Her home here in Poneloya, Nicaragua had been destroyed by hurricane winds nearly a year before. Her family was living in destitution and had very little income. Their house was cobbled together with whatever plastic, cardbaord, and twisted tin they could scavenge. Brenda's cry was, "Would you help us rebuild?" Her pleading eyes demanded a response.

God always reminds me of the verse in Proverbs 3:27, "Withhold not good to them to whom it is due when it is in the power of your hands to do so."

Our team came to Poneloya to specifically help a new congregation build a new church building, not build new houses. Being confronted with human need is not new to any of us, we are surrounded everyday with people crying out for help. Our team clearly knew we needed to seek the Lord for the correct way to respond to her request and to the need which was so visible.

We prayed together as a team that evening, and my sense was to promise Brenda that upon returning to the US we would share her story and the need those in her community have for housing and see how the Lord would respond through his people. We also began talking with Pastor Carlos Mayorga to discern how together his church and GO InterNational could meet this need. We wanted to begin to define the need and what it would take to help.

Our conversations with Pastor Carlos and his people have been very fruitful. The initial plan is toe build 2 houses in this community, 1 for Brenda and 1 for another widow. The houses will cost roughly $4000 each and will be made of materials that can withstand the wind and hurricanes. Our Nicaraguan friends are to help us lay a new foundation and begin the process of rebuilding her home for four people and we are planning a team on June 2-9 to go to Poneloya to help build the house for Brenda.

Now, only two weeks after returning, God's people have generously given the 50% of the funds needed for the first house. Would you be willing to give to help us meet the goal of $8000 needed for the 2 houses? You can click here to make a donation.

Thanks so much for standing with GO InterNational to help "widows in their affliction."

Please continue to pray for us as we seek to help those living in extreme poverty in Poneloya.