Up and Running in Nicaragua
We are up and running in Nicaragua! We are so sorry we have not been able to communicate until now. We thought our home would be internet ready once we moved in but internet access was the only utility that was not ready and connected until Saturday January 5. But now that it is up and running we can email and place phone calls to the U.S. which is wonderful.
The Bagwells have been life savers. We owe a great deal of appreciation to Tim and Chris Bagwell. They have taken time out of their demanding schedules as missionaries here in Nicaragua to pick us up at the airport, drive us all over the place to look for beds, appliances, tools, groceries and much more. Tim drove me to the cable company to establish a cable and internet account and then on to the cell phone company to set that service up. The Bagwells have been invaluable! They have encouraged us and pointed things out to us that we have needed to know and take care of. They have interpreted for us in stores, on the phone and in personal conversations. They have introduced us to many other missionaries and contacts that will be valuable to us in the future. They have truly been friends. They have given to us and sown into us and we pray that God will return it to them a hundred-fold!
What have we been doing since landing Friday afternoon December 29?
- Stayed in a boarding home the first night.
- Purchased beds, a washing machine, refrigerator, and groceries on the 30th, set these items up in our rental home and moved in the same day.
- Unpacked and set-up our personal belongings, learned how to operate the water tank system, exterminated our home of bugs and bats, and repaired the home where needed. (the bat thing has freaked Cindy out; we are still battling these rascals) This has taken a good bit of our time.
- Hired a guard for our home (I came thinking I was not going to do this, but after the owners shared with me why they strongly recommended we hire one and our neighbors and missionary friends strongly suggested the same we have done so. (he walks our property all night with a machete and a whistle)
- Purchased a vehicle ( Hyundai Galloper) It's a rugged type of 4 wheel drive vehicle that seats 7 people and can take a beating and keep on going. (A missionary who is also a diesel mechanic spent a great deal of time helping me, he knows what to look for in used vehicles here which was priceless. He was a tremendous help)
- Traveled all over the city of Managua trying to navigate and learn the roads and directions to certain key places.
- Attended church at International Christian Fellowship this past Sunday. Most of the members and attendees are North American Missionaries. It was good worshipping with other missionaries who can relate to our transition and encourage us.
- Met with the school director of the school our children will be attending and the children have been through 3 1/2 hours or evaluations (they did great!)
- Taken the children to purchase the necessary clothing and school supplies(the requirements for school uniforms and supplies are very specific here)
- Continuing to set up our home and office. We brought 30 cases of luggage in all. This included our carry-on and checked luggage. Whatever we did not bring and find we need we will acquire over time.
We miss you and appreciate you!
Cindy and I are so humbled at the love, support, and encouragement that everyone has expressed. Friends, family, and the family of God are what life is all about. Everything else is a distant second. You are allowing us to pursue the vision outlined to the right of this article. The hardest part of this transition is the reality that we are not in steady contact with the friends and family we love. We really miss you all!
What brings you to Nicaragua and what will you be doing?I continue to share with everyone here that asks me why we have come to work in Nicaragua that I sense that this is a special and unique moment in the life of this country. God's heart is turned towards this country in a special way. We want to be in the middle of this move of God that is touching not only Nicaragua but many countries right now! God is bringing things to a head. This is a grand moment for a harvest of souls coming into the kingdom and experiencing the kingdom of God on this earth. Other missionaries and Nicaraguans sense the same thing. This is exciting!
The following three areas will be our focus over the next few months:
- Getting our children settled in school and adjusted to the culture and their new surroundings. This is huge. They are doing well and are enjoying the newness of it all and yet have been genuine in expressing their concerns, homesickness, and apprehensions.
- Language training - we want to delve into this so that we we can communicate proficiently and comfortably with the people here. Our sessions begin January 16.
- Acquire the International School of Ministry Spanish curriculum rights for Nicaragua.
