end of year, beginning of year

Hi Folks,

 

     Some of the highlights, and lowlights of 2008 for the Becton family:  As you read this "litany" of events, please keep in mind that during and throughout the entire year we were conducting the normal "business" of our ministry; preaching and teaching and healing and ministering in many many ways, on a daily basis.  The list below are a few of the events that simply "stood out" as I was reviewing my journal.

 

Richard Becton

 

January:

 

    Attended the Gator Bowl with my son (TX Tech vs. VA. Tech), one of the BEST games of the year

   

    Completed the annual inspection on our Aztec airplane

 

    Flew the Aztec airplane to Nicaragua

 

    Helped to rebuild the altar at a small church in Spring Hill, FL

 

    Officially received residency status in Nicaragua

 

    Had new USA passports issued from the embassy in Nicaragua

 

    Received permission for free parking and permission to operate our aircraft in Nicaraguan airspace

 

    Showed Commandante Lomberto Campbell our airplane, with his friends on the ramp in Managua

 

    The operation on a Pastors wife which we had evacuated is completed

 

    Church of God printed calendars with our pictures on them

 

    Flew the Aztec aircraft to Puerto Cabezas

 

    Richard was interviewed by Radio Amor in Puerto Cabezas

 

    Finally got the small motorcycle registered in Nicaragua (moto1)

 

    Started official Spanish lessons

 

    Went fishing for the first (and so far ONLY) time in Nicaragua

 

February:

 

    The FIRST ATM machine is installed in Puerto Cabezas

 

    Began a dialogue with PetroNic

 

    With some good friends help, we renewed our aviation medical certificates in the USA

 

    Attended the Cooper City Church of God missionary conference

 

    Drove the Toyota Truck to Nicaragua

 

    Attended the National Church of God conference in Managua, Nicaragua

 

    Installed a mataburro (donkey killer--i.e.: a "push bumper") on the Toyota in Managua

 

    Passed a required English Language test at the Nicaraguan equivalent of the FAA in Managua

 

    Pastor Jim Chamberlain and his missions director Phil Allen arrive for the first time to Puerto Cabezas

 

    Food poisoning - me

 

    Completed videos for New Covenant Church of God and Westminster, SC Church of God

 

    Met with Marisol Chalmers, the president on the council for health in Nicaragua

 

    Installed road signs from Puerto Cabezas to Waspam, and from WaWa to Rosita

 

    Rioting in Puerto  Cabezas, two deaths

 

    New Covenant Church of God advises us they are planning a 2009 missions trip to Puerto Cabezas.

 

March:

 

    Took the Zodiac inflatable boat out for its very first test run on the river WaWa, and Lake Karata

 

    Carolyn and I attend a week-long bible class...conducted completely in Spanish

 

    While in class, we witnessed our first case of demon possession in an 11 year old girl

 

    Realized that our Toyota Truck was now the taxi of preference for ALL the pastors in Puerto Cabezas

 

    Witnessed a few personal problems amongst pastors and their families.  Saw beds thrown out of windows

 

    Started a program of encouragement for local businesses, including sawmills

 

    Evacuated a sawmill worker with kidney infection to the hospital

   

    Carolyn and I became God-Parents to Rolli Luan Romero

 

    Walter and Carla Davis arrived into Puerto Cabezas for a ministerial visit

 

    A good friend of ours, Calmore Williams, and I spent a week together in Managua chasing paperwork

 

    Walter Davis and I braved the lake, and encountered somewhat large waves on Lake Karata

 

    Food poisoning - Carolyn

 

    We heard a very talented singer (Aaron) sing at a church in Muelle barrio (started our musical group)

 

    Showed "The Jesus Movie" on large screen to the people hanging out at the park

 

    Wrote a letter to a fellow pilot, and philanthropist (Angelina Jolie)

 

    Initiated English Language classes amongst our friend and fellow church members in Puerto Cabezas

 

    Finally began to learn how to shop in Puerto Cabezas

 

    Aided Lara LaCayo in starting the school for people living and working at the local landfill (dump)

 

    Our church, as a group, visited Tuapi...a local swimming hole.  How fun!

