Dear Friends,

I'm sorry I was just not able to send you off an end of the year note of 'thanks' for your help with the work here in Nicaragua. I was simply too swallowed up by activities; several weddings, two end of year school functions (Managua and Puerto Cabezas), one new church inauguration (P.C.), a 2 day seminar for Assembly of God missionaries, special orphanage celebrations, Hurricane Mitch project's vocational school graduations and children's church celebrations, and the normal end of the year church get togethers. The visit by Alex and Ben always makes for lots of happenings too.

A New Year always brings about new circumstances. I'm always indebted to your prayer support for Nicaragua. The breadth and depth of the churches, ministries and projects here require this covering. In this first month of 2002 one particular set of events has been a battle upon my heart. The culmination of 3½ years of a difficult problem has grown into a rather serious confrontation.

Due to the consuming nature of the circumstances over the years, I'd never been able to acquire an actually fully owned site for the Managua church itself. I'd come very close to this dream at least a half dozen times, but something always caused it to fall through. With the early pressures under the Sandinista rule, the natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods), and the social areas we've been led towards (neglected children, education, unemployment and health), our ecclesiastical work has been limited to rented facilities. All of these areas have been contributing factors resulting in the historic political instability of the nation.

When the door seemed to be providentially creaking open 3 and half years ago for the purchase of 3 acres of land. Though well on the outskirts of town, the 'boonies' location made it financially accessible. However because it was purchased right before Hurricane Mitch blew through, that meant we could not 'do anything' on the property due to our commitments to the refugee sites.

Though the formal contracts had been drawn up and signed, money was exchanged, yet when we finally were able to bring the paperwork down to the National Lands Reregistration agency, lo and behold there were some 'numbers' inconsistencies. Normally a simple rectification by the lawyer of the selling party, and all is taken care of. When in this case the lawyer's refusal to attend this discrepancy, (putting into absolute risk his legal professional status) I hunched something much more serious was on foot.

This began a 3-year period of meetings, discussions, and exchange of legal documents with all levels of authorities. Two things came to light, 1) the Sandinista underpinnings of the land were definitely not in our favor. 2) A massive 6-lane highway was later put in, three blocks from the still very rough, dirt road entrance to property, sky rocketing land values.

Still praying and hoping for the best, our church leadership found most political fingers pointing to the impossibility of the this particular piece of property. At one point we actually accepted an offer for a land swap for another piece of property. Not as nice, but useable. Knowing that the 'powers that be' were so heavily against us and that with the general political instability and inherent failings in the court systems, this might be our best chance. However on the final of long series of meetings, taking place upon the potential property itself, a new element was introduced that began questioning rather disapprovingly our position. Everything we'd generously been laboring towards fell instantly through. I then and there decided, "I want the land we'd purchased, period".

New law suits, ever more complicated, ensued. Funds continued to dwindle down. Yet the views of the volcanoes and mountains, the large Managua Lake and the city itself, would still constitute a very desirable center of Verbo operations and a new school. Now with our legal position about as clear as it'll ever be, we began to consider our final and last option. After the election of our new president, Enrique Bolanos, (who'd actually chaired one of our school celebrations 2 years ago), the possibility of a more legal approach to such situations was possible, but would demand very a assertive action to draw the necessary attention. We would move onto the land.

On one Saturday, January 19th, 120 of us show up; middle aged guys (like your servant), hot rod youth, women and children, with machetes, hoes and shovels. On that first day we are able to clear almost half the land from the years of heavy undergrowth, we built a small cabin extension to an old existing military 'guard' tower, set up some of the 90 cement fence posts we'd made, and then brought in a 500ft length of electric wiring onto the property for night lighting. The capstone was the planting of two attractive metal signs; 1) "Future National Center of Verbo" (w/ Heb. 11:6 and church emblems), and 2) a sign stating "Verbo Christian Ministries - Private Property".

