEEN DONE BY MISSION TEAMS. THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL IS COLEGIO BAUTISTA SEA LA LUZ.

THERE WAS ALSO A BUILDING THAT WAS STARTED BY A GENTLEMEN FROM ALABAMA THAT WAS TO BE A CLINIC/HOSPITAL. HE RAN OUT OF MONEY AND NOW PASTOR DIOMEDEZ IS WAITING FOR MONETARY ASSISTANCE TO FINISH A MUCH NEEDED CLINIC FOR ANYONE THAT NEEDS IT. THE COST TO FINISH THE INSIDE OF THE CLINIC/HOSPITAL IS $45,000 DOLLARS AND THEN MONEY TO BUY THE EQUIPMENT /SUPPLIES. THEY DO HAVE A BLUE PRINT THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE CITY AND MEETS THE REQUIREMENT FOR BUILDING COMPLETION.

THE TEAM WENT BACK TO THE MISSION HOUSE WHERE CLAUDIA HAD PREPARED CHICKEN BURGERS FOR LUNCH. MY TENNIS SHOES BLEW OUT AND THE SOLES WERE ABOUT TO FALL OFF FROM CLIMBING ALL THE ROCKS. TO MY SURPRISE WHILE WE WERE PREPARING TO GO TO CINCO PINOS PASTOR RENALDO WAS SITTING OUTSIDE UNDER A TREE AND GLUING MY SHOE SOLES BACK ON. THIS TOUCHED MY HEART DEARLY AND WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED.

AFTER LUNCH WE LEFT FOR CINCO PINOS VILLAGE. IT IS AMAZING AT HOW EACH DAY WE ALWAYS SEEMED TO HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLIES TO GIVE THE PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGES. TODAY WE GAVE 75 BACK PACKS & SCHOOL SUPPLIES THAT WERE DONATED BY PLEASANT BEACH BAPTIST CHURCH TO GIVE TO EACH CHILD. WHILE THE TEAM WAS WORKING AT THIS VILLAGE, PASTOR DIOMEDEZ, DICKIE AND MYSELF WENT BACK TO THE CLINIC IN SAN FRANCISCO TO TAKE IV TUBING AND MORE IV CATHETERS. WHEN WE ASKED WHAT THEY COULD USE THE REPLY WAS (GENERAL MEDICINE, LIGHTS, FUEL, URINE STICKS, FAST TRAC THAT COST $250.00, HEMOCULT TEST CARDS, DENTAL EXTRACTION TOOLS, DENTAL CHAIR, NOVCAINE, LIDOCAINE, IBUPROFEN, IV EQUIPMENT AND PUMPS, OXYGEN TUBING AND RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT). ON THE WAY BACK TO MEET THE TEAM WE STOP AT VARIOUS PLACES ON THE ROADSIDE TO FIT PEOPLE WITH READING GLASSES & PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH CLOTHES AND SHOES. WE HAD ONLY BROUGHT 27 PAIR OF READING GLASSES. WE COULD HAVE USED SO MANY MORE. MAYBE THE NEXT TIME.

BACK TO THE MISSION HOUSE AND OF COURSE CLAUDIA HAD A HOT MEAL ON THE TABLE WAITING FOR US.

TODAY WE HAD 16 PEOPLE WHO ACCEPTED JESUS ON OUR JOURNEY.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17^TH, 2009

DAY 7

AFTER BREAKFAST THE LADIES WENT 3 HOUSES DOWN TO VISIT STEFFANY WHO HAD A SPONCER CHILD THAT WE HAD BROUGHT FILLED BACK PACKS FROM HOME. AFTER A SHORT VISIT WE LEFT TO GO MEET PASTOR DIOMEDEZ’S MOTHER & FATHER (ANGELA DOMITILA & SALVADOR). AFTER A BRIEF VISIT WE LEFT TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL “REYMUNDO GARCIA. AGAIN TO MUCH OF OUR SURPRISE THEY HAVE STEPPED BACK MANY YEARS IN TIME. WE LEFT MANY ORTHO PRODUCTS, FOLEY CATHETERS, PICC LINES, IV TUBING, FEMININE SUPPLIES, NS SYRINGES AND OB STERILE PADS. WE SAW ONE SMALL CHILD THAT WAS BEING TREATED FOR SCABIES, AN EXPECTANT FATHER SITTING IN A HAMMICK, AND THE L&D AREA. MOTHERS WHO ARE EXPECTING WITHIN ONE WEEK STAY IN A COMMUNITY ROOM AWAITING DELIVERY AS IT IS VERY FAR FOR SOME TO COME.

