Stonebridge Christian Church, your generous gift to plant a church in Nicaragua has culminated in the completion of Mi Fortaleza and a special inauguration ceremony in January to celebrate the new church and child development center. Thank you for joining Compassion and the mother church to build Mi Fortaleza in an Indigenous community. The spacious, safe and comfortable facilities draw the community for worship, outreach and discipleship activities and prayer.
“The church was surprised because families from the community and even from neighboring communities are attending Sunday services,” said Ana, program director of the new child development center. “The opportunity we have to host people and preach the gospel is incomparable, and I think church membership will grow significantly. The community welcomed the construction of the new facilities because, for many years, they have longed for a safe and resistant building to withstand storms and rains. The church has opened their doors to all families because God is our refuge and strength.”
Pictured above: Yeseyling is learning to find direction for her life in God’s Word. See her interview below.
Celebrating Mi Fortaleza
Compassion’s national director in Nicaragua joined Pastor Adela of the mother church and Pastor Dominga of the daughter church to lead the Jan. 12, 2024, inauguration ceremony of Mi Fortaleza church and child development center. Church members, registered children and their families, and community members gathered for a profoundly moving time of praise, testimonials, a special presentation by the children, a reflection on God’s Word and the consecration of the church. The ceremony was followed by refreshments and an invitation to tour the new facilities.
Mi Fortaleza celebrates its opening and welcomes the community to tour its premises.
Pastors Adela and Dominga conduct the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the church.
Parents, children, church members and guests receive a warm welcome from Pastor Adela at the inauguration event.
Pastor Dominga leads the opening prayer and Bible reading.
Families explore the new classroom pavilion (left), kitchen (center) and church sanctuary (right).
Impact of Your Gift
We are coworkers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. — 1 Corinthians 3:9, NIV
With much prayer, effort and dedication — and despite unavoidable delays caused by weather and rising construction costs — Mi Fortaleza construction has been completed and church and program center activities are fully underway.
Today, 150 children are registered and attending Mi Fortaleza’s new child development center three days a week. There they have an opportunity to grow physically, socially, academically and spiritually.
“Since the opening of the three classrooms, the children have been very enthusiastic and attentive to the tutors’ instructions,” Program Director Ana said. “I have observed spiritual growth in them, primarily in prayer, reading the Bible, and learning Bible verses.
“Another impact is that the facilities offer safety, comfort and adequate sanitation, and these conditions are uncommon in the community.”
Child Development Program Director Ana is thankful for the children’s eagerness to learn.
Participants send greetings as they listen to Psalm 63:4: “I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”
Children line up for refreshments at the new child development center.
An Interview With Yeseyling
What was your life like before the church and center were built?
It was very uncomfortable. We had to walk a long way to get to class, and sometimes we couldn’t go when it rained. It was difficult to concentrate with so many interruptions from being outdoors.
How has your life changed?
I feel excited because I have the opportunity to share joyful moments with my classmates and I am committed to learning many Bible verses. Our classrooms are safe and very close to our community, which encourages us to always be in our classes. I really like that the classrooms are spacious.
What will this change mean for your future?
It is very important because I want to put my gifts and talents into practice. My mother can rest easy because the church takes care of us at all times and I feel good here. My mom says that the church’s name, “My Fortress,” tells us that God takes care of us and protects us.
What have you learned from this intervention?
I have learned two lessons: first, that Jesus loves children; second, that prayer opens doors of blessing for everyone.
Yeseyling, far right, gathers with other children to explore one of their new classrooms.
With Gratitude
“You have been a reflection of God’s love to us. In our church, we always pray for you, your families and your projects. The Word of God affirms that the Lord will bless everything you put your hands to (Deuteronomy 28:8), and this promise will be abundantly fulfilled in your lives.” — Program Director Ana
Stonebridge Christian Church, thank you so much for joining a small struggling group of believers in Nicaragua to help them build Mi Fortaleza church and Compassion-assisted child development center in their community. You have made an incredible impact in many lives. May God richly bless you!