Pulling the tiger's tail was going to be the only final recourse of action. The response though anticipated, was still even more strongly aggressive then we'd expected. First, 'big city' military lawyers, with insufficient paper work, but with a very purposefully intimidating stance were sent to confront us. To their surprise they were not able to scare us off. Then very late one night a large group came muscling onto the property with clearly threatening machetes, and guns. We still we're not the easy Christian push over they were expecting. Our loud speakers for the Christian movies we'd begun to show were used to invite the neighboring community, at 2:00 am, to witness what was taking place. This 'light' of neutral witnesses had a terrifying effect upon the invaders. Another time the police that were sent to support us, when they conveniently jumped sides and backed the thugs. We'd brought cameras to record such events.

The final status; we're still on the property, but they too have set up a very improvised tin structure (police insistence until supposedly the matter is settled judicially). Work has stopped on the property. But we're continuing with our plans in the neighboring community, we've organized road improvement crews where the local folks and the Verbo church people labor together. We've hired a couple of large tankers of water to meet the serious needs in the community. We have also drawn up the plans (architecturally, and scholastically) to begin a three grade primary school. Walking the mile+ to the nearest school along this new major highway had resulted in the deaths of two children.

Our evangelism efforts are made far easier due to the friendships that are rapidly growing between our church members and the community itself. Speaking into their lives of God's vision for the Nicaraguan family and the effect of His personal sacrifice for our eternal well being is striking paydirt.

The threats continue, they were simply not expecting the strength and determination of our response. Their methods have been clear throwbacks into the 1980s. This sort of violence as a solution to social issues must be put finally, and legally, to rest. Pushing this to such extremes, win or lose, may help this country move more firmly into the democratic framework that must be achieved. I've hired a good lawyer, an old friend, for the case. We're rolling in our third week of this morass.

Please do pray for us. Finding ourselves in such extreme circumstances, is not anything new for Verbo down here. Proceeding in all of this for His honor and glory is still the heartbeat we do want to pay attention to. Many 'signs' seem to be pointing that we are on the right track. The fact that this land is still totally uninhabited after three years is remarkable, that the neighbors would be so aligned with us, the remarkable response of our own church under such offensive circumstance, and the daily ordering of our steps, all seem to indicate the Lord's approval.

Prayer saved 8 of our lives a year and half ago in the automobile accident. Thank you!!! Our current state of affairs again could use your prayerful support. Like an initial belittling of the Lord "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" today's Central American equivalent would substitute Nicaragua for Nazareth. After the September 11th tragedies, our prayers are that with such situations, (our land obviously being a very minor example of such political horror), that even still Rm 8:28 will reign. And that the Lord's determination will predominate that He will continue to confuse the wisdom of this world.

May the Lord bless and honor all of our steps during 2002.

Your Friend and Brother in Christ,

Dear Friends,

The roller coaster, 'Nicaragua', continues. Pleasantly relieved this month, due to the outcome of last week's elections. With the Sandinista possibilities somewhat highish, I wondered, "Could we be heading down that same road again?"

However the Nicaraguan people rose to the occasion. to the surprise and praise of many international observers. Even Present Bush called the next day to congratulate Enrique Bolanos. Our newly elected 73 year old president, is a man with a commendable 45 year reputation of honesty in the private business sector. Two years ago Sr. Bolanos accepted our invitation as the closing speaker for one of our end of the year school celebrations.

As the vice president under the last administration, there was some rather unsightly baggage (many instances of rabid greed) that Engineer Bolanos was stuck with, but neither responsible for nor benefiting from. His age was certainly a factor, Daniel Ortega, at 55, seemed quite the youthful candidate.

However as a well known, Latin editorialist out of Miami noted in a post election article, "Nicaraguans do not have a short memory". Daniel's 1980's mingling with international terrorists like Arafat & Kaddafi, his on going moral decadence, and some rather massive economic pilfering, still at election time this didn't seem to be taken quite as seriously by the general populous as expected.

How wrong that appraisal was. A 13% loss at the polls was perfect. A sound enough defeat that no one could debate the outcome, yet not sooo bad to evoke any militaristic response.

A commanding, and very revealing, statistic was the 91% of the registered electorate showing up to the polls. Perhaps one of the highest in the hemisphere. While the Sandinistas did have amongst their strategies, pushing their folks to arrive early at the booths, then dawdle along to keep the later comers hours and hours unnecessarily in line attempting to disinterest them from the abysmally long wait. It didn't work though people were willing to wait 8-12 hours in line to make their statement.

