Let the Journey Begin...

Tomorrow is the big day!! We arrived in the States Monday and have had a couple of days to get some logistics and errands run. We've bought the snacks (got to keep the kids happy for the travels), repacked our luggage and are ready for our 6+ week journey throughout nearly all of the midwest, including Canada. We start out at the United Minister's conf., led by Ira Milligan, that we attend every year in Branson, MO. We always enjoy being with the Body of Christ there. It is always encouraging and will be a great start to our travels.

We are truly grateful for the Lord, once again, providing a way for us to be State side and having the chance to continue relationships He has blessed us with in our family's lives. We can't wait to see what God has in store for our journey!!

Please be sure to check out our calendar here to see where we'll be and hope you can join us somewhere along the journey.

Godspeed!!!

School's in Session

Tonight I read this from a fellow missionary's blog. These stats are staggering, and on top of that teacher's pay is minimal and only about 35% of school aged children finish the 6th grade. I would say that it sums up part of the reason that we do what we do when we deliver school supplies, provide supplies for teachers, etc... We feel so blessed that we are able to help so many that, on their own, would struggle with such a basic need, education.

Tomorrow we head out to deliver school supplies to all the schools. Between 5 elementary schools, 1 high school and Francisco & Erica's 2 children churches we are able to help provide 400 students with supplies for this year. We are so excited and blessed to see how God continues to take care of details, all the details!!

Food for Thought....

Thought I'd write one more post before we head to the States. Did I mention we got the biggest blessing and are heading to the States this year for Thanksgiving??? We are soooo thankful :)

Francisco and Erica have been doing a feeding program in their community for a little while now and it's just been amazing. All the kids that wouldn't normally get fed during the day. Mostly because their parents are working and they are left to fend for themselves. Many show up barefoot and hungry. They are told to bring a bowl, spoon and cup and Francisco and Erica will take care of the rest. Many do and some just show up and share a bowl with others. Often times eating with their hands. They have even expanded and are doing one where their other children's church is. The moms there help cook the food provided.

Roger and I had thought that it would be nice to get bowls and cups for every kid that comes. What better time than this time of thanksgiving. I know it's not a holiday here but feeling how thankful we are for the bare necessities, how could we not give them a reason to be thankful.

We went to a big market in Managua, that has the best prices. Found 100 bowls (with lids - important here) and 100 cups. (There are roughly 50 in each community.) We were able to find everything for around 50 cents a child. Blessing all around!! Great prices for us and something to eat with for them. :)

I am always amazed at what a small investment can change a life!!!!

I would like to share something we have been thinking about for Christmas. We have mentioned it in our newsletters but I wanted to share here. We are wanting to give a pair of shoes to each child that attends their children's church. Each pair would come to about $10 a child. Many of these kids, at the most, have a pair of old flip flops. It would be such a blessing for them to be able to start the new school year and go to church with nice shoes on. If you are considering helping drop us a line or you can just send a check to the address on the contacts page with a note "Christmas party".

Thanks for all you have done to make a difference in so many lives!!!

Side note....get to eat yummy Thanksgiving in the States this year....YAY!!!

Haircut Anyone???

A couple of days ago we were able to bring in a hairdresser and provide discounted haircuts for anyone in Sandinena, the community where Francisco and Erica work.

We had so much fun!! The lady that cuts my hair, Helen, was more than happy to go and help on her day off. We offered the haircuts for about 1/3 of the normal price, 10 cordobas which is equal to about $.50. I promised to provide the other 10 cordobas and we were in business :)

She cut hair for about 3 hours and had 16 clients. She was moving fast! Everyone was so pleased with the results. For many of them this was their first haircut ever!!

Just another reason why you don't have to be able to build houses, preach or anything else than simply use the talents God gave you to minister to someone who needs it. A simple haircut brought so many smiles that day! What gifts/talents do you possess?

We are planning a second visit for haircuts in a few weeks. The word got around :)

Video - - Finally!!!

We figured it was about time to get a video out there of what we do here in Nicaragua and the people we work with! (With a little push from some friends!!) :)

We are so thankful to all of you who have given financially and of your prayers to encourage us and be that support that we need. This isn't just a job that the Euceda's are doing but it's all of us....working together...doing our part...being the Body of Christ!!!

If you have the time, check out the video. We pray that you are blessed. We are so excited to bring to you a bit of what we do here!!

With much love and gratitude,

Euceda family

Team Wisconsin!!

Last week we had an awesome team here from Wisconsin. They were here for a week and we had a lot to get accomplished. We planned to put in a bathroom and septic for dear friends of ours, Francisco and Erica.

They came ready to work!!! We went straight away to the hardware store to get supplies and then off to work. Once we got there we got things all laid out and started digging. Thankfully Justin and Llyle know lots about concrete work, plumbing and construction. The rest of us were laborers :) It was such a blessing for us to get to help Francisco and Erica help be a part in making their dreams come true. By the time we were done (3 1/2 days later) the group finished more than we could have even expected. They ended up putting the concrete floor in the kitchen and bathroom, also plumbing for all the kitchen as well.

As I was talking to Erica, when things were coming to an end, she mentioned to me that they are the first one's in their entire community, population of over 600, to have indoor plumbing now. I couldn't believe it. I knew it wasn't far fetched but still they were minutes from town, by foot. What an amazing blessing and testimony!!

On our last day it was bittersweet with the group. Everyone was tired and ready to rest, but I don't thing the group was ready to leave them. As we said our goodbyes, some with tears in their eyes, Francisco and Erica expressed such gratitude I can't put into words. This, for them, was a dream, a dream that seemed so far away, and in 3 days it was a reality for them. I felt so blessed to be a part of it!!

I am so thankful for the Kingdom of God and family working together as we should. All pulling our giftings along with rich fellowship and hard work. Blessed!!!!

To see many more pictures check out our facebook page here.

This is their previous shower.

(This is their old bathroom/outhouse, and yes that red plastic is see through!!!)

(This is the finished, for now, product. The bathroom will have walls around it. :)

(Obed's , their son, first shower ever. You couldn't get him out of there. Erica now says he wakes up every morning early just to take a shower!! His face and the squeals were priceless!)

Never Too Late...

Well, we've been back in Nicaragua for over a month now. It has been very busy. We've been playing catch-up from all the things that we had to leave when we went to the States for a couple of months, and also continuing with the work here that has already been established.

Since we've been home we've had 2 sets of visitors, a clinic, delivered school supplies to the 6 schools and Francisco & Erica's group of kids they work with, made more and revamped the rocket stoves, had a movie night, and right now Roger & Josiah are up in the northeast of Nicaragua ministering and visiting pastors. WHEW!!! Did I forget anything?? :)

To see a few of the things that we've been doing since we've been back you can go to our facebook page, that we have set up, for many pics and frequent updates to what is going on here in Nicaragua and beyond. You can also just click on the facebook icon on the right of the page.

The Lord is good!!

While we were in the States, the Lord did many things for us on many different levels. We were definitely ready to be back here in Nicaragua with such a sense of what the Lord is doing. It was very encouraging for us to spend time in prayer, with many in the States, for this great country of Nicaragua and for direction here. We began to see a trend while we were in the States. He is calling His people to a much deeper level with Him. He is no longer wanting status quo but wanting those who are completely sold out and willing to give their all. We can't be happy just "being" a Christian but we must be doing that what He's called us to do...no excuses!

We are excited and can't wait for the day when Nicaragua can be that example of what God can do to a nation when His people cry out to Him!! Can a nation be saved in a day? Oh, the hope we have in Him our God, King and Saviour!