Friday, November 2, 2007

Beautiful Nicaragua


Well the rains have finally slowed down quite a bit here in Nicaragua. But not without some damaging effects. Below is a news clip of the areas with some problems. Lets keep the families in prayer.
_____________________________________________
10 people killed by leptospira in Nicaragua
MANAGUA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Nicaragua's Health Minister Maritza Cuan said Thursday that 10 people have been killed by leptospira, a disease-causing bacteria, in some regions of this Central American country, despite the fact that this type of epidemic cases has decreased.
By Thursday some 2,700 leptospira cases had been reported in the western and northern regions, and the capital Managua, Cuan said while visiting public hospitals here.
Cuan made the visit after patients complained of a lack of attention and medicine to fight leptospirosis and dengue.
"Public hospitals must be ready for any dengue outbreak in Nicaragua, although we are more prepared to face the leptospirosis outbreak," Cuan said.
Leptospira is an illness prevailing in tropical countries and can be transmitted to human beings by a bacteria present in rat urine. It coexists with cows, pigs, cats, horses and dogs and has spread in Nicaragua due to constant rainfall.
Symptoms of leptospira include nasal hemorrhage, muscular aches, high fever, coughing and intense headaches.
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I am still working up in Matagalpa and Boaco with the farmers and their families while David is in Africa. So Laura and I decided to take an overnight trip to the beach. The beautiful sunset was a beautiful site to behold. A constant reminder that God is in control of all.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Rains in Nicaragua

Greeting friends and family,

Heard the saying, When it rains it pours????
Nicaragua is experiencing the exact opposite of dry. The rains have been off and on for 9 straight days.
The news is full of evacuations in low lying areas and rescues of flodded barrios. Land slides in Costa Rica and crops failures due to large amounts of rain and no sunshine.
Prices of rice and beans have skyrocketed due to less production.
Please join us in praying that there is a balance of moisture and sunshine. We are greatful for the full lakes for irrigation but they are close to flood stage. Pray for those who have lost loves ones and homes once again.

David in Africa apears to be doing well working with North American Affiliate groups and Zambian farmers developing relationships for growing Farm work there. Pray for safety in travel and that the days go fast when we can be reunited.

Work here in Nicaragua has been very busy as well. This week Thursday we will be attending a sewing graduation, promoting 13 women who have learned a new trade. God is good.

Christian Business classes continue in the community of San Buenaventura. Creating a closer community who want to develope business plans to buiuld a pharmacy and brick oven.

Thanks again for your prayers and support of these programs.

Wendy

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Farmer to Farmer

those who haven't heard, Farmer-to-Farmer is spreading.... at least in concept! For the past three weeks, I (David) have been in Zambia Africa working with new Zambian partners to attempt to replicate the good results your F2F program in Nicaragua began. I will, Lord willing, be here until December 5.

While the cultures of Zambia and Nicaragua are vastly different, many of the same soul-strangling problems exist. Basics learned in the Nicaragua program are being applied; lessons of both what has worked well, and probably more important, avoiding what has not.

In rural Nicaragua, land availability and ownership is not easily had by small farmers.... In rural Zambia, land is available from Tribal Chiefs, security in knowing this land will not be given to someone else after improvements are made, is not.

In rural Nicaragua, dry-season irrigation is not easily attained by small farmers.... In rural Zambia, dry season irrigation is not easily attained by small farmers.

In rural Nicaragua, daily food security is low.... In rural Zambia, daily food security is low.

In rural Nicaragua, Christians are in a minority, and generally have deep faith and beliefs.... In rural Zambia, the vast majority are Christians, often resorting to pagan means (witch doctor assistance) as a last-ditch effort when tragedy strikes a family.

In all of Nicaragua, impoverished brothers and sisters in Christ need our prayers and encouragement.... In all of Zambia, impoverished brothers and sisters in Christ need our prayers and encouragement.

One more comparison; Nicaragua is suffering immensely from poverty caused by war and corruption.... Zambia is suffering immensely from poverty caused by foreign aid dependency, corruption, and a deadly disease....

A new Farmer-to-Farmer affiliate group from Western USA is beginning, slowly but steadily, much in the same manner Nicaragua F2F began so many years ago.

