Nicaraguan Prison Ministry Inc.
REC 2009
July 1,2,3 Managua Nicaragua
Friday 3 July.
Day 3 Finale
(This information was given to me by various team members since I could not attend on Friday due to a GI problem common to short-term missionaries). There was buoyancy in their steps as they entered, and a glow in their smiling faces. Music was sung with a bit more gusto. The afternoon before, 100% of the residents participated in Holy Communion. An altar call brought over 90% of the residents to the altar for commitments or re-commitments to Christ.
Counselors were busy each day, and prayer requests of individual residents were many. Little notes were sent to the prayer chapel by the dozens each day. Most of the women wanted prayer for their families, particularly their children, and some asked for prayer that they might soon be released from prison. One woman scribbled her personal prayer to God, asking him to permanently come into her heart. A few of the women decorated their little prayer request notes with art work.
Hundreds of you from around the world were praying for them throughout the three days and nights. The list of names covered three large poster boards. From three to five people were praying at the same time much of the time. These lists were displayed for the residents to see, and they were overwhelmed that so many cared for them. The prison officials had notified us that these women were more violent than any who had attended REC before. They sent extra guards, and even accompanied each prisoner to the bathroom. As usual, the guards were hanging onto every word of the talks, and some were obviously feeling the Holy Spirit moving within themselves.
After the last talk, the residents received bags chocked full of letters and small wheat (agape) gifts from the team and others. They received a certificate of completion of the REC signed by the Lay Director, and also the Alcaide (Warden). Then each resident received the traditional cross as they were told, “Christ is counting on you,” and their response to this was: “And I am counting on Christ.”
Residents were then given opportunity to express what the REC meant to them, and what they intended to do about it. Time ran out before everyone had an opportunity to speak, but that almost always is the case. We will continue in coming months to receive their tesimonies via e-mail. Also, watch for a newsletter on the website in a few weeks.Day 4 July 4th
The team went to Masaya to shop at a large market there, had lunch and traveled on to Granada, a beautiful historical city near Lake Granada. Pictures will be posted soon.
>>July 5 Team Departure
>The team boarded flights home at 7:00 a.m. Saturday. God answered many prayers including travel mercies. No flight problems were encountered, and we praise Him for that.
>Wanda Goerz, Team Coordinator
Thursday 2 July.
Day 2 Lots of Candles
Thursday, July 2, 2009: The team had breakfast at 6:a.m. and immediately afterward they boarded the bus for Tipitapa where the REC is being held for women who are incarcerated at La Esperanza. The drive takes an hour, about 15 minutes longer than usual, because of road work and rush-hour traffic. Most common modes of transportation are still converted school busses, and horse-drawn carts which appear to be a bicycle on the back with two large-wheels welded on the front. A carriage-type cover protects the contents being hauled but the guy doing the pedaling is exposed to the elements. We bought a newspaper on the way to read about Managua's mayor committing suicide. Prayers for the day were said on the bus. The first thing we noticed when we arrived was that one of the locks on the buiding had been removed and our tables, chairs, etc. had been moved around. Three Bibles had been stolen, and a few other things of lesser value. We agreed that we hoped the robbers would read the Bibles and experience Christ through them. There were many other things of great material value that were left untouched, particularly the nice sound system and keyboard. We barely were set up for the day when the women arrived. The second day schedule is filled with special activities, services, etc. The time that we are allowed in the prison each day has been reduced by about two and a half hours. We didn't think it would be possible to work everything in, but miraculously we did everything except the story of Decolores and the team skit usuallay done before the poster party. For those of you unfamiliar with REC, the poster party is a time when the particpants present songs, posters, or skits created to illustrate the talks they have heard. It is a very fun-filled activity and the creativity exhibited is amazaing. Our son, Ben was requested to lead two new songs and they were really well received. The residents particulary liked them and they sang along with gusto. His new friend, Juaviar accompanied him on keyboard. The two of them have really hit it off. A talk on prayer ends with table groups holding hands and praying togtether. At this point, the women begin a strong bond with each other and distinct changes can be seen in the way they interact with each other. A talk called, "Means of Grace" followed by a "Dying Moments" communion service is a major turning point. It is a time of reflection, and surrender. A Costa Rican Pastor, Rev. Carlos Cunningham who is serving as the team's Spiritual Director, conducted this service in which the simple and truthful message of Christ drew many women to desire a commitment with Him. The requests for counseling and prayer began on the first day, but by the end of the Dying Moments Communion on Thursday, we saw