POST by ERICSON: Thanks and Praise

Ericson performing at a Bboy event in downtown Minneapolis

On our first day in the United States, it was exhausting but it was also a new experience, a change in culture, big buildings, big cities and a good and new experience for everyone in our group.

In San Diego, we visited a really nice and humble family. The pastor and his wife received us with their arms wide open.

When we were in Davis, California, we visited a church where they had a lot of Mexicans and that church was really strong in the Lord. The pastor, his wife, and his kids gave us a lot of advice and a gift of a lot of blessings.

We also went to the New Life church in Sacramento. They were really generous because they gave each of us money and we helped with the community. It was really fun.

The second trip to the United States was when we went to Minnesota. There were really nice families waiting for us when we got there. It was a really nice experience because Gods plan was great and eight people in our group were baptised along with a lot of other people from the church. The people we performed for were accepting of Christ and it made me feel really happy because we were winning souls for Jesus.

The problems that we may face always have solutions and God always is with us. Everything is always in his hands and when we are with him, he will never leave us and he will always help us. He will move us and guide us.

The third tour took us to Richmond. This part of the USA was a huge blessing for us. There were a lot of happy families, happy because of our arrival. Also, they were happy and proud to have us with them. The people at the church had really good hearts.

We went to a Baptist church in Chicago that took us to a camp where we had a lot of fun. Video games, rides, water slides, and pools. It was a really pretty place, thank you for letting us have that great experience.

When we got back, we were visited an Assemblies of God church. We were there for two services and so we performed twice. The people there liked our praise and worship a lot.

When we went to the next church, Sezni was standing in front of one of the windows and he started peeing in front of it and the people where still in the service. Jed went to cover him because that was very embarrassing. He said, “Lets go walking to the other church and not wait for the transportation!”

Whilst in Chicago we were with both poor AND rich people. We did our CREATED performance for the people in Chicago and we won a lot of souls in churches and schools. We would invite people off of the street to come and see us perform. That city really was a blessing.

Right now we are in the house of a lovely family. Shane and Jenny and their kids take care of us really well and also everyone else that we have been with too. We are really thankful to all the people that have helped us and who we have stayed with, the people that have helped us with transportation, a place to stay and their love. Thank you!

This story was written by a Nicaraguan youth, and was voluntarily given to Capital on the Edge for publishing. The subject choice was his entirely. He has elected to write about his experiences for the glory of God and so that others may learn from his experiences. The translation of this work is performed voluntarily and not professionally, hence there may be some errors. Any decisive deviation from the text is in consultation with the author, and is done so to make clear the life events written about and to provide further information so that the story is more understandable.

If you would like to support this fellow on a monthly basis, please CLICK HERE

To learn more about our street theatre production, "CREATED", please visit our page,NICAVANGELISTS: "CREATED", North American Tour (2013)

If you would like to see a video of some of our Nica-Youths practicing, please CLICK HERE

We are not up to budget, and travelling with 14 people is very expensive. We need an investment from Christian people for our next evangelism tour to the Midwest. To support us or make a once off donation, please visit our page, Contemplating SUPPORTINGsomething significant?

Ericson and Jonny being HE-MEN and lighting a fire with the Bridge to Hope folks in Richmond, Virginia

Primer dia en estados unidos muy cansado pratodos una nuava experiensia un cabio de cultura edificios grande y siudades grande una buena y nueva experiensia para todos los del grupo siudad san diego visitamos una muy buena familia y umilde el pastor y su esposa nos resivieron con los brasos a biertos y nos a consejaron la pasamos bien estubimos en siudad David california es tubimos en una iglesia de mejicanos una iglesia muy sometida Dios el pastor y la esposa el hijo nos direon munchos consejos y regalo una vendision tanbien estubimos iglesia new life hellos fueron muy buenos con nosotros nos dieron realos y simos a lluda comunitaria fue muy bueno y divertido.

Cegundo viaje a estados unidos fuimos al norte de america estado minesota Lindas familias esperando a todo el grupo fue muy buena experiensia por que Dios hiso la hobra con todo el grupo uvieron bautismos se bautisaron 8 personas del grupo y munchas personas mas y munchas personas arepintiendose y a sectando a cristo en sucorazon parami fue una dision ver todas esas almas ganadas para la gloria de cristo.

Los problemas que siempre pasavamos todos siempre se solucionavan nose pero yo se que Dios los solusionaba las vendiciones son muy grande a limento rropa un techo donde dormir es lamano de Dios moviendolos i guiandolos .

