A Place of Transformation

A community

A place of transformation

A vision

A place of collaboration

Training trainers
An idea
A team
Servant leadership
An office building complex
A training center
A guest house for teams
Multicultural organization
A charitable organization
A network of Christians working together

Just what is the Nehemiah Center?  In some aspect or another, it is all of the above except one.  It is not a charitable organization.

 I love the introduction of its history, taken from its website.

When the walls in Jerusalem had been broken down, God called Nehemiah to rebuild them. Like Jerusalem’s walls, many of Nicaragua’s physical, social, and spiritual structures have been broken down by natural disasters, civil wars, and government corruption.

The Nehemiah Center’s purpose is to rebuild Nicaragua by equipping its present and potential leaders with a biblical worldview—a crucial foundation for the growth of this country and its people.

To equip them, the Nehemiah Center’s Ezra national training staff, a group of committed Nicaraguan Christian leaders, facilitates training and consultation throughout western and central Nicaragua. The Ezra strategy is to develop agents of transformation in family, church, education, business, government, youth, and the arts and media.

When I first visited the Nehemiah Center I was a bit disappointed.  I imagined a much larger facility with lots of activity.  Maybe I was imagining a school, a college, or a training center.  Instead I saw a number of very humble offices surrounding an open courtyard.  Some people were busy working on their computers while others were carrying on conversations in either English or Spanish or a combination of both.  Where were all the wonderful projects that I had heard and read about?  As we talked to some of the representatives of the member organizations my brain started to focus and to realize that the work is not done at the Nehemiah Center; it is done where it should be – in the communities.  The people at the Nehemiah Center facilitate the transformation but everything happens outside of its walls.

Within the Nehemiah Center there is a group of international organizations that share the same Biblical worldview of bringing God’s grace into all aspects of life..  They provide training, personnel and finances but the national organizations and the national leaders do the hands-on training within the communities, adapting to each one.  The goal is always clear – transformation. Every activity is centered in the vision of enabling Nicaraguans to become citizens of not only Nicaragua but also the Kingdom of God in all its fullness.  Therefore, the focus is always on long term development.  Aid money may be given when disasters occur but the primary focus does not change.

The Nehemiah Center was born in a unique time in the history of Nicaragua, a time of distrust after a season of disasters, both natural and man-made.  People with a strong vision of bringing the power of God to all areas of life work united segments of society that were distant in ideology and practice. Through training based in the Word of God -- servant leadership, Biblical worldview, vision, kingdom work, Lord of all areas of life, collaboration, transformation, long term commitment  -- a new society is forming.
Collaboration is integral to the Nehemiah Center.  You do not hear people talk about ‘my project’; rather it is ‘our project’.  Partners share the planning, the organization, the expenses, the work and the benefits.  International partners always work with national partners.  One of the land banks near Matagalpa is a good example.  The money was initially provided through Partners Worldwide; World Renew coordinates the project; Christian Medical Action provides the coordination within the community.  But recently EduDeo helped to build the school and ACECEN provides teacher training for the teacher and the government provides the teacher’s salary.  Personnel from Christian Medical Action have received training at the Nehemiah Center through the programs operated by the Ezra team – family, church, marriage.  Who ‘owns’ the program?  All of them do!  And most importantly, the people who benefit feel strongly that it is theirs.

Words cannot describe what happens at the Nehemiah Center; they can only express a small part the essence of the Nehemiah Center. 

For more information check out the website at http://www.nehemiahcenter.net.

If you think Education is expensive, try the alternative.  Anonymous

Students at an ACECEN affiliate school

The new school year is starting in Nicaragua. The students will be lining up in their crisp new uniforms, eager to learn.  But will they?  The statistics I read in the Nicaragua Dispatch last week indicated “ 94% of recent Nicaraguan high school graduates failed the basic entrance exam for the National University of Engineering (UNI)…. Two students among the herd scored perfect 100s, but most of the others who passed squeaked by with minimal scores close to 60, according to El Nuevo Diario.  On the part of the UNI’s test measuring aptitude for studies in architecture, 29% received passing grades, the university reports.”

Most parents want their children to receive a high quality education since this is seen as a means to end the cycle of poverty. Although public education is free, parents prefer to send their children to private schools so that they receive better education but private education costs money .Parents are willing to sacrifice; often nutrition suffers since a large portion of the family’s earnings will be spent on education.

