We are back in our Nicaragua!

Hello All!
 
Thank you for your prayers!  We are safely back with all our luggage.  We would like to take a minute and praise God for His provision and thank you for your prayers.
 
*God gave us a great trip back to the States.  We were able to visit family & friends and share God's work in Nicaragua with several churches & preschools.  One new supporter and MANY prayer partners came out of the visit.  So VERY thankful!!

Even though I've already posted about my newest nephew he is just too cute not to put in another picture!

We had a wonderful time with family at the beach.  It was nice to have a week of relaxation and eating a lot!  ;)

 We were able to speak at several churches and preschools on our trip home.  It was great way to share what God is doing in Nicaragua with many people.  And now we have more prayer partners!

 

 

*One of our hopes was to have extra funds when we returned to purchase Spanish Bibles.  God granted that hope and we have enough to purchase around 110 Spanish Bibles!!!!  Woohoo!  We can't wait to get them in the hands of the children and adults.
 
*While on our time in the States, Jeremy and I committed to each other that when we return to Nicaragua we would bump up our Spanish learning.  We knew this would mean extra money out of our funds but just trusted
in God that He would provide the money needed.  We kept this to ourselves.  Before we left a couple of people gave us money just for Spanish classes.  I LOVE how God works!  And we are so thankful people obey when God guides them to give.  We know this was a sacrifice for them. 
 
*There has been a lot of flooding in Matagalpa.  The weather report said there was another big storm coming in that would produce a tremendous amount of rain - the day we would be arriving.  Many prayed and God answered.  The storm turned and went back to sea!!
 
*We were blessed to be bringing back 150 pounds of shoes and 3 boxes of "treasure bag" items.  (Can't wait to see how God will use these items to further His Kingdom!)  We did not even think about going through customs until a few days before when a friend suggested there could be a problem.  A couple of other friends gave us a great idea right before we left.  Our church wrote a letter stating these items were for donations only.  This is true, but it never hurts to have it in writing! 
When we arrived we were the last people  to go through the custom lines (of course) and here we come with 24 suitcases, boxes, carry-ons, & backpacks.  One of the men wanted to know why we needed so much for a family of six.  They chose a couple of boxes to search.  Another one was chosen (the one full of brand new shoes) but somehow - we know it is ALL God - it was never brought over.  Jeremy brought out our letter and presented it to the man in charge.  After searching the boxes the man jokingly said there was nothing they wanted and sent us on our way.  Our family was praying through that moment and knew many back in the States were doing the same.  We are thanking God that He answered!

We were blessed to be given lots of children's shoes.  Our prayer is that the shoes will be used to reach many for Christ.  Above is a picture of Jeremy carrying a 50 pound bag of shoes.

 
*Some of our friends came to pick us up at the airport.  They sacrificed their time and money to do this and we are very thankful!  Then after around 2 hours we arrived safely back to our home that night in Matagalpa.  Then we found out another precious family that was watching our house while we were away had washed all our bed sheets and cleaned our house.  That was another wonderful blessing.  We were exhausted and not excited about the thoughts of cleaning before going to sleep.  Now we were able to drop our suitcases and just enjoy being back.
 
We wanted to take a few minutes and just praise God.  Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in our problems and prayer requests that we forget to just bask in all that God has already done for us.  We know you are all a part of the blessings.  Thank you for your prayers and support.
 
We are now back and trying to readjust.  No big, ugly spiders yet...we have seen a huge rat and heard it and a cat having a party in our roof the last two nights.  But as long as they keep the party "upstairs" we can handle it.  :) 
And for some reason everyone is speaking Spanish here!  So we've got to figure this out.  Ha!

Please continue to pray for us to be instruments for God here in Nicaragua...for our adjustment back...and for us to learn Spanish and Nicaraguan Sign language.

Happy to be back in Nicaragua,
The Perry Gang

Visiting Home

We are half way through our visit home and have not wasted a minute catching up with family and friends.  If only we could fit more minutes in the day...

As part of the Nicaraguan laws, after 6 months we have to leave the country.  At the 3 month mark we are allowed to apply for another 3 month extension (this was not so easy).  Then at the 6 month mark we have to leave the country.  This was a great time to come home for a visit because God blessed us with another sweet nephew and my little brother was getting married!  We can't express the joy and love that we are feeling right now!

  Our newest nephew:  Max Parker

   ADORABLE!!!!!

                         My little brother, Andrew, and my newest sister, Erin!
                            It was a perfect day and they were both gorgeous!

 

 

 

Hike with Papa John & Nannie (Jeremy's parents).  Fun times!

                      Visit with Paw Paw.  This is Jeremy's 90 year old grandpa. 
                                                 We love to hear his laugh!

                                  Had to have time with the bestie, Natalie!

                                                  My Mommy and Me!

 

Four of our precious treasures and blessings:

 

 

Besides the joyous occasions mentioned and many visits with family and friends, we are using this time also to visit a few churches, preschools, and AWANA clubs.  We are thankful for every opportunity to share about what God is doing in Nicaragua and how people can help.  People have been so giving in MANY areas.  Some are collecting shoes for those in need, collecting treasure bag items for the children in the villages when they memorize their Bible verses, donating money for Spanish Bibles, and helping us with some of our personal needs.  We are extremely grateful for everything!  It will be exciting to send back pictures of all the ones that will receive these items that were given in love and sacrifice.

We are enjoying our time state side, but our thoughts and prayers are constantly in Nicaragua.  How is Isamari doing in school?  Are Jackson, Yader, Shelya, and the many other children in the villages learning their verses while we are away?  How are our friends at the Deaf Association?  How about our church and their revival?  How are our new friends and fellow missionaries?  The list can go on and on.  We will enjoy each moment here in N.C. but are thankful for our new home and ministry in Nicaragua.  God has blessed us and we are grateful!!

Prayer Requests:
  *Nicaragua residency - We are collecting the necessary paperwork to try to begin the residency process for Nicaragua.  This will enable us to stay in Nicaragua longer without leaving every 3 to 6 months.  We have heard this is a long and expensive process.  But if we receive the residency then there will be tremendous benefits - time and money will be saved in the long run.  Please help us pray that God will go before us and make the way straight and easy.
  *Please join us in praying for God to give us clarity on our current and future ministries.  There are so many possibilities but not enough time or man-power.  We know for God to be effective in our lives we need to focus on a few ministries and do them well instead of spreading ourselves too thin and doing a halfway job. 
  *Spanish learning!  We are praying this break will help our brains be ready to absorb more when we return.
 
THANK YOU for being a part of our family and lives!