Monday, November 26, 2007
REPORT- Juigalpa Festival 2007
Successful Events!
Pastors Seminar (Pastor Stan/Dan)- Each pastor received a Spanish Study Bible.
Business Conference
Pastor’s Wives/Woman Leaders Conference
Young Womens Conference (ages 18-35)
Pastors/Leaders Conference – 3,000 were in attendance! Each person received bag of food & clothing, valuable teaching & fellowship.
Two-Night Festival - 7,500 recorded decision makers!
Children’s Fiesta
Sunday Church Services (17 Churches)
Volunteer Team Visits:
18 churches (1800 bags food/clothing handed out) *
6 schools (1500 kids) *
1 Hospital *
1 Convalescent Center *
4 Radio Interviews
1 TV Interview
*Team Members shared the Gospel and handed out much needed food & clothing at every location.
A Few Highlights:
- In 2002, MSI held it’s first-ever event in Nicaragua. It was there, in the city of Matagalpa, where a man named Israel began his relationship with the Lord. Since being saved, he has started his own ministry to youth. This summer he had a youth event in Managua where 35,000 youth attended. We have now reconnected with him and may bring him on staff.
-Many people (especially youth) in the city told us that there had never been event like this in the city’s history. It truly united the churches and the believers there. It was a time of celebration, especially for the youth, as they were able to serve at the Festival and also have fun and let loose (especially during the music of Raza for Christ!).
-Here is a brief report from a young girl named Juli from Juigalpa: “Everything is good here. The people have not stopped talking about the Festival. The young people have continued working on what your team has sewn here in Nicaragua. Many people were blessed and that includes me. For me, the ministry came and made history in Juigalpa and united many churches. They are all talking about the Festival and how there were so many people, and also about all the team members that preached in the churches. They hope that you will return one day to open doors in Nicaragua, especially Juigalpa. I want to thank you for very much…”
-The food/clothing we brought was a great blessing to this city. It is a VERY poor city. On the road to Juigalpa, we saw “homes” that consisted of four sticks and a hammock – many of those people lost their homes in Hurricane Felix a few months ago. We were told that the poorer people brush their teeth with salt. Only the “well off” can afford toothpaste.
Comments from Volunteer Team Members:
“The presence of the Lord in that place was extraordinary” – Mike Silva on the Pastors/Leaders Conference
“Now that is fruit that remains!” –Pastor Stan
“I am going back with a greater joy to share Jesus Christ then I’ve ever had in my life.” –Mark
“I can’t believe what you’ve done for me!” –Ernesto to team member Marshall (Marshall prayed with Ernesto to receive Christ and gave him a Bible)
“Prayer was the underpinning of everything!” –Claova
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Our team has returned safely home and we are anxiously awaiting the reports and stories of what the Lord has done!
Enjoy this slideshow from the festival. Click Here>>
Note: A broadband web connection is required. Click the link above and wait for the page to load!
GOD IS GOOD! We just finished the first night of the Juigalpa Festival. What a powerful time! The turnout was great (no official numbers yet, but attendance was definitely in the thousands). Mike gave most of his message in Spanish – taking away the distraction of a translator – and the response to the invitation was fabulous with many coming forward to receive Christ. You could definitely feel the presence of God.
This morning (Saturday) Mike and the team held a great Pastors and Leaders Conference. According to many on the team, it was one of the best conferences in which they had ever been a part. Over 3,000 attended, each receiving great insight and teaching from Mike Silva, Pastor Stan Meyers, and Pastor Dave McDowell, and a powerful sense of the working of the Holy Spirit. And we’re not done yet!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Continue to pray for Juigalpa. Outreach opportunities are going extremely well throughout the city as we prepare for a weekend of festival activities. Already we have seen hundreds of individuals come to Christ through our team as they share God’s Word through word and deed!
PRAISE GOD for the way He worked through our team over the last few days as they have visited churches and handed out much needed clothing and food. In total, they were able to visit 9 churches throughout the area and help more than 900 needy non-Christian individuals and families. And of course, every step of the way they were able to share Christ and lead people to salvation. At one location alone our team prayed with more than 100 individuals to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. As one pastor from our team noted, “I’ve not seen this many people accept Christ in 10 years of ministry!”
It truly is an exciting time for us all here in Juigalpa.
Pray for the next several days of outreach. We will be holding a parade through town tonight – an opportunity for the Christians to make some noise and invite their neighbors, friends, and family to the festival. And of course, the festival itself takes place Friday and Saturday evenings.
Here are some ways you can continue to be praying:
1. That God will have His way, and that His will would be accomplished!
2. That the musicians and Mike would be filled with the Holy Spirit and be direct vessels that the Lord can work through.
3. That the Lord would hold back the rain!
4. And most importantly, pray that God would draw those who need Christ to the festival venue each night.
Thank you for your prayers. And thank you for partnering with us to bring God’s Word to Juigalpa, Nicaragua.
Check back soon for the latest on the festival!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Festival Juigalpa is now underway. Our MSI team arrived today (all 45 of them). They'll hit the ground running tomorrow with visits to local churches. The team will be doing major compassion projects including food and clothing distribution throughout the area. Pray that their time in the village will be fruitful and a blessing for all.
The atmosphere around Juigalpa is full of expectation! Everyone is talking about the festival. Mike and the team have had the opportunity to meet with the city's elite as well as the poorest of the poor. And with each one, the Good News was clearly shared.
PRAISE THE LORD for great meetings with the festival committee, local pastors and leaders, as well as Mike's private meeting with the governor of the State of Chontales. Mike was able to reiterate the purpose of our time in Juigalpa - to encourage and bless the community, and to share with them the gift of Jesus Christ.
Set-up of the stage and festival grounds begins tomorrow (Thursday) morning. Pray that the process goes smoothly and that everything gets completed on time. In the afternoon, there will be a parade throughout town promoting the festival. Pray that God will draw those who need Christ to the festival grounds Friday and Saturday evenings.
AND PLEASE PRAY FOR GREAT WEATHER!
Thank you for all you are doing to see the Good News shared in Juigalpa, Nicaragua. The Lord is truly working through you and the team.
Check back here often as the festival activities continue throughout the weekend -- we'll keep you posted on what's happening!!!
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