Life Changing Impact

A story of Life Changing Impact!

7 years ago Mayra and Ashley came to the clinic seeking to be treated for their physical struggles, little did they know they would walk away with their spiritual needs being met. A moment that would lead to complete life change!

Mayra, Ashley, Kerri, and Mayra’s grandsons.

Recently while visiting La Esmeralda I, Kerri, had the opportunity to sit with Mayra and talk about how having the clinic in this community has changed her life. Mayra and her family live in a community called “Las Nubes” about 1-2 hours walk from the clinic. She shared with me, how when they first came to the clinic they were simply seeking to find treatment for the illness her daughter, Ashley, was struggling with. They had no idea that they would find more. Upon arriving they were directed to the pavilion behind the clinic where church members were waiting to share with them about how much God loves them. That day both Mayra and Ashley (at age 9) accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Since that day, their lives have been different.

The community they live in is known to be a pretty dangerous area and they used to live in great fear. She shared, that though it is still scary at times she knows that God is with them, always protecting and covering them. Peace that comes from knowing your Savior!

They have both been baptized, and have become some of the most faithful members of the church in La Esmeralda. Walking about 2 hours every Sunday to attend service with Mayra’s sons and grandsons as well.  Ashley stays in La Esmeralda all day Sunday and overnight to be able to serve in the evening service as a Sunday school teacher.

Mayra and Ashley have become an integral part of the ministry the Church has in their own community of Las Nubes as well. Mayra prepares food each week for the children’s outreach ministry and Ashley teaches the children about the same love she came to know at a young age. Mayra shared with me that since the first Sunday they went to church, Ashley told her that her dream was to be a Sunday school teacher, just like the young lady that was teaching her. These days she is fulfilling that dream. Their desire is to be part of the impact God is making in their own community. Ashley has also shared that she desires to go to seminary and enter into ministry full time.

Mayra wants to say, thank you for your love and dedication of keeping the clinic doors open. She says that without the clinic she doesn’t know where she would be. Not only because of the medical care she has received but, because of hearing the Gospel and meeting Jesus. She wants you to know that you are making an eternal impact in the lives of many people, including her family.

Meeting physical needs, leads to meeting spiritual needs! God is at work in and through the clinic. This is just one of the many stories of redemption that has come from this ministry. Thank you for sponsoring life change!

GETTING THE TEAM READY

It is about time to send our first 2018 Nicaragua team out.  These men will have the opportunity to help construct a children's facility next to the church, giving the children a place to have their Sunday school and also a space to have a nursery. This is really exciting because our partner church in La Esmeralda has never had a space that they could dedicate to the children, they have had to either meet behind the church outside or under the (tiny) porch of the Pastors home.  Now they will be able to start a nursery and have classrooms for the children to learn and play and be loved on.  We are also excited to be putting some bathrooms in that same building. All of these things are giving the church the capacity that the need to grow and reach even more people in this community and those surrounding!  

Each missions team that we send has the honor and privilege to be prayed over by our congregations before they leave which is something we value so much as we prepare to go. This past weekend Fox River prayed for this work and the men going to do it at every service. One of the reasons we value this so much is because we believe that prayer is so powerful as God tells us in His Word. Another reason is because we want those who do not get to go to be involved in what God is doing through our church. Each prayer and outstretched hand that is lifted up is making a difference in the lives of these children and their families that we are going to impact through this building. If you were there this weekend praying over us, thank you!  If you weren't and would like to be part of God's working its not too late!  Pray now that God would do something new and exciting in and through each of these men, and that this facility will bring more people to know Christ and in turn bring God glory!  

After church we met up and had some lunch and fellowship and began packing our bags.  Yes, even though we don't leave til Friday we have 14 bags packed and ready to be loaded up.  These bags are very important because they carry supplies that the men will need to complete the projects they have been tasked with. Will you start praying now for all the bags to arrive and for God's hand to guide us smoothly through customs in Nicaragua? I love packing together with the team because it starts us all off working as one and also  brings some understanding to the new culture we are about to be in for 10 days. This is when it starts getting exciting seeing everything start to come together, all the prayers and fundraising and conversations and meetings all getting us ready for what God has in store for next week.   

Will you pray these next couple weeks?  Pray that God will start today working in the hearts of each man who has sacrificed to go on this trip? Pray for the Nicaraguans we will be working with, that their hearts will be softened to what God has for them as well.  Pray too for safety and health.  

You can follow along with the team as they travel and are on the ground in Nicaragua right here!  Look for our next post on Friday. 

Since my sister was not able to fly with us I decided to pack her as my checked luggage. She has done a lot of the work in getting this team ready and planning all the details for them. Shout out to Abbey for all the work she does for all our Nicaragua teams! 

