Flying House (Casa del Vuelo)

Texas note

2011-07-21T08:32:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

It is interesting to me to see the liberal furor over the possible entry into the presidential race of Texas governor Rick Perry. Not so much because Governor Perry may (or may not) be entering the race, but because of some of the liberal medias response to his decision making process. Apparently the liberal media takes exception to Governor Rick Perry stating he wished to be called by God, before entering the race for president in 2012. I applaud Governor Perry's stated desire for divine guidance. Our nation needs JUST that kind of guidance.

Now, I have to admit that I don't watch a whole lot of liberal media, with the exception of CNN, so my opinion of the liberal medias "take" on Governor Rick Perry is necessarily somewhat one-sided. However, if the likes of Stephen Colbert and Bill Maher are indicative of the general liberal medias attitude, then it is apparently more worthwhile for a liberal to belittle a candidate's faith than it is to analyze that candidates stance on issues. Now, I wouldn't care about the statements of these comedians if these liberally biased comedians also belittled their own parties candidates, in the interest of illiciting laughs...but they do not. The interest these "comedians" have, is obviously political, in addition to the humor derived. The field of potential presidents is RIFE with comedic possibilities (http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/), not the least of which is our current President's attempts to absolve himself from all responsibility for the nation he has failed to lead...and yet that segment of the media chooses to focus on the faith beliefs of Governor Rick Perry. It makes me very sad to see someone belittled for their publicly professed faith.

The liberal media really does think one must be stupid, to believe in God. How sad is that? And how basically IMPORTANT is that to realize?

Richard
http://casadeservicio.blogspot.com/

Get used to it!

2011-06-30T05:51:00.003-05:00

Hi Folks,

I'm writing today to ruminate upon a basic fact of our natures, human nature...

The great majority of us, human beings, that have normal capacity for experience can very quickly habituate ourselves to almost anything. We are born with a miraculous capacity to adapt to our environments, physical, psychological and emotional ones. From our natal moment we begin to adapt...we emerge from the waters of our mother's womb and begin to use our muscles to counteract the effects of gravity, ...light from the room assails our visual senses and we learn to adjust, to our new "normal", ...someone cuts the umbilical cord, and we breathe using our freshly grown lungs...our ears are assailed by discordant noises very dissimilar to the rushing fluidity of our mothers heartbeat, and we perceive a new normality, ...these first few moments of our exterior life are full of changes and necessary adaptations. It is this kind of primary adaptive experience which serves us well through the many changes and adaptations which will be required of us for the extent of our physical lives.

Adaptation is the most readily identifiable cause for us humans, as a species, to have survived the rigors of the physical world we were born into. From the time of Adam and Eve until today, and beyond to all of our futures...the physical skill of adaptation has been with us, preserving the comfort of our lives better than a well trained servant. I wonder if perhaps the skill of social adaptation is as important, or even MORE important than our physical ability to adapt?

From the scientifically offered premise of our cave-dwelling ancestors who survived by banding together in small clans to guard against danger, and starvation, and to preserve comfort...through the establishment of kingdoms and fiefdoms and the rule of feudal lords...and as our social evolution continued while democracy and socialism and communism and the rule of law came into effect in this earth's societies...we have adapted.

It is no wonder that the choosing of our leaders is of critical importance to us! As humans, living in the societies which are created and shaped by the people that rule us...in whatever form they come... there are few decisions which are more important and more dangerous than the choosing of a leader! Even leaders that have been chosen poorly, or who have become corrupted by the power and wealth of leadership may continue to effect our societies for extended periods. Lifetimes, in fact. The fall of multiple leaders in the Middle East took place after lifetimes of decadent rule, and sometimes only after generations of mismanaged or corrupt rule. Choose wisely in the beginning and shape your society for the better, choose poorly and decay, and corruption, and an eventual war or uprising of society is all that will contain or eradicate a poorly chosen ruler. At the very least, a poorly chosen leader may halt the progress of an otherwise advancing society.

In Central and South America we can witness how a poorly chosen ruler can cause the advancement of a society to falter, or stop altogether. In Korea, and China and Russia...and the United States of America we can ALL bear witness to the same thing happening. And yet, our societies adapt.

IS adaptation, social adaptation, a good thing? Yes, it IS, ...decidedly good in fact. We must be cautious however of our innate skill of adaptation, because we also have a tendency to become habituated to things in our lives which we would be much better off without. Leaders, both secular and theological ones, come to us with bright plans for our futures. That is why we elect them, or allow them to lead us (for those societies on earth that have foregone the formality of elections). We must preserve our societies from those leaders amongst us that show us the bright shiny futures they will attempt to bring to fruition, while skillfully guarding their own darker plans of personal wealth, power and control. We MUST investigate the character of our potential leaders, and even the moral basis upon which they will lead us...these things are indicative of the KIND of people, and leaders, that they are...and will become. There is no more important thing in our lives, from a purely secular viewpoint, than to pick wisely...those that will lead us. Because once we pick them, we begin the process of adaptation to their way of thinking and their goals, and their plans, and their exertions to shape OUR societies. Those of us that live in societies where we are given a voice, even if it is a nominal voice, should do our utmost to pick a leader which will preserve the KIND of society in which we want to live.

Try to put aside the tactics of groups of men that wish to decide these things for you...they DO NOT know what YOU want for society...they know what THEY want for YOUR society. Please make an effort in the upcoming election year, in America...MY society, to choose your leader based upon the type of society in which you wish to live. Vote your heart, and your mind, and your morals, and your ethics in 2012. Shy away from simply tossing your vote into the pool of fetid organic political tripe that is offered up to you by the parties which are in control of our nations government. These two parties are so similar that they have to define themselves with "issues of the day"...instead of the great encompassing issues which truly faces a society as large and generous and spectacular as our American society.

If we truly want "change" in America, then vote for change...the type of change which YOU believe in, and keep the political machinations of the two-party American political system at arms length. Vote for an independant candidate, RUN as an independant candidate, BE an independant American! STAND for your values, whatsoever they may be, and JUMP at the opportunity to impact the society which you live and work within, SWING your lives away from the mealy-mouthed pap which is spoon-fed to the voters, and VOTE as though your lives depend upon it...because really....they do.

Prepare your minds. Take a REAL LOOK at what is important to you as a person, and what would be best for YOUR family. Make THIS ELECTION YEAR, your personal election year. You have my permission to be selfish, and vote for what is best for YOU, and for YOUR country, and for our society.

Richard

blindness?

2011-06-13T09:33:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

I remember the days after the attack on the World Trade Center Towers in New York with clarity. There were American flags clutched in a great majority of peoples hands, and the nation was as united and as unitedly aghast as I have ever seen in my life...at the destruction that evil minds had perpetrated upon our nation. The United States of America, like few other times in it's short existence in history, was united in an emotional moment. There were no fence-sitters in the weeks following the destruction of buildings, ...and monuments, ...and lives.

We swore as a nation, in the aftermath...that we would NEVER forget. Yet today, our nation is more divided than ever before.

There are pretty arguments that say forgetting is a good thing, and necessary for the healing of our nation. I disagree, respectfully, with that opinion. I think we can heal from the ghastly wounds inflicted upon our national psyche through triumph, and victory, not through forgetting. I thank God that we had a president that COULD NOT forget the senseless loss of lives and property on that evil day. There are a great many people in America that will have a knee-jerk reaction to the audacity of me writing a kind word about President George Bush. I could write paragraphs of kind words about that man, if I chose to do so...he is truly a remarkable person. But that's not what this little note is about...

This little note is about the blindness that has overtaken our nation. We have devolved into a conglomeration of ignorant "rights" and "lefts". Some will blame the "right wing media", and others may blame the "left-leaning liberal press"...but I feel that the blame is upon each of us that has allowed ourselves to be led down the primrose path...by the nose. The press, and the media, are simple reflections of our national need for clarity. Our nation has left its adolescent opinions and actions of the past and now stands upon the brink of adulthood on a global scale. It is a scary time in the life of a person, or a nation, when one steps forth as a thinking entity...an adult (so to speak). Adulthood is a time when important issues take on hues of meaning and can no longer be resolved by a quick action, or a thoughtless word. Issues which we once thought were simple have acquired shades of grey, and brown, and depths of complication we had never thought possible when we were children, scuffling on the playyards of America. When this complexity of global issues assails our senses it is no wonder that many of us regress back to simplistic notions and fall for those 30 second sound bytes that keep being pushed at us, over our air waves.

We need help to comprehend what our best choices are, as a nation...in the world. It is no wonder that a great many of our citizens have taken the easy path of following the simplistic logic of 30 second sound bytes, spewed forth by two great political machines.

Make no mistake, there ARE two great political machines at work in OUR nation. I believe that they are our nations greatest enemy, at this moment in time. Where are the thoughtful men and women in America, who make up their own minds about complex issues and band together for the greater good of our nation, and our world? They are here, in our neighborhoods. They live next door to us, and work side by side with us. They are us...given the chance.

I believe that the time has come in America for a third party to lead the way into the bright future which is our national birth-right. I like a lot about the Democratic party, and I like a lot about the Republican party. However, I dislike the way that both of these parties wink and nod at what suckers the American people are. I could find myself aligning with a philosophy of political intent. I am very tired, oh so very tired of having the "issue of the moment" thrust at me as though it were THE deciding factor in an election year. Where are the men and women of vision in the American political system? Is Sarah Palin the best we can offer up, and if so...then vote for her! Ms. Palin is quite charming, and not nearly as naive as she is being portrayed.

I think it is time to form a viable third party in America...maybe we should call it the pragmatist party, (our symbol could be duct tape). The Tea Party lost its way amongst the political forces arrayed against it...where is the resolve of thoughtful, intelligent, ethical men and women in America?

Richard

linking to FaceBook

2011-06-12T14:52:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,

I think I have managed to link my blog to FaceBook..., now I have to decide if I have anything to write about in the future.,

Richard
www.casadeservicio.org

Merry Christmas, from Richard and Carolyn

2010-12-24T02:58:00.001-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Along with the rest of the world, I want to take a second to wish you a very Merry Christmas on this, the most special day of the year.

Carolyn and I have enjoyed the company of each of you at some point during this year, either online, or in person. We value and appreciate each and every one of you, and want to thank you for your good wishes, and continued prayers for our mission in Nicaragua.

Things have progressed very well in both Puerto Cabezas and Managua for our ongoing mission, we thank you for your support and prayers.

God bless each of you!

Richard and Carolyn Becton

www.casadeservicio.org

flight@flash.net

Merry Christmas everyone

2010-12-24T02:39:00.001-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Along with the rest of the world, I want to take a second to wish you a very Merry Christmas on this, the most special day of the year.

Things have progressed very well in both Puerto Cabezas and Managua for our ongoing mission, we thank you for your support and prayers.

God bless each of you!

Richard and Carolyn Becton

This blog has moved

2010-04-10T13:59:00.001-05:00

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money colored shirt

2009-12-19T14:42:00.002-05:00

HI Folks,

I have a shirt that is almost the exact color of American money. A nice, rich green color. Although this shirt makes me feel GREAT (for some reason) when I wear it, it hasn't brought me any riches. And the color doesn't seem to be "rubbing off", if you know what I mean? When I looked at my shirt this afternoon, I got to wondering why it makes me feel so good to wear it. I think it is really just the color, although the shirt is well-made, and quite nice. I guess it makes me feel "rich". Carolyn has told me at this point that to feel "rich" is a particularly non-Christian attitude, or feeling, and she may well be right. But I am sure we can all understand that not having to worry about the next tank of gas, or where our next meal is coming from is a good feeling, can't we? We learn to rely upon God for these things as we grow and mature in Christ, don't we? Instead of money. My human side still likes that feeling of having sufficient funds to cover the gap, unfortunately. (hey, I'm far from perfect).

Once I began to wonder about shirts, and colors, and things like that, I couldn't help but begin to wonder about a few other things, which SEEM to be tied together, but in fact have very little bearing on one another. Like praying for instance.

Almost everyone prays. Some of us do it more formally, and habitually than others, but almost all of us have offered up a prayer to God in a stressful moment or situation. How many of us have made false promises to God in a moment of clear conviction? You know, like..."if you just will help me in THIS situation Lord, I'll..._____(fill in the blank)". That sort of thing.

Prayer is a wonderful and powerful tool which we have been given by God to speak our hearts. It is NEVER wasted, but when prayer is used to make a false-promise, or a well-intentioned though null, declaration of faith...is it something like wearing a "money-colored shirt"? Is this sort of prayer just something that makes us feel good, for the moment? Or is it something more? Theologians disagree on the efficacy of a well-intentioned but faithless prayer. I for one, know that God heard it...no matter the outcome. It has been my experience that the outcome of this sort of prayer is usually an opportunity to "reach the lost", and to welcome a new Christian into the fold of believers. We must make it our DUTY to search out these opportunities, musn't we? Please don't let these "foxhole prayers" go unanswered due to some inaction on OUR part....brothers. Sometimes God acts directly in answer to our prayers, and sometimes He uses us Christians ... be sensitive to these leadings, please.

Another thing this green shirt got me to wondering about was how the filling of a pew on Sunday mornings expresses our faith and belief in God. I suspect that some of the people sitting in pews on Sunday mornings are there simply because it is customary...or because if they DON'T go to church their neighbors and friends will "talk". That's a bit like wearing a money-colored shirt too, isn't it? Do we go to church to pray to God and to worship Him, ...or to be seen by our sometimes judgemental friends and neighbors? Is our attendance an expression of Faith in our Lord and Saviour, or is it simply an expression of our fear of the perception of others?

When we DO go, let's make sure that we are there for Him,and not "them"...okay?
Every time....because He is there for YOU, every time!

That's it....my mind wanders when I wear a money-colored shirt, I guess.

Merriest of CHRISTmasses for you, and your loved ones my brothers!

Richard Becton
Missionary, Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
www.casadeservicio.org

an uprising in Puerto

2009-10-22T08:36:00.002-05:00

HI Folks,

For the last three days there has been an uprising in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. It is ending now. Carolyn and I are not currently in Puerto Cabezas, and so are in no danger.

The Juista Tara (head judge, more or less) of the Miskito people, Brother Hector Williams a local preacher, in months past filed paperwork with the approval of the three indigenous tribes of Indians in Nicaragua to secede the nation of Miskitia from the nation of NIcaragua. The deadline for the government of Nicaragua's response to the points listed in the documents of secession was October the 19th of this year. Three days ago.

On the 19th, there were manifestations of political support for the Juista Tara's move, including burning of tires in the streets and marching througout the city. The secession crowd attempted to take over the government building in the city of Puerto Cabezas.

The Nicaraguan governments response to this expression of political will has been swift. There was tear gas deployed, and one 75 year old man died of asphixiation. This gentlemens death is the only one so far, and since the uprising has been quelled, he is expected to be the only one.

The underlying issues for this huelga (strike) are comlex, but boil down to the Miskito Indians feeling a sense of deprivation and living in poverty. We live in an ignored corner of Nicaragua, both by the government and the rest of the world. We are pleased to report the God is still there, and working miracles amongst our Miskito brothers.

As the political climate returns to normal, the underlying issues are still there and must be met, in some way, and by some party.

These kinds of "manifestations" seem to happen once or twice a year, due to the frustration of poverty, and the lack of opportunities to pull themselves out of this state of deprivation. Please hold our beloved Miskitio people fast...in your prayers.

God Bless!

Richard Becton

Our brothers in Nicaragua

2009-10-11T22:26:00.001-05:00

HI Folks,

We are going to receive a visit from the Praise Cathedral Church of God in a couple of months in Puerto Cabezas. We are excited for this visit as always, for the opportunity to see good and what are fast becoming "old" friends. Our hearts have been touched by the servants of God at Praise Cathedral.