Please, just as your prayers rescued Bob and Myra from our accident's 'normal' consequences, you now can affect a nation for good. After the New York and Washington tragedies, the astoundingly close Bush-Gore race, the hand of the Lord seems more needed, and available, then ever.

Like the rest of the world, here too, what the anticipated changes that the massive worldwide Islamic growth and increasing unrest will mean; to missionology, in the nature and stradegy of church planting, with the effective planning for evangelistic endeavors, and even releasing the proper compassion for the dying and lost, are challenges before us as never before.

The call to continue 'expanding the kingdom of God'. into the areas of normally secular concerns, never loses my interest. Whether it's our ability to respond to natural disasters, addressing political and economic ills, meeting health and dietary needs, or simply the Biblical concern for our neighbor. Confronting traditional and significantly anti-Christian cultural norms, can bring to light the answers the Lord has 'hidden' within the gifts He's placed in His body.

Sometimes an overtly religious emphasis can nullify our truly Christian concerns that so grieve the heart of the Father. The first commandment is a compunction the body feels in its entirety. #2 which "the commandments .. are all sumed up" (Rom 13:9) is the more difficult one to complete. But lest we fall into the 'temple' debate between the Pharisee and the tax collector (Lu 18:10), let us safely choose the lesser seats at His table. Embracing Paul's heart, made clear during one of his Roman incarcerations, in Phil 2:3 with his urging for us to esteem others as better then ourselves.

Willingness to do this, might be the bottom line for properly taking on the mindset of Saudi millionaires willing to live in caves for their 'causes'.

Thanks for believing in our work here in Nicaragua. Let's change this 'postage stamp' nation, and lift up a clear banner to demonstrate what the Lord IS CAPABLE of doing.

Your generosity, is from my humbled perspective, the Lord's love for, and approval of, the work. My single hope is to be worthy of its stewardship.

Your Brother,
Bob Trolese

Dear Friends,

Myra and I tremendously enjoyed this summer's marriage of our daughter Aimee. Mark Jaquith, my new son-in-law,having grown up as a MK in Puebla, Mexico, he too is thoroughly bi-lingual and bi-cultural. My part of the ceremony was the message itself, while Mark's father, Phil Jaquith, ministered the vows. I've performed many marriages over the years, but when I was walking my own daughter down the aisle, then sharing my heart towards the two of them, it was quite an experience.

The occasion allowed our family a visit to the States, pleasantly without the intensive medical care of last summer. This time we 'dropped' Alex off for a year of Bible studies. At 17, a tremendous 'window' has opened for him to be close to Mark and Aimee, and with Ben who is conducting an intensive Youth Intern Program in the City Bible Church there in Portland, Oregon.

But still my heart, calling and purpose remains firmly planted in Nicaragua. The 'work' here has grown into such a multifaceted expression of our appreciation for Jesus. Trying to meet so many needs to demonstrate the Lord's love and ours for this nation.

The Nicaraguan Presidential elections are coming up in November. It seems that it'll be on the heels of what is becoming a disastrous drought situation in our rainy season. Famine is beginning to claim lives. This sort of national stress upon the work demands our careful attention. Being such a country of legal turmoil, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes. and the political uneasiness creates a learning curve guiding us into new areas of responsibility. Perhaps our 20+ years here, in such a 'geographically small country (50,000 sq. miles-exactly England's size), makes us totally identify with the upward and downward swings this country has been called to go through.

However I'm more convinced than ever of the underlying goodness the Lord has deposited within the Nicaraguan people. Looking ahead I can only see the Lord's desire to surprise the world by His choice of Nicaragua as an interesting background for the proof of the integrity of His promises. Clear evidence of the life changing effect freely given for the full acceptance of His gospel.

