full of joy NOW!: 2008

We met at Portland International at 4 am, flew to Huston with a 5 hour layover where I engaged in chocolate ice cream dripping (on the front of my white blouse which I got to wear the entire day because all my clothes were packed in the belly of the plane) and a demanding, competitive game of Hacky Sac with the teen guys. I intentionally joined them in the circle, uninvited but welcomed, because I wanted to break the ice. We didn't know each other and since we would be traveling together for 11 days I wanted them to know I LOVE kids of all ages. They were so cute as they gently tossed me the sac and laughed time and time again as I kicked it the exact opposite direction of the team. This time together at the gate gave me an inside look at a group of teenage boys who were going to serve the people of Nicaragua with their youth, strength, enthusiasm and heart. It was a blast for me! Back on another plane we landed in Managua, Nicaragua, Central America, grabed the suitcases, squeezed through customs like a herd of elephants, we got our passports stamped then off to The Land of Judah Orphanage via our well traveled broken-in & broken-down bus. We got off the bus in the dark seeing almost nothing of the area, the facility or the

children. Obviously they were fast asleep... it was past midnight. We are in the tropics of Central America. It's the middle of the night and it's very hot and very sweaty! Our bunks were donned with mosquito nets; we rejoiced to see clean, flushey toilets and spacious showers but NO HOT WATER. You might think that would be great seeing it's so humid but ohhhh what a contrast from the dense, hot, sticky air to the cold water. We thanked the Lord for fresh, plentiful water! Exhausted and thrilled to be at the orphanage we 27 travelers settled in to our dorms for a hot, muggy night of sleep......... Day 1

Whom shall I send, and who will go for "Us?" And I said here am I!
Send me… Isaiah 6:8

Life has given me many unique adventures: Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia, a Mexican orphanage and I’ve had the privilege of leading students to the realization that they too can be used by the Lord to touch people… we raised funds to build a home for a family in Jamaica. I have always had a passion to help the needy around the world. Now I have an opportunity to go to Nicaragua and write a new chapter in my life. The words in the song “Hands and Feet” by Audio Adrenalin, declare my life’s desire… SEND ME!

Nicaragua mission projects...
August 15-25, 2008

CITY DUMP
La Chureca is the closest thing to hell on earth in Nicaragua. It is the Managua city dump, filled with burning heaps of trash, construction materials, animal intestines,paper, plastic, glass, and concrete. Anything of value is sifted and removed by the hundreds of workers who live in the dump. The smell is horrific. Burning ash blows around mixed with dust, animal and human excrement. This is not a place to be born or to grow up but hundreds of children live here from birth till death. Infant fatality is high, much higher than in other high risk parts of Nicaragua. Our team will bring food, clothing and supplies to these lost children.

CASA JUAN MARCOS
Here is a home for young men who are leaving or have left orphanages to provide a support system in this final transition to adulthood. The home is called Casa Juan Marcos, or the house of John Mark. Casa Juan Marcos is a pilot project with the goal of providing young men with the life skills they so desperately need to succeed in life after being raised in an orphanage. Our mission team will help with projects and support this great group of young men.

Lunch with the boys: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGrVtBk4940

ORPHANAGE
Land of Judah orphanage is a group of facilities which provide care for around 50 children ages 1 year to 13 years old. Most of the children are under the age of 8 years old. They are presently building temporary facilities for an additional 25 children. "Casitas," or small homes, are being constructed to move the children into a more stable, home like environment. Goals have been set to construct two to four small homes on this site. That would provide housing for an additional 32 children.

A Team Mission Trip

Individual’s mission trip expenses:
$1600 will include airfare, arrival and departure fees, food, lodging, transportation, excursion fees, and team project funds. Any donations I receive beyond my expenses will go directly to help the children and families of Nicaragua.

Whom shall I send, and who will go for “Us?”

And I said here am I! Send me… Isaiah 6:8

CASA JUAN MARCOS

Here is a home for young men who are leaving or have left orphanages to provide a support system in this final transition to adulthood. The home is called Casa Juan Marcos, or the house of John Mark. Casa Juan Marcos is a pilot project with the goal of providing young men with the life skills they so desperately need to succeed in life after being raised in an orphanage. Our mission team will help with projects and support this great group of young men.

Lunch with the boys: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGrVtBk4940

ORPHANAGE Land of Judah orphanage is a group of facilities which provide care for around 50 children ages 1 year to 13 years old. Most of the children are under the age of 8 years old. They are presently building temporary facilities for an additional 25 children. "Casitas," or small homes, are being constructed to move the children into a more stable, home like environment. Goals have been set to construct two to four small homes on this site. That would provide housing for an additional 32 children.

Individual’s mission trip expenses:

$1600 will include airfare, arrival and departure fees, food, lodging, transportation, excursion fees, and team project funds. Any donations I receive beyond my expenses will go directly to help the children and families of Nicaragua.

Life has given me many unique adventures: Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia, a Mexican orphanage and I’ve had the privilege of leading students to the realization that they too can be used by the Lord to touch people… we raised funds to build a home for a family in Jamaica. I have always had a passion to help the needy around the world. Now I have an opportunity to go to Nicaragua and write a new chapter in my life. The words in the song “Hands and Feet” by Audio Adrenalin, declare my life’s desire… SEND ME!

Whom shall I send, and who will go for “Us?”

And I said here am I! Send me… Isaiah 6:8

CASA JUAN MARCOS

Lunch with the boys: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGrVtBk4940

ORPHANAGE Land of Judah orphanage is a group of facilities which provide care for around 50 children ages 1 year to 13 years old. Most of the children are under the age of 8 years old. They are presently building temporary facilities for an additional 25 children. "Casitas," or small homes, are being constructed to move the children into a more stable, home like environment. Goals have been set to construct two to four small homes on this site. That would provide housing for an additional 32 children.

Individual’s mission trip expenses:

Whom shall I send, and who will go for “Us?”

And I said here am I! Send me… Isaiah 6:8

CASA JUAN MARCOS

Lunch with the boys: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGrVtBk4940

ORPHANAGE Land of Judah orphanage is a group of facilities which provide care for around 50 children ages 1 year to 13 years old. Most of the children are under the age of 8 years old. They are presently building temporary facilities for an additional 25 children. "Casitas," or small homes, are being constructed to move the children into a more stable, home like environment. Goals have been set to construct two to four small homes on this site. That would provide housing for an additional 32 children.