Since June of 2004 we have been developing contacts in the area surrounding the outpost of Alamikamba in the remote part of the Eastern Coastal region of Nicaragua. This region is a vast swamp where Miskitu, Mayagna, and Caribe tribal groups live in scattered villages. The total population is about 12,000 living in 19 communities. The first contacts in the area resulted from our involvement in a flood relief project, distributing food, Bibles, and black plastic for shelters to villages along the Prinzapolka River. As there are no roads in the area the rivers are the main form of transportation. Since the flood relief we have visited 6 of the communities showing the Jesus Film in the local tribal language and meeting with tribal leaders to see what open doors for future ministry may open. A main obstacle is the remoteness of the area. It takes two full days to reach the central community of Alamikamba and then one must go downriver to the villages. One activity we have begun is a daily radio show which transmits the text of the New Testament read dramatically in the main tribal language. Many people in these remote areas have battery powered FM radios so this broadcast reaches many. Unfortunatly the program is currently suspended due to transmitter problems from the station that was selling us air time, but we are negotiating with another station which has more reliable equipment. Right now as it is election year the politicians have us outbid for airtime, but I suspect that after the elections price for airtime will drop quickly.

Our vision is to perhaps eventually offer extension classes from the Leadership Training Institute to local pastors in the area. There are some churches in the region, mostly Moravian Churches that were started by German Missionaries in the late 1800’s. Another idea is to do a development project to improve transportation to the communities on the river. A large river barge has been offered to our mission if we can use it. We are studying the feasibility of basing it in Prinzapolka to use as a scheduled transportation on the river, serving the communities and also a means to move medical teams or Institute teams economically. Watch this space for further developments!