Tim Leitner, Ambassador to Nicaragua
Jill Leitner, Department Leader

About La Chureca:

Approximately 1,200 people live in the city dump (La Chureca) in Managua, Nicaragua.  Those who live there deal with extreme poverty, prostituation of children and women, substance abuse, and unsanitary living conditions.  They also live with a poverty of spirit which leaves them hopeless and dry.

In the fall of 2007, God called warriors Pastor Ramon and Miraiam, to minister to the broken in the dump.  In December, a dream for Eastside Church was realized.  A church was planted.  In just a few months the church has been able to start bringing hope where there wasn't any.  Well over 100 people attend services each week and tere are several home groups poised in ministry.

During this last year, we discovered that there are many ministries that have linked with Pastor Ramon and Miriam.  All participating ministries strive to bring healing and freedom to equip the community from the dump with real skills and opportunities for future jobs and a life apart from the dump.

Young girls who were sold into prostitution by their parents are now asking to be rescued from the dump, by a ministry begun in 2007.  Casa Havilah provides continual safety to these extremely abused young girls.  Additionally, the house mothers educate the girls in areas of social skills, general studies and most imporantly, they bring hope and healing through Christ.

NICAHOPE brings aid to teenaged boys and girls from the dump by teaching them marketable skills such as jewelry making and belt and basket weaving.  These beautiful works of art are sold quarterly at local art shows.  While each crafter must pay for his or her supplies, they are also rewarded with the proceeds to bring an income into the home.

How can you help or become involved?  If you were on a team to Nicarague this past year consider leading a team in 2009, if you've yet to go and discover how God is using these vital ministries, join an outgoing team to Nicaragua this year, attend the World Impact Breakfast in January, support the mentioned ministries by purchasing one or more of the beautifully handcrafted pieces of art, or donate to La Chureca.  (Select the box marked "La Chureca" on the offering envelope). For more information speak to Tim or Jill Leitner at 503-542-0451 or email: jill@eastsidechurch.net.

December 2008 marked the one year ministry of the dump for Ramon and Miriam.  Our team of Tim and Jill Leitner, Elane Frisk, Carol McDowell, and Cheryl Morton visited the dump to further the relationship with its residents. 

Letter From Miriam Baca to Cheryl, a Nicaragua Missions Leader,

I was excited to hear from you when I received your letter. It's a blessing for us to hear that you are coming to walk and pray with the people of Chureca, your visit will happen according to the plan that God has made for you.

The Church here at Chureca is really growing in so many ways, both in maturity and also in size. We now have 4 small groups here in Chureca including one in a near by district and two near the church. The children's dance group is gaining a real following, now there is even a young people's group as well. The day care center now has 28 children, we decided to implement the same curriculum that my daughter uses to home school. The Church extends into the home and each child is given course work according to their grade level, as well as the same examinations that my daughters give them.

We now have a small dining room that some brothers were led to provide us with. So we are now providing lunch to 100-120 children daily. We also include a short reflection before the lunch in order to take a full advantage of this resource. We are able to seed the word in the hearts of the children. We are able to do the same with the mothers since they many times arrive with their children.

We are well. My daughter Nancy is entering her first year studying abroad and Heddle is in the 7th level in home studying. It will be a blessing if you are able to come as you mentioned we could perhaps do something special for the children who are studying in the day care center, an activity after the studies or such, even a special activity for the women. That is if the men do not come, if they do we could do something else and include the men. These are just a couple ideas! We will be praying for this day, we are waiting and full of joy as to your arrival. We pray that God bless you in Christ Jesus.

Miriam Baca

As read by the Eastside Missions Department

Letter from Pasor Ramon with translation provided by Doris Camacena:

I want to tell you about what God is doing here amongst us. On Sept. 25th a young lady who works at La Esperanza school (in the dump) decided to put her life in order by marrying the person she lives with.  Same thing with the school security guard, he also wants to get married.  So in December when the Eastside MIssion Team comes, we are going to have our first baptisms of this church so you can participate in this first baptism event!

We may be able to start a daycare at the church.  A young woman gave us 100 plates, cups, spoons, and has offered to supply us with rice, beans and oil to feed the children.  We are praying so that God confirms our opening the daycare.  The mother of two girls who attended the summer Bible Camp held by the Eastside Mission team, Alondra and Britani, found out about this as she works with the young lady who donated the plates.  She said there are 32 children who stay home alone becaues their mothers work at la chureca and they leave them wiht their siblings.  She also has 3 children and doesn't have a place to leave them while she works, so we are praying to make this a reality so we can help them with this.

Recently, a man who is a mechanic in aviation said he was retiring and that he is interested in setting up a vocational school at our church.  We are also praying for God to confirm this offer.

At el barrio (the neighborhood in the dump), Freddy is now the user of the church, he is worried though because his wife is not supportive of his activities at church.  The group of girls we taught dance to are very happy and even jump up and down when we arrive to pick them up, they are now the church dance team and they are inviting other girls to join.

Other brothers from la chureca: Octavio-he is the sound guy, his wife Yariana is part of the choir, Asdrual and Gamaliel are ushers, and Octavio told me yesterday that there's a possibility of him starting a cell group outside of the barrio with his brother.

The men's weekly prayer group is strong, with anywhere from 13 to 30 men.  They are learning to serve in the church, and I believe them to be the first group of leaders.

Please continue to pray for us for all of this.

God bless you,

Ramon Baca