We are particularly eager for this upcoming visit because their plan and intention is to help to build a church in Puerto Cabezas. The Nuevo Jerusalem church of God, pastored by Pastora Olivia. Let me remind some of you about who Pastora Olivia is, and acquaint those of you that haven't had the opportunity to meet her. Pastora Olivia lives down in the Muelle Barrio in Puerto Cabezas (the docks). Pastora Olivia has a large and rambunctious family, and her family is rich with passion for life! They can sometimes be excitable too!

I once saw Pastora Olivia's daughter getting mad at her mother and throwing all of her own personal belongings out the window of their house. I was a bit surprised when the mattress and bed flew out also! Pastora Olivia has a largish family, and I'm sure that isn't the only time when passions ran amok! hahaha, these things happen, don't they, even in the best of families?

Pastora Olivia has a BURNING desire to serve God! Pastora Olivia walks to church, every evening. All the way from the dock area to the bus station. It is a somewhat long walk, to the other side of town. We have church every night in Puerto Cabezas, not just on Sundays and Wednesdays. She often gets wet on the way to and from her church, and the danger of walking home after services is something she has just learned to live with. It is somewhat rare for a woman to pastor a church in the male-dominated culture of Central America, but Pastora Olivia is one of the finest. Pastora Olivia's passion and zeal for God is unequalled by her peers.

Pastora Olivia, along with her congregation have been patiently and steadfastly putting a church together in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. Step by step, block by cement block, they have formed the walls of their church. Piece by piece over the last few years they have struggled to bring in each Cordoba (local currency) to purchase each block. Their faith has been blessed by God, it IS working.

Whenever we have visitors to Puerto Cabezas from outside Nicaragua we always take them by to visit the Nuevo Jerusalem Church of God...it is an inspiration!

The Praise Cathedral Church of God, from Pennsylvania in the USA is visiting in Febuary...please pray that they will be AS BLESSED to serve Pastora Olivia and the Nuevo Jerusalem Church of God (Iglesia de Dios) as they will in turn be blessing the Nuevo Jerusalem Church.

We are excited for this visit!

God bless you each, folks!

Richard Becton
www.casadeservicio.org
Church of God Project #065-0497

the decline and fall of the world's empires

2009-10-06T10:19:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

I have often thought that mankind has not progressed as far as his ego thinks he has. There have been steps of progress, of course. Fire, and tools, and electricity and the internal combustion engine. Scientific reasoning (a step forward?), and advancement of medicines. Technological marvels brought about by the genius of advanced engineering.

But really, fire and tools, those are the things which are fundamental turning points in mankinds history. The rest are merely outgrowths, or a progression from initial discoveries. We can communicate, over vast distances, via electronic marvels...but this ability is a progression from the ability to create fire, and smoke signals.

Mankinds engineering feats are considered today to be quite extraordinary. The towers in Dubai, reaching for the heavens! The skyscrapers of New York! The Nakheel companies many reclamation projects...living space, reclaimed from the sea!

But these engineering marvels, are they more impressive than the pyramids, or the great ships of the 14th century, or those ships built in the 3rd century even? Engineering is another discipline which builds on the creations and accomplishments of past discoveries...really just an outgrowth of the ability to make simple tools.

I think that mankind has become too "full of himself", much like the makers of the tower of babel. Mankind, even then, found the ability to elevate his ego over our natural belief in God. We can become very impressed with ourselves, pretty easily.

As I see and interact with cultures which are literally thousands of years old, in some cases MANY thousands of years old. I wonder to myself...Is THIS then progress? Is THIS what human culture devolves itself into? What I see in the Middle East today, after seven or eight CENTURIES of existance...is this then the culmination of culture for humankind?

I see that the people in this part of the world live in a much more "nuanced" society than we do in the western world. What I mean by that is that the societal interactions of the people here in the Middle East are RICH with meaning. A gesture means more here, than it does anywhere else in the world. The people here seem to interact with one another on a level which is hard to imagine to a typical westerner.

The evolution here seems to be in the realm of interpersonal interaction. How folks get along with one another. This is a society where rudeness, is very rude, and politeness is an art form.

I wonder what the United States will look like in 7 THOUSAND years? When OUR COUNTRY has existed for 29 times as long as it has currently existed...what will it look like, and how will we be...as a people? That's 10 times longer than now....and then ten more times longer than now...and then almost ten MORE times longer than now. We are a young country, by global standards.

WE have so much. We have a society that is absolutely brimming with potential. The potential to do so much good, and to be a strong force for the betterment of humanity...through Christ! I pray that we do not lose our way, and devolve into mediocrity as our history continues to pave the path to or future.

God bless.

Richard
www.casadeservicio.org

walking hand in hand, like brothers

2009-09-23T11:24:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

We have lost our way, in a very important area of our Christians lives my brothers.

It has been raining here all day long, the kind of rain you only get in tropical parts of the world. It is a drenching, cold, penetrating rain, which becomes integral to your very being, it seems.

I just watched an eight year-old boy, walking down the street with his younger sister, under an unbrella. The boy was carefully holding his little sisters hand, and guiding her around the puddles strewn about the rain soaked ground. He was carrying the umbrella to shield her, and gently steering her towards better paths. You see, she was too young to be able to adequately identify the deeper puddles from the shallow. She needed his help.

This is what I think Jesus meant when he said we have brotherly love for each other. That the "older" of us Christians must take the younger by the hand and gently guide them to safe ground, to the more shallow areas. There WILL be rain in our lives, that is unavoidable, but we must learn to rely on the wisdom of our elders, and help to guide those younger Christians to safer pathways. It is a part of our Christian lives which we often forget about. The nescesity of falling under supervision, and the responsibility of discipleship.

We are younger than some in Christ, and older than others. Let us mentor one another. There is no competition amongst brothers in times of crisis, but motivation to help. If you think we are not in a time of crisis, then you must turn to the bible for elucidation. We can turn on the television and see there are still lost souls, listen to the radio to know the word still needs to be spread, get on the internet to know that satan must STILL be fought.

We ARE in times of crisis, we MUST pull together to keep each other safe from harm, and we WILL overcome in the name of Jesus Christ!

Take your Spiritual brother by the hand, and guide him. Allow YOUR hand to be held by your Spiritual brother and learn the wisdom of being guided.

God Bless

Richard

How can America do this?

2009-09-21T08:41:00.004-05:00

Hi Folks,

Please take a few moments to read what the Wall Street Journal wrote about the current CRISIS situation in Honduras. Bear in mind that this is the Wall Street Journal, one of the most respected publications in the history of the world. This isn't being reported in some third world country by "El diario", or "La Prensa". This is unpoliticized truth!

"The Supreme Court of Honduras has constitutional and statutory authority to hear cases against the President of the Republic and many other high officers of the State, to adjudicate and enforce judgments, and to request the assistance of the public forces to enforce its rulings."

—Congressional Research Service, August 2009

Ever since Manuel Zelaya was removed from the Honduran presidency by that country's Supreme Court and Congress on June 28 for violations of the constitution, the Obama administration has insisted, without any legal basis, that the incident amounts to a "coup d'état" and must be reversed. President Obama has dealt harshly with Honduras, and Americans have been asked to trust their president's proclamations.

Now a report filed at the Library of Congress by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) provides what the administration has not offered, a serious legal review of the facts. "Available sources indicate that the judicial and legislative branches applied constitutional and statutory law in the case against President Zelaya in a manner that was judged by the Honduran authorities from both branches of the government to be in accordance with the Honduran legal system," writes CRS senior foreign law specialist Norma C. Gutierrez in her report.

Do the facts matter? Fat chance. The administration is standing by its "coup" charge and 10 days ago, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went so far as to sanction the country's independent judiciary. The U.S. won't say why, but its clear the court's sin is rejecting a U.S.-backed proposal to restore Mr. Zelaya to power.

Martin Kozlowski

The upshot is that the U.S. is trying to force Honduras to violate its own constitution and is also using its international political heft to try to interfere with the country's independent judiciary.

Hondurans are worried about what this pressure is doing to their country. Mr. Zelaya's violent supporters are emboldened by the U.S. position. They deface some homes and shops with graffiti and throw stones and home-made bombs into others, and whenever the police try to stop them, they howl about their "human rights."

But it may be that Americans should be even more concerned about the heavy-handedness, without legal justification, emanating from the executive branch in Washington. What does it say about Mr. Obama's respect for the separation of powers that he would instruct Mrs. Clinton to punish an independent court because it did not issue the ruling he wanted?

The Americas in the News

Get the latest information in Spanish from The Wall Street Journal's Americas page.

Since June 28, the U.S. has been pressuring Honduras to put Mr. Zelaya back in the presidency. But neither Mrs. Clinton's spurious "rule of law" claims or the tire iron handed her by Mr. Obama to use against this little country have been effective in convincing the Honduran judiciary that it ought to abandon its constitution.

It seems that Mrs. Clinton is peeved with the court because it ruled that restoring Mr. Zelaya to power under a proposal drafted by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias is unconstitutional. Thus, the State Department decided that in defense of the rule of law it would penalize the members of the Supreme Court for their interpretation of their constitution. Fourteen justices had their U.S. visas pulled.

Since the U.S. already had yanked the visa of the 15th member of the court, the one who signed the arrest warrant for Mr. Zelaya, this action completed Mrs. Clinton's assault on the independence of a foreign democracy's highest court. The lesson, presumably, is that judges in small foreign nations are required to accept America's interpretation of their own laws.

Thousands of readers have written to me asking how all this can happen in the U.S., where democratic principles have been recognized since the nation's founding. Many readers have written that they are "ashamed" of the U.S. and have asked, in effect, "How can I help Honduras?" A more pertinent question may turn out to be, how can they help their own country?

In its actions toward Honduras, the Obama administration is demonstrating contempt for the fundamentals of democracy. Legal scholars are clear on this. "Judicial independence is a central component of any democracy and is crucial to separation of powers, the rule of law and human rights," writes Ahron Barak, the former president of the Supreme Court of Israel and a prominent legal scholar, in his compelling 2006 book, "The Judge in a Democracy."

"The purpose of the separation of powers is to strengthen freedom and prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one government actor in a manner likely to harm the freedom of the individual," Mr. Barak explains—almost as if he is writing about Honduras.

He also warns prophetically about the Chávez style of democracy that has destroyed Venezuela and that Hondurans say they were trying to avoid in their own country. "Democracy is entitled to defend itself from those who seek to use it in order to destroy its very existence," he writes. Americans ought to ask themselves why the Obama administration doesn't seem to agree.

litigious Christianity?

2009-09-12T09:18:00.001-05:00

HI Folks,

I was thinking today about how so many Americans groups find themselves in a position where they feel it is necessary to file a lawsuit to guarantee their specific rights under the American legal system. It is almost like peering over the brink of a cliff, in some ways. Looking at this supposition gives one a quesy feeling in their stomach, like there is potential danger there...

It is my estimation (unscientific estimation) that OUR group, us Christians, are the MOST maligned and "put upon" group in the history of the United States, and for that matter...the world.

Do you think that we as a group should be allowed to file a court case every time someone maligns us? When some stranger comes along and sneers at our time-honored faith, should we drag them into court and make them account for their mistake? If we had the legal protection which so many other groups have lobbied for, and won, would it make our lives easier? When a celebrity spouts off about the stupidity of "those Jesus freaks", should we be able to sue? When an openly homosexual person denigrates our faith and belief system with the words, "stupid breeders", shouldn't we be guarenteed the right to reach into their pockets within the structure of our legal system? When one of our countries liberal judges decides that the displaying of the ten commandments is against the legal codes of our great nation, shouldn't we have the legal right to challenge his/her decision, and possibly even have this judge removed from office for daring to affront our "rights"? When a Christian is martyred in a foreign land because he or she is attempting to fulfil Christ's "Great Commission", should the government respond AT LEAST to the same extent which they currently respond to a captured journalist, or a celebrity, or a government worker?

Is it possible that in today's American society it is a handicap for one to profess belief in Jesus Christ? Our country was founded on Judeo Christian principles, ethics and beliefs. This belief system is the one overriding reason that our country became the greatest nation on the face of the earth. How is it then that we have allowed our country to become embarrassed by us? How is it then that we have allowed our country to pass legislation which subverts the very beliefs upon which this great nation was founded? How is it then that OUR group, us Christians, have become so apathetic in our political process that we have allowed these things to occur? Since when do we pledge allegience to our political parties, instead of our beliefs? Since when do we stand united together behind a flawed political system which no longer reflects our values, instead of behind the principles of our true leader, Jesus Christ? We must realize that Jesus is our Lord, and act upon the principles which He in His greatness and mercy has handed down to us. We must immediately STOP promoting a particular party in our legal and electoral systems and instead return to the place where we calmly and faithfully vote our ethics. Many of us in America have allowed our political parties to become our new God...THIS is the problem with America today. We must take back our country in the best way we can, through the electoral process. We must once again learn to vote for the moral integrity of our politicians. I say that if the neighborhood dogcatcher is the ONLY moral person on the ballot, then vote for THAT person for president, or congress, or the senate. Let us remind ourselves how truly important that the qualities of morality and ethics and principles are to our nation and our way of life.

Return with me to the values of our founding forefathers and the great wisdom they
displayed in making this nation, "one nation, under God"!

As for the legislation of Christians as a protected group...I have to confess I was being specious when I wrote that. There are certainly enough of us, if we unite together, that this sort of legislation is unnecessary, and we even have biblical evidence that to try to pass this kind of legislation might controvert some of the principles of the Bible. Let us just agree, in this upcoming election year...to vote our consciences, and not our parties. THIS, then, will be sufficient.

Please join me in praying for our nation, and for discernment amongst our people...us Christians.

God Bless!!!

Richard Becton

preparations

2009-09-01T04:42:00.004-05:00

Hi Folks,

As I prepare my heart, and my mind and my soul for my physical return to Nicaragua I covet YOUR prayers. My month of work in the Middle East has ended as of today, and my month of REAL work in Nicaragua commences tomorrow.

There is lots to do, and many things which need "seeing to" in Nicaragua. Please pray for the continuation of the school building project. The first building should NOW be completed, and we pray that the kids will enjoy the lessons learned inside the structure.

There are several personal matters which need to be attended to by me upon my arrival into Puerto Cabezas this time too. Please pray that God's will, will be done in these matters.

God bless!!!

Richard Becton
Church of God project # 045-0697

The nature of the beast

2009-08-23T07:05:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

We are simply beasts, after all. Without the presense of God in our lives, we are simply a compendium of assorted chemicals, salts, minerals, and cellular constructs. Without the presense of God in our lives, our lives are simply made up of competition with one another, the amassing of material possesions, and a slavish need to satisfy our primal drives. Without the presense of God in our lives, we are in the final analysis...simply beasts.

I choose to NOT become what is the worst in our nature, and by following the leadership of our Saviour Jesus Christ to lift up the inner goodness which God has endowed each of us with. We are "greater than", only because God has desired it to be so. We must first acknowlege our sinful nature, and recognize it for the base instinct which it is before we can hope to see the Glory and Greatness of the potential of our lives...the presense of God. We are blessed beyond measure to have the opportunity to not only have Him in our lives, as a daily presense, but blessed even MORE to be able to witness this fact to those around us. Don't allow your friends and neighbors, and family members, to wallow in a life full of disappointment and sin. Witness the greatness, and glory of God to them! Let your friends, and neighbors and family in on the greatest "open secret" in existence. Allow your friends and neighbors and family members to share the keys to heaven with us. Give your friends and neighbors, and family members the GOOD NEWS, that Jesus Christ has taken on the sin of the world, and died to destroy it; that Jesus Christ has arisen, and lives today as a solid and central presense in YOUR life, and that He can do the same in theirs.

Share the opportunity of salvation, with those around you and help them to become a better person, through Jesus Christ. His is the Power and the Glory, forever!

God Bless,

Richard

crossroads

2009-08-13T03:33:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

We all reach multiple crossroads in our lives. Economic, physical, Spiritual ones, and emotional crossroads from time to time steal their way into our separate realities. No matter how we attempt to order our lives, we just can not control the inputs into our existence. We seek out and find avenues of peace, and harmony and tranquility in our lives, down which we can walk. These "avenues", or places of rest in our existence, should be cherished for what they are...little blips of calmness in our chaotic worlds, and lives.

