It is hard to believe that the group of Union Church Travelers were down in Nicaragua just six weeks ago enjoying our friends, working in the barrio of Ojochal and sharing worship at the Alpha Omega Church. It is incredible how much has changed since then.
Like us here in the US, our friends in San Juan Del Sur are now mostly sheltering in place and many businesses have shut down. Two of our former students Ingrid and Ana Mariela have already both lost their jobs as their hotel has shut down as they had no customers. Schools have been closed and people are worried just like us.
Although the governmental response appears to be weak, it is amazing to see some of our community partners stepping up as a public service to get the word out on how to stop the spread of COVID – 19. Our former student Yarisleidy, who works for Communidad Connect and The Brugger Foundation both have been using their reach in the community to inform and encourage people to stop the spread.
One of the great outcomes of this ministry work, in my opinion, is the strengthening of connections by and between us at the Union Church and by and between our friends in Nicaragua. During this difficult time we need to hold each other up and make sure we help each other’s light keep shining. Please continue to hold our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua and everyone around the world in prayer as this glow of light and love is never ending.
“Una candela le falta nada para encender otra”
“A candle loses nothing by lighting another”
If anyone would like to send a note to someone in Nicaragua, please feel free to send it to me and I can arrange to have it translated and delivered electronically.
Thanks, David Spertner – [email protected]
Nicaragua Student Update
A letter received from our student Marvin who is sponsored by the Church and whom many of the travelers met this past February. We had the pleasure of working with him on the service project and he is studying to become a nurse.
March 2020
Dear Union Church in Waban,
Receive warm greetings, I hope you are having very good health and well-being, I have many things to tell you. Thank you for allowing me to share moments and experiences in the days of February that you were here. Helping and giving support to a community made it more special. Generating smiles and gratitude in such a noble way, those acts speak more than a thousand words.
I hope to see you again soon and be able to accompany you in future projects.
Currently, I have just started my second year of university, I’m eager to see what this year of knowledge holds, wanting to learn more and more. There are always difficulties but you always have to be positive, I try to give my best performance and bring out the best in me.
The more I learn the more satisfaction it gives me to know that I am close to achieving this goal. Soon I’m going to be a prepared person and I want to help my mom and dad, who have taken me to where I am with so much sacrifice and make you feel proud knowing you didn’t make the wrong decision with me.
Thank you for helping me to fulfill this dream, all my family and I thank you from the heart, for the exceptional help you give us, God bless you and your family today and always.
Sincerely,
Marvin Ernesto Collado Vargas.