Tercer viaje SIUDAD RICHMOM Fue una vendision muncha familias a legre de nuestra llegada munchas familias a legre y horgullosa de tenernos conosimos familias muy podres y buenas de corazon estubimos en una IGLESIA BAUTISTA con una familia muy a legre hellos nos llevaron a un canpamento pasamos un buen momento en el canpamento estubimos en video juegos y juegos mecanicos y picinas fue un lugar ermoso gracias por esa experiensia

Regresamos y estubimos en una IGLESIA DE LAS ASANBLEAS DE DIOS . Y llegamos y nos resivieron muy bien es tubimos en dos cultos y simos dos precentasiones y alas personas les agrado cuando regresavamos a la hotra iglesia SEZNI separo en la ventana de la IGLESIA estava horinando y era todavia el tiempo del culto y jed su padre corio a cubrir a su hijo de la pena jed nos diojo vamonoa a pies no esperamos los veiculos y llegamos a la hotra iglesias .

Salomos a siudad chicago estubimos con personas de munchas razas podre y ricos y simos la hobra de Dios en CHICAGO munchas almas ganadas en escuelas y Iglesias estubimos in bitando en las calles para la hobra y fue una vendision esa siudad .

A hora en la actualidad estamos en la casa de una ermosa familia SHANE Y JENNY ellos y sus hijos son muy vondadoso estar con esta familia y todas las hotras que hemos estados le estamos a gradesido familias a mables de buen corazon Dios les dara reconpensa y los vendesira por cuidarnos gracias por todo familias por los alimentos y techo y trasporte y su amor gracias.

POST by SEZ: Good Fight, Bleed Right!

Sezni with Mayron & Leiskis

One Night, at a house that is like a cabin near a lake, one of the kids in our group threw a sandal right at my nose.  A lot of blood began to gush out of my nose and mouth. 

I was on the bed, but then blood started to bleed out of my nose like it was rain pouring. I ran out of the bed on to the carpet, to the front door and outside with my dad trying to stop the bleeding.  The tricker and bboys tried to clean up the carpet and the floors and the beds.  

Anna and her sister cleaned the floors and the carpets and washed everything.

I was bleeding to death!

Mum took the kid outside and screamed at him.

My sister was just looking at my nose and she was scared and she was screaming and crying. 

Dad grabbed a glass of water then he started to tell me to drink a lot of water because he said I was losing a lot of liquid. I had to drink too much water because the kid threw a sandal at me while I was trying to sleep.

It hurt real bad, it felt like a tiger was biting my nose.  

Dad told me, “You don’t need to go to the hospital, Sezni.”

Leyky felt terrible about what he did and he came out and said sorry for hurting me because my Mum yelled at him.

When I put a tissue in my nose, it stopped bleeding. After an hour, it stopped bleeding and I went back to bed.

I got a black bruise on my nose and I have had it for weeks now. 

If you would like to support this fellow on a monthly basis, please CLICK HERE

To learn more about our street theatre production, "CREATED", please visit our page,NICAVANGELISTS: "CREATED", North American Tour (2013)

If you would like to see a video of some of our Nica-Youths practicing, please CLICK HERE

We are not up to budget, and travelling with 14 people is very expensive. We need an investment from Christian people for our next evangelism tour to the Midwest. To support us or make a once off donation, please visit our page, Contemplating SUPPORTING something significant? 

To learn more about our home Church in Australia, please CLICK HERE
This story was written by a Nicaraguan youth, and was voluntarily given to Capital on the Edge for publishing. The subject choice was his entirely. He has elected to write about his experiences for the glory of God and so that others may learn from his experiences. The translation of this work is performed voluntarily and not professionally, hence there may be some errors. Any decisive deviation from the text is in consultation with the author, and is done so to make clear the life events written about and to provide further information so that the story is more understandable.  

Media: From Nicaragua to Worthington, by way of breakdancing

Jose, 20, grew up on the streets of Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, located in the heart of Central America. His mother worked long hours, and he didn’t know his father. He wasn’t very old when he learned to steal and began smoking marijuana.

To read entire article, please CLICK HERE

POST by SOPHIA: My Life

When I’m alone with Him, in my mind he takes me to a path in the woods that he’s leading me on.

Doing what we're doing, we come across a LOT of broken lives, and people desperate for answers. To date, I haven't been as moved by anyone's story, in the way that I've been moved by the life of Sophia. This young lass, is beautiful and talented, smart and driven, yet she has been used, abused, rejected, despised, and now works with everything she's got to get her life on track for the promise of glory.