While the original Sunnyside Washington F2F group continues it's ag training partnership with CRWRC and the Reformed Church of Zambia, and a partnership with a young Christian school in Eastern Zambia, a new affiliate group is in the planning stages.

The new North American affiliate F2F group is in the initial stages of a partnership which, if divine doors keep opening, will focus on the devastating orphan situation in Zambia. The situation is critical.... tens of thousands (x thousands again) of children and young adults have been orphaned by HIV / AIDS. The ultimate solution is to stop the spread of this horrific disease; the reality is, orphaned children and grandchildren (just like our own), are suffering immensely on a daily basis.

By far, the best place for orphans is with relatives who will raise the child as their own. For those not having living relatives, or close relation capable, or willing..... the future is "bleak" for children not able to survive on their own. I use the word "bleak", but it is a softened word from reality.

As a long-term solution, the new North American affiliate is considering a partnership with an orphan care provider. This "provider", Villages of Hope, will raise orphaned children in a Christ-based, family setting. Christian house mothers will care for orphaned children in homes on Village of Hope property until, as teens, they can move "into society", prayerfully with a Christian Worldview which will hopefully stem HIV / AIDS until eternity.

Soooo, you save an orphans life, all is well..... not really, and far from the truth. To "graduate" a child from an orphanage without life skills is the same as condemning him or her to a life-sentence alongside throngs of street kids in some cities like Lusaka.

Youth from the Village will move into life training programs on Village of Hope property. Farming as a life occupation is not the desire of all; There will be occupational trainings for teens and young adults to choose from such as sewing, hog / chicken / cattle production, food processing / packaging, cooking oil and soap production to name a few possibilities.

Enter the new North American Farmer-to-Farmer affiliate: Those who feel called to agriculture will enter a one-year ag training program. This teaching will be Biblically based: God is the original farmer (in Creation), and all the work done needs to be in a manner glorifying Him. Youth will be taught small-scale farming, simple irrigation, and basic principles of marketing. Daily training will be necessary and provided.

Farm trainee partners who desire, and demonstrate capability, will move to an advanced level of training in the second year. In a sustainable and replicable manner, everything taught is expected to be transferred to others in their communities.

If independent farm land in not in the family, and if the second year farm trainee shows commitment, desire, and ability, farm-land will be sourced. The details are not final, however, re-payment will be expected in the form of percentage of crop for (X) years. Re-payment crops could help in the food needs of Villages of Hope child care homes in a self-sustaining manner.

It is expected, hoped for, and prayed for, that third year trainees (now farm owners) will demonstrate maturity through orphan care, understanding of their profession as a calling, generosity, ethics, and positive impacts on their community.

At the "heart" of this new partnership is a group of in-country Zambian professionals (mentors) with a heart for impoverished Zambians as big as the country itself. This group is made up of former farmers from Zimbabwe..... Christian farmers who had their land confiscated in 2000 by the government, local commercial producers of vegetables, hogs, and cattle, and a farm / dairy / convention center / guest lodge owner near the Villages of hope orphan care farm. Quite a diverse group wouldn't you say?

There you have it! Definitely the "condensed version vision" of the new Farmer-to Farmer Central Zambia.

To think this all had it's start in the late 1990's, when it was identified that rural Nicaraguans without land were in the poorest health.... and partnered with now-Midwest Farmer-to-Farmer in land purchase and trainings....... to think how God orchestrated all this truly leaves me in speechless awe (you could not tell it by the length of this email !!).