Missions for Everyone

Missions.  This word might mean something different to everyone.  To some it is a trip they take, to others it is somewhere they give money, and others it is something they feel like they can’t be involved in.  This video shows different ways people have chosen to be involved in Missions...

Missions is something that everyone can be involved in.  No matter what age you are, what job you have, or how your health is.  Just because you can’t go on a trip, can’t support monetarily, or maybe there is something else keeping you from getting involved.  

Let me share with you all the ways you can support and be involved in Fox River Missions.

#1 PRAY!  Did you know that your prayer makes a difference?  Let me share a story with you...  

Scott, went on one of the construction trips (6 or 7 years ago) to build the medical clinic in La Esmeralda, Nicaragua while he was there he worked with the Nicaraguans from the community.  He made a decision that week to pray for one of them for the rest of his life.  Knowing that he may never know what came of this child’s life.  Years later, Scott, had the opportunity to go back to Nicaragua on a Medical team to work in the clinic.  One night a young man was sharing his story with the team.  A story of heartbreak and struggles, a story of a young man who decided to give up everything to follow God.  After he finished sharing his story, Scott was able to talk with him and share that even though in those trials it seemed he had been alone, he never was because, he was always praying for him.  Jorvin is now studying so that he can continue to dedicate his life to full time ministry!  Prayer changes lives!

#2 LIVE!  There are opportunities in 2018 for you to go and see first hand what God is doing in Kenya and Nicaragua.  I can tell you from personal experience that God is doing a great work and it is an honor to be involved in it.  Being there and seeing with your own eyes the life changing impact, is like nothing else in the world!  If you open yourself up to it God will bring you to a place where you will make life long friendships and lifechanging realizations about yourself and the way God wants to use you.  Join us!!!

 #3 GIVE!  Without those who give none of the ministry that is being done in Kenya through the schools and in Nicaragua through the clinic, would be possible.  Your money is literally giving people life, hope, and a future.  

In Kenya, the children who attend our schools are being fed  two meals a day, they are given clothes and shoes to wear, they are being educated, which gives them hope for their future, and they are hearing the Gospel and being saved through it!  We have over 800 students that we see growth in everyday!

In Nicaragua, through the clinic lives are being saved by having a place to go to see a Doctor. Women who are pregnant are able to go for regular check ups and some are giving birth in the clinic (a new baby just this past week!).  Since the opening of the clinic a substantial amount of lives have been saved just by the basic care of a Doctor and nurse that they would other wise go without.  The clinic has over 10,000 patient visits a year!  They not only get their physical needs met when they walk through the doors of the clinic, they will also hear the name of Jesus and how He can change their lives!  

That’s where your gifts are going! 

Our Pastors have encouraged us to Pray, Live, and Give in new ways this year!  Maybe, your ‘new ways’ will be through Missions!

Let’s build Momentum in Missions together because #TogetherWeGainMomentum!

Katerin

I would like to introduce you all to one of my good friends.  Her name is Katerin and she lives in La Esmeralda, Nicaragua. Over the years I have had the privilege of getting to know her and watch as she has grown in her faith and in leadership. Somethings about Katerin that anyone who meets her would tell you; she is always laughing or smiling, she has a huge heart, she loves kids, she is a force to be reckoned with.  

When I first met Katy she was a Sunday school teacher at the church we (Fox River) partner with up in the mountains of Nicaragua. Over the years she has taken on more and more responsibility in the church, becoming the lead teacher for the children's ministry, leader in the youth group, leader of women, and starting a ministry that goes into the schools in the surrounding communities. She is also a crucial part of the evangelism that happens at the clinic.

I want to tell you a bit about this school ministry she is doing. Something I think that should be noted;  that these are public schools that have allowed her to take some time each week and share the love of Jesus with these children, most of whom do not attend the church and are having some of their first experiences in hearing God's word. She is bringing hope into a broken area of this country!  You see when these children are at school they aren't necessarily loved on or told how precious they are, but Katerin gets to go and be love and hope to these children and their teachers.  During her time there they hear a story, get to do a craft or game, sing a couple songs, and hear the gospel.

This ministry not only reaches the children and teachers at the schools, but it reaches beyond that into the families of each child and teacher. As I have been there and watched as she interacts with the students you can tell how much respect and love these kids have for Katerin. They lean into every word she says (as much as any kid does anyway). I love seeing this because it shows that they want to know what she is going to say, they know whatever she is there for is going to be great and they don't want to miss it. I wish you could all see what I am trying to describe because it is heart melting. We believe that children are the future and pouring into them is highly important because they will impact the world in just a few short years.  

Will you join me in praying for my friend Katerin? For her continued faithfulness to what she believes God has called her to do. For excitement to share God's word with children. For strength and endurance in the days that don't seem like any impact is being made. 