I have met Sophia's parents, who are just human like the rest of us. They've done a magnificent job at raising their kids, with compassion and love, and yet, like other parents, they’re not supernatural beings and can only be in one place at one time. Unfortunately, their baby girl was deeply broken, and nothing that they could do would mend the heart of their daughter, which lay in tatters.

But, there is hope. Jesus Christ came for the lost. He came for the sinner. He came for the broken. He alone knows the pain and suffering of all humanity. He took it with him to the cross. And so I’d like to allow Sophia the opportunity of sharing with you her story. She’s a brave girl and I’m mightily proud of her:

Everyone goes through hard times in life, some worse than others. But it’s who you depend on and how you get through it that makes you who you are. I've been through a lot in my life, but instead of leaning on God, I just wanted people to pity me.

When I was ten, my best friend at the time told me every detail of how her dad had often sexually abused her and what he had done to her. I remember everything she told me, but because she told me when I was so young, I blocked out all memories of my childhood to protect myself. I don't have any memories of anything until about the age of 13, and even then I only have bad memories.

I am the 5th child of 8 in my family. I was homeschooled ‘til 9th grade and in 10th grade I started getting into drinking, drugs, boys and sex, and everything bad. I thought that the only way to be happy was to do all of these things.

Well, surprise, surprise, I was wrong. Guys and drugs only hurt me. I have had my heart broken in so many ways. Guys would tell me they love me and they don't want anyone else, and that I am so beautiful and special. Yet after they gotten what they’d wanted, they would tell me it was all a lie and that I am actually trash.

I tried to kill myself many times and I used to cut myself every day for many months. All I could think was I just wanted to get away from the hurt and the pain. Yet, I continued to run after guys and drugs.

Twice I thought I was pregnant and I would worry about what I’d tell my parents and what I’d do with a kid at 17. But lucky for me, I was not pregnant and God helped me through it.

Now, for the last four weeks or so I’ve been reading my Bible and talking to God. When I’m alone with Him, in my mind he takes me to a path in the woods that he’s leading me on.

I often feel really alone and sad. I cry myself to sleep because I wish I could remember my past... but then I remember that God is always there, even when no one else is.

A couple of weeks ago I met all of these wonderful, handsome, nice, crazy Nicaraguan boys who got me to think in a whole new way. They have been through hell and back and they still dance and sing for God with smiles on their faces. If they can be happy then I think I can too.

Sophia & Cecilia (Sophia's younger sister)

POST by ANNA: Polident and Hoverounds

One lovely Minnesota day, I was driving down the highway as my dad dozed off in the passenger seat. I only had my driver’s permit at the time, but my dad seemed to have confidence in my driving skills.

We passed a large hardware store where a truck carrying four large, metal patio chairs pulled out in front of me. All was well; I maintained a safe three-second following distance behind the truck. Actually, it was much more than three seconds because I was paranoid that one of the chairs would fall out the back of the truck.

It appeared that the chairs were not strapped in, and in one of those “what if something terrible happened” moments, I thought “How funny, yet traumatizing would it be if the chairs all flew out of the truck bed?”

I continued to drive like a grandmother, daydreaming about poli-grip and hoverounds until I looked up from my speedometer and saw a large patio chair fluttering around between the air and the road. In that moment, I like to think that I became a superhero.

My senses were heightened. I could hear my dad breathing next to me. I could feel the hair on my arms blow in the air conditioning. I could smell the coffee my dad had left in the car from that morning. I could taste pure strength in my mouth, or was that my gum?

More importantly, I could see the chair in the road and feel the steering wheel in my hands. Thankfully, my exit was right where the chair had fallen out. I tapped the breaks with my pinky toe, slightly turned the steering wheel to avert hitting the chair, and pulled to the side of the road.

In the process, I really do believe that I hit the chair because I heard a loud noise and felt as if I either ran over the chair or hit the front corner of the bumper. At this point, my dad decided to wake up because I was nervously repeating his name. “Dad….Dad….DAD….” He got out of the car, as we were now on the side of the road, to look at the damage.

To our surprise, there was absolutely no damage to the car. I was elated because I always wondered what I would do when adrenaline really kicked in. What would I do if I had to save my own life, or the life of a lowly patio chair, or even the life of a beat up Chevy Suburban? I now knew. I taunted my dad telling him I had saved his life and mine, as well as the life of the car.

