A Special Prayer Request

Urgent prayer request! Please pray for the Nehemiah Center in Managua, Nicaragua. On August 27, and just days after the Ginger Creek Service Learning Team left its facilities, the Center was flooded with 8¨ of water during a torrential tropical rain storm. The damage was to vital records, valuable electronics, equipment and furnishings. Ginger Creek has supported this organization for the past 12+ months. Their Ezra Team of Nicaraguan professionals have been supporting our two partner ministries in Nicaragua with on-going church leadership training, healthy marriage workshops, agricultural/farming support, Business-as-a-Mission training and more. Our GC Church 2014 Service Learning Team lodged and headquartered here during its recent mission trip to Nicaragua. Also, GC missionaries Kerrie Kuntz, Dock and I have used these offices and the resources of the Center on an ongoing basis since 2012. Pray for God´s provision. -Norma Caton (Check these links for more info: nehemiahcenter.net and centro.nehemias )

Return to Nicaragua

Vacation is over and it’s time to get back to work.  It has been a great summer for Norma and me, with two big family reunions on both sides of our family.  We have been so thankful to have all our children and grandchildren with us this summer as we visit with extended family members.  God has blessed us immensely with our children and grandchildren who all love and serve God

We began the summer with a trip to Colorado where we met with all the Caton clan in Buena Vista for a few days of rest, relaxation and fun in the mountains.  In July we travelled to Oklahoma where we met with the family on Norma’s side -- the Haas reunion.  What a wonderful summer of having opportunity to be with family on both sides. 

Now we are switching gears. We will spend the next several days back in Nicaragua.   Norma and I will be leaving tomorrow and will be joined up with two great teams that we have be working with for about a year in preparation for this particular trip. 

First off, we will be partnering with 3T (Triple Threat Mentoring, www.triplethreat.org), which is based right here close to us in Aurora, Il.  They are a triple threat to the world with their plan of developing the body through the ARTS, ACADEMICS and ATHLETICS.  This trip team is lead by Megan McKinley, a young servant missionary from our church, Ginger Creek (www.gingercreek.org). 

After a week of this group working through their plan in Nicaragua, the second team, our own Ginger Creek Service Learning Team (SLT) will arrive and the two groups will sync on Sunday August 10^th for a rally on Pochocuape.  Triple Threat will be heading home while the Ginger Creek SLT will continue on for the next week.   Both groups will be residing at the Nehemiah Center (www.NehemiahCenter.net) and will be working on Pochocuape Mountain, and in Guadalupe, La Chureca city dump neighborhood.  We look forward to hearing many great stories of how God has brought these teams together for His glory. 

What a timely mission trip this has proven to be. Ginger Creek has just begun a new series on our real reason for connecting at the home front, only to go out to serve the world and be “On Mission.” These messages will be teaching us to be generous, not only with our money, but also with our time and talents to God’s mission in the world.  Our teams have a great opportunity to put our time talent and treasure to the test.  Please pray for God’s great working and will among these teams as we travel. 

Dock Caton 08/04/14

Greetings from Nicaragua

Greetings friends and prayer supporters! 

Here we are once again in lovely Nicaragua, enjoying the abundant blessings of our wonderful Maker and Master after Norma and I traded the -7 degree Chicagoland tundra last week for a 70 to 80 degree spring-like paradise.   

Upon arrival, Norma was on the tail end of a case of shingles and I was experiencing some pretty severe back pain. But, once we got settled in and soaked up some much-needed sunshine, I saw a local Japanese doctor that a missionary friend recommended. I am now back in the swing of things and feeling good. 

Our ministry partners in Managua are prospering. God continues to bless their churches in spite of the challenges they face. Last week, Norma and I were present at the opening ceremony for the beginning of the new school year at the New Jerusalem grade school Guadalupe, what used to be La Chureca, the Managua city dump.   School director, Josefina Bricenos, did an excellent job in welcoming children and parents in the opening celebration for this year’s 274 enrollees. She opened with prayer over the kids, parents and teachers. 

Then she encouraged the kids to study hard so their futures would be secure and instructed parents to be diligent to keep their kids in school and church.  As usual, Maria sends her love and prayers to all her friends in Ginger Creek Church. 

Megan McKinley joined us for three days, as she came to make plans for an internship with Triple Threat Mentoroing.  Ginger Creek is hoping to  form a partnership with Triple Threat in Nicaragua in the near future.  Pray that God would show us exactly what is our role in this partnership ministry.

On Pochocuape Mountain, Pastor Jorge and Monica send their love and prayers too.  In 2013, they spent the year teaching the church leadership how to walk daily in an integral faith that touches all aspects of their personal lives. The results are visible and inspiring in 2014. In last Sunday’s children’s church, we were touched to watch adults joyfully share the responsibilities of organizing the service and teaching the kids the Creation story. As a result of the adults‘ joyful participation in “church body life“, the kids are vibrant and joyful as well.

The Pochocuape congregation has made great strides in their agricultural efforts and gardening skills.  They made their first income from the banana crop recently.  Though it was a meager crop this time, the potential has greatly encouraged them in their future business plan to provide income for some of the people, raise food to give to the needy in the community and teach the kids a skill for the future and how to eat healthier.   

Norma and I plan to be here only three weeks this time, and there is a lot of business to get done in that short time.  One of our major chores during the remaining time is to shore up our plans for the group trip in August.  We are looking for this Service Learning Team, to be one of the best short-term trips ever.  

Please continue to pray for us for His care and protection.  If you would like to help  this continuing ministry, and our next venture in August, you may do so by sending a check to:

Partners in Christ International

PO Box 237

Tempe, Arizona 85280-0237

(Attach a note to your check with the following text:  “Nicaragua Account, for Caton expenses”.)

As always we are your partners in Christ. 

Dock and Norma Caton.