Current News August 2006 

These are very exciting days for Nicaragua as it pertains to the Kingdom! By the Grace of God, the ministry of El Ayudante has been given unprecedented opportunities for influence! In 2006 alone, El Ayudante will host 51 mission teams with an estimated 1,000 team members! Through a strategic, coordinated ministry, teams are giving hope to and changing the lives of tens of thousands in Nicaragua. We are witnessing the transformation of rural communities and two major cities! By faith, we believe that the ministry of mission teams will eventually transform the nation! That is our Divine mandate!

 Teams serve hot meals and provide care packages to over 250 at Leon’s
 landfill weekly. Meals are also served to the hungry by
mission teams at various ministry locations.

Medical teams have provided dental, eye, and general health care to
thousands in 2006 in both Leon and Matagalpa.

Bible school crafts at El Jardincito Preschool which was constructed and
equipped by previous mission teams.

Pouring the sidewalk to the Alcance Church Plant in Reparto Ruben Dario, Leon

They always told me that if you were in a hole—quit diggin’! Digging the
footers for the nutritional center at Pablo Morales School near Leon.

Painting at HCN, the child protection center

Vital to accomplishing our mandate are strategic partnerships/relationships which have been developed and are being prospered with:

• international ministries including Living Water International.
• churches in both the United States and Nicaragua.
• national government entities including MINSA (Nicaragua’s Health Ministry), MECD (Ministry of Education) and the Ministry of the Family.
• local governments including the City of Leon and Matagalpa.
• national NGOs like Movimiento Comunal Nicaraguense. Recently, El Ayudante’s Executive Director in Nicaragua, Omar Alvarado, signed an “agreement of cooperation” initiated by this highly respected national NGO which will allow us to work with them in planning and promoting urban and rural development!

As we serve alongside our partners, we glean wisdom and are given opportunities to influence the influencers!

An Unbelievable Summer! 

This summer during a 12 week period, El Ayudante’s staff in Nicaragua under the leadership of Omar Alvarado facilitated and coordinated the ministry of 23 mission teams with 504 team members. In Leon, these teams took the ministry of previous mission teams to the next level at locations like Pablo Morales/El Jardincito, Ruben Dario, William Fonseca, La Ceiba and La Majada. In Matagalpa, ministry continued to Sor Maria Romero and Santa Emilia. Ministry that addresses humanitarian, educational, and spiritual needs creates life change and transforms communities. It restores hope for this world and lifts up our Lord Jesus who is the Eternal Hope! 

What does the process of ministry that creates life change and transforms communities look like? At La Majada, a rural community near Leon, it began with local families who had a vision for a school and nutritional center. These families had built a make-shift facility and had begun classes for 86 elementary school children. In 2005, these committed families shared their vision with Omar Alvarado, and a strategy was developed to see their vision become a reality! El Ayudante’s architect, Hector Guerrero, and La Majada community leaders developed plans for the school and nutritional center. As mission teams became aware of the vision of the community, the Lord began to make provision through their obedience. Utilities were developed to the construction site and three large classrooms were constructed. Mission teams then provided basic school supplies and established a small library with computers. A nutritional program (click here) offering a balanced diet was developed and financed to supplement the beans and rice program that was in place. Construction of the nutritional center is nearing completion and will provide a new kitchen and dining area. A bus ministry (click here) was implemented for children who were leaving their homes as early as 4:30 a.m. to walk many miles to school. Future plans for La Majada include developing the facility as a civil defense site, a place of refuge during times of natural disaster. Mission teams will continue to partner with La Majada community leaders to change lives! 

What about Matagalpa? 

The dozen teams who have pioneered ministry to the Department of Matagalpa in 2006 will give testimony that the department is truly a frontier for ministry with great opportunities to share the Gospel in word and deed! The crisis in the coffee industry, which accounts for over 60% of jobs in Matagalpa, has resulted in dramatic increases in the poverty level. 