As you now know, I was a dramatic young gal. Today, I use this story as an example of how, often times, I am quite unlucky. Although it may seem like I am moderately lucky since there was no damage to the car, the fact of the story is A PATIO CHAIR FELL OUT ON THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME WHILE I HAD ONLY MY DRIVER’S PERMIT AND MY DAD WAS SLEEPING. (Maybe I am still dramatic)

Another example of my lack of luck, misfortune if you’d like to call it that, was a day at summer camp a fairly recent time ago. That day I managed to pee my pants, trip and fall during a game of ultimate Frisbee, while the rest of the players came to a halt and laughed at me,  drooling all the while in front of the boy I liked.

Now, in Nicaragua, you would think my misfortune wouldn’t be able to reach me here, right? No. The Briens, who are pretty much the loveliest people I have ever met, have a serious case of the lack-of-luck. Say that ten times fast.

The sink will leak and then get fixed. Only though, if minutes before, the car tire pops, or the well runs out of water, or the horses run rampant through the neighborhood. Someone throws a rock in the pool. The showerhead pops off because of too much pressure.

The light bulb I take to move to the bathroom with no lights breaks in transition. I try to pick it up and burn my hand. I venture off to find a dustpan to sweep it into and there is not a one in sight.

My goodness, I love it here. That probably sounds sarcastic, but I have grown to embrace the lack-of-luck in my life. Of course, it can be frustrating at times, yet it  provides a good laugh everyday. The Brien family is truly delightful almost always laughing about the strange everyday mishaps that strike all of us.

POST by ANNA: Why Am I Here?

Anna & Francesca, doing what girls do best!!!

So, I never really viewed myself as a blogger because I really thought blogging required the writer to drink copious amounts of coffee, have hippie hair (which I guess I do), or be selling something. Except the Briens, their blogs are lovely. Did ya see what I did there? Anyways, I’m not saying I don’t like blogs, I just never really thought I would blog. But Facebook statuses are not cutting it for me. I have so much that I want to say about where I am and what I am doing so here begins a stream of lovely blogging.

Maybe, I will start from the beginning to give a better view of why I decided to come to Nicaragua in the first place. When I was younger, I always felt like I was meant to do something different than the typical American. I don’t think I am better than the rest of America, because I am, after all, American.

Anna "fits in" with the Capital Edge Crew

Growing up, I always tried to be as independent as I could and act as strong and as brave as possible. I prided myself in my success and hard work.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing to do, but for me it became a bit of an obsession and it made me proud, in a bad way.

Though I always wanted to do something adventurous and crazy, I chose to go to college to get my degree because that, of course, is the successful way of doing things. I loved and still love college and I dearly want to go back, but I know that right now, I am not supposed to be there.

Anna & Eliazer, our Latin Dance Coach

Last year, I had a great year of school, but I didn’t really feel like I grew in my relationship with God. There are so many pressures in school to either be super smart or the most fun kid at the party or the hottest babe on campus or the most blinged-out “jersey chaser” as we call it. The school is not to blame. No one person can take responsibility for the pressure. 

By nature, I am a people-pleaser. Even when I am being sassy, it’s because I want people to like me. I want to fit in every social group possible for who knows why.  Therefore, college was a place for me to exercise my lack of confidence. I didn’t get hugely into the party scene, and I honestly don’t think the party scene is that bad, but I just started to doubt my beliefs and question my reasons behind those beliefs.

Thinking about life in the grand scheme, I didn’t want mine to be a waste. I didn’t want to give up my integrity and my heart to whoever says the nicest thing to me at the party or bend over backwards to please whoever was the funniest person in Chi Alpha (campus ministry). I didn’t want to be a certain person at one place and a completely different person at another.

At Church in Barrio Loco

Over the summer, I let go of a lot of bitterness, guilt and frustration that I had pent up inside of me from the way things went my freshman year. I pretty much said to God that I was sick of being mad at Him for things that I chose for my life. Last year was so weird because I have never been a person who gets mad at God. But I just couldn’t understand why certain things were sins while others weren’t or why some people could just easily do whatever they liked and use the “Oh.. It is just college excuse,” because my conscience (the Holy Spirit) seemed to bark a big FAT “NOOO!!!” at me a vast majority of the time.

In time, I have realized that it’s a good thing to have the Holy Spirit persist. My good friend Hannah Day said something to me this last summer that began all of this. She said, “No matter how much I mess up, or how much people hurt me and bad things happen, I ALWAYS want to have a soft heart for God and for people.”

That phrase has constantly been with me since then. Even when I mess up and hurt others, or when others hurt me, God is still love. God is still there for me.

Anna is a blessing to Nicaragua... That´s been this hospitalised kid´s experience

This semester, I went into school with that attitude. I tried to be less selfish, more open to others and to God but fell into what I call “the self-esteem trap.”  I got caught up in wanting to make new friends and doing what they did, instead of loving and appreciating the friends that I had.

