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Thursday, 13 November 2008 10:59
Hurricane Felix Update Hurricane Felix devastated areas of Nicaragua in the fall of 2007. Through its North American supporters, Word & Deed provided relief funds. Nicaraguan pastors, taking courses taught by Rev. Eric Pennings of MINTS (Miami International Seminary) in the area that the hurricane hit, were able to quickly bring food and clean water to a number of villages in areas around Puerto Cabezas. The latest project, based on funds donated by the Word & Deed Chilliwack (British Colombia) Business Group chapter, involved the clean-up of countless downed trees by sawing them into planks. The lumber went to 100 families in Dakur, Nicaragua, who used the wood to rebuild their homes. Unfortunately, while it was hoped that there would be enough for all the families, this has not turned out to be the case.
 Pastor Eric Pennings, who visited in Nicaragua in August, reports the following:

Upon arrival we made initial contact with the judge of the community of Dákura. He provided a tour of the various projects that were underway. He gathered the other leaders of the community to meet with us and we spent several hours in dialogue with them. It was a very productive visit with them. They expressed gratitude for the efforts that are being done to date and requested further support for the development of their community. The existing fallen trees do not provide enough lumber for the proposed 100 homes. Due to a shortage of lumber and zinc for the roofs, they were not able to accomplish the full project as proposed. They are in the process of considering different options for securing the materials needed for the project. It was very encouraging to see that a number of families in the community have made an initiative to start their homes in spite of the shortage of lumber. Some have installed the posts on the location of where they hope to build from the lumber that they hope to receive.
There is a general discouragement in the community, but in general they are making an effort to move ahead. A significant problem is that the soil has been contaminated by the salt waters from the ocean that covered the community during the hurricane and in the days following the hurricane. Soil treatment will need to be considered. Yet some have resumed planting of corn and yuca in order to provide some of the basic needs. However the amount planted, and the limited yield of the crop is not enough to provide for the needs of the community. They have been able to do some fishing in the ocean to provide basic food for the community. But their usual staples of coconut and mangos have been wiped out, and the gardens are not producing well.
In our conversations with the leaders of the community, they were requesting additional help in the form of building a permanent pathway from the village to the access point to the ocean. Currently they have to go through a boggy, marshy area to get to the ocean. They are hoping to build a “side-walk” of sorts that would extend about 1.5 km through the marshy spot. They are also looking at the possibility of building a 160 ft bridge over another area that connects to neighbouring communities. Currently they need to go through waste deep water to make contact with the neighbouring communities. These projects were proposed to the committee who will no doubt be studying the possibility. The committee (overseeing the Word & Deed sponsored projects) appears to be very wise in determining what is the best way to be of support to this community. Pastor Pennings further reports that members of the team have been given opportunities to lead services in the local church and to pray with community leaders.

Please remember the needs of the Dakura community as they rebuild their lives after the Hurricane.
Carlos Coffin, project director, writes, Muchos gracias! Many thanks from Nicaragua! May this all be for the glory of the Lord Jesus.
 
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