The "trick" is to recognize when you've arrived at one of these high-water marks in our lives, isn't it? To realize that there is a turning point which is presenting itself to us, and to act in a fashion which benefits our lives, and the lives of our families. We must CHOOSE to NOT drift, through these currents and eddies over lifes shoals. It is important to recognize the new pathways, and roads, to our ongoing existence. We have to recognize them, or we WILL drift through, into the path of least resistance. The path of least resistance is not often the path that will benefit our lives, or our families lives. We human beings, created in the likeness of our father God, crave acceptance amongst our peers. Social interaction is difficult because people are so very different from one another. It is not a cliche' to say that each person truly IS an individual, this is common knowledge and accepted fact. As we each chart our pathway through the thousands of opportunities presented to us throughout our lives...try to see the signs. Watch for the wisdom of our forebears, even our ancient ancestors, and learn to sense their hard learned lessons in yourself. Read the book, the Bible, to understand how important the learned lessons of our ancestors can be in our lives. Read the book, the Bible, to grasp the concepts of "good and evil", and how to deal with the crossroads which this societal construct engenders. (Carolyn always tells me I always use "funny words", I guess she is right....engenders). Read the book, the Bible, to understand how to recognize the signs of an upcoming crossroads in your life...before the decision of which path to take is upon you, and you find you have drifted right on through it...without giving the decision the proper respect for the impact it may have on you, and your family. Read the book, the Bible, for the sake of your family and your own life.

Recognizing these crossroads, and choosing the proper path is something that CAN be learned. We are NOT doomed to repeat the mistakes of our past. Choose an enlightened viewpoint, one which gives respect and reverance to the wisdom of our ancient forefathers, read the Bible for understanding, and enlightenment. It is all there.

God bless!

Richard Becton

Casa de Servicio

International Missionary Aviation

Church of God project number: 065-0497

flight@flash.net

www.casadeservicio.org

sensitivity

2009-08-02T06:47:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

From the moment we are born, we learn to be sensitive to our bodies. Each nerve ending is finely tuned to detect the presense of pain, discomfort, or physical pleasure. When we have something as simple as a small blister, we are constantly aware of it, and in every waking moment we attempt to deal with it...with a bandaid, or a dressing, or a less tight pair of shoes. What a marvel of engineering our bodies truly are! We concentrate on our bodies needs, on a daily, and even moment to moment basis. When we feel hunger, we go in search of food. When we need sleep, we close our eyes and rest. All of our aches and pains get immediate attention from us, and if we are not sufficient alone, we will search out others to attend our physical needs. A visit to a doctor for illness, a hotel room for sleep when we travel, and a bandaid for a blistered foot. How much of our time each day is spent in furthering the physical necessities of our bodies I wonder?

Just imagine how busy we would be if our bodies had the apparatus to physically recognize and sense our Spiritual needs as well!

Our bodies seem to lack the necessary sensory elements to detect our Spiritual needs. When we suffer an emotional loss and need God's Holy presense, our bodies do not cry out for Spiritual solace. We often cry out for help, without even realizing that our help must come from Him. We recognize our loss, but don't cry out for the Saviour for solace many times. Jesus holds the key, as we know. I wish our physical bodies could recognize when we are in a state of sin, and motivate us more positively to escape sins clutches. What if an occurance of sin in our lives felt like a blister, something in constant need of attention and monitoring? Our society would be blessed to have a physical mechanism to identify sin in our bodies, and our lives, for then we would learn from birth to cry out for Him.

Recognize with me now that it is our maturity and growth as human beings that allow us to detect manifestations of sin in our lives. It is our desire to become better human beings that motivate each of us to recognize wrongness in our lives. This detection is not a physical set of nerve endings. This "detection apparatus", if you will allow me to call it that, is one which must be cultivated in our lives. We should nurture this ability to be aware of our Spiritual state, from birth.

Please bring your children to church, and attend each service you have the opportunity to attend...do not let this skill, this wonderful detection apparatus, to atrophy due to misuse. Please join me in being in a constant state of alert to our lives Spiritual necessities, through prayer, and fasting, and counsel with our elders and pastor. Seek out the fellowship of believers, and reinforce and tune this skill. In the name of Christ.

God bless you!

Richard Becton

flight@flash.net

www.casadeservicio.org

all things considered

2009-07-27T21:59:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

I want to thank each of you for your prayers and advice over the last few days. As always, IT WORKED!!

We had to move our meeting up a few days due to scheduling conflicts, so Carolyn and I had our meeting with Dr. Douglas LeRoy today, instead of on the 30th. We have been reassured that this "situation" will pass, and that our status as missionaries for the Church of God is not going to change due to the resolution which I have mentioned on several occasions. Praise God for this news, so that NOW we can get back to the work of the mission.

A special thanks to each of you that wrote lettes to the World Missions department voicing your concerns over the resolution.

God Bless,

Richard Becton

flight@flash.net

www.casadeservicio.org

some advice from you

2009-07-24T08:10:00.001-05:00

HI Folks,

The mission continues to progress very well. We are pleased with the progress on the school, and the construction is beginning to look very professional as the walls become more "finished", and the windows and doors are installed. We praise God for the mercies He has provided in this phase of our mission. Praise Him!

Carolyn and I have a meeting at the World Missions department on July 30th, in about six days. We are asking once again for your Spiritual intercession through prayer, and fasting...if you are so led to intercede on behalf of our mission. After this meeting we may no longer be missionaries for the Church of God, or we may continue with this organization of devout believers. If we continue as "church of God missionaries" then it will only be through the discretion of the board of directors, since there is a resolution against currently appointed missionaries operating a separate nonprofit organization. If we DO NOT continue with the Church of God, I want everyone to know that the relationship we have enjoyed with these devout men and women is one which we will continue to cherish as our mission progresses and grows and tries to live up to the vision which God has given us concerning our actions. We pray only that God's will be done in these matters.

We covet your advice on what our next step may be if the board of directors decides that they cannot make our mission an exception to their resolution. If we must continue our mission without the support of the greater Church of God organization, what should we do? Should we continue on our own, without the backing of a larger organization? Or should we actively seek out another denominational branch with which to align ourselves? Either way we go, will not impact the donations we recieve or the status of the donations. Your contributions will continue to be tax-deductible, in other words. Carolyn and I feel strongly that religious leaders should fall under authority as they conduct themselves about God's business. We also know that we fall under the authority of Jesus Christ and bibilical precepts and morality. So we seek YOUR advice on what our next step, so to speak, may be. We cannot guarantee that your advice will be THE advice which we follow, but we have the utmost respect for each of you, and we know that our decision will be guided not only by our prayers but additionally by YOUR input and your response to prayer. So we earnestly seek your advice as we rapidly appraoch this cross-roads, our friends.

Thank you and God bless!

Richard Becton

Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua

423 544-8316

flight@flash.net

www.casadeservicio.org

muddy waters

2009-07-17T10:05:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

I am currently in New Jersey, finishing up the last three days of simulator training at the NETC, near Morristown. While I've been here I've been pretty busy, but I want to at least get something in my blog this week.

As you will remember from last week the World Missions department of the Church of God has decided to begin enforcing a resolution which they passed in 2002, to wit: No currently appointed missionary may operate an IRS approved nonprofit organization (approved under IRS code 501C3). Most of you know also that Carolyn and I operate exactly this type of organization, called Casa de Servicio. Operating under these IRS regulations makes our donors contributions TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

This resolution enforcement is something that is being conducted "across the board" and potentially impacts ALL Church of God missionaries. We are setting up a meeting next week with some of the board of directors of the World Missions department, and trying to find out exactly where this leaves us in regards to our status with the Church of God. We are prayerful that the board will grant us a waiver or something like that because the board, and the World Missions department knew from day one of our service that we operate this other organization. We haven't kept it from them, and in fact told them right from the start about it. So it was a surprise to us to receive the email from the General Director of the World Missions department. We know that he is a Godly man, and that the board of directors are Godly servants, so we are praying that their prayers will lead them to help us in this circumstance. The board can just as easily decide to NOT enforce this resolution, or to remove this resolution if God lays it on their hearts to do so. Please join us in prayer for this upcoming meeting.

Let me reiterate to each of you, our supporters and prayer partners, that whether or not the World Missions department grants us this waiver we will remain YOUR MISSIONARIES, and your donations and contributions will continue to be tax-deductible.

God Bless!

Richard Becton

flight@flash.net

www.casadeservicio.org

news from "above"

2009-07-06T12:57:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,

We received news from "above," not the "above" you're thinking of, but the board of directors of the Church of God's World Missions department. We received this news along with every other missionary in the field.

It seems that some years ago, the board of directors included a statement that "currently appointed missionaries" may "not be allowed to operate private 501 - C3 organizations."

The email was to the point, and said that although in the past this has been disregarded, that NOW it will be enforced. So ANY missionary for the church of God that operates a private nonprofit entity, like Casa de Servicio will be "reported" at the next board meeting. It was a surprise to us, and the many pastors and evangelicals which we work with in the Church of God here in Nicaragua.

Let me reassure each and every one of the many people, organizations and Churches that send us support that even if we were no longer a part of the church of God, your donations are still wholly and completely tax deductible.

We are duly concerned about this news for the obvious reasons:

1) We operate a private nonprofit organization (Casa de Servicio) and are therefore subject to whatever ramifications this entails from our "parent body" the World Missions department of the church of God.

2) Of GREATER CONCERN for us is that this policy has potentially wide ranging effects upon other branches of the church of God organization. For instance, I know of many churches that also operate private nonprofit entities, and our fear (although there is no direct evidence of this, admittedly) is that the church of God may ban churches from operating nonprofit entities as well (for instance, food kitchens, or clothing distribution networks, or orphanages under private nonprofit entity charter).

3) If this policy is enforced, and not changed, then Carolyn and I will be obligated to cease our missionary activities for the Church of God. We will effectively be back to "square one" as we begin anew to fulfill the vision which God Himself has laid upon our lives. We will of course no longer have the participation of the church of God, The bulk of our donations for the mission here in Nicaragua comes from private parties, and churches outside the charter of the church of God.

4) After hurricane Felix hit the Miskito coast of Nicaragua the church of God sent three containers of relief goods to the area. What a HUGE blessing the church of God was to the Miskito people in their time of need. Additionally, the office of emergency response headed up by Brother Richard Baker was what can only be described as "ultra-responsive" in their efforts to alleviate pain and suffering. Brother Baker actually came down to Puerto Cabezas in person to assist and distribute the goods which were so desparately needed at that time. One of the things we would lose, would be this immense response to emergency and cataclismic occurances. What a huge blessing the church of God was at that time....we would miss their assistance dearly in a time of need. Although, realistically, they came for the churches here, not because we were here as missionaries. So perhaps our beloved Miskito people wouldn't have to suffer after all.

We intend to continue the mission here in Nicaragua, until God Himself sends a replacement for us. This mission is of God, and has been blessed at every juncture because it is a mission which He desires. We expect these blessing to continue as we endeavor to fulfil the wishes of our Heavenly Father for the Miskito people.

The only effective change in our mission will be that we no longer carry a card in our wallet which says "church of God missionary"...if this policy is enforced. I don't know how reactive the church of God organization is to grass roots efforts concerning their policies, or if the church of God will listen to input from the various persons and parties and churches which have thus far supported our mission in Nicaragua. However should anyone desire to contact the World Missions department with questions concerning this newly enforced policy please write them at:

Church of God, World Missions

ATTN: Dr. Douglas LeRoy, General Director

PO Box 8016

Cleveland, TN 37320-8016

423 478-7190

DLeRoy@cogwm.org

Or Ken Anderson, my regional supervisor at:

kanderson@cogwm.org

equality?

2009-06-27T10:42:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

While I was having breakfast this morning, it suddenly occured to me that the issue of "equality of the sexes" does an injustice to one side of this issue.

I was sitting at the table, in a room full of visiting missionaries, and as I gazed around I realied that at each table, it was the women that were taking the lead. The men were "engaged" in the conversations, but for the most part were stoically awaiting their "call to duty". Because that's what seems to the case for us men. We wait until we are "needed" to completely take part in an activity.

Keep in mind folks that as I generalize about the gender differences, I mean no offense to anyone that has managed to conduct their lives outside the societal norms of gender behavior. In other words, if my observations do not apply to you, don't take offense....it's just "me" meandering through the thicket of inept communications...grin!

But for the most part, men as a group, will calmly stand by for the call to "action"....most never realizing it seems that the call to action is constantly taking place.

At one table near me, there was a young woman who was the obvious "translator", and grasped every opportunity to help those around her with the nuances of the language which the missions group found itself surrounded amongst. She was truly a Godsend, for that table, and I would guess for the entire group as well. Another table had a young lady who was very helpful to each and every person therein seated. She would offer to get glasses of fruit juice, and retrieve dropped napkins or silverware as needed. This young womans eyes were bright and shining with the joy of being there and of use to others. Another table showed off three women who had hair dyed with red streaks and animated conversation, punctuated with bursts of laughter and hilarity.

It was probably just me, but I was amazed by each and every one of the women in the room. There were men at each table also. I am sure that each and every one of the men had a contribution to offer the group, obviously. The women just made their distinct personalities and contributions more evident.

What a wonderful God we have, who can take each of us and form partnerships amongst us together. We each play our roles in life, and what a blessing that we have that opportunity.

Each table that was in the room this morning had at least one, and most tables had several....bibles....prominently displayed. I was thrilled to know the GOOD that these heaven sent folks were embarking upon for the country of Nicaragua.

Please encourage YOUR churches and YOUR groups to plan a trip here. What a blessing YOU can be, and what a privelege YOU have, to have the ability to bless others.

God Bless you,

Richard Becton
flight@flash.net
www.casadeservicio.org

like a giant

2009-06-22T11:06:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

I am only six feet tall. So I consider myself to be of average, to very slightly above average height. As I was walking around Dubai today, I realied that most of the people were closer to five feet than six. It must be difficult to not be able to easily see over the heads of the majority of the crowd.

Spiritually, how tall are we? Can we see over the crowd? I feel so lost sometimes, like I am merely struggling to exist, much less to do His bidding. I feel insignificantly small, spiritually. Please keep our ministry in your prayers as we seek to become David amongst giants. Our rock is the bible, and our sling is our willingness. Our foe, is a spiritual giant, which leads men astray. Pray that our rock be firm, and that our sling be strong...and that our aim never waver.

God bless!

Richard Becton

flight@flash.net

www.casadeservicio.org

conservative thoughts

2009-06-16T03:32:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

Having lived and interacted within a society (Saudi Arabia, and other parts of the Middle East) which is based upon and dedicated to a lifestyle of conservative religious culture, I have experienced doubts as to my previously conservative outlook. What I mean is that my previously conservative outlook has come under evaluation.

I am a religiously conservative person, by nature. However when I see the effect that ultra-conservative control may have upon a society, by observing the nations which I am passing through in the middle east it makes me reflect upon the effect which conservatism has the potential to cause in my home country.

There are some very good things which are outgrowths of conservative thought and religious influence upon middle eastern society. For instance, there seems to be very little crime here, as compared to any large city in the United States for example. THAT is a good thing. The other side of this lack of crime is the reportedly harsh criminal justice system which to this day allows stonings, and decapitations, and the severing of extremities for relatively minor crimes. There is little chance of rehabilitation when one of the baser human vices inevitably rears it's ugly head in this society.

Living in a society which is based upon ancestrial lineage, a kingdom, makes it obvious to the most casual observer that there is an "elite segment" of society here. People of certain families can do as they will, without recrimination it seems. There is no "equality of every human" in this society. The lifestyle here however is prosperous. In Saudi Arabia you rarely see someone who is truly indigent...and if you do, they are most commonly immigrants, not Saudi nationals.

