The first trip of 2010 has been set, and we are now starting to take names of those who would like to go to Nicaragua. The dates for this trip are January 29 – February 9, 2010. Please visit the Upcoming Trips page for more (and continually updated) information.

As always, if you are interested in going, get your name on the list to reserve your spot and so that you will receive direct planning and trip information that you’ll need.

Some new farm photos are now available. We’ve been excited to see the progress with the farm since some adjustments were made, during this year’s trips to Nicaragua, on how things were handled. The crops look wonderful!

You can view the most recent photos of the farm here.

The first group returned from Nicaragua in just the past day.

For those who were part of the group, any and all thoughts on the trip are welcome! Please email them to me, Julie, and I will see that they get published on the site! I will be writing my own thoughts on the trip over on my blog (as usual); those posts can be found here. I will be adding posts over the coming week.

In the upcoming weeks and month, we have three groups headed to Nicaragua. The next two will be working on a new church-planting project, and the last group will return to our friends in El Convento.

On the evening of August 1, 2008 the day of celebrating Santo Domingo, at 11 PM the Oriental Market began to burn. The fire burned for two days and consumed an area of 15 manzanas (about 27 acres) of the market, destroying hundreds of small businesses and homes (people live behind their businesses) valued in the millions of dollars. More than 1500 jobs disappeared. There still is no  electricity in the whole area. Amazingly no lives were lost although the livelihood for so many people needing employment was lost.

Belcer and his family and many member so his church spent the night of August 1st and the day of August 2nd trying to protect and rescue their valuables and their businesses. Both small businesses of Belcer’s son-in-law’s, Oscar who is married to Xiomara, burned.

We stayed in touch by phone during this period. Belcer was pleased to inform us that although the fire had come within 200 yards of the building, the church and the school building had not been touched, although the church and school still has no electricity. That the church and school escaped direct harm is a wonderful reason to rejoice, yet the church, the saints who live and serve under the guidance of Belcer, suffered greatly. Most of the members of the church work in the Oriental Market, so the fire was devastating to many of them and their families.

We ask that you pray specifically for the renewal and restoration of their ability to feed, clothe, and take care of themselves and their families. May they continue to look to and cling to our compassionate God who is the Great Deliverer!

(from an email sent by Cecil Campbell)

A group led by Gaylon Sieler recently returned from a trip to Nicaragua.

The group spent their time with their friends and the families they support at El Convento, taking them to the market, the doctor, and even for a fun day at the beach. There was also a food distribution, done through the church at a special blessing service, which included the basics: beans, rice, oil, corn flour, and sugar.

Some time was spent with the farm committee discussing the issues facing the farm, and the progress it is making so far. A great-looking tomato crop is growing, though the farm is at the tail-end of the rainy season and facing some challenges with the pump used to provide water for irrigation.

Read more about the trip on the 2008 Trips page.

Tropical storm Alma is currently lashing at Nicaragua and parts of Central America. NRN-ND has one group in Nicaragua right now, in Leon. There will be another group leaving the last part of June.

Since it is the season for such storms, perhaps you might remember the groups and our Nicaraguan friends in prayer.

You can read more about Alma via Google News.

If you have signed up for the trip in February 2009, please do not request time off from work, or make any travel plans just yet. We are looking into adjusting the dates slightly so that people will not miss as many days from work. We may possibly push it back a few days so that two weekends are covered by the trip rather than missing two full weeks of work. However, this hasn’t be locked in yet. As soon as we know more, those who have signed up will be notified of all details, and this site will be updated accordingly.

Stay tuned to this page for complete updates.

NOTE: The dates have been set for January 29 – February 9, 2009.

The dates have been set for a trip in February of 2009: Feb. 2 – 13.

Details on cost and plans for the trip are not available yet, but if you are interested, you should get your name on the list (email Julie). The group will be limited to about 16 participants.

As always, stay updated by subscribing to our update list, and visit our “Upcoming Trips” page for the latest news on specific trips.

Those who are interested in knowing what is going on in Nicaragua may want to read this news story. It is centered on the Leon area, which is where NRN-ND travels to. Further news articles can be found here, here and here.

UPDATE: Here’s an interesting article on the resolution of the strike.

NRN-ND now has a group on Facebook!

So many former and active group members, as well as Nicaraguan friends, have Facebook accounts that a group was the next logical step. Discussion, photo, and video sharing will be possible, as well as easy communication with those who are members of the group. It’s a handy way to keep in touch!

You can join our group on Facebook by clicking here. You’ll be directed to sign up for a Facebook account if you don’t already have one. Once you sign up, feel free to leave messages, upload a favorite photo, or link to things that you would like to share with the rest of the group.