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!

A Series of Unfortunate Events

There are times in life where everything seems to go according to plan, and then there are times where it seems that what can go wrong will go wrong.  The last few months have been filled with one challenge after another for our family.  We're thankful God is faithful to His promises, both in hard times and in easy times.

Beginning in the spring with broken teeth (both Liam and Jess) and root canals, moving on to the summer with multiple car issues (including wheels falling off our car while driving) and the death of our dog, and culminating in a motorcycle accident and a string of doctor visits, we are starting to feel fatigued. 

Last month Liam was driving home with the kids after playing Ultimate Frisbee at school Sunday afternoon, and while waiting to turn left, a motorcyclist hit the back of our car at full speed.  The motorcyclist (who had been drinking) was critically injured, and according to Nicaraguan law, the other driver (in this case Liam) was brought to the police station and held until the case could be thoroughly examined.  After 7 hours at the police station, Liam and our car were finally released but had to return the next day for further paperwork (another 2.5 hours in the station).  As frustrating as that seems, we were pleased to see the Nicaraguan justice system working as it should by recognizing who was at fault.  It was a scary and traumatic experience for Liam and our kids who were in the car when it happened, and we're grateful for the many people who were praying.

Two weeks ago Jessica had an MRI on her shoulder, after experiencing sharp pains with increased frequency for a number of months.  The MRI led to some additional questions and need for x-rays and a CT scan.  In the end, it looks like the answer will be physical therapy over the next few months.  On the bright side, we're grateful that the surgery that seemed likely is not going to be necessary.

The events of this summer have definitely taken a toll on our family budget and depleted our savings.  We're trusting in God's provision as we move forward, and are thankful that our trust is in Him and not in material things.  If God puts it on your heart, please consider an extra gift this month as we pay these additional medical bills.

We know that many others have been affected this summer by hurricanes and health problems, and we want you to know that you are continually in our prayers as well.  We appreciate your encouragement and ask for prayers for rest and recovery, as well as the continued success of our work in Nicaragua.

Leadership Development

A big part of NCA's mission is the development of future leaders of Nicaragua and around the world.  There are at least 12 different student leadership group at NCA, one of which is the student council. Liam and the administrative team take our Elementary Student Council and Secondary Student Council out to breakfast each year to invest in them as leaders of the student body.  The students are able to gain valuable real-life experience as they work with their classmates and also learn from the full-time administrators of their school.  We hope that through these opportunities our students will learn to lead as Christ did, as a servant.

Fumigation, Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue

The rainy season is back, and with it come the all sorts of flying insects from which we had enjoyed rest during the 6 months of dry season.  Among these insects is our most hated insect, the mosquito.  One particular type of mosquito (Aedes Aegypti) is a carrier of several different illnesses including the Zika virus, Yellow Fever, Chikungunya, and Dengue Fever.

Heavy rains flood sidewalks at NCA International

Our family has been affected by each of these illnesses over the past 17 years.  Jessica and Liam have both had Dengue in our earlier years in Nicaragua and as many of you know, Jessica and Asher also both contracted Chikungunya a few years ago.  

The newest concern, Zika, swept through Nicaragua in 2016 and most of our family got it at one point last year.  Although not as serious as Chikungunya, with effects lasting less than a week, we are grateful that we were spared from one of the biggest concerns related to Zika, which is believed to increase risk of birth defects when the mother is affected during pregnancy.

NCA, as well as the department of health in Nicaragua, works hard to reduce mosquito populations.  In addition to common-sense practices like eliminating puddles and buckets of stagnant water, fumigation is a very common practice.  Trucks drive through neighborhoods spraying an insecticide mixed with diesel spray to help combat insect plagues.  At NCA we regularly fumigate our campus and classrooms during the rainy season in an attempt to reduce the risk of our students contracting mosquito-borne viruses while at school.

NCA International maintenance staff fumigates Second Grade classroom

School Collaboration

As our school has grown into a thriving school association, Liam’s job has broadened to include a focus not only on the leadership of NCA International but also on collaborative leadership with all three of our schools.  When Liam began at NCA in 2000, we had only 192 students.  Our second school, NCA Nejapa, was founded in 2005 and has grown from its initial 55 students to its current size of 542 students and 40 teachers.  Our third school, NCA Matagalpa, has grown from its 2013 starting size of 42 students to its current size of 258 students and 22 teachers.  NCA International has also grown to its current size of 350 students and 36 teachers.

ANCA leader recognized near end of term of service

An important aspect of this growth is the challenge of keeping all three schools, 98 teachers and 1150 students in line with the same vision, structure and undying commitment to authentic Christian education.  The administrative teams of each school have several meetings each year  to consolidate vision and share current challenges, exciting developments and innovative practices.  In addition to this time of sharing, Liam has monthly meetings with the two other school directors to share and exchange practices.

Proverbs 15:21 says, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”  Proverbs 19:21 also warns, “Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.”  It is our prayer that the leadership teams of our three schools, committed to following Christ, are drawn together in unity and God’s wisdom.  All of us are passionate about Christian education and seeing the lives of boys and girls, young men and women, transformed in an authentic commitment to following Christ.

Members of the NCA International Administrative Team and spouses at our house for dinner

Why I Love Living in Nicaragua

Sometimes people will ask why we like living in Nicaragua (or IF we like living in Nicaragua).☺  While there are many reasons (great beaches, good friends, no sleet or hail or really bad weather at all, friendly people, beautiful scenery, etc.), there’s one reason that I have been coming back to lately, especially in this Christmas season.  In Nicaragua I am reminded daily how wonderful my life really is.  I have a loving family, a home to rest in, food to eat every day, health care when I need it, peaceful nights without fear of violence, access to a quality education for my children, a passport to travel, and all my basic needs are met.

There are days when I am not content with what God has given me.  I want a new car, a different house, or an item I can’t find in the grocery store.  I wish Amazon.com would deliver to Nicaragua.  But I am thankful that God does not leave me in my sin—that sin of discontentment and materialism.  In His grace He reminds me of all I have asked for and all the ways He has answered me.  Then I can come to Him in gratitude rather than discontentment.

Rather than being frustrated with a sometimes unreliable vehicle, I can be thankful that we have one at all, and that our whole family doesn’t pile onto a motorcycle to go out together, or depend on a crowded bus.  If I lived elsewhere, I’m afraid that I would forget how amazing it is even to own a car (or two)!  I think at times that it’s actually easier to live in Nicaragua.  I feel like living in Nicaragua has been God’s gift of contentment to me, and although I still can struggle with “the grass is always greener”, living here helps me realize that the grass is REALLY green right where I’m standing.  I hope that this Christmas season you can take the time to be thankful for all God has given you, and maybe to bless someone who could use encouragement at this time.