From Bret

The school in Nueva Guinea, Nicaragua, “Colegio Cristiano Manto de Gracia,” continues to impress and inspire me. When Bob had the vision to start the school, I had no idea how impactful this school would be on the kids, let alone the community. The school has become an influence in the city and the region, impacting hundreds and even thousands of lives. The school’s commitment to excellence is one of the driving factors that make it so unique. Students are continually challenged to do their best in their Bible studies, their schoolwork, and in their sports activities. I have to say that we have seen success in all these areas but still have room to grow.

While there are still challenges that must be addressed, lives are being changed. We have had several graduating classes with students going on to college. We have had a teacher do mission work in other parts of the country. We have also seen our athletes compete at the national level – and win. All of this from a small rural school. It goes to show you that God moves in every area of the world and cares about every individual. We want to continue to be a light that others can see and draw them into what Christ has done for all of us. You see, at the end of the day, all the academic and athletic success means nothing if we are not bringing glory to Jesus Christ our Lord. It is humbling to see kids worship, increase their faith, and change those around them for the kingdom of God.

We have full classes in every grade, and we have more parents and students that want to be a part of the school. What this means is that we have lots of facilities to keep up. The parents and students have stepped up and are taking the lead on campus improvements, but there is still help that is needed. We continue to need financial help to cover maintenance costs, classroom improvements, and teacher and staff salaries. Most of the school’s funding comes from individual donors like you. Every little bit helps. So, we thank you for your financial support and especially for your prayers. The academic regulations in Nicaragua are always changing, meaning we must adapt to new policies. This is time-consuming, nerve-wracking, and takes a lot of effort. We really do need your prayers for God to continue to show us ways to be effective in sharing the gospel and improving kids’ lives.

Finally, if you know of anyone who would be interested in this incredible ministry, please let them know. We would be more than happy to talk with them, share our vision of the future as well as what has been done in the past, and get them involved. You can find more information on the NACE website (https://www.nacenicaragua.org/), send us an email at nacenicaragua@gmail.com, or find us on Facebook by searching for Nicaragua Advances in Christian Education. My wife and I try to make it down to the school at least once a year to keep our vision fresh and to remember the reason why we do this. We would love to have you join us.