Nicaragua Vision Trip (NRN)
        *Additional Vision Trip Resources below: PURPOSE: Partner with Nicaragua Resource Network (NRN) to bring hope, give encouragement and support the church and developing ministries in the community of Poneloya, Nicaragua. Ministry focuses include working with young people and sharing the love of Jesus with them through discipleship style teaching; providing biblically focused seminars and trainings for the teens and young adults along with VBS style activities for the children; and various building projects in the community such as home building and upkeep and expansion to the church building. WHERE: Poneloya, Nicargua WHEN: January 14-22 (Application/Deposit Deadline: November 1) WHAT IS THE COST: The estimated cost of the trip is $1300 (this is an approximate cost and trip cost may vary slightly depending on airline ticket prices.) Don't let finances keep you from applying or pursuing the trip opportunity. Financial assistance is available for vision trip participants who regularly attend Common Ground, and the request form can be accessed here. *Requests will not be evaluated or approved until one month prior to trip departure date. This financial assistance opportunity is intended to supplement trip participant's active engagement in sacrificial giving, fundraising efforts and faithful prayer for financial provision. The submission of this financial assistance request does not guarantee the receipt of funds and each request will go through a review process. For resources on fundraising for Common Ground Vision Trips, see below. TRIP LEADER: Brian Sevenbergen REQUIREMENTS:
*This is a family friendly trip and children over the age of 8 may participate if accompanied by a parent. COUNTRY INFORMATION: The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990, 1996, and 2001, saw the Sandinistas defeated, but voting in 2006 announced the return of former Sandinista President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra. The 2008 municipal elections were characterized by widespread irregularities. Nicaragua's infrastructure and economy - hard hit by the earlier civil war and by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 - are slowly being rebuilt, but democratic institutions face new challenges under the ORTEGA administration. (source: CIA - The World Fact Book) HISTORY: Members of Common Ground have been engaged in building a relationship with the community of Poneloya, Nicargua in partnership with Nicaragua Resource Network. Groups from Common Ground have traveled to Poneloya to work alongside Tabernaculo Agua Viva, which means Church of Living Water. This thriving and life giving church is lead by Pastor Anabel who serves as a teacher, mother, servant, and even physician to her community. Some of our plans for the future, include: opening a feeding center in the community, continuing to build homes for those in need, and instituting a program called Community Health Evangelism (CHE). Through our time in Poneloya God has transformed the vision of service for many of us. Our brothers and sisters at Tabernaculo Agua Viva have taught us so much about what following Jesus, by faith, really looks like. HOW DO I APPLY: Trip applications can be downloaded here. *For questions or additional information, email Vision Trip Resources
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