Day Three: The First Day of Working...

Wow, if we only knew what was in store for us when we woke up this morning!

It all started off as planned with breakfast and a devotion by Lydia. After that we each found ourselves drawn to one of the three areas of volunteering - at the Church for the meal program, at the school for crafts and Bible stories with the 1st thru 4th Graders or to the construction site. Each had their own moments to remember.

Amy and Elaine along with Lydia, (BLC's own) an Enrich Missions Intern for the past month, went to shop for the fresh ingredients this morning before leaving for the Church. They took those delicious ingredients, chopped them up and cooked them to make minestrone soup for the lunch with the children. 

Lots of love went into making the soup. Being the first time on the menu, it was a big hit - not only with the kids but with adults alike!  Chuck just couldn't help himself, so he gabbed a bowl and enjoyed both the food and the company!

Elaine had quite the scare as she opened her backpack before lunch...

  ...And out popped our favorite little guy, who had some how worked its way into her bag!

Barb, Megan, Kayleigh, Leigh, Jen, Lydia, Chuck and Elaine, went the the school to have fun with the students. 

 

The students really enjoyed the first of four days of crafts and bible stories!

That morning session was so engaging that Chuck and SallyJo were caught getting in a quick nap before the afternoon session!

The construction site was a busy place for most of the day. Sand and gravel were being hauled down the steep road in wheelbarrows and buckets by some local workers and many on our team.  This is no small incline but rather a rocky, steep road tough to walk with nothing in your hands. It was much more of a challenge when your hauling stone and sand down it in wheelbarrows and buckets.

Donna, Rebecca, Caitlin and Logan all should be exhausted tonight after that effort!

Bill, Doug, Tim, Wayne and I spent the time placing boards for pour stops around the deck area and finished prepping any other areas before the concrete pour started. 

By lunch time we were definitely ready to sit down in some shade, take a break and gather with the rest of the team to share a meal. The morning sun and work had used up most of our energy reserves and the recharge time was more than welcomed!

Right on cue, with a tip of a bucket and some good natured laughter, our energy came back. Tim demonstrates one more time how it happened and was caught on camera by Bill!

Well, lunch had to end sooner rather than later so it was time to get back to work! The craft group went back to the school for the afternoon classes and the construction crew got back to work.

Time for the first wheelbarrow of concrete and we were ready to pour concrete for the afternoon.

The youth on the trip definitely put in a great work effort today!

We were starting to get into a flow of things when the first rain came. And drove us under the canopies.

We did get back to work only to have the second round of rain move in. Putting us right back under the canopies.

After getting back to placing the concrete for the third time, we found one more thing to test our faith. This was a safety issue which put a hold on the work day for most of the group. And brought about a meeting of the minds to solve the issue which saw the floor structure begin to belly from the weight of the concrete. 

After a trip to the lumber yard, one broken jack a bracing post later the issue was solved and we were finished for the evening, just as it became too dark to see. 

There are times when our patience are tried, but working together can bring a positive result to the end of the day.

Thank you Lord for a wonderful day with our team members and friends here in Matagalpa.

Day Two: Our Introduction to Matagalpa and the Mission

Our second day started off with breakfast and a short discussion about what to expect while we're here.

Then it was time to get busy with making lunch, a daily routine for the week. 

Our first stop of the day was at the church in Barrio Sor Maria Romero where we will be making and serving lunches for the children. 

There were a few familiar faces from last year that were beaming with great big smiles as we drove up. 

Next we visited the kitchen at the church, where last years team worked on many different parts including the electric, painting, cabinets, shutters and the shelving. Wayne and Megan informed us of the work completed here and how it is used by Pastor Rogelio and his wife Thelma during the lunch time feeding of the children. It is awesome seeing the kitchen now filled with supplies and being put to full use! 

