Back in Bluefields

Hello Friends!

We are so happy to be here...to reconnect after a year with dear friends. Not much has changed...the Spirit keeps us connected so that we can pick up right where we left off. The fellowship is sweet! But there have been changes...kids have grown, some things are harder to get, and many people have left for work in other countries. 

Church last Sunday

There is a lot of work to be done on Caribbean Grace... painting, cleaning, engine work, electric and water systems and more. Dan got a crew from the YWAM base to help clean the boat and scrape barnacles off the bottom. They all had a great time...especially with a pizza party at the end.

The YWAM team with their leaders & the leaders' children.

 Some of the YWAM girls scrubbing the barnacles off the bottom of the boat...it's hot here now so the cool water felt good!

A lovely lady from England, Margaret, started the Saturday Lunch Club a few years ago especially for the homeless and elderly. When we are here we love to help...these people are so happy to have this to come to. We have a devotion, singing, lunch and then always a game.

Here are a couple of shots from our neighborhood...

Have you ever seen a jackfruit? They are massive, but have lovely little fruit pods inside. You can pay $40. for one in a US grocery store and we have them all around our house. They are a little hard to open, but are worth the trouble.

This is a little vegetable, fruit, clothing, and more shop just down the road from us. Many people have little shops like this in their homes...

We will be here a total of 3 months, which isn't that long, but we are hoping that it will be long enough to get the things done that need doing. 

Some of you may not know that we are transitioning out of our overseas ministry. After 35 years, we believe the Lord is saying, "Come home." We are praying and seeking Him as to whom we can pass on the ministry of Caribbean Grace. We have committed to financially supporting the maintenance and upkeep of the boat until the end of this year. There is still much to be done to finish strong.

Please pray with us that the right person, people, or group will come along that has a vision that needs a boat! There are so many things Caribbean Grace could be used for: medical, dental, well-drilling, evangelism, church planting...the list is long. And if you know of anyone who might be interested, please pass on this blog or our contact information.

As always, we so appreciate those who have supported us in prayer and giving over the years.

Blessings,

Dan and Donna Letton

dan.donna.letton@gmail.com

Our latest newsletter...

 

The Local Team Takes Shape...

There were a lot of firsts... 

A 6-day trip...our longest.
A team of nine...the biggest crew yet.
Four women...first time to have women along.
Two from the States...the first time with foreigners.

Our dentists were both Nicaraguan as well as our nurse. The two girls from the States were EMTs. We went to three communities, Haulover, Orinoco, and Pueblo Nuevo and saw a total of 216 patients...the team worked hard and blessed a lot of people.

At one point during the trip, Dan looked around and saw everyone happily working...doing their specific jobs and he thought, "This is just how I envisioned it." Dr. Sevilla and Dr. Leon have been such a blessing and seeing them eager to serve their own people has further encouraged us in developing a local team. We now have a pool of twelve people from which to draw...for piloting the boat, cooking meals, triaging and treating patients, and doing a host of other duties. 

To have local team members, funds are needed. These doctors and medical workers, as well as the crew, have to take time from their normal jobs and we feel that it is only right to compensate them. 

Here are some specific ways that you can support this ministry:

• $15. pays for dental care for one patient.
• $50. pays a doctor's salary for one day.
• $400. pays for one day...medical staff, food, fuel, medical supplies and crew. (Most trips are 4 to 5 days.)

Donations can be sent to Global Outreach, account number 4448

Here are a few pictures from this latest trip...

Our female crew: Ashanti Cash, R.N., Dr. Vania Sevilla, dentist, Beth and Martha, EMTs

Our two dentists: Dr. Jesse Leon and Dr. Vania Sevilla

It's almost impossible to keep the kids off the boat...we are like a magnet for them.

"Captain Adorable"

Ashanti organizing instruments and getting ready for the day's clinic.

Our chef made sure we ate well. Here we are in the main cabin which serves many functions.

The city dock at Orinoco...people were waiting for us when we got there.

Dr. Leon usually likes to work in the cockpit, but it was raining.

Dr. Sevilla ended up working on this man for over an hour.

The EMTs did triage in the cockpit while others patiently waited their turn.

They had a pediatric blood pressure cuff that calmed and entertained the kids.

Beth with a baby and her new toothbrush.

Sunset over Pearl Lagoon.

