Wednesday, November 20th, was a difficult day.
We informed our staff, students, and families in Nicaragua that we are in the process of handing over the operations of New Hope School to the Ministry of Education. The school will become a public institution when the new school year begins in January 2025.
Although the journey towards this decision has been very complex and should not be outlined online, the reason is simple. We cannot guarantee another school year for our students. The last thing we want is to disrupt our beloved students in the middle of a school year. Much more, there could be a real possibility of our community being left without a school, forcing many children to drop out completely. We love our students and the Roman Esteban community too much to allow either of these scenarios to become a reality, as far as we are able.
So, in the face of unimaginable adversity for our local organization in Nicaragua, we choose to bless. We are not being forced to close at this time but are giving our school (and surrounding land) as a gift to the community. We deeply love the souls that fill the homes around our property. We believe this difficult decision will ensure the education of the children in these homes for generations to come. Making this decision at this crucial moment also affords us the possibility of continuing our ministry presence in the community – to offer the same hope in a new way.
We greatly covet your prayers during this transition. Please contact Zach Dodd (zach@wego.org) with any questions about this change. Here are five ways you can pray:
Pray For Our Students and Their Families
Although a school will continue in our location, it will not be New Hope. This is a great loss for our students – past, current, and future. It is a loss of a home, a private Christian education, and much more. Pray God will meet them right now in their grief, fears, and questions. Pray they find Jesus as their Refuge. Specifically, pray for the faith of our parents to grow as they nurture their children and wait for answers during this process of transition.
Pray For Our Staff
We are deeply grateful that the Nicaraguan government has communicated its desire to retain much of our staff. For some, this transition will be a loss of employer and, for others, a loss of employment. Pray God will tenderly meet each of our beloved staff members in their grief and pain. Pray God grants them a deep sense of fulfillment and completion for our many years of ministry together. Please pray God uses this transition to fuel their hearts for an even greater mission in Him.
Pray For Our Land Situation & Finances
We have directly communicated with government officials our desire to donate our buildings and immediately surrounding land to the Ministry of Education for the continuation of a school. We have also requested permission to sell two separate parcels of land to cover the severance pay for our staff, committed college scholarships, and future ministry endeavors. We need many things to align quickly for this to happen. Plead with us before God that it does! These finances are crucial for a smooth transition.
Pray For Our Upcoming Celebrations
We have traveled to Nicaragua twice within the last month to help our leaders, staff, and community process and grieve this news. Now is the time to celebrate and give thanks for all that God has done and is doing. A small team of Floridians is heading to Nicaragua December 2-7 to help host celebrations for our staff, Bible club, after-school program, and our school’s final graduation (with 22 students!). Pray for a sweet time of joy and celebration for everyone. May God be praised, in every season.
Pray For Future Ministry
We have been prepared for several years with the framework of a new strategy to reach the Roman Esteban community, Jinotepe (city), Carazo (state/department), and Nicaragua with the gospel in the event of a change of this nature. We are so excited for the resurrection coming. Join us in asking God to help us finish this season well – in the grief, loss, and hope of what’s ahead. We have faithfully served our community for over two decades. This drastic change will not change that. Pray God goes before us as we continue to discern and develop a new strategy with the same mission – to share Jesus and show his love with people enduring hardships around the world.
Jesus is there and already moving
Local believers are there and already working.
The local church is there and already serving.
We can’t wait to join them there.
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
-Psalm 33:20-22
In Faith, Hope, and Love,
Zach Dodd, Executive Director
Jimmy Buchanan, Board Chairman
Dr. Sarah Mielke, Board Treasurer
Glenn DeJong, Board Secretary