So it seems there is prosperity, without equality, and safety but intolerance of human frailty. This seems to be a society of "avoid", not "recover", which is a very conservative outlook. This is also a society of extreme civility and open, generous even, friendship. But that is a different discussion, isn't it.

I would not want my country to travel far down the path of legalized conservatism. I would not care for my wife, to live in a society where her freedom is contricted because of her gender. As I live and work in other societies I continue to treasure my American heritage, and the freedoms which have been earned through the blood of our nations sons and daughters.

I am guardedly conscious of the tendency in Christians society to become ultra-conservative. It is a path which requires balance...let us never forget that fact, as Americans. The laws of our free society are based upon the moral premises of Christian society, and the Christian societies which preceeded the nation of America. We must never forget this fact, or our freedoms may become licentious instead of uplifting. There is a sizeable segment in OUR NATIONS population which sees Christianity as undesirable, and it is the right of these Americans to have this opinion. When they choose to exercise THEIR right to this opinion at the expense of MY right to MY opinion then they cross the line of inherent freedom into the zone of intolerence.

Intolerence is every bit as wrong from BOTH ends of the spectrum. Conservatism and Liberality are valid viewpoints, until they begin to infringe upon the RIGHT of another to claim his or her personal belief system. I am not the kind of person who believes in lukewarm opinions or beliefs, but I AM the kind of person who will not force MY opinions and beliefs on others. I will share, and encourage, and promote what I believe to be the "true path" as revealed to me through the bible, and God's Holy Spirit. You will NOT ever find me to be an intellectual bully, taking advantage of a persons ignorance or lack of sophistication to influence their personal decision and belief system. That is just the kind of missionary I am. I believe that Jesus Himself was this type of person too. One of the reasons that Jesus came to this earth was to show us a better way; a better way of life, and a better way of humanity. The better way of Jesus was NOT an intolerant way of life, far from it. Jesus was very inclusive (thank you Lord, for including us gentiles) and far from intolerant.

Much to the surprise of many liberalistic people, I think that most Christians would agree. As Christians we sometimes appear to be much more conservative, to those who lack our belief system, than we actually are. If only that segment of our society which chooses to revile us for our beliefs would actually spend time with us, I feel that they would see that we are in fact quite revolutionary. We as a group actually believe in the inherent equality of human beings for instance, we don't merely mouth the words, but act upon them. I encourage each of us in our daily lives to exhibit the peaceful and inclusive demeanor which Jesus Christ Himself, our Lord and Saviour, exhibited to US.

God bless,

Richard Becton

jealousy and intolerance

2009-06-11T03:31:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

I have been exposed to many different cultures in the world in the last few years. This continued exposure to widely diverse cultures has made my little brain start wondering about intolerance.

Intolerance:

lack of toleration; unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect contrary opinions or beliefs, persons of different races or backgrounds, etc.

My first inclination was to view "intolerance" as though it were a sin. But intolerance is NOT inherently sinful, though there are sins which come from continued intolerance in some areas of our lives, isn't that true?

For example, being intolerant of murder, is to be expected of a normal person. To be intolerant of racism and bigotry is to be expected of a normal person. To be intolerant of child abuse, and theft and fraud is to be expected. So intolerance is a state, or condition whose inherent "rightness", or "wrongness" changes according to the situation and societal norms.

Intolerance of people of Jewish heritage, for instance, is commonly accepted as a societal norm in many places in the middle east, whereas in the United States this exact same intolerance would be considered to be extremely vile.

So I am forced to conclude that intolerance, much like beauty...is in the eye of the originator. What we as westerners consider to be sinful, or abnormal behavior, and therefore have a lack of tolerance for, may be radically different than what someone in the middle east considers abnormal, and therefore is intolerant of.

When Jesus walked the earth as a man, He always stretched the limits of tolerance of the culture in which He lived. In that day and age, it was normal to "stone to death" a woman who had commited adultery...and yet as we all know, Jesus chose to defend a woman who was accused of this exact "crime". Jesus illustrated to us in a very obvious way that sin is sin, and we MUST therefore choose to not put ourselves in the judgement seat...since we ALL have sin.

Can you imagine a world without intolerance? No, neither can I, nor would I welcome such a world. We must, as rational and moral human beings, be intolerant of certain things. We must diligently study then to determine exactly what we MUST be intolerant of in this world. Jesus was "inclusive", not divisive. We must strive to follow His example, mustn't we? Jesus included the gentiles, and the samaritans, and many others which in His day and age was considered not only radical but heretical.

How can we claim the mantle of His protection and the privelege of following His leadership and still cling to the prejudices and intolerances of the past? When we hear someone make a remark about a neighbor or a coworker that is divisive or intolerant of race, or heritage...are we quick to laugh, or quick to correct? WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do)

I struggle with how alien the culture I am working in these days is to me.

For instance:

I walked up to the elevator this morning to go down to breakfast. There was a woman waiting for the elevator when I walked up to it. She was wearing the obaya (tradional, full coverage dress) and so I was careful to not even glance in her direction...so as not to offend. The elevator arrived, and I got on, and she didn't. I pushed the button and went down to breakfast. She could not get onto the elevator alone with me...that would have been VERY against her culture. There are constant reminders of how very different the western world is to the culture here. I find it strange, but at the same time must be careful to be respectful of the culture in which SHE is living. In the western world I would have held the door open, and invited her into the elevator...of course. It would have been rude of me in the western world to not do so.

Sorry, I am rambling this morning. I am just trying to point out the differences between us humans, geographically. I am also "ruminating" on the basis of sin. Is sin cultural or regional, or international? Is sin a changeable precept based upon our location in the world, or is sin something which can be realistically perceived and therefore avoided? I choose to believe the latter, that sin may be reliably avoided by studying the bible. Without the word of God, how can we reliably know what is "wrong, or right"? Our western society, whether agnostics and atheists choose to believe it or not is based upon the morality of God's Holy word, the Bible. So, as Christians we MUST struggle to reflect that Holy Light, that morality and lack of sinfulness...mustn't we?

Do we invalidate our beliefs when we choose to become intolerant? Are we perceived as "something less" than what Jesus Himself wants us to be when we unthinkingly exhibit intolerance? The next time someone makes an off-color joke, or denigrates by aspersion an entire race or region of people...should we laugh along, or should we move closer to the way Jesus led His life ... by showing an inclusive and less intolerant attitude. Food for thought.

Wow...I'm not sure any of what I said makes sense, much less that it is the least bit understandable. I guess I am getting a bit tired of the intolerance of the world. Intolerance seems to be the basis for war, and inhumane treatment of other humans, and unchristianlike behaviour.

God bless you,

Richard Becton

flight@flash.net

011 505 8 613-5824

www.casadeservicio.org

Setting the timing to the correct setting

2009-06-02T00:01:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

I have had occasion, mostly when I was a younger man, to have to set or reset the timing on a vehicle or two. So I know from experience how important it can be to get it just right. Timing is a critical setting.

If the timing is set too fast the engine will run slightly ahead of the perfect time for the ignition of the fuel/air mixture inside of the cylinders. If the timing is set to far back (retarded) then the engine will lag behind the perfect time and produce less power and incomplete combustion. Either way, when the timing is off your engine suffers for it. The great thing about timing is that the setting of it is completely in our hands. WE can set the timing. All we need to know is what the engineers have set the perfect timing to be.

Most of the time we must go to the book to discover what this timing setting should be set at to be the most perfect combustion possible. It is ALWAYS in the book.

How is your timing lately?

God Bless,

Richard Becton

Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua

Missionary Aviation

flight@flash.net

www.casadeservicio.org

It's kind of like living in a small town in America...in the 1940's.

2009-05-22T17:43:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

What a privilege to be here in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. Living life the way life was meant to be lived. As I lay here in my hammock watching my friends and neighbors walk, and bicycle by, I am feeling a profound sense of peace within myself. I thank God for the privilege of serving Him, here in this place.

Puerto Cabezas, for those of you that haven't yet been here, is a large town in the northeastern portion of Nicaragua. This "large town" (small by worldly standards, but really quite large here amongst the Miskito Indians), has takes on many aspects, depending upon who is doing the "seeing", and the purpose for their visit here. The old cliche' of "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" was never more true than when visiting a place like this. There are tropical flowers and fruits in abundance, true beauty, in Puerto Cabezas. Living here is almost like living on a tropical island in some ways. The people here are beautiful and quick to smile...a good joke is appreciated here just like in America. In fact, a good joke will be passed around for quite some time here, until EVERYONE in town has heard it. A couple of times.

Depending upon the "beholder" one may see a harder underbelly to life here too. One need not scratch very deeply under the surface to witness the ignorance and the superstition which permeates the existence of people here. Side by side with the impassioned pleas for God's help in our lives, we see the dread of witchcraft, and satanism which is a thriving fact of life here in Puerto. One may look only inches beyond the beauty of the tropical flowers to witness the trashy streets and waterways in Puerto Cabezas. Most of the people reading this will be shocked to learn that the United States was once a very similar place to this. I remember a time in the US when we weren't as particular about where we disposed of our garbage, and our highways were once absolutely LINED with discarded bottles and debris from our automobiles. It is much the same here, today, in Puerto Cabezas.

Having personally witnessed the resurgence of clean streets in America, and the changed perspective of our United States citizens gives me a great deal of hope for this small, and potentially paradise-like town. I know that with leadership, and encouragement a society CAN change. If it is God's Will, then Carolyn and I will be here to witness this change amongst the Miskito Indians of the Caribbean coast....in NICARAGUA.

We thank you for your prayers, and your continued support of our ministry in Nicaragua. If you haven't been to OUR SIDE of Nicaragua, then you are missing an awful lot. Managua is to NIcaragua, as Miami is to America; whereas Puerto Cabezas is to NIcaragua as Pensacola is to Florida.

Come on over and see it for yourself...and when you get here...give us a call.

God Bless you!

Richard and Carolyn Becton
Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
flight@flash.net
www.casadeservicio.org
Church of God, World Missions project number: 0650497
Call from the USA: 011 505 8 613-5824

Starting on a high note, waiting for the riff

2009-05-15T21:15:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,

This week started out on a very high note for Casa de Servicio. After several meetings with aviation and government officials, and with the able leadership of my friend Clint Hanley we have come very close to achieving a significant goal for our missionary organization in Nicaragua. Some time in the next two weeks or so we expect to receive a very important piece of documentation concerning our airplane, and the operating costs thereof. Please keep this little item in your most earnest of prayers.

On a side note, you should know that the phone system in Nicaragua has been changed as of last month. Anyone wishing to reach us here must now put an "8" between the area code and the telephone number...thusly:

011 505 8 613-5824

If someone wishes to call a "landline" then a two must be inserted in the same place, instead of an eight...but for us, and our cell phone...it's an "8", likde listed above. This change is permanent, so those of you that call us from time to time, please make a note of the change.

We are working for the Lord in all of our endeavors, and pray that your intervention through prayer will enable our mission to succeed.

God bless you!

Richard and Carolyn Becton

flight@flash.net

www.casadeservicio.org

011 505 8 613-5824

double blogs

2009-05-04T09:38:00.001-05:00

HI Folks,

I am going to start sending out two blogs. The first will be about our mission in Nicaragua and the progress which God is giving us there, and the activities, etc. This blog will continue to be a weekly blog.

The second will likely be about my journey of discovery concerning my travels in the middle east, Saudi Arabia, and points nearby. This blog will likely be once a month, but MAY be more often.

I will title the first with "Casa de Servicio, and a subject", and the second the subject line will say "voyages, and a subject line".

This way, each of you can see from the subject line of each email, which is which without having to open the email.

God bless!

Richard

religion

2009-04-20T23:41:00.000-05:00

HI Folks,

It seems to me that the roots to the major world religions have a common genisis (so to speak). The Islamic religion is purported to have begun through a descendant of Abraham, the same as the Christian and Jewish religions did.

Now, I have known this for many years but the impact of this fact, the fact of the origin of the worlds various beliefs being so closely tied to one another have received a new importance to me, through my visits to various sites in the Middle East.The Hebrew faith, the Islamic faith and the Christian faith all began here, and began in very similar fashion.

I am going to spend the next few months, and quite possibly the next few years exploring the points of divergence. The point of divergence between Christians and those of the Jewish faith is very well documented. It could even be argued that Christianity itself is a further extension of the Hebrew faith in a lot of ways. As Christians, we are but Jews with the perspective of Christ. Perhaps that is one reason that a lot of Christians find themselves as natural allies to the Jewish people? The point of divergence amongst the followers of Islam is not so clearly known to me. I will explore that point when and where I can.

The real divergence of opinion about matters of faith, the epic existential battle if you will allow me to say that, is the one between Islam and "other faiths". Predominantly those faiths that base themselves in Hebrew teachings, like Christianity.

I will be exploring these things in the upcoming months, and perhaps years. It is exciting to be here, working in the middle east, and I hope to receive many revelations from God while here. I thank God for the opportunity to be here, and to strengthen my faith and to visit some of the locations so vividly spoken of in the bible.

God bless!

Richard

preceeding videos

2009-04-18T01:00:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

For those of you that didn't receive the small videos that I sent out on last weeks blog, here is a link. www.casadeservicio.org/blog

These are unedited videos, from my phone...sorry for the low quality.

Richard

videos

2009-04-14T02:12:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

I am going to try to send 4 small (not the best quality either) videos out this week, just to see if they work.

One is of the school construction and the work that the Praise Cathedral Church of God did on the school, and the other three are various small clips of my job.

Hope they come through, and if they DO, that you enjoy them.

God bless!

Richard

headed back to Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)

2009-04-09T01:12:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

Just a quick note to say that I am headed back to Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia tomorrow. I have enjoyed my all too brief respite in the great state of Arkansas...but alas, 'tis over. Myself and Ralph Martinez will be flying N751NS to Jeddah, leaving sometime tomorrow afternoon. We expect the trip to take about two days, with stops in Gandar, New Foundland, Shannon, Ireland, Athens, Greece, and finally to Jeddah. Flexibility is the key, as always. Keep our flight in your prayers folks, please.

I will be back in Nica sometime around the 28th of this month, if not shortly before. You can reach me via email, as always.

God bless!

Richard Becton

flight@flash.net

www.casadeservicio.org

www.casadeservicio.org/blog

Flying across the Atlantic

2009-04-04T08:29:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,

I had the opportunity to fly a mid-sized business jet across the Atlantic Ocean this week. It was the first time for me to "hop the pond" without being on an airline. The flight was actually pretty straight forward, but there were a few techniques which had to be used which were new to me. I found the flight to be fascinating, although a nonpilot would probably make a big yawn about the whole thing. grin!

We flew from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Athens, Greece, then on to Shanon, Ireland where we spent the night. Next day we flew from Shanon, Ireland, crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Gandor, NewFoundland, and then stopped for the night in Bangor, Maine. The following day we pulled into Little Rock, Arkansas, which is where we are right now...waiting to take the reverse flight back to Jeddah in a couple of brand new Hawker-750's.

Just wanted to send this out. For the pilots that follow my blog, let me know if you want to see the coordinate plots when I get back to Nicaragua, I kept a copy.

Later,

Richard

In Arkansas

2009-04-02T17:24:00.001-05:00

HI Folks,

As it happens, I will be in Little Rock, AR for the next couple of days. If I know anyone there, drop me an email, maybe we can get together.

I will be headed back to Saudi Arabia on either Saturday or Sunday.

Richard Becton

flight@flash.net

423 544-8316

Islamic ruminations

2009-03-26T11:18:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,

The necessity of my travels to Saudi Arabia lately have caused me to look into the difference, and similarities, between Christianity and Islamic faith.

The main difference seems to be that those following after the Islamic faith see God as a being alone, with no son or holy spirit. Their faith leads them to believe that their God is sufficient in and of himself, and there is no need for him to have a son, or spirit which reaches out to us.

As Christians, obviously we differ in that respect. We believe that God in His mercy, granted us the gift of His Son to give us hope and joy and mercy.

