During Ester break Randall and Rachel Beita lead a group of nine young people from Costa Rica to Managua, Nicaragua on a week long mission trip.  Our time there was spent in doing three activities per day, two in the day and one at night in the church.  Mostly we did dramas and shared testimonies though we also did some work with feeding centers, light doctor work and door to door evangelizing.

   This was the first time we led a team to Managua and we really enjoyed the less physically stressful conditions (we had beds, running water, and great food) even though it was just as hot.   While there, we stayed in the house of Asdrubal and Marta Ibarra, Field Associates with Missionary Ventures.   It was really neat to meet them and to see their enthusiasm and love for the people.

   While in Managua we visited some very poor places and were really affected by one called La Chureca or more commonly, el basurero (trash dump).  We worked there with a couple Vladimir y Edelma Monge who have been working there for 10 years.  The poverty was so evident in how the children dressed and in the houses there is no water or electricity.  Many of the children get cut badly on cans and glass while others die from eating rat poison mistaken for food.  It is not uncommon there to see a child of 12 years inhaling cement glue to drug himself.  Nearly all of the children live only with their mother or aunt or by themselves.  It is uncommon to see a father living with his family.

    Another place we visited is Barranco Bayo, a small mountain village.  After a long drive trough dirt roads and dry river beds that during rainy season would be un-crossable we arrived at the church.    Their building is a tarp with some chairs underneath, it moved us to know they had gotten up early and come to get the church ready which includes treating the floor with water and sweeping it to control the dust.   Then they walked back home and bathed and changed close to return for the service.  Several of the families live several miles from the church.   The congregation was very welcoming and grateful for the shoes, Bibles and toys we gave them.   After the activity, the pastor's wife gave us rice, cooked deer and tortillas for lunch.

   This was the first team we led under Missionary Ventures from Costa Rica.  Please be praying with us that theses young people will be able to help us to interest more people to go on trips and do work locally here in Costa Rica.  Pray that more doors will be open