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Traveling to Nicaragua, or any other place for that matter is difficult these days. As I type this note, I am sitting in a hotel, just across the border of Nicaragua. We crossed because getting a plane out of Liberia Costa Rica is easier and less problematic as the government tightens down on travelers. Just before we crossed into Nicaragua, 2 Americans were denied entry because they were what Nicaragua considered government workers. We witnessed many who were struggling to buy basic necessities. Just like everywhere else, the prices of goods are rising. Our hotel didn’t have butter or milk for the coffee. Things are getting harder to find. I spoke with many of the church folks who were there and the conversation was the same. God has been faithful and despite the hardship, the church is growing.

We had a wonderful time and were able to accomplish a lot during our trip. One of the things that eats at me while I am in the States, is the fact that many cant get the medicine they need in the country. It isn’t a problem with cost, it simply isn’t available. We were able to get medicine for Don Ramon, who has Parkinson’s disease, and that should last for a whole year. Crossing the border by land was easier and they are less strict about what you are carrying. I was also able to meet with local pastors and it was encouraging to give them books to help their pastoral studies.

We want to let you know that we thank God for you and appreciate the support that is given to help us keep these things going. God is working and we are seeing fruit from the labors.

God Bless you, Joel and April, Gass Family Mission

We have started working from Zoom in the Bible Institute and are thankful for Dr. Ryan Bush for teaching a class on Sermon Preparation. It was fun and interesting to see the guys interacting with the technology the Kindle Fires provided by some of our supporters.

I would like to invite you to subscribe to our Youtube Channel for fun videos of our adventures here in Nicaragua

Here is the Link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcYUoj5WU2fzmQHBKyz2PQg?view_as=subscriber.

Once we get 100 subscribers, we can get a customized name instead of all that crazy lettering.

Thank You for your continued support.

Surprise Party

I was so thrilled to come home and find 40 people hidden in our bedroom. Our whole church came over to celebrate my birthday. It was a great night with lots of fun. There was a Piñata and pin the tail on the donkey. We had cake and quesadillas made by the ladies from church. 

Teacher’s Scholarships

3 of our teachers have received scholarships to further their education. Luis and Wilfredo are working on their MA in Theology through SBTS. These scholarships are provided by Sunrise Baptist Church in Petal, MS and  Glen Baptist Church in Fl. Bald Mt. Baptist Church has provided another scholarship starting in June. Nestor is working on getting his BA in Biblical Theology. With your help, we are changing impotent churches into bold, healthy churches, that are equipping Christians to be effective witnesses for Christ. It is the Gospel alone that can redeem people form eternal death. Having these men formally trained is such a blessing and I thank God for allowing us to learn more as we invest in local pastors. Glory to God.

Bible Institute

Absolutely wonderful news to report with regards to the Bible Institute. We have a 3 year plan to invest in the teachers of the Bible Institute. We are pouring into them and every day it is paying off. Partnering with The Gospel Coalition and receiving their literature is a great help. One reports, “By strategically training pastors and students in scriptural theology, giving them practical knowledge to plant and sustain churches, we hope to see the church strengthened. We want to see indigenous Christians live out the Great Commission among their own people.” We hope to see our supported pastors grow in their theological depth and preaching precision. We also hope resources provided by TGC  will equip Nicaraguan pastors for the work of discipleship that goes beyond seeking professions of faith. We hope the books will help them give more attention to Christian discipleship.” 

Carazo Bible Church 

Throughout the last year, our church plant has blossomed into a beautiful family. We now have formal membership and appointed elders.We are seeing the power of the Word of God. Lives are being changed. People are being set free from the bondage of sin. The transformation that is brought about in the lives of people as they submit to the word of God is a wonderful sight to see. I am so thankful that God has allowed us to be a part of it. 

Critical Need

The medical portion of the ministry here in Nicaragua has suffered some severe blows. We have been notified that, in July, we will loose funding for the doctor on staff. Not only will one of our loved staff members loose her job in a critical time in the Nicaraguan economy, but our ministry will also take a hit. 

