As I write this letter, I am returning from Nicaragua. This trip was a combination of encouragement, instruction, and construction. I was actually engaged in five specific tasks, each as meaningful to me as the other. I will mention each with a brief description. I went with some of my favorite ministry peeps, from Project Hope, located in Springfield, Missouri.

Pastor Visits: Going into the villages where they live is a very humbling and yet thrilling experience. Our first day in Nicaragua was to check in on 2 special Pastors in their homes who have experienced firsthand our Pastor’s training. These guys always seem so glad to see us and we enjoy going to their homes, meeting their families, encouraging them and praying with them. It is very humbling to see how they live.

Pastor Training: Each of us trainers taught 10 sessions to 40 Pastors from the surrounding villages.  This is a highlight for me and I had the privilege of teaching on my favorite Biblical subject, Discipleship. Though the Pastors dress nice for the meetings, most come from very little and very humble homes.

Home for Addicts:  “Furia Santa” (Holy Fire), is a home provided for men by Project Hope seeking freedom from addiction. I connected with the young man pictured. You could see the hurt in his eyes. He tells of losing his mom at an early age and family abandonment.  After living on the street, taking drugs, many fights, and attempts to take his own life, he found help at Project Hope.

Jail Visit: I wish I had pictures from the visit we made to the Jail.  We did not want to add any humiliation to what the men already felt. The prisoners were all shirtless and some just sat in their underwear.  We walked into this sweltering hot atrium between cells and the Nicaraguan chaplain said, “Ok, who’s going to preach?” Unprepared, we all looked at each other and then I recalled my favorite Professor telling us, “Be ready to preach, pray or die, at any given time.” So, I spoke to the prisoners about my own conversion and how God had set me free. This same God of mercy who answered my heart cry would hear theirs too. They were responsive to me as I told them how God changed my life. Another Pastor friend took the hand off and their hearts were touched by his message about the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.

We prayed with some of them as many reached through the bars to shake our hands, hungry for some encouragement. I started getting emotional, and even with the filthy conditions, the heat, and the smell, it was still hard to leave.

Preschool Construction: The last week was dedicated to building a preschool. This is the second one built by Project Hope. There is a need for these schools as many of the children are without parental supervision and find themselves on the street and in trouble. Similar to “latch-key” kids in America, where parents trying to provide, are absent.

My building background still seems to come in “handy.” My real love, of course, is building men.  One of the reasons I felt called to do what I do is that I wanted what I built to last and it bothered me that one day all my labor would be in vain.  That’s when God whispered to me, “I want you to build men.” Discipling men on the foundation of Jesus Christ, will makes a difference now and forever.

Prayer Requests:

• Please remember Penny and my family

• Effectiveness as I minister here and overseas

• Opportunities to witness, teach and disciple

• Finances and Funding

• Safety in travel

Thank you for helping me to make an eternal difference!

So Grateful, Keith