Hopkins_Newsletter_2020_01-03.pdfRonnie and Angi Hopkins have been in Nicaragua for over 16 years. Their connection began as they would take mission teams to Nicaragua from their Hopkins_Newsletter_2020_01-03.pdf in the Red Bird Missionary Conference in western Kentucky. Then they found their love for the Nicaraguan people was so strong that God called them to be full time missionaries. So in 2005 they came under the auspices of The Mission Society (now TMS Global). St. Lukes has supported them since the beginning. Angi is a nurse practitioner who works in health education and with women in bettering their economic and spiritual life through creating craft groups. Ronnie's focus is working with youth leadership development and community development in equipping Nicaraguans in remote areas with better health, education, and spiritual life. The Hopkins have immersed themselves in the lives of the Nicaraguans who serve with them and are great hosts to our mission teams. Their life has been immensely enriched with the addition of "Peanut" as their Nicaraguan foster child. They are people of immense humility and kindness. Listen to them share about their work. Here is a summary of their work from 2015 - 2018. Read their latest newsletters updates on the work with the people on the River Bocay:
2019 February, A Medical Mission Team;
2020: Jan-Mar, April-June,
Listen to the school kids in the remote area of Rio Bocay play their band "instruments."
Latest
Update on Our Mission Work in Nicaragua:
Two Hurricanes Strike Nicaragua in Nov. 2019
The people of Nicaragua
continue to struggle in their impoverishment, complicated with the impact of
the corona virus pandemic, plus they had two hurricanes come ashore in
November, 2020. Our missionaries Ronnie and Angi Hopkins continue to do the
Lord’s work with their Nicaraguan colleagues in spite of these most trying
circumstances with tangible aid and spiritual support in response to these
multiple disasters.
Although the
clinic and training center in the remote region of the Rio Bacay was not
seriously damaged in the hurricanes, many people’s homes were, along with
damage to their crops. So relief supplies have been provided.
Ronnie
and Angi place their hope and trust in God’s grace in the midst of our
adversity as they shared in a recent email: “As we approach the end of this tumultuous year, with hopes of a
calmer 2021, we want to express our deep gratitude to all of you who have
partnered with us during these difficult times. All of the ministries, as
well as the current relief work, is made possible because of the
generosity and sacrifices on the part of our donors.”
If you would like
to contribute to Nicaragua
disaster relief, please mark your donation to St. Luke’s as “Nicaragua Relief.”
Alternatively, a
check may be sent to Acts 1:8; P.O.
Box 23; Cedartown,
GA 30125.
(Acts 1:8 is a 501 3c non-profit organization for projects in Nicaragua)
Bill Garrard, Global Missions Coordinator
Nicaragua in Crisis
Although our national media
has not really covered the fact that Nicaragua as a nation is in the
midst of social and political upheaval. Beginning in May 2018, there were protests
and violence with over 200 people killed and many others injured and difficulties
continue for the economy and the people. The issues are far from resolved as suppression continues and the economy suffers as tourists and work teams are no longer coming.
Of course the work of our
missionaries Ronnie and Angi Hopkins have been affected. They are trying to continue their work while
helping those with whom they work live through this most difficult time. Because
mission teams are not coming, many of the people who work with them as
translators, coordinators, support personnel, etc, are not receiving
remuneration. They continue to work with the people and are providing relief help for those in crisis. We have suspended sending any teams but continue hel with salary support as well as sending funds for relief work.
Please pray for them and the
people of Nicaragua
and give to support them in this time of crisis as you are led.
Blessings,
Rev. Bill Garrard
Global Missions Coordinator