June 2015 Newsletter - Current Projects

June has arrived and before I know it July will be here and I will be on my way back to Nicaragua. Not much has gone on this past month but here are some updates and some new projects going on.

Answered Prayers:

The truck I use while I am in Nicaragua had the transmission go out on it. I am happy to say that it has been fixed. God Bless a cheerful giver who helped make this happen.

3 students continue to go to college from this community. They are the first of the community to ever attend college and they have just finished all their exams for the first semester. They all passed and are very excited to continue. Thanks to monthly supporters who sow into this ministry otherwise these kids would not be able to attend college.

Tons of new clothes, baseball equipment and uniforms, over 100 soccer jerseys and shorts (Thanks Castanea Presbyterian Church) and socks are on their way to Nicaragua on a container that left on Friday. I was blessed to put tons of stuff on the container this time. I wished I could have let my sponsors send things to their kids but it was a last minute notice that I received allowing me to add things to the container. I am so excited. I will be making a lot of people very happy in August with all clothes and equipment they will be receiving. Can't wait to see them.

Pastor Arturo was robbed last week and they took his backpack and cell phone and beat him up but Praise God he is safe and ok. Thank God for the protection over his life. Pray for him as I am sure this was a scary situation.

I am starting to get yard sale stuff coming in so please remember your junk is my treasures.. :) I need to raise a lot of money to help send me and my son to Nic in August so any thing you think will sell I want. The yard sale is next Saturday. If you have nothing to do and would like to come and help me I could use your hands that day. Just let me know if you can help or if you have things you can donate.

Special Projects:

I have several projects going on in Nicaragua and wanted to share them with you in case you would like to get involved.

I have had several of you tell me to let you know when I have projects going on so that you can participate with me since you can't actually go with me to Nicaragua so I decided this time I would share the needs.

Chicken Farm - $500

This project is to provide money to a family as a mico-loan so that he can start a chicken business. The purpose of this business is not for eggs but for selling of the chickens. The money will be used to purchase chickens, food, feeding device, immunizations and fix a chicken coop.

Every 45 days the chickens grow to a size enough to be eaten so they will be killed only for food. The chickens will then be sold to the families who live in the surrounding communities. The money received from the sell of the chickens will buy the next round of chickens, food and immunizations and grow the farm.

Instead of the owner paying back the loan he will in turn give free chicken to the families of my community each batch until he has paid back the loan amount.  He will also sell the chicken to my community at a discounted rate.

My families hardly ever get meat. Some may have money to buy the chicken from time to time but most will only get it from the free chicken they will receive but this will be more than they have ever received in a years time.

The reason they don't use the chickens for eggs is that it takes special food and immunizations in order for the chickens to produce even 1 egg a day. The heat is so hot that without a good chicken house and all the food the chickens just can't produce and the money to raise the chickens is needed more for rice and beans.

If you would like to help in this project and the future of this project. Any money received over the amount needed will be used to enhance this project as it goes forward.

Here are some pictures of what they have started so far.

Groceries for a Month - $1100

For years I have been feeding the families in my community each trip I go. Some tell me that I have the food Angel. It never fails that I show up just in time. It seems that the months I am in Nicaragua are some of the worse months for the community. In March there is no rain and the crops have not grown and its really hot which makes work more difficult so money is low, in August it is rainy season and work slows down which means less money and less food, in December it is the end of rainy season and they have not worked for months which makes it the most desperate month for food.

There are 70 families in my community that I support. Depending on the cost of beans and rice it takes about $15-$20 per family to buy 10lbs of beans and rice and some coffee and oil. This last a typical family of 4 a month if they eat normally. Most only eat one meal a day. That's there normal lifestyle. How would you like to feed your family of 4 for a month on $15-$20.

My New Hotel - $1000

Recently I was blessed to raise money to change from the yucky hotel to a friends house. We remodeled her house, the bathroom, bedrooms, purchased a water tank, air conditioner and beds. Unfortunately we ran into issues with the installation of the tanks, the air conditioner and other things. In every project it never turns out how you want it to. In order to complete the 2nd bedroom and install another air conditioner we will need more money. If you didn't get to sow into this project the first time, you now have a chance.

We need to close this ceiling and add an air conditioner to this room.

Some people tell me how they wish they could go with me but due to many personal issues in their lives they can't. This is your chance. Supporting these projects allows you to be a part of it from a distance.

God is doing great things in this community and there is great fruit being displayed. I hope that you can see by the newsletter the work that is going on there and the investments that many of you have already made.

I stand in awe at what God has done since I started working in this community and I am excited to see what He has in store for the future.

If you feel led to support any or all of these projects please feel free to send a donation to the address below. If you would like to pay by credit card you can do so at my donations page online. The only difference is there is a 2.9% charge that they take for using the credit card. If you have a PayPal account already you can send a gift to my email address and they will not take the 2.9%.

I commit to you that all monies received for any project go only to that project. I raise all my personal money by working extra jobs to pay for my upcoming trips so I promise all the money will go directly to the project.

