Archive for June 2012

What a joy it will be to go to church tonight in the newly painted
Prince de Paz building. It was a testimony to Somotillo to have a team
work with dedication on God’s house here. After three days of painting
the job was finally completed!

What a joy it is when members of a team are saved/baptized and today
was definitely one of those memorable days. Mama Maria’s daughter
Noemi was baptized today, along with five team members, one of whom,
after questioning their salvation, was gloriously saved and immediately
baptized in the Rio Negro. It’s interesting how conversions and
decisions for obedience in baptism often follow the radio testimony
time. Our team prays that God has used the radio ministry in the
hearts of those in Somotillo as he did in the hearts of our team. Pray
for the new radio station equipment as it hopefully makes its way
through the final stages of the “customs” process here.

Pasquala was the village we ministered in this afternoon. The team was
sharing the gospel message and issuing a challenge to some there to
step up and lead those many young ones in the village in God’s truth if
they indeed have embraced it themselves.

Dr and Mrs. Donald M Gillette
Because We Care Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 21806
Roanoke, VA. 24018
WWW.BWCM.ORG

Another day on the mission field gives us an opportunity to glorify God and stand strong in His faithfulness. A second day painting the Principe De Paz Church was very productive. God is gracious in allowing us the opportunity to serve HIm in the place where His people come to worship HIm.

A beautiful ride through the Nicaraguan countryside led us to the village of Los Jobitos. Games of flag tag, making bracelets, polishing nails, and sharing the gospel to children, teens, and adults took place during a visit to this village. It is also a blessing to have a doctor that comes with us to see the people at no cost and treat their maladies. Parasites, Impetigo, pneumonia and other respiratory ailaments are some of the most common every day things Dr. Anderson sees. It is also an opportunity to give small bags of food to the many mothers and pregnant ladies that we see in every village. The team engaged in many opportunities to spend time with HIs people in the village of Los Jobitos, it is fun and such a privilege to be here with our church family learning how to be engaging and creative with sharing the gospel with others, and especially challenging with the language barrier. Sharing the simple message of the gospel in the same language for us at home should be so easy!

As the day closes, we discuss our God moments; moments where each of us saw a glimpse of God in the things we experience each day. God shows himself in so many ways to teach, correct, rebuke, and train us. We praise Him for his grace and mercy on us.

Dr and Mrs. Donald M Gillette
Because We Care Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 21806
Roanoke, VA. 24018
WWW.BWCM.ORG

Radio testimonies have been special to our group which is comprised of
families who came together. Today we heard from each member of one of
the families whose life apart from Christ was transformed by the gospel.

We often spend so much energy and time on our own “casas” at home
(which usually involves multiple trips to Home Depot) – today was our
opportunity to invest our effort in renewing the Principe de Paz church
building exterior, which was badly in need of painting. Several
stopped and watched as what was old began to look new again. This
reminded our team of how what is outward can change only after Christ
has changed the inner man.

This afternoon involved a heartwarming visit to the village of El
Platanal. The families and children engaged in activities that remind
us how we need each other. The gospel message continues to be shared
and the love of Christ is evident .

Each day we see images that will be etched in our minds eye forever.
The images are a stark reminder of what sin has done to our world.

Dr and Mrs. Donald M Gillette
Because We Care Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 21806
Roanoke, VA. 24018
WWW.BWCM.ORG

After partnering with the team from Roanoke, VA yesterday in the
village of LaFlor, Fellowship Bible Church team from NJ launched out on
our own today. At the radio station, part of our team shared
testimonies – we later discussed the privilege of growing in a
Christian home with Christian parents in our God Moment time. While
worldly influences and temptations will still be around, the guidance
from Christian parents is something to be treasured. We continue to
lean on the Holy Spirit to guide our group along with our children’s
hearts as we minister here.
At the Special Needs School, it reminded us that service to the Lord is
giving to even the least of these. After interacting with the
children, we provided school supplies, food that was needed after the
prior month’s supply was short, and even a young one provided his
stuffed animal horse to a deaf girl – she was so excited, she tucked it
in her backpack and had it on her back thinking it was the end of the
day and time to go home!

The village of La Carreta was a favorite this afternoon as what seemed
to start as only two families turned into a group of at least 100 folks
with a line for medicine for what seemed to be a mile. The doctor saw
parasites, anemia, a heart murmur, and other ailments that we treated.
Some gospel sillybands was one way we were able to convey the gospel to
the young ones as they had to reconstruct the bands in the order the
gospel story was told – this also provided an avenue to explain to
older ones to take the gospel, that is simple enough for a child to
understand, and grow. After nails were painted, the truck was loaded,
and goodbyes were said, we drove off to the sound of laughter as the
little blue racquetball we left behind was being thrown over the
village creek back and forth.

WWW.BWCM.ORG

How lovely are the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace, and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation…Isaiah 52:7

Today the voices, hands and feet of missionaries were lovely in many ways. The morning saw sharing of testimonies by the team on the radio. Radio time was followed by the teams ministering to the region in two different areas. Part of the team headed to Corinto to share school supplies, food, and Spanish Bibles with a pastor there. The pastor was overjoyed to see the Spanish Bibles. The remainder of the team headed to the mountain top village of Cacau. After overcoming several obstacles, this portion of the team reached the staging area where they found Pastor Santos and horses waiting to led the way. After the horses were saddled up and loaded the team started the strenuous hike up to Cacau. The team delivered medical supplies and food to the village. Doctor Anderson and medical missionaries saw approximately 100 villagers. Pastor Santos reported that there had not been a doctor in the village since November. Others on the team worked with children, performed skits, and shared the gospel. One missionary even had a sole repaired that had blown out on the way up. When it was time to go, Pastor Santos accompanied the team through rain back down the mountain. After only one hard landing the team arrived at the staging area ready to depart with the satisfaction the they had been exactly where God wanted them on this day. As the team pulled away, Pastor Santos waved with the humility and peace of a saint.

