Feliz Navidad from the Moran Family

Merry Christmas from the Moran Family! Ben (12), Rachel (11), Rebecca (9)

As 2018 draws to a close, we give thanks to God for all his blessings amidst the challenges of the past year.  While we have loved being in Texas with our family and so many dear friends, much of our hearts remain behind in Nicaragua.  While the violence has subsided, the political situation remains unresolved.  It is now estimated that over 350,000 Nicaraguans have lost their jobs since April.  A staggering number, considering an already high unemployment rate in a small country with a population of roughly 6.2 million people.  It has been even harder since we personally know many who have suffered from the collapse of tourism.  Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the NICA Act, which seeks to condition U.S. approval for loans to the current Nicaraguan government from international financial institutions and apply sanctions to those engaged in violence.   Pat continues to travel back and forth regularly between Texas and Nicaragua to support the many ongoing projects.  We had a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving together as a family this year in Nicaragua.  We are thankful for our team of local workers and for you, our friends and family, who have supported us and the various projects.  By God's grace we are allowed to serve in this small corner of the world that has become for us another home.

The kids enjoyed serving a hot meal for nearly 800 impoverished families with the Missionaries of Charity in response to the World Day of the Poor on November 18th. We all learned a bit of optometry as we organized thousands of pairs of eyeglasses into a huge new shelving unit we had built for the eye clinic.  In January, a local Nicaraguan optometrist and some volunteers from New Orleans will work with us to provide exams and eyeglasses in Granada, and in several rural communities.   Thanks to your support, in November, we launched a mobile medical clinic project that will continue through the summer of 2019.  We are working with the local churches to identify the most underserved areas in the departments of Granada, Boaco and Rivas.  We then send a physician along with two assistants to attend to the medical needs in their communities.  Above, the team sees patients in Malacatoya, an area that suffered from recent floods.   Another big project Pat is working on for 2019 is the remodeling and reopening of an an abandoned dental clinic in an impoverished community.  Given the current situation in Nicaragua, the time is right to get it up and running.  As those in the real estate business say, "It has great bones," but the last 10 years shuttered in a tropical climate has left it in pretty rough shape!   And as we think back over the blessings we have experienced as missionaries in 2018, we give thanks for the team of local Nicaraguans that carry out the mission, even when we cannot be there with them.  Their hard work, professionalism and commitment to service inspire us daily.  Many of them come from extremely humble origins and have responded with enthusiasm to be the hands and feet of Jesus, whose birth we celebrate in less than 2 weeks.  We wish each of you a Feliz Navidad and abundant blessings in the New Year! With love, Pat, Katy, Ben, Rachel and Rebecca Moran