WE LEFT FROM HERE AND WENT TO A SMALL VILLAGE SANTA TERESA WHERE WE WENT & DID HOME TO HOME VISITS. THE TEAM SPLIT UP INTO SMALL GROUPS AND WE LEFT FOR ABOUT 1 ½ HOURS. EACH HOME WELCOMED US. HERE WE GAVE GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN, BIBLES, HAIRBOWS, FLIP FLOPS, COOKING UTENSILS & CANDY.

WE TRAVELED ON TO LAFRAGUA WHERE WE STOPPED FOR LUNCH TO EAT PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY AND HAM & CHEESE SANDWICHES WITH A COOLER OF COLD SOFT DRINKS.

AFTER LUNCH WE WALKED TO GUASIMAL WHERE PASTOR DIOMEDEZ WAS BORN. THE HOUSE HAD NOT BEEN LIVED IN FOR YEARS AND AS WE ENTERED BATS FLEW ABOUT OVER OUR HEADS. MANY THINGS FROM HIS EARLY CHILDHOOD WAS STILL IN THE HOUSE. HIS BROTHER TOOK US OUT TO A TREE WHERE THEY HAD BURIED PASTOR DIOMEDEZ’S UMBILICAL CORD AND AFTER BIRTH.

WE LEFT FROM THERE AND WENT TO PALO DE RUEDA. THIS WAS ANOTHER JOURNEY. SOME WERE ON MOTORCYCLES AND SOME IN THE PICK UP TRUCK. THE MOTORCYCLES ARRIVED TO THE VILLAGE BEFORE THOSE OF US IN THE PICKUP TRUCK. WE HAD RODE THROUGH MANY CREEKS, A RIVER AND MUD HOLES. PAT, TAMMY AND REBECCA WERE COVERED WITH MUD UP THEIR LEGS. THEY ASKED IF THERE MIGHT BE A BUCKET AND SOME WATER FOR THEM TO WASH OFF THEIR FEET AND LEGS. PASTOR REYNALDO CAME BACK AND ASKED THEM TO SIT. HE PROCEDED IN WASHING THEIR LEGS AND FEET. WHILE WASHING PATS FEET HE LOOKED UP AT HER AND SAID “DO YOU REMEMBER”. IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR THE MISSION TEAM DID FEET WASHING IN THE CHURCH. THEY HAD EXPLAINED WITH THE HELP OF INTERPRETERS THAT THIS WAS AS GOD HAD DONE TO BE A SERVANT TO HIS DISCIPLES.

PAT ACKNOWLEDGED YES AND EVEN REMEMBERED HIS 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WANTING TO FOLLOW IN HER FATHERS FOOTSTEPS TO DO THE SAME.

75 BAGS OF BEANS AND RICE WERE GIVEN

OUR JOURNEY TODAY LEAD 17 PEOPLE TO JESUS

TONIGHT WE ALL DRESSED AND WENT TO CHURCH IN SOMITILLO. THE MUSIC AND MESSAGE WAS WONDERFUL AND VERY SPIRITUAL. THIS WAS TO BE OUR LAST NIGHT IN SOMITILLO AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO SAY GOODBYE TO OUR DEAR FRIENDS WE HAD MET ON THIS JOURNEY.

WE LOADED UP AND WENT TO THE ICE CREAM PALOR DOWNTOWN. SHORTLY AFTER WE ALL GOT OUR ICE CREAM, GARY TOLD DIANNA THAT HE WAS COLD. HE WAS SHIVERING. SHE FIRST THOUGHT HE WAS KIDDING BUT FINALLY REALIZED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH HIM. WE LOADED UP AND HEADED BACK TO THE MISSION HOUSE. WE GOT GARY INTO BED AND I BEGAN TO CHECK HIM. HE HAD RIGGERS, A TEMPERATURE OVER 100, SWEATING & CHILLING AT THE SAME TIME. HE SAID HE WAS ACHING ALL OVER. HE CONFESSED THAT HE HAD NOT TAKEN ANY MALARIA PILLS BECAUSE HE HAD FORGOTTEN THEM AND DID NOT ANYONE TO KNOW. HE HAD ALSO GOTTEN A CUT FROM THE BAT CAVE ON MONDAY, HAD EATEN SOME OF THE FRUIT THAT WE ARE NOT ACUSTOMED TO EATING. HE HAD ALSO DRANK SOME COFFEE IN SOME OF THE VILLAGES AS WELL AS SOME NON BOTTLED WATER. I DID NOT KNOW IF HE HAD MALARIA, FOOD POISONING OR INFECTION FROM THE CUT HE HAD RECEIVED EARLY IN THE WEEK. WE GAVE HIM TYLENOL FOR THE FEVER, WARMED A BLANKET IN THE MICROWAVE TO HELP GET HIM WARM AND GAVE HIM SOME ANTIBIOTICS. WE WERE TO LEAVE FOR MANAGUA IN THE MORNING TO PREPARE FOR OUR TRIP HOME AND KNEW WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET GARY BACK INTO THE US IF HE WAS SICK. WE MADE THE DECISION TO SEE HOW HE WAS IN THE MORNING AND DECIDE THEN WHAT TO DO NEXT.