In that process, I was still “me” but just a crappy version of me. The worst part of all, was that I didn’t really care. Which is exactly what I wanted last year. But, my goodness, it was terrifying.

Then, one morning, I woke up and all my choices, my attitudes towards others and God, SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE. I honestly just woke up and cried because I knew that something had changed. God just totally covered me in that moment.

I texted Wendy (my step-mom) and simply asked her to think of me and pray. She called me within five minutes, and I told her everything that was going on. And I told her I knew that I needed to make a change. A BIG change.  I told her I needed to leave which is something I think about a lot, like most engineering (haha) college students.

This time it was different though, I wanted to leave because I knew that nothing would change if nothing changed. I was getting good grades, making new friends,  and doing well with my job. I wanted to leave because even though all this was awesome, I knew it was taking me to a place I didn’t want to be.

Success is awesome. It’s not something bad to pursue or something to be ashamed of, unless and until it becomes your main focus. For me, I got so wrapped up in what I wanted and what others wanted me to be that I couldn’t hear that voice anymore.

I am so thankful that Nicaragua and the Brien family was placed on my heart in the very moment that I knew something had to be done. Never in my whole life, have I had such clear instructions on what to do.

That same day, I withdrew from all of my classes (and possibly cried all day). But seriously, God gave me so much peace and so much confirmation that it was the right choice. A huge thanks to all of you who have always supported me and continue to. God is so real and He loves you enormously. AND I LOVE YOU TOO J hugs and kisses!

Anna

Anna & Yader (our  Latin Dance coach)

POST by JED: "Created" (A Nicavangelist Production)

There was once a King & Prince who lived in a Kingdom known as Light. Now the Kingdom of Light was an inviting place. Citizens referred to their King as "father", because he loved his people, provided for them, and knew each one by name.

The King & Prince would stand at the gate of their Kingdom, beckoning every foreigner to enter, but on just two glorious conditions - prospective citizens had to renounce any prior citizenship they had and give their baggage to the King (with the understanding he'd provide for them in every way).

Every day revealed heartbreaking stories, yet the King & Prince would always be glad, because every day another troubled foreigner would enter the Kingdom of Light's safety. And so it was, another day, the King & Prince stood at the gate of their Kingdom, which on this occasion bordered a city market.

Diego & Ericson practising BBoy

The King and Prince were saddened by what they saw: thievery, prostitution, violence, greed, gluttony, slothfulness, envy and pride. The King & Prince also saw the Prince of this Kingdom lurking in the market place. He was an evil Prince who reveled in evil. His Kingdom's name was Darkness.

As the foreigners noticed the King & Prince, they entered the Kingdom of Light one-by-one. The King & Prince took each person's baggage, giving them a new wardrobe and asking them to reject their prior citizenship in the Kingdom of Darkness. As each new citizen entered the Kingdom of Light, the King & Prince revealed to them who they really were, as they'd either forgotten who they truly were, or had never really known.

The new citizens joined together in celebration of their new found freedom and, at the invitation of the King & Prince, went to their beautiful house for a fiesta. Upon completion of the meal, the new citizens worshiped the King & Prince, by dancing and singing their love for them - they were so grateful!

The new citizens enjoyed the magnificent company of their Royal Family, but upon conclusion of the fiesta the King gave just one instruction: "Do not open the gate to your old Kingdom, the Kingdom of Darkness, because the Prince of that Kingdom will want to snatch you away."

Some time passed and the new citizens were equally in awe, as the day they'd entered, of their new lives and with the King & Prince of the Kingdom of Light. Though whilst there was nothing in their old lives that could parallel the wonder of their new lives, the new citizens did long for friends & family they considered to be lost in their old world, the Kingdom of Darkness.

Soon one of the new citizens could stand it no longer, and thinking she could just peek through the gate and beckon her brother into the Kingdom, she approached the gate. The temptation was catastrophic, other citizens noticed the turmoil this new citizen was experiencing. They scurried in every direction.

Billy & Francesca dancing the Bachata

Finally, when the new citizen could stand it no longer, she opened the gate to the Kingdom of Darkness and was instantly seized at the throat by the Prince of Darkness. There was a ferocious struggle, the new citizen unable to breathe, the repulsive, vainglorious Prince of Darkness drowning her with his fury and filth, pushing her to the ground, her body alive though limp.

