This newsletter includes a thorough report on our recent trip to Nicaragua, which was sponsored by Emmanuel Community Church near White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Links will also take you to other newsletters related to the Missionary Work of David and Crystal Hersman, and their associates in Papua New Guinea. I hope it will be informational, inspirational, and motivational!
When they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them (Acts 14:27).
Much of the world’s news, activities, and philosophy is very appalling to those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ and believers in His Word. On the other hand, we also see these as very exciting times in the advancement of the Gospel, the fulfillment of God’s Word, and the growth of His Eternal Kingdom.
Our recent trip to Nicaragua was a great privilege and opportunity for us to see and participate in the harvest which is taking place there. We were a group of five sponsored by Emmanuel Community Church, and upon our arrival we joined another American couple, a pastor from Kentucky, along with four Nicaraguans. That made up our traveling troop for several days. It was a busy week, but we believe it was fruitful and brought glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
One of the Nicaraguans was Pastor Diomedas, who was also our driver all the time. He is a wise and faithful servant of the Lord, who oversees several churches and ministries. The others were our interpreters, Luddy and Felipe’ (also called Marlon), and Moises, a fine Christian young man.
After arrival, we stayed one day at Corinto, a busy port city on the west coast. One evening we walked to the Pacific Ocean. We had never seen it from the east side before.
This was our first time in visit or minister in Central America, and it was blessing to us to get acquainted with so many precious people. We enjoyed the beautiful, ocean, mounatin, and agricutural scenery, but missionary work is about the people, and touching lives for the glory of God. Here we are pictured with Miriam and Sophia, daughters of Pastor Mario and his wife Maria from Tonala. We still have contact with them. Please pray for the young people of Nicaragua.
Here we are with our main two interpreters, Filepe' (also called Marlon), and Luddy (pronounced Loo-dee). Both were godly men, and I felt they were anointed by the Holy Spirit as they translated from English to Spanish. They were with us for almost the entire trip within Nicaragua, and were a blessing, not only as interpreters, but we enjoyed wonderful Christian fellowship. They were also knowledgeable and helpful regarding geography, history, and the culture.
This is Hanna Stickley, the only young person in our travel group from the United States. She was a real blessing to all of us. Read more about her in the text of this letter. Behind her is Moises, a young Nicaraguan who is diligently serving the Lord. In the background, Luddy, one of our interpreters, an eye doctor, and married man. Traveled all week to help us. We praise the Lord for each of these people.
Some people have asked us how Nicaragua compares to Papua New Guinea. Although Nicaragua is considered to be “a dictatorship” and Central America has a reputation for political unrest, we traveled quite a number of miles, day and night, seeing very little crime nor feeling that we were in danger. As in PNG, the people were friendly, and when went with a Pastor to several homes, they were quick to invite us in, though their homes were not fancy nor well furnished by American standards.
A couple other contrasts with PNG, was the work ethic and the condition of the roads. Almost everybody seemed to be busy about some productive activity. And the roads were very comfortable to travel on. Many roads were made of some kind of interlocking bricks, and stretched from town to town in good condition. We didn’t see large throngs of un-employed people crowding in market places, getting into fights, or looking for a chance to steal something.
We also saw many horses and oxen being used to pull carts, or carry loads, something we do not see in Papua New Guinea.
I was taught, as a young person, that as servants of the Lord, we are to be ready to preach, pray, sing, testify, or die, on a moment’s notice, and that admonition has served me well. One day we traveled to the town of Tonala – probably an hour and a half away. This is where we did some house to house visitation with the Pastor, and among other things there was a piñata for the children. At some point, Silvia, the missionary lady said to me, “We want you to be ready to preach after this.” So Crystal and I sang a couple songs and I preached. There was already an accordion that travedled with us, and Crystal used it wherever we went. Since it was our first time in NICKaragua, I preached about NICKodemus!
Also at Tonala, we met the Pastor, his wife, and two daughters: Pastor Mario, Maria, Miriam, and Sophia. They were also involved in the work at the next stop, so we became quite acquainted with them.
