Completed our training and ready to go!!!

We travelled to the capital city, Managua, this weekend to receive our OANSA training.  This training was important due to the different culture and financial situation here in Nicaragua in comparison to the U.S.  The volunteer staff (yes, they are all volunteers like at home) were very friendly and ready to help.  They encouraged us by stating that they have been praying for missionaries to come and help them.  Right now there are 13 OANSA clubs and only in Managua.  We are excited about the opportunities that are available through OANSA to reach children & their parents AND other adults watching what is happening through the clubs in Matagalpa.

We did receive much information to process and learn how to implement.  The club does cost a yearly membership for each church and/or village.  There are costs for materials and equipment also.  The cost, of course, is nothing to our American standards but this will be hard to figure out in the villages that struggle just to provide food to feed their family.  Along with the money aspect, some of the villages do not have mature Christian adults (yet) that could lead the club.  Thankfully, we have the permission to proceed with the teaching and games, etc. while we figure this out.  We will walk through this slowly and allow God to make the way clear.  We feel the churches here in the city - that are already well established - will be able to have a functioning club after their training along with some overseeing for a while.  But this is what discipling and multiplying is all about.  We never want anyone reliant on us...only God.  We want to be here to teach and lead so then they can take over and do the same for others.  Also, we do not want to bring our "American" ways in this either.  That is why the OANSA program is so awesome!  What better way to become more reliant on God then to learn His Word...His love letter to us.  God's Word, not human words or ways, change people.  He speaks to each individual wherever they may be...in whatever situation...through His love letter to us.  Thank you Father for being a loving, caring, and personal God!   

These are all our thoughts and plans at the moment.  We look forward to sharing how God proceeds with this program and how He changes us in the process.  Yes, we are here to share God's Word and love to others, but we know that when He uses us He will change us also.  Our prayer is that we will remain faithful in the work He has given and ONLY give Him the glory for what is done.

Prayer Requests:
*Open doors for OANSA in the churches here in Matagalpa and surrounding villages
*Godly Leaders to rise up in each church that can lead the OANSA programs
*Extra money for a rental vehicle every Monday (around $400 per month) or extra money to buy a used vehicle.  This vehicle will help us reach more villages in the surrounding areas.
*Adjustment - physically and mentally  
**Praise:  Great training and partnership with the OANSA base in Managua, our house becoming more like a home, Nicaraguan translators that have helped us thus far, the peace that God has given us while here, our prayer and financial supporters

Thank you all for taking the time to read our blog and pray over each request!
The Perry Gang
      
Manfred is one of the translators that the Harbinson's introduced us to the first night we arrived.  Bryson and Manfred became friends quickly. 

 
Lorenzo & Abril were the two volunteers that helped train us this weekend.  We were thankful for their service to our Lord and kindness towards us.

 

We had a visit from some of the children in one of their clubs in Managua. 





 

 



 

We were able to purchase some of the start up materials.  Lorenzo gave us the "Planting Seeds"

manuals on his expense (Fundamentos de la Fe).  This is another program that will newly be started.  In fact, we might be the first ones to use it if there is enough interest and volunteers for the training.  This OANSA program is a cheaper version of the one that is currently used.  

 

 

We are VERY excited about using these items soon!!!  Please help us pray!

 

 

On Monday, we travelled to the village of San Antonio where Eric teaches a Bible study.  We were praying that the Pastor would allow us to help him start an OANSA club with the children of his village.  To get there - the cheapest way possible - we got to travel by several different means:  walking, bus, taxi, walking again.  I couldn't help but think of the song, "Over the river and through the woods..."  It was a long and exhausting day, but the eternal rewards outweigh the trouble.  We have added another big prayer request regarding the travel though.  More on that at the end.
Below are pictures of Monday's activities.

We began by walking 10 - 15 minutes to the bus station.  Once there we had to wait a while for the right bus to come along. 

This is our friend, Wesley, that Eric introduced us to a year or so ago.  He also helped Eric translate.  Do you notice the "photo bomber" in the back?  He had fun with that!

Once the right bus arrived the fun began.  Eric knows the tricks.  He literally jumped on the back and pushed his way through.  Thankfully, he somehow saved us a seat because we weren't so brave.  This was a little bit scary for me because of my kids.  I thought of the footage of the "Black Friday" sales back home.  All the people pushing and shoving regardless of the others around.  

