Greetings Friends,

My name is Hannah Dorean, I have been volunteering here in Bluefields, Nicaragua with Ketly and Vital for the last five months.My time here has truly been blessed by the Lord and I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you, from my perspective, some of the events going on in the life of this church.

These five months have been a time of definite learning and growing.I am continually amazed by the vision and passion of the Pierres, as well as other members of the church.It was great to watch the success of the Vacation Bible School that the young people of the church led in the last week of January.Although, as I am sure you know, the church here is poor, yet during VBS I witnessed how they have made others rich.

The verse from 2 Corinthians 6:10 has really stuck in my head in terms of this church."poor, yet making others rich."It was amazing to watch the neighborhood kids pour into the church for the VBS. There's nothing special about this VBS, they don't have the funny skits, or the delicious snacks, or the fancy crafts, or any of the things I always looked forward to during a VBS in the States.The church can't afford to provide these things.Instead they give what they have; time, energy, knowledge and most importantly love.And from what I have seen it is more than enough.It's not about what you have, it's about what you give. I have seen this verse lived here, "poor, yet making others rich!"

I have also learned a lot from observing the church welcome work groups here.The work groups come to serve and they certainly work hard and sacrifice a lot to come here, but this church gives just as much back to the groups.They once again serve as they can.I have seen this church literally wash the feet of the groups that come.I'm really glad that I have had the opportunity to watch the relationship between the groups and the church, both serving God by serving each other as they are able.I believe it has been a glimpse of true community of the body of Jesus Christ.

Speaking of work groups, through the help of the several work groups that have come in the last month and a half, both houses are underway!We are almost ready to pour the cement for the second floor of the first house and the foundation of the second house is currently being dug.It has been fun and exciting for me to watch the muddy foundation of the first building really take shape and begin to look like a house!I am very glad that I have been able to be a part of building of the future for some of the children here in Bluefields.I challenge you to do your part in this ministry, whether through prayer, donations, or coming down and working alongside the members of this church.I guarantee that you will be blessed by your involvement.

In His Grip,

Hannah