There was a newsletter written during this trip which you might want to read first--click here.

For the newsletter prior to this trip, click here.

TRIP REPORT – NICARAGUA AND HONDURAS – JULY 2 TO 21, 2008

This ministry trip has been the longest and one of the most complicated because of flight problems, delayed luggage, etc. But in spite of losing several days of planned ministry activities, and the burdensome stress of having the hard disk on my laptop crash mid-trip, the Lord blessed the trip beyond what I could have imagined. The challenges experienced phased into insignificance in comparison with the fruits reaped.

NICARAGUA PORTION OF THE TRIP

León – I had the privilege of starting a new Centre in León. The 45 students here represent my largest Study Centre to date. They eagerly received a course on Hermeneutics and one of the students has already made plans to start a group in his home town, Jinotepe, about two hours from this Centre.

Managua – I have been in touch with a Reformed Church here over the last several years. During this trip I met with 12 students who received an orientation to MINTS and have committed themselves to starting a Centre and receiving their first course during my next ministry trip to Nicaragua.

Estelí I have been helping students from this Centre with a prison ministry in their community administered by Crossroads Bible Institute. They experienced a temporary setback due to a change in prison directors, but I just received an email saying that this week their ministry was reviewed and approved once again.

Puerto Cabezas – I taught “Doctrines of Grace” during this visit. This group has now received ten MINTS courses and they are experiencing more consistent student attendance. They are showing tremendous maturity in their course work and in the leadership in their churches and in the community.

Hurricane Felix Project – I visited the village (two hour boat ride) where four MINTS Students are working with the rebuilding of homes and related community re-establishment projects under the administration of Word & Deed Ministries. In spite of obstacles, they are making progress in the project.

Managua Prison Ministry Centre – Due to security issues in the prison the planned conference was cancelled. The students here are eagerly studying, but have unique circumstances that make their study progress and coordination with them rather difficult. I am linking them with Crossroads Bible Institute.

HONDURAS PORTION OF THE TRIP

My visit to Honduras was cut short because of flight problems. I was able to make a brief visit to leaders of three of the centres to coordinate plans for the next visit. One new Centre was established in San Pedro Sula. The Centre in Puerto Lempira (indigenous Miskito population) has been experiencing some growing pains. During the visit I was able to provide encouragement and they are currently studying their third course with 17 students. I have scheduled a 10-day visit in September to attend all five Honduras Study Centres.

Financial Update: The HCM committee treasurer reports that the funding for the ministry is critical at this point. We continue to trust the Lord for His financial blessing through your generous donations.

Rev. Eric Pennings,

Miami International Seminary (MINTS)

Central America Regional Coordinator

Canadian Donations: Hispanic Christian Ministry, c/o Covenant Reformed Church, 265 Albion Road,

Toronto, Ontario    M9W 3P1

US Donations: Hispanic Christian Ministry, c/o Faith United Reformed Church, 8270 120^th Ave.,

West Olive, Michigan   49460