Hey everyone

Sorry for no word the last couple of days- we have been busy busy busy! Two fiestas and a church service yesterday, and two fiestas and a crusade today.

From Terry:

A brief explanation of a fiesta: In the traditional sense, it is a celebration, usually to honor a saint. There will be a marching band (of sorts - usually at least a drum or MANY and a trumpet), a large statue of the saint and a lot of people singing, dancing, having a good time.

The “fiesta” Shanna is talking about is a little different. The mission team and interpreters will set up a sound system on a street corner, in a park, even on a rural road out in the country. The missionaries then fan out, going door to door and meeting folks on the street to tell them there will be a fiesta in 15 minutes. If that doesn’t excite them (and it always does, because EVERYONE loves a fiesta), then “caramelos” (candy) assures that at least a million children will show up.

Once everyone gathers, there will be some skits, music and games. The kids love it, the adults, who stand all around the perimeter, watching, are amused and curious at all the North Americans. This opens up many conversations and opportunities to talk about what they are doing here. In Nicaragua, it seems you only have to ask once:

“Do you know Jesus?”
“Well, yes, I know who he is.”
“Would you like to know him?”
“well, sure!”

You think I’m kidding…I’m not kidding.

Local pastors are there to follow up with folks, get their names and get them hooked up in churches and small groups. Typically, the missionaries will attend a worship service that evening in one of the local pastor’s churches and they often see the folks who accepted Jesus that day in church that evening with their families!

And that’s a fiesta.

Early mornings, late nights. And it has been HOT. At least ninety every day, and NO air conditioning. I try to take a nap because the heat is so exhausting, but I find myself trying not to touch the sheet or my own skin, and fans don’t seem to offer much relief. We all wake up drenched with sweat. And by the time you get out of the shower, you’re sweating again!

Tonight it POURED during the crusade, which was, like everything else, outside. Nevertheless, there were probably 1500 people there, drenched to the bone by the time they left. We had 52 professions of faith, which proves that God works despite what we see as setbacks.

That’s all for now… We love you all and miss you. Pray for the rain to continue- it is the only relief from the heat. Also, I (Shanna) have been a little sick for the past week and a half- sore throat and coughing and the like. The doctor from the medical trip last week gave me an antibiotic and I’m starting to feel better. Lots of us have gotten sick, so pray that the sickness would STOP! God bless you- we pray for you often.

Love you

Shanna & Dallas