Meet Our LifeLink Family

Just a few of the beautiful children we were blessed to meet this week...They will always hold a special place in our hearts!!!!

Days 4 and 5- Alabanza and Goodbyes

We made it! A long week of hard work and lots of playing at Centro Escolar has come and gone, and it has been a blessing to us all. Yesterday morning we were blessed to watch the school's gymnastics team perform an amazing routine for us; these kids have been working with their coach Jocelyn since first grade, with hopes that one day one of these kids might represent Nicaragua in the Olympics (based on what we watched yesterday, that seems a highly attainable goal for these kids). The gymnastics program at this school was designed to teach kids about hard work and achieving goals, and it has proven to be a huge success, we are so proud of those guys!

After a lot of rain and a lot of construction, we attended a beautiful service at a Pentecostal church led by a friend of Wayne and Meghan's. It was truly a moving service led by Pastor Dennis. The power of God's love was pouring out of the doors of this church, and it was an incredible to watch God's people worship him with every fiber of their beings. Afterwards, Dennis took us all aside and showed us the mural that Mary Scott had painted when she had visited, and explained how he serves 300 kids a day five days a week out of his church, and how he dreams of opening a preschool on his property for those 300 kids. We were all moved by the work Dennis has done for his community, and the purity and strength of the faith of the church is nothing like I have ever seen.

Our last day at Centro Escolar was an emotional one. The kids had an abbreviated schedule, and the fourth and fifth graders performed the music they have learned this week for the rest of the school. They did an amazing job! Afterwards we went out for an awesome recess with the kids and played some serious dodgeball and soccer with our all-star athletes. Afterwards, we said a tearful "hasta luego" to these kids. Getting to know them has been a blessing to us all, and all of us can't wait to come back and see how they've grown. The hugs were plentiful, as were the tears, but all because this week has been such an amazing experience for us all. We waved our last goodbye...for now... to our incredible kitchen staff, Gerald, and Jessy (yes, there was another Jessy), and made our way back to Hotel Ticomo, knowing that this goodbye is only temporary- that God has placed Centro Escolar in our hearts for good reason, and someday He will guide us back here

Day 3- Baseball, Machetes and Everything In Between!

Day two done! Today was nothing short of exciting for us at Centro Escolar. The day started for us with an awesome chapel service in the auditorium led by the kids. It was nothing short of fantastic. The fifth graders led the entire school in singing and dancing and the story of Moses parting the Red Sea. We were stunned to see these kids leading their classmates in fellowship, and we had a blast rocking out with them. Definitely some inspiration for when we come back home!! Paired with some lessons in edging with machetes from Gerald, our morning was off to a great start.

For a few of us, our morning included a really special moment; six of us got to meet our sponsor children. It was incredible to spend some time with our extended family and get to know each other despite our language barriers. These kids are so full of joy and love, it was an honor to spend time with them. Our translator Pamela did an amazing job of setting up our visits. We spent our time drawing pictures of our favorite animals, hobbies, places to visit, and our families. Afterwards, we exchanged gifts, and the kids were thrilled. I could not have wished for a better experience meeting these kids, and the hugs helped too ;)

After lunch, our day took an interesting turn as we set up a makeshift lice clinic for the kids. For most of us, we spent our afternoons shampooing, rinsing, and combing hair. As unexpected as it was, these girls were such good sports, and got some pretty braids for being so patient . 

Once school let out, we took an adventure out to the baseball field. One of the missionaries on campus, Jessy, takes time out of his schedule to play baseball with the boys from Centro Escolar. Playing with the boys was so much fun, even if they put our baseball skills to shame. It was so touching to see Jessy with the boys- afterwards he explained to us that this is his way of giving back to the community. 

We spent a lovely evening at Casa de Tingle and had a great dinner with their kids. Off to bed for another day at school!!

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand"- Psalm 40:2

Day Two: Los Momentos Wepas

Another day done! Today was another amazing day at Centro Escolar. We accomplished so much today, but yet there is still so much more to do! After a long day of hard work, we compacted almost all the dirt in the space that will become the new cafeteria, and began clearing out what will be the new library! Everyone lent a hand in shoveling dirt, carrying dirt, spreading dirt.... compacting dirt... Lots of dirt. Jessy even noted at our debriefing today how awesome it was that the ladies on the team did some serious compacting and shoveling :)