We then went on a walk, several blocks away, to the Enrichment Center location. They have been very busy constructing a storage shed for supplies also doubling as a home for the family who watches over the property while no one is there. Then down the hill we see a large building with columns standing straight up to the sky and a shiny metal deck just waiting for our hard work this week pouring the concrete floor. This is truely amazing how last year they were in prayer to decide if they were going to buy the property to this year having a structure out of the ground and literally up in the air. (You'll see more information on this as the week goes on.) Thanks to the senders at BLC they are able to place the concrete on the first floor deck.  Next year, they will move forward with the second floor feeding and tutoring. The first floor will be an open area for multi-purpose use. 

The third location we'll be at during our week is the local school just up the hill from the Enrichment Center. There we'll be helping the student in Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 create a craft.

Next up were a few of those unplanned moments that bring a little entertainment to the group and locals. Chuck found a neighborhood gentlemen playing a guitar and brought Logan, our resident guitar player on this trip, over to play a few notes with him.

Not to be out done we then all got to have "Coke in a bag". Here they don't hand out the glass soda bottles but instead pour it into a bag for the customer to drink so they can keep the bottle and get the return on it.  

Lunch time...

 

PBJ, Gatorade or cookies anyone?

...and our favorite little guy...

TIme to hear about the river that runs though Matagalpa near the Enrichment Center from Wayne. 

To cap the night we went back to the church to participate in their evening worship service. There was lots of singing by all and a little preaching by Chuck and "the brows" 

God does create such beauty...don't you agree.

Day One - Traveling to Matagalpa

The group has arrived at Matagulpa! What a group...

 

We took the four legs of the trip and made the best of them. The first was a trip to LaGuardia International Airport in Queens.We'd like to thank the wonderful drivers and co-pilots for a nice and comfortable ride with great conversation on the way to the airport! (David VanKempen and Jessy Wilson, Mike and Diane Mineau and Brad and Patty Hellman)

That second leg, the flight to Miami, was delayed a half hour which gave us time to eat and relax and give us less of a layover in Miami before the third leg of the travel began. We arrived in Managua, Nicaragua around 9:00 pm NY time and received a warm welcome from Megan and Wayne once we cleared customs. We still had a few team members get checked at customs as seems to happen each year. It's the luck of the draw and they were the lucky ones this year.

A few minutes to pile our luggage into Megan's truck and tie it down  and we're ready to load into the van for a two hour ride to Matagalpa, our home base for the next week.

After unloading at the Hotel, it was 12:15 am on our body clocks and a little rest was needed before sending out this blog. Sorry for the delay this morning we had a little technical issue that slowed this post. 

We are very thankful for the prayers and support given by all as we progress through this week not sure what surprises God may have planned for our group. 

Meet our two late additions to the Team

 

 Tim Mueller

I am a sophomore civil engineering student at Valparaiso University in Indiana. This will be my fourth mission trip and second to Nicaragua. I have gone with BLC on three mission trips, two to Nicaragua and one to Poland. I am involved in the Engineers Without Borders team at my school. I traveled with them to Haiti this past January. It was a great blessing to be added to this trip and be able to serve in Nicaragua again. Mission trips have become a important part to my walk of faith. I feel a strong calling to serve others, and this has brought me here. I am excited that this trip aligns with my interest in civil engineering, and I am glad that I can bring some specialized skills.

 

 Chuck Gieser 

I was born in China where my father managed A 400 bed hospital and my mother taught bible studies. I have grown up in missions and served in a variety of ways in 8 countries. This is my 3rd trip to Nicaragua because needs are huge and the leadership Is excellent.

Meet the 2017 Enrich Missions Team!

Ready To Go!

In a few short weeks, we will be boarding a plane from LaGuardia to Managua, Nicaragua and will end up in Matagalpa to spend a week working and worshiping  with the team at Enrich Missions.   Here is the BLC 2017 team.  We ask that you pray for us as we travel and for our spiritual journey.

