Prayer Letters
Here are our prayer letters that we write every three months. If you are not on our email list and would like to receive these letters, please sign up today. Enjoy reading!
June 1, 2005
Dear Friends and Family,
On April 1 st Thomas and I woke up to discover that we had now experienced what many missionaries and families have experienced here in Nicaragua – being broken into in the middle of the night. The guys had cut through barbed wire and climbed over the cement wall and then proceeded to cut through the bars on the front windows. Once inside, they took a small cd/tape player, a nice pair of Thomas’ shoes, a PowerPoint projector that I had borrowed just the night before, and my brand new laptop that was lying right next to my bed while I slept. To say the least it was not a fun experience. And, unfortunately I have been struggling ever since trying to sleep peacefully at night.
But if there is one thing that I have learned during my time in Nicaragua, where life for many people is quite rough (safety issues, poverty, unemployment, health problems, etc.) is that even in the down times we have to remember all the positive times as well. So while experiencing a break-in while we slept and dealing with the fear of it happening again and later dealing with recurring parasite infections, I cannot let myself forget all the awesome things that God has done lately!
At the sports center, a basketball court was built by a college team from USC in March, and we have recently finished painting it. It has been a real draw for many of the young guys in the surrounding neighborhoods. We also found out just last week that the issue of someone claiming rights to part of the sports center property has been dropped (a common problem here), so we are clear to continue development in that area! This summer we are looking forward to four teams coming to partner with us in all that God is doing. We have begun construction on a media center/library and hope to raise enough funds to continue building a couple of classrooms. With my scholarship program, I have recently received a donation specifically for university students and am currently helping five students in their continuing studies and hope to be able to support two or three more.
On a personal note, Thomas applied for his US visa in order to be able to come to California in December and first of all, it was granted. Then we had to wait a couple of days to get his passport back to find out for how many years the visa was granted (for most first timers, one year is normal). He received a 10-year visa!!! As for me, a small dream of mine has come true in that I have begun to design and make my own Nicaraguan postcards from the many pictures I have taken of the beauty in this country. And then we received a special surprise when we found out that my parents decided to come down for a visit at the end of May.
God clearly says in His Word that “even though I will walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil” (Psalm 23:4). Sometimes it is hard to trust that Word; and yet at other times nothing can even compare to that Word, and there is nothing but trust. I want to thank so many of you that have been praying faithfully for Thomas and me in these past couple of months. Also huge thanks for those that have helped me financially in order to purchase a new laptop to replace the one that was stolen. May God bless you abundantly and remember to count your blessings!
Seeking Him for life,
Amanda Gutierrez
"dale una luz a los que aman tanto vivir en Nicaragua."
~ Guardabarranco (Nicaraguan duo)