 

    Attended the Regional conference for the Church of God in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua

 

April:

 

    Carolyn tells me that with all the conferences going on, our truck now has a "chair moving" ministry

 

    Alba, a good friend, gets sick

 

    Traveled to Bilwaskarma to install two pilas (sinks) for the schools there, children can now wash their hands after using the restroom during the day

 

    Some very good friends of our in Florida were under siege by the devil

 

    Spent three days in ankle deep water, trying to get our shower to drain

 

    Had my ribs x-rayed at the local hospital (wow)

 

    We took part in a Christian Concert at the Iglesia de Dios, Central church

 

    Huelga (strike), and Puerto Cabezas is completely cut-off from the rest of the world

 

    Our church has a baptism ceremony at Tuapi, including one brother in a wheel chair

 

    Some riders in the back of our truck got their fingers slammed in the door

 

    English classes continue

 

    Carolyn escapes to the USA, while the Huelga continues

 

    We enter discussions on building a gas facility for the airplane

 

    Bought 100 pounds of beans and distributed them to pastors, and parishioners

 

    After two weeks our friend Alba recovers

 

    Drove Moto1 to Tuapi, and up and down the beach

 

    Constructed shelving for the ChristWalk eyeglasses

 

    Joined a commercial program on the web called OurGV

 

    Showed "The Jesus Movie" again, different location, very common thing for us

 

    Our musical, theatric group, is taking shape

 

    Attended a second baptism ceremony at Tuapi

 

    Became concerned about the study habits of Native Nicaraguans and how that would affect our future plans for them

 

    Made a trip to Rosita and Bonanza for a regional conference

 

May:

 

    Hired and fired an "official" translator (discrepancy about pay rate)

 

    Began to survey building sites for the school project

 

    Food poisoning - Me

 

    Learned to make homemade pizza dough!

 

    Rebuilt desks/chairs for the school at the local landfill (dump)

 

    Jose, a brother, returned to drug use and rips us off for a small sum

 

    Participated in opening a new church (nuevo campo) at Sangni Laya village

 

    Entire congregation falls to the floor when the seats come apart at Sangni Laya (hahaha)

 

    The Toyota Taxi is in full swing, and busy

 

    Three churches from the USA agree to help with the land and school project

 

    The Ocala food drive falls through

 

    Attended a local church (verbo), no Miskito language there, only Spanish...weird

 

    I got the chance to go to Phoenix to visit my wife and her father and grandfather

 

    Carolyn takes a job in Dallas, month "on", month "off"

 

    I complete my Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic to renew my instructors license in Atlanta

 

    We both renew our drivers licenses in TN

 

    I was invited to, and attended, the leadership conference in Managua

 

June:

 

    Someone lost the Customs paperwork for the Toyota Truck

 

    I saw a beautiful spot, called Poza Verde, for the first time

 

    Pastor Johnny Johnson throws his churches hat in the ring, agrees to help with the school project

 

    Arranged for passports and cedula (identity cards) for the musical group members

 

    Met new "gringo" arrivals in town Jack and Lyn (now good friends)

 

    Delivered promised bibles to Nuevo Campo at Sangni Laya

 

    Gave a tour of our landfill school to the "dock boss" in Puerto Cabezas

 

    A church in Anderson, SC donates a Suburban to our ministry

 

    Delivered twenty five bags of clothing to Rosita and Bonanza

 

    On the way to Managua, my new Mata-Burro falls off the truck (three broken welds)

 

    I backed into a concrete filled pole at the Managua airport (good strong bumper)

 

    Spent another week doing the "government office cake-walk" for the ChristWalk teams impending arrival

 

    Still pleading with the Nicaraguan government to supply gasoline for the Aztec aircraft

 

    Was used by God to deliver a message to a guard at a TipTop chicken stand, of all things

 

    Richard Baker from the Church of God central offices visited Managua

 

    ChristWalk Church of God gets approval for their medical team to visit, and arrives into Puerto Cabezas

 

July:

 

    We renew our official permission from the Nicaraguan government to fly the Aztec aircraft in Nicaraguan airspace

 

    We obtain a debit card, in Managua, for our BanPro account in Puerto Cabezas (BIG, BIG deal for us)

 

    Took possession of this beautiful Suburban vehicle in Atlanta airport

 

    Used the new suburban to transport the Avion trailer to San Antonio, in preparation for the trip to Nicaragua

 

    Had dinner with my brother in San Antonio

 

    Celebrated Carolyn's birthday in Rowlett, TX with a new friend of ours, Jennifer Morrison

 

    Visited the Iglesia de Vida church in TX, Pastor Didar

 

    Visited the Iglesia Torre Fuerte church in Temple, TX, Pastor Guerrero

 

    Visited a new friend, Kyle Knupple, in Beaumont, TX (possible team coming next year)

 

    Took two days to visit an old friend of min in Florida, Billy Finley

 

    Was able to attend the ChristWalk missions board meeting, planning their trips to Puerto and Africa

 

    Completed the translations of the paperwork for the Casa de Servicio organizations recognition in Nicaragua

 

    Our first house renters in Cleveland, TN moved back to Florida and Israel Waldrop (our property manager) looks for new renters

 

    Spoke briefly at the Christ Community Church in Athens, TN

 