Christian schools are part of the growing private school movement and there are different levels of education within the Christian schools.  Unlike North America, the quality of education and teachers varies.  Some schools offer high quality education; others offer the best education they can with limited funds. 

Lennin from EduDeo meeting with teachers

ACECEN is an association of Christian schools in Nicaragua.  There are 100 member schools; not all of the Christian schools belong.  The emphasis of ACECEN is to train teachers in a biblical worldview and to assist in pedagogy and classroom instruction.  The belief is that teacher training is basic to good education.  A group of 11 facilitators meet each month to be trained and then go out to the schools in their areas and train the teachers in the schools.

Many of the schools that belong to ACECEN are located in poor and outlying communities.  The parents are those that have very little resources for living, much less for education.  Tuition is non-existent or very low.  Teacher’s wages are the same.  Many teachers hold down two jobs since the Christian schools cannot pay a living wage. 

ACECEN is supported by EduDeo, a Canadian organization that assists Christian schools through teach education and through building or repairing school facilities.  They accept donations for their member schools and a portion of their donations is allocated to ACECEN for teacher training. Check out their website at https://edudeo.com/get-inspired/partners/acecen/.

***************************************************************************

Nicaragua Christian Academy offers an international education in English that is accredited both in Nicaragua and in United States.  However, in recent years NCA has opened schools for the middle class Nicaraguans who wish to have a solid education with an emphasis in English.  All the subjects are taught in Spanish but each class receives English classes each day.  There are two Spanish schools under the NCA umbrella, one in Nejapa (Managua) and one in Matagalpa.

Paying for school expenses is a strain on the finances of many families.  To enrol the student, a $200 matriculation fee is required.  This pays for insurance and consumables in the classroom.  Then there is a monthly fee of $77 to $82 per month tuition fee, depending on the grade level of the child.  Add on a $5 monthly technology fee and a monthly transportation fee of $50 (if needed).  Then add on graduation fees for kindergarten ($7/month), 6^th grade ($7/month, and 11^th grade ($20.00/month).  A family could conceivably pay a monthly fee $132 to $157 per student for education.  Then add on the price of school uniforms, PE uniforms, shoes, books, etc.  The cost keeps getting higher.

The average wage of someone who would send their child to Nejapa or Matagalpa would be between $300 and $400 a month. Some families with two incomes can afford it without too much sacrifice but those that have only once income suffer.  I cannot calculate all the options but having one child in school would take from 33% to 52% of a salary. Add the second student and the family can barely afford rice and beans.

NCA has a sponsorship program to assist with the tuition of the students that need help.  Needs assessments, grades, and deportment are factors that contribute to being accepted into the Sponsorship Program.  These are children that truly need financial help. Check them out at http://www.nca.edu.ni/page.php?campus=sponsorship&child=How-to-Sponsor-a-Child. 

For you who know me, this appeal must be a big surprise.  I am a strong supporter of independence, of self-sustainability, of being aware of the difference between relief and development.  I believe that this is development – an investment in the future of Nicaragua.

Exploring what to do

When we decided that we would move to Nicaragua we were not sure what type, if any, work we would do.  We were going as ‘professional volunteers’ which meant that we would not start any projects of our own but that we would help anyone with anything that was within our capabilities and interests.  We had no desire to be in charge, only to assist.  That meant that we would need to be open to sitting around for awhile.

After our Bolivian experience we craved community.  Finding people that looked at the world the way we did, that looked at missions the way did, that understood what we were trying to say without saying it, finding a supportive community – that is what we needed. 

During the previous trips we had established some contacts with some of the staff of World Renew and Christian Reformed World Missions who worked at the Nehemiah Center. We had no idea if there would any opportunities to work with them. 

Marg serving cake at the Nehemiah Center Christmas Party

Marg had read that there was a need for someone to work in communications, especially someone to update the website.  All that was needed was someone to write.  No knowledge of web design was necessary.  It seemed that it was something that she could do.  That project is completed.  Check it out at http://www/nehemiahcenter.net. She assisted in writing some handbooks and teaches conversational English to a number of the Nehemiah Center national staff.  Life is never boring; something new every day. The biggest problem is that most of her time is spent with English speakers so she is not getting a chance to use her Spanish.