I would be interested in hearing how YOU see the differences since I am, by far, no expert on this subject.

God bless you!

Richard

It has been awhile

2009-03-20T18:01:00.001-05:00

HI Folks,

All I can say is that it hasn't been from a lack of activity...but it HAS been awhile since I have been able to jot off a blog. For those of you that enjoy receiving word of our school, and our mission in Nicaragua, I apoligize for the delay.

We have lately become reacquainted with just how much our friends and family means to us, not that we ever doubted it, or lost track of it. After my almost month-long trip to Saudi Arabia, I was really (really, really, really) ready for a little "time off". Carolyn and I had planned to sneak off and spend a week on some beach somewhere with our phones turned off (It probably would have driven me to distraction anyways). Of course THAT plan never came to fruition, but God's plan most certainly DID! Praise Him!

Before I even got back to the good ole USA I had to arrange to take a small detour to Phoenix to visit with Carolyn's 103 year old grandfather. Some time in the last couple of weeks the poor ole feller managed to fall down in his house, and break his arm. Carolyn's father, lives just a couple of miles away and he was able to go over to Grandpa George's house and help him out, but we were obviously worried about him. So we used the incident as a good excuse to drive the recently donated van out to Phoenix, from San Antonio, and back. Sort of a "shake-down cruise" on the van, with the side benefit of being able to check in on Grandpa George. Grandpa George is fine by the way. He really hates losing his autonomy, and being able to live on his own, but he is reconciled to the fact that it is a dangerous situation in which to find himself. Last year he found he could no longer drive his car too, so it was a double whammy for him. But...life goes on, as Grampa George often says. We often think of Grandpa George as a walking miracle. We sure do love that old man!

On the way back to Texas, from Phoenix we received a call from someone who is quickly becoming a very good friend of ours, Pastor Mike Grove of NorthEast, Pennsylvania. Pastor Mike advised us that his church Praise Cathedral (http://www.pccog.com) was having a missions service and they were gracious enough to invite us to their service. We leapt at the opportunity to see the missions team which had recently returned from Nicaragua! This team was the predominant reason that the school which the Church of God is building in Puerto Cabezas is still viable. This team came down in January and almost single-handedly rescued the school with their hard work, and Spiritual intercession! So we absolutely LEAPT at the opportunity to visit with them on THEIR home turf.

By the time we spent five days in North East, PA we were running up against a three day congress which is starting in Puerto Cabezas and so we had to "hot foot it" back here home to Nicaragua.

So here I sit, on my front porch in Puerto Cabezas. I am smelling the tropical flowers, sweating in the sun and thanking God for every spare breeze that comes our way. We are humbled by the priviledge to serve Him here, in this way....we don't need a vacation...we are MUCH HAPPIER to be "in harness" and working for the Lord.

God bless!

Richard and Carolyn Becton

friendships

2009-02-16T23:28:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

Just a quick note to everyone, thanking them for their many, many emails of support.

God is Love, and I believe He created friendships to express that to us. What a horrible, cold and lonely world this would be without the comfort and kinship expressed by our friends.

Thanks, friends.

Richard

a different world

2009-02-15T12:05:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

Wow....I guess I have led a pretty sheltered life for the last three years as I have settled into the calling of being a missionary.

I find myself in a different world these days, geographically and temperamentally. I forgot what it was like to be working with 25-30 year old pilots, out to make a name for themselves....airline types. It is very nice to be around the professionalism that they exhibit, I have missed that.

We sometimes call ourselves an unusual people due to our faith in God, and I find that this truly IS the case, and I thank God for THAT mercy as well. I certainly feel unusual here, today.

Please pray for me folks, I need the prayer. I have some big decisions to make in the next couple of days. Thanks.

God Bless,

Richard

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

currently traveling

2009-02-06T13:46:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,

I am currently in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Anyone needing to contact me for any reason please do so through email.

God Bless!

Richard

flight@flash.net

What a game!

2009-02-02T10:28:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

-----

For those of you that watched it, I don't have to tell you how wonderful the Super Bowl was last night. YES, I actually got to watch the game. There were five of us, counting the Pastor's wife, sitting in a space of about 3' wide, by maybe 10' long. There was a bed in front of the TV, and we were all crouched around the bed on little plastic white chairs. The Pastor had rigged a fan up to blow on the back of the TV, because his TV tended to just "go off" when it got heated up...and it WAS hot. But MAN, what a game it was.

Pittsburgh Steelers 27

Arizona Cardinals 23

-----

The first phase of the school in Puerto Cabezas is complete, except for the windows and doors. We are actively seeking partners for the windows and doors right now, of course. The second phase will begin in mid-March, we believe. We covet your prayers for the resources to begin this second phase. We also strenuously invite each of you to visit us in Nicaragua. We would LOVE the opportunity to give you the grand tour of our little corner of the world. We can help with logistical arrangements, if you like too.

We also covet your prayers for the adopted daughter of a close friend of ours in Puerto Cabezas. Little Adriana has been having "spells" where she will just suddenly fall down. She will just be playing, or walking along, and will simply keel over. Adriana will be totally limp when this happens, and then as she begins to "come around" she has a bit of a disoriented, or "out of it" look to her face. We think it may be epilepsy, but are not completely sure. Adriana is currently in Managua, with her mother the Pastors wife, getting test done. Please, please, please keep this little girl in your prayers. Prayers are the most powerful medicine available to us, and we covet YOURS. Pray with us, for Adriana.

Richard

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

We're all in this together, right?

2009-01-25T11:05:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

Let me encourage each of you to make friends with other Christians. Whether they be Church of God, which is whom most of us are close friends with, or other denominations. Make friends with other Christians. We serve a big God folks, not a "God in a box". Let's keep our perspective fresh, and broaden our circles of friends. We may learn from others, and we may get an opportunity to teach.

Working as a missionary in a foreign country (Nicaragua) has given me the opportunity to work with the Seventh Day Adventists, The Baptists, The Assemblies of God, The Verbo Church, The Moravian Church, and a council of churches comprised of all of those, and more. The only religions which we haven't directly worked with, for one reason or another are the Catholic Church, the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormons), or the Jehovah's Witnesses. What a privilege it has been to be exposed to, and work with, each of these devout segments of Christianity!

We all serve one God, and He is mighty indeed. As we pursue our theological lives with vigor, and search for the realities of Spiritual Existence, we come across many trails to follow. Like a gifted hunter pursuing a deer down a rocky slope, we must use all of our skill, and insight into the nature of that which we are pursuing to gain our goal. We have already achieved Salvation, by accepting Jesus Christ into our hearts and into our lives. Now, as we take the walk of faith, we seek enrichment of our Spiritual lives. What do we do, once we have committed our lives to become better, saved, human beings through Christianity?

We seek. We seek after "the truth". Those of you that know me well, know that I am not a "denominational drummer", so to speak. I am a Church of God missionary because my personal beliefs are very close to what the doctrine of the Church of God is stated to be. Unlike many in my particular denomination, I was not raised under the Church of God doctrine, but under the doctrine of the Assemblies of God. They are very similar, and these two denominations work particularly well together because of their shared beliefs. But perhaps because of this change in perspective at an early time in my youth, I have always been open to other teachings. I have seen good Christians in many other denominations, and I believe that we will all see each other together in Heaven, and we will THEN KNOW how silly our denominational disputes were, and we will laugh...together.

I encourage each of you to seek friends outside your denomination, whatever that denomination may be. The Church of God, The Baptists, The Seventh Day Adventists, The Assemblies of God, etc, and so on...DON'T have all the answers. It is Jesus Christ himself that has the answers.

I believe that this last general assembly conducted by the Church of God will put a new face on our particular denomination. A face that harkens back to a time when the Church of God was growing, and Spiritually powerful. As we seek friendships outside of our denomination, invite them to see what it is that the Church of God has to offer. As we move back towards more commitment to our missions department, and the spreading of the "Good News" of Jesus Christ's sacrifice, bring others into the fold to see our commitment to His name. Make plans to visit, or support a missionary. THIS is where the life's blood of a strong church rests, on it's following of the Great Commission.

Evangelism is something that I have a calling towards, it is what I preach, and it is what I teach. The Church of God has resources for those "seekers" that are out there. We are NOT an exclusive club of believers that excludes sinners, ARE WE? Don't we SEEK AFTER sinners, that they may receive Christ? Isn't THAT what it is ALL about? If we aren't evangelizing, we are being complacent. Did Jesus sacrifice his life, so we could achieve complacency? The Church of God is NOT a complacent organization, and I don't believe anyone in the Church of God is comfortable with ONE SOUL being lost to sin. It will take effort on your part to share Christ...but someone made that effort in YOUR LIFE, so that YOU could go to heaven, right? What if we decide today that "enough is enough"? Do we accept that "some will be lost"? I fear that some do accept that, and I pray that God will send his Spirit to motivate people beyond this selfishness in their lives.

Bring the sinners to church, and you may find that they make YOU a better person, and our congregations stronger for their presence. Bring them in folks, I want to see the churches "bustin' at the seams" with sinners! Let Christ do His work in their Spiritual lives, and HE WILL! All you have to do is get them to come to church, or kneel and pray, or question how their life can be better.

God bless you all richly, and I hope my "ramblings" this morning weren't to far off base.

Richard

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

philosophy

2009-01-18T09:11:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

It isn't any persons place to tell you how to live your life.

We cannot set ourselves up to be judges of those around us. We also cannot sin, as Christians believing that sin will show examples of God's Grace in the world...and thereby increase faith. God forbid.

As we all make this short little journey, down life's jagged pathway, we intermittently search for guidance on how best to live our lives. There are competing philosophies in the world of course. Some of these philosophies make a good bit of sense too. The peacefulness of Buddhism is attractive to those with turmoil in their lives. The structured precepts of the Hindis can be attractive to a person that is leading a chaotic life too. Even the science fiction of the Christian Science folks has a certain fascination to the immature mind.

We all seek spiritual harmony, it is inherent to our nature.

All of those minor philosophies fall short of the mark. When we look at the knowledge of the ancients, the knowledge of Christ...and see how this one man changed the world, how can we deny His power, and His "rightness"? This one man, Jesus Christ, changed the world. He came at a times when we needed Him to come. He will also come into your life, at a time when you ASK him to come...He can change your personal world also. People inherently fear change. Sometimes it takes a major or catastrophic event to make a person invite change into their lives. If this has recently happened to you, or someone you know, ask Jesus into your life. A positive change is waiting for an invitation.

Some folks who call themselves "realists" might even choose to believe that life is happenstance, and a lucky combination of structured atoms, with no intelligence other than practical experience guiding the process of our species, and the planet. Arrogance is exhibited by many in that particular philosophy. Arrogance, contemptuous pride, I believe is what made Adam and Eve take that first bite of forbidden fruit. Since our earliest human existence we have exalted ourselves.

I don't have any answers for you either. I only can tell you that my personal set of experiences has led me to believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.

I know that God is LOVE. I know that God is PEACE. I know that God is POWER. I know that God is PURPOSE.

I have had the privilege of being in a position to witness His power in peoples lives many, many times. My own life included of course. Without Jesus my life, would be an incredibly hollow experience. I have seen the power of faith in God, through the belief in Jesus Christ, heal people of horrible things. Diseases, and addictions. Some of the most horrible things in life can be healed ONLY through the power of faith, in Christ. I have seen this, and so I believe. Or is it, I have believed this, and so I have seen?

Believe upon Christ, your Lord, and your salvation WILL be received within an instant.

Call upon the Lord Jesus Christ and your afflictions WILL be healed.

Live your life for the Glory of Jesus Christ, and your life will become worthy of respect.

Believe, Call and Live...the name above all names...Jesus Christ.

May God richly bless you on your journey, and may we all see Glory together. In doing so we will finally understand the unknowable, together...and we will laugh, together.

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

New pictures uploaded to my "MySpace" account

2009-01-14T10:15:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

I just wanted to let you know that if you're interested I just uploaded almost 2000 new pictures to my, "MySpace" page. The web address is below, just "click" on it:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewAlbums&friendID=176297045

Please keep us in your prayers, we are struggling to raise the funds for the construction on the new school.

God Bless you!

Richard and Carolyn Becton

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

North East, PA blessings!

2009-01-10T09:44:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

The last time I wrote to you guys I told you about how the group from Praise Cathedral came to Puerto Cabezas to rescue the construction project for our new school.

This devout, and passionate group of faithful believers is now on their way back to the frigid northland, Pennsylvania. Last night in Pennsylvania the inhabitants received 18 inches of frigid reminder of winters teeth...Last night in Managua, the fourteen of us were taking the first break in a week, poolside at the Las Mercedes Best Western.

It is a different world down here folks. Culturally, climatologically, and Spiritually. What this group accomplished has never been seen by Carolyn and I before...we will be eternally grateful for their hard work, and their fellowship. What a wonderful world we would live in if ALL of our brethren were like: Pastor Mike, Sister Debi, Sister Linda, Sister Karen, Ed and Trudy Sveda, and Dave and Peggy Wroblewski, Brother Phil and his daughter Sister Becky, and Sister Alisha, and our strong Brother Ed Strine!

God bless each and every one of them.

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

What a revelation for us in Nicaragua!

2009-01-06T21:59:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

I have received a revelation this week. Gringos work, HARD!

We are in the middle of a visit from the construction team from the Praise Cathedral Church of God (http://www.pccog.org/) in Pennsylvania. Carolyn and I feel like we have made some new, and very good, friends.

Despite the fact that his own church is in dire need of a new roof, Pastor Mike Grove brought his team of 12 people down here to Puerto Cabezas to DO SOME WORK. AND WORK THEY HAVE DONE! Due to circumstances beyond our control, the slab (foundation) for the school we are building had what proved to be a problem. We had been instructed at one point to pour the slab as a completely flat surface, with no rebar sticking up for walls, or anything else. So the first thing that this valiant team from Pennsylvania had to do when they arrived was to bust holes in concrete!

27 holes to be exact. 16" X 16", and two feet deep. That is holes through concrete and rebar, with nothing but hammers and pickaxes. I know that this team was sent by God because they have rescued this project.

14 of us, including Carolyn and I spent two and half days breaking holes in concrete, and placing vertical rebar risers for doorways and walls and resealing the foundation. But PRAISE GOD, that part of the work is DONE, and we spent half of today, laying block! What a beautiful sight those growing walls are.

I want each and every person that reads this little note to take a second and please pray for Pastor Mike Grove, and his church the Praise Cathedral. His church needs a roof, and he has chosen to plant a seed by serving God and the Miskito people of Nicaragua. I have rarely met a more sincere man than this Pastor, please keep his faithful church in your prayers.

What a wonderful revelation for us to fully realize how deeply involved in this project that God is! For Him to send us people like this....wow!

God bless you.

Richard

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

end of year, beginning of year

2008-12-26T12:40:00.000-05:00

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

2008-12-21T15:23:00.000-05:00

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

2008-12-16T08:54:00.001-05:00

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

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

2008-12-04T10:00:00.001-05:00

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

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

Progress on the school construction and a special visit from new friends!

2008-11-29T14:22:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

It isn't every day that we get a visit from John the Baptist! WELL...Jim the Baptist anyways!

We were very blessed to have a visit from the Pan de Vida team, out of Monroe, NC. The team members were Lewis and Rosa Politiwisc, Jim and Kim Phillips with their daughter Alexis and her friend Karly, Marty Griffin, and Rob Freeman.

We obtained a lot of pleasure and many blessings by this groups actions and presence here in Puerto Cabezas. Those of you that read our weekly blog know that this is the second trip for Pan de Vida, and its leader "Papa Lou". Carolyn and I are constantly amazed by this groups energy and effect with and upon the people here in Puerto Cabezas. Papa Lou spent three days on the Managua side of the country, and then three MORE days on OUR SIDE, on the Atlantic Coast. He and his team must have been worn right out; but they sure didn't show it as they ministered with a woman's conference, a pastors conference and a vacation bible school, with over 300 children in attendance (I thought it was more than 400, but we didn't know for sure). All of that in addition to ministering to the people that live and work at the landfill in Puerto Cabezas. Papa Lou found time to preach twice, and have Pastor Jim Phillips preach twice (once on the radio, and once in church) during their brief stay here. What a blessing for us, and for the indigenous people here in La Miskitia!

