When I wrote of the developing needs last week because of the above average rainfall in Nicaragua this year, there were problems. Thanks to all that responded both in prayers and financial support. But, our greatest concerns were for what was ahead and those concerns are now a reality as Tropical Storm Matthew drops heavy rain in Northern Nicaragua and here in Jinotega. As President Ortega stated, Those rains will bring additional problems for all of Nicaragua that is already suffering from above average rainfall.

On Friday, Sept 24th, the mission's emergency response team, Doctor Judith, Porfirio, Alberto and Sergio met to develop a response plan. Doctor Judith is our representative to the Regional Emergency Team and provided information from that meeting to assist our team in their planning.

Our response is not only for the Northern region but also for the areas around Lake Managua, Tipitapa and Granada. All three Quick read more or view full article of these areas have been hard hit by the problem of above average rainfall this year.

Our immediate response will be for food, emergency shelter and medicine. We will be working with different congregations for them to be able to use their building for shelters as needed. As soon as we can travel we will be sending a group to the area around San Andres on the Rio Coco.

Because of the support already received we can continue to move forward with initial plans. We need your help today in both prayers and financial support to respond to the needs of the people affected by the latest heavy rain.

Your financial support can be sent to Misión Para Cristo, Highway Church of Christ, 128 Highway Church Lane, Judsonia, AR 72081 (Marked Rains) or an immediate secure contribution can be made through PayPal on our web site: www.misionparacristo.com

Thanks for all your support and encouragement in our efforts for Nicaragua.

Because of Him,

Benny Read Less

July 17th we hosted in Managua the 6th Uplift Nicaragua with 1,558 in attendance from 84 congregations. Also, the 17th we had the final round of competition in the Bible Bowl (Tazon Biblicia). This is the second year we've held the Bible Bowl here in Nicaragua. There were 75 congregations that participated in the regional competition in May with 15 teams advancing to the final. The winner this year was the team from Ciudad Sandino. The team from Jinotega placed 3rd in the finals.

A special thanks to the support of all that makes these two activities in Nicaragua possible.

This has been the most rain I have seen in Nicaragua over the last 10 years. The official report is that presently it is the third on record.

Needs continues to develop on a daily bases.

This weekend we opened the building in Apanas for those whose homes had flooded around Lake Apanas. We presently have over 25 families with over 100 adults and children living in the building. We are working with the major's office that has provided mattresses but the church/mission is providing food and etc. There is a post on Facebook of a video Sergio sent to me on the people in the building in Apanas. Tomorrow Doctor Pena will be going out to do a review on the health of those there. There may be a need to open part of our bed space at the church/mission to provide shelter, especially for mothers with small children.

We don't know Quick read more or view full article what the next step is going to be (In Managua, over 2,000 people have been placed in shelters because of the flooding of Lake Managua). With the flooding we are seeing the loss of the food crops (the rain may be a blessing to this year's coffee harvest). According to the La Prensa this morning, the weather forecasters are sayings that the worst is yet to come. And they are predicting more rain in September and October.

We are moving on a container of food with Hunger Plus and hope to have that finalized this week. The food has been donated, we just have to pay for the shipping. of 270,000 plus meals.

Presently we don't know the extend of the help that will be required. But, I am writing to you today to ask for your prayers for this developing problem in Nicaragua.

I have been in the states for a few weeks and I am returning to Nicaragua today and will know more about the situation and especially the needs in our immediate area tomorrow.

Please share this need and prayer request to others.

Thanks for your prayers....Benny Read Less