Nicaragua 2011

We had the pleasure to spend July 18th through the 29th in Managua, Nicaragua with a dentist (Dr. Bruce Peterson) all the dental equipment you shake a stick at, and a handful of unqualified know nothing enthusiasts (like myself) and for the first time in 3 years, I did zero dental assisting.  I did however mow the churches lawn. Everything grows so amazingly in Nicaragua that three days later you could hardly tell the difference. Sasha and Oso (the churches crack security watch dog team) could tell for sure. 

Our plan for Nicaragua was simple. 

1. Set up a functional Dental Clinic to work ten hours a day for the better part of ten days.
2. Organize evangelism opportunities in the community, whereby we could (a)win people to Christ and (b)direct them to the church “Calvary Chapel Managua.”
3. Facilitate an inductive Bible teaching seminar for Pastors and Bible teachers, 12 hours a day for two days.
4. Make ourselves a blessing to the church by serving any way possible, as the Lord leads.

This all sounds pretty complex and it well might have been except for the simple fact that we had the Good Lord’s assurance that He wanted us in the place where we were going. Beyond that we had a confidant inclination of God’s direction for each and every activity. In addition, we were not at all opposed to changing our agenda (flexibility is always a benefit). And finally we were determined to refrain from following our own understanding, at least as a replacement for God’s direction (very important)!

Arriving at LAX at 11:00 PM on a Monday night sounds like it could be a sedate relaxing location from which to launch a missions trip to Central America, don’t be fooled! Anywhere you go with 1,600lbs of luggage and carry on materials is bound to be the biggest pain in the neck you have ever bargained for.  Our economy airlines did not disappoint, they were determined to make us (for no particular reason) the very last people on the planet to be assigned seats for our first leg to San Salvador. weighing each of our forty jillion bags twenty times, they insisted on (seasoned travelers will find this amusing) weighing our carry on luggage and threatening each of with an extra charge because nobody’s carry on weighs 24lbs.

Having escaped the good old US of A we arrived in Managua with almost no notice from customs and immigration.  Cal and Jessica escorted us back to the Barrio De Santa Ana where we began to organize our equipment for the dental clinic. Bruce picked up some needed supplies and we were off and running, setting up appointments for the next morning.

Our first outreach opportunity was to the “La Chureca” the city dump of Managua. Situated right up against lake Managua the location further complicates the plight of the lake that has been dead for around a hundred years due to sewage and pollution.  What an amazing first day of sharing the Gospel with the wonderful people of Managua. We spent a couple of hours there and passed out tracts while providing cups of water to all those that were thirsty. And we had some beautiful open doors.  We continue to pray for them to this day “Lord touch their hearts” that day we had our first meals at the “comedor” and we began to set up and get prepared for the Inductive Bible study to be conducted 7/22-7/23 (twelve hours a day) the kids all took turns assisting with dental.  Suzie and Marissa did cleanings and set up appointments while I mowed the lawn and Jessica E. went with Jessica S. to inventory her school situation prepping for her upcoming “Life Sciences Class.”  Dinner was pizza ala Jorge everybody hit the hay early.

Next we dove right in to the dental amazing ness, Jessie and Aaron washed the dogs and I provided Reading glasses to all those that had need.  Suzie and Marissa assisted in dental and the group of those seeking dental appointments continued to grow. It is wonderful to see our friends grow and mature in Managua so many of those that we have come to know and love through years are now involved with worship and other ministries.  Every year is an answered prayer in ways we could never expect. Last year we got to know our brother Gustavo, he was in the midst of a very difficult time his wife had just passed away less than a month before our arrival and he had a little boy (Ray) to care for.  Never the less he was doing very well and seeking the Lord for wisdom and you could tell that the Lord providing that comfort and encouragement he needed. This year it was great to see Gustavo leading the Worship team, and doing a wonderful job.  Bruce and Paula Peterson work so hard on missions trips it is really non stop for the dental team, by the third day we had virtually no appointment space left in the trip.  Our second outreach opportunity was to the area of the tent city.  For some years a group of poor farmers had been living in a public park in Managua (right in the center of the capital).  We have visited them every year for the last few and always had a wonderful time. We distributed New Testaments and tracts we also prayed for the families.  It always seems to rain when we go to this location however we were able to stay for a couple of hours and we had a great time praying for the needs of the people.  On Friday night we went to a local park  Suzie and Marissa and Jessica taught a bunch of Kids about the gospel by using the wordless book bracelets.  Their parents tagged along and it turned into an opportunity for the ladies to share and distribute literature to a pretty large group of ladies.  Aaron and Cal talked to the men in the park and every one there was very responsive, a bunch of kids prayed to receive Christ.
On Saturday we went to the Orphanage and school at Hinotepe where to no ones surprise the kids made us look silly in a game of “Football” the kids at this orphanage are really wonderful in previous visits we have played baseball with them they love the activity and it gives us a chance to get to know them a little. Cal and Jessica brought some food for their supplies and we launched about 100 water balloons.  The kids also played water balloon toss not everyone got wet (a minor miracle).  On the way home we stopped at the best Pizza place in Central America.  As we arrived home Jorge was hard at work completing the last few hours of instruction for the inductive Bible study Seminar they continued until about 9:30 or so Saturday night. Still they all looked enthusiastic as they hit the home stretch. Their had been about 15 people all together, some had traveled a couple of days for the opportunity.
Sunday services were great except we fear that Jorge may have been changing the message in translation (not really) on Sunday we all had a day of rest. And that evening we took opportunity to gather for dinner with some of the ministry leaders that had been so helpful to us through the years.  Pastor Noel and his wife Maria, Oracio and Luz Marina, as well as Gustavo and Cal and Jessica of course.  We had a wonderful evening.
Monday morning bright and early we were back in business and so it was for the duration, a stacked dental schedule and outreach opportunities every day. On Tuesday a team from Massachusetts came and a bunch of wonderful brothers and sisters hit the ground running and were a total blessing to us. We took the day off, we visited a beautiful Lake Apoyo went swimming (except for Bruce) and vegetated by the shore (Bruce doubled up on that) had some lunch and went shopping at Catarina over looking the lake, Nicaragua is so beautiful.  Paula was about to go horse back riding and we had our daily thunderstorm, it was a good thing from the look of the horses we may have never seen Paula again.  Wednesday morning pack and clean, pack and clean. We took one last shot at “La Chureca” the city dump and like the rest of the trip the Lord blessed our efforts some people prayed to accept Christ and we shared with a multitude.  In addition we all gave away our shoes (except me, I only brought the one pair).  We made a break for the airport about 2:30 PM trying to beat the rain, (didn’t happen). With very minimal fuss at the airport we were on our way.  We had a few choice opportunities to share on the way home, as was our experience throughout the trip, if God opens the doors all we have to do is be there and He will bless the work.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
- Ephesians 2:10

So here we are Back home and just waiting for that next open door.  What is the reason that God cannot use us today?  No such thing! Thank you Jesus!

By Pastor Tony Scotti