WE ALL HAD PRAYER FOR GARY AND HOPED FOR THE BEST IN THE AM.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18^TH, 2009

DAY 8

GARY IS NOT FEELING MUCH BETTER THIS MORNING. JOSSIEL CALLED A LOCAL DOCTOR AND HE IS ON HIS WAY TO MAKE A HOUSE CALL. ON ARRIVAL HE HAD ME TO CHECK HIS BLOOD PRESSURE 100/60, BLOOD SUGAR 102, TEMP. WHICH WAS STILL ABOVE 100. HE HAD DECREASE URINE OUTPUT AND HAD DIARRHEA NOW. THE DOCTOR SAID IF GARY STILL HAD A TEMP. BY TOMORROW THAT IT WAS PROBABLY MALARIA BUT HE COULD ALSO HAVE AN INFECTION OR PARASITE FROM THE FRUIT OR WATER HE HAD EATEN SO HE TREATED HIM FOR ALL. HE WROTE A PRESCRIPTION ON A PIECE OF TORN PAPER AND SENT FOR IT. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE MEDICINE WAS BACK. GARY WAS STARTED BACK ON THE MALARIA PILLS, GIVEN AZTHROMYCIN 1 DAILY FOR 3 DAYS, A PAIN SHOT DOLOFENIL (WHICH HE SAID WAS LIKE TORODOL), UROGESIC FOR HIS URINE OUTPUT, AND SOME METAMIZOL DIPIRONAL TO GIVE FOR TEMP. >100 IF NEEDED TO GET HIM BACK TO THE US. HE ALSO GAVE SOME TABS FOR NAUSEA. WHILE GARY RESTED WE PACKED FOR THE 4-5 HOUR TRIP TO MANAGUA. WE STOPPED AT A McDONALDS TO EAT LUNCH. THE FIRST McDONALDS THAT I EVERY SAW A WAITRESS TAKING ORDERS AND DELIVERING TO YOUR TABLE.

JOSSIEL ASKED IF WE STILL WANTED TO GO TO THE DUMP VILLAGE ONCE WE GOT TO MANAGUA AND THE TEAM DID INDEED WANT TO GO. HE HAD TOLD US THE STORY ABOUT THE DUMP VILLAGE. THIS IS THE POOREST OF THE POOR. IT IS WEAR GARBAGE IS BROUGHT IN DAILY AND DUMPED. THE BAD PART IS THAT PEOPLE LIVE HERE AS WELL. AT ONE TIME THE BUZBEE FAMILY HAD TAKEN A FAMILY OF 4 OUT OF THE VILLAGE. THEY CLEANED THEM UP, GAVE THEM A PLACE TO LIVE AT THEIR MISSION PLACE AND GAVE THEM CHORES TO DO. IN LESS THAN A MONTH THEY COULD NOT HANDLE THE CULTURE SHOCK AND ASKED TO BE RETURNED TO THE DUMP. CURRENTLY SOMEWHERE AROUND 50-60 DIFFERENT MISSIONS ARE TRYING TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO HELP THESE PEOPLE. YOUNG GIRLS AT THE DUMP ARE SOLD FOR SEXUAL FAVORS IN RETURN FOR THEIR PARENTS TO HAVE 1^ST RIGHTS TO GO THROUGH A TRUCK OF TRASH BEFORE ANYONE ELSE CAN. MANY HERE HAVE DISEASES TO INCLULDE HIV/AIDS. INFANTS ARE BORN AT THE DUMP AND SOME MAY BE PUT AWAY IN THE TRASH AS THERE IS NO WAY TO CARE FOR THEM. THEIR HOMES MAY BE OF SOME TIN, PIECES OF WOOD, OR ANYTHING THAT CAN BE USED FOR SHELTER.