Other citizens ran to the gate and the Prince of Darkness began to systematically entice these citizens through the gate, offering the pleasures of sinfulness as a luring decoy. The King & Prince of the Kingdom of Light arrived, only to witness the very last of those who chose to leave their Kingdom, slipping through the gate. They were pained by the sight of these new citizens, losing their way, stumbling into the Kingdom of Darkness.

As the King & Prince looked out at the now lost citizens, they were sad. The lost citizens at first seemed almost happy to be in their old world, the Kingdom of Darkness, but what had enticed them away from the Kingdom of Light now began to enslave and harm them. Like little children they became angry, frustrated, frightened and sorrowful. In desperation they attempted to get back over the gate, into the Kingdom of Light, but the weight of their old baggage, now burdened once again, held them down.  

The Prince of Darkness and his companions slowly circled the lost citizens and began to methodically fight with them and cause harm to them. It was a desperate situation, almost hopeless. The anguish each lost citizen experienced was intense. There was now no chance for escape, they were unable to even defend themselves. A sad, slow & cruel death seemed inevitable.

Whilst the destiny of the lost citizens seemed grave, the King & Prince stood silently in the Kingdom of Light. They possessed a solution for this problem. The Prince would enter the Kingdom of Darkness, save the lost citizens and defeat the Prince of Darkness, giving every lost citizen the gift of deep, eternal love.

And so the Prince disguised his appearance, making himself to look like a citizen. He said an emotional goodbye to the King and slipped, unnoticeably, through the gate into the Kingdom of Darkness. As the Prince of Light wandered around, the despair was evident, and although deeply troubled by his new environment, the Prince of Light had confidence in the power and love he held within.

The Prince of Light wandered around the Kingdom of Darkness, reaching out to the lost citizens one by one. Some of the lost citizens recognised who the Prince was and came to him in grief and despair, offering their baggage in exchange for the safety of the Kingdom of Light. Yet sadly, some didn't recognise the Prince of Light and rejected him.

Jonny Break Dancing

As the Prince wandered the market place, reaching out with love & compassion, the Prince of Darkness became aware of the Prince of Light's presence and began to watch him, closely... The Prince of Darkness looked on menacingly and devised a plan for the Prince of Light's destruction. He would get rid of the Prince of Light, once and for all.

The Prince of Darkness raised his army of killers, crept up behind the Prince of Light and unleashed all Hell upon him. Now whilst the Prince of Darkness projected a tidal wave of fear and destruction against the Prince of Light, immobilising the lost citizens, the Prince of Light seemingly accepted his fate, almost making it too easy for the Prince of Darkness.

The Prince of Darkness stopped for a moment to consider this perplexing scenario, but then made a final blow to the Prince of Light's body, sending him catapulting across the earth. The Prince lay dead on the ground. Empty. Lifeless.

The Prince of Darkness  and his army began to laugh and gloat in their triumph. Some of the lost citizens who had rejected the Prince of Light also began to laugh. But even whilst the lost citizens were laughing, the Prince of Darkness and his army destroyed them where they stood.

The lost citizens who had recognised the Prince began to despair, trying to find a place of refuge, but unable to do so.

Luisita Practising Gymnastics with Rene & Beycker

Then a most peculiar event occurred. The Prince of Light's body began to wriggle. Just one finger at first, then his hands, his feet, his arms and his legs. The Prince of Light was no longer dead, he was alive. The lost citizens, under attack, noticed the Prince of Light moving, and their souls filled with hope, subduing their fear.

The lost citizens ran to the Prince of Light, who directed them to the King. Standing at the gate, with a broad smile and arms open wide, the King enthusiastically welcomed every lost citizen into the Kingdom of Light. The lost citizens ran into the King's arms and he embraced them, simultaneously removing their baggage and halting the onslaught of attacks. The Prince of Darkness and his army scowled at the King. Their assault could no longer harm the lost citizens.

The Prince of Light, knowing that all of his citizens were now safe, powerfully defeated the Prince of Darkness and his army, inflicting a fatal blow to the evil Prince's destructive plan. The Prince of Light scattered the evil forces, and they were afraid. No force would be able to harm citizens of the Kingdom of Light, ever again. Citizens in the Kingdom of Light were now safe and completely restored to the everlasting love of the King & Prince.

Rafael & Brian singing on mikes...

Nicavangelists´ "Created" Tour Teaser

POST by JED: Planes, Trains & Automobiles - Part 6

The trip back from just north of Minneapolis to the southwest of Minnesota was quick. I fanged it the whole way, placing the car on auto-pilot and not slowing down for corners. Poor Lizzie tried to sleep but kept awaking  to her feet hurtling an inch from her ear, the gear stick becoming lodged in her bellybutton and her face being rearranged on the previously spotless passenger window.