I need to collect the donations for these projects by the end of June. Any amount makes a huge difference.

As always I am so grateful that you sow into this ministry and allow God to use your seed to grow new lives into the Kingdom of God.

God Bless each of you. Please keep these projects in your prayers. Together we can move mountains.

Angie

The Power of One Ministry 198 Mellwood Drive Charlotte, NC  28214

February 2015 Newsletter

Happy Belated Valentines Day to you. The bible teaches us that the greatest commandment is to "Love". I am pretty sure it would not be the greatest if God had not intended the world to revolve around it. It is the one thing that keeps this world together. It is the very factor that keeps me doing what I am doing in Nicaragua. Growing up in a family where love was not shown much makes a person hunger for it. I can say I looked for love in all the wrong places growing up. If only then could I have known how much my Father in Heaven loves me I am sure my life would have been different. I can see the struggles of the families I minister to in Nicaragua are very similar to mine as a child. Although family is very important to Nicaraguan families, showing love is not. Rarely do I see hugs, words of encouragement or any sign of what Americans call "love" among family members. It seems as if it is difficult for them to express it among themselves yet they hug me so hard I can't breathe. I truly can relate to this. I spent most of my childhood and young adult life never receiving hugs or signs of love and it has only been by the love of God have I broke that cycle and been able to show love to my own kids and others.

On March 5th I will travel back to Nicaragua to see my families. The first 8 days I will be working with Ambassadors and a team of 60 and when they return home I will head to my community along with Gwen Emmett and my translator Raphie for another 6 days.(I have the best husband in the world to be able to do this). I can't wait to see my kids and hear all about their new school year, which started this week. I hope to post pictures soon from their first day of school.

Our theme for this trip will be about "Love". We have craft projects and object lessons being prepared to teach each age group all about how much God loves them. We will bless the wedding couples with pictures from the wedding, the families will each get a family portrait and as usual we will bless the families with food. We will also go and see my babies at the orphanage. I also have good news to tell you. 3 of the kids who I wrote about in January that were taken back to their mother has returned for good this time.  I got word last week that the mother (of my favorite 3) had forced the kids to bed on the streets for money and the aunt turned her into child protection services and upon investigation they found in fact that the mother was forcing the kids to beg so they removed them from the home and returned them to the orphanage where they will live from now on. They love it there and I will love seeing them again. I have goose bumps just thinking about it now.. :)

If you are a current sponsor of Operation Education kids and want to send them a letter I will need it by the 1st of March please. If you want to send money towards the food cost as always that will be appreciated. It usually costs about $1100 each trip to feed all the families. God always supplies what is needed for these families. The food last them almost a month or more and cost around $15 per family. Can you imagine having a grocery bill for the month of only $15. Wow, that would be so nice in this house. :)

Please start praying for this trip. Pray the hearts of many will be affected by the words we say and the love we show. I have learned by now that I'm no preacher, evangelist, or even a teacher but what I am is willing. I am willing to love them as God loves them and allow Him to show His love to them through me. What a great honor that is.

Update on the "new Hotel" - thanks to all of you who gave so generously. Because of you two rooms have been converted into a home for me and others to live in while I am there. They are working hard to convert the house into a safe place for us. I am so excited to see all they have done. A new water tank has been bought, ceramic tile has been laid in the bathroom and the bedrooms, new electrical wires have been ran and many other things are yet to be done.

The family that takes care of me in Nicaragua have been a huge blessing to me for years and now I get to be a blessing to them by making much needed improvements to their home which in turn gives us a safe place to say. What a great blessing this will be for me and others who come with me. Thanks again for all who helped make this need a reality. I will send you pictures when I get there.

God bless each of you. I can't wait to see what God has in store for 2015. Every year I think there is no way to out do last year and every year He shows up and shows off. We serve a great God. He is so faithful. He loves us so much.

Please remember that there is NOTHING you can do that changes His love for you. NOTHING. We as Americans try to measure up to a "person worthy of being loved by God" but God is trying to show us "we are already worthy of His love regardless of what we do". When we finally realize it is not about us and it's about Him our lives will change forever. Don't let the enemy lie to you anymore and tell you that you messed up today and now God is unhappy with you or that you were sooooo.... bad today that now you need to repent every day for the rest of the month to make up for it. If I am not mistaken, Jesus died on the cross knowing you were going to mess up and yet He still took your place. If that's not true Love I don't know what is. Rest in His love for you today and watch what happens.

Dios te ama, Dios te bendiga, (God loves you, God Bless You)

Angie

January 2015 Newsletter

2014 was an amazing year so I am excited to see what God's plans are for 2015. Every year I stand in amazement of His blessings into this ministry and year after year He tops the year before. Our trip in December was awesome. There were 6 of us. My husband Terry, David Eason, Tiffany Fusion, Sara Harvey and our Nicaraguan buddy Ralphie. Together along with our Nicaragua team we had a full week. The enemy worked overtime on us that week as each of us fell sick with a stomach virus that actually came from the states but all of us pressed through it and had a great time.

