(Video) How God is making a difference in Nicaraguan schoolchildren

Nicaragua is a country clenched in the iron fist of poverty. According to the CIA World Factbook, more than 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line - with 14 percent living in extreme poverty (generally defined as less than $1.25 per day). One of the big reasons for this is lack of education. Check out the video below to see why the situation is the way it is, and what CFCI - Nicaragua is doing to change that.

Isn't this exciting? To be a part of the way that God is moving in the ministry of Christ For the City International, please click the link below. And believe us, this is one of the best ways to spend your money.

Transformation Testimony: Guatemala Short-Term Team Member

We have hundreds of people that travel with Christ For the City International to various countries, and God tends to do awesome, amazing, and awe-inspiring things in their lives. We wanted to share just one example of how God moved in Guatemala. 

Blessings to you in the Lord!

My 14-day trip to Guatemala exceeded my expectations! God worked in ways and situations that were extraordinary. In my 30 years of ministry I have not witnessed such an outpouring of God's Spirit as I ministered. The translator provided, Lucia, played a large part in the success of my trip. Her flexibility and patience with this gringo, enabled us to be effective in diverse ministry settings. From military prisons to private High Schools, we were able to share the gospel of Christ and see dozens of people receive the Lord! 

We were also able to speak to the staff  5-6 times and witnessed an awakening of faith in three of its members. God's movement was powerful, joyful, and personal as we spoke from the Bible about God's training and growth of faith. 

As we also went house to house we also had great receptivity. Entire families received the message of the gospel! 

In one home, a woman who was paralyzed and had not walked for 1 1/2 years, asked for prayer. As we prayed, we sensed the power of the Lord was present. We continued to pray and wait on the Lord; however, we left with no visible signs of healing. She attended a small church that we were to speak at the following day. You can imagine our astonishment as we saw this same woman, who had not walked in 1 1/2 years, come walking through the church doors the following day! She was limping - but on her own power with no help - she was walking! 

In that particular church, the Lord was especially present with many coming forward and finding Christ or renewal through Him.  

Lastly, we also established contacts with some of the churches/pastors we visited.  Lord willing, we will be able to further encourage these churches in the future with a team from the church I now pastor in California. 

Working with CFCI proved to be an incredible asset in doing God's work in Guatemala. Without your help and organization, I would not have been able to serve and see God do so many wonderful things. Thank you!

Blessings to you, and thanks again for all your help.

--

Interested in supporting more of this kind of work? Click the link below to help support the work God is doing through Christ For the City International.

Edited by: John Michael Den Hartog

Love Thy Neighbor and Thy City

Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers.  And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy.  Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood.  Tell them that the kingdom is here.  Bring health to the sick.  Raise the dead.  Touch the untouchables.  Kick out the demons.  You have been treated generously, so live generously." - Matt. 10:5-8 (The Message)

Here at Christ For the City, our vision is that there would be "No place without a witness, no church without a vision, and no person without hope."  And we believe that this starts with cities, hence the name of our organization.  An article came in my inbox today, written by Tim Keller.  It's titled  "A Vision to Reach the City."  Keller mentions in the article that "Per capita, the cities are really underchurched and they're getting more underchurched all the time."  He says, "Churches, denominations and mission organizations must do more to try to reach the growing urban population around the world."  Cities are growing at a faster rate for the first time in over a century.  And not just in the United States, but globally.  You can read the rest of the article here: http://www.outreachmagazine.com/people/4932-tim-keller-a-vision-to-reach-the-city.html?p=1.

The Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership says that, as of May 2011, Omaha, Nebraska has a population of 408,958.  A year-and-a-half later, that number has increased by almost 20,000.  This does not include the surrounding Greater Omaha Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and the more than 1.2 million people that live within an easy sixty minute drive of Omaha.  Where do you live?  I would encourage you to do some research on the demographics in your area--a quick internet search would put this information at your fingertips.  

The Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life released a report earlier this month.  The name of this report is called "'Nones' on the Rise: One-in-Five Adults Have No Religious Affiliation."  On one hand, the title alone is enough to shock us.  On the other hand, though, why should we be surprised?  When we look at what is running rampant through our society--pornography, alcohol and drug addiction, idol worship, homosexuality, broken homes, violence, a me-centered philosophy--it's easy to agree that one-in-five adults have no religious affiliation.

Here's what the Pew Forum says:

The number of Americans who do not identify with any religion continues to grow at a rapid pace. One-fifth of the U.S. public – and a third of adults under 30 – are religiously unaffiliated today, the highest percentages ever in Pew Research Center polling.  In the last five years alone, the unaffiliated have increased from just over 15% to just under 20% of all U.S. adults. Their ranks now include more than 13 million self-described atheists and agnostics (nearly 6% of the U.S. public), as well as nearly 33 million people who say they have no particular religious affiliation (14%).

If you care to thumb through the report, here's the link: http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/Unaffiliated/NonesOnTheRise-full.pdf.

Why do I mention these scores of people?  And why do I acknowledge the apathetic?  I talk about them, because Jesus talked about them.  Not only did Jesus talk about them, he addressed their sin.  He loved on them.  He showed them an inordinate amount of grace and mercy.  He wasn't afraid to hang out with them in public (Matt. 9, Luke 19).  Jesus did it right and I think we have a thing or two or much to learn from Him on how to love thy neighbor and thy city.

Jesus' attitude and actions are a challenge for me.  Far too often, I find myself living my easy Christian life.  On Sunday morning, I go to church with Christians.  On Tuesday and Thursday nights, I again hang out with Christians through my Bible Studies.  Monday-Friday, I work in an office with some pretty amazing Christians.  And somewhere along the line, I've forgotten about the unchurched, the apathetic, and the unreached.  It's time that I pull out my Bible and refresh myself on the principles and teachings therein.

"Stand up for me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven.  If you turn tail and run, do you think I'll cover for you?  Don't think I've come to make life cozy....  This a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it.  It's best to start small.  Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance.  The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice.  You won't lose out on a thing." - Matt. 10:32-34, 42

Be blessed,

Julie