Nicaragua Sports Ministry - May 13, 2012

On Sunday morning, the mission team attended the worship service at
"Rosa de Saron" (Rose of Sharon) Church, Mr. Oscar Corea´s home
church. The worship service was well attended with standing room
only. The worship music was contemporary and was accompanied by
dancers with colorful flags and streamers during some of the songs.

Mr. Matt Foster (of the mission team) shared a testimonial during the
service entitled "I can handle this" describing his addiction to
chewing tobacco which started in his college days and extended for
years. Matt shared that he was able to overcome this addiction after
he humbled himself and prayed to God for strength.

Mr. Shawn Meek (of the mission team) presented a message from John
1:1-5 emphasizing the truth of Jesus Christ. The message was very
powerful and was heartily received by the congregation with several
responding "Amen"s.

The Pastor spoke after Shawn and several Nicaraguan people came
forward to the altar. The Holy Spirit was at work through the worship
service even though the electrical power in the building went off in
the middle.

During the afternoon, the Real Florida soccer team headed back out to
the soccer field to compete against a local team in a full field (11
versus 11) match. Mr. Oscar Corea and two other Nicaragua players
joined the Real Florida soccer team. The Real Florida soccer team won
the tightly contested match 2 to 1. A good number of spectators came
out to watch the match.

As the day is coming to a close, a portion of the mission team is separating VBS crafts in preparation for the mission work scheduled for tomorrow with the children at the feeding programs. God is good and we see his hand at work in the Nicaragua people.

Nicaragua Sports Ministry - May 12, 2012

Hola!!

Last night was a melee of soccer starting with a rematch against the local high school kids playing an indoor version of 6 on 6  that was reminiscent of a human pin ball game. The boys played well and earned the respect of the local players and evened the score.  Our team showed good sportsman ship and represented our mission and County well.  Prayer followed with testimonies and heart felt kinship in His name. 

Oscar, has done a wonderful job of motivating the local teens and young adults to participate in his sports ministry.  In fact, they spent Friday on the field playing and worshipping rather than hanging out on the streets.  Many are from broken homes and have no one to mentor them or steer them away from local gangs. Oscar has proven to be an amazing role model showing how kids from broken homes can find a safe place and experience God´s love.  It´s great to watch!!  It´s even better to be a part of the experience.

Fortunately, no injuries to report in today's game but the heat index was over 100.  Lots of water kept them hydrated on fields of mostly dirt.  The heat drained the players who will get some well deserved R and R this evening.  During the big game today the non soccer players entertained the children with ring around the rosey, the limbo, and bubble busting, The kids had a great time but the adults had even more fun.  Big smiles!

Tonight we are off to the city after supper for ice cream and a bit of sight seeing. 

Nicaragua Sports Ministry - May 11, 2012

Greetings, all! Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support. We feel so blessed to be a part of this mission and are having an incredible experience! God placed each of us here at this time for a purpose, and has also placed each of you in our lives for a purpose. The family we are staying with are such gracious people. We visited a local market today and passed out flyers to dozens of people around town and at local schools to announce the upcoming soccer games that our team will be playing. We´re expecting a huge turn out of children and their families, and cannot wait to minister to those we come in contact with. Please pray for the soccer team´s primary focus to be serving our Lord and witnessing to others, not just playing a game. And we also ask for prayers that we focus on those around us, and not on our comfort and what´s convenient for us. We cannot wait to see what else the Lord has in store for our team.

Last Day's Agenda

Here is an update from Kevin regarding the Spring Break mission's teams agenda for the last day. As he says and everyone knows - things can change because God's plans are bigger than our plans.

Getting ready for our last full day in Nicaragua. On the agenda (which could change):

Early Breakfast
Drive to the city dump and feed the children that live there.
Do a Bible school and activity.
Work to paint 2 houses that were just built at the dump site.
Eat a packed lunch.
Go and help with another feeding station.
Do a Bible school and activity.
Participate in a church service where I get to preach (5th day of preaching in a row)
Return to Oscar's house for supper and team debriefing time.

I'm praying that God makes the sun stand still so we can get it all in. God has incredible things in store for today.

New Dorms being used by God

Earlier this year a mission team lead by Melvin Construction built some dorms in Nicaragua. God has began using these dorms to help transform lives in both Nicaragua and the Florida Panhandle. Here is an email by Mr. Melvin talking about how God is working in the lives of a mission team that is currently staying in those dorms.

         Just wanted to say thank you for your work in February.  Your work made possible the student spring break team that is in Nicaragua now.   They are a group of 19 and the guys are staying in the new upstairs dorm rooms!

          I didn’t think about your work in the context of “building a foundation for future generations” until I began writing this email.  The team is being led by Dan Yoder’s son, Kevin, and my son, Tommy. Dan gets the double blessing of not only having a son on the team, but two grandchildren!  I do have a wife and two daughters on the trip as well.

          Let me ask you to pray for this team.  Tonight is their last night. The team has had a great trip, life transforming, fulfilling and exhausting week.  I think Oscar has worked them hard.  My wife told me last night she has seen the same transformation in the team during the week as our group had experienced.  Tonight they will have a final meeting together to reflect on their week.

          Again, thank you guys for your investment in Nicaragua and your investment in hundreds of others from the US that will sleep in those dorms and their lives will be transformed.  

Look Mom - I am on TV in Nicaragua

Watching Tommy Melvin on local tv in Nicaragua. 

He is doing the muddy glove story from church on Sunday.

Great Fellowship and Ministry

The group did enjoy some great food that was easier to catch and eat including this great meal at the beach in Nicaragua. Oscar wanted to make sure that he fed them so when he beat them playing soccer they would not feel so bad.

Oscar's team won the game!!!