C 2 C stories and more

From Sea to Sea

Here Aimee, Mary and I are at the Pacific Coast just after dipping our front tires in the ocean

While we officially finished the Sea to Sea Nicaragua Tour on Tuesday, January 6th I still feel like it is all so surreal. 24 bikers made it all the way from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast. As a testimony to God's grace, protection and just all around Greatness I will attempt to tell you about some of the things that transpired during our journey. Since we did not have internet access during the journey I am going to add a little to the blog in portions. I don't have many photos yet but as I get them I'll add them on too.

Day 1 December 29, 2008 Managua to Puerto Cabezas

While this didn't happen on day 1 it is part of what happened and what God did through us and many others before the bikers even mounted their saddles. Dave Stienstra and members the support crew were driving vehicles and supplies out to the Atlantic Coast on Sunday. On the way the front tire of Dave's motorcycle blew out and sent him sailing over his bike. Initially they thought he disloacated his shoulder. The group was 1/2 hour on a really bumpy road from medical care. That night Rachel, April and Chepe took great care of Dave as they brought him to the hospital in Siuna where they took x-rays and discovered he tore all 4 ligaments in his shoulder and would require surgery. Thankfully flights has just started back up to Managua from Siuna the week before so he returned to Managua for surgery.

As the bikers heard the news of Dave's accident and then later of Chepe's accident requiring stitches we gathered together to pray. We laid the trip once again at the feet of our Lord Jesus and asked for His protection, wisdom and strength.

Ok Now really on to day 1! We loaded a bus and headed to Managua airport for a flight to Puerto Cabezas. We all made it on one flight which they had originally told us it would be 3. As we jetted down the runway we said good-bye to the Pacific and to our luggage. None of our bags made it onto the flight. Some were sent later that afternoon and others didn't arrive until the next morning. Once we were at Port we went to the Verbo guesthouse where the bikes had been unloaded. With some important pieces to bikes still in the luggage back in Managua we had to think creatively in order to get the bikes rideable at 3 for their dip in the Atlantic Ocean.

Nestor and Luis two Nicaraguan guys that are also bike mechanics came up to me and said, "Carey your bike has some serious problems and it is not safe to ride it." At first I didn't know what to think but we took a closer look and with further explanation I understood why. Luis had brought 2 bikes along on the trip in hope that he could sell the 2nd one along the way or that it could be used as an extra. The bike was the exact same make and model as mine. Luis offered to sell me the parts I needed from his 2nd bike. The guys had the new parts on and things lubed and ready to go in no time flat. I enjoyed watching them and learning from them too. I thank God for providing the parts I didn't even know I needed at the perfect time.

With bikes as assembled as they could be we jumped on them and headed to the Sea to give our tires a dip. It was a beautiful, balmy afternoon great for picture taking. Just a few short minutes after we were done with pics some storm clouds blew over and it started to rain. He even controls the weather. :-) Here is the only pic I have so far. It is of all the people who live in Nicaragua that were on the tour.

From Sea to Sea 2009

That evening a team member Kenneth Brown arranged for us to go to a English speaking Moravian Church service. It was an absolutely amazing time. We worshiped together in English. As the service was finishing we (the C 2 C team) sang this song:

My friends may you grow in grace
And in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior
My friends may you grow in grace
and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ
To God be the Glory
Now and forever
Now and foever Amen

As we sang this song my eyes filled with tears as I thought towards that glorious day in heaven when people from all over the world will worship together in one voice. It still gives me goose bumps to think about it.

From Sea to Sea 2009

At the end of the day we celebrated Aimee's Birthday! She was a good sport about all the singing and worked hard to give all of her cake away so she wouldn't have to eat much. :-)

Ok so you'll have to check in tomorrow to read about our first full day of biking. :-)

Sea to Sea

Yes, the time has finally arrived when we'll saddle our bikes and cross Nicaragua from Sea to Sea.

First thing Monday morning we will fly to the Atlantic coast. On Friday we loaded up all of the bikes (praise the Lord everyone's made it to Nicaragua) onto a truck that started the 12-14 hour drive to Puerto Cabezas. These past few days have been filled with last minute preparations. I think that I'm ready to get going.

From Sea to Sea

A special thank you to all of you who have supported me along the way with energy bars, sponsorship, emails and loads of encouragement.
Here are some specific ways that you can be praying for us over the next 9 days.

• Safety for all the bikers and drivers
• Opportunities to have conversations with many Nicaraguans along the way
• Energy for each day Dec. 29- Jan. 6
• Good health for all involved
• Pray for the money that was raised and is being invested in the people and land that was devastated from Hurricane Felix
• No big hiccups in all the planning that has gone into this event

There is a group blog that will be updated as we are there is internet access. www.bikenica.wordpress.com

On the downloads page you can also download the devotionals that we will be doing every day. Feel free to join us.

