Transformation in the Computer Lab

Hultner Estrada

In general, we don’t question our customs.

They are part of us, day after day, and because of how well they work, we don’t see much reason to change them.

“We were accustomed to using pirated software.  We saw this as the “normal” thing to do – we didn’t know it was illegal.”  With these words, the director of the Bethlehem Baptist School of Managua describes what has become the widespread culture for using software at the national level.

A large number of the cybercafés, academies, and schools in Nicaragua that teach computer literacy, use “cloned” or “borrowed” software licenses, as has become the norm for the rest of the world as well.  “It wasn’t until the folks from REDPROCOM came and made us aware that we came to see that we were being poor Christian witnesses,” adds director Jazmina López.

REDPROCOM is a network of Christian computer teachers that was started by a small group of friends who were interested in transforming the culture of technology use in Christian schools in Nicaragua.  With the support of the Nehemiah Center, ACECEN, EDU-DEO, and FH-NICARAGUA, they are promoting the use of free software and teaching ethics in the world of computer usage.

“Honestly, I had a lot of fears about changing our computer system”, says director López.  “The teachers feared that it would draw many complaints from parents and that the students would be resistant to the change – they were already accustomed to the programs, the colors, the layout of Microsoft Office and we thought they weren’t going to like the Ubuntu programs.  But in the end, it all turned out well.”

The teachers of Bethlehem Baptist School, along with other Nicaraguan schools have joined the trainings that are being organized by REDPROCOM.  “The teachers have received many tools and have discovered many new options they weren’t familiar with before,” adds the director.  “We also discovered that using the free software, we weren’t incurring as many costs from repairing machines infected with viruses.”

“Now we have realized that we have made the best decision.  We feel that we are working with total integrity and that we have authority to tell our students that they too should be doing things honestly,” shares López, who on her part thanks God and the REDPROCOM staff who are caring about teaching correct computer usage in Christian schools.

“Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not treat prophecies with contempt

but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.

May your whole spirit, soul and body

Be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Apostle St. Paul

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A Modern-Day Slavery

By María Lourdes Rivas*

  

Slavery still exists.

Human trafficking currently takes third place for the most severe issues affecting Central America after narcotrafficking and the smuggling of weapons.  Nicaragua is first on the list of “source countries” for human trafficking, and evidence shows that Guatemala is the highest “consumer” in the region.

Women, children, and adolescents of both sexes are the principal target of traffickers’ networks who seek the sale of organs and the trafficking of persons for sexual or labor exploitation.

According to the National Coalition for Human Trafficking, the furthest borders of Nicaragua (to the north and to the south), are the territories where the majority of traffickers operate.  Chinandega, León, Madriz, Nueva Segovia, Rivas, and Rio San Juan are the departments with the highest number of cases of trafficking victims.

The threat is so real and so close that it is affecting the evangelical church.  In a survey done by the Nehemiah Center (2011) with two groups of pastors and leaders from León and Chinandega, 74% of those interviewed claimed that this is a problem that has been affecting their congregations for some time now.  80% of those surveyed were in agreement that the church should act in response to this reality.

The pilot project Combating Human Trafficking in Nicaragua, directed by the Nehemiah Center, has been researching this topic during the past year and has been training 12 churches in León and Chinandega in themes such as Legislation on Human Trafficking, Victim Counseling, and Action Plans for preventing trafficking in communities.

Through these trainings, the churches have been able to verify that the buying and selling of persons is a real threat in their neighborhoods.  Before, many leaders though that the cases of minors disappearing were an issue resulting from rebellious adolescents that had run away from home.  With the information they now have, they have been able to effectively recognize these cases as human trafficking.

At the beginning of this year, thanks be to God, we were able to rescue a girl from Chinandega.  Following the procedures they had learned, through prayer, and by working as a team, we were able to learn the whereabouts of the girl just before she was about to be transported by traffickers to El Salvador.  The young girl is now receiving spiritual and psychological support.

