When Pastor Edin was installed as pastor in San Claudio, his wife, Juanita, stood beside him with tears running down her face. They had been called from their home on a lush beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua, to an area that is blasted by the sun, deforested decades ago, and where the land is contaminated from years of pesticide use on cotton crops. Their accommodation, initially, was inadequate, and some of their neighbors did not befriend them because they did not think they would be able to put up with the conditions. However, believing that ‘He who calls you is faithful’, they set themselves to be obedient to the call, loving their neighbors, and sharing the gospel.

The church that was only a pavilion in 2014, had a spacious church building by 2016.

Now, in 2020, thanks to the organization One Child Matters, an extension that includes a kitchen, office, and store room, is being added to the church.

There is a comfortable parsonage on the property.   The church building has become a center for women of the community to hear the gospel, and to learn skills that help them to augment the family income.

Juanita has a special heart for the women. She says that there are so many women with no skills, little education, and no confidence to try something new: “And until I joined CHE ministry, I was one of them”. Now she is the sewing teacher for the CHE women’s ministry traveling to other CHE communities to give classes, and train others. Juanita also leads by example, depending on God to give her the strength to be obedient in a hard place, where she daily misses her home on the island, and to lovingly do the good works that God has prepared for her to walk in.

As result of CHE ministry, a woman, who has become a real friend, has had her life transformed by meeting Jesus. She put her trust in Him, and since then has seen her husband change his life. The family is experiencing the peace of Christ in their home. Juanita prayed for someone in the community whom she could disciple. A young girl, Izamar, began to meet with her to study the Bible, and accepted Jesus. Juanita continues to disciple her, and Izamar has become a strong leader in the CHE ministry,  teaching art classes to women and children, as well as the Children’s CHE Bible classes.

Five other women meet regularly with Juanita in her home, learning and practicing sewing skills, as well as learning  to love God, and be led by His Spirit.

Pastor Edin is not an official CHE trainer, but he is involved in every way possible in the ministry: making the church building available, supporting and encouraging the women’s ministry, working with parents and children in administration with One Child Matters, and making the most of informal encounters in the community. There are now 12 adult members of the church, and a team of 5 young people who work with Children’s CHE, combined with the Samaritan’s Purse program for children.

He is known to everyone from his earlier work here on the Samaritans Purse, Canada, water filter team. The team evangelizes, as well as builds the filters, installs them in homes, and trains the family in their use and maintenance. This has helped Pastor Edin when he has met with opposition and slander: people have defended him, saying, “We know you, we know you would not have done/said this thing.” Thanks be to God for preparing him to face attacks, and for being his true defender.

Pastor Edin hopes to work with Pastor Chico, of the central CHE training team, to establish a model garden in the grounds of the church. This will serve as an example of productivity for the neighbors and church members involved, as well as nearby communities. Pastor Chico will be featured soon on this site: His gardens, in the small area around the house where he and Darling live, are a marvel to behold.

The dream of the church garden is attainable now that there is a well on the property. If you would like to contribute to this project, for the purchase of tools, irrigation, and seeds, that would be wonderful! Click Here to Donate!