Dear Family and Friends,
Christmas is approaching fast, and it will be the first Christmas in 3
years that we will be staying here in Nicaragua. Coming from Montana, it
just doesn't seem the same without snow, but the festive spirit and the
family ties are still in our hearts. As so many people celebrate with so
many material goods, it is refreshing to see the Miskito culture here
where they are not so commercialized. They don't have so many "things",
but they have their families, friends and communities. Somehow all the
"things" just don't seem so necessary down here.
This month has been very busy, which is good! You may recall from last
month, we had just received approval for the San Carlos runway. I have
now flown out 4 emergency medical patients from that runway; you can see
pictures and stories about that on our web site
www.hanleymissions.org/medicalstories.html. The guy who fell on his
machete is still in the hospital, but up and walking around. A little
boy who got kicked by a horse would not have survived. We also flew in
250 pounds of clothes. This whole part of Nicaragua is talking about the
wonderful blessing of an airplane.
On December 16, I flew the inspector from the government to the Lapan
runway, which the village had cleaned and smoothed. I have been there
twice on the motorcycle, as mentioned in previous newsletters, a truly
grueling 6 hour trip. This time a quick 20 minute flight put us on that
runway with a smooth landing, the first time in over 30 years. We
received quite a welcoming party, a few hundred people. Pictures are on
our web site under photos. We were tremendously blessed that the
inspector approved the runway, and we now have two runways open for
medical evacuation! As we look to the future, villages all over this
part of Nicaragua are excited about the possibility of clearing a
runway. We pray that as we expand the Lord will allow us the ability to
service all the people who request our help.
Work to finish the Tasba Pain church is continuing. There are pictures
of that now on our web site, under New Church Building, a direct link is
www.hanleymissions.org/tasbapain.html . The church people there are
thrilled to have a cement church. They are busy plastering and getting
the gable ends, doors, and window shutters made. I hope to go pour the
floor with my new cement mixer soon (Thank you to the donors who
supplied that!!). Willis, who started the church project, is continuing
to support it, as well as working on another project to give bicycles to
the lay pastors in this region.
The work on the wells is coming along. I poured cement pads around both
wells (10 x 10 feet), and the Tronquera well is working. The Santa Rita
well needs a little more work; it should be working sometime in January.
We have been showing the Jesus film for a couple evenings in our village
with our new generator and projector (Thank you to these donors also!).
It is a big hit and brings in the majority of the village. We are
preparing for a big Share Him evangelism series that we are planning
when Rob and Katherine (Marilyn's sister) come toward the end of
January.
The airplane needs a new annual (mechanic checkout) in a few weeks.
Wings of Hope are sending a mechanic the first week in January from St.
Louis down here to Nicaragua to do the annual. They have been a
tremendous help to our program, and their continuing support of the
Aviation program is saving lives in remote communities.
We are even more thankful this Christmas that we have family and
friends. Even though they are spread all over the world, we relish the
fact we can have communication with e-mail.
Have a Merry Christmas and don't forget that happiness is not to be
found in the material items of this world but in the character of Jesus
whom we celebrate.
In Christ's service,
Clint and Marilyn Hanley
www.wingsovernicaragua.org
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185 Harris Rd
Goldendale, WA 98620
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Wings Over Nicaragua Mission in Tronquera
Clint and Marilyn Hanley
Tronquera, Nicaragua, Central America
www.hanleymissions.org
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