Smiling Kids in Nicaragua

Hello All,

After re-assembling the School Paks, we traveled to our first distribution for 58 very needy children in a village 40 minutes from Managua. The children were selected as those most deserving and whose parents agreed to follow-thru and send them to school. We sang some songs, Pastor Mike talked about these gifts from friends in the United States in Jesus' name and the team handed them out. After a count to 3, smiles and laughter filled the yard!

Blessings,

Craig

Arrived Safely and Wiped Out!

We made it, everyone safe and tired from flying all night, and all 24 pieces of baggage with the School Paks made it as well! We were met at the airport by our host Dave Waters of Mira Ministries and just checked into the hotel in Managua where we'll be the next two days... after lunch we'll prep some Paks and head out for the first school distribution. The video below is the tubs coming off the plane.

God Bless,

Craig

ON THE WAY!

We're at LAX, checked-in and too excited to sleep! Just talked with our host Dave Waters, who founded Mira Ministries with his wife Pam, and he's already in Managua waiting for us to arrive and begin this amazing journey. Our flight leaves in about 1 hour and hopefully we'll get some rest before the first School Pak distribution Wednesday afternoon.

Thanks again so much for all the support and prayers to make this missions outreach possible!

The McLeod Family

Here's a photo of the Missions Team (minus Diane McLeod) as they're packing and preparing for the journey ahead.

Waiting With Anticipation...

Like Courtney, the minute I heard the Foothill Vineyard was having a missions trip, I knew I would be involved in some huge way! What better way to be involved than to actually go! I have had a missions trip on my heart for some time now, really feeling called to Africa. My heart, however, is for kids, and that is the focus of this upcoming trip. More importantly, this trip will allow us to build relationship with those in Nicaragua, with hopes of going back in the near future, allowing us to see some of the fruits of our labor. Just as the apostle Paul told his brothers and sisters in Christ he would come back to visit them (1 Cor. 16:5-7), the Foothill Vineyard has the same goal in mind, maintaining relationship with our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua. Obviously, Africa is put on hold for the moment, but God has enormous things in store for me, the 12 going on the trip, all those who filled boxes, our entire congregation, and everyone who will be impacted by our presence starting at LAX, all the way to Nicaragua! I want to give a special thanks to everyone who has been involved in this trip: those who filled boxes, those who financially supported our team, and all those who have said even 1 prayer for this trip! We love you all so much and thank God that we have people in our lives who love and support us. Continue to pray for our health and safety, and for the families in Nicaragua. So as of now, 4 days from our departure, we wait with anticipation to see what our Maker has planned out for us! We submit to His will, and follow where He leads us! ALL to His glory!
~In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9~

JOE ESTES

Packing Boxes!

Yesterday our team and some other awesome volunteers got together and packed the boxes for Nicaragua. It was exciting to see all of the boxes in one room and then realize how many kids are going to be blessed through this process. So exciting!

Getting Ready for Nicaragua!

As soon as it was announced that Foothill Vineyard was going to be taking a mission trip, I knew it was something I was going to be involved in. I mentioned it to Greg and he thought it was great for me. We had our first meeting to go over some of the basics, and that is when Greg felt God tugging at his heart. After the meeting we decided God was calling both of us to make this trip to Nicaragua. We were worried at first about the finances and the childcare. We began planning fundraisers to earn money and sent out letters to family and friends to support our mission. Things were coming along slowly but surely. While we were in Big Bear camping with the church a wonderful family voluntered to watch the kids for us while we are gone. This was a HUGE blessing for us and we knew then that things would continue to fall into place. We continued to do fundraisers and we found how generous and supportive people can be. Here we are now 10 days before we leave and the monies have been raised, the kids have a loving place to stay, and Greg and I could not be more excited to see what God has in store for not only our team but these children who's lives are going to change forever. Please pray for our family, our health, our safe travels, and especially our kids while we are gone. 

Thanks,

Greg and Courtney

Steve Riddle Band Benefit Concert

Here are some photos from the Steve Riddle Band's benefit concert at FVC. All proceeds from the concert went toward the mission trip. Special thanks to Karla Walters' family and the Scantlin family for all of their wonderful help with the food. Thanks Steve for the great music!