    Took two days to repair the fence at our house in Cleveland, TN

 

    Visited my brother in Alabama on the way to TX to attend the Church of God General Assembly in San Antonio

 

August:

 

    Attended the Church of God General Assembly (doubtful we will ever go again, too expensive)

 

    Met Alan and Sherry Greene of Mercy House Church of God in Monroe, NC (great folks)

 

    Visited our old church (The Medina Valley Assembly of God) renewed old acquaintances

 

    Sadly discovered why one of our friends was no longer the Pastor of our old church

 

    Gave the kayaks a "test run" at Lake Medina with a good friend of ours

 

    Worked, and worked and worked to figure out the electrical systems problems in the Avion trailer

 

    Received a disturbing phone call from Ken Anderson about Carolyn's work status (supportive, but concerned for us)

 

    I heard that I was "on the list" for an interview with a company called Net Jets Middle East (news to me, I hadn't applied)

 

    Carolyn spent a night holding a satellite dish and spinning around the yard (trying to get DishTV reception in the trailer)

 

    Food poisoning (USA) - Carolyn

 

    Drove the trailer and suburban to Nicaragua

 

    Faced danger in Guatemala, but with God's help avoided the danger

 

    Had a small fender bender in Guatemala (broke some glass)

 

    Saw smoke rolling out from under the hood after coming down a mountain in Guatemala (the brakes)

 

    Scraped the sides of the trailer as it entered the gate of the National Overseers compound in Managua

 

    I had a cracked tooth repaired while we were in Managua (it had been bothering me for 2 months)

 

    Dengue Fever - Me

 

September:

 

    New eyeglasses for me, bought in Nicaragua

 

    MORE ChristWalk paperwork, gladly

 

    Suburban windshield gets cracked overnight by a piece of wind-driven fruit, had to be replaced

 

    Met Brother Rolando Almazon from Guatemala, and living in the USA a bank manager

 

    Visited Hogar Agape again, what a wonderful ministry this is

 

    Met Ernesto Ramon, a potential pilot, near Managua

 

    Broke down and spent the night at the WaWa ferry with Ernesto (tires, third spare)

    Attended the changeover ceremony for the regional supervisor of the RAAN and RAAS regions (Zavala to Stivenson)

 

    Moved for one month into a temporary house in Puerto (not ideal)

 

    Found out we can't buy rims for the suburban in Managua without paying $300 too much each

 

    Lewis and Rosa Politiwisc arrives into Puerto Cabezas (Pan de Vida ministries)

 

    Pan de Vida feeds the people living and working at the landfill (dump)

 

    Toyota engine dies completely

 

    Visited the Mexican embassy in Managua for paperwork

 

October:

 

    Carolyn arrives into Managua with Toyota and Suburban car parts

 

    Second ChristWalk medical team arrives into Managua

 

    Another broken tooth for me

 

    With the help of a friend, we installed a pump at the house we are renting in Puerto Cabezas (RUNNING WATER)

 

    I received word that I AM on the interview list for a job with NetJets Middle East (working in Saudi Arabia)

 

    A local Pastor gave us some venison

 

    I crashed the suburban on the way to Managua (7 onboard, roll-over) no one was injured beyond cuts and bruises

 

    I put a scratch on a rental car in Managua ($40)\

 

    Mr. Williams in San Antonio donates a Chevy Van to our ministry

 

    Cooper City Church of God donates money for the school project in Puerto Cabezas

 

November:

 

    I completed the interview with NetJets Middle East

 

    Stayed at a very bad hotel in Dallas, The executive inn

 

    Visited the Mexican Embassy in Dallas

 

    City and Regional elections are held in Managua (rioting and demonstrations begin)

 

    I tried to sell the Avion Trailer to a carnival in Managua

 

    We moved into our new house in Puerto Cabezas (what a relief!)

 

    We broke ground on the school in Puerto Cabezas!

 

    I received a job offer from Net Jets Middle East

 

    We arranged for internet service in Puerto Cabezas (right in our own house!)