The Nehemiah Center is concluding the pilot project in the next month.  We are very satisfied with what we have accomplished, but we hope to continue with this effort.  We are praying for the human and financial resources to continue with this work of prevention and attention to victims.  It is risky work, but it is also a duty: as Christians we are called to live an abundant life in Christ, but we are also called to announce and defend the plentitude of life in the context of slavery and death.

*Project Facilitator, Combating Human Trafficking in Nicaragua.

“CRWRC has always had a wise word to offer…”

Bethany Beachum & Hultner Estrada

With this quote, Luz Urania Largaespada describes the contribution that CRWRC has made to the growth of the Nehemiah Center, one of the institutions CRWRC has worked with in Nicaragua promoting the transformational development of families, communities, and the whole nation.

Since 1962, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) has contributed to helping thousands of people who live in poor communities find the roads to work their own way out of poverty.  “We are happy and our hearts are moved by the 50^th anniversary of CRWRC,” expressed Pastor Daniel Boniche, director of the Nehemiah Center.

The work of CRWRC strives to connect people with their God-given dignity; it is work that demonstrates the love of the Savior and His love for justice and mercy.

In the words of Pastor Boniche, “CRWRC has been very involved with the Nehemiah Center since its beginnings, and each time we have come up against a new challenge, CRWRC has been a resource for the appropriate training to overcome the challenge.”

Luz Urania Largaespada, coordinator of trainings at the Nehemiah Center, emphasizes the contribution CRWRC has made to the formation and training of personnel, pastors, and leaders in a way that integrates the different networks and programs.  “We have received training in the topics of Results Based Management, Education Based in Dialogue, and the Dimensions of Transformational Development – all key components of our work.”

“We have been trained in all of the justice themes we promote,” adds Luz, “Topics such as HIV-AIDS, domestic violence, and human trafficking.  CRWRC has allowed us to share these topics with other national and international partners and has also given us economic resources to carry out specific projects geared toward families, churches, and communities that have been affected by these social issues.”

Teresa Bobadilla, director of Christian Medical Action, another one of CRWRC’s partner agencies, stresses the Holistic Mission element of the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee’s work.  “This is a component that has strengthened the efforts of community development that many people are carrying out in their communities and families,” she states, “Therefore we want to congratulate all of those who collaborate with CRWRC in different countries around the world and especially in Nicaragua.”

Luz Urania Largaespada points out another detail that has been significant in the partnership between CRWRC and the Nehemiah Center, “The fact that the representative of CRWRC shares an office with us has been a great support.  He has been a source of consultation and constant accompaniment during this time, not only in the topics that correspond to the institution but in other issues as well.  Every time we have consulted him, he has had a wise word to offer us,” concludes Luz Urania.

Our best wishes for all the brothers and sisters of CRWRC.  Keep up the spirit of bringing acts of comfort and mercy to the most downtrodden.

Pastors of Knowledge and Understanding

Hultner Estrada with Bethany Beachum

“We learned that we shouldn’t talk badly to our children.”

A sister in Christ testified that when she was young, her father told her, “I want you to study and to exceed so you will be prepared when your husband abandons you.”  This is how he raised her – with this mentality that marriages always fall apart.  So what I learned is that I should not set my kids up for a failed future.

With these words pastor Marcos Pérez expressed his satisfaction for having participated in the Mentoring in Biblical Counseling course.

“Some that I can say I have taken from this mentoring is the topic of the Five Love Languages.  Despite having 14 years of experience in ministry, this was something new for me, and I have been able to incorporate it into my life – as much in my own marriage as with other couples I counsel,” adds sister Glenny Peralta.

This course exclusively for pastors lasted one year.  A total of 13 pastoral couples coming from Masaya, Managua and Ocotal graduated from the course.

“We were taught to become better listeners and to take on the problems of others to become more effective counselors.  Through a class on the Principles of Psychology, we learned that we cannot spiritualize everything, rather we need tools to identify the real causes of problems,” summarizes Pastor Modesto Barrera.

The course Mentoring in Biblical Counseling covers such topics as Fundamentals of Biblical Counseling, Financial Advising, Internal Health, and Conflict Resolution.

