Saturday, November 17, 2018

Economic Concerns


Since the civil unrest begin in April 2018, many things have changed in the country of Nicaragua.  Although there is now no fighting in the streets, barricaded roads or fear of food and fuel shortages, many other aspects of the environment have been affected.  Thousands of people have left the country and most reliable sources estimate that over 200,000 jobs have been lost.  Reports show economic decline for two consecutive quarters, which officially places the country in a recession.  Most experts are forecasting even more difficult economic times in the coming year.

At our three schools, many families have shared difficult stories of loss of employment, drastic decrease in family income, as well as heartbreaking stories of loss of life or safety for loved ones.  While on one hand we are grateful for the ability to continue to operate and provide Christian education during these difficult times, we also know that there may be even more difficult times to come.  We want to remain faithful to the calling that God has given us to train up the next generation of leadership here in Nicaragua and around the world.  And we know that the presence of our school makes it possible for many missionary families to continue to carry out their ministry in this time of great need.  We thank you for your continued support!

Something New--Teaching Art!


Since last April when the civil unrest began here in Nicaragua, we have had numerous challenges.  One of these challenges was the number of teachers who decided not to continue at NCA for the 2018-2019 school year.  In June, we learned that the art teacher would not be continuing. I (Jessica) had thought for the past few years that if I were going to start teaching again at NCA, Elementary Art classes would be an interesting option.  And so, here I find myself!  I teach part time, fitting all 9 elementary classes into two days of teaching.  Those two days are busy, but I am LOVING the job!  It challenges me to be constantly finding new art ideas and to ensure that all of the grades have challenging and rewarding projects that teach them different forms of media, techniques, and art theory.  Another thing I have loved is getting to know ALL of the kids from preschool to 6th grade.  I think that at the end of October I had just about learned all 185 names!

I am amazed to see God’s perfect timing.  Although we were sad to see so many of our teachers go, and we have been so saddened by what is happening in Nicaragua, He is in control and has provided me with this opportunity to teach again, right at the time when our youngest entered first grade.  In times of such uncertainty it is reassuring to see the Lord working in our own stories to perfectly place us where we can give glory to Him.

Here are a few pictures of what we’ve been up to.  If you’re interested, you can follow me on Instagram (ncaiart) and get a taste of what we’re doing in the art room.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Different Start at NCA International


As most of you know, we are back in Nicaragua after a busy yet relaxing summer in Michigan, New York and New Jersey.  We have just finished the first week of school, which is an amazing testimony to God’s faithfulness!

Roll back the timeline 3 weeks to our first day back with all of our teachers and staff.  I led devotions for this week each year, and during the singing of Do It Again (Elevation Worship) in Spanish with all our staff present, I found myself overcome with emotion, crying uncontrollably with tears of mixed joy, relief and trust in God.  In the midst of a summer marked with civil unrest and incredible uncertainty, the words, “Tu promesa sigue en pié, tú eres fiel” (“Your promise still stands, great is Your faithfulness”), took on new life and meaning!  Sung by our staff from 7 different countries (Nicaragua, United States, Canada, Australia, France, South Korea and the Netherlands), united in our love for God and calling to serve Him at NCA International, the song was an anthem of hope that seemed to be written exactly for our group at this time and this place.  “I know the night won't last, Your Word will come to pass.”

It is incredible to me that even in the midst of our present situation, God has fully provided for our school in terms of staffing.  On the first day of school, we had every essential staff position filled.  Our enrollment is down significantly, and although some students may return next semester, our school’s budget is still a big question mark this year.  On the other hand, our teachers are enjoying smaller class sizes.

We started the school year with a modified schedule but will soon be returning to a normal class schedule and adding some extracurricular activities.

Our other two schools have also been affected in major ways.  NCA Nejapa had to lay off 17 staff members after several months of enrollment loss and the need to combine multiple class sections.  NCA Matagalpa held classes in two off-campus locations for over a month due to barricades preventing access to the school.  They have now returned to school on their own campus.

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Starkenburg Family Plans

While we have not been directly affected by violence, it has become more and more difficult to live in the tension.  We are constantly bombarded by news and social media, and we are holding our breath as we wait to see how this will all play out.

Our family already had plans this summer to travel to Michigan, New York and New Jersey, with a leave date of Wednesday, June 13.  We have moved our plane tickets 2 days earlier and will be flying out tomorrow morning (June 11) ​si Dios quiere!  Since we don't want to risk missing our flight, we will be spending the night in a hotel next to the airport tonight.  Please pray that we do not encounter difficulties in the next 24 hours as we finish packing and leave the country.