I have never had a dull moment with Katy. Even when I am crying she somehow gives me a reason to laugh. She pushes me to step out of my comfort zone and do things that I would probably not do without her pushing me. I wish you could meet her and see this amazing woman of God at work, I wish you could feel her passion. She leaves an imprint wherever she goes, you never forget how Katerin made you feel!  We actually have multiple opportunities in 2018 that you could go and meet some of the amazing people we partner with.  We have a construction trip in April, this is an all mens team and they will be building a childrens center on the church property (we believe children are the future people!), but ladies don't worry we have a trip you can come on too! We will have another team going in June in which we get to partner with the church leadership (Katerin and others) in some cool new ways!

Clinic Investors

Last week, the Clinic that the La Esmeralda church administrates received 4 donations - one from a pharmaceutical company in Nicaragua who gave medicines the clinic cannot normally provide totaling over $4000, one from a Nicaraguan coffee plantation owner - over 3000 pre-natal vitamins, a donation for $3000 of the dental equipment, and 75% off all the tools and basic equipment needed to start their dental clinic thanks to a local Nicaraguan dentist and former non-profit ministry partner. Fox River is going to purchase the equipment at the 25% cost!  I would say that God is greatly at work and blessing this ministry!!! Great work, Pastor Denis and Karen, and the ones who started this and are handing over the administrative portion Karen Davila Tellez!!! We are so excited by how God is providing the tools necessary for reaching people through physical needs in order to have a chance to reach their SPIRITUAL needs! That is WHOLE HEALTH and just like our GOD! 

Our missionary partner, Donna, just told us about this great news.  Seeing how much impact the clinic has on the people in and around La Esmeralda is truly a blessing!  Having so many people see the importance and wanting in on the life change can only be the work of God himself.  The dental clinic has been a dream and a need for a while and to see it become reality is really exciting!  There are just a few more things that are needed to get the dental rolling, including a dentist.  We believe God will provide all of this in His timing and we will wait eagerly until then.  Will you pray with us for the people that will come and be part of the dental clinic?  As a dentist, as supporters, and as patients. "Nothing shall be impossible, Your Kingdom reigns unstoppable, we'll shout your praise forever more, Jesus our God unstoppable!" God is our faithful provider, let us never forget that He knows our needs and is faithful to provide for them. 

Meet our Missionary Partners in Nicaragua

Introductions

Brian and Rachel Weed started Familia Avance Nicaragua in March of 2002 and have raised their three daughters Karly, Abi, and Brynna while doing the ministry God called them to.   

The Weed Family

Donna Woodson joined the Weeds in Nicaragua in Janruary of 2004 and has been serving along side the Weeds for 12 years.    

Donna Woodson

Familia Advance Nicargua

Familia Advance Nicargua began as a church planting ministry and kicked off in May of 2003 with their first plant in the city of Managua. Since then they have planted 9 churches across the country of Nicaragua.  Now Familia Avance Nicaragua has expanded beyond church planting to feeding centers, sports outreach programs, teen outreach programs, Rancho Nicaragua (a working farm which is being developed into a camp/retreat center), a Christian school (classes will start in 2017), seminary, and a medical clinic.  Their ministry continues to grow as they follow the direction in which God is leading.  

Churches Planted in Nicaragua

Partnership with Fox River

In 2004 the mission started a church in the very remote community of La Esmeralda.  In the spring of 2009 Pastor Guy along with some others took a survey trip to Nicaragua and met up with Brian where they were extremely convinced through God's promptings that Fox River was to partner in starting the medical clinic in La Esmeralda.  We broke ground for the medical clinic in the fall of that same year.  The medical clinic opened its doors in June of 2011, since the doors opened it has impacted the lives of over 32,000 people that did not have the medical care necessary.  Not only has it impacted their physical lives but also their spiritual well-being as the medical clinic partners with the church, each person who visits the clinic receives the gospel message before being treated.  Fox River also partners with the church in their sports outreach program which gives opportunity to reach even more people of that same community.  We are so excited to watch God continue to work and grow these ministries.  What a blessing to be a small part in God's grand plan of reaching the nations!

Clinic in La Esmeralda, Nicaragua

Commissioned.

The Nicaragua team was commissioned at both the Waukesha and the Muskego campus yesterday and we know that the Waterford campus is supporting us in prayer as well.

It was so great being able to see and feel the support of the church as we prepare to leave for our trip this week. As Pastor Rob and Pastor Guy were praying for our team, they reminded us that our team is not simply just the 10 of us physically going over there. Our team includes each and everyone of you that lifted your hands and prayed over us, as well as all those that will continue to lift us up in prayer while we are there.

We are excited and hopeful for all that God is going to do in us and through us to further his kingdom. Will you continue to join us in prayer for our trip?

Thank you, Fox River, for being a part of our team.