Welcome to the Van Zoest family blog: Nica Update: News bits

Nicaragua Christian Academy web site: www.nca.edu.ni/

Our mailing address:

Dan and Lisa Van Zoest

Nicaragua Christian Academy

Apartado 842

Managua, Nicaragua, Central America

Dear Family and Friends,

This update is a bit of this and a bit of that. It includes things that our kids have written; and update from Dan regarding the developing vision for the new school in Matagalpa; prayer requests; and pictures at the end. Thank you again for your interest in this journey. Dan and I continue to be amazed that after 3 years, people continue to walk with us so faithfully. Our 3 year anniversary of living and serving in Nicaragua will be October 29.

From the Hearts of Rebekah and Will: (permission given to share this with you)

The following was written by Rebekah last year for a school assignment: When I moved to Nicaragua, it was hard because I had to leave a lot of my friends. I had to choose what toys I wanted to keep and which ones I wanted to sell. We had to sell our house and give away a lot of stuff. It was very sad, but I knew that God had told my parents He wanted us to go to Nicaragua. I moved to my grandparents house. We lived there for awhile and then we came to Nicaragua on two planes.

The following was written in Rebekah's journal this year: It is called "Nicaragua". Nicaragua is an amazing place to live. It is always warm but never really cold. There are colors all year round. The winter months are cool. But, Nicaragua is still not cold. This wintery time of year is when the poinsettias bloom bright and show their beauty to the world. In the wet season, the trees, grass, flowers, and plants are all shades of green. Things grow like crazy till the dry season begins. Then, it is time to take out the watering can. The dry season brings good things as well like not as many mosquitoes or no more flash floods. There is no fall where leaves turn colors and fall to the ground. But, Nicaragua is still an amazing place to live.

The following was written by Will last year. His assignment was to write out his personal testimony to share with boys and girls in the community of Jinotepe (an hour from Managua). When I was young, I was very influenced by my teachers and my parents. My sister received Jesus before me so she helped too. I remember that I thought I was in God's family even though I was not. I remember life was confusing to me back then. It was like I was a pebble that got kicked and stomped on. It was like I was alive on the outside but I was dead on the inside. I remember just crying for no reason because of that. I don't really remember exactly when I received Christ but I know that life after that was wonderful. I started asking questions like "How big is God?" and "Where is heaven?" After I received Christ I was really curious. One day my parents told me we were going to Nicaragua. At first, I was scared but after awhile I felt God tell me to think of it as an opportunity to tell people about my faith. So I stopped being afraid and started feeling that God was calling me here too. I guess He was alright because I'm right here telling you my testimony. A story in my life that really struck me is when I was littler. That story tells you why my life verse is Romans 8:28. My testimony is still going today.

*** There were some who asked us last summer whether we were planning to continue with Nicaragua Christian Academy given that we had initially made a 3 year commitment. And the answer is that we are planning to continue for as long as we feel a sense of calling to continue. Reflected in our kids' writing is a "settledness" with life here and this is truly how each one of us feels – that this is our home and that God has called us and continues to call us to be here.

Dan's update: NCA Matagalpa - school # 3

We are thankful to God for the opportunity to build a new school in Matagalpa, Nicaragua!

From the time NCA English was birthed, there was a desire to see education with a Christian foundation spread throughout the country of Nicaragua. We are now able to see how God is at work fulfilling that vision.

In 1991, 20 years ago, Nicaragua Christian Academy was founded with two teachers and seven students. In 2005 a second school, NCA Nejpa, was established. Since that time we have seen tremendous growth at both of these schools. NCA English grew to include over 300 students and NCA Nejapa has grown to over 325 students. We are also hoping to build a second set of Elementary classrooms at NCA Nejapa, which would enable the school to have two classes of each of the elementary grades.

Earlier this year a donor from the U.S. made it possible for NCA to purchase over 10 acres of land in the city of Matagalpa, which is about two hours north of where we live. On September 7th, I travelled to the city of Matagalpa to be a part of the first advisory board meeting for the school. God pulled together a great group of individuals from Matagalpa who will be participating in the process of getting the new school up and running. This group includes a number of pastors, a college professor, local business men, and a number of others.

Our group was able to meet again on October 7th. We talked about the many details that need to come together for the school to open in 2013 and we were able to join together in prayer at the new property.

