Our NEWS

Because of You!

Because of You!

Palacaguina Christian Academy had an amazing year in 2023 of ministry and impact BECAUSE OF YOU!!!
Here is just a partial list of the impact your partnership had:
Provided 25 full-time jobs to local families.
Fed 35,077 meals at a cost of .31 cents per meal.
Educated 213 children grades PreK3 through 6th grade.
Celebrated our 7th year of Palacaguina Christian Academy.
Maintained weekly food programs for children in 2 communities beyond Palacaguina.
Invested more than $254,000 dollars into the local community.
Graduated 26 children from PCA’s Primary School.
Graduated 27 children from PCA’s Preschool.
Hosted 3 missions’ trips to Palacaguina.

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516 NOW DR February 2024 Newsletter

516 NOW DR February 2024 Newsletter

Jaime, Jacqueline, Jaimeline, and James:
Serving God in the Dominican Republic
Jaime is one of the founders of 51GNOW and currently serves as the country director for the Dominican Republic, as well as the director for Latin America. He and his family have been serving in the Dominican Republic for over six years in partnership with 51GNOW. Currently, ministry efforts in the Dominican Republic are primarily focused on reaching the large community ofHaitian immigrants, who experience extreme poverty and discrimination. 51GNOW is working to equip local Haitian pastors to reach their communities and seeking to improve their lives spiritually, economically, and educationally.

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January/February Emily Stader update

January/February Emily Stader update

God has been speaking to me a lot recently about my identity as the “light of the world.” By its very existence, light illuminates even the darkest situations. When faced with the darkness of this broken world, we can be tempted to hide our light. But God has created us to shine brightly, as beacons of hope for those still stumbling in the dark.

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2023 Graduation

2023 Graduation

This month, we celebrated not one, but two graduations at PCA: Our preschool graduation with 27 students and our first ever primary school graduation with 26 students. Praise the Lord!! This is a truly exciting and monumental moment for us as a ministry as well as for the 26 students who graduated from primary school. For many children in underserved regions of Nicaragua, this would be the highest level of education they would complete before beginning to work outside of the home. We are proud to share that 25 of our graduating 6th graders (96%) have committed to continuing their education in the 7th grade. This is a huge accomplishment, and we look forward to seeing these wonderful children graduating High School one day. Because we know an education will create the opportunity for these children to succeed. Thank you for all you do that makes monumental moments like this possible.

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November/December Emily Update

November/December Emily Update

I feel like God has continually brought my mind back to the phrase “defiant joy.” While this may seem to be a bit of an oxymoron, it reminds me that the abundant joy, peace, and hope available to us through Holy Spirit’s power are unnatural in a world that offers neither peace nor true joy. Our joy and hope defy the darkness, because “the darkness cannot overcome the Light.” (John 1:5) As we enter a new year, may abundant hope, surpassing peace, and defiant joy, be the characteristics that define us and make us light in a dark world.

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Emily Stader September/October Report

Emily Stader September/October Report

1 had to study this verse for one of my classes a couple weeks ago, and it impacted me so much that I now have it on a sticky note on my door. lt was a timely reminder of the importance of rest! Between extra classes, ministry opportunities, and a mission trip, the last few months have been a little hectic. In this case, the experiences were absolutely worth the extra work, but as my schedule has slowed down sorne in this second half of the semester, 1 have been reflecting on the fact that, while busy is not always bad, 1 also must be careful to balance seasons of business with seasons of rest. Otherwise, 1 can have the tendency to evaluate my worth based on my productivity and not on my identity as a daughter of the King.

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Walk by Faith

Walk by Faith

It was a timely reminder today that as believers, we walk by faith and not by sight. I know in my life, it feels so much more secure to only go where I can see. But that is not what God has called us to is it? No, God has called us to a life of faith. Which is a life trusting in God to lead and guide us in every step. Even when we cannot see the outcome or the destination. The starting years of PCA were such a blind leap of faith at every step. And I will be honest, it was a hope that future years would be more stable and visible. But today, being reminding of 2 Corinthians 5:7, it is clear to me that any venture, any ministry that is not consistently done in and through faith is probably more about us than it is about God.

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516NOW October 2023 Newsletter – SSK

516NOW October 2023 Newsletter – SSK

5:16NOW has been tracking graduation rates in Palacaguina, where our first program started, since 2013. So we have ten years of data. Based on data through the end of the 2022 school year, we know that the graduation rate for students in our program is 53%. To an American, this seems low. However, we know that the pre-Covid graduation rate in Palacaguina was 35% so our students are doing significantly better than the population at large. In addition, 27 SSK graduates are receiving financial support for their college studies.

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The Key Factor in Fulfilling Your Ministry

The Key Factor in Fulfilling Your Ministry

Throughout church history there have been men and women who have accomplished great things for the Lord. William Carey is one of them.
William Carey is sometimes called the father of modern missions. He left for India from England in 1793 and never came home. He labored 40 years without a furlough. He lost two of his three wives in death plus several children. Yet he continued on with his ministry.
His story begins simply. He made shoes. But as a young man he became convinced that the great commission given by Jesus applied to everyone and that God was calling him to give his life in foreign mission work.

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The time is Now

The time is Now

The next few months will determine many things for PCA and the future of our students. By God’s grace, we have been working diligently to meet all requirements to open and operate the High School. Thank you, Jesus, that we have received written approvals from the local and regional offices. We are only awaiting written approval from the national office, and we will have the permission we need to begin High School. Now we must step up our prayer.

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PCA June 2023 Trip

PCA June 2023 Trip

Traveling to Nicaragua is amazing. Every time, it feels so good to be in-country. It feels so much like home. And to be traveling with my son, Jonah, priceless. I am so grateful to share with you the summary of our trip in June and I hope it will encourage you to join us on a trip to Palacaguina in the future. Our group of 16 included a family from Austin, TX and a youth group from Aurora, CO.

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Emily Stader May – June Update

Emily Stader May – June Update

During the last two months, I traveled from Birmingham to Wisconsin to the Dominican Republic, and then back to Wisconsin again. I said goodbye to some dear friends and reunited with others. I started my summer job and summer small group. Through all of this, I have been blown away by the Body of Christ: a family of believers from all over the world. No matter where I go, I encounter friends who will encourage me in my faith and help me grow closer to God. lt is such a blessing, and I pray to never take it for granted.

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516Now El Salvador Updates

516Now El Salvador Updates

We have started the SSK project for the year 2023. We have had two meetings with the parents to explain the way in which we are going to work this year. We have already bought the school supplements and and we have organized all the activities for the rest of the year. The parents are very grateful to God and to 516 for the valuable help for their children. in addition, our first day with the children was March 4. Please help us pray for this year 2023

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Emily Stader January – Febraury Report

Emily Stader January – Febraury Report

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7 During the last few months, I have frequently thought about what it means to live life “on mission.” When I was living as a missionary in the Dominican Republic, it was very easy to feel like I was ministering to people daily.

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Kicking off a New Year

Kicking off a New Year

I want to reflect on the Lord’s compassion and faithfulness to start our update. Knowing that every morning His compassion is new gives hope for each day.

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