02/25/2023
2023 blog: Psalms41 Ministry
In the mid-winter of last year, immediately following the completion of the Christmas outreach to Nicaraguan villages in 2021 and the provision of supplies to repair the damage done by the severe storms that plowed through during the 2021 hurricane season, Psalms 41 Ministry missionaries Ronny and Pam Thorne’s thoughts were already focused on plans for the 2022 outreach to the villages and people they had come to know and love. The Lord knew their intents and hearts’ desires for the ministry to prosper and continue to reach those in need, and by His grace, fundraising for the December 2022 events yielded the harvest essential for their work in Central America to continue. The ministry board wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to all who prayed for and gave so that that vision could become a reality.
The first two weeks of December were busy ones for the Thornes as they packed up personal and ministry items to deliver to Nicaragua on their return trip, and -- as soon as they arrived at their destination -- they began the process of purchasing food, toys, and other items that would be essential to the implementation of the outreach events planned for Tortuga, Escamequita, Collado, and Playa el Coco. Ronny observed that purchasing items in Nicaragua rather than shipping or carrying extra plane baggage from the US is much more economical, and Jarrett, the Thornes’ son, was all too happy to facilitate by accompanying his dad on shopping trips, helping to load and unload supplies, and even negotiating with locals to establish event dates and sites for the ministry. Jarrett, his wife Tiffany, and friends are active year-round in sharing resources with neighboring villages, whose friendship they highly value and from whom they have learned much about life in the lovely Central American nation in which they now reside and where Jarrett first opened a business in 2018.
The third week of December saw the successful implementation in the above-mentioned villages, and it is our joy to relate some details on how supporters’ contributions made a difference for good during the Christmas, 2022 season:
Tortuga: The Thornes arranged to meet one of the ladies of the village, whom they befriended in 2021, at the Pali grocery mart to purchase food items for the village’s Christmas meal, groceries for the elderly there, and to present her with 37 gift bags for the children of Tortuga. It was a sweet reunion to see their friend again and to know that she continues to minister to the wonderful villagers among whom she lives. (It seems that in any given culture, one will find women who play a vital matriarchal role in the lives of their neighbors and kin. This nurturing lady does it well.)
Escamequita: Here, too, the Thornes were blessed to find a matriarch whose heart is filled with compassion for her people and who is kind and hospitable to foreigners in her land. The Thornes arranged to visit her village to distribute bags of groceries for senior citizens and shut-ins. The site for the distribution was a community church, and those who attended were generous with their hugs, smiles, and prayers for their Psalms 41 visitors.
Later in the week, Psalms 41 was welcomed back for an annual Christmas event hosted by Big Sky Ranch owner Heather “Blue” van Doorninck. Psalms 41 helped to provide food for, as well as to cook and serve, the celebrative meal on that occasion. Pam and Ronny also enjoyed passing out 300 gift bags to the boys and girls of Escamequita. Their three-year-old granddaughter also “helped,” learning to give back to the land of her birth, and enjoying the fellowship of the other children in attendance and their parents.
In Collado, Psalms 41 linked up with residents of San Juan del Sur, Marie and Troy, to support their outreach to the village, providing food for a cookout, helping to cook and serve attendees, and giving away 250 gift bags well-filled to the delight of boys and girls there. Needless to say, the Thornes were equally delighted by the privilege of being included in Troy and Marie’s plans to spread Christmas merriment among the people.
“The joy of the Lord is [indeed] . . . [our] strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)
On the final day of the 2022 outreach, children at Playa el Coco were surprised to be presented with gift bags and individual toys totaling 75 in all. Who says one cannot celebrate our Lord’s birth well at the beach? How precious are these children to the heavenly Father, and the spirit of giving flowed freely on that occasion! May we allow that same spirit to dwell fully in us and to operate freely through us all year round in 2023, to the glory of our Savior Jesus.
It's all about Him, His love for all people everywhere, and His desire for us to dwell together in harmony and in peace. Again, the board and volunteers of Psalms 41 thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your partnership in 2022. Please check out the videos and pictures of the December ministry as they are uploaded to the Psalms 41 website (www.Psalms41ministry.org), as well as the Psalms 41 page (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080997174795&mibextid=LQQJ4d) and our YouTube posts. Your continuing prayers for the ministry are needed and appreciated every day of the year. Please remember before God’s throne of grace also the dear people of Nicaragua, that they may be granted “every spiritual blessing in heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3b) and provision for all their needs on earth.
We pray for you the very same and hope that 2023 finds you healthy, fruitful in the things of God, and joyful in your walk with Him. You are so very loved!
Julia Matthews
Communications officer for Psalms 41
January 27, 2023
To God Be all the Glory