Because of the absence of a truly Christian heritage for the Nicaraguan people, certain problems seem woven into the fabric of accepted social values. The Lord's first commandment; the honoring fulfillment of the absolute Sovereignty of God, is generally acknowledged within this country. However with the second commandment's emphasis upon our necessary love for our neighbor, here everything begins to fall far short. Like Cain's retort, "Am I my brother's keeper?", then answered by the Lord's deafening silence. The Old Testament concern for the plight of a brother, of our neighbor, of the stranger, the widow, the fatherless is so very close to the New Testament final evaluation of the goats and sheep of Matthew 25.

Once the doors of our understanding are opened to the nature of the shortage of the brain's development due to protein deficiency during the early years, the fears and necessary caution begin to grasp hold of how the long term effects upon the individual can later impede the clear reception of the Gospel.

The 'accepted' absence of available educational opportunities, or severe lack of employment, help push so many young girls into prostitution. These same social voids are causing a frustration which seems to urge men to forsake their headship responsibilities within their families. The youth so often, and unnnniversally, look towards drugs, crime and violence for recreation. When a culture accepts the 'givens' of immorality, unemployment, under-education, food shortages, the resulting states of sin begin to take on permanent form.

Sharing the Gospel through the doors of our public, Christian schools, by means of the care and disaster relief projects, our Christian hospital venture, the orphanages and youth discipleship farms, our newest steps into a number of centers for vocational training. All have the potential of communicating God's love for each individual.

However we're confronting generations of inbred cultural sin, addressing the nature of nationally accepted attitudes. Already so historically a part of the Nicaraguan social fabric, yet absolutely counter the Lord's concern for the 'needy'. This is dangerously alarming, yet the resulting engendered pain has proceeded on as an unrelenting inheritance.

The physical, emotional, and psychological abundance of pain clouds the thinking in a country. Speaking into such social areas demands an 'understandable' language. Christianity has for too long been reduced to simplified verbal statements, with no evidence of tangible power or fruit. The Epistle of James warns us against a simplified "be warm and filled" Gospel, and the danger of 'workless' faith. The full proclamation of the Gospel has a great deal to do with the reduction of pain.

So often the Lord was "moved" by compassion. Sharing that motivation might be our greatest Christian goal. I deeply appreciate your 'teaming up' with us. The challenge to change a nation through the proclamation, and demonstration of the Gospel, is the honor the Lord has bestowed upon us.

Yours in Jesus,

Apartado RP-37, Managua, Nicaragua

Tels.: 266-0289 - 266-1941 - Fax: 266-0276, Click here to e-mail to robt@ibw.com.ni

Dear Friends,

Rains have hit earlier then usual this year.  It's a wake up call for
everyone involved in Mitch relief work, and making life at all the refugee
sites more difficult then it already is.   This was recently compounded by
a national transportation strike.  Allegedly over a proposed
gasoline-diesel price hike, but the ripping up of the roads, smashing
windshields and eventually three deaths were sadly included with the
burning of tires by masked youths.  This was a political rally of stripes
of the 80s.   Even our new (1986) 8 ton truck had three of it's tires
slashed returning from the Las Madaeras housing project.  Ah, life in the
languid and peaceful tropics…

 Your prayers for our prudence and efficiency,  (and a little more time
before the actual rainy season begins), that the Lord's guidance would be
with us, are very appreciated.

The green buds that are beginning to poke out after the dusty humidity of
this part of the sub tropics, is a welcome relief so that even in the camps
people are pleased with mornings when the air is fresher and the heat not
quite so tiring.  But the urgency now is compounded a bit.  The black
plastic shelters will prove woefully inadequate.

For the families in "Las Maderas" our little 24 home housing project is
almost done.  The little homes with porches are a pleasant, and I think,
quite adequate shelter.  The louvered glass windows that at $25 a square
meter are a bargain, are still a hit.  Tall structures, with good
ventilation, are both pleasant visually, and the interior spaces have a
nice feel to them.  The porches, well, in Nicaragua that sort of makes that
house.

In Bacacan, and the other small rural communities, planting seed has gone
out for an initial crop, and we're purchasing some fruit trees for them to
plant on their land.  They've approached us on the idea of constructing new
houses out of self made adobe blocks with necessary reinforcing for
earthquakes (though in that part of the country they've never actually
suffered a seismic disturbance).  Many are nervous about slides this year
due to changes that have happen due to Mitch from last Oct.  Finding new
land has been difficult, but it does seem to becoming acquired.  Obviously,
every time we consider new aspects of assistance, it means somersaulting
with existing plans, but we're trying to gauge our help with the longest-
range benefits possible.

