FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NPMI Brings Fresh Water to Esteli Prison

Managua, Nicaragua - April 10, 2007

Nicaragua Prison Ministry, Inc. first learned in November of 2006 that prisoners in Esteli Prison were ill with intestinal problems and plagued with skin irritations. Lab tests confirmed that the water supply was badly contaminated. The prison doctor was begging for help. By late February, NPMI sent that help in the form of a small team to supply the prison with safe, pure water.

The plan centered on a McGuire Water Purifier, which was provided by an anonymous donor. These devices, capable of purifying 55 gallons per minute, chlorinate water using only salt and a 12-volt battery. Combined with two new water tanks and new pipe, the new system provides water for over 600 prisoners.

Prior to their trip, two NPMI team members trained with Edge Outreach, a ministry that specializes in water purification. These team members, in turn, equipped the prison staff in the ongoing operation of the system.

The first phase of installation took only two days with help from several prisoners and a pair of local plumbers. This phase bypassed the contaminated system and connected to the most essential areas of the complex, including the kitchen. Completion of phase two, which will extend the system to all areas of the prison, is currently planned for late 2007.

Officials from the Nicaragua Department of Prisons were present - as well as a television crew - to witness the moment when team NPMI member Josh Smith and the prison warden, Alcaide Urbina, took the first sips of pure water. From inside the cells, cheers rose up from watching prisoners.

By providing clean water, the doors of Esteli Prison - where NMPI had no previous experience - have now been opened wide for ministry. In John 4, a well gave Jesus the setting to tell a Samaritan woman of water that can spring up to eternal life. Today in Nicaragua, fresh water again brought that message of hope.

NPMI is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in the USA. Its mission is to bring hope to those incarcerated in Nicaragua through relationships with Jesus Christ and to demonstrate the love of Christ by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of prisoners and their families. The mission is accomplished by encouraging, equipping, training and supporting volunteers.

Contact: Ben Goerz
Telephone: 859-277-6863
ben@npmi.org
http://www.npmi.org

NPMI Negotiates $1.12 Million Donation

Managua, Nicaragua - October 11, 2005

Nicaraguan Prison Ministry Inc has negotiated a large donation for the Nicaraguan Prison System. In total, 14 shipping containers of medicines, medical equipment, beds and office furniture will be donated from Food for the Hungry International. The total value is expected to exceed $1.12 million.

The first container, filled with medical supplies, was distributed to eight prison districts on August 25, 2006. The second container, which arrived a week later, held commonly-used medicines with a combined shelf value of over $700,000. The other 12 containers, comprised of bedding and office furniture, are still in transit.

As part of the agreement, NPMI staff and volunteers, including two board members and an accountant from Costa Rica, are supervising the distribution and use of these medicines and products.

NPMI negotiated this donation on behalf of the Nicaraguan Prison System, which just a month before requested 200 mattresses. At that time the NPMI Board could promise only 50, and money for them was not yet available.

Scott Martin, an NPMI board member and director of FHI in Costa Rica, is excited. "Imagine, over 450 complete beds are headed across the ocean. Imagine our joy of this gift after years of frustration and agony at having to say 'no' to many urgent requests for medicines. NPMI devotes $225 per month for medicines for the prisoners, just a tiny fraction of the real need. It is pure joy to receive and distribute this gift to the prisoners who need it so badly."

Prisoners echo this joy. Josefa, a 54-year-old, suffers from asthma. With tears in her eyes, she recalled, "I couldn't sleep. I prayed and I cried and told God to do a miracle for me." She normally cannot get expensive treatments, but NPMI staff recently brought her medicine. Their caring greatly impacted Josefa. "Thanks to God I have learned and changed my life. Thanks to your prayers, I'm a new person"

NPMI is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in the USA. Its mission is to bring hope to those incarcerated in Nicaragua through relationship with Jesus Christ and to demonstrate the love of Christ by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the prisoner and his/her family. The mission is accomplished by encouraging, equipping, training and supporting volunteers.

Contact: Ben Goerz
Telephone: 859-277-6863
ben@npmi.org
http://www.npmi.org