Quarterly C2C Report Bayardo Arce
Tate's Creek Presbyterian
September 2010
Greetings from Field staff:
We currently have two FH Community Promoters working in Bayardo Arce: Wilber and Guadalupe. Here are a few words both of them would like to share with you: “It is our desire that God’s favor and blessing would be with all of you… This is a thrilling time for FH Nicaragua because of our big expectations. We have extended our work area to reach other communities and are better organizing ourselves so that we are able to serve the people of Bayardo Arce with excellence. In faith, we have seen and sensed the hand of God transforming Bayardo Arce, Guadalupe, and I. Thank God for your role in this ministry of love for the children and the community.”- Wilber Salazar, Community Promoter in Bayardo Arce for nearly a 
year and a half. “Working in Bayardo Arce has helped in all the areas of my life, but especially my spiritual life and my family. By sharing the call of loving Him and others, God has given me the opportunity to see families transformed… Also, I am thankful for the change I have seen in my two daughters as they go with me to Bayardo Arce… I invite you all to join us in sowing smiles where there is sorrow and love where there is hopelessness.”- Guadalupe Lopez, Community Promoter in Bayardo Arce for nearly a year and half.
New projects or advances in the community started with FH participation:
School Reinforcement Program- This is a program we began back in March in order to meet with children who are struggling academically or have a habit of truancy. We have found this program to be worthwhile because of the definite improvement in reading and writing skills of the children who are attending it on a regular basis. In the near future, we are hoping to collaborate more with teachers from the school so that we can make this impactful program more sustainable [see prayer requests].
Wilber uses drawings to explain Matthew 5:8 for a devotional during a School Reinforcement session. “Blessed are
those who are pure at heart, for they will see God.” Children’s Day- Similar to Father’s Day or Mother’s Day in the States, Nicaragua has a national holiday for kids. FH Nicaragua helped to celebrate this holiday in Bayardo Arce with an event consisting of: prayer, songs, a brief reflection about the importance of exercise and plenty of fun activities to reinforce the lesson.
Wilber takes a little spill during soccer with the older kids during Children’s Day. Going Away Party- FH Nicaragua staff member Mike Coberly returned to the States after three years of faithful service to Bayardo Arce and other communities throughout Nicaragua. Guadalupe, Wilber, community leaders and children from Bayardo Arce teamed up to organize a going away party for Mike.
The going away party was a time of dancing, singing, snacking, and sharing words of gratitude for Mike’s friendship and positive influence in the community. In this picture, Guadalupe finishes her dance by bringing a friend over to Mike to say hello. As you can see, Mike was very popular with the kids and the community at large.
New projects or advances in the community started without FH participation:
Chosen Lineage Apostolic Church- The only church in Bayardo Arce seems to be doing very well. In a conversation with the lead pastor, we learned that there are 100-150 people attending every Sunday. Additionally, they have just launched a new church in a neighboring town. Relations between the pastor and FH are friendly, but we currently are not 
collaborating on any projects. This is something we hope will happen in the future as our work with the people in the community earns the pastor’s trust.
In this photo, the church building had just received a new coat of paint and a gate is being welded into place. Electricity- The electricity company has taken over the responsibility of Bayardo Arce’s electricity. In a conversation with a community leader, she says, “this change is both good and bad. I think it is good because people of Bayardo Arce no longer need to repair electrical wires or hire someone else to repair electrical wires. Also, it is an indicator that Bayardo Arce is being recognized and the community leaders are able to work together to achieve results. It is bad because people do not want to pay.”
Notes of Praise:
In our last report, we asked God to grant wisdom to national and local leaders would implement changes that benefit 
Bayardo Arce and similar communities in need throughout Nicaragua. With the change in electricity in Bayardo Arce and a government venture in small-business loans, God is slowly and faithfully answering prayers. We want to thank the LORD and value the slow miracles of transformation just as much as the instantaneous miracles- for both are God’s work.
Prayer Requests
Please pray that God would put it on the parents’ hearts to take care of the children. We try to be good role models for the kids, but parents we need more parents who are passionate about being parents. 2. Also, truancy is a constant challenge in Bayardo Arce. We need to organize a better system with more volunteers in order to reinforce school attendance. Please pray for this process. Thank you for your continued support for the families and leaders of Bayardo Arce. God bless, FH/Nicaragua CDP staff