The exciting school project is WELL UNDERWAY! The foundation for the first of three buildings is NOW COMPLETE...Praise God! Our next team is visiting in January (although we MAY have another team visiting in December), to complete the first building. I found out yesterday that we have a month less time to complete the construction than we previously had thought. God knew THAT before we did, and I am sure he has it planned accordingly! Please step up to the plate, though and become His angel, and OURS...with MUCH NEEDED help.

God bless everyone. We are busier than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, and happily too!

Richard and Carolyn

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

We have begun!

2008-11-19T16:49:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

It is amazing to me. The importance of "being there". I can show everyone on this blog list (about 1200 people) a picture like this one:

And yet, there is NO WAY they can feel the same feeling which come instantly to my mind and body. Feelings of God's movement in a desolate location, which I get when I look at this picture.

This picture represents the fulfillment of thousands of peoples prayers. This picture is the beginning of the new school in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. It is just a picture of a construction site, but it is ALSO a picture of prayer, answered!

If anyone ever asks what prayer "looks like", the above picture is IT.

Here are two more pictures which show some progress too. We are thrilled beyond measure, and overflowing with gratitude to the individuals and Spirit filled churches which have been the answer to our prayers.

A NOTE:

The men in the pictures are volunteers who work to further God's kingdom here in Nicaragua...just like some of YOU do from the United States and in your travels to other countries.

Thank you for being an answer to prayers, and don't forget that although the work has begun, it is FAR from finished. We still need support. We only have sufficient funds for the foundation, and are stepping out in faith for the rest. Be an angel my brothers!

Richard

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.blogger.com/

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)

http://www.blogger.com/
http://www.blogger.com/
http://www.blogger.com/

ADDRESS IN NICA:

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

Time to get to work

2008-11-10T14:04:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

Praise God for His service!

We are set to BEGIN construction on the school in Puerto Cabezas the day after tomorrow. This is due to several churches following their prayerful efforts, with financial support! We praise God for the churches in Florida, and Tennessee, and Pennsylvania that have "followed through" with their desire to help.

As we begin the work, we request that each of you send many prayerful thank yous to our Lord, Jesus Christ. We feel it is important that He receive the glory for His work.

As we begin the work, we do so with the recognition that much is still necessary to be accomplished. We haven't received ALL that will be necessary, and we are stepping out in Faith to His kingdom for the rest. Please hold us fast in your prayers that all will go well.

On another note:

I had the opportunity to visit a hotel recently, in the United States, which reminded me of how insulated we become once we attempt to emulate the life of Christ. This hotel was decidedly lower economic, if you know what I mean.

It has been quite some time since I have seen the "underbelly" of our great nation. I resided in that hotel for a week, and was amazed at the way the people living there conducted their daily lives. They were the poorest of the poor. The maintenance man, who was working only for his lodging, told me one day that the homeless in the area when they were "flush with money", would pay for a room there. So the hotel was a step up from homelessness, but not a large step. He then asked to borrow $10.00 from me, if you can imagine that. It really was an eye-opener. I seldom see our great nation in such a light. I know that it is the leading of the Holy Spirit which helps to guide people like that out of their state of living and into a more comfortable, or at least a more respected habituation, and I praise Him for this in even the least of our lives.

Daily I saw examples of people drowning in the despair which their sin had brought upon them. I feel it is important that we remember to pray for the unsaved in our nation, and our cities, and in our neighborhoods. Please pray, an make the effort to bring Christ into their lives. I know several of my good friends do this in their lives as a matter of faith, and I encourage each and every one of you to follow suit, with this kind of behavior. Prepare yourselves Spiritually before you jump off of that cliff though, there is danger. Gird yourself with prayer, and fasting my friends and then "leap"!

God bless you all!

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

An important request

2008-10-27T11:40:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

I cannot say it any better than I already have. The children of the Church of God in Nicaragua, in Puerto Cabezas, need your help now.

As I mentioned last week in my blog, we need to raise another $20,000.00 to complete the school for these children.

I KNOW it is a hard time across the board in America and the rest of the world right now. BUT, I have faith that the Father knows your heart, and can use YOU as an angel to these children in need of a school.

God bless you!

Richard

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

Thank God no one was hurt.

2008-10-22T09:36:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,

You have all heard the "good news/bad news" thing, right?

The good news is that no one was hurt when we rolled the Suburban up onto its topside along the road from Puerto Cabezas to Managua on Monday night. We devoutly thank God for this huge blessing. I don't have to tell you the bad news. (The Suburban crashed).

It was raining, I was driving, and the curve was much sharper than it at first appeared. There were seven of us onboard. We were traveling with some friends of ours, Rusty and Dawn Zimmerman, their two children Peyton and Keegan, and a young friend of theirs named Richard (a local).

We broke traction at about mid-curve, and began to skid vigorously. Our rear tires were swinging forward as I fought for control with the steering wheel. Just as I regained control, our right rear tire popped into a roadside culvert, and our right front tire followed briskly. The culvert caused us to topple over, onto our roof.

It was more than a little bit disorienting to be upside-down in the middle of the night, with several people on top of me. Our first concern of course was for injuries. There were a few scrapes, bruises and cuts from glass, but nothing that was bleeding very much. THANK GOD for that. It could have been a whole lot different. We all made our way out of the vehicle through various new openings.

Rusty says that this was the "smoothest roll-over he has ever been in", out of the three or four which he HAS been in...poor guy!

The damage is extensive on the poor old Suburban.

We were able to catch a passing bus that had a cable, which we used to put the Suburban right side up again. The ignition was bound up somehow, so we weren't immediately able to see if the car would start. The roof was mashed in like an old hat, creased from the top middle of the windshield to about four feet back, and dented in and down for about two feet. It was smashed, and well smashed. The four windows on the doors were all gone as well as the windshield. The two front doors will not open, and are bent and twisted. The two rears doors, with coaxing and pulling, we managed to open.

We caught a ride to a place where we could get a cell phone signal and called in the cavalry, by calling up the national overseer of the Church of God in Nicaragua, Bishop Antonio Martinez. Bishop Martinez was a two-hour drive away, but was able to make it out to the scene of the accident and take Dawn, Carolyn, and the children back to Managua. Rusty and I stayed with the vehicle to protect it.

Rusty and I managed to get about an hours sleep in the rain, before people began to walk by on their way to work. I found my pair of pliers and managed to get the ignition on the Suburban to turn enough to come on-line. I wasn't able to turn it enough to get the starter to engage, and the batteries were dead at this point anyways, so we flagged down several passing vehicles, requesting a jump...or as they say here, "necisito energia". After about the fourth vehicle we managed to get the Suburban to start up, by using a wire which was attached directly to the starter, and touching it to the battery. It ran!

But BOY, did it ever smoke at first. I guess some oil had made its way onto the tops of the pistons because it had been upside-down. It smoked, and smoked and smoked for about 15 minutes, and then as we continued down the road, it began to quit smoking and running somewhat normally. I managed to drive it all the way from 29 Km North of Boaco, to the south side of Managua to the national overseer's office on the carretera masaya. About a two-hour drive. I was only pulled over by a policeman once...and he was nice enough to let me go, once he believed that I didn't have any money on me.

So now you know how we spent Monday night, and Tuesday morning.

Since the motor on our Toyota blew up a couple of weeks ago, we are currently back to walking and riding our little "moto".

We think the Suburban is repairable, but we are praying for the funds with which to have the work done. We should have the Toyota parts repaired and back from the United States in about two weeks, and we are praying that the Suburban will be repaired by the end of November.

God Bless you guys.

Richard and Carolyn Becton

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

Good news from the USA

2008-10-13T11:56:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

We received great news from Men and Women of Action this morning in an email. For the first time, we have been selected as one of their projects.

Please keep us in prayer as we learn to work effectively with this exciting group of people.

God Bless!

Richard

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

frightening pleasures

2008-10-09T09:43:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,

What a pleasure it is to be here in Puerto Cabezas, serving God Almighty, as best we can!

It truly IS a pleasure to serve our Lord, every day, all day long. From the moment we wake up in the morning (6:00am or so), until we go to bed at night (around 8-10pm) we have the privilege of wondering how best we can serve God TODAY...and tomorrow, and for the foreseeable future.

The subject line of this little note says "frightening pleasures". It says that because although we have the privilege of being here, working for the Lord in every way we can, we also have the RESPONSIBILITY of working for the Lord, all day long in every way we can. That is the frightening aspect of our call.

We are but poor pitiable human beings, not "missionary machines", and so there are times when we wonder if perhaps we have made a misstep; in our relationships with other people, in our energy level towards the job we want to accomplish, and in many others ways...in challenges which we face on an hourly basis here in this outpost of humanity. We do sometimes fall short.

I know that this is ALSO the will of God. Whatever we accomplish, through God here, HE WILL GET THE GLORY. What a testimony it is that God can even use Richard and Carolyn Becton to accomplish His Divine Will in Nicaragua. How can He NOT get the glory, when we (dull tools though we are) are His implements of choice?

We just had a visit from the ChristWalk church of God's vision team, headed by Pastor (and Doctor) Jim Chamberlain. It was a truly fun, and blessed visit by this team! Brad Watson, Jimmy Hudson, LaVoy Newton Sr., LaVoy Newton Jr., Luddy Navarro, and Roy Villegas joined Pastor Jim Chamberlain for this life-changing experience. The team prescribed for 335 patients, and probably put at least 350 pairs of glasses into this little community of ours. BUT EVEN BEYOND THAT...the team ministered on the radio, and preached in several churches while they were here. The LaVoy/Jimmy team, was a powerful force on Sunday morning at the Nuevo Jerusalem Iglesia de Dios service! I think everyone in the church came up for individual prayers of healing, and rebirth, and rededication. One young man even came up to give his life to Jesus, hallelujah! We also had a salvation celebration at the Muelle Iglesia de Dios on Saturday evening, as a man was standing outside, peering in the window, during LaVoy Jr.s service. He was invited inside and he dedicated his life to Jesus, double hallelujah! This ministry is an ongoing one, from Fernandina Beach Florida, and the ChristWalk Church of God. They visit this area about every four months, and if your desire is to serve in this way...you can contact Pastor Jim Chamberlain about joining one of his devout teams. (chambgang@yahoo.com)

Most of you know that we have TWO major projects going on right now in our portion of Jesus' world, La Miskitia. The first is a project to build a school of exceptional educational quality, which I mentioned in my last blog. We need financial help with that project. The second project is to bring a group of local (native) musicians to the United States for a month. There are nine of us in the group. We are coming in February, driving up from Nicaragua. We can use some help there too folks, financial help. We need gas money and money for lodging. The group will be singing songs native to La Miskitia, and some passionate songs in English as well. The presentation of our region, the reason we are performing, consists of about an hour and a half of singing, stories about this region, and some preaching in the Miskito Style. I think that people will find it interesting and hopefully our passion for Christ will come through. As I mentioned, we are saving a lot of money by driving to the United States, so we don't have to rent vehicles when we arrive, and do not have to pay for airline tickets. We can really use some help, both financially, and with your suggestions of churches that may be interested in having our musical group come for a visit. We ask only for an offering to be taken up for gas money, as the main intent of the visit is to raise awareness about La Miskitia, and the plight of the poor people there.

Know a church interested?

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

happy news!

2008-10-01T18:22:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

For those of you that have been wondering...Carolyn is back in Nicaragua as of tonight! Yippee!

I have more than several things I would like each of you to keep in prayer.

The School (we need money for construction costs, right away).

Our Indian Brethren

Our Mission

An opportunity for increased income into our mission which is "up in the air" right now.

I am keeping this short, because I sent out my last BLOG just a day or two ago.

Richard

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

The Lord blesses us, and its time to put "feet to prayer".

2008-09-28T15:08:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

NOW is the time. We need to have the school in Puerto Cabezas finished by the end of January. We have a team from Pennsylvania coming on the first of January, and staying for approximately one week. This team coming from Praise Cathedral (http://www.pccog.org/) we pray will be used to FINISH THE WORK!

We have the men in Puerto Cabezas to build the school. God has also blessed us with the land upon which to build the school...what we need is materials. And we need them badly. All the materials we need can be purchased locally, we need funds. We MUST raise $30,000.00 to complete the school. I have a promise of $6,000.00 coming our way already, and so we are short about $24,000.00 for construction materials and costs of men and concrete. YOUR donation can start the ball rolling, but keep it coming in. REMEMBER, you cannot "outgive God".

We have 125 lovely little native children ready to attend this school, in February. We need to get it built.

You can see the hand of God in your movements when you keep prayer first in your life. Let me explain how we came to already have 125 students, ready for school in four short months.

The Church of God in Puerto Cabezas, namely the Central Church of god, has a small existing school. They have had to turn away students because the school is located at the church, which is a small piece of property. The school really was kind of "cramped into" this small locale.

The pastors house was almost literally falling down, and so it was necessary that his home be rebuilt. In the process of rebuilding it was determined that there was no space, while construction was going on, for the school to operate.

As it happens, and it ALWAYS seems to happen this way, God's timing is PERFECT in this case. If we can get our school building constructed and open by the end of January we can give these students a "home".

The government of Nicaragua is supplying the books, teachers, administrators etc. All we need is the building! If you have NEVER responded to our blog before, we NEED you to RESPOND NOW, please. This is a seminal moment in our mission here. We can accomplish so MUCH MORE than we thought we would be accomplishing.

THIS is YOUR CHANCE to get in on the "ground floor", and to really and truly make a difference in the lives of 125 children (and probably many more). Please help.

In His Grace and Mercy and Favor...

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

Wonderful visit from North Carolina, upcoming visits from Florida and Pennsylvania

2008-09-25T10:27:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,

I just spent the last four days with some wonderful people from North Carolina, Lou and Rosa Politowicz, and their friend from Managua Herman Urcuya. Lou and Rosa have a ministry called "Bread of Life" (www.bolmm.com). Please visit their website for more information on what God is doing through their lives. Please pray that He will bless their ministry as they shift it's focus here to La Miskitia. Praise Him!

We are also excited about the fast-approaching visit of the optical team from Fernandina Beach! Pastor (Doctor) Jim Chamberlain and team will be in Nicaragua on the 2nd of October and will be in Puerto Cabezas on the 3rd, on the first flight. Some of you may remember their words "everyone should be able to see clearly enough to read their bibles". THAT is what they accomplish when they come here to the Atlantic coast. Please keep them in your prayers, that their journey will be safe, and comfortable.

Lou and Rosa Politowicz will be back in Puerto Cabezas during the last week of November with a group of 25-30 young evangelists! Praise God!

We also have a new group of about 20 devout Christians coming to Puerto Cabezas from Pennsylvania, the Praise Cathedral church with Pastor Mike Grove, on the first day of next year. This group is a hard-working construction oriented, and skilled group. One which we very badly need here in Puerto Cabezas, for the bilingual school which we are breaking ground on next month. Praise God!

We pray blessing on each and every one of you which receives this blog, and upon your families and ministries.

Richard

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

I finally figured it out!

2008-09-19T09:43:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

I think I have finally reached a conclusion here. After some in-depth research (not really)...I have determined that I begin to feel the need for a change after approximately 73 cold showers, consecutively.

It seems that after about 2 1/2 months of bone-chilling showers, my body begins to crave "hot water". Over a period of some-odd (sometimes very odd) 49 years I have developed the unfortunate habit of showering in the mornings. I really wish I could become acclimated in the realm of personal cleanliness in the same way which my Miskito brethren are. My brother Miskitos tend to take their "banyar" in the afternoon, in the heat of the day. An imminently practical adaptation, I must say. When I try this, I inevitably end up taking at least two showers a day, which even for a devout Christian that truly believes that "cleanliness IS next to Godliness" is a bit much.

