(a recent prayer letter received from WIN missionary, Vanessa Hartzog/Nicaragua)

Each month seems to get busier and busier as I get more involved with different facets of ministry. August was no exception. I added a couple of new roles to my missionary duties – Administrator of our group lodging facility (Palm Point) and English Teacher in our Seminary Program!

We love celebrating what the Lord has done in Nicaragua and this month we celebrated the 16-year anniversary of the Pueblo Nuevo Church. Pastoring in the rural mountains of Nicaragua is no easy task, but Pastor Jesus has many years of experience teaching and loving on his church! The 16 years of successful ministry are a great testament to that!

Sports continues to be a huge part of our ministry to reach Nicaragua for Christ. Before every sporting event, the Bible is taught and the gospel message shared. Event after event, many youth accept Christ as their Savior! This month during a special tournament at the Pochocuape Church, 13 young people made decisions to follow Jesus!

Our Seminary students wrapped up their 2nd trimester of the year. They finished out their Evangelism Methods class with a special drama called La Silla de Pecado (The Chair of Sin). While there were no words spoken, the drama said it all. Hearts were moved to see the hold that sin can have in our lives, but even more so, the mercy of our Father. Even though we try so many things to get unstuck, it is only the grace of Jesus that saves us. I was blessed to be able to travel with them to perform their drama in Masay and La Paz Centro. I had tears welling up in my eyes each time! God’s love and mercy are so overwhelming!

Every year, the Avance Staff and Seminary students take a few days to connect with each other, recharge our batteries, and be poured into spiritually at our annual retreat. Veteran missionaries to Ecuador, Jim and Sharon Smith, joined us this year as our retreat speakers and it was such a blessing to learn from them. The retreat would not be complete without competition! Through various games, memory verse challenges, and activities, my team, Los Vikingos (Vikings) came out as the 2023 Champs! We wrapped up the retreat with a talent show. I did a silly skit with four other ladies and we actually won 3rd place! I am already looking forward to next year!

Our mission field in Belize is off to a great start! Denis and Karen have been there for over a month now and have been busy getting out into the community and building relationships. They often invite people over to their home for fellowship and games on their front porch. Recently, they had their first kids event to kick off their children’s ministry! It was a huge success! Please keep praying for them as they stretch and grow into their new roles as missionaries and adjusting to their new lives far from home.

There’s always more I want to put in a newsletter than I can’t fit onto one page. Follow @Vanessa2Nicaragua on Facebook to get more photos and updates and real time prayer requests or email me for the electronic newsletter. Thank you for the continued partnership that allows me to be here! Together, we are reaching Nicaragua for Christ and I couldn’t do it without you!