Amy Vogel

Hello my name is Amy Vogel and this will be my second time to take this trip, what makes it even more special is that I have been able to share this trip with my wonderful husband Todd Vogel. We will be married a year this June. We have three girls and two boys. I'm a nurse in the NICU at Albany Medical Center for 13 years and I love my job. I feel I am able to do some of gods work through my job. Well with work and family that takes up most of my time it just leaves room for some prayer to thank god for all I have. 

Barb Collins

I’m Barb Collins.  Bill and I joined BLC in 1983. Our children James and Leigh grew up at BLC and within the past two years have both been married in BLC. Being a member of this strong Christian community has been a very important part of my life and has had tremendous impact on the way I live.

I was blessed to have a fulfilling career teaching music and arts to a variety of audiences and abilities- especially children with special needs and adults with dementia.  I retired from the Albany Institute of History & Art a year ago.  This now allows me much more time to devote to my special interests –

traveling, knitting/felting, quilting, volunteering and becoming a master gardener.

It is an honor to be part of this years’ Nicaragua Goers, and it is especially meaningful that I will be working for Jesus alongside my husband and daughter.

Bill Collins

Hi, my name is Bill Collins and this will be my third mission trip in support of the Tingles in Nicaragua. Each one has been an exciting and different chance to serve Jesus and the children of Nicaragua. This one is different because I’ll be sharing the experience with both my wife, Barbara, and our daughter, Leigh.  Fortunately my love for the Lord and desire to serve wherever He needs me to be is MUCH stronger than the pitiful results of my somewhat-diligent efforts to learn Spanish. I will, again, smile and nod A LOT. Please know that the smiles will be sincere; I have thoroughly enjoyed our collective work and Christ-sharing in Nicaragua and I am SURE I will again.

About me – Barbara and I are very happily retired which gives us a lot more time to travel and spend with family  and friends. Retirement gives me a lot more time for volunteer firefighting, tennis, other community volunteer activities, singing in our choir, and, soon I hope, more scuba-diving. Our family is really looking forward to working, witnessing, and laughing with the great group that our intrepid leader, SallyJo, has assembled this year. 

Caitlin Schultz

Hi, I'm Caitlin! I am 17 years old and will be a senior at Bethlehem Central High School in the fall. I have had the privilege of serving BLC in the praise band for the past 7 years; I am passionate about sharing Jesus' love with others, especially through music. This opportunity has been long-anticipated, and I am thrilled to be attending my first mission trip to Nicaragua! I can't wait to learn from the people of Matagalpa, to share Christ's love with them, and to grow stronger in my faith. 

Donna Spellman

My name is Donna Spellman.  I am happily married to my husband Gary. Together we have 3 children.  Our family has attended BLC for many years. I'm blessed beyond measure to have the opportunity to go a second time to Nicaragua. I am so very grateful to be able to share this experience with my daughter Kaleigh. I can't wait to see what God has in mind for our 2017 team. 

Doug Ophardt

My name is Doug Ophardt and I have been a Capital Budget Analyst for 17 years. I was on a previous trips to Nicaragua in 2014 and 2016 and found the experience very exciting. First, because I was helping the Tingles' resource center, surrounded by the most cheerful children who were excited each day; overcoming the challenges faced in their daily environment. 

It was great being immersed in a totally different culture and stimulating to meet people with so much to share, and who allowed me to be part of their lives for a few days. It was great fun to just "go with the flow." I look forward again to working with the children, helping them with their school work, getting to know them, having them teach me some Spanish, and learning more about the Nicaraguan people and their culture.    And if possible, I'd love to spend time with a great group of volunteer firefighters at the nearby Matagalpa Fire Department. 

Elaine Copper

I'm Elaine Cooper, retired from the NYS Senate. I have 2 grown children and 4 beautiful grands. I have belonged to Bethany Lutheran Church in Central Bridge for 71 years! Served as Sunday School pianist, teacher and superintendent, council, choir, ladies auxiliary. I love children and look forward to playing with those in Matagalpa. I am so grateful for this opportunity. 

