POST by STIVEY: Sharing From the Heart

Stivey

Hey! I'm Steven, and I’m going to talk about when I was small.  I was living with my parents and a cousin of mine in the house. I thought that my cousin was a good person so I looked up to him and also my family.   My cousin asked if he could sleep in my room, I told him that I did not mind and in time he continued to visit me and started to touch me.

I was very nervous because I thought my cousin was doing the wrong thing, but my cousin continued touching my body. In time he began to caress my body parts and one day I told my brother and he did not believe me, my family said I was crazy.  

I was very nervous because I thought I should not continue to allow him to do this wrong thing to me. I asked God every day for help and then one day my cousin came into my room, but I told him to get out of my room or else I would call my father and he would send him out of the house.

My cousin started laughing at me and said, “my uncle believes me more me than you!” My cousin continued to enter my room, every night.  

One day my father looked into my room (when I was in bed) and noticed that something was wrong. My dad caught my cousin fondling me and my dad said to me, “I'm so sorry for everything” and he was very sorry. 

I ran from the house where my cousin lived.  I thank God he gave me the strength and helped me get away from the abuse, he only touched my body not my soul.  

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Hola soy Steven voy hablar de mi niñez, cuando yo era pequeño, yo estaba viviendo con mis padres y un primo mío en la casa, mi primo él era muy buena persona, así lo miraba yo y mi familia.  A cabo del tiempo, él se metía en mi cuarto a dormir conmigo, yo no le di importancia y entonces el cada noche el empezó a tocarme y yo estaba muy nervio porque yo decía, que raro es mi primo, porque está haciendo esto,  él no dejaba de tocar mi cuerpo.  Así en peso el tocar mi cuerpo, al cabo del tiempo el empezó a acariciar mis partes del cuerpo.  Un día yo le dije a mis hermanos y ellos no me creían a mi entonces ellos me decían, estás loco Steven como él va hacer algo a así, mis padres también creían lo mismo y no me creían lo que me estaba pasando a mí.  Yo estaba muy nervioso porque pensaba que él podía abusar de mí, yo le pedí a dios cada día que me sacara de esta situación, un día mi primo se metió a mi cuarto y yo le dije que se saliera de mi cuarto o llamo a mis padres para que te corran de la casa, entonces él se puso a reír y dijo” mis tíos me creen más a mí que a ti” entonces mi primo no dejaba de llegar cada noche a mi cuarto.  Un día mi padre llega y lo mira en mi cuarto haciendo algo malo, ahí mi papa le dijo “te vi” entonces mi primo le dice a mi papa lo siento mucho tío por todo lo que hice,  entonces mi papa lo corrió de la casa y  a si el ya no siguió molestándome.  Le doy gracias a dios por eso, dios me ayudo para que el no siguiera abusando de mí solo llego a tocar mi cuerpo no mi alma.

POST by JONNY: Healing

A family from Vista Assembly in San Diego, who were blessed to experience the miracle of healing

Hello, my name is Jonny. My story is about my trip to the United States of America.

For the time that I have been in the USA, it has been very nice. A lot of people have been very happy and we have shared our lives with all the people and a lot of people have helped us, in many ways (clothes, transportation, food and happiness). They have taken us to many places, which we would have never been able to visit through our own means.

In one of the Churches we visited, there was a family that told me about their history. That history motivated me a lot. Their daughter, when born, had a problem with her sight. She only had 20% vision through her eyes. The doctors told them that there was no medicine to restore her sight. The parents were sad. However, through this experience with their only baby, they went to a Church. One night a pastor told them not to worry because God will cure the baby’s eyes. They needed to be prayed for.

The next day the baby was taken to the hospital and the doctor was surprised. The baby’s eyes were healed. The family couldn’t believe their ears – they went home and thanked God for the great miracle and the blessing that God had given them.

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Outside Vista Assembly, with a family from Inside Vista Assembly

hola mi nombre es JONNY Mi historia es aserca de el via aqui q estados unidos .

el tienpo que e estado por aqui en estados unidos . a sido muy lindo ya que muchas personasse an sentido muy alegre yaque emos conpartido nuetra vida con toda la gente y las cuales personas no an ayudado mucho de varia maneras , como comida transporte ropa y mucha alegria ya que nos an llevado a conocer muchos lug ares los cuales nunca podria visitar por mis propios medios.

Y en unas de las iglesias las cual visitamos abia una familia que me conto aserca de su historia , y esa historia me conmovio mucho ya que ya que su hija cuando nacio tu bo un prolema el cual su mirada solo tenia un 20 porciento de mirar y los doctores les dijieron que no avia remedio para poderla curar de su vista y los papas estaban muy muy aflijido por lo que estaba pasando con su unica beb que ellos tenian y conforme el tiempo esa familia visitaba unja iglesia en la cual una noche el pastor le dijo que no se preocuparan porque dios les iba a sanar a su hija de todo lo malo que tenia y oraron por ellos y al dia siguiente la pareja y su bebe fueron al hospital y el Doctor estaba asustado a porque la bebe ya estaba sanada y el dijo que solo dios pudo aser eso y ellos no creian lo que el doctor estaba diciendo y de hay se fueron a su hogar y pidieron a dios muchas gracias por la gran bendicion y milagro que les dio dios...

POST by BEYCKER: Family & Adventure

Beycker at the train station in San Carlos

My name is beycker and I am 20 years old. I have 4 brothers and my parents are no longer together. My dad was abusive to me and my siblings, he hit us and my mum as well.

My childhood was very sad. I was never happy with my dad because he always hit us, and for no good reason. He hit my mum when she didn’t do what he said. He treated us badly. So that he wouldn’t hurt me any more I left home for two weeks – so that I wouldn’t be treated like an enemy.

