Nica Moments

First and foremost, I want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this purchase possible. Your generosity has been a true blessing. As blackouts become more frequent—sometimes even a daily occurrence—we are reminded of the difficult conditions many of us remember from the 1990s, when power was only available for a few hours a day. The arrival of the generator came at just the right time, as you may have seen in Natalie’s recent newsletter. It was incredibly…

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A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of teaching from Matthew 18, focusing on how we are called to approach God, like children—dependently, submissively, trusting, and full of love. This passage drew my attention to other Scriptures where we are referred to as His children, His “little ones,” which eventually led me to Matthew 25:40: And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least…

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As we were getting ready to head back to Oregon, we thought about putting together a presentation. We have been given a couple of opportunities to share an update on what’s been happening in the ministry here in Nicaragua over the past year. In the past, it has been us talking about the different aspects of the various activities we are involved in. About a month ago, a co-worker from one of the Bible studies had shared about how significantly…

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About two and a half years ago, Josue entered my life. He was one of my students at Seminario Teologico Meseta De Los Pueblos. Let me tell you, he’s what I’d call a gentle giant. Married, with a kid, and his mom living with them, he’s got a full plate. From the get-go, there was something about Josue that just drew me in. You know how sometimes you can sense the Spirit in someone? That was Josue. Despite not having any formal Bible education, his…

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Out of the Men’s Retreat at the Skylark Retreat Center, involving pastors and laypersons, have come some wonderful stories. Here is just one I want to share with you. The central theme or the retreat revolved around the biblical passage from Deuteronomy 6:6-9, emphasizing the vital role of parents in imparting spiritual teachings to their children. One particular event from the retreat deeply touched me, involving a young man named David Alejandro Olivares Flores. I first encountered David last year…

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It would be untrue to deny my excitement and hopefulness about this matter, a concern that has been close to my heart since our initial arrival in Nicaragua. The imperative to heed the Lord’s command from Deuteronomy 6:6-9 resonates deeply: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you…

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Last night I was teaching on the inability of unregenerate man.  Truths of the Word of God, such as we are spiritually dead and how spiritually dead people cannot understand the Gospel.  As fallen people, we see the Gospel as foolishness.  How we in our fallen state hate God and are at enmity with Him.  How we, in our fallen state, suppress the truth of God and choose a lie over the truth.  How none are righteous, no one seeks…

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Our time here in Nicaragua has been a crucible of spiritual growth for both Natalie and me. The journey, marked by challenges and triumphs, has illuminated the depths of our faith and the unwavering commitment that drives us. Amidst the difficulties, we’ve experienced a profound strengthening of our belief in God’s purpose for us and our mission. The adversities we’ve encountered have not only tested our perseverance but have also deepened our reliance on His guidance and grace. In 2012,…

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I wanted to share with you my thinking behind the Men’s Retreat and its size. Here are the points that have motivated me to move in this direction. 1. Grasping the Immensity of Our God: Imagine serving a God whose greatness surpasses our wildest imaginations. Shouldn’t our dreams and aspirations reflect this grandeur? Our Creator spoke galaxies into existence, demonstrating that our potential is limited only by our own reservations. Embracing the boundless power of God can embolden us to…

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Worldview is the fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual encompassing the whole of the individual’s beliefs, knowledge, culture, and point of view. I was blessed because of my parents.  They established in me some fundamental truths that went to make up my worldview.  There was a God and He was sovereign.  He was to be feared because He not only held our lives in His hand, but He determined where we would spend eternity.  He was also a loving, gracious,…

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