Editor's Note: Our dear brother Sergio is in Nicaragua until this Friday providing as much help as he can in his homeland. Here is the first letter he sent via e-mail.
August 30, 2004
Dear Family and Friends,
I am once more in Nicaragua, my native land. I am here helping by providing continued training for the Chemical Recovery ministry of the church and to take part in the first Chemical Recovery Ministry graduation in Central America. It has been a great time for me spiritually though I have missed my family deeply.
It is encouraging to see people so sold out for God and for each other despite their extreme poverty and some very difficult situations. I have been staying at Wilfredo and Diana´s home in Managua (they are the church leaders) and they have been extremely hospitable and loving. I feel very close to them. They have not only shared their home and food with me, but their hearts, lives, and struggles as well. They are both 26 years old and about to have their first child (a girl) on September 30th.
I had the honor of preaching this Sunday and my message was on hope. That God gives us hope that we could have a great relationship with Him no matter how bad we have messed things up. Hope that God has an eternal home in heaven waiting for those whose names are in His book of life—this place is not our home. And lastly, that God wants to give others hope through us sharing what God has done in our lives.
The people here need hope as the country is not in good economic shape. The U.S. is in great shape economically and yet we need God just as much. I pray you put your hope in God—he has a plan for you yet.
Pray for me as I run the chemical recovery graduation on Tuesday, and pray that I make it back home safely and with no tropical illness of any kind. While in Nicaragua, I have been bitten by spiders, fleas and mosquitoes; I think they like short chubby balding men (WARNING!!! Rafael and Carlos: this is not a safe place for you, you will be eaten alive).
I want to express deep gratitude for all of you who gave so generously to helping out some of the church members here. To the family living exposed to the elements, you contributed a total of approximately $1,200 up until now. This money will aid in building them a room measuring approximately 20 feet by 20 feet where 4 people will live. One of the four is a 9-month old child with Downs Syndrome who has not ever been seen by a Doctor for any kind of help or therapy. It breaks my heart to see this family; they are so grateful for your help that will change their lives.
You also contributed a total of $600 to Erica Vanegas who has a seriously debilitating form of rheumatoid arthritis at only 19 years old. Erica was not able to walk for almost all of last year, dropped out of school and had to be carried wherever she went because her family and the church could not even afford a wheelchair for her. Because of your generosity she has been up and about walking everywhere she goes and is even back in school. This money will provide all the medicine she needs for almost one year. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!
God has truly used you to change these people´s lives so many miles away—a world away it seems like. If you did not get a chance to contribute and would like to, please call me or e-mail me and I´ll give you any details you may need or want. Don´t feel limited in any way, I had donations as small as $2.00 (from my 6 year old son Nicolas—I´m proud of him) to as much as a couple of people who gave donations of $250.00. You could give more, you could give less, you could give later, it´s up to you.
Lastly, it is about 90 to 100 degrees here daily plus the humidity and it has been raining approximately 1” daily from about 4 to 6pm (it is unbelievable). I am sweating 24/7, no a/c, and no ice cause you´ll get sick with the water here. Hot, hot, hot like a sauna. I also have had many Nicaraguan goodies and probably gained about 5 pounds. Rice, beans, cheese, and plantains are the staple foods here, all of which I love. I am scheduled to arrive back home Friday morning around 1AM (anyone want to pick me up at the airport??--LAX)
I hope you miss me even though you might not have noticed I was gone. I love you all and can´t wait to show you pictures and share all I have learned and experienced. Keep the people here in your prayers.
Sincerely,
Your friend,
Sergio
Managua, Nicaragua
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