My first Micro-Loan

Remember I told you in March my visit was to discuss how to start a tile business? Needless to say I had no idea what God had in store for me.

I arrived late to Somotillo, (an entire day) missed my very important meetings with a tile business owner and found myself feeling very overwhelmed and frustrated only to find out God had it already under control.

In December when I went to Ceibita unbeknown to me the men were trying to start a business on their own. The trouble in Nicaragua is no one has any money to start anything. 12 men in Ceibita had been saving and saving every penny they had for a while trying to better themselves. They unfortunately had to go to a "Loan Shark" and borrow money to get this business started. This is where I come in.

I arrived sick as a dog to my meeting with the men and found they had done their homework. They had approached 6 organizations in Managua already and been turned down by all of them. They were trying hard not to come to me since they felt I had already done so much for them already. They had put together a business proposal and a plan that would allow them to succeed. Here I was right smack in the middle of a major business meeting and I could barely hold up my head to look at them. They were so gracious with me. Did I mention at 8:30 that morning it was already 110 degrees. Ended up being the hottest day ever recorded in Somotillo.... I was not sure why in the world God had me there, sick, tired, hot and frustrated trying to listen to these men but I knew he was up to something.

Well long story short, today I look back at that meeting and realize if I had not been sick I would have most likely ran the meeting as I normally would have an would not have gotten to see men who had never spoke in front of a crowd ever before must less present a business plan shine like no other. It was great. I could not talk much because my throat was hurting and my head was pounding and I felt like I was going to pass out every 10 minutes but God gave me strength that day and he gave it to those 12 men also. They were so worried, they had studied every part of the plan in case I ask a question. It was great. They desired it so bad and they showed it with their wiliness to get out of their comfort zone.

I promised them nothing more than I would be willing to ask on their behalf to anyone and everyone that would listen but it would be up them to pray and seek God and ask him to send someone my way. They were hoping I would make this happen soon and I again told them it was in God's hands and up to them to ask for me. I was told even though they are not Christians and do not go to church they met every week to pray with the Pastor over their business.. Sounds like God is up to something here.

The proposal required me to raise $2580. This would be $215 per person (12 men). They would then take this money and purchase the much needed equipment and instead of paying off the "Loan Shark" at 20% interest they would pay me back with no interest and for a longer period of time giving them more money in their pockets each month and they would be able to make more tile because they could take 12 small businesses and make it one large factory.

I came home and wrote a business proposal for the men and sent it to a man I know in SC. He then proposed it to another person who has agreed to make this dream come true for the families in Ceibita. I wired the money two weeks ago and the men are shouting so loud I could hear them here.. They are so excited and are working hard.

It all seems well and has a good plan now it is up to the men to pay it back and make their business successful.

Here is the best part of this. Every month on the day they have to pay the loan back they have agreed to attend church. They are not going to church at all right now, only the women. Only one of them is a Christian and only one of them attend any church related function or meeting. I am trusting God this is the avenue to the hearts of these men. What a door God has opened for them! This gives me a chance to show them how much God really loves them. I can't wait until July to talk to them. They will have to listen to me that day.. :)

Here are photos of our meeting and photos of the tile factory. Please pray for these men, pray they will see Jesus through this and know their source is God not a "Loan Shark" or me.

I had to spend an additional $207 to make this happen which was not planned for so if anyone feels led to sew into this project to cover the remaining $207 it would be greatly appreciated. I know God has this taken care of so pray about it and if its us just let me know. This will change over 100 peoples lives. This community will become the most popular place to live in Somotillo very soon.

Click here to see the photos

God Bless,

Angie

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

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This is a picture of one of the ovens and some of the finished tiles.

Things going on...

Well its June already, half the year is almost here already. Time is flying by. I have been extremely busy trying to work as much as I can to raise money for my family and I to go to Nicaragua this July. God has blessed me with extra work for this purpose, now we need extra work for our business. Please keep that in prayer.

I had a yard sale two weeks ago and due to the rain and other issues it didn't go so well so I'll pulling everything out and having it again this weekend. Send people my way. I have tons of different things to choose from.

I have also had another jewelry party and although it went well I have a lot left over that I am hoping to sell at the flea market. Please pray I get a good booth there and lots of people buy....

There are a few things I am in need of for this trip I would like to share with you. If you have any of these or know where I can get them for a donation let me know.

1. Baseballs - I need new or used ones. I have been asked for them for the last two trips so I hope I can take some this round. Please share with others you know who are playing sports and see if they have any laying around. I hope to take at least 20 or more. They cost like $20 for 12 at Walmart and those are the cheap ones.

2. Old Laptop - The police department who protects me when I am in Nicaragua is asking me to help bring their office into the 21st century. They do everything on pencil and paper. If you have one laying around that is older and just collecting dust I would love to have it to see if it would work. It needs to be able to run Windows XP at least. I need it as soon as possible in order to get it ready before we leave.

3. Baby Clothes - My friend will have her baby any day now and I want to bless her with any clothes I can. She is one of the poorest people I personally know in Nicaragua and I am hoping to bless her in a way that shows her how much God loves her. I need infant clothes more than anything to fit a boy or girl. Onesies, shorts, tshirts and things along that line would be great.

4. Storage Building - does anyone know one of the local storage building owners? I need a storage building that I can use for free. I can't justify $30 or 40 a month for one to hold stuff for Nicaragua when that money could feed someone. I am hoping to find someone who has connections to one of the owners of a storage company.

5. Bunk Beds- do you know anyone who needs a set of beds? I have a nice set on Craigslist for sell. They are in great shape. Check them out or send this link to any of your friends.