 

 

Once on, our personal space/bubble was busted and we squeezed as much as possible.  I can't begin to imagine how people were on that bus.  I literally just began to pray for God to allow us another traveling solution.  Not only is this process difficult but time consuming.  The time it takes to walk to the bus station, ride the bus (@ 1 1/2 hours ride), then rent a taxi (@ 10 minute ride), and finally walk to the village (@ 10 minutes) - there and back - we could reach 2 or 3 villages.  We were gone around 8 hours and had only 1 1/2 hours with the one village.  Plus, we were trying to figure out how we would also bring the supplies with us for OANSA on this crowded bus! 

We are praying for God to provide extra money to either rent a vehicle every Monday (@ $400 per month) or, an even bigger miracle, to provide money to buy a used vehicle to share with the Harbinson's as we work alongside of them in our ministries.  We don't know God's timeframe, but we will trust that God will provide.  In the meantime, we will continue to go to the village because that is what God asks and we want to obey.  Seeing those children was well worth the travel craziness!  Please help us pray over this request. 

 

 Jeremy trying to make his way to us.

Avery was getting really close to the side of the bus.  Some time during our ride we had some kind of liquid land on our faces.  It wasn't raining, so we were hoping it wasn't spit or something.  Ew!  lol

 As Eric says, "There is always room for one more here!"

They got to stand for the 1 1/2 hour ride.

 After arriving by bus, then taxi, we finished the walk to the village.  It was quite beautiful!

 We thought we were just coming to listen to Eric teach and talk to the Pastor about OANSA, but he wanted us to play some of the games.  We didn't have any supplies so we got creative.  Jeremy and Greyson are talking about the plan to construct the game circle with rocks and soda bottles for the pins.

Some of the kids of the village arrived and were watching the crazy gringos!  :)

The kids demonstrated the first game. 

There were a few brave children that wanted to participate.  We know the more we come and with the game equipment the more the children will become involved.

 Wesley explaining the game in Spanish.

 

The kids demonstrating another game.

 

 



Time for Eric's Bible study.  He usually has several teenagers but there must have been a school event to prevent their attendance.  He had to be flexible with the lesson since there were many children that came.

She is why we want to help the village start an OANSA club. 

 And her...

 And him...

 Jeremy and Pastor Frank.  We are excited about the future partnership.  Please pray that God will keep the doors open to this ministry.

 After around 1 1/2 hours, we start the trek back...

Thankfully, the bus ride back wasn't as crowded!

We were exhausted though!  But this exhaustion is great!

 

We joked on the way home that we sure hoped our water wasn't turned off because we were soaked with sweat and covered in dirt.  Guess what?  The water was off.  :)  Thankfully, we have a water tank, but it comes out in a trickle and very cold.  But we were happy to just wash off even though our teeth were chattering during the washing.  LOL!  Then we noticed our internet was off!  And we saw the biggest cockroaches we have ever seen.  Wendy Harbinson warned me!  Ew!!  God is stretching us.  Again, we know the uncomfortableness will be worth it in the end.

 

Thank you all for your prayers for this day.  We prayed the Pastor would be open to the OANSA club and he was.  We prayed that our stomachs would behave since bathrooms are very rare and they did.  God is faithful!  Please help us pray now for God to allow us to have a rental vehicle each Monday or own a used vehicle to share with the Harbinsons.  We also met with another Pastor that has a village near San Antonia that is interested in OANSA.  We will meet with him some more next week and demonstrate the club on our way to San Antonia.  Please pray for that opportunity.  And above all please pray for hearts to be open to hear God's Word and believe in Jesus as their Savior.

 

Thank you all!!! 



We have arrived!

Tuesday, March 18th we started our full time missions (physical) journey to Matagalpa, Nicaragua.
For a couple of weeks prior we had lots of time fellowshipping with family and friends.  It still was a tearful goodbye...but we are excited to see what God has planned for the future.

