This morning we met with Doug Orbaker and started talking about some of the history of CEPAD and then some of the things CEPAD is accomplishing in Nicaragua. We were soon joined by Yelba Rivera, which some of you my remember from the September Presbytery meeting, and later on by Carl Agsten and Leslie Clay. Doug and Carl gave a detailed view of how CEPAD came about and what they've done over the years. The thing I realized is that CEPAD is into the long term solutions much like the "feed a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for life". It has given me a new outlook on mission work. So many times we look at mission work as "what can I do to help" or "what can I do to fix this?" We tend to want to be the doctor with the miracle cure that will make it all better. How much better it is to look at it as "what can we do together to help change this situation" or "what can we do together to make this better?" Lord, help us to put side any false pride we may have in ourselves as problem solvers and be willing to work side by side with people in making the world a better place to be.
First Day
Rise and shine, it's a new day. It's about 5:40 am. Birds are chirping and the day is calling our names. Today we will be having breakfast and then orientation. Afterward we will get an introduction to CEPAD; it's history and ministry. Lunch around noon followed by something called Coyuntura by Aynn Setright. Coyuntura stands for circumstances so perhaps it will be a chance to hear about what is happening here in Nicaragua. Later on we'll get a tour of the city and then at 4:30 it will be Esperanza en Accion - Hope through Action. Not sure what it is all about but I like the name.
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Lord, gives us your eyes that we may see the world as you see it. Give us arms that are willing to reach out and embrace those you send in our direction. Give us feet that are willing to carry us where you would have us walk and a voice that proclaims the hope that is in you. Keep our hearts fixed on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Amen.
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Lord, gives us your eyes that we may see the world as you see it. Give us arms that are willing to reach out and embrace those you send in our direction. Give us feet that are willing to carry us where you would have us walk and a voice that proclaims the hope that is in you. Keep our hearts fixed on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Amen.
Bienvenidos a Managua, Nicaragua!
Ready? Next stop... Managua.
We're heeeeeeere! We set down in Managua, went through the line at customs, and headed out to the Nehemiah Center. We're going to have to adapt pretty quickly to this 2 hour time difference. I thought it was only one but since the is no daylight savings time here we had to subtract another hour. Seems like everyone has made their calls, emails, and texts to loved ones back at home. You know sometimes I would like to have lived in an age gone by, but right now I have to admit, technology has its advantages. It's nighttime and the temperature is a cool and breezy 87 degrees. Get out your ray bans, a hat, and some sunblock SPF 50, it's going to be a scorcher tomorrow.
Waiting to get through Customs...
We were greeted with a warm smile from Reverend Doug Orbaker, a friendly welcome, good sandwiches, and some fruit juice. Thanks, Doug.
I tawt I taw a Puddy tat.
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A hop, skip, and a jump
Well we're off to a good start. Met at Yeager Airport at 12:00. Plane took off at 1:50 from Yeager and an hour later we're walking through Atlanta Airport. We have a 3 hour wait till we Atlanta then it's off to Managua. Thanks for all your prayers for our team. Hasta luego - see you later.
Leaving Yeager Airport....
Team Members Profiles - Barb & Steve Hopta
Barb and Steve Hopta have been married 41 years and are the parents of Bethany, Emily (Jack Hoblitzell), and Kate (Brett Swanson), and grandparents of Ellie (5) and Charlotte (2).
Steve: I am an elder at First, Charleston and a Trustee of PWV. I am retired General Counsel of Pocahontas Land Corp. I have known Leslie Clay and Carl Agsten for ten years and look forward to seeing them and experiencing the work they have done as missionaries in Nicaragua. I anticipate investigating possibilities for expanding the presbytery's presence in Nicaragua.
Barb: I became acquainted with Leslie and Carl since coming to First, Charleston as Director of Child/Family Ministry. My interest in Nicaragua is closely tied to their three years of ministry there. During that time several groups from First Presby have taken mission trips to Nicaragua. I'm excited that my opportunity has arrived and appreciate the support and prayers expressed by many for our group.
Steve: I am an elder at First, Charleston and a Trustee of PWV. I am retired General Counsel of Pocahontas Land Corp. I have known Leslie Clay and Carl Agsten for ten years and look forward to seeing them and experiencing the work they have done as missionaries in Nicaragua. I anticipate investigating possibilities for expanding the presbytery's presence in Nicaragua.
Barb: I became acquainted with Leslie and Carl since coming to First, Charleston as Director of Child/Family Ministry. My interest in Nicaragua is closely tied to their three years of ministry there. During that time several groups from First Presby have taken mission trips to Nicaragua. I'm excited that my opportunity has arrived and appreciate the support and prayers expressed by many for our group.
Team Member Profile - David Pettry
David Pettry - I am a Commissioned Lay Pastor at Colcord, Clear Fork and Marsh Fork Presbyterian churches. I also do some accounting to pay the bills. I have been married to Drema for nearly 43 years (she has the patience of a saint). I enjoy spending time with my Basset Hound Winston and my grandchildren; not necessarily in that order.
I have always loved to travel and I’m excited about going to Nicaragua since that’s a part of the world I’ve never visited. It always amazes me that we can have different languages, cultures, etc., and still be brothers and sisters in our common faith. We ask for your prayers for a safe and inspirational trip.
Team Member Profile - John Nelson
John Nelson - My wife Beverly and I are members of Highlawn Presbyterian Church in Saint Albans. There I serve as Session member, co-treasurer, leader of the Education Team, and sing in the choir (fortunately there wasn't an audition ;-). After completing the Lay Academy last year, I am also an ALP. I serve on the Stewardship Team of the Presbytery and in my spare time I actually work on computers for a living. I come from a big family (4 brothers and 3 sisters) and have a wonderful son and daughter-in-law.I will be serving as blogger/photographer (one of them) for this trip and would like your prayers that in doing so I would do justice to the team and to the mission. Thank you all for the opportunity to go. I am looking forward to this trip because I love hands-on mission work and I love being able to be part of God's people working together, whether in a church, a community, the state, or across the globe. I am always amazed by what God's community of people can do when they come together. Keep the Nicaragua team in your prayers that we open ourselves up to the Spirit's leading.
Blog you later.
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