The importance of the construction of the Matagalpa team house, which will be located on a magnificent, donated property high in the mountains, cannot be overstated.  It will allow us to be more efficient in facilitating teams, placing us in the middle of the coffee plantations where the Lord is leading us to begin a special ministry. 20% of the total construction budget for the Matagalpa team house has been secured. We believe by faith that the Lord will provide construction teams and additional funding to complete the team house. As we build the team house, mission teams will continue their ministry to the city of Matagalpa and communities like Maria Romero and Santa Emilia.

Site of future team house in the mountains near Matagalpa

Coffee (foreground) growing on the plantation where the future
team house will be located.

Ministry that has taken place through El Ayudante in Matagalpa this summer included:

·       renovation of the surgery center at Ceasar Amador Molina Regional Hospital. The hospital has been provided with much needed medicines and mattresses were provided for the pediatric wing. U.S. doctors have performed surgeries and specialists have done consultations. Patients and their families have been provided with hundreds of care packages including non-perishable foods.

·       construction of a ministry shelter at the Oasis of Hope to serve the 2,500 residents of Sor Maria Romero. Thousands of meals have been served from the shelter. A nutritional program is being developed for the school at the Oasis of Hope to serve the 350, K-6 children. School supplies have been provided to the school. Medical clinics have been conducted from the center diagnosing and treating hundreds.  

·       support of Santa Emilia and La Esperanza schools serving the coffee plantations near Matagalpa. This support has included provision of school supplies, funding for a nutritional program, serving of meals, and conducting Bible schools.

·       the financial support of  Matagalpa’s adult literacy program, Si, se puede! (Yes, you can!). 1,000 Bibles were presented to the first 1,000 graduates of the program.

1,000 Bibles for 1,000 graduates

·       a Fellowship of Christian Athletes girls’ basketball team playing local university and high school teams. Basketball clinics were also conducted by the team. Bruce Crevier, www.champions-forever.com, preformed at half times. At the request of Matagalpa Mayor, Dr. Nelson Artola, Bruce and his team performed at Matagalpa’s Teacher Appreciation Day and the first graduation ceremony of Si, se puede!

·       leadership training at First Baptist of Matagalpa. Expansion of the church’s preschool has also begun. Medical clinics were conducted in repartos served by the church.

·       the provision of meals, clothes and other basic necessities to coffee plantation workers.

The Protection Center, rescuing children and preparing leaders

Twenty-three children now call El Ayudante’s child protection center, Hogar Cristiano Nicaraguense (HCN), their home. Six additional cases are being reviewed by the Ministry of the Family for placement at HCN. Each child who the Lord has directed to our care has their own tragic story, like Kimberly, who was abandoned in Matagalpa. She was so malnourished that doctors at the regional hospital gave her no hope for survival. A nutrition center in Matagalpa accepted her and by the Grace of God, she survived. Kimberly is now loved by her 22 brothers and sisters at HCN. By the Grace of God and love from HCN Director, Ruth Alvarado, her staff, and the children’s sponsors, Kimberly and the children who call HCN home will have their hearts healed. They are also being prepared to fulfill God’s Purposes for their lives.

Kimberly with her trophy—Barney’s tail from the birthday piñata.

This preparation includes dynamic classroom instruction as they attend a quality, Christian School. Each afternoon, certified teachers tutor the children. Mission teams also play a major role in the children’s education through special instruction. The children are utilizing the computers located at HCN to learn basic computer skills and compliment their studies in math and language. Through their church, Omar and Ruth, they are learning of God’s love for them and Biblical Principles for life. Numerous field trips throughout Nicaragua expand the children’s horizons! 

The best is yet to come! 

Many teams are already scheduling to come to both Leon and Matagalpa in 2007! This is Nicaragua’s time and by the Grace of God, we have been allowed to be on the cutting edge of His Ministry! We will continue to cast aside vain traditions, out-dated philosophies and our own passions to follow the Author of a work that is changing a nation. As we follow our Lord, it is our greatest desire to never compromise His Truth and to love those we serve as Jesus loves us—unconditionally 

We  invite you to join us in a ministry that will change your life!!! 

Bill Cox, on behalf of the Board of Directors, El Ayudante, Inc.

Archived News
August 2006 (this issue in PDF format)
November 2005
March 2005
February 2005

Archived Newsletters
August 2004 Newsletter
December 2003 Newsletter