I hope to have some pictures and an update with stories and all when I return.
See you soon!

Fun Fellowship

Yesterday was Christmas as we all know. Christmas is the time of year when we make special memories with our families and friends. While this year I was not able to spend it with my family I was invited to a fellow missionary family's house for Christmas dinner. We had great fun. They got Mad Gab for Christmas so we spent the afternoon laughing and eating good food. What a privilege it is to be a part of the body of Christ in that wherever we are there is always family nearby. Whether they are blood relatives or not we can share in fun, laughter and memory-making.

From Luke and Ellen's Wedding

A few days before Christmas I spent some time with Maggie and Jason in Indiana. They are great friends who taught at NCA for a few years and have moved back to the States. We had a joyous time catching up and playing with their little one Noah.

From Luke and Ellen's Wedding

From Luke and Ellen's Wedding

After the wedding Maggie and Jason invited all the Nica guests to their house for pizza it was like a mini reunion.

From Luke and Ellen's Wedding

December Catch Up

Well it is has been a while since I have posted anything. Life has been very busy this month.

Claudia and I had a meeting with all of the directors and pastors of the schools where our scholarship program helps out. We wanted to end the Nicaraguan school year encouraging them to see their work with the children and families in their community as a beautiful ministry opportunity. We also took the time to help lay a foundation for what we expect for the coming year. Praise the Lord we had a great turn out and got some really good feedback from all of the schools on ways to improve in 2009.

December also meant saying good-bye to one of our roommates. Joy who has lived with us since July is moving back to California. We had some fun times together this month in between visitors staying at our house. Joy is creative when it comes to parties so in high form we had a smashing Christmas party. We had lights and a complete fireplace. Joy's friends helped make a beautiful fireplace with construction paper on the wall. It truly is mesmorizing just like a real fire. While we are sad to see Joy go I'm excited to see how God uses her and her talents as she returns home.

From blog photos

On the 16th I headed up North towards the colder weather for Luke and Ellen's wedding. While the weather was in the teens most of the time I was there the fellowship surly kept my heart warm as I visited with old friends in town for the wedding. The week was full of wedding activities and preparations. Now the happy couple will be returning to Nicaragua the first of the year to begin their new life together.

From blog photos

As soon as I returned to Nicaragua Aimee and I biked out to the beach as our final long ride in preparation for the Sea to Sea. We started early and ended at the Pacific beach in the same spot where we'll end on January 6th. Rachel and Aimee wanted to take a Christmas pic on the beach so they brought along the Christmas tree. Here is a great picture of Christmas in Nicaragua. Bright and Sunny.

Welcome to the Family

From Corbin

On November 16th at 1:44 am I became an official Aunt. My middle sister Marnie gave birth to Corbin Bailey. He came in with a healthy whopping 7lb and 12 oz. He looks so adorable. I can't wait to meet him.

Nicaragua Needs Your Prayers

On November 9th Nicaragua held its mayoral elections. The Sandanista (Leftist Party) supposedly won the election. The Liberal Party has contested the results of the elections because there have been widespread inconsistencies reported from many districts. Ballots for the liberal party have been found in trash cans and id cards found in fields that were not distributed on order to keep people from voting.
Therefore the election has not been officially called and the Sandanista party has claimed victory while the Liberal party has commissioned a march against fraud and has requested that the election be nullified. Meanwhile people have taken to the streets with machetes, sticks, rocks and everything else to create disorder in the capital city of Managua. As of yet the president has not stepped up to tell the peole to carry on with life nor has he asked them to stop the violence.
We serve a God who is living and active we know that He knows all the details of the situation in Nicaragua and we pray for His peace to come over this city and allow the leaders of this country to make decisions and take action where it is needed and in a way that will honor Him.

Please join me in praying for Nicaragua's current political situation. Pray that there would be resolution and peace soon. Pray that both sides of the situation will see a way that they can unite behind a solution and work towards peace and not with anger, hate and resentment.

A Tribute to Grandpa Davey

On Monday, November 3, 2008 my grandpa passed away. He was 88 years old and loved the Lord with all of His heart.

From blog photos

God gave me a remarkable gift in September to go back and spend the weekend with my family. I spent a whole day with Grandpa. We went to lunch and played Spinner (his favorite domino game) all afternoon. We had a very special time together. God knew just what he was doing.

From blog photos

My Grandparents lived with us for a while before their health deteriorated and Grandma needed more care. Grandpa tried to stay at home and visit Grandma every day. That only lasted a month before Grandpa decided to move into the nursing with Grandma. I guess after 65 years of always being together they couldn't stand to be apart. Grandma passed away in February and we were so blessed to have Grandpa with us all this year.