Jake and Gilberto at the Manantial Land Bank Project

 

Jake has been able to find work in the agriculture area.  The challenge will be finding projects that fit his skill set and provide enough challenge and involvement.  There have been a variety of projects that he can become involved in but he has worked most often with the land bank that is located west of Jinotepe.  It is a project of Fundación San Lucas Nicaragua in collaboration with World Renew and Food Resource Bank.  The relationship started when the irrigation pump would not work and Jake was called to pick up a part in Managua.  Rather than just pick up the part, we went to check out what was needed and Jake showed them not only what was needed, but how it worked.  Since that time he has helped put in some irrigation lines and, through working alongside the people, gained their trust. Jake also is becoming acquainted with the land banks in Matagalpa and Boaco.

We are very content with what we are doing.  We are busy enough and still have time to relax, to garden, to play in the ocean, and to enjoy God’s creation and people.  We are thankful for everything!

As time goes on I would like to highlight some of the programs with which we work.  Keep watching!

The land of lakes and volcanoes. An area where are spring like temperatures all year around. A place where you can be at the beach in less than an hour. A place where there are tons of garden centers only half an hour away. A place where you can buy everything you need and tons you don’t need. A place where we have cable TV (although few programs that we would actually watch), cellular reception, and fast internet. A place where there are people who share our values, our dreams, our mission. A place called Nicaragua.

In the end of September we left our kids and grandkids in Alberta and boarded the plane for a new adventure in a new land. Unlike our last move to Bolivia, we had no great plans, no great expectations. We wanted to take our time to find a place to live and then to find something to do. Little did we know that the most important thing we needed was a time to heal. 

We did not realize how we had been so impacted by the last months in Bolivia. We felt betrayed. We felt a lack of support. We felt alone. Although we knew that we had left some very good friends behind, we seemed to remember those that did not stand beside us. Although we had all the legal documents in place for selling the land, the community continued, and continues, to stall. We ultimately need their approval to complete the land sale. Jake said that never felt as much evil as he did at the last community meeting, an evil that was directed at him not because he was a bad person, but rather as a result of not getting what they wanted – our land. At that point, he left the community and the country. It was hard to leave on that note. We hoped and prayed for a softening of their hearts but that was not to be. We still pray for the community and for Dionicio and we know that God will work it all out for his glory, but we have no idea how. Thankfully we are able to communicate through internet with those that we love, those who stood beside us – Dionicio and Viviana, Claudia and Carlos, Alberto and Cinthia, Rose and Juan.
***************************************************************************************

Within a week of arriving in Nicaragua Jake found a fully furnished house in Diriamba. We saw it on the internet but did not quite believe the photos. It looked too “American” – and it is. My biggest challenge is to be thankful for what we have been given, to accept it, and to enjoy it. I have also had to change my concept of where I should live. Whenever we discussed living in Nicaragua we ran into the snag of security, something we did not dwell on in Bolivia. In the months leading up to our move, we heard about numerous incidences of robberies and it was clear that we could not live without full time security. That meant that we would live either with personal guards at the gate or live in a gated community. I did not like either idea! I also did not like the idea of living in a ‘gringo’ community. But here we are! Sometimes one has to eat their words. Not only do we live in a gated community, but the guards are right outside the window. We have a beautiful house and also have access to the vacant lot next door in which Jake can plant to his hearts delight.

Diriamba is a small town located about 35 minutes south of Managua. Because it is higher in altitude, it does not have the high temperatures and high humidity of cities such as Managua, Granada, or León. The ocean and its beaches are located half an hour to the west of us and run along the coast to the Costa Rican border. To the west is Lake Nicaragua and Crater Lake (Laguna de Apoyo). Also to the west is the scenic town of Catarina which is full of outdoor garden centers, and the touristy town of San Juan del Oriente, the pottery center of the region. Masatepe, where they make furniture and the famous Nica rocking chairs, is on the way to Catarina. Diriamba does not have a lot of shopping but we purchase our fruits and vegetables at the outdoor markets there or a little farther south in Jinotepe. When we need something more ‘American’ we can go to Managua to PriceSmart, La Colonia or La Union (owned by Walmart.) Just down the road there is a fantastic bakery and San Marcos, Diriamba and Jinotepe all have good ice cream shops. Restaurants, both Nica and 'American', abound. We are not lacking for food!

We were able, with the help of our friend Lesther, to purchase two vehicles – a Toyota Corolla for the city driving and a ForeRunner for the most rugged trips. Within a couple of weeks we had our own internet and phones. We were ready to get to work!