As you may have read Mike is a missionary to Managua, Nicaragua with Missionary Ventures International. God has given him a vision to start a vocational program aimed at the young people (ages 16 and up) of Nicaragua. Basically the vision is to offer opportunities for young people to learn to be valuable craftsmen who can think critically, logically, sequentially and in turn become the best employers and employees they can possibly be. This will be carried out initially by classes in metal working and woodworking. It is the hope of the vocational program to eventually include classes in automotive repair and motorcycle repair as well.

How does blacksmithing fit into the overall picture? Mike plans to use blacksmithing in a number of ways. For instance, by nature, blacksmithing require critical thinking skills and also teaches people to think in process. A good example is in knife making. If you don't follow the correct steps your knife will be useless. Blacksmithing also teaches problem solving skills. Blacksmiths usually end up making most of the tools in their shop and not only that they have been known to invent a few as well in order to carry out a specific task. There are many remote villages in Nicaragua where people have no way to make an income. Even if they did have money a store that had what they need in the way of tools is out of the question. Learning blacksmithing will be a great way to teach people to use recycled materials such as old car parts to make tools.

It is Mike's hope that other blacksmiths will see this as an opportunity to take their knowledge and skills and use them to help underdeveloped communities in Nicaragua and other countries around the world. Does this sound like something you'd be interested in?

Get Involved:

If you feel as though God would like to use you in Missions there are a number of ways.

1. You can be a prayer partner with a missionary. Missionaries love to have brothers and sisters in Christ lift them up in prayer. Often they are the target of hate, victims of crime, and experience loneliness. For this reason they are in constant need of spiritual support. The feeling of family and community that prayer partners provide is invaluable.

2. You can support a missionary financially. Missionaries are supported on the field by funds that come in from home churches, families, friends etc. Financial giving is a great way to support a missionary living outside their country.

3.You could also be involved by sharing your knowledge on a short-term mission trip. Currently you could be involved by sharing your blacksmithing skills in Nicaragua on a trip of about 7-10 days. You would get to work with young people by showing them important blacksmithing skills. Maybe you have a specialty project that you would like to share with others. What a great way to get out of the cold northern winters for a week!! Come to sunny Nicaragua and bring your favorite hammer! I promise I'll take you to the beach. As a matter of fact we could even set up the forge there.

4.You can become a full-time missionary. Many times people who get a taste of the mission field through short-term missions feel called to full-time missions. This is an exciting calling that not everyone is called to but that we all need to support.

Do any of these options sound like something you'd like to be a part of? If so Mike would be happy to answer any of your questions. You can write to him at: mike@christianblacksmiths.com