El Ayudante

This year we returned to spend a week at El Ayudante with a team of 25. This was our second trip. It was amazing to see the differences at El Ayudante over the last year. The growth in both their vision and the scope of the outreach is testimony of what God will do through people who are willing to be used by Him. From the facilities changes with the team house and the new dorm house to the further work on the clinic there was evidence of much fruitful labor. The physical changes were also accompanied with the expansion of their vision to work in Matagalpa. To see the glow in Omar eyes as he speaks of the work in Nicaragua and witness his passion for the people is to see the heart of God in action. It is a real pleasure to “come along side” Omar and the El Ayudante staff as they serve God.

In the months prior to the trip, we worked closely with volunteers in Tennessee. They worked tirelessly to help plan and schedule every aspect of the trip. We gave them our ideas and received their recommendations to formulate a daily schedule prior to our arrival. Their quick and thorough response along with their great attention to detail was incredible. Every piece of advice and information that they provided proved to be extremely helpful.

The week in Nicaragua was very smooth. It was a pleasure to see Yader’s smiling face when he and the staff greeted us at the airport. They helped us get through customs and whisked us off for our late night journey to the base near Leon.

On Sunday morning, we were blessed to get our first look at the children at HCN. The joy of those kids was infectious. It was readily obvious that their lives were being smothered with God’s love and affection.

We were blessed to accompany them to Pastor Carlos’ church to enjoy a great time of encouragement along with much worship and sharing. We were literally greeted with open arms!

During the week we were involved in a variety of activities. Part of the team ministered at a seniors’ home and volunteered at Dr. Medina’s office. Our construction projects included the center section of the sidewalk from the new dorm to the team house at El Ayudante. We also worked on the expansion of Dr. Medina’s office in Ruben Dario.

As it was last year, the staff worked along side us and provided everything that was needed to complete the projects in a safe and productive manner. The good thing about working with them is that everything is done with excellence. Even in something as simple as digging a set of trenches for the foundation of the sidewalk, great attention was given to having every detail completed to a high standard. They truly strive for excellence in ministry and service to God.

It is very rewarding to see the contributions that each group makes to the ministry in Nicaragua. We enjoyed meeting in the new veranda and holding services in the community center both of which were complete since our last visit. Each team that visits El Ayudante leaves its mark on the base as well as the community.

As we were working on the sidewalk the Lord reminded me that we weren’t just shoveling dirt and leveling cement but were smoothing the path for hundreds of servants that follow and use the El Ayudante facilities as a haven for ministry.

In the planning phase Bill Cox had asked me if we wanted to do a project in an area that was “a little more rural.”

It sounded good so we went with it. We were to paint the schoolroom at El Jardincito preschool and conduct a VBS at the Pablo Morales Elementary School. When we were getting ready for departure, the staff was trying to split up the people into two groups. I couldn’t understand why they were doing that since everyone would fit in the bus. In my normal argumentative style, I was trying to reason with them when someone whispered in my ear that the road was not suitable for the bus. This was one of many times that I learned to keep quiet and listen during the week. The ride in the back of the truck up the bumpy road to El Jardincito was a blast. When we arrived at El Jardincito, we met Ramona, the teacher of the preschool. This lady is an unpaid volunteer who was teaching the children under a shade tree. A team working through El Ayudante built them a classroom last year. She looks over the entire community. When you meet someone like Ramona you really look back at your own life and re-evaluate your priorities.

Along with the activities at Pablo Morales Elementary School, children’s programs were also conducted at the Catholic Child Protection Center and the Fountain of Life Preschool. In the first VBS, the estimate of 75 to 100 children turned out to be 137 children. This experience prepared us for the next event for 45 children, which yielded 160 smiling young faces.

In each case God taught us how to be “fluid” and deal with the unexpected. In one event we were out of the Beanie Babies and started giving out personal care packages of soap, toothbrushes, etc. that we had brought along. We were humbled to see how some were so grateful to receive the bag of “stuff” that we thought was unimportant.

The Nicaraguan people are very grateful for everything that you do. I had personally never done any kind of craft project with children at a VBS. I sat on the floor with those kids for a few hours and had the time of my life. There were so many moments in each day that were packed with God’s love and teaching for us.

Prior to the trip, God had provided a copy of the children’s version of The Jesus Film in Spanish. We were able to show the DVD at the community center in Ruben Dario and at Pastor Carlos’ church. The response to the film was great. One of our team members on the trip was Ayele Zewdie – an Ethiopian evangelist who is an elder at Brighton Christian Church. He spoke after each showing of the film and gave an invitation to accept Christ. He also spoke with Pastor Felix at the feeding ministry at the landfill. In response to his invitation, over 80 children came forward to receive Christ as their Savior.

In our Nicaraguan trip last year, I got to see my wife and two daughters (ages 8 and 12) get their first mission experience. It was wonderful to watch God grab and melt their hearts with the compassion and mercy for His people. This trip I was able to see that happen again with several of our team member’s first mission experience. To watch the transformation that occurs over the week is amazing. One night Ayele taught our group from John 14 about laying our life down for others. He described this process as the willingness to have our lives interrupted - the willingness to have our plans changed.

Spending a week at El Ayudante gets you out of your world for a brief period to see and experience God serving others. It changes your perspective for a lifetime. El Ayudante provides a strong base of operation for you to work and serve from, whether this is your first mission trip or your 50th.

They will accommodate your desires, but I have found that being open and responsive to what they are already doing is a real blessing. Omar and staff have heard from God for this region. They are walking in obedience to the vision and the calling from God. God is providing power and resources to fulfill this vision. It is a remarkable experience to walk into that, even if it is for only one week. Spending the week with El Ayudante grows you so that you are able to continue in that mode when you return. As one team member said – “Many of you thought when you took the Mission Bridge Class that it would be the finish of something special - but in reality it is just the beginning of something extraordinary.” After a trip like this, there is no telling where God will launch you next….

Archived Mission Team Highlights