In2theRiver

Good morning from Westminster, MD!

Recently, I had the chance to return to Nicaragua to spend time with friends and check in on everything happening there. It is always an incredibly encouraging and hope-producing time, and this trip was no different. With that in mind, I want to share a few updates with you.

Following my last trip, I wrote about the move and re-launch of the carpentry shop at Ruby Ranch. At the time, they had started using the carpentry shop to plane and prepare wood for the newest cabin to host more kids for their fantastic camps. I am excited to report that the cabin is completed and was largely built from locally sourced wood, which reduced the cost and provided income for the local community. In fact, I had the chance to see the cabin in action, but more on that shortly.

The carpentry shop continues to be a blessing at Ruby Ranch and has provided an opportunity for some men in the community to learn carpentry skills. It also is being used to assist community members with carpentry needs such as replacing doors on houses. We believe this just the beginning and are excited to see how the carpentry shop will continue to be a catalyst for people to experience both practical and spiritual hope.

In my post in February, I mentioned that Andrew and Karen felt it was time to close Ciclo Sport, the bike shop in Bluefields, to focus on pointing the youth in Bluefields to the hope found in Jesus. While this was a tough decision, it has become more and more that it was the right decision. Now meeting weekly, Andrew, Karen, and their team have been investing in the lives of teenagers from their church and the surrounding community. Many of the young people come from challenging circumstances and are in desperate need of hope. Over the last six month, Andrew, Karen, and their team have provided a place for them to hear that they were created on purpose and for a purpose by a God who loves them.

Having earned the right to be heard, they invited the young people to go an adventure with them. To where? Ruby Ranch! This is where the first two stories come together. Traveling across the country, Andrew, Karen, and their team brought a group of youth to experience camp at Ruby Ranch. For many of the young people, this was the first time they had the chance to see the world beyond Bluefields. With a water slide, crazy games, a bonfire, a hike to a beautiful outdoor chapel with an incredible view, and more, the young people from Bluefields had an amazing time. Most importantly, they heard and experienced how much Jesus loves them and is for them. It was a weekend full of hope! Along with a few friends, I had the chance to be a part of the camp and came away filled with hope. Andrew, Karen, and their team felt the same way and are excited to see what God does in the lives of the young people over the coming months.

In addition to working with the youth, Andrew, Karen, and their church have a big heart for the community. This has led them to start El Camino, a community center aimed at bringing both practical and spiritual hope to the surrounding community, much of which has been impacted by poverty. Starting with tutoring for local children, El Camino is already creating real opportunities for kids to realize their God-given potential. This is just the beginning of what we believe will be a catalyst for real hope in the community.

This is not the only new beginning in Nicaragua. Shortly after my last trip to Nicaragua, NicaBike, the bike shop that was launched in 2014, decided to open a second location in Managua. Launching in October, the second location is in a busy commercial area, which should give them an even broader reach. This also opens the door for additional employment opportunities. Over the years, NicaBike has also provided the opportunity for Josh, Flavia, and others to invest in the lives of their team members. Opening a second location will create more chances to help redefine their identity based on how God views and loves them.

While in Nicaragua, some of the friends I was traveling with helped do a little painting at the new shop (I got to help a little too!). It turned out really well and was an encouragement to Josh, Flavia, and the NicaBike Team. Currently awaiting their next container of bikes, the NicaBike Team is excited for this next adventure!

Speaking of growing, Frutivera, the sweet corn farm, continues to do just that. In fact, they are preparing to increase their harvest by 25% in the coming weeks. As I have said in the past, this represents more than just expanded corn production. Ultimately, Frutivera is growing hope by providing good jobs with higher-than-normal wages and an environment that reinforces their team members’ God-given potential. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Frutivera!

As always, I returned from Nicaragua feeling more hope-filled than when I left. In part this is because, through the ups and the downs, my friends in Nicaragua continue to believe that hope will win the day. May this post be an encouragement for each of us to do the same!

James Belt

Click here​ for more resources to help you bring hope to others, including more information about my book, Hope Realized!