To Our Dear Friends who serve with us in His ministry,

How we praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for each one of you. We are so thankful to Him for your friendships.   Your prayers for us personally and for Chosen Children Ministries mean more than you will ever know. One of the most difficult things for us at times is being away from our family and home church, but we believe because of your faithfulness to pray, God has given us an even  greater passion for the vision He has set before us. Even when we're away we feel encouraged through the power of your prayers and usually after only a few weeks at home we long to be back in Nicaragua.  

Thank you for the way you support CCM by giving and going.  Our hearts are overflowing with thanksgiving for the incredible generosity you've shown for the work going on throughout the year. It's because of your sacrifices that hundreds of families in Nicaragua are going to have a blessed Christmas celebration.  I am sure that every man, woman and child to whom we  serve a meal would want us to tell you a BIG "Thank You" from the bottom of their hearts.  It can be very hard to share the love of Christ to someone who is physically hungry, but once that need is met it opens the door for many hungry hearts to grasp  how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

We pray each one of you will have a blessed Christmas.  May your home be filled with His love as we all celebrate the birth of our Mighty King Jesus together.

Love in Christ,

Wallace and Kim Nix          

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."   Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,   'Glory to God in the highest heaven,  and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"   Luke 2:11-14

Below is a link to a song sent to us by a sweet friend.  Hope it will bless your Christmas season as it has ours.

Click This Link To Listen

by Keith Crowe

I am the pastor of Heritage Chapel Baptist Church in Greer, South Carolina and we have been involved with Chosen Children Ministries for the last three years in their work in Nicaragua. I have spent a week each of the last two years in Nicaragua. God has laid on my heart and the church to raise money to feed the needy. We raise the money in three ways: A car show, Wild Game Supper and set aside a portion of the money received through tithe and offerings to be used for food.

On November 20^th we held our 4^th annual car show with about 45 show cars. The sale of food goes entirely to the "food fund" for Nicaragua. In 2009 we raised $500 this year we raised $1,063. God blessed us this year with a co-sponsor to provide the trophies and one gift of $200 from an individual.

Last year our Wild Game Supper raised just over $1,500 and this year our aim, with God's help, is to raise $2,000. Oh by the way I forgot to tell you that our church has between 25 and 30 in weekly attendance.

God has shown me that although our church is small this does not exempt us from the Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28: 19 and 20. This article is certainly not intended to say look at us but to praise and honor God for his faithfulness and goodness in allowing us to be part of His work through Chosen Children Ministries. Get involved and see what God is willing to do through your efforts.

by Ryan Gromlovits

What happens when an over-educated, over-fed Christian American goes on a one week mission trip to Nicaragua? Humility. In such a short time, the trip was eye-opening on different levels (financial, physical, cultural), however let me testify to the spiritually humbling affect God's work had.  He built a church using our hands and therein laid the affect. To have the distinguished honor to join Elohim (supreme, mighty God) in His work and experience Him is humbling. And, when He gives you a glimpse at the results of His work (like a church packed full of starving souls worshipping Him at the top of their lungs), you find it difficult to remember feeling the same joy for any possession you ever had.  I remember two times the notion to take a break from mixing concrete on the church floor and marvel at what was happening. It was so satisfying to be there, right then, right there holding a shovel in the name of Christ. To stop (Ps 46:10) and be able to see our Father's love pouring out to this Nicaraguan community and watch His children carry out His will. As I stood there trying to see the bigger picture, I wondered how many times God's Word would be divided on that concrete stage before Jesus' second coming.  How many would sit where I was standing and be drawn by the Holy Spirit; how many in that very church would be convicted of sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come and accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ?

It was by His grace alone that any of it was possible (Jn3:27;15:5). I will never regret that week nor have to wonder if it was wasted in the short life our creator has given me to manage. I wish I felt that way after every week. At home, we have different circumstances but I believe our spiritual need is equally desperate. Brothers and sisters, be humble and encouraged! Let us focus on Christ and His power and remember the service we've been called to because our lives are not our own...praise You for that Jesus!

by Claire Crigler

I went to Nicaragua on a team with Charles Estes as our leader through Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta, GA.  This was my second year to go and I loved every minute of it!  The Chosen Children staff who went with us were wonderful!  All very grounded in their faith, happy to be serving the Lord, eager to help, interpret, lift, carry, share, laugh, etc.  They are a wonderful staff and crew and I feel blessed to have worked with them. 

We went to Juigalpa and stayed in the Chosen Children house next to the orphanage.  While most of our time was not spent with the orphans, we did get to be with them several times.  One of the fun things I brought to interact with them was sidewalk chalk.  Watching them draw all over the basketball court was simply amazing and everyone of them was engaged in it. 

Working in Las Torres was a blessing.  This year we had the addition of the eye glasses and eye doctors.  This brought men as well as women.  While they waited for their time with the doctors, we did take the opportunity to teach from the Bible.  We had planned with women in mind but it was amazing to watch the men listen to us and even share at the end!  They took what we taught and applied it to their lives.

We went into two other barrios.  In one, we were in a plastic house with two windows and had over 400 people lined up, passing by the windows and we were dishing up the food and handing it out.  It was crazy fun!  Those ladies who had cooked the food had been up since 4:30 AM cooking and frying the chicken over the open fire!  In the other barrio the wife of Pedro, I believe, had cooked the food and put it in boxes for us to hand out.  It was a blessing to be a part of the two feeding stations.

My heart is really connected with the people in this country. I so appreciate all that your ministry and the staff do to reach the people of Nicaragua for Christ.

Together in His vineyard,

Claire Crigler

Johnson Ferry Baptist Church