Hi everyone!
Sometimes Gerald and I just look at each other and laugh. When will we ever stop changing jobs, seasons, LIFE? When will we ever just BE? Obviously, that is not the life God has called us to in this season of life. It seems like we are constantly being thrown into “new” challenges, experiences, opportunities and although it is exciting, it can be exhausting. But we are learning even more how to lean into the Lord and find true rest in Him even if we are running around like chickens with our heads cut off (that’s a new phrase I need to teach Gerald, haha!) every day. Part of this is learning to trust God to take care of it all, that it is His plan and His work we are just coming alongside of what He is already doing. Not resting is even disobedience to God (uh-oh!)- Hebrews 4:9-11. So we are choosing to trust. He has already proven His faithfulness over and over to us, why would we not?
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'” -Matthew 11:28-30
So….A lot has been happening here in Nicaragua that we are so excited to share with you!
- The children started school the second week of February. The majority of the
children are really staying committed to their studies and are doing so well. - The after school tutoring program is going fantastic! We have been able to catch some of the children up to the other students in their grade level by working with them on their literacy and math.
- I (Marissa) have started teaching English to a group of the high school students. They are really enjoying it and have loved practicing their English with visitors that have come from the states.
Cutting hair for the men at Pajarito Azul with young people from the community - Gerald has started a small group with some of the teenagers. We hope to begin to train these young people up as leaders and servants in their community and even their country. Gerald has started to take them to serve in Pajarito Azul, the home for men with special needs, and they absolutely fell in love and are begging to go all the time.
- We are now employed with a local ministry, Brazos de Amor. Brazos is a private orphanage/foster home here in Jinotepe. We are now, for lack of a better term, Resident Assistants for the boys who are transitioning out and starting university. We live in a house with 6 young men and are working with them to teach them how to live independently and what responsibilities come with that. Gerald has a discipleship plan with the guys to mentor them and teach them how to be Godly leaders in every aspect of their lives. We need major prayer warriors for this endeavor!
- Through some very generous donors, we were able to have an outdoor covering constructed. Now we can do all of our activities with the children outside with plenty of shade. What a blessing during this very HOT, dry season!
- We have a sweet new family with three children, Johany, Juan Rafael and Alexa.
We have a local doctor named Reyna who has started to come and do clinics in the community once or twice a month. After the first clinic, we were told that many of the
children, adults as well, are pretty sick because of parasites or bacterial infections. There were also a couple of more extreme cases such as a young girl who had had a c-section and the wound had opened up a second time and was pretty infected. Also, an elderly woman, named Sofia, who has just had one of her legs amputated because of diabetes, is at risk of losing the other. With just one initial visit and return check-up, these patients are already doing significantly better. Health care is not easily accessible anywhere close to the community, therefore this is going to be such a huge blessing to the people of Quinta Isabel. Through help of another missionary family that is here, we were able to have all the medicine that was needed for this past month provided. However, in order to continue these monthly/bi-weekly visits we need some 
help. We are looking for someone to commit to $100-$150 every month to provide the needed health care. Even the most common medicine that we take for granted in the U.S. is not attainable for this community and many like it. Some of the most basic medicine to us could be life changing for a child in Quinta Isabel. Please pray and consider giving. If you would like to give monthly toward medical care, whatever amount you can, please email us at esperanzarisingnicaragua@gmail.com and we will tell you how.
Esperanza Rising 