Well hello there...

Nicaragua is fast approaching and I am getting more and more excited for what God has planned.  My name is Zack, and I will be joining the team for only the last week they are in Nicaragua because of some conflicting commitments I have already made.  Nevertheless, I am very excited for this trip.  God has been preparing me for this trip this summer in ways I could not of foreseen. This summer I have been involved with a Spanish church called Iglesia Vida Nueva.  I have been helping lead worship most of the summer with the pastor of the church, and last week I led worship on my own.  Consequently, I have learned many new Spanish worship songs and have brushed up on my Spanish speaking skills.  I have also been attending a Spanish bible study of the book of Juan (John).  I have grown spiritually and have improved my Spanish speaking skills all summer and God has truly been preparing me for this trip.  I hope to use these skills in Nicaragua as I will be bringing a guitar for worship as well as several song books with both Spanish and English songs.  I will continue to pray for all the members of the "Nica-team" as they have already begun their journey to Central America.  Please keep us in your prayers!  -God Bless   

Save the pelican babies

Cowabunga! Resident California surf dude Nate Prior here! Summer's bogus! Radical!

Anyway, my junior year of school was so busy that I decided that I might as well keep the rhythm going into summer, so as to not get comfortable and lose focus. Okay, that's not the real reason that I filled my summer with activities, but it might be a nice bonus. But it's been about the best summer of my life. I spent 6 weeks doing the greatest job imaginable: camp counseling at Westminster Woods! It was a blast working, playing, learning, and worshiping out there. But the real bonus is that I get to spend another 3 weeks with Melissa! (Preemptive "awww" for the big hug that I'm gonna get later...) I also was the maid of honor in my big sister's wedding, and I got to bring my delightful girlfriend Sam home to meet all the family. Now, after weeks of anticipation, preparation, inspiration, subjugation, and respiration, I'm ready to go to Nicaragua! I can't wait to get sweaty beyond comfort, use my meager Spanish skills, and meet all kinds of incredible people. All that aside, I'm most excited for what God will teach me and the ways in which I'll see Him that I never thought possible. And maybe I'll actually get to go surfing for the first time.

Finally it's here...

Hey, this is Ben. First of all, I am just excited that the day is finally here. Tonight we are all meeting in Kansas City to have some dinner and enjoy some final American amenities before we head off tomorrow morning. My summer has been spent in Texas working on a ranch. Some of you may laugh because I am hardly the typical Texas-steer-ropin'-cowboy type. But the good news is I didn't do anything rancher-esque except feed a couple of horses everyday. One of my responsibilities for the trip is trying to keep Melissa sane....(should I give a pre-emptive "ouch" for when she punches me later??) but I have really enjoyed working with her so far. This isn't my first rodeo (pardon the allusion back to the quasi-rancher in me) but I have really enjoyed learning so much more about the leadership aspects of a mission trip and team dynamics, etc. that you don't always learn about as just a participant. One of my other responsibilities is to be "in charge" of leading the debriefing and devotionals every night. I have been really excited about this, and really hope that everyone else can get as much out of it as I have already gotten in preparing them. Thank you for all of your support and your continued prayers for our safety and efficacy in our mission of not just building a church, but in encouraging and strengthening the local congregations and building relationships with them that will bless both of us. Now, if tomorrow would just get here.....

Hello This is Adam

Howdy folks, nothing too interesting going on here. Just finished up working for a guy that does auto glass installation and repair, which was cool. I got a chance to work a lot of hours since a huge softball size hail storm came through and destroyed like everything on wheels and a separate storm with a tornado took out a good portion of a small town called Chapman and some of Manhattan. And, so since this guy covers 12 counties out of a van, work was about all that I got accomplished this summer. I am looking forward to leaving tomorrow to go Nicaragua!

Krisha's Fantastic Summer

I (Krisha) have had one of the best summers yet. I have been working at my cousins pizza place called Simple Simons Pizza. I am a clerk and also a delivery driver. I like being a delivery driver because of all the extra cash that you make!! :) The people that I work with are so amazing and it makes the job so much fun and I actually look forward to going to work everyday. I am actually going to a T-Bones baseball game tonight with some people that I work with. On my days off I go to my mothers house since my parents are divorced and I spend some time with her. For the past couple of weeks I have been getting my doctors and dentists appointments out of the way also. I am very grateful and thankful to be given the opportunity to go to Nicaragua. I know that God has a great plan for all of us and I am ready to server Him with the wonderful group called Nica-Team!!

Katie's amazing summer plans!

I (Katie) have been spending most of my summer working at my mother’s bakery. I help with the baking, serving customers, and clean-up. It is a great job if you like to bake and get to know the people in town. On Monday evenings I get a chance to enjoy amazing people and work as a team. I play church softball every week and I love it. It is amazing to have my church family come together and support each other no matter the turnout of the score. I proudly say that we finished as second place in the tournament. Now that softball has come to a close all of my train of thought has been on my trip to Nicaragua. God has blessed me with an amazing opportunity to go to a foreign country and spread the Christian faith. I have been getting all of my doctor, eye, and dentist appointments taken care of before I leave. I recently removed my wisdom teeth and am currently in recovery. I am very grateful that this procedure is a one time thing. I trust that God will give me full strength before my trip. I am very enthusiastic about my trip and the people who I will be serving with.

Thoughts As I Write: Nicaragua and Change

During our mission trip in Nicaragua, I (Ashley) will be visiting Javier, a little boy I sponsor through Compassion International. Last week, I went on a shopping spree buying things for Javier and his family. It was like a Christmas shopping spree...except in July! It certainly is a good feeling that you can help someone else who lives for the things we as Americans have everyday. I know that the stereotype is that when you come back from a mission trip you are totally changed and you want to make the world a better place. How long does it typicallly last? Weeks, months. Here's an idea. Be changed before you go on a mission trip. It may sound backwards. The whole point of change is to make it part of you and make it stick, no matter where you are in life. We should want to change the world even if we don't end up traveling on a mission trip or two. Be involved. Care for others. Share what God has given you. Hey, that's what He calls us to do. Below is a list of organizations in which you can take part and change the world from your house.

* Compassion Internation www.compassion.com
* World Vision www.worldvision.com
* Open Doors U.S.A. www.opendoorsusa.org
* Voice of the Martyrs www.persecution.com
* Bibles Unbound www.biblesunbound.com