FEI Nicaragua

A Day in the Life

2009-02-20T14:58:00.000-08:00

There is a peace that settles over you as you drive through the gates of Villa Esperanza in Nicaragua. The chaos and noise of Managua city disappears as you pass through the row of palm trees surrounding the front gates of the property. As you look forward you quickly understand that everything is thriving, from the green grass and vibrantly colored foliage to the laughing children.

The hustle and bustle of activity at the Villa begins early and continues well after dark. This is more than a village, it is living, breathing organism. Even the girls living at the Villa start their day early, around 5 am on school days. They are up with their pet rooster, exercising, doing their chores and preparing for their day at school.

The kitchen in the Rancho is constantly busy and well trafficked! Flor de liz, the cook, always has the coffee strong, dark and hot (we are very thankful for her). Caretakers are constantly hard at work cleaning the walkways, raking the ever-present leaves, watering the plants, cooking meals, cleaning the casas, doing laundry, and on and on. Construction for the next phase of children’s homes is underway, adding to the ever present activity.

Teams have breakfast early and begin their day immediately thereafter. They head out to serve various centers around the city or, as the team did while we were here, they bring community members into the Villa for training and games.

The Villa is a place for the children living here to thrive, it is a base and place of retreat for short-term teams, and it is a community center that is well-known throughout the city. The vision for the Villa is not only to help the girls but also to minister to the surrounding community. This dream has become a reality!

A team from New York came to spend time training teachers from two local schools, Colegio Cristiano La Esperanza and El Canyon. A week was dedicated to helping these teachers learn new techniques and skills. While the teachers were learning, the children from the schools came to the Villa to play with the girls living here. The added bonus: each of these activities were centered around sharing the Good News of Christ with the children and adults who were served.

As the day passes and comes to a close, activities slow down but do not cease. After the evening meal, team members spend time recharging for tomorrow. They lounge in hammocks, debrief the day and plan for tomorrow, play games and continue building those important relationships.

The girls spend time playing with the team and each other, just hanging out and being children (after homework, of course). The newly erected playground near the children’s homes is a big hit with the kids and visiting team members. The children run from one piece of equipment to another with the vibrancy of youth. Team members follow closely behind, usually gasping for air as they try to keep up with the kids. The house mothers visit with the workers of the Villa as they rock on their front porches, keeping an eye on their children.

In the evening, sitting on the porch of a casa, peace surrounds us and calms us. The soft sounds of laughter and conversation settle over the Villa, as calming as the ever-present breeze. There is love here—prominently displayed in the hugs and shining eyes of the children. There is peace and hope here—shown in the genuine smiles and friendships nurtured within these walls. God is here, his smile shining brightly with the sun, His voice riding the wind. He encourages, blesses, and directs as He lives in the hearts of so many.

"Our city is strong! We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation. Open the gates to all who are righteous; allow the faithful to enter. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:1b-3

16 Girls Now Call Villa Esperanza Home

2008-09-04T12:44:00.000-07:00

Praise God, 16 children now call Villa Esperanza home. Scarleth (13) and Erminia (7) recently lost their dad after a long battle with AIDS. They are now experiencing the love of their Heavenly Father through their new family at the Villa.

These are just two girls whose lives have been forever changed after moving into Villa Esperanza this past July. The smiles on the faces of these children is a true testament to God’s faithfulness through your hard work and generous donations.

Villa Esperanza, or “Village of Hope”, was born out of a desire to provide a safe haven for children who live in the Managua city dump. These children, while living in the dump, are at risk for all kinds of abuse. Extreme poverty and terrible living conditions combine to force many young girls into prostitution as early as nine years old. Families share shelter, beds, and food. Many children go without meals, and drugs are often a welcome relief from the horrors of life in the dump.

God has not forgotten these children! He has provided a vision that is making a real difference in their lives. In 2007, with your donations of time and financial support, FEI founded Villa Esperanza. When complete, the Villa will be home to as many as 72 children, all with stories of poverty and pain like Scarleth and Erminia. The Villa is designed to create family settings for the children, with up to eight children and one house parent in each home. The giggles of the newest residents echoing through the Villa are happy confirmation that the vision has become a reality.

