Celebration in San Juan del Sur

John marries Randy and Laura in mid-July 2009

El Jardin Hotel in January

You may remember that we went to a beautiful (small) hotel in San Juan del Sur with John's sister, Mary, in December 2008, and then once more with Nahum and Gener in January of this year. We had the pleasure of returning to marry Randy and Laura, both of whom are from Florida but now make San Juan del Sur their home.

It was a fun time to make friends and celebrate a wedding, complete with superb food and an ocean breeze. It is fun and amazing to live life and capitalize on opportunities given. John did an excellent job at his first (and most probably last) wedding. It's another memory we share in Nicaragua that we will not easily forget.

Another part of life here in Managua

Holly works with the first 8 students

Behind Holly's table, Teresa helps the second table. Teresa and her husband visited us for 9 days, which gave them the opportunity to see many projects/places in Nicaragua they've read about.

It’s satisfying to share time and interest with other ministries, to meet new people, and expand friendship circles here in Managua. What began as a Manantial project to make jewelry to support families in Las Chacaras is now a skill-set and money-making project shared every week with over 200 prostitutes at April Havlin’s “House of Hope.” Each Tuesday, many of these women ride a bus to the House of Hope to earn money making earrings. They seek to change their lives ... and the earrings, when sold, support the House. Though the craft is fun, the best part for me is encouraging the ladies, sharing a laugh as I stumble through with my broken Spanish … making them laugh and letting them know 'we're all the same' and I approve of their efforts to attain a better life (or earn money in a different way).

We began with one table (6-9 women) ... added another table a month later ... and next week we expand to three tables. If you want to know more about the ministry to prostitutes, please visit their website at http://www.houseofhopenicaragua.com/

Be blessed.