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bab/1778218479.html

6. Prayer Prayer and more Prayer - please pray for my family as we start another trip to Nicaragua. Logan, Terry and I will be going leaving Jacob and Jordon behind. Please pray for my team members Leigh, and Gwen and their families as we prepare to be unified as a team and plan how we will minister to the people of Nicaragua.

Well that's all for now, don't want this email to be a book.

Thanks for everything so far and all your prayers.

Angie

Stories to Tell Part 2

So the last time I wrote it was about the night before I left. Do you remember all the excitement I had with the candle catching on fire? Well trust me I was not near as shaken by that as I was the next day.

I flew out of Charlotte and took another one of my crazy rides. The plan was to fly to Orlando and then to Panama City and then on to Nicaragua.

I arrived late in Orlando and had to rush across the airport to catch my next plane. By the time I got to the gate based on the schedule the plane should have been boarding and soon I found that I ran all across the airport, was out of breathe, burning up and had to go potty like no other all to find out the plane was late.

You never know how the next minute of your life can change you.

I proceeded to the ladies room with my carry-on and entering the room there was a long ledge for sitting your things. I placed my carry-on up on the ledge and got out my shorts and in doing so took my passport which was in a wallet type pouch that hung from my neck off and laid it beside my carry-on.  Immediately I felt that would be not be a good idea and grabbed it back. I remember thinking to myself how horrible it would be to lose it.

I then proceeded to the stall to change and once I went inside the door I realized that the  stall was made for kids not big women changing clothes. I took my passport off my neck again and hung it on the door. I changed clothes and found I had no where to lay anything down so I opened the door and proceeded to the ledge to put my clothes back in my carry-on.

I zipped my bag and walked out the door. I did not walk 10 steps out the door and realized I never got my passport off the door. I immediately ran back in side. Keep in mind not even a minute has passed and there was only one other person in the bathroom and she was in my stall. My hands felt sticky so I washed them again waiting on her to come out and soon she did. I looked at her to make sure she didn't have my passport and I saw nothing.  I rushed to the stall and sure enough it was gone.. I turned around and chased after the girl and she had literally disappeared. She was no where in site and there was no where for her to go but right in front of me.

Needless to say about now I am second guessing myself over and over. I tore my bags apart looking for it and my backpack even though I knew that lady had to take it.

I went to the gate and explained what happen and was told there is nothing they can do. At this point the plane is boarding and the gate agent informs me she is sorry but I can not leave the country without my passport.

At first I was a mess. I started to cry with great concerns. I was so frustrated. I just could not believe what was happening to me. I called Terry and got him praying and just cried out God.  I truly felt I was suppose to go but because I had also woke up very sick that morning I was not sure if God was closing the door. I had already paid a lot of money for the ticket but knew God has a plan even if that meant I go home.

Many other events happen during the next 10 minutes and it was crazy. The gate agent was starting to shut the door when out of no where my angel appeared. A security guard had found my passport in a trash can in the tram and rushed it to the gate once he realized my flight was boarding. I cried even harder than when I lost it. I was so happy. I got on the plane crying so hard I could not breathe out of sure frustration and relief..

I learned a lot during that 15 minutes. I learned I was stronger in my faith than I thought and weaker than I needed to be. In other words I was a mess.

From a night of fire to a day of fire. I truly felt like I was in the hot seat.

It does not stop here..  More to come.

Angie

Stories to Tell Part 1

It's been almost two months since I went to Nicaragua and I have not told you about one of the most dramatic trips so far.  If this had been my first it would have been my last. It was that crazy. So lets start with the night before I leave. Typically every trip I go I get sick. Remember all the last minute sinus infections I get. Well this was no different. I was leaving on Thursday morning and this Wednesday night about 7 and out of now where I felt like my head was full of mud...Couldn't breathe, head hurting, coughing until my whole body was sore and too late to go to the doctor but that was not the kicker.

That evening at dinner I decided to burn some of my candles. One of which was sitting on our  stairwell ledge. I have burned these candles many times before for several hours but this night I truly feel the enemy was on the attack.

As Terry and I was sitting in the office doing last minute work stuff Logan comes running in the office saying, "the candle is on fire" to the top of his lungs. I laughed and said, "duh... of course it is" he said again, "No, it's really on fire". There is a glass window between the office and the kitchen and so I stood up and looked at the candles and sure enough one of them had flames shooting a foot high.

In a panic I told Terry to hurry the candle really was on fire and off we ran to the stairwell. The cinnamon candle was in a glass holder and apparently it got to hot and had caught itself on fire. Flames were getting higher and higher and about the time we got to it the fire alarm went off.

The fire was inside the glass holder and the entire wax was on fire and the flames were getting way to high, in a panic Terry said get some water. Trust me, NEVER pour water on hot wax that is in a GLASS holder.

I got a cup or so of water and came running. I poured the luke warm water on the first not thinking at all what I was doing and the glass holder shattered and exploded into the air when a ball of fire.  Now we have a much bigger problem.

Terry runs to get the fire extinguisher and I decided to just go ahead and pour more water on it which did in fact put the fire out, however, now I have RED hot wax running down the ledge and it is  now all over my carpet. Ever tried getting hot RED wax off a carpet and a wooden wall. Use a hair dryer. It works magic for the wall but not for the carpet.

Needless to say we were extremely lucky. If Logan had not smelled the wax burning we could have lost our house completely. If the glass had broke when we were out of the room there would have been no chance to put the fire out in time.

Praise God for a child who has a SUPER sense of smell.

Remember, I have not even left yet and this is the drama in my life.

More exciting stories  to come.

Angie