 

    The Toyota repairs are complete

 

    Political conflicts and demonstrations continue in Managua

 

    We arranged a new insurance policy for the Aztec aircraft (Nicaraguan insurance)

 

    Lou and Rosa Politiwisc and their team (pan de vida) arrive into Puerto for their second visit

 

    I installed a hot water head for our shower in the new house (BIG BIG deal for us)

 

    Drove Dr. Robert Bach to Bilwaskarma, Toyota had problems on the way there

 

December:

 

    A mirror was stolen from Moto1, right under our noses one night

 

    We hire a night watchman

 

    The school construction estimate receives an impromptu revision (almost doubles)

 

    We renew our Aztec aircraft permissions (again, every six months or so)

 

    A local businessman is the recipient of the very first micro loan arranged by us

 

    I attend indoctrination class in Savannah, GA for NJME

 

    I attend MedAire training class in Savannah, GA for NJME

 

    I attend recurrent class for NJME in Wichita, KS

 

    Made a mad dash in very poor weather by car to Nashville, TN to get paperwork for Saudi Arabian visa

 

    The repairs are completed on the donated Chevy Van, and we pick up the vehicle

 

    Christmas in New Jersey, visiting Carolyn's mother and her husband

 

    Back to Nicaragua on the 30th of this month

CHRISTmas wishes

Hi Folks,

 

     Carolyn and I are writing to wish you the very merriest CHRISTmas possible this year. 

 

     We know that God's LOVE is powerful, and that He is the bringer of all good gifts to each of us. 

     We know that God's PEACE is overwhelming, if we allow it to be so. 

     We know that God's JOY is exuberant if we accept it into our lives. 

 

     We know that each of you, is an angel of God, and we thank Him for your presence in our lives. 

 

Each and every one of you.

 

In this, the best season of each year, we wish you the privilege of service to His Kingdom.

 

God bless you,

 

Richard and Carolyn Becton

Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua

flight@flash.net

 

 

Merry CHRISTmas

Hi Folks,

 

     There is a lot going on right now in our personal lives, good things!  There isn't much to say about the mission project however.  It seems that our downtrodden Indians in Nicaragua are caught up in the "doldrums" of America's economic despair too!

 

     We are still building a school.  We look forward to your help as the new year approaches, and brings new vitality to your own economic situation.

 

     We pray that God blesses you richly while we struggle to build this school for the 125 children that are expecting to attend in February.

 

Richard Becton

Dios le bendiga grandemente a su familia y ministerio.
 
Casa de Servicio, International
Missionary Aviation, Medical Evacuation
Church of God, World Missions Project #: 065-0497
http://www.casadeservicio.org
 
Richard & Carolyn Becton
3005 Pine Dr NE
Cleveland, TN 37312
210 392-9574 (for dialing from the US, and for messages)
011 505 613-5824 (Our number in Nicaragua)

 

flight@flash.net
http://www.myspace.com/rbecton
http://www.casadeservicio.org/blog/

 

ADDRESS IN NICA:

 

Iglesia de Dios, Central
Missionero Richard Becton
Barrio: 19 de Julio
Puerto Cabezas, R.A.A.N.
Nicaragua, Central America

interesting developements

 

 

Hi Folks,

 

    I wish I could pass along more positive statements, and more good news this morning, but I feel SO overwhelmed with frustration!

 

     We had an estimate for the completion of both buildings for the new school here in Puerto Cabezas of just under $30,000.00...for both buildings.  I just had a meeting with our contractor this morning and he was estimating the next two steps in the building process. 

 

     We have already outlaid $5,000.00 for the project, which bought us that BEAUTIFUL foundation which you saw the picture of last week in our blog.  We thought that was high, but since we had previously been told the estimate, we didn't worry too much.  We figured that concrete must be expensive, which it IS.

 

     This morning the same person comes back with an estimate of $6,000.00 for the OTHER foundation and $8,000.00 to build the walls HALFWAY up on the first building.  Things just weren't adding up!

 

     THAT would have put us $19,000.00 into the project with only two foundations and a half-wall on ONE building done!  Definitely NOT adding up toward the original $29,000.00 estimate.  So, we posed a WHOLE BUNCH of questions to the pastors that were arranging things for us.  The upshot is that we ended up firing our contractor this morning, and the frustration level is immense.

 

    We KNOW that a work of God is in progress here, and that the enemy will try many things to stop this Work of God from happening...but it is still frustrating.

 

     We are basically at square one, with a deadline looming.  The school year starts Feb. 1, and we really need help.  We covet your prayer like never before!

 

 

God Bless,

 

Richard and Carolyn Becton

 

Dios le bendiga grandemente a su familia y ministerio.
 
Casa de Servicio, International
Missionary Aviation, Medical Evacuation
Church of God, World Missions Project #: 065-0497
http://www.casadeservicio.org
 
Richard & Carolyn Becton
3005 Pine Dr NE
Cleveland, TN 37312
210 392-9574 (for dialing from the US, and for messages)
011 505 613-5824 (Our number in Nicaragua)

 

flight@flash.net
http://www.myspace.com/rbecton
http://www.casadeservicio.org/blog/

 

ADDRESS IN NICA:

 

Iglesia de Dios, Central
Missionero Richard Becton
Barrio: 19 de Julio
Puerto Cabezas, R.A.A.N.
Nicaragua, Central America