AS WE TURNED DOWN THE STREET TO DRIVE IN TO THE DUMP VILLAGE WHICH IS ABOUT 1 MILE LONG, JOSSIEL ASKED US TO LOCK OUR DOORS AND ROLL UP THE WINDOWS. NO SOONER SAID THAN SEVERAL PEOPLE RAN TOWARD THE TRUCK AND VAN AND TRIED TO CLIMB ON. THEY JUMPED ON TOP OF THE DUFFLE BAGS IN THE BACK OF THE PICKUP TRUCK AND WOULD NOT GET OFF. WE IMMEDIATELY BACK UP AND DROVE ABOUT 1 MILE DOWN THE ROAD TO THE POLICE STATION WHERE THEY GOT THEM OFF.

THE POLICE SAID IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE TO GO INTO THE DUMP VILLAGE AND THAT IF WE WENT BACK WE SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE A POLICE ESCORT. WE ASKED FOR POLICE ESCORT AND WENT BACK TO THE DUMP. THIS TIME THE PEOPLE STAYED AT A DISTANCE AND DID NOT COME NEAR OUR VEHICLES. THE POLICE ROAD IN THEIR TRUCKS WITH ARMED MEN RIDING IN THE BACK. AS WE RODE THROUGH PART OF THE DUMP ARE HEARTS WERE TORN. ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT THERE FOR MORE THAN ABOUT 5 MIN. WE SAW THE WORST. THERE WERE A FEW HEAD OF CATTLE ON TOP OF BURNING TRASH. THERE WERE PEOPLE SCATTERED IN THE RUBBLES OF TRASH. YOU COULD SEE BUZZARDS SITTING ON TOP OF SOME PILES. JOSSIEL SAID THERE COULD BE ANYTHING THERE FROM A DEAD ANIMAL TO A DEAD HUMAN. WE SAW SOME CADIVAR PARTS OF WHAT APPEARED TO BE COW PARTS. WE WERE TOLD THAT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PILES OF TRASH WERE THEIR HOMES AND THAT THERE WAS ALSO A SCHOOL. I CAN’T IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO BE A TEACHER IN THIS ENVIRONMENT. FOR OUR SAFETY WE DECIDED NOT TO JOURNEY TO FAR INTO THE DUMP AND TURNED AROUND. ONCE WE WERE BACK TO THE ENTRANCE WE THANKED THE OFFICERS AND GAVE THEM A DONATION FOR ESCORTING US.

WE DROVE TO OUR HOTEL AND IMMEDIATELY AS WE GOT OUT OF THE VAN AND TRUCK WAS THE MOST IMBEARABLE SMELL. WE HAD PICKED THE SCENT FROM THE DUMP ON THE VEHICLES AND OUR DUFFLE BAGS. GARY & I GAVE MONEY TO PASTOR DIOMEDEZ AND RUBEN TO GO WASH THE TRUCK AND VAN. WE SAT THE DUFFLE BAGS ASIDE UNTIL WE COULD GET THEM SPRAYED WITH SOME LYSOL. WE CHECKED IN AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE PASTOR & RUBEN RETURNED WITH SOME LYSOL TO SPRAY ON ALL OF OUR BAGS BEFORE TAKING THEM TO OUR ROOMS.

WE ALL MET IN THE LOBBY AT 5:00PM FOR SUPPER. GARY WAS NOT FEELING MUCH BETTER SO HE STAYED BEHIND. WE WENT TO TGI FRIDAYS FOR OUR LAST MEAL WITH OUR DEAR FRIENDS. ALL OF JOSSIELS FAMILY MET US THERE AND WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME.

OUR JOURNEY HAD ENDED BUT WE WOULD HAVE MANY MEMORIES TO LAST US A LIFE TIME.

MANY HUGS AND PICTURES IN THE PARKING LOT AFTER SUPPER AND BACK TO THE HOTEL.

PAT, REBECCA AND MYSELF SHARED A ROOM AND TALKED ABOUT OUR WEEK UNTIL WE FELL ASLEEP. TOMORROW WE WOULD BE FLYING BACK HOME.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19^TH, 2009

DAY 9

FLIGHT 370 7:25AM

EVERYONE MADE IT THROUGH CUSTOMS. THANK GOODNESS GARY WAS FEELING SOME BETTER AND CAME THROUGH WITH FLYING COLORS. WE WERE ABLE TO SPREAD OUT IN THE PLANE AS IT WAS NOT VERY FULL. THE FLIGHT BACK WAS MUCH BETTER AND WE LANDED BACK IN ATLANTA SAFE AND SOUND. WE TALKED ABOUT OUR WEEK AS WE DROVE BACK TO TENNESSEE.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS TRIP WAS TO DO MANY THINGS:

EVANGELIZE IN REMOTE VILLGE AREAS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF SOMOTILLO & IN CHINANDEGA TO INCLUDE BEANS & RICE DISTRIBUTION, CANDY, SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND DONATED ITEMS BROUGHT.