But then I returned for my mum and my brothers. When I returned home my mum had already sent a complaint to the police and the police evicted him. The saddest thing for me was when I found out that my dad had another woman and I had another brother (from his new woman). Unbeknown to me, he had lived with our family for 12 years, but had a second family that we didn’t know about.

It was hard for me when my mum told my dad to leave. Because then I was in charge of my siblings and I started to work. The money that I earned I gave to my mum so that my family could eat. My siblings couldn’t work, because they were too little. I was the oldest son.

I worked one week during the night and the other week during the day. For me it was very draining of my energy. Sometimes, when I worked, I didn’t eat very well and my body felt very weak. However, I had to work so that my family would not starve to death.

I wanted to study and practice the sport I love so much (tricking – a street form of gymnastics/martial arts). But I couldn’t study or practice Tricking, because I didn’t have time. I needed to work. When I got home I was too tired. Yet God almighty gave me strength and was with me through it all.

One day I met “Capital on the Edge.” The people’s names are Jed & Elizabeth Brien. They supported me and thanks to them I am here now in the US with my friends. We have formed a group with the Briens. In our group, we dance, represent Nicaragua and show who God is.

I am very happy to have flown in an aircraft, and taken a ride on a train, and be experiencing another country. Everything is exciting to me. It is like a lifelong dream that I have always wanted to have.

Since I’ve been in the USA, I have had a lot of different experiences and have met a lot of people. Right now I am experiences problems with tendons in my left knee. My heel, on my right leg, is also constantly in pain, because I was doing a flip in the air and fell into an incorrect position. I have had a lot of pain for 5 months and I find it difficult to do Tricking and there are times I cannot support my group, because of my pain.

I ask God that HE will heal me. I have faith in God, that HE will heal my pain. I also have problems in my kidneys because I drink too much coffee and Coca Cola – so now my kidneys hurt too.

Now in the Californian City of San Carlos, in the train station, we were waiting for the train, so that we could go to Davis. All of my friends got on the train, but the train left me. I was there all alone in the train station, because I went to the bathroom and didn’t get out in time. I was very nervous but at the same time excited because I was going to have an adventure.

Thanks to God, there was a girl at the train station who spoke Spanish. I don’t speak any English. Thanks to this girl, a Mexican, because she could speak Spanish. I told her about my predicament and the Mexican girl spoke with the train station staff and thanks to her, I was able to get a ticket to go to Davis. It was fun for me to have that moment of adventure, and all in another country.

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Mi nombre es beycker tengo 20 anos tengo 4 hermanos  mis padres  desgraciadad mente ya no estan junto mi papa ami y mis hermanos nos dava maltrato nos golpiaba y ami mama tambien mi nines fue muy triste nunca fui feliz con mi papa por que el siempre nos pegaba por cosas que no hera para que lo hiciera y ami mama la golpiaba mucho cuando no hacia lo que el decia yo y mis hermanos y mi mama mi papa nos dava maltrato ficico yo  para no seguir sufriendo yo me fui de la casa  por dos semana para no seguir viendo como mi papa me tratava como un enemigo y ami mama tambien pero despues volvi por mis hermanos y mi mama pero  cuano yo ye ge mi mama lo avia de mandado a mi papa y la policia lo saco pero lo mas triste para mi  fue que me di cuenta que mi papa tenia otra mujer y  otro hijo por 12 anos atras el estaba viviendo con nosotros pero al mismo tiempo el tenia otra familia y cuando mi mama corrio de la casa ami papa por medio de la ley para mi fue dificil  por que yo me hice cargo de mis hermanos yo comence a trabajar en una empresa y con el dinero que ganava se lo dava a mi mama para la comida  mis hermanos no podian trabajar por que ellos estavan pequenos y yo era el mallor de los hermanos yo trabajava una semana de noche y una de dia y para mi hera muy agotador y a veces no comia muy vien y  mi cuerpo me lo sentia muy devil para trabajar pero yo trabajaba por nesecidad y por mi familia que moce muriera de hambre yo queria estudiar y practicar mi deporte que tanto me gusta que  hes el tricking pero no podia  estudiar ni practicar no tenia tiempo por que tenia que trabajar y ye gava muy cansado a la casa pero dios todo poderoso me dio fuersa  y el estubo con migo  depues   todo lo que estaba pasando en vida conoci a capital on the egde son dos parejas que su nombre es jed brien y elizabeth brien ellos me estan  apollan en mi vida  gracias a ellos  yo estoy aqui en los estados unidos   con unos amigos que haora somos un grupo de vaile  y rreprecentamos nuestros paiz  y le ensellamos a otras personas quien es dios y para mi yo estoy muy feliz poder ver viajado  en un avion y en tren  y estar en otro paiz para mi es muy emocionante y es como un sueno para mi que tanto lo deciava en mi vida   des de que estoy en estdos unidos etedido mucha experiencia y conocido muchas pesonas buenas  pero en estos momentos estoy pasando en estados unidos un problema con mi cuerpo tengo un tendon malo en mi pierna izquierda y mi tovillo de mi pies derecho  me lecione por que hice un jiro en el aire y cai muy mal  y me las time tego como 5 meces de tener est el tren para hir ha Davis todos mis amigos abordanon el tren pero el tren me dejo y me que de solo  en a estacionamiento por que por al bano y no salir a tiempo y yo estaba muy nervioso pero a la misma ves esta alegre por que para mi era como una aventura pero en estacionamiento gracias a dios aula una chica que ablaba espanol y yo no ablava ingles y gracias a la chica mexicana eya podra ablar ingles y yo le conte que me avia de jado el trens y mis amigos ya se avran hido y la chica mexicana ablo con las persona de el estacionamiento y gracias a dios y la chica mexicana que me ayudaa a que meolieran el boleto para irme a davis y para mi fue muy libertad por pasando tiece momento de aventura en mi vida y en orto paiz.

