Buenos a Todos!  Espero que les encuentran con bien.  Hey to all!  I hope you are well. We are send greetings and hugs from hot Leon, Nicaragua.  9 months ago I posted an update here!  Wow and oops.  Since then much has happened here in Leon and all around the world.  In a life with so much uncertainty, turmoil, strife, destruction, and sadness God is still present.  Work towards His Kingdom is being done all around the world.  It is a beautiful reminder to hear about and see the good that is being done so that we may continue to cling to the hope we have faith in.  Let us look for the good in the midst of strife.

Not matter where life calls us to live, there will be hard moments.  This move to Nicaragua has been no different, but God is proving the hardships to be heart changing.  At first glance, it seems like most people’s lives here are hard, sad, and maybe even a bit hopeless, but when you look closer, you realize the majority push forward in happiness and desire better.   The Nica people are strong and resilient.  They know how to make due and live so differently from our norm.  The saying, ‘where there is a will, there is a way,’ can definitely be seen in this country.  Normally, I am so quick to question and doubt when confronted with difficult situations.  They are quick to continue moving forward and finding solutions even amidst the hot, humid, sweaty norm.    Rarely, do I hear complaining from the locals.  They have shown and continue to show me grace from all my quejas! (complaints) as I try to settle in their country.  As a family, we are being humbled.  Seeing injustice is hard, but it is nowhere near as difficult as being part of the injustice.  God didn’t intend for the brokenness.  I am so thankful for the people here here and around the world that are working and living to help provide justice.

What an encouragement and privilege it has been to see the work that SuNica is involved in.   Since day one, Seth has integrated into the SuNica staff nicely.  He hasn’t hesitated jumping in on the hands on work in the hot sun.  He has found a place working alongside the locals and helping keep them motivated on what needs to happen next.   Both projects he is helping oversee for SuNica are moving forward.  God keeps providing here in Nicaragua as well as in the United States where funds are so generously given!  

This past June, the ground was finally cleared for the community center in El Limonal.  Now there is a beautiful fence around the property, walls are up and pipes are laid for the bathrooms, and the footers for the covered structure are dug.  I am going to insert a prayer request here.  A Nicaraguan man named Toño, who is working on the community center, has contracted an infection that is affecting him on a great scale.  Due to the procedure the doctors are performing his life will be forever affected.  

The water project in San Carlos broke ground two weeks ago.  This project has been in the works for more than a year so the locals are organized, motivated, and ready to work.  Two different companies have also donated equipment to help dig for the piping.  This has made life much easier.   I have heard that the first water project SuNica helped facilitate in El Porvenir was completed by hand during a drought!  It is the rainy season now, so this group is experiencing the opposite with trying to keep up with the machine while working in thick mud.  There is much work to be done in this project, however, for this community they are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  This community has lived a life without running water in their homes.  Everyday they must go looking for water sources for cooking and cleaning!  I truly can’t imagine the anticipation they are feeling!

Thanks for reading!  Please don’t hesitate to contact us about anything!    Love, The Pierces