Update

Rolling Hills Community Church will be sharing photos, stories & interviews to celebrate how God used us to make a difference around the world (including Nicaragua) this summer. We hope to see you at 9:00 or 11:00 am!

Safely home!

What an awesome opportunity for 37 of us to represent you all Nicaragua. We were exposed to cultures and lives we could not experience anywhere else. We saw God reveal Himself in many different ways. Each person had a different way to bring out the personalities of one another.

We laughed, cried and even got a little frustrated with each other at times (but they did not last long). We were reminded that life is not fair, but that God is just. We had our hearts broken and encouraged often at the same time.

We experienced real life together and got to interact with one another on a deeper and more intimate level. We met people that do not know what a TV is, but they could show us what it meant to put in a hard day of work. To be a pastor meant that you had extra responsibility once you left the fields every day.

The journey did not end once we touched down in Portland. It has only just begun.

Rolling Hills is committed to a long term relationship in Nicaragua and we will be back. Has your heart been stirred? Are you being called to travel overseas? What to know more? Just ask any one of us on the team and we would love to talk to you and get your questions answered.

When you get a chance, please challenge those of us who went. Ask us how we are applying the lessons we learned. We could use the accountability!

It has been a joy partnering with you in this journey.

In Christ - Jeff

PS Several of you asked why I didn't participate by adding any of my personal blog entries. You can find them at my other blog http://bereanway.typepad.com

from Dave

Hey everybody. I've had a fantastic time documenting this trip through film and video. It was a privilege to be part of a fantastic team. Everyone worked diligently and without complaint. I've made new friends and have experienced so much. I can't wait to get home to share it with you all.

As I sit in the airport writing this, I am reminded of those pastors who still have several days left on their journey home. Please pray for them.

Dave Baehler

We are leaving Managua . . .

Please pray for a safe journey as we are boarding the plane as I type. This has been an amazing trip and God continues to provide opportunity for us to learn more about Him. See you this afternoon!

from Spencer

Spencer Kupish-

3 or 4 days ago we went to the jail in Puerto Cabazes. The jail was very hot and toasty with no air conditioning, and when I say hot it is not like Oregon hot. You could feel the sweat pouring down you, and all the prison had was tiny windows. Some of the prisoners were in there for drugs, drinking, or stealing, and they would get a lot of time for small things that you could get out of in America in like a day and maybe a fine. We passed out soda and snacks and they were so thankful for it, plus we gave them some toilet paper. So what I learned is that the prison doesn’t have a budget for toilet paper, food, or clothes. So this means, if they get food it is because someone brings it, if they get clothes it is because someone brings it, and if they get toilet paper it is because someone brings it. Now you may think it is bad but no there is more, one of the facilities smelt awful, had standing water about a inch, was all cement and looked as if it was from the 1200s, a dungeon in other words. Now this is the really cool part, they would take plastic bags not like grocery store ones you can throw away but like reusable ones, and they would unstring it (I hope this makes sense) and make bracelts and necklaces, I got one of each and they are treasures. The one thing I want to leave you with is that they could basically take trash and make it something beautiful like what God did with us. Thank you Lord!

from Kalee

Today is the day that we leave and my heart is breaking. This week I got to be a big sister to a little girl named Margina. As I gave her a hug she looked at me and in broken english told me your not coming back aren't you. I shook my head and my eyes filled with tears. It reminded me of how Jesus must have felt as he put himself on the cross as he descended in the sky. It was hard to watch this little girl cling to me and not want me to go. I have learned that you can not love someone enough and life does not give enough time for that. This week I have been blessed by Mrs. Fricker and Mrs. Towne, they have really taken a step in being a mother to me and I felt part of me healing. I was so blessed to have someone care about me the way my mom cared about me. I know when I get back I am going to continue the relationships I have made with people. God is a great and awesome God and he has put a passion in my heart for Nicaragua. I know I will be back probably a couple of years from now, but I will be back. God has changed my world and I know that this year and the years to come will be fruitful. We are going to be the start of a movement that will never end. I know when I get home Satan is going to try to make temptations for me and I know I will fail, but I also know I will get back up. My God is worth fighting for and I will fight for Him for the rest of my life. I also realized how important community is and how we all need to stay connected and keep each other accountable. May God bless all of you as he works in your life and may He bless you as He has blessed me. Our God is an awesome God.

final team photo