Here we are, two thirds of the way through December, with the November update still a draft in my inbox. I’m giving myself a mulligan and posting a HUGE update. Grab a cup of Joe (preferably this brand) and settle in for a long read.

TEAM UPDATES

The past two months have been full of teams coming and going, four community dinners and parties at our house (in one week!) and multiple visitors, including a visit from the AIM founder Seth Barnes Sr. He spent a few days encouraging our group and guiding us into a long term vision for our base here in Granada. Frank’s parents and nephew also flew down for a week of fun in the sun. It was quite a change for them, as Birmingham dealt with frigid temperatures. While most of our friends and family bundled up in the States, we spent the week visiting a few ministries here in town and climbing Mombacho. It was a huge blessing for Frank and I as we had a chance to catch up on our family and our church in Birmingham. We were able to hear from them first hand what is happening in our home church and were encouraged by their outside perspective of our life here in Granada. They also were witnesses to our first illegal police encounter, as Frank and I tried to get out of a traffic ticket without understanding the crime (there was none) or why the police thought it would be ok to charge us $75 for said crime. Through our superior negotiation skills (translation: losing our tempers with each other and the police officer) we whittled the charge down to $10.

Ruth, Annie, Jessalyn, Kayla (not pictured)

Earlier this month, we said goodbye to a great team of AIM girls. They arrived three weeks after us and over the course of their time here in Granada, we all became very close. It was hard to say goodbye, knowing we probably won’t see them together as a group, but knowing that their lives have been changed because of their time here. A million and one inside jokes left with them, but thankfully live on in Facebook.

Before the girls left, Frank and I went with Jessalyn to visit the child she sponsors through Compassion International. This was my first experience visiting a sponsored child, and it was AWESOME. We had a chance to talk to the teachers and pastors who teach the children of this community, and when Angie walked in, Jessalyn let out a squeal of happiness. I started crying, thinking of how incredible it was to see Angie and her community. For those of you who sponsor children, I hope you get a chance to see where your finances go. Because of Jessalyn’s sponsorship, Angie has received medical care, two meals a day, schooling, supplies, and her family has benefited from the relationship with the church who sponsors the car. The pastor and his staff were so warm and inviting, happy to show what God has done in that community. The visit was great because of a second reason, the Church at Brookhills (our home church) had just sent a huge gift of money to the CI program in India, so seeing first hand how the organization worked and knowing that our friends and church are sponsoring children was very moving.

Trevor, Amber, Jessica, Tom, Val, Liana, Garret and Seth.

We also said hello to a new group of missionaries who will be here until May. Part of the NOVUS Project, and led by Seth Barnes Jr., they are full of creative ideas for things to do here in Granada. Along with small groups, we are in the process of planning several major projects including an organic garden to be used as a model for gardening in poorer communities, a group that reaches out to sex workers and a creative arts group for women. Each project is focused on creating income and skills for Nicaraguans, while building relationship and making disciples. We are all really excited to see what happens in January, when most of the planning will be done and the projects launch.

Joe and Julie.

Our final goodbye was to Joe and Julie, a newlywed couple who become our traveling buddies. They were in Granada for two months working with the teams and in the charity hospital. They were an unexpected addition to our team. We really enjoyed traveling and clowning around with them.

MINISTRY UPDATES

Frank started a Recovery Group called “Solo Por Hoy,” named after the AA and NA curriculum called “Just For Today.” Each Thursday at 8:00am, a group of roughly 20 men meet and talk about their struggles with sobriety. Frank has been able to put into use everything he learned at The Foundry while going through the recovery process. He comes home from the class each week energized and full of hope for these men. We hope to expand the days we offer the group, as Nicaraguan men offer to lead.  It is so cool to see the changes in Frank, as he becomes the leader he was created to be.

My cushy desk job is officially no more. I have the flip flop tan and dirty fingernails to prove it. Twice a week I come home with hands covered in varnish residue (the tacky varnish quickly collects dirt) and am now adding gardening to the list of activities that keep me out of our office and in the dirt. We’re also planning out a group for women based on building relationships and the creative arts. We’ll be creating art, baking, sewing, budgeting and everything else that goes into running a successful household.

Unfortunately, the women are left in charge of not only their families but generating income as their husbands and boyfriends leave Nicaragua for better jobs, or struggle through addictions. Pray for us as we plan out a few micro-businesses that will help recovering addicts and women who need income. Our group is filled with creative ideas, we just need God’s guidance as we start and plan a better future for the people in Granada.

I’ve also built a relationship with a young woman named Natalia. She operates as a translator for the women’s study and has started taking on a more active role as a leader. I’m excited to see what happens with this relationship!

Please pray for us to continue to develop relationships and make contributions here that would create lasting change. Pray that we would pour our time into those things that will last long after we are gone from Granada.

CULTURE UPDATES

Let’s just say we made it through most of December. We live on one of the busiest streets, and December is the loudest month in Granada. The statues of Mary have meandered down our street, the bands have played at midnight and four a.m., the parades have been held, and fireworks have gone off for eight hours straight. This may sound like it would be interesting, and it is. For the first week. By the second week, we were a little frazzled.

We love all of you!

Frank and Rebekah