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Kingdom Business Training

"Fortaleciendo Negocios Para El Reino”…“Strengthing Businesses for the Kingdom,” is the name of the education manual to be used this week in Boaco with some of the farm Partners as well as some of the health comities. This manual was written by members of the Nehemiah center, here in Managua. The collaborative work of many of our organizations in community development is resulting in opportunities for growth in micro businesses and those on a larger scale. Out of this need a desire grew in my heart to assist the Nicaraguan people with tools for real success. My business knowledge is small in comparison with many professionals since my vocation was in nursing. So I can defiantly empathize with our Partners in the rural areas of Nicaragua, and joyfully will be taking the classes with them.
For four years now David and I have been working in Nicaragua with farm Partners. We have some who are packaging coffee, and with women who have started to bake bread in a brick oven with the intention of selling it. One farmer is trying to form his own co-op. Many women have taken out loans for sewing machines, with the idea of selling clothes or crafts for their family financial security.
Business can be a frightening thing to those who find it difficult read and write. Accounting can be an insurmountable task. Many of the partners we work with are shy and live outside of a modern city. Most have no water or electricity, but eyes are opening for the importance of saving for their future and other essential business principals.
Some of the references for this material came from authors such as Larry Burkett’s book “Business and the Bible.” In the writing of these materials, biblical principals are integrated into every lesson. At the end of 12 weeks the trainee should feel comfortable with basic accounting, business language, and attain the confidence to be able to write a simple business plan.

Please join me in praying that God will use these lessons for the benefit of all involved. Pray that the lessons are simple and understandable.
We will be traveling to two different communities for these trainings. Pray for driving safety as well.
Thanks

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Work in Zambia, Africa


Greetings all,

Just thought I would share a photo of the working road side market in Zambia. David is there working on finding Zambian Partners to build a training farm facility possibly in conjunction with an Orphanage. Thru the help of Sunnyside Farmer to Farmer, they are in the prosess of digging a well.

Please pray for saftey for David, in travel and work.

Friday, September 7, 2007

Disaster Relief


Greetings friends and family,
While David is out of Nicaragua the damage reports of Hurricane Felix continues. I happened to be in Boaco visiting our coffee farmers and there was a small land slide on the main road. While this specific act of nature did not effect traffic, my heart goes out to this type of thing happening all over Nicaragua where there is heavy rainfall. The farmers of Mombachito joined us in praying for their brothers and sisters. Life in the mountains without news papers and without telephones is difficult, so a news paper was delivered and prayers said. Thanks so much for your continued prayer.
Down below there is an FYI for disaster relief.
Christian Reformed Relief Committee has already dispersed aid this morning.

Blessings
Wendy
_________________________________________________________________
Dear supporters and friends of the Nehemiah Center,

Greetings from Nicaragua. As many of you have heard, Hurricane Felix, a category 5 hurricane, hit the north Atlantic coastal region of Nicaragua with all of its fury on the morning of September 4, 2007. Major damage was caused not only in the port city of Puerto Cabezas, but also in many inland communities, affecting the lives of about 70,000 people. Even in good conditions, access to and communication with this region of the country is difficult; since the hurricane’s passing, the area has become even more isolated, as only the airport in Puerto Cabezas is functional and the one land road blocked due to flooding, fallen trees, and road damage.

While the Nehemiah Center does not have any permanent programs in this region of the country, we are responding to its relief needs in this time of crisis through one of our national partner organizations, Accion Medica Cristiana (AMC). AMC does have a long term program and staff throughout the region. Locally in Managua, we are helping with the collection of food, water, clothing, and blankets. At the international level, we are working with our collaborating organizations to raise awareness of the needs and secure funds as well as medical supplies that can be sent to support the relief efforts. Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and Food for the Hungry have already secured roughly $20,000 for a first phase response. These funds will be directed toward providing food, water, and shelter reparation in two communities where approximately 80% of people lost their homes due to wind damage.

What can you do? Along with our current efforts, we are also looking to collect funds that will serve as a second phase response. This region of the country is largely populated by subsistence farmers who were just beginning to harvest their rice crop for the year. With the passing of the hurricane, the rice in their fields, as well as a large portion of what they had already harvested, was lost. These farmers and their families will need long term assistance to restore their agricultural production abilities and provisions for their immediate needs until the next harvest. We ask you to prayerfully consider a donation to support these efforts to help the people of Nicaragua’s north Atlantic region.

To donate to the Hurricane Felix relief and rehabilitation efforts:

- In the US, you can donate directly on the FH/US website by clicking the donate to Hurricane Felix relief link on site’s front page www.fh.org

- In Canada, you can donate by calling the Canadian FH office at 1-800-667-0605 and tell them it is for Hurricane Felix relief.

- Contact us at the Nehemiah Center and we will help you find alternative ways to donate.