Adopted by a Nicaraguan family
I mentioned earlier that we recently purchased a vehicle in Managua, Nicaragua this past Thursday. We had spent a long day looking at a variety of vehicles at a variety of lots and made one last stop. As I discussed the vehicle with the owner of the car lot I really sensed a genuineness, an honesty and a diligent work ethic that I had not sensed with some of the others I had interacted with. The more we talked the more we hit it off. His name is Alberto Pereira and it turns out that he is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International for all of Nicaragua. Alberto's heart reflects a beautiful brokenness for the Lord. It is incredible. Over the next several days he and I met to handle the transaction of purchasing the vehicle and he would share with me how the Lord delivered him from alcoholism and had restored his marriage, how the Lord saved his soul and how the Lord now ministers miracles through him. Every time he shared with me about the Lord he would cry. God is amazingly good! The FGBFI sends him to other countries to give his testimony. This Sunday evening he and his family had us over for dinner at their beautiful home. He cooked a special meal for us, the kids swam, and we played pool and talked and prayed together. He has six children and told us that he felt like the Lord had added six more members to his family; referring to us. This family has really embraced us and welcomed us to the country from a Nicaraguan point of view and explicitly told us to come to their house any Sunday for dinner and that our family is welcome at their home any time and they meant it. What a blessing! I had prayed for a relationship with a Nicaraguan family like this and it looks like the Lord has opened the door!
Some things that really stand out to us:
- Things move at a different pace here. Time is general not specific
- Stores and office operations reminds one of the way things may have been in the 50's in the U.S.
- Some of the processes and ways of living are antiquated
the roads are not well maintained - You use your horn a lot when you drive
- Its hard to get things you wouldn't think would be so hard to get.
- The sun comes up really early and goes down early.
Where we live, waking up in the morning sounds like a cross between a wildlife preserve and a farmyard. You hear a lot of tropical birds and roosters. - The Weather - January and February are the mildest of all the months. A typical day is in the mid 80's, mild humidity and very windy.
- Politically - Daniel Ortega will be sworn in January 11 as the new president of Nicaragua.
If we can do anything for you please don't hesitate to contact us at 864-595-1582 or by email at markquillen@yahoo.com. We would love to hear from you. God Bless you!
We love you,
Mark, Cindy and children
Posted by ********** at 9:26 PM
8 comments:
Karen McBride said...
Hi Mark and Cindy...The blog looks great...I am excited that we will be able to keep up with you guys this way...we love you..Jeff, Karen, and kids...
January 10, 2007 11:59 PM
The Sparks said...
I am so glad that you have a blog. I can't wait to read how the Lord is using your family. You are in our prayers.Love, Travis and Alyssa Sparks and kids
January 11, 2007 9:21 AM
Sabrina said...
I'm glad y'all made it safely! We were all just wondering about you yesterday. Please keep us posted and let US know if there's anything we can do :)much love!
January 11, 2007 9:39 AM
Sherry and Ryan said...
Wow, its great to hear from you guys! As I read your entry, I could picture everything in my mind - but I bet its nothing like I picture it. God has some amazing things in store for your family! I cant wait to hear about them. Sherry and I are doing well. We found out last week that we are having a baby girl. She is due in June, right in the middle of training season! Keep us updated! Ryan
January 11, 2007 9:43 AM
zack said...
Hi Guys,The blog page looks great! It was good to talk to you this morning. Hope school went well for all.love, Angie, Jack and kids
January 11, 2007 4:35 PM
GuyOnFire4God said...
Hey Quillens! I think the blog looks pretty cool! I've used Blogger before and it's pretty fun! I hope that you guys are doing well down in Nicaragua! Thanks for continueing to keep in touch while you're down there! I'll be sure to check this frequently! Hope the kids had a great first day at school! TTUL! GOD Bless!
January 12, 2007 6:50 AM
Prophetess4Him said...
Hey guys,The blog looks great. It definitely looks like you guys have been through a lot since you've been there, but I know God will supply ALL your needs! Hope the kids are doing okay in the new school. Have a great week!Christina J.
January 14, 2007 3:13 PM
Shay said...
Hi, friends! I was so glad to read your blog and share bits of information with the class. Philip's friends really miss him and were especially "impressed" to hear about the bats and the guard. You're in my prayers. We love you all.Miss Jones and Class
January 16, 2007 9:39 AM
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