Local Wesleyan church plans to open vocational school

During construction of the Jesucristo es el Camino Church in Managua, Pastor Alfonso, the job foreman, and a few of the workers began to dream and plan for the possibility of a vocational school where the youth and unemployed in and around the new church could learn skills to provide an economic future for themselves and their families.

Currently, they are in the early stages of the project, however, in the future the vocational school will teach skills in carpentry, masonry, ironwork, sewing, cooking and several other areas.

Although they have been a part of the church for several years, about a year ago, Luis and his brother Alfredo recommitted their lives to the Lord. Both of them have worked nearly every day over the past six months during the construction of the church building. Their only reward has been the simple meals the church has provided and a mentoring relationship with Pastor Alfonso. Because of their willingness to work, the skills, and aptitude they demonstrated, they have been chosen for training as a part of the vocational school program.

This past week Luis and Alfredo started blacksmith training with a friend and fellow missionary Mike Deibert. Mike and his wife Lauren have a vocational school (ESVO Ministries) that specializes in blacksmithing but also teaches many other vocational skills. Our plan is not just to train them but equip them as teachers in our vocational school.

The guys just finished their first week and are very excited about what they are learning. Each has made several basic items and looking forward more training and making items for the new church. There are several ways you can become involved in the vocational school. The first and most important is to help us train Luis and Alfredo. We have an individual and a men's group from Wisconsin who are helping but we are still in need of resources for training these two men.

To become a part of this ministry please give through Global Partners to the Nicaraguan compassionate ministry fund: WM06-1260.

I confess a bit of amusement because it came from a pastor who undoubtedly has been asked the same question. What do missionaries do on their year of home ministries?  Here is a rundown in case you are curious as well.

Raising support 

I share in a different church every weekend and to get there I am on the road anywhere from 5 to 25 hrs a week depending on the church.  I need to raise our faith promise goal and extra resources for special projects and ministries for the national church.   Many of the churches and individuals who support our ministry made commitments through the end of our term.  Many have expired so we are looking to reconnect and of course need some new support to cover churches that were not able to continue. In our first few months, we have raised about 6 thousand of the 18 thousand in faith promise we need to return to field ministry. 

Field administration

Even though I am I home, there are still a few administrative things I need to attend to in Nicaragua.   I can usually do that in an hour or two a week sometimes a bit longer.

Professional enrichment

Since a growing part of what we do in education on the field uses distance methods, I decided to study them first hand.  This year Indiana Wesleyan started a seminary and is offering an MDIV by extension.  In addition to taking two intensive week long courses last August, I spend 20 to 25 hours studying each week.  It has been very rewarding to begin to retool for ministry in today’s world and learn how IWU is doing distance education.

IBWWW.ORG 

We are operating and developing materials for the internet Bible school.  Due to the extra commitment of home ministries this area is suffering from a lack of attention. I should be spending at least 20 hours a week on material development. I do what I can when I can.  In October, I will travel to Panama to do some promotion, planning and training for IBWWW.ORG at a conference there.

Personal interests
There are several things I really enjoy that I can’t do when on the field.  Bow hunting is one example.  Two weeks ago I was fortunate to harvest an antelope in Wyoming (thanks Bart and Kathy).   Beth took this photo just minutes before the harvest. This Saturday is the start of deer season (archery) and I hope to hunt in Custer with some supporters there.
 

Matt and I did something crazy, mostly because it will be our last chance to do something like this before he goes off to college.  We purchased a partially restored 1966 Mustang and will be working on it as time permits. We hope to have it ready to go next year. Beth thinks its awesome and plans to take it to IWU when we go back to Nicaragua.   It needs a lot of work! 

Both Julie and Matt are working and Beth is in her second year at IWU, we stay pretty busy even during furlough.