Dr and Mrs. Donald M Gillette
Because We Care Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 21806
Roanoke, VA. 24018
WWW.BWCM.ORG

Today was one of those days that you will never forget. It started with testimonies at the radio. Each testimony not only encouraged our hearts in our walk with the Lord, but also challenged us to be diligent in our walk. A Christian is not someone who simply says they are, but one who lives it with by their actions and their relationship with Jesus. And we serve a mighty Savior. We were reminded that the devil is our adversary roaming around like a lion seeking someone to devour (1Peter 5:8). Mommas and Papas were also reminded of their responsibility to pray for their children. God has given us the blessing of children and it is our responsibility to pray for them each and every day.

After our run back to the Casa, we, all 32 of us, hopped on the bus and headed to Corinto, the home of Roger our interpreter. The beach trip had special meaning as four of our team members were baptized. After spending some time in the ocean, we headed to the city park, where we enjoyed Mamma Maria’s delicious picnic lunch. Then the Knights took on a local high school volleyball team. After the volleyball games were over we shared the word of God and asked those who had never prayed to have Jesus as their savior to pray with us. I believe that almost half of the team gave their lives to Jesus. We then stopped by a local school and dropped off school supplies on our way back to the Casa. It was an enjoyable day.

We are heading back to Cacau tomorrow, so please be in prayer for our team. We will need it!

Dr and Mrs. Donald M Gillette
Because We Care Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 21806
Roanoke, VA. 24018
WWW.BWCM.ORG

Greetings from Somotillo!

We began our day hearing the awesome stories of God’s saving grace in
the lives of 4 young ladies here on our team. It was followed by a
powerful message by Donald and an early God moment. Some of you may
remember the lady that needed help several months ago. She was/is a
diabetic and her foot was in such bad shape it “should” have been
amputated, however what we witnessed today was anything but a foot that
needs to be amputated. By enabling Dr. Anderson, God has provided
healing to this woman in need. While the foot is far from perfect,
there is no sign of infection whatsoever and within a few months she
should be able to walk on it normally again! Praise God!

Next on the agenda, the Cave Spring Volleyball team headed out to the
recreational center of Somotillo in the morning and held “camp”. We
worked with several groups of young teenage girls and through lots of
smiles and interpreters, were able to have a very enjoyable morning
sharing a game that we love with some very gracious Nicaraguans. We
were then challenged to a match with some teenage boys and while it was
a very humbling experience (for those boys) a good time was had by all.

The team from Faith Fellowship arrived at lunchtime and then both teams
traveled to Rodeo Grande. We all had a wonderful time just spending
time with the children and families. We painted fingernails, played
games, jumped rope, blew bubbles, and just shared God’s love. A meal
was prepared, medical was provided and the team from Faith had a
powerful skit that really engaged the children and led several to the
saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. The distribution ministry was
as powerful as ever. There is nothing more humbling than seeing a
child rush to the side of the road and find a small stuffed animal and
hug it like it was the only thing they had ever wanted.

We finished the night with another local volleyball match at the rec
center. In spite of the questionable officiating and careless
scorekeeping, the team played solid against a bunch of adult men.
After a round of tremendous God moments the sun has set on another day
in the mission field. To God be the glory forever and ever!

Dr and Mrs. Donald M Gillette
Because We Care Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 21806
Roanoke, VA. 24018
WWW.BWCM.ORG

                Todaywe visited Villa Esperanza, which means Village of Hope. The villages namereflected exactly what we experienced. We met a little girl that was disabled.She was sitting in a make shift wheel chair. This little girl was so inspiringto us because of the joy that Lord had put inside of her heart.  The girl was sixteen years old and her friendwas telling her to start singing.  Shestarted to sing a song from her church and you could just see how happy shewas.  She was smiling and laughing andjust enjoying herself.  You could see theLord’s presence in her and how much life she had in her, even though she wasdisabled.  This experience really movedus.
                Toengage with the villagers we used the one thing that we know how to do best, volleyball.Going into this we knew that this would be something that be fun for everyone andtake their minds off of all their troubles. As we hopped of the truck we weregreeted by tons of smiling faces. ‘You could see that we had just made theirentire day or maybe even their lives by just showing up. After saying many “Hola’s”we headed towards the cow pastures to set up the volleyball net. First wedemonstrated the right way to bump, set, and spike a volleyball. Then we proceededto play matches with the children. It was great to see the enthusiasm they displayedand their overall happiness by us just being there.  
                After handedlydefeating the boys team in volleyball, Don got all of the children to gatheraround him in order to deliver a message about God.  Basically, he said that in order to reachGod, mankind has to go through Jesus. You could tell the children reallyenjoyed the message.
                “Now soit was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God…” Luke 5:1.This is something that we first handedly experienced today. Prepared for the villagerswas a large pot full of stew. All the villagers went back to their houses, and returnedwith bowls. They all stood in line for their turn to get a ladle full of soup. Everyonewas so eager to get their food that they literally had their bodies pressedagainst each other to ensure they got their food.  There were some that were so worried that thestew would run out you could see desperation on their faces. Luckily we hadenough food for everyone and tonight they can all go to bed with full stomachs.

Dr and Mrs. Donald M Gillette
Because We Care Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 21806
Roanoke, VA. 24018
WWW.BWCM.ORG