More than 90 people have died since clashes began six weeks ago between government forces and civilian protesters, according to observers.
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle
Normally, a team from the Highway Church of Christ in Judsonia, Ark., would be sweating for God in the mountains of Jinotega, Nicaragua.
For 15 straight summers, the congregation has sent teens and adults to help with Misión Para Cristo — Spanish for “Mission for Christ.” The humanitarian aid organization shares Christ’s love with thousands in Central America’s poorest nation.
But amid ongoing deadly clashes between Nicaraguan government forces and civilian protesters, the Arkansas congregation reluctantly canceled this week’s planned trip to Nicaragua.
“It’s just heartbreaking not to be able to see our Nicaraguan brothers and sisters,” said Danny Deramus, a Highway church elder.
Dozens of U.S. church groups have made the same difficult choice to stay home.
This story appears in the online edition of The Christian Chronicle.
Related: For thousands of Nicaragua’s poor, mission ‘a gift from God’ (reporting from Jinotega, Nicaragua)
Related: For a Nicaraguan church, a revival (reporting from Masaya, Nicaragua)
The Ross News 