We will be spending time with family in Michigan and then travel to New York and New Jersey to visit family, friends and supporting churches.  We'll return to Michigan for the rest of our time this summer.  We hope to see many of you during this time in the States, and we also hope to have time to rest and relax after some very intense situations in Nicaragua.  Liam will be traveling back to Nicaragua on July 23, and the rest of the family will follow on August 2.

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Change to our Financial Support

Several months ago our sending organization, Resonate Global Mission (formerly Christian Reformed World Missions), announced that due to long-term trends in church giving, they are no longer able to cover their administrative operating expenses through ministry shares (expected church denominational cuotas).  In order to ensure a sustainable model, Resonate will now be retaining part of the money given to its missionaries, including us (see attached letter for details).  We have appreciated that for a long time, 100% of your donations toward our work in Nicaragua have gone directly to support our family and ministry.  Effective July 1, 2018, a flat percentage of 6.25% of all of our support raising income will be retained as a "support services fee".  This new policy directly impacts our family income.  Resonate has encouraged us to ask donors to increase their giving proportionally to this new fee so that our family's income will not be greatly reduced.  In reality, our family support needs are growing due to increased living expenses in Nicaragua, and so it is unfortunate that this change increases the gap between our needs and current income level.

If you are currently supporting our work in Nicaragua, please prayerfully consider whether or not you have the ability to add 6.25% to your current level of giving.  Please also pray that God will provide the additional supporters we need to meet our budget next year.




Monday, February 5, 2018

House of Hope


House of Hope is a vocational rehabilitation program for women and their children leaving the world of prostitution and human trafficking. Over a period of three to four years, the women are discipled, counseled, and taught skills that they can use to live independently upon their graduation from the program.  I (Jessica) have been involved at House of Hope very minimally over the past few years, visiting occasionally, helping a friend with children’s programs, etc.  This past September, however, I agreed to start meeting with a group of four women who have never been to school, to make an attempt at helping them learn to read.  I have quickly learned that teaching children to read is one thing, and teaching 40-year-old women to read is another thing entirely.  Despite our slow progress, I am so encouraged at their willingness to keep trying day after day, at our laughter as we make mistakes together, and at their quick acceptance of me as their friend and teacher. 

After about a month of working with these women, a few other women approached me and asked if I would work with their children who didn’t know how to read.  I asked around a bit to find out how many kids this would be, and realized that many of the kids who lived here had very basic school knowledge, and would benefit from some extra help.  So, for the past two months I’ve been also meeting with these kids.  I have been both encouraged and discouraged.  Encouraged by their desire to learn and the fact that they have come many times to study, even during their vacation time.  It is discouraging, however, to meet with a 12-year-old who is in first grade, who cannot read or write much more than his own name.  Or a 9-year-old who is going into third grade and doesn’t know his letters.  An hour twice a week with these kids is not enough to even begin to make a change.  I’ve seen that the change needs to happen much earlier.  The change needs to happen probably in their school, which has few resources.  But before that, it needs to happen with preschool aged kids who desperately need early literacy intervention. And before that it needs to happen with mothers who know how to teach their kids the basics of counting, colors, letters, etc.

Albalina with her daughter and two granddaughters, who all live at House of Hope

So where to begin? Many of you might remember that years ago I talked about starting a library, and throughout the past few months I have thought more and more about the possibility of making that a reality. I’m not exactly sure if it would look like a two-day preschool for this community, or if it would look like partnering with the school to provide more literacy opportunities, or if it would look like an actual room with books and learning games. 

At this point I do have a few others who are motivated to work on this with me, and I feel pretty sure that we are at the point where I can ask for people who might want to partner in this as we start buying books and supplies.  Please send me an email if you are interested in becoming involved!  I know that God loves these kids and their families. He loves these moms who are desperately trying to better their lives and follow the Lord, and He loves these kids who want to learn even though everything seems to stand in their way.  I’m excited to see how He will provide for them!

Ladder on Moto


Interestingly enough, this is not the first time I've seen a ladder being transported on a motorcycle.  Or a bicycle, wedding cake, family of 5, or a giant plastic horse riding sideways down the road on the back of a motorcycle.  People can get quite creative with limited transportation options!