Have you ever had to literally create your own path before? Well, if you’re like me, the answer is NO! God gave me my first opportunity to experience this in August when I went with two of our staff girls to La Esmeralda, one of our missions in Northern Nicaragua. A couple living in La Esmeralda, Hugo and Vilma Davila, saw the need for a Bible preaching church, donated land and currently lead Bible studies and discipleship groups which are growing rapidly. As the number of adults grew, more children came although nothing was offered for them. Don Hugo was eager to meet this need asked our pastor/missionary, Brian Weed, for a team. And we were off for three days in the country to be the first team to spend the night with no electricity, to rise with the chickens and to drive where four wheel drive or a horse is a requirement. Kathy, Aracely and I left Managua with directions, knowing that driving in Nicaragua means few if any signs and much stopping and asking. 4 hours later, we were sitting in the Davilas’ dining room, enjoying rice, beans, tortillas, cream and cheese. After discussing plans for the teacher training, we were introduced to one of the discipleship groups and were soon off to the Monday Bible Study group. Children poured into the cooperative where we were meeting. Kathy and Aracely quickly offered to conduct a class for the children, giving the ladies a chance to observe. With approximately 30 children of all ages and no pre-prepared lesson, the two did a marvelous job. We began teacher training with 6 ladies the next day and quickly fell in love with them. They were so eager to learn all they could! Tuesday afternoon found us braving the rain, mud and rivers to carve our own path with the Davilas to see two of the five waterfalls found there. Don Hugo led the way with his

machete to show us the beauty of their part of Nicaragua. Wednesday found us preparing the ladies for their trial run in Wednesday’s Bible study group. We were so proud of them! God was definitely at work! We left la Esmeralda different than we came. Kathy and Aracely experienced missions in a new way, as the missionaries. Six ladies were equipped to teach. And children cried, hungry for the Word and touched by the fact that we would come so far just to teach them and to train their teachers. As Santuario Familiar Bautista in Managua has reached out to La Esmeralda, so I thank you for helping me to be here with your prayer and/or financial support. Pray with us that God will meet the need for a pastor in La Esmeralda!