3 trips in 2 weeks

Orinoco ... Dory Sail boat race ... Fishing with Casa Bernabe

Orinoco ... The first medical trip

On the first trip upriver, Dan met a young local dentist practicing in the coastal town of Pearl Lagoon. Dr. Leon was very excited about the possibility of taking his skill as a dentist to other small communities. So they picked him up on the way up river to Orinoco and Marshal Point. The team was small: Dan, Robert and Wibur as captains, Dr. Leon, Orlando who is a nurse, and Sixto who is a deacon in our local church. From the very beginning the team worked together, everyone finding their niche.

They headed out on a Monday morning, May 22nd and returned on Thursday afternoon. Here are some pictures and details of the trip.

Caribbean Grace docked at Marshall Point

 People waiting patiently to see the dentist...some waited all day long.

 Dr. Leon working ... mostly pulling teeth (120 teeth in two days!).

  On the second day they set up shop in the cockpit because the cabin was too hot. The nice breeze made both the patients (70 in all) and the doctor much more comfortable.

Dr. Leon giving out toothbrushes and toothpaste. 

He made them promise to brush their teeth 3 times a day!

The galley crew...Sixto and Orlando

Gathering around the table after a long day's work...

Dory Sailboat Race...

As part of the Maypole festivities in Bluefields, there is always a dory sailboat race. This year we took a group of 20 from the church to anchor out in the bay and watch the race. It was a rainy, cloudy day, but we enjoyed the fellowship, the race and even got to do a little fishing ...

 The group assembled and ready for a great day...

 The boats are owned by local fishermen who get people and businesses to sponsor them.

Everyone gets new sails for the race..

 It was a pretty choppy day, but they were all expert sailors.

 Kevin's catch...the "big one" got away.

 Pastor Ed

Miss Margaret's first time fishing and first catch!

Gizzy's catch was one of the biggest

Fishing with Casa Bernabe...

Saturday we took 14 kids from Casa Bernabe, the children's home, out in the bay to do a little fishing. For many of them it was their first time on a boat or their first time fishing. Trying to get them to follow some basic boating rules (i.e. no running, hold on, always wear your life jacket) was challenging...but there were no mishaps and all the kids had a great time. 

Loaded up and ready to go

 The best part of the life jacket for Tygy was the whistle and the light!

 Robert and Wilbur have become a great captain team

 The kids loved riding on the bow

 Richard and Darell...two very determined fishermen

 Cooling off on the stern deck

 Jaquelin caught 3 fish!

Ingrid wanted to take her fish home and eat it...Donna fried it up that afternoon.

 Several of the boys took turns stearing the boat...Darell's face tells it all!

 Tired but happy...on the way home.

After making several trips up-river, we have become convinced that to get the best use out of Caribbean Grace, we need to involve local medical people. They know the area, the people, the problems, and the languages (there are at least 5 in the region) and they are eager to help their own.

The biggest problem is that most of them can't afford to leave their practices, even for a few days, without some financial compensation. We are starting a fund at Global Outreach to cover the costs of salaries, medical supplies and trip costs. 

If you are interested in investing in the sponsorship of a local doctor/dentist or an entire team, please indicate "funds for local medical teams" with your payment.

Cost estimates:

doctor salary: $50/day

4-day trip approximate cost: $600;

We thank you for your interest, your encouragement, and your support. We are excited about what the Lord will do with this boat in the near future...

Blessings, Dan and Donna Letton

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

A side ministry that has become my heart!

Pancake Saturday...we love to do this when we can...these kids can put them away! We made six batches and they ate every one!

What began as a few hours here and there spent at the children's home Verbo church started almost two years ago, has now totally captured my heart. Of course developing the mobile clinic is still our main purpose here, but it is mostly Dan's focus.

I now go out four days a week to teach the kids English and Wednesday has become Art day. You wouldn't think that one hour with only six kids (half of the 11 each time) would take much toil on your energy. Think again! But what a blessed sacrifice that little bit of energy is.