Here are links to photos from the affected region.

http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/2007/09/06/galeria/huracan_felix

http://www-usa.laprensa.com.ni/archivo/especiales/galerias/interno/index.php?id=281

Attached you will also find the latest report from Accion Medica Cristiana regarding this situation.

On behalf of the Nehemiah Center and the people of Nicaragua, we thank you for your interest and support of the Hurricane Felix recovery efforts.

The Nehemiah Center
AP 1076

Managua, Nicaragua
Phone: +011 (505) 271-2958

www.nehemiahcenter.net




Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Hurricane Felix update

We are fine here in Central Nicaragua. There were heavy rains that lasted for about 6 hours last evening. When it rains here it only takes about an hour and you see evidence of flooding. Praise God the damage is not worse. Please join us in praying for the Moskito people who are struggling at this time.

Down below is a news release.
Wendy

Nicaragua declares state of disaster after Hurricane Felix

MANAGUA, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega declared a state of disaster Tuesday in the country's North Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN) after Hurricane Felix killed three people, destroyed 5,400 homes and left 38,000 homeless there.
Ortega called on the international community to help those who had lost their homes and harvests due to the massive storm.
He said water, food, construction materials, medicine and general supplies are needed.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Felix made landfall in northeastern Nicaragua at 6:00 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) on Tuesday, with wind speeds of 260 kph, making it a category five hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
It has ripped off 80 percent of roofs in Bilwi, the capital of the RAAN. In Managua, a hospital and a church were tumbled, but there were no victims as both buildings had been evacuated.
Colonel Mario Perezcassar, head of the nation's civil defense body said that 13,000 people had been evacuated.
Also on Tuesday, Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya offered to send army helicopters to Nicaragua to help with the rescue efforts.
In Puerto Cabezas airport, 500 km northeast of the capital Managua, the hurricane ripped off the roof of the main building and brought down the communications tower.
The victims included a new born baby who had died in a hostel in Puerto Cabezas' Morava Church, which is being used as an emergency shelter, according to Rogelio Flores, the deputy head of Civil Defense in the North Atlantic region.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Hurricane Felix

Greetings everyone,

Just an update on Hurricane Felix. We wanted to let you know that the storm is actually North East of us and not affecting central Nicaragua where we are. Probably just heavy rains today and tomorrow.
Praise God that David was able to fly off to Africa this morning safe and sound.
He will be in the states for a week before he actually leaves.
We are asking for prayers for safty and healath.
Laura our daughter who teaches at a christian school here and I will stay behind.
We will keep you updated on new findings.
Please pray for those on the atlantic coast who are losing their homes from winds and flooding.
Blessings
Wendy

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Nicaraguan to Nicaraguan Mentoring






When thinking of the outcome from a simple loan for a brick oven, the desired goal would be that of diversification for the farm areas. With bean prices down due to drought and now too much rain, El Congo is looking at this oven as a possibility to subsidize their income. The national organizations understand this will take some planning. These ladies have expressed a desire to learn as much as they can on baking bread before the actually create a business plan to sell their delicious products.

With the aid of a local Nicaraguan baker, the ladies of the Peniel community learned how to turn regular bread dough into cakes, donuts, and other sweet breads. This small rural village is also home to 12 land bank farmers.

The ladies were overjoyed and wrote down every detail of the recipes as he shared them. His hands-on demonstrations were a way of explaining simple things, like how to knead the dough enough to be able to begin forming shapes. Topics like, how long to let it rise and new artistic designs were shared to create a new look with the same bread.

Local mentoring is a desired outcome to the Partners work in Nicaragua. Equipping the communities to be self sustained while finding mentors is what has been an aspiration and program design. Marvin was trained in Miami years ago where there was a better future for him, and yet he returned to his home town in Boaco, Nicaragua to bake in a privately owned business with his mother. He recently took up the challenge to work alongside The Asociación Cristiana de Jóvenes, (ACJ) which is the YMCA of Nicaragua, to share of the talents God has given him.