POST by RENE: The Locomotion

Rene on the BART in San Francisco, with the "poor man" and Ericson, Yordy, Jonny, Eliezer, Raffy and Franny

Hello, my name is Rene.

Today is a happy day for me because I have God in my heart and I am happy about that. Every morning I wake up and say “thank you God for one more day of life.” I always like to be happy because I know I have God in my life.

I like to travel in trains, I don’t know why, but I like it. I don’t like to travel in airplanes.

One day something very funny happened to me. We were at a train station and I was bored, and so I said “I am going to make my friends want to dance for a while.” So my friends and I agreed to dance.  We started to dance and I passed a hat around so that the people in the train station would give us money. Do you know how much they gave us? $1!!!

We were starting to get very tired when Jed and Elizabeth arrived. We all got on the train to leave San Francisco. The doors closed and we started to leave when saw that a friend of mine, Beycker, was still on the train station platform. He had stayed in the bathroom when the train departed.

When Liz saw him, she started yelling to Beycker. But he just stood there looking at us and started to laugh. I said “how dumb. He should have started running!” But then when I sat down, I couldn’t stop laughing.

Rene on the BART with Rafael in San Francisco

On another day, we rode the train through San Francisco, and a very poor man, whose breath smelled of alcohol and who smelled bad in general, said “hello.” I responded to the man with “hello.” He asked, “Do you have Marijuana?” I told him I didn’t have any. He said, “okay.”

Then he took a cheap cell phone from his pocket and asked “Do you want it?” I said “ok.” Then he pulled an i-phone 4 out and I said, “wow, how is possible that he has something like that?” He also had a LOT of money in his pockets. I said “the USA is strange. In Nicaragua if you have a cell phone you have money.” That is something like about the US.

One day I was very angry with Mrs. Elizabeth. A pastor saw my attitude and said “son, come here and let’s talk a little.” He said “You know in life the people that love you a lot, they worry about you, because they love you. The people that don’t love you, don’t say anything to you.” And that’s true. “If you try to block that love, you are going to suffer in life.” And in that moment I went to say sorry to Liz. I started to think, “she only wants good stuff for us and she looks at us like we are her sons. She loves us and sometimes we don’t see that. She wants a good path for us, even though sometimes she gets furious with us. It’s good that all mothers are like that.”

Thanks to God that I have a second mother, and she is very precious and nice, and she is like an angel sent from the sky. I love her family as well, even though they’re a little crazy. I like that.

Thanks to God for putting us in their path, it’s a blessing from God.

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Rene, Stivey, 2nd Mum (Elizabeth) and Beycker

Hola  mi nombre es rene hoy es un dia muy feliz para mi  por que tengo a dios en mi Corazon y estoy  feliz por eso  y cada maña me  levanto y suspiro y  doy gracias adios  que medio un dia   mas  de vida y  sienpre megusta estar feliz por que  cee que tengo  adios en  mi vida   saven  ami me gusta mucho  biajar en tren   nose  por que  pero megusta  no megusta  viajar en avion  mucho  sabe  un dia mepaso algo  muy gracioso   estabos en una parade de trenes  cuando yo estaba aburido  y dije  voy animar amis amigos  para bailar un rato y  todos no pusimos de acuerdo  que si vamos abailar  y comesamos  mientra  yo pasaba  una gorra  para  que medieran  dinero  y saben cuanto mediero un dolar  solo eso y estamos muy cansados  y en eso llego jed y Elisabeth brien  y todos  nos alistamos para irnos   cuando estamos todos en el tren  un amigo mio se quedo en el baño cuando el tren aranco mi amigo se quedo y derepente la liz lomiro y  grito becker  y  becker  solo  nos quedo biendo y  sepuso areir  y  yodije  que tonto ques fueracorrido y des pues en el tren no meparaba de reir jajaajjaja    y otro dia nos montamos en tren y  en tro un señor  muy pobre y con mal aliento su olor era a alcol  y medijo  hola y ledije hola  y el medijo  tienes mariguana  y le no  ha ok dijo y despue saco un cellular muy barato y medijo  loquieres y  yo ok  y des pues saco un aipo 4  idije  wwwua  como es possible  que tega algo asi y andaba  mucho Dinero  y  yo dije  como es etados unidos  wuua  por que en  Nicaragua el que  tiene un celur es por que  tiene mucho dinero en serio de veras   bueno esto es algo que megusto mucho un  dia  yo estaba enojado con doña Elizabeth  pero muy enojado  y un pastor miro mi actitu  y medijo  hijo ven ablemos un poco  sabes en la vid alas personas  que tea man mucho seprecupan  por ti  por que tea man las que no tea man no tedisen nada y es la verda  y si tratas de bloquer ese amor  bas asufrir en la vida y en ese momento fui apedir perdon a Elizabeth  y mepuse apensar que  ella solo quiere un bien para todos nosotros y nos mira como su hijos  y nos ama y nosotros  no nosdamos cuenta de eso  ella quiere un  camino bueno para todos nosotros  aun que algunas vese  ella es muy  furiosa con nosotros  pero es para bien todas  las  madres son asi y  gracias  adios que tengo un segunda madre y es muy presiosa y linda es como un angel en viado desde el cielo y  su familia tanbien megusta la familia brien son un poco locos pero megustan gracias adios que nos puso en su camino es una bendicion de dios

POST by STIVEY: Bad Boys in the Barrio

Stivey's brother, with his wife

Hello my name is Steven. Today I’d like to talk a little about my life.

One day my brother was in my mother's house, but in the house next door lived a gangster, named Gary. Gary did not like my brother, whenever he saw my brother he always said bad words. My brother did not mind the being spoken to in this way.