Our first day in Nicaragua was Thursday and the graduation day of our seniors. I felt like a proud Momma. We had 7 kids who graduated from high school, 11 from middle school and 4 from preschool. One of the seniors actually stood in front of everyone and thanked all the sponsors she has had and Terry and I on behalf of each student who graduated. It was very special. Click here to view the pictures.

Our second day was spent blessing the kids. We have 106 kids who are attending school next year and this was their celebration day. Each child received their package that included a uniform, socks, shoes and a backpack along with some school supplies. Additionally, each child received a toy gift bag that was donated by Ambassadors To The Nations. If you sent a gift or letter to your child they also received it that day. This is always one of the best days of the year for me to see all of them so blessed. Click here to view the pictures.

On Saturday we spent the day with my babies at the orphanage. I took my parachute and some balls and we had the time of our lives. It was so much fun. Every trip is a joy but this was an extra special time. We played and played and laughed even harder. It was only at the end did I find out that some of my favorite kids (I know I am not suppose to have favorites but I can't help myself) would be leaving to return back to their home life on January 4th. This literally broke my heart and I have shed many tears but I have to rest in my prayers that God is taking care of them where ever they are and I praise Him for allowing me to have the special moments I had with them that day. Additionally, the kids had attended church that day and were all dressed up so we took advantage of the opportunity and Terry took pictures of each of them and a group shot. The little boy in the front row is one that left this month and one that will be missed beyond what my words can describe. Pray for them. Pray for God's protection over them.  Click here to view the pictures of my sweet kids.

By Sunday morning I was sick as a dog and very weak but I refused to allow the sickness in my body to stop us so we went ahead with our plans to take pictures of all the families in the community and to bless each family with food and other gifts. It was difficult because I had a fever and could not hug them. Not sure if it was harder on me or them. Each family was blessed with 10lbs of rice and 5lbs of beans and a liter of oil. Prices were extremely high this trip. Pray the price of beans drops because this is the only protein they get in their diet and right now 1 lb of beans cost more than they make in a day which means no one is buying beans. Thanks again partners for making this happen without your help I could not bless these families. Your are truly changing their lives. Click here to view the pictures of the food distribution. Check out the family photos also.

Monday was WEDDING DAY!!!!! Even though we were still sick, especially my husband the photographer, we took the morning to visit my friend Darling and bless her and then we got ready for the wedding. Can you imagine 16 large wedding cakes, decorations and 17 people in a bus headed to the wedding hoping the cakes didn't melt or shift. It was quite an adventure but in the end it was beautiful. We had 15 couples get married and all of them were beyond excited for this day. The church was decorated and the chairs were ready for 300 people to arrive. Each couple came forward as they were called, their vows were said and the kiss sealed the deal and made everyone smile. I was able to share just a little with them about my 25 years of marriage and David Eason blessed them with the Word. Afterwards we fed everyone a nice plate of chicken and rice and most importantly a piece of cake. My friend Gwen created a hand made card for each family with 1st Corinthians 13:4 in it. The brides were blessed with wedding veils and a wedding bouquet and the men were given a boutonniere. Our team member Tiffany even brought dresses for some of the brides to wear. We took pictures of each couple and when I return I will bless them with a wedding photo as well as take the time to talk to them about how the covenant with their spouse is just like the covenant with God. I can't wait for this opportunity. Check out the wedding photos here.

As you see the week was very full and God showed up every day and blessed our team in many ways. Every trip I go I hope I am a blessing to the families yet they end up being the blessing to me.

There were so much more to tell you but it would take another full page of information so I will limit this to say it was AMAZING and I give God all the glory...

Thank you again partners for your financial support, prayer support, and encouragement to keep doing this.

I have a trip planned in March and hope to return again in August and next December. If you would like to join me and see for yourselves how God is changing the lives of these people through you please let me know.

God Bless EACH OF YOU.

Angie

ps. Letters from the Operation Education kids will be mailed soon.

Last Opportunity of 2014 to Give

Just a reminder today will be the last chance you will have to post donations to the 2014 year. If you find yourself blessed and highly favored this day and want to sow into a ministry that will use your money wisely then now is your last chance.

2014 brought many blessings to many people and we truly believe 2015 will be no different because of people like yourself.

For those of you who gave to The Power of One Ministry in 2014 I say God Bless you, those of you who prayed for me and my family, God Bless you as well. God used your blessings to this ministry to change many lives.

If you would like to donate online simply click on this link to use your credit card or your PayPal account.

http://www.thepowerofoneministry.org/donate/

Together we can change the lives of many.

God Bless each of you and Happy New Year.

Angie

Merry CHRISTmas to All

Just wanted to take a quick moment to tell each and every person receiving this email that I pray you had a wonderful and blessed Christmas season. My family has been down with the flu all week but know that God's healing hands are upon us.

We had an awesome trip to Nicaragua and will be posting pictures soon. You won't want to skip reaching the January newsletter.

God Bless each and every one of you. Thank you for an amazing 2014. Can't wait to see God's plan for 2015.

Angie and Terry