Centers of Hope Missions International
originated in Managua, Nicaragua as medical, social and educational ministries
to the people of Central America. Their
purpose is to provide comfort and hope to the poor through various ministries,
which are primarily intended to present the Lord Jesus Christ as an ever-present
help in the time of need and the only hope of eternal life. The ministries are founded upon solid biblical principles and
guided in all of their activities by the Holy Spirit.
Medical-Dental Clinics
There are 3 clinic buildings which have been constructed in Nicaragua and are
sponsored by Centers of Hope Missions International. Two are located in Managua,
and the third is a 4 hour drive from Managua in a refugee area called Papalonal.
Center #1 is located in an undeveloped fringe area, accessible only by 2 miles
of rugged dirt roads.
The services include a part time doctor and pharmacy.
Center #2 is located more centrally in the city, accessible by a major paved road
and a short dirt road. The services include a laboratory, pharmacy, full time doctor
and dentist.
Center #3 has only a building and is not yet functioning.
The two functioning Clinics attend the very poor, who are
also able to receive medications at the clinic pharmacies and spiritual counsel
as needed. The clinics are
operated by free will offerings from out-of-country donors, and when medical
teams come to provide medical care on outreaches, any left over medicines are
left to the clinics. We have tried
to acquire some in-country support for the operation of these clinics, but it is
very difficult. They must
receive out-of-country donations in order to continue giving medical and dental
care to the very poor.
There are 4 regular feeding centers in Nicaragua at the following locations:
Centers #1 and #2: located at the 2 Clinic sites.
Center #3: Nuevo Amanecer—a refugee area in a field near Masaya.
Center #4: La Dalia—a mountain area near Matagalpa
These centers provide food on a regular weekly basis to
children in the area. Occasionally,
these centers may provide food to children of other areas on outreaches, when
there is a great need and they are able to do so. All the feeding centers are under the management of one
dedicated woman who has been with the ministries of Centers of Hope Mission
International from its beginning. The
children who receive food at these centers are periodically examined by the
doctors who determine their health status.
The children of the feeding programs are also ministered to spiritually.
Pre-School Programs: Presently, 3 preschool programs are in operation.
Two of these programs are located at the Clinic sites.
The third program is located at Nuevo Amanecer, the refugee site.
A fourth preschool program is being planned for La Dalia, the site of the
newly constructed children’s feeding center in the mountain area.
Children’s Vocational Painting Class:
At Center #2, a group of children have been receiving classes in painting
for the past few years. These children are being prepared for their life work, and
are already providing income for their families.
The Nicaraguan culture offers beautiful and unique paintings, among many
other artisan works.
Women’s Sewing Classes:
From time to time, Center #1 offers sewing classes to women in that area,
so they can provide an income for their families and clothing for their
children.
Children’s ministry and Spiritual Counsel:
Children’s ministry is a regular part of the routine care, and
spiritual counsel and prayer are always available to the patients at the
clinics.
Construction Projects to Build any of the Following
| Feeding centers which provide meals for under-nourished children |
| Medical-dental clinics for the very poor |
| Buildings in an inner-city area to give personal hygiene care and food to street children |
| Churches |
| Providing free medical consultations and medicines to the very poor |
| Providing basic dental care to the very poor |
| Providing community health teaching in poor communities |
| Distribute food staples, hygiene products, and used clothing to the very poor. |
|
Hold street ministries, using dramas, preaching, testimonies, singing, and gospel presentations with altar calls. |
| Hold Christmas parties in poor areas to bring dramas, games, singing, puppets, Bible teaching, and Christmas gift and candy distribution. |
| Could include Bible Distribution in poor areas where they have no Bibles. |
On all trips, no matter what the project is, our goal is to be witnesses of Christ, sharing his love and plan of salvation to all.
The ministries of
Centers of Hope Missions International could not be accomplished without U.S.
Mission teams who bring their construction and ministry skills to the mission
field. They also provide the
funding for the construction and the clothing for clothing drives.
If you would like Don
and Sharon Gerken to come to your Church or area to present the ministry, please
contact us:
Centers of Hope Missions International
PO Box 74
Richmond, Texas 77406-0074
Email:
centerhope@earthlink.net
Sharon’s Cell
Phone Number: 832\656-6236