Dear Friends,
Although we are born into a variety of religious cultures and hold specific personal preferences or political beliefs, something sacred transcends all of this to give meaning to our time on Earth together. In this we find miracles – for us and for all the great people whose lives you touch. We can only share with you this Christmas Day, all the thanks, smiles, hugs, thank you cards, and joy that were received on this recent visit. All this is possible because of your faith in what we can do together. Thank you.
May you and yours enjoy all the beauty of this season with many blessings.
Our continued appreciation and fervent wishes for good health throughout 2023.
With gratitude.
Chuck
LARGE SUITCASES NEEDED FOR
CLOTHING DISTRIBUTION:
If you or someone you know happens to have a large, usable older suitcase (with wheels) that you no longer need, we’re happy to put it to good use. Unfortunately, it’s not cost-effective to ship clothes to Nicaragua although the need for used summer clothes of all ages and sizes is immense. Each trip, anyone who travels with us is asked to carry two suitcases filled with 100 pounds of used summer clothes and shoes. Our cook, Isabella, sorts and distributes the clothes when she goes to the street to distribute food. We then give away the suitcases which residents use as storage for clothes or kitchen ware.
SECRET SANTA FOR AXEL ALEXANDER
On Tuesday, December 6th, we took Axel to Managua to make a dream of his come true when we purchased his Yamaha electronic keyboard. Two days later, he was taking lessons with the keyboardist in his church. His mother (his father died during covid) and siblings (two sisters) wrote beautiful homemade Christmas cards of gratitude, Axel asked that we share his deepest thanks to all who made this possible.
With remaining funds, we purchased school uniforms and backpacks for three students, pampers and infant formula for a mother and food gift cards for the families of two special-needs young people whom our donors support with monthly donations for medications. Thank you!
LESTER VLADIMIR ZAMBRANA
Our community was devastated by the passing on Dec. 3rd of 21-year old Lester, a member of our youth program . Lester had traveled north to Maltagapa (about 7 hours from home) to pick coffee beans during the harvest. It’s tough work, but something many young people do to make some pocket money.
Violence among workers escalated, and a machete injury caused his death. Lester had many challenges in life, but he felt safe in our youth program and confided in his mentor, Maycól. Maycól arranged for his body to be shipped back to his family in our barrio. That cost and the funeral expenses were paid for by N-2-N. A memorial mass and a funeral were held the next day, attended by over 200 members of our community. Rest in peace, dear friend.
CANASTA BASICA (Basic Basket)
Each year at this time, we prepare a basket of food to help with our being unavailable during part of our end-or-year vacation. Rice, bread, oil, beans, flour, a bottle of soda for the holiday, and more are collected and given to the adults of our community and to our youth workers who do so much for us all year. On Christmas eve, Isabel becomes Santa.
CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS AT NEIGHBORS TO NICARAGUA
On December 15th, we held our end-of-the-school-year/Christmas celebration. The entire barrio arrived to enjoy the food, the music, the games, and the candy.
With the expansion of our dining facility, our new library, our new school, our vocational center….so much has been accomplished in 2022. We are so grateful for all we have done by coming together, and we look forward to 2023! Thank you!
