Church planting in Nicaragua

Just another day in Nicaragua:)...a view of beautiful Apoyo Lagoon in Catarina

Hi Everybody!

Evangelism Workshop in Nicaragua in February

Sorry to get behind on our updates.  We thank you all so much for your prayers and encouragement.  March brought many blessings including David's 47th birthday (where does the time go?).   There are many demonstrations of God's faithfulness in Shelley's work here at the seminary and David's travels.  We just finished working with a great team from West Virginia that just returned home this past Friday.  We will share more on their adventures in our next blog. 

Preparing for the outside service in the central park of Tonala

We decided to update you a little on David's work in this blog.  In January, February and March, David has traveled inside Costa Rica as well as to the countries of Panama and Nicaragua to do trainings in evangelism as well as meetings with missional zone church planters in these three countries.  David is working with 9 missional zone projects currently with the hopes of seeing 4 new projects in Nicaragua soon. 

Missional Zone Planter Arlen with Pastor Paulino and Church planter Luis

A missional zone is a project where a district has very few churches and we are trying to encourage a new commitment to church planting and intentional discipleship in these areas.  God is touching and moving in communities through this vision.  One of these new missional zone areas is in Northwest Nicaragua in the departments (or what we would call states in the US) of León and Chinandega.  We have seen God move in a mighty way in this vision.  In July 2010, this zone had 7 churches but since this time, 8 new cell groups or missions have been planted.  Three of these new missions have between 40 and 50 people in attendance.  The missional zone planter is a dynamic young lady by the name of Arlen.  

The arrival of children from the mother church

David worked with the 3 missional zone planters in Nicaragua the end of February and was able to visit this missional zone of León-Chinandega the same week.  One of the highlights was visiting a new mission in Tonala Chinandega.  The leader, Brother Luis, travels 1 hour each way four times a week to meet with people in this community. 

The Children's event

David attended an outside evangelistic service in Tonala.  It was a great blessing to see the support of the mother church as they brought 3 trucks full of members to help support the event this evening.  There was also an event for the children which the district superintendent Hna Antonia directed.  We praise God as 11 decisions for Jesus Christ were made this evening.  Please pray for new works like this one in Tonala.  The church planters are working hard with limited resources.  Many times brother Luis stays with families in the community until he can find someone he can ride with to return home.  However, his love for the Lord and for this community shines through in all that he does. 

Transportation Options in Nicaragua

Hello All,

This week we want to share with you some of the many modes of transportation in Nicaragua.  Being a poorer country (many say the 2nd poorest in the western hemisphere), not many folks have cars, especially out in rural areas.  On our last trip to Nicaragua in December/January, Kayley and I decided to try to get as many photos of different types of transportation available and here are a few of our favorites.

This is a mototaxi (we called it a tuk-tuk in Guate).  Kayley loved riding these.

Here is your non-motorized tuk-tuk.  A little more work involved in this one.

Old buses are seen in all parts of Nicaragua.  They are the main mode of longer ride transportation.

Just had to include our van with 17 people inside.  Not sure if this was legal or not, especially since we never could shut the side door!

This is our concrete mix arriving at the work site on horse and buggy.

Another horse and buggy making its way down the road.

Pray for David as he leaves for Nicaragua tomorrow.  Short trip this time; he will return on Thursday.  The kids are keeping busy with regular school work and with basketball. Kayley has decided to give BB a try this year.  She has been practicing shooting hoops here on campus.  Here she is taking a break from the court. 

 

Lastly, here is an updated photo of our family.  We need to get new prayer cards made, so we took a bunch of shots a couple of weeks ago.  The kids keep growing that parents keep getting older.  (Happy Birthday David!).  

Thanks so much for your prayers and love.  Hope to run into you this summer when we travel in the USA for home assignment.  

God bless you all!

The Webb family