Jen Wilson

My name is Jennifer Wilson and this is my first mission trip.  I have been married to Jessy for almost 22 years and we have two wonderful children - Ian and Logan.  Jessy and both our boys have already traveled to Nicaragua on missions trips and after listening to them talk about the amazing experiences I felt it was time for me to go.  This will be Logan’s 2nd trip so I am excited to be sharing this experience with him. I hope to be able to spread God’s love and to grow in my faith.

Kaleigh Spellman

My name is Kaleigh Spellman, I am 15 years old, and I will soon be a junior at Bethlehem Central High School. Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to help others. I was so blessed to have been given such a loving family, good friends, and a strong faith that I couldn’t just walk away from the plans God had in store for me. Other than church and serving others, I love sports, music, the outdoors, and learning new things. I currently play field hockey and lacrosse as school sports, but I also enjoy skiing and swimming. I also play the clarinet and have been singing in the BLC Praise Band since 7th grade. I am super excited to be on this year’s mission team along with my mom and two of my closest friends, Caitlin and Logan.

Leigh McCormick

I have been a member of BLC for as long as I can remember, along with my loving parents Barb and Bill, who I am very happy to be sharing this trip with! My husband Joe and I have been married for 2 years come October. I have a brother, James, and sister-in-law Stephenie who live in Washington State, where my brother is stationed for the Navy. I graduated with a theater degree and was fortunate to travel the world a bit with it, but currently work in life insurance. I am also going to school for School Counseling. I am excited for this trip so that I can share my talents and help others enrich their lives. I have previously taken a mission trip with my father, and am really looking forward to sharing this trip with both of my parents.

Logan Wilson

My name is Logan Wilson, I am 16 years old, and this will be my second time going to Nicaragua. My first time I went with my dad and this time I will be going with my mom. I go to Ravena High School and I have been playing in the BLC praise band for 6 years. Since I started going to BLC I have thoroughly enjoyed making such close relationships with many different people through the church and having such a supportive church family has been a blessing in my life. I’m so excited to go on this trip and to extend our hands out to the people of Matagalpa through God, and come to strengthen our faith in him.

Rebecca Cooper

What is most important to me is living a meaningful an active life surrounded by people who inspire and motivate me. Having the chance to serve in Nicaragua is another opportunity to give and receive what matters most. I am especially looking forward to sharing this experience with three generations of women in my family; my daughter, my mom and myself. I have been a member of BLC for 18 years and live in Delmar with my partner Luke and my two children, Cooper and Lydia. I am a social worker who works at the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and a private practice. In my free time, I enjoy being active to keep my body and mind healthy, reading, volunteering, traveling and being engaged with my family and friends

Sally Jo Geiser

May I start where I left off last year?  “God is so good to allow me the health and strength to continue to serve Him and His people” – at church, in our community and Nicaragua.  I appreciate the encouragement and love from my husband, my children and my grandchildren to follow God’s call to go on this, my seventh, trip.   Every BLC mission team is unique and as we train together, read God’s word together, pray together and as we work together in Nicaragua, we grow as individuals and develop closeness as brothers and sisters in Christ.  To God be the Glory – great things He has done!

Todd Vogel

Hola ..It's wonderful to be able to go on another short term mission trip with BLC. It's also a blessing to be able to experience this trip with my wife, Amy. I have experienced and learned so much preparing for and going on these trips over the past that several years that I'd say it's a "game changer" in my life.  I've been or am still a part of many different ministry groups at BLC and through them and the many experiences at church have grown in my faith.  Some day I hope to be able to experience a mission trip with my daughters.  If you ever get the slightest urge to go on a mission trip I would suggest that you follow that feeling...that's how I ended up going on my first trip and have enjoyed the faith growing experiences ever since.

Please pray for all those going on this trip and all those that will be touched by God's Hands during this trip. IT WILL BE A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL!