Training “Nueva Imagen” Leaders!
I am so excited about what God is doing!
As you probably know by now, I serve with a Christ for the City partner ministry called Nueva Imagen. Nueva Imagen reaches out to women working in the commercial sex industry in Managua. The ministry is going through a major transition period. Helen Goatley, the ministry’s founder, returned to her native New Zealand earlier this month. Nueva Imagen is also going through a physical transition period: we moved out of our former building to a new one that we can use rent-free. The idea is to have as little overhead as possible, focusing on building structure into the ministry, forming the leadership team and a work plan for the women. God has graciously and miraculously provided us with a location to meet for as long as we need it — until Nueva Imagen has its own ministry center.
Ellen Ranson is a short-term missionary in Nicaragua. She has been here since January, helping with Nueva Imagen. She has been an amazing asset to the team and has a passion for working with the women. Earlier this week, Ellen facilitated a leadership training workshop for the Nueva Imagen leadership team. All of us — myself included! — came away with new tools and insights for the ministry. Specifically, we learned the four components of leadership:
- Vision
- Communication
- Empowerment
- Action
Ellen led us in an activity called “the vision tree” where we expressed our ideas about what Nueva Imagen’s vision is and should be. Then we thought about the resources we have — and the ones we will need — to achieve that vision. We realized that we need to start communicating the vision and offering sensitivity training to local churches. We are going to start the action portion of Ellen’s leadership workshop next week.
[Ellen and the Nueva Imagen leaders: Reina, her baby Tania, Xiomara, Hellen, and Amber.]
Nueva Imagen’s vision is to provide holistic attention to women transitioning from one lifestyle to a new life in Christ. But we need partners to make that vision reachable.
Please pray about giving to the Nueva Imagen ministry.
Your gifts will help sponsor women while they are in the rehabilitation process. Your support will cover food and basic needs for the ladies and their children, discipleship, job training, seminars on how to manage their finances, medical attention, spiritual attention and inner healing. Also, the gifts will pay for supplies for the weekly Bible study, support for Xiomara (who left prostitution 8 years ago, has been transformed, and now has a calling to reach out to women on the street!), legal fees (as we try to have the ministry recognized as a nonprofit by the Nicaraguan government), gas (so that we can make home visits), special events (such as birthdays and Mother’s Day), and all other operating expenses.
If you feel led to partner with Nueva Imagen, please visit CFCI’s online giving page or mail your donations to the address below, specifying “Nicaragua Nueva Imagen Project”:
Christ For the City International (CFCI)
PO Box 390395
Omaha, NE 68139-0395
Thank you for your prayers and support for the women of Nueva Imagen!!!
Christa Lewis said:
Amber - this ministry has been in my prayers since the news of Helen having to leave. I’m so encouraged by this post & am so glad to hear that your team is making a way for it to continue to serve!
Amber said:
Christa, thank you so much. Your prayers are crucial. I’m so thankful to have a prayer warrior on our team. I miss you!!