One day the gang found him in the street. The gang member who didn’t like my brother started to treat my brother badly, but my brother told the gang “hey I didn’t treat you badly.” The gangster responded by saying “I do not like you, so I'm going to kill you.” My brother became scared when the gangster said that.

My brother was so scared, he went and told my mother what had happened. My mum was scared, but she told my brother not to worry. She told my brother that her and his father would talk to the parents of the gangster. 

Stivey's brother, with his son

Then my mum went to talk to the gangster’s mother. One day my brother was come home from work and the gangster was on the corner, waiting for him with another guy. My brother found a friend of his and the friend said “hey, do not go that way because they might do something bad to you.

So my brother went a different way and the gangster realised that my brother had returned home via a different route. The gangster decided to track my brother down and started screaming at him. The gangster started throwing rocks at the door of the house, so my brother became very angry, because my brother realized that one of the rocks had actually hit him.

My brother went to his room and found a pipe. Then my brother went outside, via a different door. He was mad! He grabbed the pipe and hit the gangster’s friend on in his head. Then the gangster became scared and called out “you killed him!” My brother replied “listen animal, now I’m going to get you!”

When my brother went to hit the gangster, his parents called the police. When the police came they looked for my brother. So my brother went quickly to the kitchen and found a knife, but only to cut himself on his arm, so that their was evidence against the gangster.

My brother showed the police his arm police and made a complaint against the gangster. Thanks to God, my brother and my mum did not get hurt. Now my family are good and God never leaves us. He is always with us.

Stivey's brother with his work colleagues

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Hola mi nombre es Steven voy hablar un poco de mi vida un dia estaba mi hermano en la casa de mi mama pero en la casa de al lado vivia un pandillero que se llamaba Gary pero el no le agradaba a mi hermano pero el cada vez que miraba a mi hermano siempre le decia malas palabras pero a mi hermano no le importaba las cosas que le dijiera el pero una vez el pandillero lo encuentra en la calle a mi hermano y empieza a tratar de mala manera pero a mi hermano le dijo al pandillero hey yo en ningun momento te trato mal pero el pandillero le responde a el no me importa no me caes bien por eso yo te voy a matar y mi hermano se asusta cuando el pandillero le dice eso mi hermano se va asustado porque el lo deja ir entonces mi hermano le cuenta  a mi mama y mi mama asustada le dice no te preocupes hijo yo y tu papa vamos hablar con los padres de ese chico si hijo entonces mi mama fue a hablar y despues de eso mi hermano viene de trabajo y el pandillero lo estaba esperando en una esquina con otro chico entoces a mi hermano se encuentra a un amigo de el y le dice hey no pases por alli amigo porque te pueden hacer algo mal alli entonces mi hermano se va por otro lado y los pandilleros se dan cuenta de eso entonces mi hermano llega a casa y cuando llega a casa los pandilleros llegan donde esta el y le empiezan a gritar, gary y el otro pandillero arrojan una piedra en la puerta de la casa entonces mi hermano se enoja mucho porque mi hermano piensa que los pandilleros golpearon con la piedra en su cuerpo entonces mi hermano se va al cuarto y busca un tubo que esta en el cuarto entonces mi hemano sale enojado pero mi mama habia cerrado la puerta de la casa pero a lado de la casa habia otra salida entonces mi hermano salta unas piedras que estaban al frente entonces mi hermano le golpea con un tubo en la cabeza al otro pandillero entonces gary se asusta y dise lo mataste, mi hermano le responde ahora voy por ti animal entonces cuando mi hermano queria golpear a gary que es el otro pandillero los padres de gary se meten entonces mis padres llaman a la policia luego llega la policia pero a buscar a mi hemano por lo que le habia hecho al otro pandillero entonces mi hermano se va rapido a la cosina y busca un cuchillo  pero era para hacerse unas heridas en el brazo porque si no le miraban evidencia que los pandilleros le avian golpeado se lo iban a llevar al el no a los vagos entonces despues que se hace las heridas en el brazo mi hemano le muestra a la policia y mi hermano va ala policia a poner la denuncia y los pandilleros le hechan 20 anos de condena a los dos a gary y al otro pandillero pero le doy gracias a dios que mi hermano y a mi mama no le paso nada y ahora estan muy bien pero eso es gracias a dios porque dios nunca nos dejo solos y el siempre estaba con nosotros DIOS LES BENDIGA.

POST by RAF: Train a Child...

Rafael, Rene, Jonny and the homeless man in San Francisco

One day in Sacramento, I was going to sleep then tomorrow morning somebody screamed “I’m going to San Carlos!!!” He said it three times. Next, I screamed the same as the person who screamed I am going to San Carlos.

Next we went on the train and met a nice man. When I saw that man, he looked really poor because his clothes were ripped and his t shirt was dirty. So I thought he was really poor but then Rene said “Rafael look at the poor man. He’s not poor.” I looked at the poor man I saw his 2 cell phone and ear phones. Then he said “Want one of my cell phones?” and I said “NO” and then he asked Rene. And Rene said “Sure” He gave his phone to Rene. And he said to me “Anyways I don’t have a charger for this phone so I bought this other phone.”

So then I said to Rene in Spanish, “Let me share the cell phone with you.” And Rene said “No!” And I said “but he wanted to give it to me first.” Then Rene said “Ok” Rene and I looked at the photos on the phone that the old man gave us and he only had about six to eight photos. Four photos were of trains, two photos were of San Carlos, and one photo was of him.

I said to Rene ”this is how we can remember this old man and Rene said “really”, I said “yep”. Every time the old man said something Rene will laugh.