I am excited about the visit of my new friend Luis Politowisc who is one of those brave, adventurous and devout souls daring to penetrate to the eastern portion of Nicaragua to visit our Miskito brethren. Please keep brother Lou, and his wife Rosa in your prayers, that their visit here will be filled with blessings...both for THEM and the Miskito people which they come into contact with.

I do not usually gripe...but the showers DO get old, quick. GRIN!

Richard

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

Wow..I don't know what we would do without your prayers!

2008-09-15T12:11:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

I cannot imagine life without YOUR prayers right now. We have been beset with one calamity after another in the last three weeks. Without your prayers to cover us in protection, I can only imagine how much worse it would have been!

First, as you know, I spent a week on my back in bed with Dengue Fever. Very bad.

Secondly, on the drive to Puerto Cabezas I had TWO flat tires, and only had one spare. So now I am in Managua trying to buy two new rims for the Suburban. I am pleased that through your prayers, and the Lord's leading we decided to wait to bring the trailer to Puerto. We would not have made it right now. The road to Puerto Cabezas is in the worst condition I have EVER seen it in. I mean it is truly horrible. Pessimo!

Thirdly, the house which I was to rent in Puerto Cabezas isn't ready, and I have been forced to stay in a hotel. I was able to find a hotel that is only $13.00 per night, but that is still a lot of money when I am looking at staying there for about a month. At least on a missionary budget it is a LOT OF MONEY.

Thank the Lord that through your prayers we have avoided anything permanent happening to our bodies, or our spirits. We are both healthy and happy and working in God's Grace and Mercy. What more can a couple of missionaries ask for?

Financially, we are beset, but spiritually we are humbly proud of each and every one of your prayers that have acted as a guard against worse dangers and bodily harm. Thank YOU!

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

Driving to Puerto

2008-09-08T14:32:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

I am leaving Managua tomorrow morning, Tuesday the 9th of September, and driving to Puerto Cabezas. I am taking a new friend along with me, his name is Ernesto. Ernesto was introduced to me two days ago by Brother Rolando Almazan of community bank in Cleveland, GA.

Brother Ernesto is enamored with the idea of becoming a missionary pilot, and so I have invited him to come out to Puerto Cabezas for a day or two to see how he likes the "frontier areas". This works out very well for me, because I was slightly, ever so slightly, worried about traveling alone.

The trailer is NOT coming with us on THIS trip. It will remain safely ensconced in the driveway of the Iglesia de Dios en Nicaragua oficina national, for now. I will return to Managua in a week or so, to finalize the paperwork for the upcoming medical team from the ChristWalk Church of God in Florida.

I covet your prayers, as always, for my journey, and for the visiting team.

God bless!

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

Dengue Fever

2008-09-05T11:08:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,

The dominant theme of this last week has been my bout of Dengue Fever. I thank the Lord that my brush with this virus was merely a brush, and of the less horrific type! My Dengue was not the hemorrhagic type, for which I am grateful beyond belief. Anyone that doesn't believe that small things may carry great power, has never been bitten by a mosquito carrying Dengue.

The "better type" of Dengue, was bad enough. Dengue is commonly called "break-bone fever", or "bone-crusher disease" here in Nicaragua. I thank God that the name is simply descriptive of the pain involved in contracting the malady, and not indicative of any osteopathic damage. There is no cure for Dengue, it must simply run it's course.

I spent five days flat on my back as my body recovered from this malady. I am now completely recovered, and have been feeling quite my usual self for the last two days, praise God!

Looking back at the last week or so, I began to wonder what it was the God was trying to show me in our ministry. Was my fever a necessary thing to keep me in Managua? What more did God have for us to accomplish in this great city, on the other side of Nicaragua? As it happens we are preparing for the second visit of the ChristWalk Church of God medical team in Puerto Cabezas.

--------------------------

Those of you that follow our blog know that the coming of a team to Puerto Cabezas entails approximately a month or more of work on our part to receive the proper "permisos" from the government here. It takes a considerable effort and quite a lot of time to assemble the proper thickness of blue-stamped paperwork. It is still a belief which I harbor in my heart of hearts, that the governmental yardstick is what is used for final approval. In other words, when the stack of paperwork reaches the proper height, it is approved. There may be a measure of the weight of blue ink stamped upon the papers which is taken into serious consideration as well. grin! Carolyn and I count it as a great privilege to be involved in this fundamentally important ministry of Pastor Jim Chamberlain of the ChristWalk Church of God. We KNOW that this eyeglass ministry is reaching people for God. We have heard repeated MANY TIMES the words "I just want to be able to read my bible" as the eyeglass ministry enabled that most basic need of the devout Christian...the ABILITY to read their bible, through better eyesight.

But, there is important and necessary paperwork involved in acquiring the permissions, which can only be accomplished while here in the capital city of Nicaragua, Managua. We thank God for the privilege of being here, in this place, and having the ability to facilitate ChristWalks ministry efforts in Nicaragua. We beg that you join us in prayer for ANOTHER successful mission trip to Puerto Cabezas by this God-drenched team!

-------------------------

We have decided to keep the travel trailer which we drove here to Nicaragua in Managua for the time-being. I will go in advance of it's arrival to Puerto Cabezas and prepare a place for it there. The travel trailer has held up well to the rigors of the journey here, through Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and now into Nicaragua. The strain has been immense, but the Avion is an extremely well-built trailer, of exceptional quality. The hardest journey lies ahead, as we finalize preparations for the trailers arrival into Puerto Cabezas. The last 301 miles of the trip, from Managua to Puerto Cabezas, will MOST CERTAINLY be the hardest.

We will need our strongest prayer warriors on the job for THAT segment of the journey, soon to come.

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

Decisions, decisions, decisions

2008-08-26T17:26:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

As much as Carolyn and I are just "chompin at the bit" to get this Avion trailer out to Puerto Cabezas, we have decided to pause, pray, and consider.

We have been thinking about the last leg of our trip to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua quite a bit, naturally. We have prayerfully decided that it is a bit wiser to leave the trailer here in Managua, safe and secure, at the National Overseers office, while we continue on to Puerto and prepare a secure location for the trailer.

When we finally DO get the trailer out to Puerto Cabezas, it is likely to draw attention, both good and bad. We want to ensure the security of the trailer so we will be going on out to construct a fence to encircle the area, and a concrete pad for it to rest on.

We expect it to take a couple of weeks, or at the MOST a couple of months, depending on how/when God helps us to raise the funds for this little construction project. You can help of course, if you feel like it is something you want to get involved with.

We feel this is the wisest course to pursue right now, what do YOU think?

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

1135 Ponderosa Dr

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

We have arrived into Managua

2008-08-24T11:59:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

Carolyn and I have made the easy part of the trip, we have arrived into Managua...last night in fact.

We crossed the border into Mexico on Monday afternoon (Aug. 18) at 4:30pm, and we crossed into Nicaragua at about 4:00pm (local time, 5:00pm CST) yesterday afternoon. We arrived into Managua last night at about 8:30pm (local).

We had many occasions to test our skill at backing up a 32' long travel trailer. We had many tense situations that led us to doubt the wisdom of making this journey, while pulling this trailer.

I believe that, so far, the most challenging leg of our journey was the trip through Guatemala. The streets through the cities in Guatemala are phenomenally narrow. We had serious doubts as to whether or not we would make it through, a time or two. We survived the trip through Guatemala with only two major instances. As we were passing through the city of Aguacatlan, we managed to "swap paint" with a Toyota Hiace that was passing through in the opposite direction. We broke his rear window and he scraped a small protrusion off of our trailer.

We met on the other side of town, with the police attending interestedly. After an hour or so it was agreed that I should pay for the window to be replaced. God was with us in this encounter. Those of you that have traveled in Central America know that it could have turned out a WHOLE LOT worse. We were a bit anxious until the whole situation was resolved. I really didn't want to spend any time in a Guatemalan jail cell.

You really have to SEE the narrowness of the streets to understand how this happened. We were passing through to the east, and the other guy was passing through to the west. We were passing fine, I had clearance of inches on the right and maybe a little less on the left. The other guy wasn't pulled as far over to the right as he probably should have been, but that is perfectly natural...we drive on the left side and most of us aren't as confident in our depth perception on the "far side". Anyway, as we were passing, the trailer rolled over a small pothole and took a slight "jog", a tilt, to the left and right. That's when his window broke. We were traveling very slowly of course, creeping along.

The second incident in Guatemala happened coming down the mountains just before the town of Sacapulus. The mountains are incredibly steep! We lost the brakes partway down the mountain and had to pull over. We had just enough brakes to come to a stop on a somewhat smaller incline. The brakes were "roiling smoke". We let everything cool down, waited about two hours, and then got back on the road. We had intended to park overnight at that lovely little spot, but the local people gathered around and asked questions like, "how much is this worth?", and "how many people are in there?". We didn't have a warm, cozy feeling about the spot after that. Those questions really are rather innocent, but we felt it better to move on.

We limped down the road past Sacapulus, and even further. Though we didn't have confidence in the brakes, we did have enough to make it work. I'm afraid we may have abused the transmission on the next couple of hills in order to not build up any speed. You just haven't lived until you've crawled down a Guatemalan mountain, in the middle of the night, doing 20MPH with brakes that are worrisome...hahaha.

God was with us the whole way. He provided a spot for us to pull over when we needed to pull over badly (coming down the mountain, with almost no brakes), and He also provided the perfect policeman to attend the "swapping paint" incident. The policeman that came to the scene was really on our side. Telling the OTHER driver that the damage wasn't that bad, and that since HE knew the roads better (he was a local) that he should have been more careful, etc. I could've hugged that cop! It cost us $205 dollars for the window, cheap!

Other than getting lost a few times in major cities (a part of driving down here) while pulling a 32' travel trailer...nothing much else happened. I was offered the opportunity to bribe a border official, we were pulled over by a policeman in Managua and offered the opportunity to bribe a local police officer, and silly little things like that, typical for Central America.

We still need your prayers folks! The hardest part of the journey is YET TO COME. We are planning on leaving Managua for Puerto Cabezas on either Tuesday or Wednesday. The roads are plenty wide, in most places, but extremely BAD. THIS is the part of the journey that I have been dreading. Keep us "prayed up", please!

Richard and Carolyn Becton

just because

2008-08-18T08:46:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

Simply because we have a good internet connection here in Brownsville, I am passing along a note to tell you that God loves you.

We extend an invitation to you to visit us in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.

Richard and Carolyn Becton

flight@flash.net

www.casadeservicio.org

Leaving for Nicaragua tomorrow.

2008-08-17T07:52:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

Carolyn and I are leaving San Antonio today, headed for Brownsville, TX. We will spend the night in Brownsville tonight, and cross the border into Old Mexico tomorrow morning.

We have enjoyed our stay in the United States (although it IS expensive here). I have gained weight, caught a cold, ate a LOT of hamburgers, ate a TON of Mexican food, and am now ready to head for HOME, Nicaragua.

Carolyn had a bout of food poisening yesterday, thank God it was only a "touch". She was physically nauseous all day long, and didn't eat anything but two pieces of toast. Keep her in your prayers please folks. She is feeling much better this morning. Well enough for us to depart San Antonio.

We will keep everyone updated as to our progress, and please keep this journey in your prayers as well. We know that God is IN CHARGE, and we need His help for this journey to progress smoothly. We are driving down, pulling a 32' travel trailer.

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

General Assembly and road trip to Nicaragua 2

2008-08-11T08:44:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

The 72nd General Assembly of the Church of God has now been closed. The Assembly was a blessing to us personally, and the church as a whole.

Our trip to Puerto Cabezas by travel trailer has taken a slight delay while we work on two electrical problems with the Avion trailer. We need to get these two things fixed prior to our trip, while we are still here in the United States. The electrical system in the Avion consists of two separate types of systems, 12volt and 110volt. The trailer is supposed to automatically switch from the 110volt system to the 12volt system when the trailer is unplugged from its 110volt source. That isn't happening. When we are "unplugged", we are supposed to have full usage of the 12volt system, drawing from the two batteries on the Avion, or the towing vehicle if it is attached to the trailer. That would give us lighting and power the master electrical panel which tells the refrigerator to switch (automatically) from AC to LPgas. As it is right now, when the trailer is unplugged, we have NOTHING.

This tells me that the converter is working, because when we ARE plugged in, we have full 12volt service available, just nothing when we unplug. The Avion has a "12volt kill" switch, which according to the manual should always be kept in the "on" position. We can't run it in the "on" position, because as soon as we switch it to the "on" position it immediately "clicks back to off". That leads me to believe that there is a short in the trailer. I am spending my time trying to figure out where this "short" is. If I can't find it in the next few days, I will be forced to take it to a dealership. The "kill switch" itself COULD be bad too.

THE SECOND PROBLEM we are having is a minor one, and I should be able to fix it today. The trailer braking system isn't working properly. I know that the system on the Avion works well, because when it is attached to my Toyota Tundra the brakes work with no problem. However, when it is attached to the Suburban (donated by my Christian Brother in South Carolina) the trailer brakes do not work. I am thinking it is the trailer brake controller in the Suburban, and I will fix THAT today. Either by rewiring the existing controller, or by purchasing a new controller and installing it.

Please keep our mission in your prayers as we struggle to fix these problems. Each and every day we remain in the United States costs us a lot of money, and so your prayers that we can solve these problems quickly, and without the necessity of visiting an RV repair facility are coveted.

God bless you!

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

our old company

2008-08-01T09:15:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

An interesting thing happened in the last couple of months. This "thing" is outside the realm of ministerial application and harkens back to the time when Carolyn and I both worked at Flight Options, LLC.

One of our aviation "heroes" has retaken the helm of that once venerated company. Because Ken Ricci is once again involved in the decision making at Flight Options the prospects not only for its success, but the companies actual continuation as a corporate entity, is practically assured. Ken has taken the position as Chairman of the Board at Flight Options, and we wish him the heartiest congratulations on reacquiring control of his "baby".

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

General Assembly

2008-07-31T10:50:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

Carolyn and I will be meeting in San Antonio on the 2nd of August, to attend the General Assembly of the Church of God. We are very much looking forward to seeing some good friends while we are there. Anyone that plans to attend this Biannual event, please give us a call when you get there. We'll try to get together for a chat, or a meal.

Please keep the men and women of the Church of God in your prayers as they attend this important session, and vote on the future of our assembled saints.

God Bless!

Richard and Carolyn

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

Blessing of our birthright

2008-07-24T15:33:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

It has been awhile since I felt such a feeling of humble pride.

We are so blessed to live in the United States of America.

Every time my National Pride rears its head, as an American, I am culturally conditioned to apologize for those feelings. Many people will almost immediately stand up and declare that there is A LOT wrong with this country, and of course those people are right...this is not a perfect country. But I will NOT apologize for KNOWING how blessed I am to live in The United States of America.

I guess I am just not THAT MUCH of a perfectionist. The US isn't perfect, far from it, but it IS the best place in the world to live. I am satisfied to belong to this great land, until such time as I am promoted to a "better place". I may live and serve God in Nicaragua, but I am exceedingly blessed to call this land my home.

I revel in the sights...and sounds...and wealth, that is apparent on every street in this country. Having spent the majority of the last ten months in a country that can't imagine the average American citizens lifestyle and opulence...I revel.

God has blessed this country in every conceivable way. We are safe, and cared for, and can eat, and play, and pursue happiness. What a country...we live in.

God blessed me personally by allowing me the grace to be born in the greatest country in the world, The United States of America.

One of America's election debating points is how our new president will handle the TRILLIONS of dollars that will be at the disposal of his administration. What a blessing.

Another presidential talking point is what we can do to HELP the people that chose to risk their lives in coming to our country, because of the opportunity that is here for them...men, women and children. What a blessing to be able to debate such a thing.

