Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend. I leave September 19th for Nicaragua and plan to be there for about 19 months. If you are free Sunday, September 18th at 6:00pm, please come for the send-off service my church is having for me (Farmington Ave Baptist, 155 Mountain Rd, West Hartford, CT 06107)
Apologies to all of you for the very hot summer we’ve been experiencing here in CT in August. This has been good practice for me to begin to get used to the heat I’ll experience in San Juan del Sur, where it is hot and humid all year long. The only seasons there are the dry season (Oct-Apr) and the rainy season (Apr-Sept). This is because Nicaragua is so close to the equator.
In chatting with family and friends in recent weeks, I’ve found that people have a variety of ideas about the place I’m going and what I’ll be doing. To clarify I’m not going to a hut in the jungle nor to a highrise in a metropolis ;-)
San Juan del Sur is a tiny city on the west side of Nicaragua right on the Pacific Ocean. It only takes about 15 minutes to walk slowly from one end of the city to the other. There is a grocery store and a few restaurants and hotels for foreign tourists. Most buildings are only one story high. There are no apartment buildings but there are houses for rent. (The houses do have indoor plumbing). The major sources of income for people there are fishing, tourism services, and street vending. On the outskirts of the city are many villages where people farm. The capital city of Managua is about 2 hours away, where you can find more shopping options.
I just got an update from Andy & Diane Large (The missionaries I’m working with). They are flying back to Nicaragua today after a short visit to the USA. The church building is still in process. They are praying for additional funds and for US carpenters, bricklayers, and plumbers to come down and help the Nicaraguan believers finish the building in the next 2 months.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AUGUST:
- Tons of packing and putting things in storage. I am now packed and nearly finished with putting my remaining possessions in storage.
- Helped at my church’s summer Vacation Bible Club for kids 2 yrs old-6th grade. I had a blast being part of the puppet team and helping with the 3rd&4th graders. To my great surprise the children collected a very generous penny offering to help with my work in Nicaragua.
- Re-visited a couple churches to share an update about getting to Nicaragua. What a joy to spend time with the people at Iglesia Bautista de la Fe (Queens, NY) and Mountain View Bible Church (Dublin, NH).
- Last week I was thrilled to see many friends from all different segments of my life at the goodbye picnic. And to all who were unable to make it, thank you for your encouraging messages.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Blessings and help for my family as I leave and for healing for my dad.
- Safe flight, no problems at airport customs, and that all my luggage makes it to Nicaragua
- God to guide me to the right house to rent.
- God’s help as I adjust to a new culture and try to learn Spanish (For a great teacher at the language school in San Juan)
- Guidance in how I can best be a help down there and wisdom to build relationships with people in the community.
Mind blowing to think that my next monthly update will be typed from Nicaragua!!!
“Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21
Love,
Jessica Mulder