Last the old man had to go to his house. The old man said “bye” Rene and I said “bye” after 3 stops I got off the train. And arrived at San Carlos! A paster came to pick us up at the church. At the church there was a skate board place, almost 50 rooms and a coffee place.
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POST by SEZNI: San Skating

Sezni, skating in San Carlos (San Francisco), California

I learned how to skate board at San Francisco. At San Francisco we were living at a church and at the church I saw they had a skate park, so I wanted to practice. I was going to learn skateboarding because I wanted to be good at it.

I went to do skateboarding with a board that has wheels. I practice and I’m really good at skateboarding. I know how to go sideways I know how to turn and many more things. I practice a lot, one hour and almost thirty minutes a day. I even painted the boards with my brother, Rafael Brien. We painted swords and skulls with my teacher and my favorite board to ride was a board with a green mushroom. Number two was my favorite board. I used number one too, it was my second favorite board to ride. Some days I practiced for almost two hours and thirty minutes, but only when I had free time. I had too much fun! 

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Fun Times, Skaaaaating...

POST by YADER: Flying HIGH!

Beycker & Yader, first time flyers

On the 19^th of March I boarded an airplane for the very first time. As we arrived at the airport I felt nervous, sad and excited.  When we got to the airport they asked for my passport and I thought that I was not going to make it.

When I got on the airplane I was very nervous. I was very anxious and did not know what to do. When the airplane began to take-off I felt like it was the last day I was going to live. My stomach felt as though it was being tickled. When we were flying over the water I felt like we were going to fall. I had to remind myself that I knew how to swim.

When we were going to land I felt like the plane was going to blow up or at least the wings might fly off. When we got to Miami, we went to eat but I couldn’t enjoy it since I felt like I was going to die because of how cold the airport was.

Yader, in Los Angeles

When we got to a pastor’s home, I went to take a shower, but the water was freezing cold. I could not shower! I had to call the pastor to help me out.

At the end, whatever happens, I am happy to be here. 

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POST by YORDY: Mr. Last Laugh

Yordy in his bedroom at Capital on the Edge

My name is Yordy and I want to tell about before coming to the United States. 

We were all preparing papers for our visas so we went for 3 days to our homes, because we needed to bring the necessary paperwork to apply for visas.  When I was at my old home, with my old friends they said,” hey what are you doing here?” And I said, “ah, I just came to prepare the paperwork to apply for my visa.” They began to laugh at me and taunt me. They said “that’s crazy, you are never going to get a US visa! Look at you, you're crazy, you're just a poor street kid.” 

I was sad but very sure on what God promised me. I said “I do not care what you say, I only care that God will give me a visa.” They didn’t stop laughing at me. Whilst at my old home, my uncle was also laughing and making fun of me, just like my old friends. I felt bad, but I never lost faith in God. I knew God wanted the best for all of us.

Yordy in his Barrio, with some of his friends

Then we prepared everything and went back to Capital on the Edge. One night, before applying for our visas, all of us prayed a lot and we thanked God for the opportunity that he was going to give us, because we were so sure about what he wanted for us.

The next day we went to the US Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua, with great faith in God. I went to the window first. The visa interview took so long, and I was waiting so long I fell asleep in the chair – ha ha I slept with my mouth open, but then woke up because they were calling our group.

I went first and after a while in the interview, the lady from the Embassy told me “your visa is approved” We would need to return again in 3 days, but we were approved! We were very excited! My friend Stivey was so excited that he began to cry. He gave a LOT of thanks to God and we all went to our homes that day.

Then it was us who made fun of those who made fun of us. That night, whilst packing, we had a party and began our journey of faith to churches in California, in the United States. First we went to two churches in San Diego (Vista Assembly of God, has two streams – Spanish and English, and they meet at two locations) with very beautiful and friendly people. We were able to fill them with blessings.

Yordy at the Dreamcenter in Sacramento

After that we went to Sacramento, San Francisco, San Carlos and now we are in Davis. I Thank God for all the people we have met on this trip. We will achieve our calling in California. We love everyone here, and we are finding the love of God and his plans. Thanks to all, and God bless you.

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Mi nombre es Yordy y les quiero contar sobre antes de venir a Estados Unidos. estabamos todos preparando los papeles para nuestras visas fuimos por 3 dias a nuestras casas porque necesitábamos traer los papeles necesarios para solicitar las visas, cuando estuve en mi antiguo hogar, con mis viejos amigos ellos me dijeron hey tu que haces aquí? Y yo les dije ah solo vine a preparar todos los papeles para solicitar mi visa y ellos estaban riéndose de mi hacían muchas bromas y burlas me decían estas loco nunca vas a obtener una visa para Estados Unidos mírate estas loco eres un chico de la calle pobre, yo estaba algo triste pero muy seguro de lo que Dios me prometio les dije no me importa lo que ustedes digan solo se que DIOS va a darme la visa pero ellos no paraban de reírse de mi entonces me fui a mi antiguo hogar pero igual estaba mi tio riéndose y burlándose de mi al igual que mis amigos me sentí un poco mal pero nunca perdi la fe Dios yo sabia que Dios quería lo mejor para todos siempre bueno entonces preparamos todo y con todos lo chicos una noche antes de solicitar la visa oramos mucho a Dios le dimos las gracias por la oportunidad que el nos iba a dar porque estábamos muy seguros que el quería eso para nosotros al dia siguiente fuimos a la embajada de los Estados Unidos en Managua, Nicaragua con mucha fe en dios  a mi me tocaba de primero la entrevista de la visa esperando mucho tiempo me dormi en la silla jajajajjajajajjajajajajaj estaba con mi boca abierta pero después desperté y me llamaron entramos todos en grupo yo pase primero y después de un buen tiempo de entrevista la chica de la embajada me dijo tu visa esta aprobada vuelve en 3 dias para darte tu pasaporte después pasaron todos y también se las aprobaron estábamos muy emocionados mi amigo stiven estaba llorando de la emoción y le dimos muchísimas gracias a dios todos nos fuimos a la casa ese mismo dia y después eramos nosotros lo que hacían burlas hacia ellos y en la noche hisimos una fiesta los chicos entonces comenzó nuestro viaje de fe a las iglesias de California en Estados Unidos de primero fuimos a 2 iglesias en san diego con gente muy preciosa y amable llenadonos y llenándoles de bendiciones después fuimos a Sacramento, San Francisco, San Carlos y ahora estamos en Davis gracias a DIOS por todas las personas que hemos conocido en este viaje amo California vamos a lograr que todos aquí conosca el amor de DIOS y sus planes gracias a todos DIOS les bendiga..