In Posoltega, well, "Anyone want to call a meeting with a dozen different
agencies represented, local politicians and factional parties, … and try
and come to firm resolutions?"  A learning curve as Verbo attempts to yoke
up (mindful of the scriptural warning of unequal yokes to be sure) in a
mature way with other institutions to meet the most massive and visible
victims of the whole Mitch hurricane.  Slow is not an adequate adjective,
but all is finally taking some excellent steps.

For a little background  (if you're interested), Posoltega and our desire
to work with the largest of the villages destroyed by the volcano Casita's
mudslide, meant we'd have to coordinate with other larger relief agencies,
none of which were of course based upon a local Nicaraguan church.  They
were wary of us (understandably, most of their concepts of Christianity
tended towards a Hollywood fanatic fringe), and we weren't blind to
pitfalls that might lie before us.  However we've found that generally, our
contribution is genuinely appreciated, and the Lord continues to set up
circumstances in such a manner that our underlying evangelistic purpose of
showing God's love in tangible ways is being guided by a process larger
than any of the participant's planning or goals.  As of today, (can you
sense the ups and downs of the last months?), the 155 acres of land that
we've purchased in conjunction with CARE, Luxembourg, Bloomington Ind.
(sister city of Posoltega) and Austria, is firmly contracted, the surveying
is almost completed and the house design settled upon.  It appears that the
90 acres that will be dedicated to agriculture to aid the refugees towards
a self supporting status (rather then simply becoming laborers for the
neighboring farms) may be augmented with the capacity to rent an additional
330 acres for planting.  Verbo is working on emergency temporary housing
designs so that the refugees might move to this new farmland right away and
begin planting.

Our approach to this resettlement of Posoltega refugees is hopefully being
refined by the latest developments in our work with the Managua camp of
"Nueva Vida" (New Life) caused by the 18' rise of Lake Managua.

In addition to helping install a public water system (permanent main lines,
with, thus far, 46 temporary community faucets), we purchased 13 acres
adjoining the 82 acres of the entire refugee community.  After much prayer
to seek the Lord's will in this venture, and counseling to attempt to
assure a minimum of wrong moves, we feel the He has given us three pronged
approach to blessing and healing the Nueva Vida community at large.  We've
divided the land into three physical and spiritual sections.  One will be
devoted to Production, another to Education, and a third to Recreation.

Production will be with an agricultural emphasis with field crops (beans,
corn, etc), vegetables, fruit trees and animal husbandry. Education will
include literacy classes (we've already helped 275 adults in this area with
materials), agricultural vocational classes, and general education.  For
recreation we've put in a baseball field, began laying in the concrete for
a 6-hoop basketball court, and will put in a soccer field and volley ball
courts.

Our under laying plan is to create a resource center where this community
will be able to visibly see Christian values applied to all aspects of
life.  To do so we've laid out our initial 1000 feet of water lines, built
a 5000 sq. ft thatched roof rancho as a church/community center, and begun
construction on a day care center to assist the working mothers, with plans
for a children's feeding center to couple up with day care.

Yesterday, while we're still finishing up the cement floor of the Rancho, I
met under the open sided, grass roof with two local police officials,
visiting social workers and 40 gang leaders.  Everybody shared his or her
part.  When I spoke, I talked about what drugs do to a community and to
teenage lives over a ten-year period.  I talked about our vision for this
locale, emphasizing the educational aspects.  When I'd finished a good
looking young man in his early twenties said "I can neither read nor write,
I want to be able to learn in order make something out of my life."  I
boldly responded with "In six months you'll be reading and writing, set
your sights high, we're here to help".

Tomorrow, on Sunday the 9th of May, at 4:30pm we'll begin our first church
service in the Rancho.  Music, preaching, refreshments, and the
presentation of Christian movies in the evening.  I actually wanted a
"slower" more humble beginning, but the interest in the Christian aspect of
the work by the community itself is much greater then I'd believed.  Many
people are coming out for the inauguration.