Another point of debate is the moral and philosophical course our country will take in the upcoming years? As we debate, no one man or committee will decide...WE will decide...each of us, as we align ourselves together in a majority voting bloc. What a blessing to have our viewpoint considered, and acted upon.

Another debating point is should we continue to promote our form of government in foreign lands, and spend our hard-earned money to do so? Consider why we are spending our money and the blood of our nation's heroes on a pursuit as noble as this. What a blessing to love FREEDOM that much.

We aren't debating whether we should build a road, or a clinic...some countries have only enough money for one or the other.

We aren't debating whether we should expend this countries resources in the acquisition of rice or beans for the people that will starve to death this year...some countries are debating this, in seriousness.

We are a blessed people in the United States of America. We are a strong country that will survive and prosper no matter which of the candidates we chose to elect in November. What an amazing country we not only live in, but are a part of.

Are we too far gone? Has cynicism invaded the national attitude so that we can no longer see the nobility of our nation?

If this small patriotic note offended anyone, let me know. I can arrange for you to come down to Nicaragua, and see for yourself after a brief visit there WHAT A WONDERFUL COUNTRY YOU LIVE IN.

Dios le bendiga grandemente a su familia y ministerio.

Casa de Servicio, International
Missionary Aviation, Medical Evacuation

http://www.casadeservicio.org

Richard & Carolyn Becton
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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/

rolling, rolling, rolling.

2008-07-18T08:12:00.002-05:00

AS ALWAYS, ANYONE THAT RECEIVES OUR MISSIONARY BLOG THAT WISHES TO BE REMOVED FROM OUR LIST PLEASE LET US KNOW, AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WILL BE PROMPTLY REMOVED.

Hi Folks,

Well, thanks to some very generous people in South Carolina the Avion travel trailer will soon be on its way to Nicaragua!

We have already relocated the trailer to a friends house in San Antonio, in preparation for the move, ... a "staging" process.

Carolyn and I are going to attend the General Assembly this year in San Antonio. We were kindly invited by Brother Aldana from Guatemala, and since I grew up in San Antonio the temptation to revisit my "home city" was irresistible. Carolyn and I have some very good friends that live in San Antonio and in the surrounding areas as well. We are excited about being able to spend some time in one of our favorite cities, and the chance to renew some good friendships.

The journey to Central America (Nicaragua) while pulling a 32' Avion trailer will be a new experience for both Carolyn and I. I have had occasion to make this trip before, but only in a pickup truck, and never pulling a trailer. I wish I could describe for you how I foresee the trip taking place. The roads between Brownsville, TX and Managua, Nicaragua are really not terrible...with a few notable exceptions in the southern part of Mexico and Honduras. We will be traveling slowly,and carefully. We expect this part of the trip to take about 3-5 days.

It is the road from Managua out to Puerto Cabezas that we expect to take the longest. It is only a distance of 301 miles, from Managua to Puerto Cabezas...but we fully expect it to take up to four days to make this segment of the trip. The road is more like a riverbed than a road really. The buses take 20 hours to make the trip. I have made the trip on numerous occasions and typically will take between 10 and 11 hours in my Tundra. It is a punishing trip. I have NEVER made the trip without SOMETHING breaking down on the truck, or a flat. So my knowledge of the road, leads me to expect the trip to take three days, but we are NOT going to be rushing it...so we think it may take as long as four days to cover that 301 miles of bad road ("bad road" doesn't really describe it though...it is more like a teeth jarring, noisy, barrage upon your vehicle).

Keep us in your prayers as we begin this journey folks, we can use the Divine Help. We are expecting to leave following the Church of God General Assembly.

Anyone wishing to come with us, let us know and we'll see if we can work it out.

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

actions

2008-07-12T23:12:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,

I have spent some time reflecting on a basic principle of life.

The principle that ACTIONS speak louder than WORDS. This is a self-evident and simplistic statement, but it is a principle which we can use to help us to model our lives after Christ's teachings, and to uplift our lives and our ministries and our families futures. This simple, effective principle can be used as a mirror to examine what is of most value to ourselves. When we examine the actions which we took today, and yesterday and last week...do they reflect our Christian values?

Actions speak louder than words. That means that what we act upon contains the value of our lives, and not what we profess to believe. Actions speak louder than words...a simple statement that our modern society seems to value very little.

The wisdom of our forefathers, wherever they may come from...be it Europe, or Africa, or Asia, or wherever else...is something that seems to have lost its value in our modern society. Has humanity really become a symbol of the lowest common denominator, as it often seems these days? Have we humans, as a whole, forgotten the hard-learned lessons of our predecessors? Have we substituted "common knowledge" for wisdom, or commonly accepted moral precepts for biblical principles?

I pray not.

Let us each strive to be discerning as the days creep forward, and let us pray that our lives are modeled after the actions of Jesus Christ. Christ's ministry while He was on this earth was one of action, He healed, and He taught and He LOVED. He packed a lot of action into the three and a half years of His earthly ministry...what have WE done with the last three and half years of our lives, and what are we going to do with the next three and a half? Have our actions concurred with our words, our professed beliefs. For many of us, that IS the case, and for some of us...there may be doubt. I pray that all doubt be removed and that others around us may see our actions follow our beliefs, and not merely the mouthing's of platitudes, or a semblance of belief.

lights... camera...

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

ChristWalk recap

2008-07-07T17:24:00.002-05:00

www.casadeservico.org/blog

Hi Folks,

I am taking a second of your time to express our gratitude for the hard work that the ChristWalk Church Team displayed during their very successful "Vision Team" clinic, during the week of June 25th.

Puertano's (residents of Puerto Cabezas) were treated to a standard of care and service that is NEVER seen here on the Atlantic Coast. Dr (and Pastor) Jim's team were thoroughly professional, and caring beyond belief in the manner in which they interacted with my precious Miskito people. The smiles on peoples faces were the only payment received by Pastor Jim's wonderful team!

Despite the hard work which the team endured, they STILL found time to minister to the Spiritual needs of our little community as well.

On Thursday night, the entire team was able to attend services and speak to the host church, The Iglesia de Dios Central, with Pastor Adrian Lacaya. One by one, the team stood up and explained why they felt called to serve our Miskito brethren. As each of the six took their turn, we received a different insight into the call of the missionary heart.

On Saturday, Pastor Javardo Jones preached a sermon at the San Judas Iglesia de Dios which was right on target. I had several people come up to me the next day to remark upon how needed that message was. Pastor Jim Chamberlain was able to get a few words in at the end of the night and impressed everyone with his testimony of how a "little Kentucky boy from nowhere" was blessed by God to become not only a Doctor, but a Pastor too. His testimony clearly hit the mark with our brothers at the church.

On Sunday the entire team was able to make it to the Iglesia de Dios, Nuevo Jerusalen for a morning of prayer and preaching. Pastor Javardo Jones once again filled our minds and hearts with Spiritual food. The altar call brought EVERY SINGLE PERSON in attendance forward to be ministered to. What an astounding service. I wish each of you could have been there. The Sunday evening service was conducted by both Pastor Jones, and Pastor Chamberlain at the Iglesia de Dios Central. They really work well together, their friendship is evident in their partnership in ministry.

During the clinic, as each person passed from the last phase of the site they passed into the more than capable hands of Pastor Javardo Jones...who prayed, loudly and faithfully, and with the expectation of answers...for each and every person the clinic saw on Saturday. What an awesome experience that was! We were busy taking care of patients, but the occasional shout of JOY, could be heard throughout the day. What a powerful tool of ministry that was!

Even though the team was working long hours, they found time to conduct an interview with the Nuevo Diario newspaper (the link: http://impreso.elnuevodiario.com.ni/2008/07/02/departamentales/79875 ), be interviewed on Channel 5 television and conduct an entire 40 minutes of radio sermon...all of THIS, on top of the clinic, and the preaching in various churches.

The team left Puerto, tired, and happy on Monday morning. Praise God that they came, and our prayers will see them safely return to Puerto Cabezas in October.

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

Puerto Cabezas

2008-07-05T10:59:00.000-05:00

www.casadeservicio.org/blog

Hi Folks,

There has always been a certain "flavor" to this town...Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua.

It is a flavor of the Caribbean, crossed with a touch of desperation, and lightly influenced by tinges of violence, and aggressiveness. Throughout the whole "stew" that IS Puerto Cabezas, the overriding "flavor" that is most evident throughout every action of the day is: Prayer.

The people here love to pray. We pray with expectation, we pray with true faith, and we pray knowing that the most important thing is God's Holy Will.

We pray FOR things here in Puerto Cabezas: food, shelter, the rain to stop...natural things. It would be a rare occurrence for someone here to pray for a new car, or a better house, or a raise in income. Sometimes, God sends an angel to answer our prayers.

We pray ABOUT things here in Puerto Cabezas too: sickness, and addictions, and infirmities of the body and of the mind. We pray about our neighbors, and our families, and our loved ones and about life's aches and pains, as well as the more dire circumstances which life sometimes sends our way. Sometimes, God sends an angel to answer our prayers.

We pray BECAUSE of things here in Puerto Cabezas also: deaths, accidents, wayward children and tremendous grievances that hurt us to the depths of our being. Time heals these wounds, but our lives are changed forever because of them, and through it all, our faith persists. Sometimes, God sends an angel to answer our prayers.

The flavor of Puerto Cabezas changes with the seasons. In the Eden-like climate of December and January and February we are light-hearted, and full of joy, and life. Then March, April, May and June are tinged with regret and a sense of anticipation of impending gloom. The rains come.

Oh how we pray. The rainy period is an intense period of time here. People's natural aggressiveness seems to be at a peak, and it is not uncommon to see fights on every other corner as the dusk approaches. The rain is cold, and in a way, maddening. Trickling creeks are swollen beyond their natural borders, overflowing into the pock-marked streets, creating ruts a foot or more deep, in the streets, and in the fabric of our lives. We come to respect the power of water, as it invades our lives and flows and seeps into every corner of our existence. Water is in everything!

Together, in whole...we realize that water is simply a natural thing, and that although it seems to flow and surge into every corner of our lives, it really has its barriers. There are things which can stop water, sandbags, and walls, and curbs. There are things which can direct water, levees, dams, and hills. There are things which can stop water, bridges and wells, and concrete barriers. It is tempting to think of prayer as water, powerful, and able to penetrate into deep places...yet we realize that although prayer is LIKE water, it is really SO MUCH MORE than mere water. It is really LIVING WATER.

We understand to the depths of our souls, here in Puerto Cabezas, what the New Testament speaks of in John Chapter 4:

John 4:9
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

John 4:10
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

John 4:11
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

John 4:12
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

John 4:13
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

John 4:14
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

The situation for food in La Miskitia

2008-06-25T13:47:00.002-05:00

FOOD

A disaster struck the indigenous people ("The Miskito People") that live on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, on September 4th, 2007. An already absolutely impoverished area of the world, that is practically on America's back-door step, was hit hard by the largest recordable strength of a Hurricane...A CATEGORY FIVE!

Hurricane Felix was an unthinking, unfeeling devastator of lives and property. The EYE of Felix passed directly OVER the people of Puerto Cabezas, and a small community called Sandy Bay, as the natives clung to trees and huddled together for strength and prayer. Most came together in the one strong building available, the church. That night, the church was packed well beyond capacity as the prayers for safety flew into the night. Roofing tin, as sharp as razor knives, flew through the air and embedded itself in trees, and buildings, and flesh.

The Miskito people originated from a mix of Mayan and Incan ancestors that migrated from North-Eastern Colombian about 700 years ago. As time passed, they settled in the coastal plains of both Honduras and Nicaragua. The Indians, not yet known at that time as "Miskitos", settled into a life of barter, and sustenance from the nearby jungles and what trade they could find with the pirates that frequented the shores of the Caribbean sea. In fact, that is how the Miskitos got their name, through their trade with these ancient pirates. The natives traded food, and wood from the forests for muskets as well as necessary foodstuffs. When other nearby cultures tried to invade and subjugate these natives they were met with fierce resistance, by gun and knife and muscle. The natives became known as the Indians with muskets, later called "The Miskitos".

It is a hard life on the Atlantic Coast. There is fish from the sea, if you can afford a boat, but few crops can be grown in the native soil. Through perseverance the people have survived, but never prospered. Some things have changed in the last 700 years since this culture began (compare it to the 230+ years of American history) and much remains the same. The Miskitos are a SMART, and beautiful people. Given the chance this group of people WILL PROSPER, but right now they need THE BASICS.

It is hard for some people to understand the poverty here. You must encourage yourself, and others to visit, then they will "get it". When hurricane Felix hit, almost every house in Puerto Cabezas had at least SOME damage. Mostly roofs, some walls, and SOME completely destroyed. Most Americans know what a hurricane can do. Remind yourselves that the houses in La Miskitia are comparable to a kids treehouse, as construction methods are poor.

The physical damage is immense, and some help has come in for repairs, and the immediate needs.

There is a BIGGER PROBLEM. Unfortunately, the world while good-hearted and generous (for the most part) has a short memory. When we remind people that there was a hurricane on the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua they say "Oh yes, I remember that...didn't we send some stuff there?". AND THEY DID! It was a real blessing and many bellies were filled, and roofs were covered with plastic tarps.

You have to understand though that the main sustenance (food) for the Miskito people is the Cocoa nut. 95% of the cocoa nut trees were knocked down, completely. That means that 95% of the food for these indigenous people is gone, and new trees must be planted. IT TAKES A MINIMUM OF 8 YEARS FOR A TREE TO GROW TO THE POINT OF PRODUCING FRUIT. That's eight years MINIMUM. So although people have helped, they rarely understand the depth of the problem on the coast.

Basically, there are 318,000 indigenous people who will struggle daily for a meal, a single meal, for the next eight years. There are no jobs here, and no tourism. There are no resources except native local hard-woods. Approximately 40% of the trees in the forest have also been snapped off, looking like the discards of some fairytale giants meal...80 feet tall "toothpicks", splintered, and showing the starkly white patches of arboreal entrails.

So FOOD is on the minds of the Miskito people right now.

God is striding MIGHTILY in the La Miskitia region, and His hand is upon these people. In the next five to ten years the prospects will be better due to the help of people like you, and the committed members of the Church Community, and the God Guided help of secular friends.

Please pass along my deepest gratitude for your help.

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
Cleveland, TN 37312
210 392-9574 (for dialing from the US, and for messages)
011 505 613-5824 (Our number in Nicaragua)

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

eagerly anticipating a blessing!

2008-06-24T11:21:00.001-05:00

Hi Folks,

I am sitting at the Managua airport, eagerly anticipating the arrival of Pastor (and Doctor) Jim Chamberlain's team from ChristWalk church in Florida. They aren't due to arrive until Wednesday (tomorrow), but I am still eagerly anticipating their arrival. I am here a couple of days early to "finalize" the paperwork for Pastor Jim's teams visit.

Please join me in prayer for their safety, and their blessings, as they venture forth through service to Christ in Puerto Cabezas Nicaragua.

God Bless,
Richard

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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

blog updates

2008-06-15T12:30:00.002-05:00

Hi Folks,

There has been a server change for our website. Nothing has changed as far as you are concerned, you can still visit our website at: http://www.casadeservicio.org/ and our blog at: www.casadeservicio.org/blog

The last three or four "updates" to the blog didn't post correctly, but we got that sorted out now.

In addition:

We have been able to meet with Ramon Canales as of yesterday here in Managua. It was an invigorating meeting. I think we should be able to get back on track towards getting fuel supplied for the Aztec. It has been a slow, and for me, a painful process.

We have also received final permission from MINSA for the medical group to visit Puerto Cabezas on the 25th of this month! Hallelujah!

This group, from ChristWalk church, is going to help the local people of Puerto Cabezas by supplying free eyeglasses in several visits to Puerto Cabezas. We are all very excited to kick this groups first visit off with much prayer and rejoicing! They will be here from the 25th, for almost a week.

Richard

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
1135 Ponderosa Dr
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