VISIT HOSPTIAL/CLINICS IN SOMOTILLO AND VILLAGES & PROVIDE DONATED MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND ASSIST AS NEEDED.

VISIT REMOTE SCHOOLS IN SOMOTILLA, PROVIDE DONATED ITEMS, AS WELL AS NEW WRITING TABLETS/PENCILS PURCHASED BY THE MISSION TEAM. TO ALSO TAKE MEASUREMENTS IN HOPES OF BUILDING NEW SCHOOL ROOMS FOR THE CHILDREN.

PROVIDE FACE LIFT TO MISSION HOUSE AS INDICATED (REPAIR ROOF, RE-CAULK BATHROOM SHOWERS, COMPLETING CLOTHES DRYER INSTALLATION AND WHATEVER ELSE PASTOR DIOMEDEZ NEEDED.

IDENTIFY/FOCUS ON AREAS OF CONSTURCTION NEEDS (SCHOOL ROOMS, HOSPITAL)

MOST ALL OF OUR GOALS WERE MET. PASTOR DIOMEDEZ MET WITH US AND GAVE HIS VISION . HE WANTS WHAT HELPS MINISTRY MOST AND WILL BETTER THE FRUIT. FOR THE PEOPLE OF NICARAGUA TO CONTINUE THERE MUST BE A VISION.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 33 COMMUNITIES WITH CHURCHES. BY 2020 HIS VISION IS TO HAVE 20 NEW CHURCHES. THE FOLLOWING LIST NOT IN ANY ORDER OF IMPORTANCE IS WHAT HE HAS IN HIS PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE IN SOMITILLO NICARAGUA:

1. A GRINDER FOR PASTOR SATURNINO TO ASSIST WITH HIS FAMILY & VILLAGE (COST $1750-$2000)

2. BUILD A RADIO STATION IN AN AIR CONDITIONED CABIN & EQUIPMENT TO BE ABLE TO REACH MORE PEOPLE, MORE DISTANCE

3. 260 FOOT TOWER ON TOP OF MOUNTAIN,TOWER POLES, LIGHTS

SOIL WORK, PARKING, COMPUTERS

(COST OF #2 & #3 IS APPROXIMATELY $32,000-$40,000) SOME MONEY HAS BEEN DONATED TO START WITH PUTTING IN LIGHT POST

4. CORINTILLO SCHOOL ROOMS, DESKS & SUPPLIES – SOME DONATION MONEY GIVEN FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS UNTIL ABLE TO GET BUILDING BUILT

(DICKIE TOOK SOME MEASUREMENTS)

5. SAN FRANCISCO VILLAGE MEDICAL CLINIC –

NEEDS FACELIFT, GENERAL MEDICINE, LIGHTS, FUEL, URINE STICKS, HEMOCULT TEST CARDS, OXYGEN EQUIPMENT, IV TUBES, NEEDLES AND PUMPS, DENTAL EXTRACTION TOOLS, DENTAL CHAIR, NOVACAINE, LIDOCAINE, BEDS/TABLES, SHEETS

6. SOMEONE TO PROVIDE DONATION TO SPONSER A PASTOR TO GO THROUGH THE FIVE YEAR EDUCATION/AGRICULTURE CLASSES

(COST FOR EACH IS $1200.00 – GOAL IS FOR 20 BY YEAR 2020)

7. BUILD A CLINIC/HOSPITAL THAT WILL SERVICE MANY. FOUNDATION IS COMPLETE. (COST TO FINISH INSIDE AND SEPTIC IS $45OOO AND THEN MONEY TO BUY EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES AFTER BUILDING COMPLETION) BLUE PRINT HAS BEEN APPROVED

OUR JOURNEY HAS COME TO A CLOSE. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED AND LOOK FORWARD TO BE ABLE TO GO AGAIN TO DO MORE TO HELP THE PEOPLE IN SOMITILLO, NICARAGUA. 99 PEOPLE FROM THE VILLAGES AND 12 + CHILDREN FROM CORINTILLO SCHOOL ACCEPTED JESUS INTO THEIR HEARTS. WHAT A GLORIOUS WEEK. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL UNTIL ME MEET AGAIN.