Our current project directly for the community is the construction of
latrine-bath houses that will keep the rain water out, provide the privacy
needed, and meet an obvious need in the name of the Lord.  Here too we have
a rapid, temporary housing design (roofs and floors with plastic sides),
but the current housing situation is such a hodgepodge of events,
constructions, promises, and excavations, that we're proceeding carefully.
On Mon. the 10th we're meeting with the local leaders to hear more of their
appraisal of the families with the greatest needs.  Widows in both our
understandings will be given top priority.

Because Nueva Vida is the most visible of all the refugee camps in the
country - a real photo op for visiting journalists - it is becoming an
embarrassing, internationally known, magnifying glass upon certain
inappropriate use of relief funding that has come into the nation.

Verbo is again, a dime player on the board, yet God seems to be using the
small and insignificant to bless and assist far beyond our capabilities.
Thank you for your support and prayers.

All the Best From Nicaragua,
Bob Trolese

Dear Friends,

Before too much more time goes by I wanted to write something in a way of thanks for your prayers and assistance. The Lord's guidance and favor has been evidenced in many ways in our attempts to address the Mitch aftermath.

We are still concentrating our efforts toward four different areas of the country in the resettlement and development assistance. We're working in some extremely rural, semi rural, semi urban, and very urban situations. Each set of circumstances are different, but they are allowing us the opportunity to examine, and hopefully meet some of the needs of an entire spectrum of the poverty of Latin America.

Sadly the overall assistance on a national level is slower than it needs to be. I believe we've been sufficiently cautious and that it has paid off by not making any false starts. But even still, some of our plans and projections can change during the course of the year, for just when we believe we have established a course of action, a new detail comes to light, which seriously affects everything. These altercations range from mildly frustrating to absolutely unjust. However, if I learned one thing during the 1980s it was the value to have a lengthy shelf life by keeping the long range vision in sight.

In Posoltega we are assisting in the purchase of 150 acres for the resettlement of 387 families from the two major villages destroyed by the Casitas Volcano mudslide. Very little assistance has come from the national government. With President Clinton's recent visit to Posoltega, it seemed like he'd been well informed about his Nicaraguan counterpart's failure to fairly address the Mitch situation. Interestingly, the leader from El Porvenir (one of the villages totally destroyed by the slide) had commented to me how he wanted to tell President Clinton personally about the situation of the refugees. I thought, "Sure Alonzo, right, you'll get to talk with him on his trip to Posoltega". Watching the news that night, Who is walking at the President's side while touring the damaged areas? Alonzo!!! He had 30 minutes personal time to speak with President Clinton.

God has given us favor in this project. The plan originally presented had been to alocate very large lots to each family so that they might preserve the country life style. Which is of course in many ways is a very attractive idea. But it doesn't take much to figure out that after the houses are built the villagers will have to go out and look for a job at the nearby farms, whose owners are not offering a square inch of land in their assistance. With a current pay scale ranging from $.55 to $1.60 a day, this is slavery, in the best tradition of the last 300 years of Latin American history. We would be effectively building housing for the labor source for all the neighboring farmers for the next few generations. I couldn't see that as very desirable.

Our suggestion was to create smaller lots, with simple houses, and dedicate 90+ acres to intensive agriculture for self employment opportunities for the members of the community. It's not sufficient land for such a large community, but not all the refugees are real farmers, and some either through injury, illness, or family situations will not be able to work the land. The possibility of creating an agricultural community model does exist. Please hold us in your prayers.

For the 17 families that found refuge in a small church in Posoltega, we are purchasing the land necessary for them to move onto their own lots and still be within the town limits. It has been a very uncomfortable 4 ½ months for them, but their Christian spirit has been a remarkable example for any that have been fortunate enough to know them. We rejoice in that we've finally found the right land for this move.

In Nueva Vida, close to Managua, we've helped be a part of installing the water system for the 550 families of the back Sector III area. Other groups have begun to build some houses, we will help put up some simple roofs for those that we can who are not receiving any other assistance. It's just come to my attention that the houses that have been built will not be donated to the people, but rather sold to them by the city of Managua. Neither will the lots they've been "given". They too must be purchased. I'm sure the donating agencies are going to be very disturbed by this new "situation".

