November Newsletter

November 9, 2012

Friends and Family,

It has been a very busy fall preparing for our move to Nicaragua. Taellor is completing her final semester of high school, Travis and I are finishing up home repairs to prepare it for listing, and we are all tying up loose ends here so we can be “all in” when we arrive at our new home January 1.

To better prepare for his role as Director of Community Development, Travis was able to spend the month of October at H.O.P.E. Central.  We are so grateful to everyone who had a part to play in that answered prayer! When he first told me in May that he felt like God was leading him to spend the month there, I have to admit I was quite skeptical. We knew God would have to make it happen, because it wasn’t at all realistic. Oh, how my faith has grown again and again since we began this journey!

            Throughout October, Travis was able to learn some of the logistics regarding living and working on base. A lot of his time was spent with the Nicaraguan staff learning about their specific ministries and responsibilities. I joined him in Nicaragua during the last week in October to participate in staff meetings and training. We were able to visit the school that Slaton will attend. It is about fifteen minutes from the base and is simply perfect. Only about thirty-percent of the students are from missionary families, and the others are Nicaraguan. We met the students in his class, and one is a red-head with blue eyes!  So, Slaton will fit right in!!!

            In addition to our administrative responsibilities, we will also be privileged to minister to hurting people.  As Director of Women’s Ministries, I will be teaching and mentoring women in several outreaches. In October, a new opportunity arose. We visited a ministry that offers rehabilitation to women and children who are literally slaves to prostitution and brothels in the area. Friends, the stories from this place will break your heart…they break mine again and again. The ministry holds a Tuesday morning outreach to those who are actively involved in prostitution. They have worship and Bible study, and, at the end, they divide into small groups and make jewelry and cards. As a motivator to keep coming, a small wage is given for their work. As I was leaving the site, I was asked if I would consider teaching a weekly worship, Bible study, and craft to the girls ages 13-17. There are typically 70 of them. My mind immediately went to our daughter who is 17…our daughter whom we have loved and protected all her life…and, yet, there are 70 daughters here who aren’t being protected…who aren’t being loved…who haven’t been able to just be girls. In February, I will begin a small group (with 70, I know!!!).  Taellor and Claudia (who will translate for me until I learn the language) will help.  I have been praying, “God, where can I reach those who are seemingly unreachable?” And He answered.

            As we get closer to our move on January 1, we ask for continued prayer. We also invite you to give financially if you feel burdened to do so. All of our support will be funneled through the Project H.O.P.E. office in Springfield and is tax-deductible. For those who have asked about specific financial needs, we are currently trying to raise support to cover Slaton’s school expenses. There is a $3,000 entry fee in addition to the $270/month tuition. Checks can be made out and sent to Project H.O.P.E., 1419 S. Enterprise Avenue, Springfield, MO  65804.  Attn: Stearns Family.  If you would like to set up electronic payments, they can be made by calling the Springfield office at (417) 866-4673.

            After we arrive in-country, we will be blogging and Facebooking daily.  We want to literally bring you into the people’s lives that we encounter so we walk together through this ministry to which God has called us.  For those who want to get a closer look, we hope to see you serving with us in Nicaragua on a short-term mission trip!

In His Hands,

The Stearns (Travis, Tammy, Devon, Taellor and Slaton)