There was simply not a second to spare, though I refrained from reminding my delectable darling of this crucial actuality, for fear of my sleeping beauty's insatiable temper and her probable desire to ram the offending gear stick into my physical person.

As we sailed along another of America's never ending motorways, Liz and I barely talked. We sat together in quiet contentment, feeling completely affirmed by our visit with Zimmerman Community Church in the morning and wondering what might come of the remaining Churches in our North American itinerary.

Rattling along, we listened to Christian radio stations - positive, encouraging... After some time we flicked through the other 101 radio stations and found a delightful array of country, techno and heavy metal - we finally settled upon a Latino radio station, and laughed whilst enjoying the culture of our new home. The passion, the humour, the never ending chatter between, at the beginning of, and during each and every song.

We arrived back at our Lake Front Cottage, complete with jacuzzi, satellite tv, in-house doctor, and room for  a pony, with copious quantities of time. We sprinted through the shower, Superman through phone-booth style, whipped on our holy suit (Jed) and fanatically fellowshiping frock (Liz), gulped 2.5 cups of coffee (Liz sipping green tea, or some equally ghastly drink)and reverted back to the car.

To our delight, and simultaneous horror, our ever radiant hosts, Dom and Walther, their parents, brothers, sisters and in-laws would be escorting us to Mountain Lakes Assembly of God Church. Their support of us was to be invaluable. The nerves we'd be confronted with, on account of their presence, would nearly kill us.

We were pressed for time but thankfully Dom, a local - our faithful American friend whom we knew from our teaching days in Mexico,  would navigate the quickest route. As we drove through the Sunday afternoon, slumberville, country town of Mountain Lakes, I thought back to the telephone conversation I'd had with Pastor Savage.

He had seemed keen to have us share, but also questioned me in an apologetic manner, "you know there are larger Churches in town?" Perhaps he was not as nice as he'd seemed. Maybe his questioning was a polite way of saying "thanks, but no thanks..." The rudeness, the absurdity, why didn't I pick up on that during the "planning phase?"

Sometimes I have high, off the charts high, emotional intelligence. Why I can sense the mood of another party even better than they. Sit in front of me and I'll probably be able to tell you what emotions you're feeling, along with what you're currently thinking, whether or not you're happy, sad, wet your bed last night, what you had for breakfast this morning and if you're wearing pink and purple poker dotted underwear. At times, I seem to have a heightened sense of EQ. I can be that good.

Yet, conversely, I can also be that bad. Do you know how embarrassing it can be when your sometimes emotional brilliance enters the arctic regions and completely lets you down?

Try asking an overweight travel agency client who is NOT pregnant, once you've built an abundance of positive rapport with her, and just before taking payment for a $15,000 European holiday, if she's pregnant (because you've been studying her every action and have built your foolproof case). See how that works for you.

Try quietly telephoning, from your airport ticketing station, the customer service agent at the departure gate to let them know you have blocked all seats around Mr. Smith because he smells like he hasn't showered in three years - only to realise that you're actually mistakenly on intercom, sending your highly confidential message to all passengers in the entire terminal, including - but not limited to, Mr. Smith. Impressive?

I haven't even gotten started... The time you go back to work at your "old" job in the UK, and start to talk with your "old" colleagues about what a horror your "old" boss was, not paying attention to their throat-cutting motions and finger waggling (in fact, believing that those gestures were encouraging you on, as if to say "oh yeah, thank goodness she's no more") and then to have your "old" boss tap you on the shoulder and politely, though tersely shake your hand.

Or when you're waiting quietly in the bank teller queue and a stranger races in, laughing and screaming out something you don't quite catch, with arms extended - ready for the embrace, and you meet her halfway with a hug (reserved only for family members) and a kiss (oh yes, now I remember her - or so you think), only to realise, actually for the entire bank to realise, that in fact you've never met the woman before and the laughter, screaming and hugging is for the person in front of you in the queue.

Yes, at times I'm a social bear, not taking in any seemingly obvious signs, and dancing all over another person's emotions complete with party hat, popper and icing from the cake still smeared around my mouth.

Well, in any case, we were here now. I jumped out of the car, admiring the large Church building that stood before me. And then I remembered more of Pastor Savage's words, "we meet in a small building BEHIND the Church."

And there she stood - a building constructed before my birth, but not "vintage" or "heritage listed" if you get my drift. I approached the doorway, the cheerful sounds of Lizzie, Dom and Walther droning around my eardrums. I dodged a walking frame, wheelchair and skateboard. "Interesting", I thought to myself.