Fortunately our vision for Nueva Vida has been evolving in a different direction. We've just donated the materials for 275 adults to begin literacy education as a first step in the development of a more inclusive resource initiative. Adjacent to Sector III we are purchasing 17 acres of land which will be a training and service center for the residents of Nueva Vida. Playing fields for the children, agricultural projects, vocational schools, a large community center that will also serve as a church meeting hall, and a day care center for working mothers. Other interested international agencies have already expressed interest to work with us in things like a children's feeding center. With the current misunderstanding about the housing ownership issue, I have the feeling that some will find more security in an arrangement with us. We would be in a position to assist many potentially beneficial projects for Nueva Vida and preserve the overall Christian expression that this venture must maintain.

In Las Maderas, we are helping 24 families who lost their homes during the flooding of the river that runs through their little town. These will be built on stone foundations, having a stud wall construction of two bedrooms and a large front porch with a thin cement floor. The porch area will serve as a sitting and kitchen area and could easily be enclosed in the future. The community has been most helpful and it is very much a participatory project. The families have cleared the land, dug the trenches and are doing an excellent job on the foundations. The soil is THE rockiest I've ever seen, down to 6-7 feet deep outhouses and it's still solid stones.

In Bacacan, and the other 5 neighboring communities, we are still assisting with emergency food and medicine in a very regular manner. Because they are extremely isolated, beyond the severe immediate needs, the biggest obstacle is the poor agricultural soil where they presently are living. Their location for growing any crops is limited. We're looking into nearby land with far better soil and see how feasible it is to provide the necessary tools and seeds to get a crop in this May. They also need some assistance with shelter, but with the tin roofing and a little lumber they can do the rest. These have been surprisingly easy people to work with, very cooperative and carry through on their word in every instance. Examples of this are common, for instance, when we send in Verbo medical teams from the Managua church, they have to let all the neighboring communities know exactly when we would arrive to the central local in Bacacan. Every time people would have heard the news and either walked in, or ridden in on horseback. The warmth since we presented the "Jesus" film and served the midnight dinner has not diminished. These are simply hardworking people on the edge of civilization.

To help facilitate these projects we are purchasing an 8 ton 1986 Mercedes Benz military truck for the moving of material and people. We are also investing in an adequate outdoor sound system for evangelism in the project sites. We have installed a cut out plant for the houses in Las Maderas so they can be prefabricated in Managua, then shipped out and constructed rapidly on the site. The possible agricultural projects at each of the sites with their particular logistical and immediate needs make for challenging planning sessions. We are praying over every step we take, and still know that errors can be made.

Our sole desire is that our "good works would shine before men, that they might glorify God the Father".

Thank you for your support in every way.

Bob Trolese
 
 

If you'd like to help us reach out to the ongoing projects of serving the physical and spiritual needs of Nicaraguan flood disaster victims, or if you'd like to help support the Troleses by taking them on as your missionaries, you can send immediate help through our

Correspondence is best directed by e-mail to:
robt@ibw.com.ni

or by postal service to:
Apartado Postal J-27, Managua, Nicaragua

Donations may be sent by mail to:
Verbo Nicaragua, P.O. 17807,
West Palm Beach, Florida 33416-7807 For more information, please contact:
James Jankowiak - International Missions Director of Verbo Ministries at Tel: (561) 790-7129 or e-mail missions@verbo.org 

..back to Current Newsletter
A picture of Bob and Myra, Ben, Aimee, Alex and Michael

Our work in Nicaragua began in 1980.  Bob and Myra Trolese and their family, accompanied by another family and a few singles from Guatemala, moved into that war- torn country after of the ouster of Somoza in late 1979.  In the years that followed, churches were established in the coastal towns of Puerto Cabezas and Bluefields.

Another important aspect of the works in Nicaragua has been social outreach.  From small housing and urbanization projects to training centers, orphanages and schools, the concern for and service to under-privileged groups have been a vital part of our ministry there.

back to Verbo Christian Ministries