Pray for Nicaragua on Sunday, July 17, 2016
Lectionary Selection: Luke 10:38-42
Prayers for Nicaragua:
We are at a time of the year, where in the southern hemisphere we are in full motion of the year and ending a first semester of classes and work, and in the northern hemisphere with the beginning of summer and well deserved vacations that we need every so often in the year. Having a moment of rest for many is necessary and is a part of their culture. Is that so with you? But when we realize that even in our time off, whether it’s to enjoy a break in winter (south) or summer (north) we are including God, who is the engine of our lives or, are we enjoying labor so much that we’ve become more stressed? For many Nicaraguans, having vacation time or rest is not within their plans, for the reason there is no culture of vacations and simply, they have no money to take time away from home. Never forget that although we cannot take time for relaxation, every moment of rest that God allows in our lives is a renewal; let us take care of those details that we see in nature and that it is the call of God for our lives, and brighten our way through beautiful places that could only be painted by His fingers. Let us enjoy each day that God offers us and not be anxious about material goods that deteriorate and become damaged, let us enjoy the simple things we have every day around us and thank our God for allowing us to live.
Mission Stewardship Moment from Nicaragua:
Nicaragua is going through a moment of uncertainty with respect to its future president. To be in the process of voting for a new government is stressful, but here it has not been lived. You don’t see voting propaganda in the streets, nor television advertisements, and what is the reason for this, should it not be that the people to know their next leaders! Unfortunately here, they do not have that freedom, as you know; the government which is in Nicaragua is a Sandinista government, revolutionary of national liberation and a path in which the people decide, but what is happening? The people no longer have rights. The elections are in November and unfortunately the people know only one candidate will be presented or if they present another, they will not be allowed to stand out to liberate the people. Pray for these people who need to be accompanied, heard, protected and not violated. That the next presidential elections are a moment where the people can feel that their voice matters, although the power of its current president does the opposite, not allowing the other candidate to run. Let’s pray brothers and sisters so that these hurt people can continue to be protected by our just and merciful God.
(Prayer and Mission Moment by Magyolene Rodriguez)
Mission Partners in Nicaragua:
- Accion Medica Cristiana
- Centro Inter-Eclesial de Estudios Teologicos y Sociales (CIEETS)
- Convencion de Iglesias Mision Cristiana de Nicaragua
- Council of Evangelical Churches for Denominational Alliance (CEPAD)
- Iglesia Morava
- Nicaraguan Protestant University (Universidad Evangelica Nicaraguense Martin Luther King, (UENIC-MLK)
More information on Nicaragua: http://www.globalministries.org/nicaragua
Global Ministries Missionary in Nicaragua: The lives of many have been transformed as my time of service passes in CIEETS, although there is still much to do in the area of education, mainly in terms of basic and technical studies of people reached by CIEETS. The men and women who are farmers with whom I work with, are always grateful for bringing them training to help them produce crops more efficiently or to give them a new look of what it means to take care of the environment that surrounds us, especially in regards to clean production without chemicals in their crops. I feel very grateful to be working and accompanying many communities that are eager to receive knowledge in the area of agriculture. The need is great, especially of seeds and support materials to produce efficiently in their small gardens of food production for their own subsistence. As a representative of Global Ministries in Nicaragua, I am very proud to reach communities and contribute with a grain of sand in this construction of the kingdom of God on this earth.
Magyolene Rodriguez serves as a long-term volunteer with the Convencion de Iglesias Mision Cristiana de Nicaragua. Her appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples Mission Fund, Our Churches Wider Mission, and your special gifts.