a steady flow. Over 40 men, women and children gathered for the surprise candle walk which as always, is a very moving experience. The women especially are strongly affected by the presence of the children because they are strong reminders of their own children they have left behind when they came to prison. The extreme heat and humidity takes a toll on the team. We have use of some fans, but not nearly enough, and we must constantly drink water to avoid dehydration. We have been blessed so far not to have lost electricity, but we have run out of water the past two days, and can't flash the toilets by mid-day. We drink bottled water, of course. At the end of day two, the women boarded their bus to return to their housing in Managua and the team cleaned the area and packed up to leave for our Guest House (La Quinta Arien), all of us anxious to shower and rest a bit before dinner. However, that was not to be, at least for over an hour and a half. Our Lay Director had forgotten to schedule our bus for the ride home, so we had to wait for another bus to come from Managua. We used the time for our daily team meeting which normally occurs immediately after dinner. Dinner was late, but then we were freed up for the rest of the evening. We have a great team this year. Our youngest member is twenty-three and the oldest is in his eighties. All of us are holding up remarkably well because of your many prayers. To God be the glory! Wanda Goerz
Hola! Today was a great day, with very few hitches (well, no running water again for most of the day...Tony and team did some heroic cleaning of some nasty banos) and a lot of laughter and tears. Someone entered the rec center last night and we lost a few cookies, drinks, and Bibles, but how can you complain when a theif wants a Bible? There were 5 women that didn't come yesterday, and 6 new women that came today. The others were very welcoming, accepting them at their tables and helping them to understand what was going on. Everyone participated in all the activities, including the poster party (we have some gifted actors!), dying moments, and communion. I counted 46 people at the candle walk, mostly children from about 5 years old to teenagers, with some parents included; our old friend Pastor Eliodoro led the troups. Needless to say, this was a very moving time for the women, as they listened to 3 heartfelt songs. Unfortunately, time was short and we couldn't sing anything back, but that's ok. We needed to wait for the bus to take them home, so after cleaning up we went ahead and had our team meeting there at La Modelo. It felt pretty good, talking about our reactions and the effects of the day while several guards were having drill practice outside (they're learning to march in unison). Anyway, we have an early evening to clean up, rest up, and get ready for day 3.
Wednesday 1 July.
Day One Victories
Sorry can't write to each one personally. We completed day 1 in the prison today and it went fairly well for the first day. It is extremely hot and humid and by days end, we were all drained and more than a little smelly. We did have our passports checked and retained until we left, but the guards were happy to have a good meal on us and many of the new rules they had told us about were simply not enforced.
At least ten of the fifty women asked for counseling by our spiritual leaders today, and this is one day earlier than this usually happens. Tomorrow is the really full day when lives begin to really change. One young blonde, blue-eyed girl looked to be about 18 and we thought for sure she was American, but it turned out she is from Romania. She was first to ask for spiritual counseling because she is a smoker and isn't allowed to smoke in the area where we met. A dear Costa Rican Pastor friend talked with her and advised her to try her best to get though this day without a cigarette. He then asked me to keep praying for her all afternoon that she would be healed of her strong addiction. She made it thorough the day at least.
Ben has been a really big help. He is enjoying working with another young musician who is playing keyboard. They practiced tonight for some special music tomorrow.
We returned to our guest house, washed up and had a good dinner. The food has been better this year than I've had here. After dinner we had a team meeting, prayed for tomorrow's speakers and for some of the special needs enounterd by the women at the prison today. Then we prayed for the team because we have a very full day tomorrow in the unrelenting heat. So far we've had electricity, but the showers are cold and water pressure is very low.
We have felt your prayers and they sustain us.
Love to all,
Wanda
Monday 29 June.
Team Formation
Wanda reports team formation is going well. She says the biggest problem is some of the Nicaraguans have had to drop off of the team.
Ben Goerz has posted pictures on his facebook. I have put some of them on here.
Click to go to photo page.
Sunday 28 June.
Feeding 32
The team went to the Verbo church. Unfortunately the new building has no natural ventilation and the air conditioning has not been installed yet. After church they went to Rosti Pollos for lunch.
The team had a blessing in that 32 people ate supper but there were only 24 plates of food. They shared with each other and they all had something to eat.
Would you believe Nancy lost the key to the cash box but God provided Jimmy. It seems Jimmy has a talent for opening locks.
Sabado 27 de Junio.
Han Llegado
Costa Rica and USA teams arrived safely June 27
Today the team goes to "El Verbo" church.
First team meetings start this afternoon. Sunday June 28th.