POST by ERICSON: Darling Davis!

Ericson in San Francisco (in transit)

This is the history of a new adventure in Davis, California.

We went to the city of Davis. For me, Davis is a very interesting place because there is a small church which is very happy, because it has members that are very humble and they are very active. They have a good future ahead of them whilst they are walking with God.

For me the church is a good example for other people, to keep going together as a church. The whole church is very humble, even the pastor! We have performed in places where I have had a lot of pride, because I am in the group (Davis Christian Assembly and Capital on the Edge). This church will always be in our hearts. It has made me think, if all the people of the world were like these people, the world would be a perfect place for us and for God.

For me, all the people I have met in all the churches we have visited, are a great example to me and make me want to keep on going.

The saddest time on this trip was when Jed and Liz were left behind on the first train that we went on, to get to Davis. Then we were all reunited again. However, on the next train we got on, Beycker was left behind! He did not have any money, any food, and worst of all he does not know how to speak English. I did not find it funny, but God took care of him and with time, we were all back together again, as a group, in Davis.

I have liked being here because the people here have prayed for us and all the pain that we have. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be here in Davis, because I have been encouraged to keep on going with what we’re doing.

Thank you for reading!

Ericson

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Istoria  de nuebo viaje en ciudad de Deivis California 

Fuimos ala cidad de Devis en California y parami es una ciudad muy iteresante por que hay 

Una iglesia pequena  pero muy alegre por que tiene unos mienbros  muy umildes muy  adtibos  son muy pros perados en la vida de DIOS y parami  es una iglesia con buen ejenplo de ceguir  por que  por que son muy reflejantes  en sus vidas  asi como  y gual como las personas mienbros  y gual sus  pastores y emos  y  do  acer las precentaciones  alugares que para mi es  un orgullo ceguir con el grupo  mientras pueda y es unas de las Iglesias que estara cienpre en nuestras vidas  me he puesto a pensar  me e puesto a pensar si todas las personas fueran asi en el mundo fuera un mundo  perfecto  para DIOS para mi tosdas las personas que e visitado de todas las Iglesias que  he visitado son un gran e jenplo de segrir  jajjaja lo mas triste del viaje para ciudad de David fue que jep y liz cequedaron en el primer viaje  del ten y des pues todos los juntamos y en el Segundo tren ce quedo Beycker en el esta siona miento sin riales sin comida para mi no fue muy chistoso como para todas las personas pero dios lo cuido y los reunimos como grupo nueba mente en David y me gusto por que todas las personas an orado por no sotros y nuestros Dolores  y gracias Dios por darme la o portunidad de estar aki  e en mi vidas todos son eljenplos por cegir  es ta es minueba istoria 

Ericson  gracias por leer

POST by JED: California Dreamin (Part 4)

Sue, my SUPERHERO!!!

Every child loves a superhero. Mine’s name was Sue Dickey… This woman lived close to us, just a short stroll down an expansive corridor, in an old monastery, with the name “YWAM” (Youth With A Mission) slapped on the front. We lived in Canberra, the political capital of Australia.

For the most part, YWAM was a heavenly place for a child to grow up, but at times it was difficult. For example, every person who’d spent five minutes at the mission thought they were your parent.  You never really felt at home, unless you were me, which of course made everyone else feel quite less at home. There were soooooooooooooooooo many stupid rules like “don’t run in the ridiculously long hallways,” which administrators spent hours dreaming up. The superfluous rules to an 8 year old? Ridiculous…

Anyway, Sue opened up my world. She took me horse riding, made me co-pilot wherever we went, gave me access to the digging equipment so that we could build our all-important underground cubbies/forts, let me sleep-over, came with us on holidays, everything.

Sue was a good sport too, took knocks on the chin, defended me to the death (DOWN WITH THE ADMINISTRATION!), made dumb obligatory-stuff fun, and was my best friend. Well, if there was a character like that in San Diego, his name was Jamesy-poohs.

James drove through the night to LA and collected us when we arrived in the US. He drove us around town and showed us the sights. He mucked about with our team and gave our boys stax of love and respect. He helped our girls to feel like Western teenagers and was a great reference point for Liz and I.

If there had have been a vote for the most outstanding would-be-host of the year, Jamey-poohs would have won hands-down. He bent-over-backwards serving us food and drinks, cleaning up after us, and then in the next hour was up the front leading worship. Then, after service, he had his apron on again and ran around after our every whim & fancy, of which we have many.

Ericson, Stivey, James & Jonny

The kid was on fire. And the best part? He works at the Vista Assembly, as an intern, for free… He doesn’t know exactly where his path will lead, but he’s on track. He’s a winner. He’s serving. He’s right where someone should be if they are waiting on God to be given a bit of direction. He’s an example of God’s heart, a server who leads from behind. I really cannot speak highly enough of this dude, and neither can our Nica-youths, they fell in love with him, and were left thinking that this fella represented every soul in the West – sadly mistaken I’m afraid…

James & Lorenzy

On Saturday we came “home” to the Camacho residence exhausted but satisfied. Our week was all but over and boy what fulfillment. We only needed to sleep, go to Church (3 times), then jump on a bus, then a train, then another bus, then be transported by car to New Life Church in Sacramento, and we would be at our very next “home.”