Some of the problem.

Part of the problem is our reliance on large donors to fund this program. When we loose a large donor, we loose most of the support to fund the ministry. Over the next year, I hope to work to retain the support we have and to add some smaller monthly supporters. If we could find several Churches, Sunday school classes or individual families to become monthly supporters, at $10, $20, or $30 a month, when one or two had to quit it would not be such a large blow. It would also eliminate the need to be constantly asking for donations. It is such a conflict to see a need and have to ask for help. In the past, when a special need came up I would turn to social media and most of the time the need would be quickly met. We have been experiencing some problems with locals seeing our facebook posts and asking for funds because they saw we just had a donation made. We raised $500 to purchase Bibles through social media. Praise God for this. We are taking advantage of the closing of the LifeWay stores and making some purchases at substantial discounts. I know you’re as eager as I am to put God’s Word into the hands of as many people as possible. Your gifts make it possible for us to carry out these ministries here with the people of Nicaragua. 

Your donations help support continuing efforts to reach Nicaragua with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Would you consider asking your Sunday school class to become a monthly supporter? As we stand together to assist the Nicaraguan people during this crisis, we’re making disciples and being used by God to reach them with he Gospel. Your prayers and monthly support change people’s lives forever. Your support matters, it keeps this work moving forward. April and I are so thankful for all you do for the Kingdom through our small medical clinic, the Bible institute and Carazo Bible church.  

Be a partner

To support God’s work here in Nicaragua financially by setting up a monthly automatic payment or make a one time donation just Click here  You can  also make a tax deductible gift by mailing a check to:   

CENTRAL MISSIONARY CLEARINGHOUSE 

C/O Gass Family

PO BOX 219228  Houston, TX 77218-9228

You can also PayPal it to:

www.paypal.me/gassfamilymission

Your Servants in Christ,         Joel & April Gass Family.

We’ve been back in Nicaragua now only a week. It’s like the wild west here. Many have been asking various questions about the current crisis, why we left, why we returned, etc. As a family of 5, we all have our own answers to those questions and there’s not a simple answer to any question. Having gone through the aftermath of Katrina, we were well aware how quickly any society can breakdown in a crisis. The food shortages and violence that are currently going on here is what we feared would happen. As foreigners, as a family with children, we made the best decision that we could at the time. We had the opportunity to get out with some other friends so we could reassure our families in the States and evaluate things from there. Of course, our hope had been that the situation in Nicaragua would improve and stabilize within a few weeks. Our time in the States was a blessing as we got to grieve together with our loved ones at the passing of a beloved family member. God orchestrates things we can never plan. We praise Him for this gift.

As the weeks went by, it became obvious that the crisis in Nicaragua was growing, not improving. Our hearts ached to be with our church family and loved ones here, if for no other reason than to just offer our support. We had many serious discussions as a family. As parents, we couldn’t promise our children anything….not even the ability to get to our home because we knew traveling had become precarious. They could have stayed in the States with our family. We explained that our lives would be difficult and maybe even frightening at times. They each expressed their independent desires to “go home.” 

Regardless of what happens sociopolitically here, it remains our number one desire for the Lord to be glorified in this nation. Over the last 8 1/2 years, the Lord has abundantly blessed us with an incredible network of brothers and sisters in Christ. We are taking things day by day, sometimes moment by moment. We hear gunfire and mortars day and night. Gasoline and food are in short supply where we live. Traveling is dangerous and difficult. Every trip away from home is only for necessary reasons. We are trying to supply medicines and food to those we can. We are trying to keep up the discipleship training with the various groups. At this point, everything is day by day. We are praying for God’s guidance on every decision we make and appreciate your prayers more than you can imagine.

Building Fund

For those that have been following, we did not raise the funds to buy the ministry center. However, we do have the funds to continue renting and cover maintenance expenses. This is a blessing. We have a young couple living there now…about to have their first child. This is also a blessing! The husband recently lost his job due to the crisis here. So we are thankful to help them during this difficult time.