Entering the Wawashan River

Motoring up the river to the next stop, Pueblo Nuevo.

Arriving at Pueblo Nuevo,.. our first time here.

Dockside clinic...

It was Market Day so there were plenty of people in town to see the dentist.

Dr. Leon back in his favorite work space...

A local beauty...

Innovation...

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit our blog space. Please pray for the ministry here. Caribbean Grace is under the umbrella of our local fellowship, Verbo Christian Church. 

Blessings, Dan and Donna Letton

We would love to hear from you! dan.donna.letton@gmail.com

The Real Maiden Voyage

On February 19th, Caribbean Grace set out on the real maiden voyage. It was a short trip...they returned the 21st, but it proved to be everything Dan had hoped it would be. The men who went along have been very instrumental in this project getting off the ground: Ed Jaentschke, our pastor; Bob Trolese, the director of Verbo Nicaragua; Robert Cash, Dan's right-hand-man; Orlando Sandoval, a young man who has just completed his nursing degree and is very interested in helping people in the communities; Aleside, the mechanic; Don Maddox, the engineer; and Artie Hall, the theologian and of course, Dan. Quite a variety of vocations, backgrounds, and giftings...put together by God. 

It was a great group and there was much discussion, encouragement, and vision-building. For some, it was a break in their hectic schedules, a chance to relax and enjoy God's amazing creation. For others, it was a chance to see the fruit of their labor in action.

There was no medical work done this time, the goal was to see how the boat handled and to make some initial contacts. 

Dan took a ton of pictures and we've tried to narrow them down a little without taking away from the story...but they do say a picture is worth a 1000 words...

 Heading up-river...Don, Bob, and Orlando...enjoying the best seats for the view!

 First stop was at Haulover to visit sweet Margarita whom we met in Managua. They had a great time of prayer with her.

 Orlando finishing up the dishes...

 At the dock at Pearl Lagoon

 A local wooden house.

 A young dentist they met in Pearl who is interested in working on the local medical team.

 Robert, Aliside and Orlando

 Pastor Ed went fishing and caught a blowfish...maybe he better stick with fishing for men!

 Some passing fishermen...

 And some who came aboard.

 Bob doing some cooking...

 A local fisherman trying to sell a stingray

 Dan cooking on the outdoor grill.

 Breaking bread together...

  Dishes all ship-shape

 A Panga speedboat flying by.

The end of a great trip...

Running From Otto

We never dreamed that our first real trip up river would be because we were running from a hurricane. For days we watched the weather reports showing Bluefields right in the cone of the hurricane track prediction.

Our Thanksgiving tradition in Nicaragua has been to spend the holiday in Managua with the Buzbees. Donna went over on Sunday leaving Dan to oversee work being done on the boat. By Monday morning there was talk of closing the airport and he had to jump on a plane in a hurry if he was going to get his turkey in Managua. He also had a very important steering cable that needed to be extended. He took it in Tuesday morning and left it with the experts. By Tuesday night, he felt strongly to go back to Bluefields and take Caribbean Grace to safety. But it was useless unless he could take the cable which wasn't ready Tuesday afternoon. Wednesday morning he headed out from the Buzbees...the cable was miraculously ready, there was a seat on the plane and he was off.

By Wednesday afternoon Dan and his crew were headed up river. Here are some pictures of the trip...

 Heading for the light beyond the clouds.

 Pesca Nica...where many old fishing boats end up.

 It wasn't very rough...mostly lots of rain...

 Roberto

 Arriving at Kukra Hill with many boats already there.

 Caribbean Grace finding her place at the dock.

 From the largest to the smallest...all looking for a safe haven.

 Lunch onboard.

 Sunrise Friday morning...time to head home. 

Greatfully, Hurricane Otto had veered south and spared Nicaragua.

Dan getting some coaching from the expert, Aliside, the best mechanic in Bluefields.

 Everyone was heading home...

 The blue sky was such a welcome sight.

 Some boats lined up like baby ducks, getting a tow.

Safely home with the crew...Aliside, Alejandro, Roberto and Dan

The Coast Guard gave us permission to make this trip, even though we are still not licensed or registered, because it was an emergency. We are now working on getting this done. Please pray that this will be done with as little hassle and cost as possible. 

We are grateful for so many things...this will certainly be a Thanksgiving to remember. 

Happy Holidays, Dan and Donna Letton