Years of Progress

For years TSC has been partnering with those in Nicaragua and has had many opportunities to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the people.  Many lives have been impacted simply by church members who have sacrificed their time to show the love of Jesus.  Through the support of an organization called Chosen Children Ministries, TSC has been a part of bringing the gospel to Nicaragua and helped in the process of raising up leaders.  Here is a summary of what has happened in various cities the past few years: 

In October of 2007 a team added on a mission house at Casa Mepheboseth Orphanage in Juigalpa, Nicaragua.  A year later another team was able to construct a kitchen and staff quarters at Mission complex in Leon.

In May of 2009 a Bible institute was built on the Mission complex to help equip local leadership.  In the following year of 2010 TSC members were able to build a church in another town called Emmanuel.  This team not only provided a building but a Pastor of this church was  provided a salary for an entire year! 

This past year in May of 2011 a team built another Bible institute at CCM headquarters in Masaya. Hopefully this institute will be a blessing to those who wish to have further training the the Bible.  TSC would like to thank all of those who were willing to go to Nicaragua and meet the needs of fellow believers who do not have church buildings or places to meet.  It is truly amazing to see how simply providing these needs could change lives. 

Marked Hands

By Wade Bartlett

God has marked every one of us.  He does this as a personal reminder of his love for us.   God chose to mark his own Son's hands.  But why?  Does he do it so we will recognize Jesus in heaven?   Did God do it for Jesus' disciples?  Thomas could not believe in the resurrection until he physically saw and touched the marks in Jesus' hands.  James was a pillar for Jesus only after he saw him alive after the resurrection.  God gave us his laws through Moses, and then sent his Son to not only teach, but be sacrificed as the perfect lamb across the alter of atonement for our sins.  He was marked, and killed, in order to make us holy in God's eyes.

He marked my hands over 2 weeks ago on a mission trip.   I was humbled enough to be God's hands for him in Nicaragua.  In turn, he marked my hands with blisters and scars as a permanent reminder of God's love for me.   The wounds have yet to heal, but do I want them to.   When I rub my hands together, I feel Christ's suffering for me, and for those, who do not know him.   Jesus' marks were not healed through the resurrection.   Do I want mine to heal?  Should we ever want God's marks to heal?  God made a commitment to me on a Cross and I made a commitment to him in prayer and baptism.   Only through Christ's marks, can we come to God.   So I ask again, do I want my hands to heal.  I say no.  Remind me daily Oh Lord to never forget the love you have for me.  You allowed a sinner to go and be your hands and feet in a far away land.   Scar my hands forever, if it is what I need as a constant reminder to live for you.

(In May, TSC sent a team of guys to build a Bible Institute. They finished in 3 days. TSC has partnered with Chosen Children Ministries since 1999 to share the Gospel in Nicaragua, and will continue to do so by sending a team in Fall 2011, through the GOCTW offering which provided over $10k for trip costs and construction, and by sponsoring kids individually who need our help.)