Speaking of which, every night after our day, we settle down on the main porch and have a debriefing session where we discuss our "wepa moments" or "wow moments" from the day. I know for me, my wepa moments were all about the kids. These kids are truly one of a kind. The joy that they have just to be at school and see their teachers and staff, it is unlike anything I've ever seen. The smiles on these kids' faces are magical. They make your day so much better. There was never a moment when a student wasn't smiling at you, waving at you, asking for high fives or hugs, asking your name, or wanting to play games with you. Any moment was a moment to play! As Wayne said this evening, "Kids spell L-O-V-E as T-I-M-E," and it is absolutely true, for both us and the kids. With every minute I spent with the kids, I knew that they were feeling our love and we were feeling their love. Centro Escolar has done magical things in this community, and it is incredible to be a part of that. We're so glad to be exhausted, knowing how much we achieved today and how much is in store tomorrow.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."- Colossians 3:23

Day One: Travel and Settling In

We made it!!! After a long day of traveling we finally arrived  in one piece. Of course no travel story is complete without some hiccups along the way, but nothing deterred us from making it here on time with all our luggage intact, except for a few exploded cans of Gatorade powder. God was truly watching out for us on our travels. After a brief meeting with Megan and Wayne at Hotel Ticomo, we called it a night and went to bed. Some of us didn't even make it to the hotel before we fell asleep :)

This morning we had our first breakfast of gallo pinto (a fancy Spanish name for fried beans and rice), eggs, fruit, and coffee, and ventured off to Centro Escolar for the day. After arriving at the school, we took a tour of the facilities, with water bottles full of Gatorade and water in hand.Wayne and Megan have done amazing things with this space already, and have big plans in store... Including a new multi-purpose building that will hold a new cafeteria and kitchen, an English classroom, and a library/computer lab!! We unpacked the many, many suitcases of mission materials on the stage in the auditorium, and after becoming completely covered in sparkles from an exploded container of red glitter, took a tour of the neighborhood surrounding the school.



Needless to say, it was an eye-opening experience. As a first-time missionary, I knew that I couldn't fully prepare myself for what was in store, and I was correct. Walking around the neighborhood felt like walking on an alien planet; houses made out of scrapped sheet metal, dirt floors, houses divided by plastic sheets, garbage littering the streets as far as the eye could see. It was unreal to see this neighborhood. However, as we kept on our journey through the town, we began to see just what Megan and Wayne meant when they kept saying that the kids at the school would amaze us. We met student after student after student, every single one greeting us with the biggest smiles and waves I have ever seen. Watching the kids run up to Megan and hug her, it was clear to me just how powerful the work is that Megan and Wayne have been doing for the past seven years. Even though today was a national holiday and there was no school, these kids were itching to get back to school and be with Wayne and Megan. We even found ourselves some additional tour guides along the way!


Once we returned to the base, we set to work. The construction team went out and built compactors to use during the week on the foundation for the new building, and the rest of us were given an assignment by Megan: create a lesson for the English classes grades 3-5. We ended up with two foam animal puppet shows to go with two English children's books, and tomorrow we'll read to the kids!


Now that we have spent a day here and gotten somewhat used to this place, I think it's safe to say we are anticipating the rest of this week. All this excitement made me think of 2 Timothy:

"For this reason I remind you to fan into the flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline."

This week has so much in store for us, it requires a whole lot of flame to get done what we need to get done. We are so blessed to be here, and to be learning about God's love in this incredible way. We are so grateful to have the support of everyone at home, and promise to share our experiences with you. Adios!

-Hannah Thien and the BLC Mission Team

Meet The Team!

MEET OUR TEAM!!!

SallyJo Gieser

People ask me “why do you keep going on mission trips?” and my answer is “because I can”.   But it
 is more than that, though I am thankful that God has given me the strength and energy to go.  Several years before Chuck and I retired from 30 years of camping ministry (7 in Texas and 23 at Deerfoot Lodge in the Adirondacks), we heard a preacher in a church in Florida challenge the many retirees in the congregation… “folks, it’s not retirement, it’s reassignment”.  One of my reassignments has been involvement in foreign missions – whether it’s supporting and encouraging others or going myself.  Helping at Centro Escolar is not always easy, but it always a blessing.


Joshua and Sarah Krepel
Joshua is the assistant pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  Sarah is a Structural EIT at Ryan Biggs | Clark Davis.  They met in college at Oklahoma State and have been married for four years.  They moved to the area one year ago and have been adjusting to life in the Northeast.  They love their church and new family dearly and are so excited to be part of this amazing trip to Nicaragua.

Victoria Lizor
I am a high school special education teacher from Delmar, NY. I am most happy spending time with my partner Alan and our children Lynsea, Gavin, Cooper and Lydia and two dogs, Finnegan and Boogie. In my leisure time I enjoy reading, music and entertaining with friends and family. In 2010 I participated in my first missions trip to Petionville, Haiti and volunteered in an orphanage shortly after the earthquake. It was a very humbling and life changing experience. I am excited to work along side this awesome BLC team in Nicaragua. I look forward to growing spiritually while serving those in need by performing God's work. I am thankful for this opportunity and to my friends and family who have supported me through financial donations and continued prayers.