We arrived in the capital city, Managua, around 8:00 p.m. (10 p.m. N.C. time).  Eric Harbinson, a fellow WCC friend and missionary in Matagalpa, picked us up along with 2 of his Nicaraguan friends.  We finally arrived in Matagalpa and our new home around 11:00 p.m. Eric, Wendy (his wife), and Kaylee (their daughter) had a nice welcome for us!  They have been a HUGE help in this moving process.  They found our rental home and orchestrated the repairs needed.  We are very thankful for their help!!  After going through all our luggage and finding necessary items we finally fell into our new beds around 1 a.m. 

 

The next morning Eric, Jeremy, Greyson, and I went back to Managua to meet Eric's Landlady.  She was another blessing because she helped by taking us to a special discount store to buy some of the items we needed for our home:  refrigerator, washing machine, kitchen table/chairs, t.v., etc.  Jeremy had to get his coffee pot too!  We will be having another blessing next week also.  A missionary couple that will be leaving next week is donating several of their household items:  stove, rocking chairs, plastic table/chairs, storage items, etc.  We are continually amazed by God's provision.  This couple will actually be going to Ecuador to help other missionaries.
  

No, we really didn't ride in the back on the way home.  This picture was Eric's idea to scare my Mom and mother-in-law.  :)

Our first meal (breakfast) around our new table in Nicaragua.  For me, this brought a lot of comfort and a bit of normalcy.  I enjoy our meals together like this...lots of communicating and laughing!   

Meet our new dishwasher...or dishwashers.  :)  I think Greyson still needs to learn a few things.

Our new washing machine.  Love it!  It is nice when the water is not cut off.  If the water is turned off - which seems to be a lot these last 2 days - we fill it up bucket by bucket.  But it still washes and I don't have to do it by hand!  No complaints here!!

The Dryer.  This might sound odd, but I sort of enjoy this part.  Now maybe in a few months my opinion might change but right now it is neat.

Next weekend - March 29 & 30 we will have our OANSA (AWANA) training in Managua.  The Harbinson's have set us up with a great translator for the weekend.  Plus, they are going to come along to be our chaperones in the big city.  :)

Prayer Requests:
*OANSA training
*Adjustment for the family
**Learning Spanish - I so long to talk with about every woman and child that I see.  I know the whole family feels this way.  We want to know the language NOW, but know this will take a while.  Please pray that God will open our ears and mouths quickly to understand and speak
Spanish.

Thank you all for your prayers and checking up on us!
Much Love and Gratitude,
The Perry Gang

There once was a young girl...
This young girl was always so excited when Missionaries would come to her church to tell of places and people far away.  She would especially love to hear about how God was changing lives in those areas.  The world was not so big and people not so different when she realized the need for all to learn about her Savior, Jesus Christ.  As each Missionary visited, her desire to go "to the ends of the earth" grew.  She didn't know when or how but she knew one day she would go...

Years passed and this young girl grew to be a young woman.  Along with her missionary desires, God also placed a huge desire in her to be a wife and mommy.  This was one of her number one goals.  God granted that desire and prayer (yes, she prayed for years for a Godly man to come into her life) when she went away to college -- within the first week in fact.  The man she prayed for was sitting in her freshman intro class with the cutest accent, bluest eyes, and fabulous smile.  A couple of years later she married that handsome guy.  Then God blessed them with treasures that would bring their lives so much joy.  Those 4 treasures were named Greyson, Avery, Addyson, and Bryson. 

More years passed and this woman's life was filled with God, family, and friends.  Her desire for missions was still there but God used that desire to pray for Missionaries and the persecuted church.  But as the children grew older God granted her the ability to go on several short term mission trips.  Those trips started to fan that Missionary desire again.  With the flame burning bright she began to pray for God to give the same desire to her husband.  Several years passed and God did answer her prayer! 

Now this not so young girl is one week away from leaving for full time missions with the "desires of heart" answered.  She has a Godly husband & children, and the opportunity to share God's Word to people in another country with her family.  Her heart is full and happy...

 

God has provided a great house for us in Nicaragua.  The Harbinson's, our fellow church missionaries and friends, have been working hard hiring the workers to fix up the house.  As you can see below just putting on fresh paint has made a huge difference.  The other work done consists of adding outlets in the kitchen, drain pipes, adding wiring so we can have hot showers, fixing up a room so we can have a 4th bedroom for our visitors, etc.  We are very excited about seeing our new place very soon!

 

Our rental home in Nicaragua!

Before:

                                                            After:

                                          Our view from the Living Room!