LISA LANDIS-Here is a look at the Friends In Action Intl. crew building a house in the village of Boom Sirpi, Nicaragua.  FIA supplies the materials, while the people receiving the house supply the labor and work teams from the states visit too!   Find out you can be a part of an FIA work team at FIAintl.org.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7vciOkBVJg

LISA LANDIS-

When I saw this boy I thought, “he could be someone’s sponsored child”.  A typical chore for little boys-pumping water at the well then carrying the water home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0oXLBA_h_4

Greetings again from Puerto Cabezas.  Early Wednesday Pablo drove us to the village of Boom Sirpi-home to the Miskito people. It took about 30 minutes thanks to the newly grated road.  Friends in Action is working in Boom Sirpi to help the people rebuild after Hurricane Felix, which hit the Mosquito Coast in 2007.  FIA is supplying materials & a block press to help the people build sturdy homes to withstand any storms which might the coast in the future.  Here are some pictures from our visit to the village.  I hope the pictures will give you a better idea of how the people live as well as their beautiful spirit.

So these are just a few pictures from the village.  The last picture is my breakfast-this is for you Radio Friend Phil-and that picture before that was the view from the balcony as I Skyped last night with Radio Friend Phil.  The country cries out to be photographed with its bright, vibrant primary colors, endless sunshine and fabulous cloud formations!

Whenever I visit a third world country I get an overwhelming sense of urgency.  I say to myself, I need to help, but what can I do as one person?  This is an opportunity to come alongside a Christian organization that is working to be Jesus to the people in their great time of need.  And what a joy these people are.  A beautiful spirit, with so little, yet so much joy and the believers have such a great passion for God.  That is something I hope to never forget.  FIA can really use your help to compete these projects.

Just visit them here for more information.  FIAintl.org

Greetings from Puerto Cabezas!  I am staying at the Hotel Monter-upstairs from a grocery store and across the street from the baseball stadium.  The town is made of up English, Spanish, Miskito and Sumo speaking people. The majority of the people from the city  are Spanish speaking; however, almost all people from the province speak the Miskito language.

This town is popular for its Miskito Market and seafood restaurants which serve up fresh daily catches to customers.   The Miskito Market is one of the best places to go for fresh vegetables.  Tim is taking us there in the morning.

Today I had the chance to walk through the village of Boom Sirpi where Friends in Action International is helping the Miskito rebuild after Hurricane Felix.  Here are a few pictures from our visit.  Tomorrow I will spend 4-5 hours there interviewing the people, shooting video and pictures and calling in live reports to WJTL.

One of my favorite snapshots from the day was watching a young village boy pump water from the well and then carry the water back to his family.  I thought, “this boy could be someone’s sponsored child!”.  I will upload the video to WJTL.COM as soon as I get a faster connection so you can experience it too!

It’s been a long day with a slow internet connection!  I will talk to you in the morning.

Buenos Noches!

LISA LANDIS-Here are a few pictures from Managua Market Monday:

Market girl selling peanuts

Which hat should I choose?

FIA executive director Tim Johnston & his wife Jan

This is the lady who creates the leather scrolls that Tim uses as a “Thank You” to donors

Market lady selling cacao powder

Flower at The Best Western Managua

Best Western Managua across from the airport

Airport art

lisa@wjtl.com

FRED MCNAUGHTON – Please continue to pray for Japan, it’s people and the organizations that are trying to meet the needs of the millions of people who’s lives have been turned upside down by the earthquake, tsunami, nuclear crisis, lack of food, no electricity and continued chaos.

Several organizations are working in Japan to help.  Take a few moments to visit them and do what you can.

World Vision is providing Help and Hope in Japan.

Our friend, Lancaster Native Keith Baum is serving with Send International. They have over 30 Missionaries serving in Japan.

Hershey native Mark Lewis is in Japan where he is serving with EFCA Crisis Response. Follow his blog.

Listen to our interview with Keith Baum of Send International.

Listen to Lisa interview Mari Kemp who lives in Japan and who was an exchange student in Lancaster.

Buenas Tardes from Managua, Nicaragua!

I arrived in country around 12 noon (2pm Eastern time) today (Monday, March 21).  I had a smooth, uneventful flight (just a bit of turbulence leaving Harrisburg) with Friends in Action Intl. Executive Director Tim Johnston and his wife Jan.  Wow, am I loving this tropical climate!  Not too hot here yet.  We were in the mid to upper 80’s today, but the severe high temps and high humidity haven’t yet hit.  Nicaragua is entering the dry season after an extra wet rainy season.

This week we are getting a closer look (& listen) at Friends In Action Intl. and the amazing work they are doing to bring the Gospel to people groups around the world that have not had the opportunity to hear about Jesus Christ.

We are staying the night at The Best Western in Managua, conveniently located across from the airport.  This is where FIA brings work teams before flying out to “the field”-in this case the village of Boom Sirpi, which is located approximately 12 miles outside of Puerto Cabezas (which is where we will be flying tomorrow) and an island called Rama Cay-a half-hour boat ride from Bluefields, on the Caribbean coastline, where FIA is helping the Rama people build a village among other projects. (I will visit there later this week).

Had a wonderful time today strolling through the Managua open air market stocked with artisan crafts like hammocks, chairs, leather goods, clothing, toys, and my favorite-PINATAS!  Pictures coming soon!

On a personal note, it was 12 years ago this month that my husband and I spent 3 1/2 half weeks in Guatemala finalizing the adoption of our son Alex.  Now my son is several weeks away from turning 13 years old!  Everywhere we went today I was reminded of that sweet time in Central American with my husband and me trying (as new parents) to figure out what to do with this new little baby Alex and to get him to settle down and go to sleep :0)

Speaking of sleep, it’s off to bed for me.  I’m going on 21 hours in my day so it’s time to sign off.

Buenas Noches

Learn more about how FIA is at work in the world at FIAintl.org.

LISA LANDIS-I invite you to listen March 21-28th as I travel to Nicaragua with Friends in Action Intl.

Friends in Action (FIA) is a “Friend to Missionaries”…Equipping, Sending, Drilling, Building, Assisting, Accelerating the work of reaching the unreached around the globe.

Since 2004, FIA has worked alongside two indigenous people groups-the Rama and Miskito peoples who live on the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua. Projects there include helping to rebuild homes destroyed by Hurricane Felix in 2007, as well as helping to move 40 of 220 families living on Rama Cay (an overcrowded island) to the nearby mainland and develop an environmentally stable and self-supporting community.

FIA takes a holistic approach by working to help the people in all areas of their life including education, training and helping to establish the church.

I travel early Monday, March 21 and return late Monday, March 28th.  Listen to WJTL FM 90.3 for reports throughout the week live from Nicaragua and visit WJTL.COM for pictures, videos, and blog entries updated daily.

And please be in prayer for my trip.  Pray for safety and that the people of Nicaragua will have the opportunity to tell their stories of faith including their joys and trials.  I’m looking forward to helping you witness FIA at work in Nicaragua!

STACEY GAGNE – It’s 5:30 am and I’m so excited for this day to begin.  WJTL’s 26 Hours of Compassion is here.  This is the culmination and purpose for my trip and experiences in Ethiopia… to let others know about what Compassion is doing and give you an opportunity to  get involved.

This morning I got really excited when I saw the link go up for the children needing sponsorship from the FBI (Faith Bible International) Project.  These are the kids that will be filling the classrooms and playgrounds that I walked through!!!

So here is your invitation!  Listen in!  Check out some child profiles … and please pray!  Then give us a call and sponsor a child!  We’re looking forward to hearing from you.