Pastor Savage approached me as we walked in - I most likely looking lost, confused, out of place. The sights and smells taking me back to my childhood at Kogarah Bay Congregational Church. My father was a young minister in his 20s and we lived in the manse next to the Church. I was at every Sunday morning service, among other meetings, and regularly climbed on, in and throughout the Church building and it's premises both when occupied and not.

Our scintillating, Sydney, seaside, suburban Church had a bell atop for clanging, a tall brick fence that lead from the ground to the roof of the structure (what 5 year old boy wouldn't want to climb that?), cupboards, an oversized pulpit, chicken coups, etc. At the time I could have been mistaken for thinking the entire mass of brick, metal, and wooden substance (smelling clean, yet dusty) was made entirely for my exploration and sensory delight.

Pastor Savage, or "David" (as he was known around town), was a young fella, possibly in his late 20s or early 30s. I immediately relaxed. In the hour since returning from Zimmerman I'd experienced many emotions about the evening's events, yet at this moment I felt kindred and connected.

Pastor David, married to a gorgeous, Christ-adoring, lover of people, conscientiously watched over a couple of his kids running around the Church hall. They dodged walking sticks, breathing apparatuses and knitting needles.

As I chatted with him, I began to connect-the-dots from both our previous telephone conversation and the discussion we were now having.

Mountain Lakes Assembly of God had once been a prominent Church in the local community. For one reason or another the average Church member had aged and the Church had begun to die a physical death, along with folk from the congregation.

To me it's a perplexing factor for the Assemblies of God Churches in the US. In my experience, I have to say, that I have only ever witnessed a can-do attitude amongst Assembly of God Churches in Australia.

Not to say that Aussie Churches are perfect or that they aren't shutting their doors on occasion, because that does happen.

Before we started attending our home Church, Capital Edge Community Church (where we've been members for 13 years), we twice visited Woden Assembly of God Church. This group of believers were on fire for God and completely "sold-out".

The praise and worship was sincere and musically professional. There existed a community of believers from across the age continuum, a diverse array of nationalities and people of differing socio-economic statuses (our family represented the class of "poverty" in this instance - it is also the "gift" we give to Capital Edge Community Church).

We didn't feel that Woden Assembly was for us and never returned after our first couple of visits. Years later the Church closed it's doors for the final time. Nothing wrong with the people, they were great. The Church just never "took off." There was no immorality, the Church leadership wasn't flawed in any great sense, they didn't have mountains of debt. Their time was just up. The Church members began attending other Churches in Canberra.

With that said, I really feel there is a strong anointing over Aussie Assemblies Churches, (although AG Churches, in Australia they are branded the "Australian Christian Churches") as leadership passionately pursue their communities for Christ, seek to have a voice politically, single-mindedly chase their people's hearts and lives for the Lord, fervently pray, etc (Australian Christian Churches face many challenges too. In my mind, a major issue is that our folk are reluctant to serve in Church. I believe it's a side-effect of our consumer-driven societies).

Yet, across the board, it's fairly safe to say that Aussie AG Churches are on their way deeper, outwards and upwards. This is not categorically the case in America. Some of the largest Churches in the USA are AG Churches, yet many, on a daily basis are shutting down, and why? Who knows... (God does)

Back in Mountain Lakes, Pastor Dave was a God-send to his community. The Church had fully embraced the man and empowered him to do all he could to "save" the Church. Hence, Pastor Dave was on a mission - working on bringing in younger Church members; families, youth, people that would continue the work that a previous generation had started in this sleepy, rural community.

Meeting Pastor Dave was significant for me. He represented my walk with the Lord. I believe God has given me a work to do in my corner of the World. It's relatively insignificant in physical terms, but holds a vast array of eternal value. And so forward do I march. I'm just beginning, with not much begun. Pastor Dave is in the same boat. He believes in the promises of God and has faith in the Church.

Pastor Dave also represents the hope that exists for Churches around the World - the next generation of leaders. As our meeting began, I looked around the room and observed the people who had come - the elderly. They loved Pastor Dave, for some a third their age, and believed in him.

He wasn't flashy or particularly clever. I think his "part" of our service included prayer and "now it's over to you, Jed." However, Pastor Dave has heeded the call to lead God's people and to reap a harvest. He has committed his life and the lives of his young family to what really matters most - souls.

And so what was Minnesota? It was the generous heart of our Heavenly Father, giving us gifts beyond measure. It was love, hope, joy and peace. It was a testimony to me of the power in hearing your calling and running with it, knowing that the God of Heaven holds this Earth in His hands.