The Easter conference and youth activities were held at the facilities owned by the assemblies in the northern part of the country. Just over 300 travelled from all over Nicaragua to enjoy this annual time of fellowship. In early July during a school vacation, 125 children attended a special outreach at the same property. Not only was it a good opportunity to spread the seeds of the gospel in young hearts, but it was excellent leadership and teaching training for believers from several assemblies. Lord willing the facilities will continue to be improved so that by next year they can accommodate around 350. Please pray for a group from B.C. and Washington, who are planning to come in January 2017, to focus on the construction of a new building.
Tony and Danelle Flett and family with Jack Saword visiting from El Salvador.
Seven years have passed since the work in the rural community of El Panama started. A small group of believers and a few unsaved have continued to come, although hundreds have heard the gospel there over the years. In June two weeks of gospel tent meetings were well attended by people in the surrounding countryside, and we also enjoyed visits from some the assemblies in the area. The second week Jack Saword and Kevin Flett came over from El Salvador to help. The excellent gospel messages by both brothers encouraged the Christians, and God blessed in salvation. It was a special time for me personally as Jack is my spiritual father, and although getting up in years, his love for the lost and ability to point them to the Saviour was a testimony to saint and sinner alike. As a brother said after the meeting one night, "Just imagine what the work in Nicaragua would look like if we all showed that kind of love for the souls of men." Please pray for Jack as he has had a hard year losing his dear wife and several siblings, as well as suffering from some health issues.
125 children attended a special outreach
The assembly in Dolores continues to mature with the brethren increasingly sharing in the burden both of teaching and administration. This has freed me to be able to assist in other works, as the need arises. Unity in the work in Nicaragua has always been a priority for us and is sometimes challenging given the different backgrounds of the workers as well as the character of the communities where they labour. It is encouraging to see both the missionaries and the local brethren supporting the each other's efforts for the greater glory of God.
As the work here continues to grow and more assemblies are established, we are crying to the Lord for men with solid convictions and sound doctrine to teach and shepherd the flocks. At present there are 13 assemblies in the country; there were only three when we arrived 12 years ago. As time passes, it is hard for many Christians to keep the same zeal as at the start. We live in a changing world with more distractions than ever before, and it is often a struggle to find a balance between family, work and assembly life. We are grateful for those that continue faithfully helping where they can and seeking to put Christ first in their lives.
Please pray for the group of eight young men from the north coming in September to help Mark Bachert and Kyle Wilson for a year. The priority for their first few months will be language study and evangelizing in local universities and then reaching into new neighbourhoods in Managua with the gospel. We know that God will reward all efforts and sacrifices put forth on his behalf. In November Nicaragua will be holding presidential elections. At present, we have complete liberty to preach the gospel and carry on all assembly activities. We are praying that regardless of the outcome of the elections, these freedoms will continue, and the work will continue to grow.
Summer 2016
Written by Tony and Danelle Flett - Nicaragua