LCC congregations hold VBS, workshops in Nicaragua

NICARAGUA – In November 2023, 248 children at Vacation Bible School events and 60 women at Advent workshops from six Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (ILSN) churches greeted a 2023 Nicaragua mission team that included five members of Faith Lutheran in Kitchener, Ontario, along with two members from Messiah Lutheran in Waterloo and Concordia Lutheran in Fonthill. 

Women from two northern ILSN churches construct wreaths for home devotions.

VBS events in Rivas and La Pita began after the weekly worship service. Children and adults enjoyed an opening with their pastor and deaconess followed by guest speaker Deaconess Carmen Martinez, who presented a lesson on the child king Josiah. Then the children rotated through four 20-minute sessions including Music; Craft 1 with a snack; Games; and Craft 2. The event concluded with fellowship featuring pizza, a drink, and a pinata. The three VBS events in Granada used the same format and were mid-week, after-school events. 

Rain proved to be a problem, with the event in La Pita partially postponed by two weeks. Nightfall at 6:00 p.m. and impending safety concerns shortened the VBS events in Granada. But, thanks to God, these setbacks did not affect the overall purpose for the events—nor did they prevent children from having fun!

Food hampers are delivered to local residents.

During the second week, the Canadian group travelled to two communities north of Chinandega to run test events called Advent workshops. Pastors in La Joya and Villa Quinze de Julio delved into the history and background of Advent with their thirty participants. The women were served cake, fruit, and a drink before they constructed Advent wreaths. A kit of four weekly devotions and a nativity craft for moms to make with their children equipped families for a new and fun Advent season.

Since God blessed the 2023 Nicaragua Mission with funding which exceeded the cost for the seven events, the team was further able to gift ILSN congregations with 240 food hampers and eight sound systems.

Events like these in Nicaragua are only possible because of the coordinated efforts of ILSN pastors, deaconesses, and Mission Centre staff working alongside Canadian teammates. Organizers thank all those who supported the 2023 November team. At all levels, Lutheran Church–Canada’s international and domestic missions depend on God’s plan for His children—participants, prayer partners, and financial supporters—working together. 

Jane Ford

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Cover photo: Sound systems for local congregations.

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