Of course Xinia was stirring the pot (of hot cocoa) when we arrived home. The spa was bubbling – volcanically. The popcorn began to pop, pop, pop. It was on for young and old!

Xinia put a dvd in the machine and moments later we found ourselves watching “Rio.” 3D glasses were handed out and comfy seats were formed on rugs, blankets, cushions, couches and laps. Xinia had clearly watched the movie before, laughing before things happened, preparing us for her favourite parts, and singing along with the ever-stylish Billy Joel (guesstimate).

Pastors Xinia & Greeyvin

Later I found Greeyvin taking a moment with Ericson. And it struck me just how wonderful this couple was. They had taken in 15 COMPLETE strangers and were parenting them all (including us! And you have no idea of how difficult Lizzie can be…).

Greeyvin has a smile a mile wide and speaks in hushed tones, responding to cues with grace and love. He fathers all who pause to question. Xinia just pours. She pours and pours and pours herself into those around her. I think I’m a similar age to Xinia, though want to say I’m a bit younger (apologies), but even I found myself being offered a pure love by Xinia, I was being filled up with Christian, sisterly/motherly, nurturing, caring love.

In fact, so great was their love for us they offered to have the Latino youth, from Vista Assembly, over for a BBQ on Saturday. There were SO MANY of us, it was ridiculous. But that’s what happens when you have BIG hearts.

Greeyvin & Xinia were the perfect hosts. When the Latinos arrived there was plenty of time for mingling (an important moment in Latino socialising… There were 15 or us and let’s say 20 of them, with everyone hugging and kissing that’s somewhere in the vicinity of 300 interactions!!! Yes, it took a while…). A wee bit awkward, because there were so many gorgeous people and our boys become shy when confronted with masses of beauty. However, soldier on we did!

Then, Greeyvin organised people to be doing stuff. There was volleyball and soccer, cards, video games, board games, basketball, etc. You name it, we played it! And Greeyvin? Sleeves rolled up and in there with the rest of them.

Now you could image at something like this, on your day off, being the hostess would mean preparing everything and then retreating to the boudoir to escape the hullabaloo. Well not our Xinia! She didn’t shut herself in her room and spend the time painting her nails, no! She ran around organising the food, chatting with the guests, playing practical jokes and generally getting into all sorts of trouble. At this point in our stay, it seemed our hosts’ age levels became slashed in half, but their maturity and wisdom continued to soar.

On Sunday we were given the opportunity of sharing about our ministry in the Latino Service. It was a highly emotional time. You only have to watch Toy Story 3 in Spanish to learn just how deeply feeling Latinos can be. I was with my students and dear Mrs Sarah De La Torre (my Lincoln School, 4th grade teaching colleague) at the movies in Plaza Del Sol, Guadalajara, and broke down into a state of deep sobbingliness. I was so touched – the voices, they spoke to my heart!

Pastor Greeyvin & our Nicavangelists, sharing with the Church about Capital on the Edge

My favourite student, a VERY naughty boy who I wanted to give knuckle sandwiches to on a daily basis, took my hand and mockingly said “It’s aaawkay, Miss-tear Beee (think Undalay, undalay, yiiiii ha, yiiiii ha), heeeeeeeeeeear doesn’t die in da eeeeee-eeeeeend (arriba, arriba)” Gracias Brian. You’re still staying in at lunch!

I went to the front of the Church, gave a brief history of Capital on the Edge (Jed, Liz, our kids, the mission, etc.) and then had the boys perform a quick 5 minute dance. The congregation looked on with faces slightly shocked, but not displeased. After their performance, I was completely unprepared for the rousing applause and standing ovation. Touched? I was floored!

I became a little choked up when trying to proceed, sharing about the boys’ lives and about what we feel called to. I decided it would be easier just to have the boys introduce themselves, seeing as though everyone there was fluent in Spanish – it just made sense. I handed the microphone over to Yordy and it quickly turned into a game of “hot potatoe.” I grabbed the microphone back and handed it to Jonny, who is generally our most mature Nica-Youth.

Jonny introduced himself and spoke with ease. He was a great example of public speaking to the other boys, and thankfully they in turn followed suit. Yordy, who is a rather nervous fellow (we believe he has Asperger’s Syndrome, like Sezni, and I just cannot help but love him as my son…), even gave it a bash. They all started laughing at something Yordy said, and although in that moment he was being very serious, and was really confused to the source of their bemusement, he began to laugh as well.

I thanked the Church and went on to share about what true discipleship is, using the boys and our family as examples, and then I went to sit down. Pastor Greeyvin grabbed my arm and informed me that the congregation would like to pray for me.

Moments later I found myself in a prayer mosh pit, completely unable to breathe and nearly delirious from the heat. I don’t think there was a part of my body that wasn’t being touched by a member of the congregation, and although there was no reason at all to be concerned, it did tippy-toe across the whole personal space thingy. No matter! Hearts were being touched, lives were being changed. Just drop it Gringo and flow…

Now the Pentecostal Latino Christians are like the Korean Christians – when praying, everyone has “a go” at once! The roar was deafening. One of the chaps directly in front of me just went-off with his prayer, practically begging the Kingdom to infuse itself into little ol’ Jeddy.

This dude was the surreal! The real deal! It was almost as if he could see what was going on in the Spiritual realm. His crying was fairly high-pitched and loud, and the spitting factor was off the charts (handkerchief to face in a mock-drying-tears-away motion, also learnt immediately that I had to keep my mouth closed, and pray in tongues through my nostrils – a new form of communication with God, no less understandable to him).