Lydia Martell
My name is Lydia Martell. I am 15 years old and just finished y freshman year and Bethlehem Central High School. Throughout my years of growing up, I have thoroughly enjoyed making close relationships and working with many different people through BLC. This church family has always been there to support my family and I for as long as I can remember. I love to serve in my community and I pray that this trip will extend my ability to work with others in every way God makes possible




Katie Matthews
Katie Matthews is a middle school math teacher. When she's not busy sharing her love of algebra and all things numerical with adolescents, she can be found doing some sort of music. At BLC, she's part of the Choir, Bell Choir, and MEGA Praise Band. She also sings with Albany Pro Musica and the Jubilate Singers. She continues to plays the viola, which she began as a child. She's very excited to teach music to the students at Centro Escolar! She's looking forward to sharing God's love with the people of Sandino and learning all she can from them.

Bonnie Mueller
This will be my second mission trip with Bethlehem Lutheran Church. My first was to Poland in 2011 to help run a week long English Bible camp. With this trip, I am looking forward to the chance to work on the school grounds of the LifeLink International School to help their ministry opportunities grow. As a Lutheran school teacher here in Albany, I am excited to have the opportunity to share the message of Christ with the students in Nicaragua.





Tim Mueller
This will be my second mission trip with Bethlehem Lutheran Church. My first was in 2010 to Poland to help run a week long English Bible camp. I enjoy construction and landscaping so I am very excited to work on the grounds of the LifeLink International School in Nicaragua. This will be a great opportunity to assist the school in sharing the message of Christ with the students.






Erin Newell
My name is Erin Newell I am 16 years old and I go to Bethlehem Central High School. I play tennis and sing in the BLC praise band. I hope to help others,meet new people, and grow as a person, as well as in my faith. 





Tom Newell
I graduated from BCHS in 1965, and from Cornell University in 1971 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Agriculture.  I was blessed to work in a profession that I loved for 25 years as a dairy farmer with 3 Farms Dairy.  In 1995, when the dairy business was sold, I began working for the Town of Bethlehem Highway Department, from which I recently retired.  My wife, Val and I have three daughters, Kim, Stephanie and Erin.  We have raised them on our family farm, where I grew up.  Erin 
and I are excited to be on this journey together.  Our desire is to share our faith and bring God’s love through this wonderful experience while learning about a culture so very different from our own.


Peter and Grace Smith
This both Peter and Grace's second mission through BLC. Peter will be returning to Nicaragua for the second time on this trip, and Grace went with BLC to Poland in 2011. Both have experienced the feeling reward while serving God and wish to provide His word again to the children in Sandino. This is their first mission together and are extremely excited to walk in the path of God as they serve at Centro Escolar. They are incredibly thankful to the senders who made this trip possible and are blessed to be the goers.






Hannah Thien
Hannah is 17 and is very excited to go on her first mission trip with BLC. She has spent the past six years serving BLC through the Praise Band, but has been anticipating this trip for a long time. Her biggest hopes for this trip are that this group of goers grows to be an incredible family in Christ, and that we spread God's love as far and wide as possible.






Logan & Jessy Wilson 
We have been blessed to serve  Bethlehem Lutheran Church Logan as a member of the praise band and I as a Deacon. As members of BLC we feel that God has blessed us with an amazing church family which has surrounded us with Gods love. We pray that we can share some of that love with the people of Ciudad Sandino. We also hope that this trip will bring us closer to each other and to God.

Todd Vogel
 I have been a member of BLC for about 13 years and have seen my daughters baptized here - one by Pastor Winterhoff and the youngest by Paster Mueller.Over the last half of my time at BLC I have been a part of the Master Planning Committee and am currently part of the Building Design leadership team and a member of the Missions Committee Team. I should also not forget the musical portion of the church were I volunteered to sing with MEGA Band and of course was shortly afterwards recruited for the second time by Ruth Rice to sing with the Senior choir and Bell Choir  And, I can't forget my first  wonderful experience this past year as part of the Jubilate Singers. I am a Designer/Project Manager at Mosaic Associates. In whatever free time I might have I enjoy wood working, biking, walking, snowshoeing and in general working out to keep the body and mind in shape. I have been involved with this mission trip multiple times since BLC started to be a part of Centro Escolar Lifelink. I hold that this will be another extraordinary experience to help grow God's Kingdom. Thank you and God's Blessings to all who continue to support the children and school at Centro Escolar LifeLink and to those who are "Senders" or "Goers" on the mission trip


Whether you know the team personally or from a distance, we are truly thankful and humbled that you are supporting us in our endeavors to grow as Christians and short term missionaries!!