Palacaguina Life in Ministry

Our Mission and Community in Nicaragua

Partnering with the organization 516Now which is an organization that works with the people of Nicaragua in providing and encouraging people to grow in their walk with Christ and different ways to help those in the community with different needs.

What did we do with 516Now?

Helped at a church in Palacaguina Nicaragua about 10-minute walk from where we were staying. Pastor David has worked on this church for 15 years to build it and add onto it. Right now, they are working on adding a school to the bottom of the church for the community and extend the main sanctuary to add an office on the main level. We were able to ask Pastor David about the schools in the area and there is one close by, but it is for Preschool to 11^th Grade (11^th grade is their senior year). Adding this new school would make more opportunities for the community in that kids could go to school more often rather than having half the time for younger kids and half the time for older kids. We helped with the construction part, chipping away at rocks and scooping away dirt and rocks to make room for the new walls and school area. This helps in having less time spent on the work and even though in Nicaragua people don’t hire people for jobs as much as in the states, by being there and helping that helps lessen the workload later. It’s amazing how much work was done and it’s so exciting to see the progress that will come! After talking with Pastor David about the progress and what needs to be done to get the school running is now money, the total cost needed was $11,000 and because they received a donation for $2,000 they need $9,000. If you can be praying for the funds to be provided that would be amazing!

A second ministry we helped with was Smiling School Kids where we helped pass out backpacks, clothes and shoes for the kids in the sponsorship program they have. It was sweet too because we were able to write different bible verses or notes of encouragement (in Spanish) for each backpack, therefor for every kid. It was sweet because many of the younger kids got all dressed up for the day and were so excited to get their things! If you have wanted to sponsor a child to give them the basic school supplies and other things that are needed but hard to get even if their parents work, this is a great organization and program.

Another ministry 516Now has in Nicaragua is their radio station, Radio Stereo Resurreccion. It is the only Christian station in the area and because they needed electricity for broadcasting that in turn brought electricity to the whole community around it. (Remember we lived in a tiny village where the closest shops were 25 minutes walking distance). Two of my teammates are close to or are fluent in Spanish so our host asked them to prepare a one-hour sermon that they would broadcast in Spanish! It was amazing because they talked about the difference between the body of Christ (the different roles or talents we bring to the community of Church) and the church as an institute. They stressed the importance of functioning in the church as a part of the body of Christ and the importance of unity together. It’s cool that that was what they decided to share because after talking to our host we found out the radio station reaches around 1,500 people and most of them don’t go to a church in the area or at all. People are drawn to music, when people turn the radio and hear a lyric that sticks with them it can really empower people and lead them closer to the Lord. It was a great opportunity to see another aspect of the organization and what they do in the community.  

What other ministries or opportunities did we have to impact the community?

The church we were going to had a women’s event when we were there and our roommate was the one running the event. The event was focused on the women having the freedom to talk about their own dreams and passions whole also emphasizing who they are in Christ and how their identity ultimately needs to be found in Christ. While other things that they may be, mom, aunt, sister, daughter, wife, the one identity that will never be shaken is our and their identity in Christ. We were able to help in writing out different things that God describes us to be and put them up for the event. We were also there for the event and were able to get to know the women better and really hear their dreams and their passions. Towards the end we also were able to wash their feet, serving them even though it may be uncomfortable. The last thing we did was pray for healing over the women and there were a few women who truly felt healing which was amazing!

Fundraising for new tools for Pastor David and the construction at the church. It was so amazing guys!! We had all written the post together (each one of us explaining a different part) and Erica posted it first. We were all planning to post it the next day but withing 2 HOURS we had went over our goal we had! By the end we (our friends and families back home) had raised $270 for new tools for the church! It’s amazing to see so many people come together so quick for a common goal and for such a good cause as well. Thank you thank you thank you friends!

Going into town and making relationships with the local people or people we were partnering with. This was something I really enjoyed, taking the time to make the most of the time we had with people! My team also did some prayer walks to the village nearby right next to the church we were working at, I stayed back to pray or help in the kitchen a few times but they were able to pray for many people and even were able to share about God’s love for a little girl who was with us since the beginning of the month. Every day one person stayed back to help in the kitchen with our host family and cook with Dane. Even though each person on my team has different levels of fluency in Spanish it was cool to see all the different relationships we had with her because of this and how different we are. She is one of the sweetest, compassionate and patient people I know, and I am so thankful we were all able to get to know her.

I love Nicaragua and miss it already, but I am still so excited for all the experiences the Lord has for my squad here in Costa Rica. Pray for Nicaragua for the Gospel to be continued to be shared and for the people here in Costa Rica to be open to growing in their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Please be praying for my team and squad for continued strength this next month. Thank you so much for reading and following my journey this far!