MANAGUA

Unfortunately, we have lost track of most of the people in these pictures. If they are you, or if you know some of these people, please get in touch with us. Or, pass this page on to them! Thanks! It would be wonderful to re-establish contact!

Helga and I were assigned to Managua, Nicaragua, between the years 1973 till 1978. We were with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. The mission began in 1971, and the missionary was forced to return to the USA due to health problems. We were in Ashland, WI, where I was vacancy pastor at First English Lutheran during our home leave after four years in Peru. During home leave the mission reassigned us from Peru to Nicaragua.

However, the morning of December 24, 1972, as we were all packed up and beginning our drive to Madison, to catch our flight to Managua later that week, we began to hear news on the radio -- an earthquake in Managua. Each hour of that six hour drive brought in more terrible news, and it was obvious by the time we reached Madison, we would not be going to Managua right away. The center of the city had been flattened by a tremendous earthquake.

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Four days after the earthquake, I arrived in Managua. While standing in line for the flight out of Miami, I met a man who had a large amount of money in his pocket. He wanted to get to Managua, fast, to help the people. He didn't have any contacts, knew no-one, and could not speak Spanish. I told him that I wanted to get there, also, to help the people. I had virtually no money, but many contacts and could speak Spanish. We boarded the plane, sitting together, and for the next two weeks we worked hand in hand.

          

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Using his money and my contacts, we bought truck loads of beans and rice from the government warehouses and delivered the goods to the people.

The members of the Lutheran Church did not miss a single worship service. Their church builidng fell down, but they met the very next Sunday under a large tree.

A two year volunteer arrived soon after the earthquake. He helped with the basic task of leadership education, beginning theological education that would equip the people for service in their church. The local people in turn taught their friends, relatives, and neighbors what they had learned. It was a beautiful example of 1 Peter 2:9-10 in action.

The Lord attracted a lot of attention to Managua with that earthquake. He called a number of young short-term volunteers from the USA to Nicaragua.

The Lutheran Church grew between 1973 and 1978, both in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and in number of communicants.

The Lutherans formed a half dozen small congregations under the name FIEL "Federacion de Iglesias Evangelicas Luteranas," (Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches.)

Most of the members were very poor. This was a difficult time in Nicaragua. The woman pictured here, a faithful member of the church, sold bleach. She was the mother of eight children, all died.

Our work consisted of teaching, mostly. The people had resources and gifts and talents.

In late 1978 Helga and I were reassigned to Lima, Peru. With the turmoil of rebellion and revolution in and around Managua during 1978 and 1979, the USA missionaries were withdrawn from Nicaragua.

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