The girls who now call Villa Esperanza home are daily experiencing Christ’s love through the visiting volunteers and housemoms. Because many of the short-term teams who serve in Managua stay at the Villa, they are given a unique opportunity to interact with these rescued children, building deep and lasting relationships.

Villa Esperanza gives you the chance to help change the lives of the most vulnerable in Nicaragua. This oasis, this village of hope, is only possible with your continued support in the form of prayers, time, and finances. YOU can give a child the gift of laughter, of love, of childhood.

Would you like to know how?
• Help sponsor a child for as little as $1 a day; call FEI (360.574.3343) or visit w w w.forwardedge.org.
• Sponsor a housemom who has given up everything to care for these beautiful children.
• Pray for the girls as they adjust to their new home; the housemoms as they guide the children; and Forward Edge as we take on new responsibilities.
• Travel to Nicaragua to help continue the work on the Villa and love on the girls.

You can be the hands and feet of Jesus in this small section of the world, desperately in need of His love.

God is transforming La Chureca - you are helping.

2008-01-24T10:58:00.000-08:00

"Four years ago Judy Hill experienced a La Chureca that was terrifying, dangerous and oppressive. Armed guards were at the gates, few children under 6 worn clothes, girls acted provocatively, houses were temporary and there was little hope." Read More

Praising God for Speedy Progress!

2008-01-23T12:46:00.000-08:00

Managua, Nicaragua - January 2008

Nicaragua Team Coordinator, Kay Moore, and FEI Administrative Assistant, Brynn Otness visited Villa Esperanza.
They bring back enthusiastic reports about the progress of construction and the attitude of the girls who are preparing to make the move, God willing, in early March!

Phase One of construction is nearly complete! The existing home have been turned into a beautiful office, the driveway is in, and the first two children's homes and team homes are nearly ready for the final touches of paint and interior finish.

Now focus is shifting to raising sustaining support for the children. We hope to begin to offer Child Sponsorships soon and will keep you posted about that development!

God is on the move with this project, and we just have to keep up!

Here the guys are preparing some metal for the roof of a Team house (left) and finishing a window on one of the Children's homes.

From Gary Eckleman, Architect for Villa Esperanza

2007-12-11T08:21:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, I thought you would be excited to see the progress at the " Villa Esperanza". I just returned last Tuesday from Nicaragua and had a great week of construction meetings with Wilbert Alvarado and the General Contractors.

With the exception of a few adjustments and some clarification in details and design, the contractor we have selected is doing a great job.

After this trip, I have realized it was very important to hire a local independent project supervisor to oversee the General Contractor to insure a level of quality we expect. We owe Troy Davis and Dave Watts a gratitude of thanks for their part in making this decision.

Without Luis Mena (independent project supervisor), Wilbert and their daily supervision it would be difficult to maintain a higher standard of construction. We are also very fortunate to have an excellent General Contractor who is putting out an extra effort to help us complete this project on time and on budget.

It has been a pleasure to work with everyone involved and I can tell the General Contractor and his crew are very excited about this project and it's special meaning.

On Saturday I was fortunate to participate in their weekly devotion. I was also fortunate to be part of a field trip, for some of the girls from La Chureca, to a local theater to see the play The Nutcracker. A huge reminder why everyone is involved in the "Villa Esperanza".

I want to thank all of you for your part in this project to glorify our God.

Jesus loves you!

More Than 20 Teams for 2008!

2007-10-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

Managua, Nicaragua has captured the hearts of many churches, organizations and schools. Already, Forward Edge will send more than 20 teams to the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua in 2008! Ministry focuses include children's ministries, construction and evangelism. Teams will focus their energy at Forward Edge's new Villa Esperanza, Colegio de Esperanza (a school) in La Chureca, Vida Nueva (a nutrition center in Managua) and El Canyon (the orphanage). Please continue to pray for Forward Edge's involvement in Nicaragua!

Other ways to pray:

John (Forward Edge Facilitator) and Helen Little (Forward Edge Team Coordinator), as they prepare to move down to Nicaragua and adopt two Nicaraguan brothers.
Training of a new Nicaragua Team Coordinator.
Health of Forward Edge Field Coordinators, Gloria Sequeira and Wilbert Alvarado-Cruz.

Thank you for your prayers and support!