Our Life in Big Corn

   

VBS video

Fred, Rosalie, and Shalynn doing Tippy Song

Video

Pictures

Big Corn Day 2.5

I finally found the Internet... but it is very slow. Jeff's messages are being sent via his cell phone, so they are being chopped off. View them in reverse order and they are more readable.

Today is our last day of services. We did a VBS (Kid's Bible School) at the English church this morning with both groups (we are divided between two churches for sleeeping and most services). This afternoon, we are together for a VBS at the Spanish speaking church. Tonight, we will be in two groups again at the two churches for our last night of services. Tomorrow, we head back to Managua.

The Spanish church has been wonderful... I just had two Lobsters for lunch...

Oh, but the services and fellowship ahave been excellent too. The team has made friend with the youth and people at the church and we are doing everything together. We blended our worship music, Spanish and some English, with their team last night and it was fantastic. These people love God and us. We are growing to love them all very much.

The 2:00 VBS begins in 5 minutes and the children are already ariving.

-Steve

c rship and a willing heart to keep going when things got hard.
The last 2 night services have been amazing. We were all in the English church and it was

c 5 of their friends. Alexis Beattie said it so well. "It was like the fish and the loaves. We didn't have enough supplies and more people were coming. So

c ad a much different experience. They were ready for their VBS to begin and prepared for the 50 or so children to show up. They all arrived along with 12

c Spirits were very low and it was a great opportunity for the enemy to take advantage. But I watched as these students rose up and faced the challenge. Th

c lit into 2 teams working in separate churches. We came to a crossroads when the team found this out. The possibility of the team to break down was high.

c le on the INSIDE of my bug net, and I am a little scared to go back to sleep :)
Anyways, Big Corn Island has been quite a change in our trip. We have sp

c It is 3:30 am and I thought that maybe I should take this time to reflect on what God has been doing. That and the fact that I just woke up with a beet

b le on the INSIDE of my bug net, and I am a little scared to go back to sleep :)
Anyways,

b It is 3:30 am and I thought that maybe I should take this time to reflect on what God has been doing. That and the fact that I just woke up with a beet

Good morning.
I definitely don't have the case of "The Mondays". We are sitting on the beach with Fred, Jimmy, Troy, and Steve with cup of strong coffee and listening to the waves crash on the beach. Today is the day we pack up and go to the other island. The next three days we will be ministering in 2 different churches. Some of the team will be at a Spanish church and the rest will be at the English church. It's exciting because God is opening up more opportunities for us to minister everyday. The students are doing great. They are really going after the things of God. Pray that our energy stays high, and Jesus is glorified.
Jeff

Sunday Afternoon

It's about 4 PM and the day has been busy. First, we had our (now normal) late breakfast. As Jeff said, Island time has no time. We then went to the Sunday morning service where we did a kid/adult hybrid service, trying to relate the story of Jonah (Jonas) to both the kids we have been working with everyday and the adults that came for the Sunday service.

For lunch this afternoon we had more fish, shrimp, steak, and lobster... overlooking the sea and then jumping in for a swim after our lunch.

As I type, many of our girls are at the church practicing a "dance" that the local church girls are teaching them. They will be showing this to us during tonight's church service.

Tonight, we expect an exciting last service on little corn. The local church will lead us in some of their worship and then we will lead them with ours. There will easily be over an hour of music and singing. Likely, Jeff or Troy will preach and then we will pray and pray and pray. Even after 2 or more service hours, our North Hills kids will be wanting more. It been amazing how quickly they have adjusted to a service that is about twice the length of the services they are used to.

Tomorrow, we head for Big Corn Island. If we find the Internet there, we will do our best to send an update from there.

-Steve Swodeck

Love from Little Corn

Kirstie: The people are amazing. I love the coconut bread. I met a cat that looked like my cat, Elsa! I really miss my family and friends (HK). And I think I am the only one who has not been bitten by something..(pray for the bugs to staqy away). Its been a great adventure so far....!