I just loved this man’s heart. Giving away his inhibitions he truly blessed me this day. He interceded for me with God himself, and threw as much love upon me as the HS could channel through the sprightly vessel.

When finished, we were whisked away to the Latino Kiddy Church where we performed another song and dance, and then were blessed with more prayers, which were no less fiery than in the adult service. And onwards and upwards to the youth service. The Latinos sure know how to have Church!

Another song, ANOTHER dance, and then it’s time for testimonies. Now this is where the rubber hits the road for our boys. Some of these youths have known poverty. They certainly, for the most part, completely “get” the culture. The boys know how to turn-it-on for Church, but my fear is always that they’re not being honest with themselves (doing, but not living their Christianity).

Beycker went forward to share and sat on a chair. This lad has a beaut Mum, three sisters and a brother. He is a soft-hearted kid, with a long history. In short, Beycker’s father has two wives, who both have kids (he lives with the first wife, away from his father), and he also has a girlfriend and regularly visits prostitutes.

The Nicaraguan youth are a fatherless generation. There are “no” dads. The dads were either killed in the war, or by natural disasters, or through illnesses associated with poverty, or left Nicaragua due to the brain drain, and so forth.

The men who are left in Nicaragua have been a very poor example to their children (gross exaggeration here, I apologise for the many cases that are completely different from what I’m writing about), and now Nicaragua finds itself buried in a state of perpetual performance, pretending to be Christians when people are looking, and then running around getting into all sorts of sins when away from the microscope.

Beycker shared honestly and made us proud. More importantly, I truly believe he touched God’s heart that day. The tears began to flow, not from me, but from Beycker and the youth. There were more prayers and group hugs, and then we zipped out the door in a tremendous flurry.

Previously, at our first Sunday service, we had been blessed with awesome support from the early-birds. I had become incredibly choked up, I guess because it was my first time sharing (with the Nica-Talent present) about the boys and the horrendous experiences they’ve had (being sold as prostitutes, having to prostitute themselves for food, being given away/up, working the streets as children, their experiences with child trafficking, being fatherless, etc.). I plugged away, but was surprise by just how emotional I felt at that point in time. My immediate thought was, “boy, these kids really feel like they’re my sons. I love ‘em!”

The boys came humbly forward and danced their little tootsies to the core. I watched their audience, who seemed disconnected but pleasant. Upon the CRASH (the last sound of the dance) of the music, there was a two second pause and then BOOM, up they stood, one-by-one, clapping and cheering and calling out words of encouragement. God had certainly given us a pearl for our first stop in the USA; San Diego was an unexpected blessing that fell with a BANG from Heaven.

After the service, a couple who work in the Church, Marco & Kris, came up to us and blessed us in every-which-way… I cannot tell you how much this couple blessed us. Besides Greeyvin and Xinia, this couple were the most significant influence over us on our journey through San Diego. They are understated humble types, who go about their days serving others, discipling, boosting morale through encouraging smiles, hugs and handshakes, offering to help, praying for people, and giving – and BOY DO THEY GIVE! Thank you Marco and Kris!!!

Capital on the Edge in San Diego, with our HERO, Marco, dead-center in the bright green...

A mega-surprise for us was finding that Walther and Dommy, from Guadalajara (they’re originally from Peru / Minnesota), had flown in for a few days to San Diego. Fantastic boost for us! It was so “WOO-HOO” to see ‘em. They both were given a week off for Easter and decided to use the time to visit with friends in the area and hadn’t even known we were going to be there (and neither had we! Ha ha). So it was just one of those nice-GOD-moments where we were blessed with an extra dose of familiarity (really great for our kids), especially because this couple are SO important to us, both from our past and for our future.

Dominique and Walther, our GREAT friends in Guadalajara, Mexico

Now just two more people to mention before we get on a bus/train/bus combo for Sacramento. Firstly, Pastor Steve.  What a legend! Open face, warm smile, completely generous and from a heart of love – same goes for all of his staff, his Church is a breeding ground for loving hearts.

I was astounded by his honesty and his desire to push-in to the things of God, away from the comforts of seeker-sensitive fake-Church. If you’re anywhere near San Diego, you have a genuine Church Family, waiting with arms open wide. Get there if you can, VISTA ASSEMBLY…

Gayelee… This handbag swinging loveable thug, had me doubled over in pain from just ONE hug!!! I adore this woman, especially because of her genuineness. This woman goes straight in for the kill (or for the pain) and doesn’t take any prisoners. 5 minutes with the doll and you’ll be laughing and crying and everything in between (be warned, the handbag can attack without warning!).

Honestly, at first sight of Gayelee I was a tad bit apprehensive. Gayelee is not your average “I’m only doing this gig so I can work my way into an associate pastor’s position” kind of gal. She takes her work seriously and doesn’t mince words. She’s a forty-something sweet-heart, and has the youth lingo down-man.

Great moment for me - Through Gayelee I was reminded me of the Father’s heart of love. I think in the Aussie AG we can tend to get a bit stuck on the Cross, confused about the Holy Spirit, and give away anything to do with our Heavenly Father.

Our prayers can tend to be a bit Jesus this, and Christ that, and Holy Spirit come, if you know what I mean…

BUT, Gayelee shared with me that it all started with God the Father. It was HE who felt such love for our sick and dying world that HE sent his ONLY son. Yes, Jesus lived for love, he died for love and we were blessed by being left with the Holy Spirit. I think we all get that. However, it was HE who gave… And out of a heart FULL of love… Gaaaaaaylee, you treasure! Get down to Nicaragua – next summer???  

We are now in California, to share Jesus with our World. 

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

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