Please join us in praying for:

o Wisdom for the advisory committee as we continue to work on the details of the new school.

o The provision of a Director for the school

o To be able to identify, hire and train godly teachers and staff

o That God would be preparing the hearts and minds of our future students

o The many details related to the construction of the school including operating and building permits, electricity, excavation, and building

o Additional financial support and church teams to help with the construction of the school

It's an exciting time for Nicaragua Christian Academy! We are looking forward to seeing how God will work in the details of the construction and establishment of the NCA Matagalpa school.

Thank you so much for your love and support of our family, God uses you in so many ways to encourage us!

Prayer Requests:

1) Marriages – We received the very sad news two weeks ago that one of Will's very good friends was leaving Nicaragua to return to the States due to his parents experiencing marital difficulties. We are reminded again of how intentional we need to be in our marriages. We, along with another couple who pastor a church, are planning to offer a marriage conference for the missionary community and English speaking Nicaraguan community in February. Please pray for the marriages of missionaries and for us as we discern God's leading in regard to this conference.

2) Political Stability – In November, presidential elections will be held. It is very possible that the elections will not be fair or peaceful. Please pray for protection and for God's Hand to direct the course of the elections.

3) Our Family – I will write more about this at another time, but one change in our family life is that I am now home schooling the kids. This decision was not the result of a negative experience at NCA – in fact, last year was our kids' best year academically and socially. This decision was made in response to a sense of calling that it was time to return to home schooling for another season. God has been so faithful to confirm this direction again and again – our kids' contentment with home schooling being one way that God has confirmed this. Please pray for wisdom and for self-discipline for me as their Mom and teacher and for God to touch the hearts of our kids through the rich conversations that we are able to enjoy as we live and experience life together.

4) Discipleship – I, Lisa, continue to be involved with discipling kids at NCA. These kids are now 5^th and 6^th graders and are moving through a transitional stage of their lives. I continue to find them open to hearing and learning and God has given me such a deep, passionate love for them. I was also asked to represent the Elementary School on the Spiritual Life Committee – a committee that intentionally addresses the spiritual needs of our students. Please pray for our students – that they would be open both to receiving salvation and exercising surrender in their daily lives – and for those of us who are in relationship with them – that we too would live lives of surrender to Christ.

Thank you once again for your support, your love, and your encouragement. We are so aware that we are not alone, aware that we are prayed for, and aware that others are invested in what is happening in Nicaragua. We are humbled by your faithfulness. Thank you so very much.

Included are pictures below of ministry and family events.

Peace to you,

Dan, Lisa (the writer), Rebekah, and Will Van Zoest

Pictured here is the Administrative team (minus Dan who is taking the picture), the Department heads of Elementary and High School, and Student Council members at a quarterly Admin meeting. Students and faculty are invited to the Admin. meetings on a quarterly basis to share their thoughts about how things are going at NCA from their perspective.

Pictured here is the meeting Dan referred to that took place in Matagalpa in regard to the new school.

A picture of the property where the Matagalpa school will be built.

Nicaragua is so beautiful. Another picture of the property.

In September, our family went on a hike with the Boy Scouts at a reforestation reserve. We learned many things about the trees and animals in the forest. Half way through the tour, we were told that there were coral snakes and killer African bees in the forest!

We had a great guide who had the challenging task of keeping our attention on a sweltering hot day.

Following the tour, the Boy Scouts and a number of US Embassy workers planted over 50 trees. Here is Will planting one.

These trees were planted on September 11, the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Here is Rebekah planting hers.

Rebekah and Will are now taking guitar lessons from our new friend, Antonio, who comes to our house to teach them. It amazes me how well the kids can understand his Spanish as he talks very fast.

Antionio and Will

Pictured here is Rebekah participating in her class's Independence Day Presentation. Each class in Upper Elementary, Jr. High, and High School gives a presentation on some aspect of Nicaragua's history. Since Rebekah takes Spanish at NCA, she was able to participate.

Her class actually won the "Best Presentation" prize - a pizza party!

Posing like a true Nica girl.

Pictured here is one of the High School classes. They do their presentations for the Elementary and make it quite fun for them.

Then, everyone dances - even the teachers and administrative team. This is the first year Dan has danced and he did a great job.

The dance was the most complicated dance the teachers have had to do, some of the teachers commented. Dan needed to juggle using a mask, a hat, and a morrocca!