People have been asking what they can do. For our regular supporters, thank you for your faithful contributions. For those that can, your financial support will help us care for some of those that are struggling so much right now. We encourage you to research what is going on here in Nicaragua. It continues to evade mainstream news sources. However, you can find articles in English that explain what’s going on. As always, we appreciate your prayers. We need our heavenly Father. We need wisdom and grace. May the Lord work His grace into our lives and help us to honor Him. He is worthy!

We are excited to announce that we need to tear down a wall in the Carazo Ministry Center as we are now averaging 45 to 50 every Sunday. Things are going really well and it has been a great encouragement to see people hungry to know the Lord more deeply. There are several young couples attending faithfully, two of which are expecting babies. Luis Hernandez has been doing a great job teaching on Wednesday nights on The Marks of a Healthy Church. We do hope to start formal membership within the next few weeks. However, not everything has been easy or problem free as we have had people talking negatively about us. In this small thing, I can gain an appreciation for what the Apostle  Paul expressed in Philippians when he said, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”

It has been quite an encouragement to have the younger couples interested in the things of the Lord.  Some of these families have asked us to do teaching about marital roles from a biblical perspective. Currently, April and I are doing this class at 4 pm on Sunday afternoons with 6-8 attending. Please keep these times in your prayers.

Carazo Bible Institute

In March, we had our 1st group of 2-year graduates. Three men completed the 2-year study course. A group from River of Life Church in Florida came and helped with the graduation celebration. They provided a great meal and brought gifts for the students.  David Smoot from Wings of Faith Ministries, gave an encouraging address to the whole group of students and graduates. There were over 50 in attendance. Each of the graduates addressed the audience and explained how the 2 years of study had helped them grow in their understanding of God and His word. The Gospel Coalition states that , “75% of the world’s Christians live in the Global South. 85% of the world’s evangelical churches are led by pastors with insufficient training.” I am thankful CBI has a small part in battling this theological famine. The hope is that as these men and leaders are fed theologically sound “solid food,” they will be better equipped to disciple others.

Graduates and teachers

2018 CBI students

Nardony’s Diploma

Carazo Medical Clinic

Dr. Reyna has been away in the States, but we have been busy with the medical clinic. With the team from Florida, we visited the community of San Antonio, checking on patients, praying and encouraging them. We were also able to provide a food bag of basic needs thanks to the generosity of River of Life Church in Starke, Fl. Recently, with donations from Tree of Life, the clinic has been able to purchase more medical supplies/equipment. It has been such a blessing and many have expressed appreciation for the free medical care/support. We have been known to convert into a temporary hospital at our house in certain instances!

Carazo Mission Center

We continue to hope and pray to purchase the building where all of these ministries are based. The money we need to raise to buy the ministry center is due July 5, 2018. Please pray with us. Below is an outline of what we have already raised and the final costs. Please pray for this need. 

Read your Bible, support your local church, glorify God in all you do.

Go or send!

Thank you all for your continued prayer and support.

Joel, April & the kids.

July 2017

Dear Friends,

As I sit writing this letter, I find myself in the comforts of the United States of America. We made it in on the 10^th of July and are planning an active agenda of visiting and sharing what is going on in Nicaragua.

We are very excited to announce, that after a year of praying and searching, we have now found and started the process to purchase a building for our ministry needs. The building we found in Diriamba is large enough to house all of our ministry needs (Church, Bible Institute, and Medical Clinic). It is also on a big enough piece of land that, in the future, we can expand.

We signed a contract to rent for 1 year, with the option to purchase the property at the end of that year. We were required to make a $2000 deposit and rent is $300 a month. The total property cost is $52,000. Almost immediately, a ministry-partner, Tree of Life contacted us and informed us that they wanted to cover our first year costs and some remodel costs. We praise God for their generosity.

Now, we are focusing on only $46,400 to complete the purchase. We have set the goal to raise the funds by April. That will allow us some time to prepare and regroup if we are short of the total amount at that time.

The Apostle Paul faced some of the same dilemmas.