Charisse: The Holy Spirit is moving every night in church. Team members praying for team members; team members praying for the congragation and even better; the congragation praying for us, the team members. The language barrier does not stop the Holy Spirit from moving! P.S.- Jocey, I actually am getting bit by mosquitos! Ahh!

Lauren: Nicaragua is amazing. The people here are so nice and loving. The VBS is going so well and the church services are full of life and worship. You can see God working his magic among the people of Little Corn Island and our team. I don't want to leave!

Janene: Everything is so amazing! I'm not starving, the food is great! And the services are so good, worship, the messages, the people, I love it here!

Janelle: OMG I WANT TO STAY! I feel like im on  vaction the food, the place, the people are absolutly Amazing, everythings going Great I love being in God's presence I feel like everyday he is speaking to me my life is changing every second I love it. When i come home im going to cry cause im home and not here I MISS NO ONE HAHA.

Alexis: Little Corn is just one of many places God is going to use this team to spread His Love, His Message, and blessings to the people of Nicaragua. God is helping me to grow in prayer, as I pray for my team, the congregation, and, most amazingly, myself. His Spirit moves more in me each night on this island. I hope to one day to find an island just like this one to call mine. Love you all.

Megan: Wow what a blessing it is to be here on this beautiful island. We've gone snorkeling and I fell asleep in a hammock today. I can really feel God working on my heart. I am growing closer with the team and making unforgettable memories. One more week and its going to be great!! Love you family =)

Marissa: Its amazes me that the same God who loves me created this island! Truly one of the most beautiful places ever. The kids here are precious and the church service never ceases to challenge me in a new way. God is moving mountains here. I miss  you Rachel, Kris, Nathanael and Mommy!

Jake: Hello, how bout that plane, other plane, other plane, moving truck, and boat ride in? I guess thats why they call it Nicaragua. haha. You guys may not know this, but I'm having the time of my life here. God is seriously changing who I am as a person every second of being here. I miss everyone back at home, but I might just stay here instead. Sorry. Love yall! <3

Hannah: I had the most terrifying experience of my life during "snarkling", but dont worry Mom, Im fine now, just have some battle wounds and the boat ride back during a storm made up for it. When a young boy Kenden came and held my hand and prayed for me, I thought I could die happy, but then he cried when I prayed for him and I knew nothing could be better than this. Oh, and Kassandra, your verses are absolutely perfect!

Maddie: This trip has been such a blessing for me and it has barely started.  The amount of love that these people have for me, a complete stranger, is absolutely astounding.  God blessed me with a brand new friend who I am so grateful for.  Who knew that four hours on a plane could bond two strangers so well.  I miss you so much Mom. Send my love to Chloe, Dad, and most of all Midnight!  I am finally ready for my life to start <3

Andy: i think that the only negative outcome of this trip will be that rain is NEVER going to be as exciting as it was :( p.s. Kenden is awesome, and i miss u family i wish you could be here.

Shalynn: I have never been so happy in my entire life. I have never cried of happiness so often. I have never seen a place more beautiful. I have never seen kids so precious. God has changed my life and has taken away my problems. Brea sucks. Oh, also i might die:i ate the lettuce and i have a black bug bite :(

Skyler: So pretty much this place is beautiful and God's presence is around all of us all of the time. I want to take every single kid home with me. Even though the air is steamy and moist, every second of being in it is worth it to see each kid's smile. My spanish skills are kickin' in more and more each second as I tell every kid about the loco fiesta en la iglesia por los muchachos. I can definitely see myself coming back here sometime in my life.

Taylor: I'm realizing my love for kids myself as much as people have been telling me my whole life. This gives me and opprotunity to see how I want to live for the rest of my life and maybe where I want to go. I had a friend that I met here ask me to move in with her  yesterday..and I might just take that chance for granted. I love this island, I love my new family, and I feel blessed by these people. I could never grow tired of being here and I'm improving on my spanish. I can finally say that I'm growing closer to God already.