A short time ago, the house parents, Kevin and Julisa, had to go to a training that took them away for a week. We said that we could oversee the house during the daytime while they were gone. As soon as they left almost half the kids came down with a virus. So an occasional checking in turned into most of every day out there. But again, what a blessing those kids were. They just wanted to be near us...cuddle up on the couch or play cards...anything to be near. We got them all well, and even added another little girl before Kevin and Julisa got back.

This desire of ours to be nearer to the kids and have more input into their lives has led us to a decision to build a small house on the property. Right now we live a fair distance away...far enough that we don't make quick drop-in calls. If we lived there, we could be involved a lot more and in a more natural way. But having our own space will help to keep us sane. :)

 A friend of mine sent "Jesus Storybook Bibles" for the children...Tania is reading to Leiyanni...

...and Assadi is reading to Ingrid.

Dan and Tygy are deep in discussion about something ... 

Probably boats!

Here are a few things to pray about:

- Kevin and Julisa. They are a very young couple with a huge responsibility. Please pray for protection over their relationship and the wisdom and grace to put into these lives.

- The children: Anthony (12), Cesar (11), Luis (10), Dared (10), Richard (11), Tygy (8), Tania (11), Ashley (10), Leiyanni (10), Assadi (7), Ingrid (6)...Pray that they will be open to all the Lord has for them at this home.

- Our new house. It will be a tiny one, built much like the local houses. Please pray for the building and the relocating...that it will all go smoothly.

Thanks so much for your interest in our lives and your support in so many ways. We are so very grateful!

Blessings, Donna and Dan Letton

Launch, Dedication and First Run

What a couple of weeks we have had!! And what should be such a simple story has so many twists and turns...hope we can make it clear for you all. 
The timeline for the "end of the beginning" is:
August 24th, the Launch, September 21st, the Dedication, and September 27th, the First Run.

Inbetween these dates are so many ups and downs...you can't imagine.

But let's get into the pictures...that's the best part!

August 24th...the Launch

Launching a boat with a Caterpillar was new to us...

What a happy moment...and what a beautiful boat!!

The men in the water then walked/swam her over to her new berth at a dock almost nextdoor.

Next comes the Dedication on September 21st. It was a beautiful morning until about a half hour before we were to begin...then it started raining...and raining...and raining. In fact, the more we prayed and thanked God, the more it rained. Was He raining down his blessings? We like to think so...

Friends came from as far away as Arkansas and Florida as well as Managua. All of the boat builders were there, and many friends from Bluefields.

The rain stopped completely when it was time to cut the ribbon and have people come onboard and tour the boat.

Pastor Ed and Dan cutting the ribbon...

 It was a great day!

And last but not least, the First Run on September 27th. Santiago, the boat builder and the mechanic said they wanted to take Caribbean Grace out for a run to see how the engines were working. We don't have the registration or license yet, but they said it would be fine. Everyone was excited!

Captain Dan at the helm...

on the river...

 The "Tres Amigos"... Dan, Roberto and Santiago

So this is where we are now... a few more things to be completed inside the cabin and a few more changes to be made outside and we're off!

We do have a few prayer requests:

A number of items are being held in Customs in Managua (since the middle of July)...the radio, a generator, depthfinder...and more. 

Please pray that they will be released soon and that we won't have to pay huge fines/taxes.

We need our registration and license. The Navy needs to inspect, and the fees/taxes could be very high...we don't know yet. 

Please pray for a favorable inspection and low or no fees and taxes. (We were told at one time that there would be none...?)

We have hired a wonderful and Godly man to be Dan's assistant as well as captain the boat, Roberto Cash. 

Please pray for the money to pay his monthly salary.

Please pray for monthly operational expenses...which help support the local economy.

Thank you so so much for your interest, your prayers, and your support...it is a blessing to have such a great team behind us. 

"Fair winds and following seas"...

Dan and Donna Letton

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