Crystal and I have spent much of our life in Papua New Guinea, on the other side of the vast Pacific Ocean. This was the first time we were seeing it from the east side. Sometimes the seas in the Bible are used to represent the people of the whole world. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." (John 3:16), and He told His followers to go to all the world preaching and teaching the Good News of free salvation for all mankind.
Sometimes its good to see a map in order to visualize where you are, or where certain activities took place. On this map of Northwestern Nicaragua I have highlighted most of the places where we ministered during our trip to Nicaragua. Most of the places mentioned in this newsletter are on this map, except for Capaya, where you'll see pictures of some buildings which have been acquired to operate a ministry to special needs children. I will try to make a bigger view of this map.
Almost everywhere we went it was not surprising to see animals being used to carry or pull loads. Here is Crystal in the town of Tonala, where we helped with some pastoral visits, attended a Pinata for the children, we sang, and I preached. This was in the town where Pastor Mario and his family live and minister.
Most of the fellow Americans in our group were also “senior citizens,” but there was one young lady, Hanna Stickley, about 20 years old. She was a blessing and encouragement to all of us. We all took our turn at leading morning devotions, and she made an impressive presentation on how the Lord had been helping her with anxiety. I also asked her to give a testimony from the platform before I preached one night. I believe many American Christian young people would benefit from the experience of a mission trip to a less-privileged society. Please pray for them, and help make such opportunities available.
We spent two days at a town named San Juan de Limay, farther north and in the Mountains very near Honduras. Our first activity was at a clinic sponsored by the local church. Crystal and I, along with Felipe’ our interpreter, counseled with each one who had come for some medical or other needs. Many were already believers, but we prayed for whatever requests they had. The most prevalent request was for us to pray for their families.
The church has a box truck on which one side opens downward forming a large platform, giving plenty of space from which to sing or preach. Crystal and I sang there a couple nights, and then I preached. The people were attentive, and responsive, and quite a large number came forward for prayer each night.
One day we were involved in the Baptism of 14 believers who had already been saved and indoctrinated in the purpose and meaning of Baptism. Brother Mike Stokes and myself baptized these people, and it was a blessed time of fellowship with the Nicaraguan believers.
During the days and services at San Juan de Limay, we were actually spending the nights in another town, across a mountain at Esteli. We were housed at a very nice old-style hotel, and had a good breakfast each morning. They actually took your order and prepared the breakfast you chose. Great food and service!
After our second night there, we went on toward Managua for our departure. But first we visited a couple locations where Diomedas, Jr and his wife, Andresca have obtained some buildings and grounds on which they are endeavoring to plant a church, as well as a home and educational facilities for special needs children, including equestrian therapy. The property needs repair and modifications, but the possibilities are unlimited. Please pray for this precious and dedicated young couple.
That night we got a couple hours rest at a hotel near the Managua Airport before our departure at about 1 am. It seems so amazing that we were back at our cabin in the West Virginia woods by about 5 pm that same afternoon.
What a blessing, privilege, and responsibility it is to be part of God’s harvest, to meet new friends, to share the love of Jesus with those in need, and to be a Light of encouragement in a dark world. Your prayers and giving make this kind of work possible.
We hope we have the privilege of visiting Nicaragua again, maybe for a longer period of time.
These are some scenes related to the baptismal service pictured at the top of the page. Hanna Stickley took this picture from the opposite side of the river. Although it was out of town, and down a bumpy road into the valley, it was a very beautiful place for such an event. Pastor Mike Stokes and I baptized 14 people. Although we do not believe that Baptism saves you, we do teach that it is an important step of Spiritual growth for Believers who are young in the faith.
This is Alba Centeno, a young lady who ministered to us in many ways. She was one of the servers at the place where we ate several times in San Juan de Limay. I never found out if that was somebody's home, or more of a restaurant, but the food was great! She also brought us cold watermelon where Crystal and I were doing hours of counseling and prayer with peope at the clinic. She was one of the group who was baptized, and each one recevied a certificate in the evening service. Alba was sitting with us, so I had a chance to get this picture.