Chelsea: What beautiful people who REALLY love Jesus. And what a better way to show your love for God, then to sing loud and arms high! I am learning so much about myself and God has really been speaking to me. It's been amazing to watch these students really trust in God and show their passion for ministry. Love you and miss you soooooooo much!! :]]

Rosalie:  It is such a blessing watching the young people minister to the children.  They are touching lives for Christ in a miraculous way!  I am amazed at the maturity of the NHC kids!  They are showing the love of the Lord to the children on the island, and it is a joy to watch.  Parents, you would be so proud of your son/daughter.

Josh: hey Dad first of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY! it has been a lot of fun and i have learned alot. miss you all and love you all see you soon!

Fred:  Wow!!  God is good.  These young people are awsome.  Their lives are being changed forever.  God is doing amazing things. 

Steve: Nicaragua is a bleesing and the people here are amazing.  But most of all, these North Hills Church kids are the greatest.  They are giving their all in worship, testimony, and activities; they are pouring their hearts and lives out before God.  I love them all!  (Love you Mary, Nathanael, Kristoffer, and Rachel too.  See you all soon)  Senor eres fiel!

The Adventure - Day 3

 

 

 

 

  

Adventure Day 2

Greetings from the island "mon",
Have I said this place is amazing yet? Well, it is. One of the greatest places on the planet. And I have been to quite a lot of places. The team is learning what "Island Time" is. That's where they say dinner will be ready at 8am and it shows up at 9:15. But when it comes it is great food. Today we had the best lobster in our lives. I have been suffering for Jesus yesterday and today by taking these kids snorkling out on the reef. I know, its hard but someone has to do it. But with all the fun we are having, God is doing great things. These kids have really stepped up and put on a great VBS for the kids. We had about 50 kids each day now come and learn about different bible stories. Tonights service has been the highlight for most. Fred gave a powerful message about God's provision. I was wondering how I would follow him and preach because he did so good, and then Jesus took the service in another direction. We began to pray for BIG miracles. I think I've heard the term, "Swing for the fences". We did just that. A lot of tears and a lot of God moving in the hearts and lives of these students.

We will be sending the next post shortly with all the students who have written a short message of how the trip is going.

Keep praying for god to move in great ways.

Jeff

Day 1

This first day has been the journey of a lifetime. After traveling on 3 planes, we start to see signs of land in the distance. We touch down on what seems like the set from LOST. This is only the beginning of our adventure. As we grab our bags we see our next form of transportation. An enclosed moving truck rolls up and everyone looks at Fred and I, "get in". With a lot of laughs and even more bumps, we get to the dock. The next 40 minutes was a boat ride that no one will ever forget. If you think Fred is all work and no play, Mr. Serious all the time, you missed out. He was laughing, yelling and getting everyone all pumped up every time the boat hit a wave. Definitely my highlight.

We get to Little Corn and find out we are having church. The team joined in a very exciting time of worship. Marissa shared her passion for being here, and she did great. Along with our students, leading the church in some songs, we had a great time praying for people at the church.

We are now eating breakfast and off to our first kids program.

Jeff

Day 1, Airports

Hey everybody! Jake speaking. Flight number one is over, we are in rainy Houston and we are all tired, and tired. I am currently cringing over a horrible breakfast choice of the "loaf" from Jamba Juice (whatever that is) while watching everybody else enjoy a breakfast burrito. Oh well. Lesson learned. I'll starve I suppose. Anyways, all is well. We miss our mommy's and daddy's already. Pray that the next billion flights go smoothly and that the Nicaraguans won't think the Americans are narcoleptic freaks. XOXO, Jakey Poo.

Prepare 2

It takes lots of work to prepare for a trip to a remote foreign location.  At our “Packing Party”, Jeff and Fred explained that, “Yes, you can live with only 25 pounds of clothes and personal items.”

 

Prepare

In a very short time we will be landing on Corn and Little Corn Islands in Nicaragua where we will begin several days of ministry.  While we are preparing our hearts and talents for this ministry, we can’t forget the work that was done before us.

In 2005, a group of men set out for Little Corn Island with the task of using their skills to build a simple building where the local church could meet.  The prayer of these men was that one day the church building would be full of people worshiping, serving, and learning about God.  As we head out a half decade later to serve in this same building, we are grateful to these beloved friends and family who helped prepare the way.