Ministry is not free. But, we don’t want to burden the poorest of the poor as we minister to them. In 1 Corinthians 9:18 Paul shares his desire to keep the Gospel “free of charge. ^“What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” One way Paul did this was tent-making, We see in 1 Thessalonians 2:9 “For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” We share the desire to not burden the people of Nicaragua, as we proclaim the majesty of Christ crucified and resurrected to them.

This is the reason for this letter, to allow you to share the burden of the ministry in Nicaragua with us. Or, to put it as Paul did, “To rob you, in order to serve them.”

 2 Corinthians 11:7-8 (ESV) Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached God’s gospel to you free of charge? ⁸ I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.

Those churches, “robbed” by Paul, were happy to do so. I hope you will also count it a privilege as well, to bear one another’s burdens.

 Many of you frequently check our posts and have been joyfully generous in the past. You have allowed us to “rob you” for the sake of preaching the Gospel without charge to the Nicaraguan people. We are so humbled by your generosity.

 I want to ask you to help us as we move forward. We ask that you do it cheerfully, as Paul stated to the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

 Would you consider cheerfully making a one-time donation toward our building purchase?

 · Would you consider setting up monthly giving to help us keep the payroll going and allow us to furnish the medical clinic.

 ·  Another way to help us is to share this and our ministry on your social media outlets.

 Please do not neglect your local church in any way. But, if you have excess for our work in Nicaragua, thanks for considering this possibility. Please keep us in your prayers as we strive to know Christ and make Him known.

April and I want to say thank you in advance to all who will give and help us work to this goal. Also, we are extremely grateful to those who have supported our Christ –exalting work in Nicaragua.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Joel and April Gass Family

www.gassfamilymission.com

gassfamilymission@gmail.com

Come into the Light!

A while back, before we rented our building, we had the pastor training in our house. Every Saturday, a group of guys would come for a 3-4 hour session and April would prepare lunch. More and more men, more and more complications led to us moving to a building that we have now outgrown. This was in the beginning stages of Carazo Bible Institute. In those days, we would watch a video and read scripture, pray and fellowship. As our language abilities have improved, we have been able to get a little more in-depth with the studies. There is still plenty of room for improvement.

I have a friend that gave me a solar powered audio Bible from Renew Outreach. This little Bible is a pretty good resource. We have found that their Kulumi – Solar Powered LED Audio Lamp is cheaper and has the added feature of being a lamp. We now buy these when funds are available. Many of the people we minister to cannot read or write. Illiteracy is a big struggle here. So far, we have distributed about a dozen of the lights and a dozen more of the solar paneled audio Bibles. The lights are the best and use the Faith Comes By Hearing languages. We have even given them to the Indigenous tribes of Miskito Indians on the east coast. Their dialect is an available download.

In one of the beginning Bible Institute meetings, I discovered that one of the guys, Felipe, was somewhat illiterate. He is a night guard and works very hard. Kind of just on a whim and because I had one available, I tossed him one of the audio Bibles. “Here, this is for you,” I said. I showed him how to operate it, how to skip through the chapters and books using the buttons. His face lit up. He was delighted

We didn’t know it, but Felipe committed to memorizing the entire book of Acts. At night, while on guard duty, he would listen to chapter after chapter, hitting the reverse button, repeating the words. During the day, he would lay it in the window seal and let it charge. I am not sure how far he got.

Felipe, Reading his Bible

In the meetings, we read scripture aloud, taking turns. This particular day, we happened to be reading the book of Acts. Felipe was in the circle, with his Bible open. It was coming up to his turn. Many of the men were fidgeting with nervousness, not wanting to embarrass Felipe. As it became Felipe’s turn, to everyone’s astonishment, he began to “read” from the book of Acts. Verse after verse, and then the amazing happened. The power went out. The room was dark. No one could see their hand in from of their face. Felipe continued to recite verse after verse. The inability to see didn’t inhibit his “reading.” Since that day, he has been learning to read. Pray for Felipe and the other men who strive to glorify God.

Please pray for us as we strive to help the Nicaraguan people know God better. Thanks for all you do to help us share the Gospel with the people of Nicaragua!