Here you see the Crusade Venue where we sang and I preached two nights. The town had given permission for the church to block off an intersection and a block of one street, so you can see the box truck with the platform was set up in that junction. People were attentive and open to the Word of God.
We appreciate each of you who responded to our newsletter in early April. Thank you so much. This page is the expanded edition of a postal newsletter sent out about June 15th. It includes much more information and many additional photos taken on the Nicaragua mission trip. You might like to share this link with others:
Nicaragua Mission Trip Newsletter June 2023
Since there are many biblical mandates concerning giving to the support of God’s Work, I am sharing some of these principles in our newsletters. God has called many people to almost full-time Christian service. He has blessed thousands of other people with more financially beneficial employment, and has taught throughout both Testaments, that learning to cheerfully share through giving is part of His will for all of us. I have observed through the decades that the most efficient and effective means of financing the spread of the Gospel is through plain simple giving.
Let’s consider here, why do missionaries and ministries need money?
1. Missionaries need your support to prepare to go to their field of service.
2. Missionaries need your contributions for travel expenses. This could include airline tickets, food, and lodging along the way. In most cases, not as many meals, snacks, drinks, entertainment options, and other perks are included in ticket prices as before. Not even water or phone charging ports, in some cases!
3. Missionaries need your support for living expenses on the field. In many cases their earning ability is not substantial, or even legal, where they are sharing the Love and Gospel of Jesus Christ.
4. Missionaries need your help in the cost of being away from home. They usually have expenses back home that still have to be paid. Our largest ongoing expense is our share of being members of Christian Healthcare Ministries - $270 per month.
5. Missionaries often need your extra giving for special projects. These could include such things as vehicles, airplanes, buildings, literature, and various types of equipment.
6. Missionaries are frequently called upon to help with the emergency, medical, or humanitarian needs of others.
7. People who have the "heart of a missionary" are usually about the Heavenly Father's business wherever they are, and they deserve your prayer and support, no matter which side of the Ocean they are on, and into the sunset years.
The picture is of some crocheted butterflies with the Bible verse, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). These were made by a contributor in West Virginia who, we are told, is no longer able to continue making these because of serious arthritis. I am using the picture as a reminder that new contributors are continuously needed to step forward, and “stand in the gap,” to fill the void as the older generation enters the sunset years, more limited health, and finally their eternal home. We gave many of these butterflies to women in Nicaragua with whom we counseled, and had prayer.
We are in the process of preparation to go to Papua New Guinea in late November for a couple months. We need your prayers and support at every step along the way.
* * * * * * *You may give immediately through PayPal using the DONATE button below, through Facebook, or by mailing to our West Virginia address. We deeply appreciate all you do to help us spread the Word, and reach the lost.
YOU CAN ALSO GIVE THROUGH ZELLE. This bank to bank service is FREE and usually immediate. The recipient receives an email or text notification immediately.
One of the most exciting projects we saw was on our last day in Nicaragua, our driver, Diomedas took us to a couple properties, about a mile apart, where his son, and daughter-in-law are seeking to establish a church, and a school for special needs children. Please pray for this great task, the renovation work that needs to be done, and God's blessing and guidance for the young couple so enthusiastic about the potential here.
This is Pastor Diomedas, his son also Diomedas, and the daughter-in-law, Andresca. This young couple is well-prepared and motivated for work they are led to do. In addition to other educational methods, this institution will have equestrian therapy for special needs children. Throughout much of the world, education is a golden opportunity for reaching never-dying souls for Christ. Please pray about this great harvest, and this commited young couple.
Although it was the dry season, and much of the low-lying areas seemed rather dry and brown, there was more greenary in the mountains. These mountains are between San Juan de Limay and Esteli, in the northern part of the country, near the border of Honduras. Using the Aviation GPS on my phone, I found that the mountains were slightly over 4400 feet in a couple spots, very similar to the elevations around our home area of Greenbrier County, West Virginia.