“I feel better equipped.  Now I have answers to many things which I didn’t before,” says Pastor Jairo Barrios.

“Curiously, every meeting was a message that spoke to our hearts.  Each time we came, the mentoring we received was on a topic that we needed at that moment or about a situation we were in the midst of.  My husband and I would always say: ‘This is no accident, this is the Lord preparing us,’” adds sister Martha Rizo.

Pastor Pedro José Rivas told us, “The topic of Conflict Resolution impacted me greatly.  It has helped me in my ministry, in my own person, and even in my own marriage.  Another new thing I learned was the concept of “quality time,” and now my wife and I are putting it into practice.”

Finally, Pastor Juan Quintana shared some comments with us, “I thank God for this opportunity he has given and because I felt as though I was taken into account.  In five years of being a pastor, this is the first time I have been invited by an organization to be trained in Biblical Counseling and this has encouraged me greatly.”

The Nehemiah Center thanks the participants, the facilitators, and the brothers and sisters that have made the Mentoring in Biblical Counseling possible.  Thank you to those who we are seeing fulfill the promise of Jeremiah 3:15.

Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and        understanding.

Who then will quench this thirst?

Hultner Estrada with Bethany Beachum

“Through the Mission for Transformation courses I learned how to be inquisitive,” says Fátima Guevara, a leader of “La Hermosa” Church in Estelí.

There is an interesting story behind the previous statement.

Fátima, a physical therapist by profession and a youth leader in ministry, is a friendly and a hard working person. She admits, however, that she had certain fears that affected her ministry.  “Because of my shy personality, I had a lot of difficulty relating with other people.  In my youth group I kept a distance between myself and the youth.  I would just arrive, share a message, we would sing some songs, we would interact a bit, and then it was, ‘See you next Monday!’  The following Monday, we would repeat the same thing.  I was not someone who would ask the kids how they were doing or how their families were.  For me, that was like meddling in their lives.  I had a lot of fears, but after attending some of the courses for youth leaders, I was able to understand the importance of getting closer to the kids, establishing personal relationships, and seeking them out during the week as well.”

“In the courses, I learned that my thinking had been wrong.  I learned that when I ask questions, it makes others feel like I am interested in them.  Now I ask, “What’s your name?  Do you have siblings?  How are you feeling?  How have you been doing?’” says Fátima.

In the Nehemiah Center’s courses for youth leaders, we studied how Jesus was always asking questions and how at times, he even asked questions that seemed childlike.  For example, he said to the blind Bartholomew, “What do you want me to do for you?”  On another occasion, he said to a man who had waited for a miracle for 38 years, “Do you want to be healed?”  Even to his enemies, he asked, “Why do you want to kill me?”

These questions that Jesus asked gave a distinctive character to his ministry.  He gave people the opportunity to express themselves with their own voice and he gave them all of his attention.  This is how we see him on the road to Emmaus, asking his confused disciples, “What are you talking about amongst yourselves?”  Then we see him give them all the time necessary for his followers to tell him the whole story.

And us?  Do we ask questions?  Is our ministry distinguished by an ability to ask questions before speaking and acting?  How willing are we to listen to the details of those stories other people need to tell?

Just imagine what could happen if we asked more often in the communities or groups where we serve, “What can I do for you?”  “What are the people talking about?”, “What are your concerns?”  With Jesus’ example, we are given permission to do this!

Fátima reminds us that a Christian leader should be inquisitive.  In these times of fleeting and superficial relationships, our society is thirsty for those who take the time to listen to others and for people who show a genuine interest in finding answers more than imposing answers.  If the Church of Jesus Christ does not do this, “Who then will quench this thirst?”

"Always the beautiful answer who asks a more beautiful question."

E.E. Cummings.

The Ministry of Resurrection

We need to admit that we, who work with the Nehemiah Center, also were disobedient, we also went wrong; we also were seduced and completely deceived by Satan’s strategies in our past lifestyle. We know first hand the miseries of a life away from God and His counsel. The wages of sin is death and we too were dead.

