Canadians support Nicaraguan deaconesses’ workshop

NICARAGUA  – From March 10-13, more than 40 deaconesses of Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) partner church, the Iglesia Luterana Sínodo de Nicaragua (ILSN), gathered for a workshop on domestic violence in Chinandega. The conference was funded through the support of LCC churches in the Kitchener area of Ontario.

The seminar was spread over three days, with each day having a separate focus of its own. During the first day, participants discussed the issue of family violence. In addition to learning how to identify victims of domestic violence, a local police officer joined the workshop on the first day to explain Nicaraguan law regarding domestic violence. On the second day, the deaconesses turned their attention to the issue of divorce—its causes and consequences, its impact on children, how it can be avoided, and how to strengthen marriages.

The third day saw the workshop focus on the heart of the matter: forgiveness. “To grow in adversities,” the workshop program notes, “one must forgive with humility.” Participants discussed the nature of forgiveness, how to forgive, and the benefits God works through forgiveness.

The Nicaraguan deaconesses were joined by a group of women from Faith Lutheran Church (Kitchener, Ontario) as well as by Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s Jennifer Ardon. The Canadian women led some sessions while the Nicaraguan women led others. On the final day, the Canadians treated the deaconesses to lunch at the coast.

These women were part of a larger team from Faith Lutheran in Kitchener visiting Nicaragua from March 6-14. During the first part of the trip, the Canadian team helped paint a church building in Telica. While the women in the delegation joined the deaconesses’ conference, the other Canadian participants continued to work on the church in Telica, including beginning laying floor tiles. During the final day of their trip, the group travelled to Rancheria where they met with the ILSN’s President, Rev. Marvin Donaire.

According to Nicaragua’s Mission Centre Manager, Roberto José, the seminar was the best the ILSN’s deaconesses have held. He noted the deaconesses’ thanks to Canadian Lutherans for making the workshop possible.

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