As I sit to write this, my heart is overflowing. There are moments in life when words fall short, when the weight of God’s presence is so near, so tangible, that human language cannot fully contain it. This is one of those moments.

What God has accomplished through this recent Vacation Bible School (VBS) in Matagalpa is beyond anything we could have orchestrated on our own. It was His hand, His love, His Spirit moving among the children, the families, and even within our own hearts. And none of it would have been possible without the prayers, the support, and the faithfulness of those who stood with us—of those who, like you, chose to partner in the work of the Gospel.

“Let the little children come to me…”

Each day of VBS felt like stepping onto holy ground. The air was filled with the laughter of children, but beyond the surface joy, there was something deeper—hope taking root in hearts that had long been weary. I will never forget the moment a little boy, no older than six, looked at me with tears brimming in his eyes and whispered, “I’ve never heard of Jesus loving me like this before.” The simplicity of his words carried an eternal weight. It was as if, in that moment, the heavens leaned down, and Psalm 145:18 came to life before my eyes: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

And then came the final day—perhaps the most powerful of all. Families gathered, many for the first time, watching as their children sang songs of praise and recited the Scriptures they had learned. Among them stood a man who had kept his distance all week. I had seen him linger on the outskirts, arms crossed, observing but never engaging. But that evening, something changed. He quietly pulled me aside, struggling to find the words before finally saying, “I didn’t expect to feel anything. But I feel… something changing in me.” Can you imagine that? A hardened heart, softened by the presence of God. A life touched, not by eloquence or programs, but by the simple, relentless love of Christ.

The Power of Faithfulness

Hebrews 10:24 urges us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” This is what you have done. Your prayers, your encouragement, your belief in this mission have stretched across borders and oceans, bringing the light of Christ into places long shrouded in darkness. Every meal shared, every Bible story told, every song of praise lifted up—it all bears witness to the power of God working through the faithfulness of His people.

I wish I could show you every moment of joy, every tear of transformation, every face that radiated with the newfound hope of Jesus. While I can only include a few photos here, we are creating a special gallery on our website so you can see with your own eyes what your faithfulness has made possible.

A New Door, A New Mission

As I reflect on all that has happened, my heart is filled not only with gratitude but with expectation. The same God who moved in Matagalpa is calling us forward. Ahead lies a new door—one that leads to the remote village of Santa Marta, a place so isolated that it can only be reached by crossing a river. There is no electricity, barely any access to clean water, and a level of need that feels overwhelming. We will be serving two elderly individuals, a family with special needs, and a small school filled with eager children and dedicated teachers who lack even the most basic resources.

The challenges ahead are great, but our God is greater. He has already gone before us, preparing the way, just as He has done before. And I believe with all my heart that He will continue to use people like you—faithful, obedient, and willing—to bring His light into the most forgotten corners of the earth.

The Invitation to Go Further

Thank you. Thank you for standing with me, for believing in this mission, and for being part of something so much bigger than ourselves. If you feel led to continue this journey—through prayer, encouragement, or giving—please know that you are making an eternal impact. What we do here on earth is but a shadow of the glory to come, but every act of faithfulness here echoes into eternity.

May we never grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). The harvest is plentiful, the laborers are few—but together, by His grace, we press on.

With all my love and gratitude, your missionary friend,
Shane