Only through the witness of other Christians and the power of Jesus Christ, we come back to life. Jesus came to our rescue and defeated the powerful death chains that bound our mind and our will. Today we say with conviction that we, like millions of children of God, have risen!

Therefore we are committed to the ministry of the resurrection, because we have seen the progress of our experience through the action of the Spirit in our personal history. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead has given us a new life.

Perhaps we should feel sorry for the scars that many members of this community have on our skin, scars that tell the sad story of the libertine life that we had before meeting Jesus, but these same newly healed wounds are a living testimony that Christ can transform lives.

Also, we have witnessed how Jesus Christ has resurrected marriages already taken for dead. We have watched with admiration the resurgence of flames in some congregations where already there were only embers. We have seen many young people escaping the clutches of vice and street violence thanks to the courage of those agents of God who have come to them bringing the love of God. We have evidence of the life-giving power that the Biblical Worldview principles bring to schools, small businesses and communities.

Therefore we believe that a transformed Nicaragua is a reachable dream by the power of God. We’ll see the glory of God in this country, don’t get tired of believing, don’t get tired of encouraging others to also believe and join the work. Jesus has given the order to remove the stone that prevents our country to get up and walk to their full potential, we must work for it. One day we will also say "Nicaragua is risen!"

“I am the resurrection and the life.

The one who believes in me will live, even though they die…” - Jesus

“The early bird eats the chicken breast…!”

By Manuel & Luz Largaespada

"The early bird eats the chicken breast ... and the late bird eats the leather of a saddle," goes a popular and attractive saying in our Nicaraguan culture.  And it is very attractive because we all want to eat chicken breast and nobody wants to eat leather!  Different cultures have summarized their financial experiences in their own small sayings and each of them has a bit of advice to help us find financial peace.

A few days ago, we introduced a hero of finance at a meeting of the Estelí Pastoral Couples Network; Agur, son of Jaqué, is a challenging character who shakes the foundations of our financial philosophy.   In Chapter 30 of the book of Proverbs, Agur reveals to us some concrete and practical steps to move towards financial peace, which were presented as "the sayings of Agur."

During the workshop one of the pastors shared his financial disaster as a result of misuse of credit cards, and their recovery following the counsel of God.  Then, one of the pastors shared, "In a difficult time in our economy, I started making and selling ice cream to help my husband as breadwinner.  Now our church has grown a lot, but occasionally that experience helps me to comfort and guide other sisters who are struggling to get by."

During the rest of the workshop, we dedicated to exploring the steps, or rather the traces, that Agur left on his way to financial peace.  This man began his journey assuming financial responsibility with humility, "I am weary, O God, and weak, I am the most ignorant of all men, no human thought in me" (Prov.30.1- 2).

Agur did not think he knew it all, nor did he come down the street trying to be the most astute; he recognized his human limitations.  We see him open to learning, willing to change, thirsty for divine counsel.  From here, Agur shares with us a few tips that the pastors of Estelí have treasured and decided to practice until they bear fruit; they are people in transformation.

To conclude, Agur challenges us to consider the full picture of options and their possible consequences.  He presents us with three financial paths: the path of poverty and scarcity, the path of wealth or abundance and the path of sufficiency.  And all of this fits into a prayer: "Only two things I ask, Lord, do not refuse me before I die:  Remove lies and falsehood far from me and do not give me neither poverty nor riches but only my daily bread.  Because having much, I could disown you and say, "And who is the Lord?"  And having little, I could steal and thus dishonor the name of my God (Prov. 30:7-9).

Agur understood that finances can honor or blaspheme the name of our God, for in financial management, we reflect whether we are serving the true God or other gods.  Clearly, Agur has already decided who he will serve and honor.  He decided to be happy with his daily bread and enjoy the financial peace that this entails.

Agur invites us to ask ourselves certain questions:  What everyday sayings do we believe?  Which Way are we committed to travel?

How good it has been to learn from Agur and his strategy for financial peace, and how good it has been to count on this strategy to fulfill our mission to bless all of the families on earth!