Operate Team

Aug 18, 2009. Monthly Update by Barbara Vasquez. ¡Hola! ¡¿Como estan mis AMIGOS?! In case you didn’t understand, that’s Spanish for Hello! How are you my friends?! It’s been another exciting week here at the AMIGOS FOR CHRIST office in Buford, GA! After my first full month working for Amigos, I have learned so much about the behind the scenes work! Working alongside Mary and Tessa has opened my little eyes to the world of Amigos! Both of these beautiful ladies have educated me on the different jobs to do in the office. From updating and preparing trips to working in the warehouse, I’ve done it all. What I’ve liked best about working with Amigos is the constant joy that each person in the office portrays. Balancing work and fun is difficult for most businesses, but not here! John’s daily jokes followed by a carefree cackle, Tessa’s delightful smiles, and Mary’s cheerful attitude keep this office vibrant and lighthearted! Don’t get us wrong though we are working hard, especially on our upcoming event THE CELEBRATE SERVICE MUSIC FESTIVAL!! We are planning the biggest event of the year for you and your family to enjoy!! Free music, great food, an inflatable city for kids, and not to mention our new amazing events! We are hosting a 5k run, 3 on 3 basketball tournament, a bike-a-thon, and a salsa making contest! So, do you need something to do September 26th, 2009?! Well we’re waiting for you!! Come share the magic with Amigos for Christ!!!

 

 

July 8, 2009. Monthly Update by John Bland. We just started 3 awesome projects in the last month...a school for the children in the village of El Chonco, 50 new homes for those without, and the new Amigos Facility in Chinandega. All of these projects are so important to the continued efforts to serve and continue to provide local employment. We are grateful to all those who made these projects a reality and we look forward to the construction process.

 

June 26, 2009. Monthly Update by Tessa Sulimirski. I have been "holding the fort" in Buford while everyone has been working hard in Nica -and soon it will be my turn to get dirty! I am looking forward to bringing a great group from Atlanta on 7/4. I am really excited to see my daughter Anna after 5 long weeks! He dad surprised her by showing up with the Buford group on Father's day! We are in busy Music Festival mode. If anyone knows any non-profit groups that want to participate, businesses that could sponsor or hands that could help, please contact me (Tessa@amigosforchrist.org) or check out our Music Festival Website! Many hands make light work!

June 2, 2009. Update by Tessa Sulimirski Happy June! I am excited about sending 4 groups to Nica this month. St. Gabriel from Fayetteville Georgia left yesterday (along with my daughter Anna - miss you!). The girls from Sacred Heart (New Orleans) departs on the 7th, then Sugarloaf Methodist from Suwanee GA on the 14th followed by Buford Presbyterian & friends on the 21st. What a busy summer! I hope and pray that everyone will have a good, safe experience and that they will feel the presence of Jesus as they work on the projects, play with the children and serve each other. These groups will carry approximately 5000 lbs of supplies to Nica as "luggage"! The warehouse is filling up with donations quickly. We have an Eagle Scout working on building us a new set of shelves so we can store more in the back. I am looking forward to my next trip to Nicaragua with Atlanta General on July 4th!

 

May 21, 2009. Update by Marierling Mejia As you can see in the picture I´ve been very busy in the office, working in financial areas, organizing Amigos and coordinating the different activities in all the different projects. About my trip to Georgia it was great seeing everyone!!!! It was an experience I´ll never forget and I hope to see all of you here in Nicaragua very soon. I realized how much all of you love my beautiful country Nicaragua. Nos vemos pronto!!

April 30, 2009 Update by TESSA SULIMIRSKI. It's been another busy week in the Buford office and in Nicaragua! I had the privilege to visit Nicargua with the group from San Jose California. We arrived the day after Easter and had a wonderul, blessed week together. We worked on the water system at Chacaraseca, delivered Pay-it-Forward "critters" to the families near Chonco and painted the school in Los Rotarios bright yellow and orange. Visiting the church and handing out gifts at the chuch near the beach was a hightlight of the trip. This was especially heartwarming as our trip leaders, Veronica and Ramon, really enjoyed sharing their love for their home country with their California church family. Unfortunately we learned that Delta will now start charging $50 to check a second bag on flights to Nicaragua. This will hinder the shipment of necessary medical and clothing supplies for us. Luckily this fee does not apply for flights that were booked prior to mid-April but it will really affect us next year. My goals for next month include sending 2 groups to Nica in May, 4 groups in June and inviting a ton of people to the Festival in September. I am also excited to watch my daughter Anna graduate from high school!

April 30, 2009 Update by JOHN BLAND. We just had a very successful inauguration of the Villa Catalina Spiritual Center. Anyone who worked on this building knows that a lot of sweat and material selecto went into it over the last 2 years. Why did I choose this of Jack Schiveree and Father Jimmy? They are two of the best friends I have in the world. Jack taught the rest of us boys what a real man is in taking care of a sick wife that could not care for herself. It is in her honor that the church was built. The other man in the picture is Father Jimmy Adams…who was one of the instigators of Amigos for Christ and the priest at Prince of Peace when this all started. The picture was taken while we were getting the place ready…The world is full of some awesome people and these two are certainly on the list.

 

 

April 30, 2009 Update by KRISTIN MONACELLA. April has been a great month, both in Nicaragua and back home in Georgia. I was blessed to work along side the Prince of Peace group in early April. We opened the new Spiritual Center in Villa Catalina - a historical moment for the community and Amigos! We also traveled to Chacraseca to help another organization, Just Hope, dig an extremely extensive water system. As you can see in the picture below, it was hard, dusty, dirty work! In mid-April I said goodbye to all of my Nica friends, and Jeremy and I came home to get ready for our wedding in May! It is fun to be back in the Buford office for a few weeks - we are in Music Festival planning mode! Keep an eye out on the website for all of the exciting changes to the 2009 event!