06/06/2026
Hey Nicabenhams family! It has been a while since I posted an update so I just wanted to share what has been happening stateside and in Nicaragua. I, (Dawn) was able to go to Nic in April with the team from Canada and it was such a good trip. Betty so graciously agreed to go down and be my morale support for the job at hand for me and I am so grateful. I went to pack up some of our things to bring back to the states and I have to admit, Eddie and I are still not 100% sure how we feel about that. It was much harder emotionally than I expected it to be, but I got it done. I was able to spend some time with Ruth and several of the ladies in the village and I am so grateful for that. It was a sweet time that I will forever treasure.
There was also some brick laying and well drilling going on. Darren and Larry did an awesome job getting a well dug. It was a hard fought week, but they got it done. The last day, our people showed what teamwork and community is all about. The guys that were working on David's house abandoned their work there to go up and help finish the well. There is a lot more to that story that I do not have room to tell here, but it was an impressive day! God is doing so many amazing things in our village!
When I wasn't packing or trying not to "croak" from heat exhaustion, I was able to help with the house construction a little bit. I learned how to mix mortar and how to clean joints between blocks, although I have to admit, I was not very good at it, but it was cool to learn something new. Betty however, became a pro!
It was a time of work, fun and beautiful fellowship and I am so grateful that I got to experience it with this team!
Now for what is happening stateside. Eddie had a follow-up appointment with his surgeon last week and he will be having surgery on June 25th. He said that at this point, we really don't have any other choice. He will be having a gastric bypass in order to bypass the part of the stomach that is not working correctly and then he will also be having a double hernia repair. In the midst of all the issues with his stomach, he has a new hernia that has popped up and the an old one that has reappeared. He will be in the hospital for about 5 days.
We ask that you continue to pray for all the things going on in Fuente de Agua Viva, the Rama and their continued health and their ministry to other Rama villages and for Eddie and I as we navigate this next chapter. We love and appreciate you all so very much!