One challenge for these women is to accurately regulate the temperature of the oven. On their first try of the day they weren’t so successful but after a bit they realize what it takes to cool the oven down before baking. The fire roars for about an hour before they can begin to work. The wood is cleared out before the food goes in and stays hot for about five hours. This allows enough to bake several different types of bread.

While there are still many lessons to learn these ladies gained a great deal of knowledge from their training session. With more lessons to come we invite you to join us in prayer for the start of this new business.

David and Wendy Van Klinken
Managua, Nicaragua

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Photos of the Medical Team















THANKS TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!









































Monday, August 20, 2007

Health emphasis in Farm areas of Nicaragua



August 11-19 we hosted a team of medical persons who arrived in Nicaragua ready to give of their time and talents in whatever capacity they could. The team consisted of a group of health professionals from different areas of Michigan.
Drs Pete and Cheri Lauber along with Dr. James Strikwerda, Amy Strikwerda, hygienist Alana Baker, Norma Thompson, RN, Robert Hirssig and Dr. Sarah Ruff.
Partners Worldwide works in different rural areas in agriculture with land purchase and eventual ownership. Health and sustainability is an added component to these farm areas. The spirit of love and equality was felt by all our brothers and sisters in Christ.
This team’s focus was in the areas of medical, dental and vision care.
This year’s focal point was directed at empowering the Nicaragua health committees. These committees were in charge of organizing the whole community for four day clinic and hands on trainings. Helping them learn different skills associated with each profession. The community of San Buenaventura worked very hard to organize and set up a make shift clinic. It was built in a church not far from the social health post called MINSA. The last and final day of work was in a community called Mombachito where we worked towards the same strategies.
Both communities had training done in four different schools. These trainings aided approximately 500 children in total with oral health. A medical student on the team assisted by a local committee member, worked with the children by teaching how to brush their teeth and pointing out good foods and bad foods demonstrating how those affected the teeth with decay.
The rural areas of Nicaragua are not always able to get medicines or treatment for illnesses. The state of Government says “free care for everyone” but there is often no staffing at the local centers and no medicine. Those were statement coming from the local members. So equipping the local persons in the communities to be responsible for their own family’s health, especially in areas of prevention will be a continued goal by the Michigan Medical team who are working toward healthy families and healthy communities.

Friday, August 10, 2007

Visiting Medical team

This Saturday the 11th of August there will be a medical team of 8 come to visit the work being done in Nicaragua.


The team is lead by Peter and Cheryl Lauber from River Terrace Church, in LAnsing Michigan.




This year there challenge will be a bit different. Other than the clinic style mission, we will be adding a componant of education to the communities of San Buenaventura, San Juan, San Andres and Mombachito. We will be working with the health committies from all the local areas.




Medical, Dental and vision componants will be a part of their visit.




The goal of this trip is to empower the local teams to aid us as North Americans to assist them. Walking along side of our Nicaraguan Brothers and sisters.




Please join us in prayer for this to be a great trip!

Monday, August 6, 2007

Visit to El Progresso

Wow, what a good week this has been!

This past week was spent with visitors from the Grand Rapids home office. Kris Vander Stelt, Greg Elzinga, Matt Van Til, Doug Seebeck (Partners Worldwide), Sandy Johnson, and Rev. Jerry Dykstra (CRCNA). Accompanying the group from Michigan was Joel Huyser (soon to be moving back to Nicaragua after being state-side most of the past year).

The visit began with an overview of work in the Nehemiah Center. Several visits were made to see PW partnerships in the Managua area, however, the day that stood out was our trip to AMC's El Progresso farm.

As many of you know, there is a drivable road into El Progresso now....... at least in the dry season. Not so fortunate (driving) for our Grand Rapids visitors, as after walking 1 mile into the farm, they had enough mud on them to grow a good crop of corn!! and then it began to rain...... actually, it cleaned everyone up a bit!

While the individual partner farms were being visited, the statement heard many times was a variation of, "you started with nothing? .....and now you have all this?? Incredible!".

On another note, the really big news is the fact that the first litter of piglets were born two week ago in El Progresso! 8 healthy piglets scurrying between the sow, and the community center where we had group discussions with partner farmers. (got to do something about the sow pen..... they squeeze though the fence!).

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your big part in this!

Blessings,

David and Wendy