Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Ketly states that “Each day is a new opportunity to see what new things God has for us". It's my pleasure this month to write to you on behalf of the MPT (Missionary Partnership Team) and the ministry of the Pierre’s in Nicaragua.  The ministries in Bluefields, Kukra Hill, and Rama continue to grow daily, and afford numerous opportunities to reach people on behalf of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

By way of update in Bluefields, the sports and music camp in January gave many children the opportunity to hear the Word of God and to discover the gift of music through guitar, keyboard, drums and bass guitar taught by the university students from Haiti. For four weeks, the students had the opportunity to experience four different instruments. After a week with one, they would rotate to the next and then decide which instrument they wanted to pursue. The camp was extremely successful and many students desired to continue their learning each Saturday in Bethel Music School.

Additionally, the after-school tutoring program in Bluefields is now conducting an expanded and more comprehensive program.  In Nicaragua, there are two half-day school schedules.  One group attends class from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon; and the other, from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. With parents working, this leaves some children unattended at home, so this after-school ministry is very important. Bethel Church in Bluefields has had a before-and-after school program since 2000, but recently added more bussing and lunch to this ministry. There is a before-school program at Bethel from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  The afternoon students are bussed to the church/school at 12:00 noon, share lunch together, and then take part in classes and activities until 5:00 p.m. when they are bussed home.  God has blessed the Pierre’s with a beautiful facility and staff at Bluefields, and they want to use it to its fullest potential to the glory of the Lord.

Ketly reported that during Holy Week, in addition to swimming and other recreational activities, the team shared the Gospel to those in attendance each day at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The Haitian musicians also sang and played music in the afternoon.

The ministry in Kukra Hill under the leadership of Pastor Joel is growing as well. Pastor Joel spends the majority of his day shepherding the children’s hearts. He oversees the church/school of 200 students. Recently, the government agreed to finance an additional one year of high school for these students. Ketly and Vital praise the Lord for this added blessing.  God is good!

-In Rama, in addition to the day-to day ministry, the team is focused on building a new church/school facility.  O’nell is currently overseeing the construction; and his wife, Escarlet is attending seminary in Managua on Saturdays.  Senora Argentina continues to assist in shepherding the flock.

So, as my friend Ketly says, “Each day is a new opportunity to see what God has in store for us“.  A few new things planned for their ministry include: remodeling the kitchen and building a larger pavilion in Bluefields; getting volunteers to teach English; hosting more work teams; and getting more financial assistance to build the church/school in Rama.  The roof for this project will be made from corrugated zinc and is very costly. Please prayerfully consider helping with this Rama Roofing Project, either by going on a Rama mission construction team; or financially, via a check made out to “International Ministries” with a check-memo of “Specifics/Roof Rama (Pierre)”.  Specifically, we are asking you to be a co-builder of the Lord’s work in Rama.

In conclusion, we would also ask that you remember Vital and Jose Marie in prayer as Ketly prepares to go to Haiti in June for an intensive leadership ministry project through International Ministries called “Ignite”. She leaves for Haiti on June 9 to work and be a spiritual mentor/mother to a group of young people. She then travels to Washington, D.C. to attend “Immerse”, an ABC National Youth Gathering from July 24-28.  Afterwards, she’ll spend a few days in Miami to visit her mother and then return home August 1.  That’s nearly two months away from Jose Marie, Vital, and her extended Nicaraguan family.  We pray that God will bless her, as well as Vital and Jose Marie, and keep them safe and strong as they continue to serve Him.  

God Bless you and we appreciate your prayers and support!

In Christ’s Service,
                                   
Melodie Ellsworth
Pierre MPT Member

Click here for more information about “Ignite”.

To see the Pierre’s MPT website, go to -- www.missionbluefields.org