Is it already 2023!
We can't believe we are in our 17th year already! Where has the time gone and with the help of God, we are still going strong, though none of us are getting any younger, that's a fact!
We thought to post just a few videos of what has been going on over the past months as pictures are truly worth a 1000 words.
We are so blessed to have your support, thank you from the bottom of our hearts and will continue to do the Lord's work with your good help. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
We thought to post just a few videos of what has been going on over the past months as pictures are truly worth a 1000 words.
We are so blessed to have your support, thank you from the bottom of our hearts and will continue to do the Lord's work with your good help. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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Joy of new soccer balls!
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.Multi Family home.
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Pochomil Playground.
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New Floor
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Typical Home Before.
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New Home After (basic).
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Our 2022 Message and Thanks:
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January 10 2022
Wow! As all of you know it has been another crazy year! We sure miss seeing all of you and are looking forward to the day when we can have you over again, chow down on calamari and just visit. We are anxious to hear how God has enriched your lives as He has ours.
One of the biggest blessings this past year was God gracing Gracias with enough donations to enrich many families in Pochomil, Nicaragua. With your generous support and Eddie’s team in Pochomil, Gracias as been able to build 8 shelter homes consisting of block floors, electricity, and zinc roofs, install 3 spetic tanks, one of which serviced 3 homes. A couple of indoor bathrooms were constructed and a couple of detached bathrooms. Gracias even purchased a home for 2 families. Amazing!!
Eddie was able to travel to Nicaragua for 10 days in August-September of 2021. He was able to follow up on the progress of previous construction and plan and assist with new construction. The English program in the school in Managua has been put on hold due to Covid concerns. Gracias is still supporting the 2 small schools in the villages of Pochimil & Masachapa. Eddie is planning another trip to Nicaragua in late Spring or early Summer.
None of this could be accomplished without your support. This small ministry is trying to make a difference in lives of those less fortunate. We believe that small steps can and do make a difference. Again, Eddie wants to say that he is only a vehicle. Every one of YOU are the ones that make a difference. We thank you for your continued support and pray you will find it in your hearts to continue on this unique mission with ‘Gracias Jesus’ & Eddie.
Please look at the latest updates, you can see first-hand videos of the result of your generous donations!
Wishing each one of you a healthy and blessed New Year.
With gratitude and love,
Eddie & Carolyn
Wow! As all of you know it has been another crazy year! We sure miss seeing all of you and are looking forward to the day when we can have you over again, chow down on calamari and just visit. We are anxious to hear how God has enriched your lives as He has ours.
One of the biggest blessings this past year was God gracing Gracias with enough donations to enrich many families in Pochomil, Nicaragua. With your generous support and Eddie’s team in Pochomil, Gracias as been able to build 8 shelter homes consisting of block floors, electricity, and zinc roofs, install 3 spetic tanks, one of which serviced 3 homes. A couple of indoor bathrooms were constructed and a couple of detached bathrooms. Gracias even purchased a home for 2 families. Amazing!!
Eddie was able to travel to Nicaragua for 10 days in August-September of 2021. He was able to follow up on the progress of previous construction and plan and assist with new construction. The English program in the school in Managua has been put on hold due to Covid concerns. Gracias is still supporting the 2 small schools in the villages of Pochimil & Masachapa. Eddie is planning another trip to Nicaragua in late Spring or early Summer.
None of this could be accomplished without your support. This small ministry is trying to make a difference in lives of those less fortunate. We believe that small steps can and do make a difference. Again, Eddie wants to say that he is only a vehicle. Every one of YOU are the ones that make a difference. We thank you for your continued support and pray you will find it in your hearts to continue on this unique mission with ‘Gracias Jesus’ & Eddie.
Please look at the latest updates, you can see first-hand videos of the result of your generous donations!
Wishing each one of you a healthy and blessed New Year.
With gratitude and love,
Eddie & Carolyn
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2021 At work:
It takes a village and we could never have done any of this without you! Thank you for your generous donations, support and love through these difficult times.
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Thank you for a productive and fruitful 2020 and the work continues in 2021
We thought to post a few more videos of the wonderful work your donations are enabling. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us do the Lords work in helping the needy, in Nicaragua!
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November 2020 The Work Continues......
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September 2020, Hi Everyone,
It has been awhile since we have posted any new videos on our website. Due to Covid 19 and other circumstances, I have been unable to travel to Nicaragua but Gracias’ work there has not stopped.
Our schools in Managua and Masachapa have continued to thrive despite restrictions in place in Nicaragua due to the pandemic. Please view the videos that were sent to us by our excellent teachers. We are still able to send money each month to support this program because of your continued generosity.
Gracias is also trying to improve homes or build a home in Pochomill or Masachapa which are poor communities on the west coast of Nicaragua. The cost has been between $400-$600 per home, depending if they have dirt floors or concrete block floors. We are delighted to report that three homes have been completed.
Please view the videos to see the great progress that has been made. We are always amazed by God’s provision and the support you have so generously donated.
It has been awhile since we have posted any new videos on our website. Due to Covid 19 and other circumstances, I have been unable to travel to Nicaragua but Gracias’ work there has not stopped.
Our schools in Managua and Masachapa have continued to thrive despite restrictions in place in Nicaragua due to the pandemic. Please view the videos that were sent to us by our excellent teachers. We are still able to send money each month to support this program because of your continued generosity.
Gracias is also trying to improve homes or build a home in Pochomill or Masachapa which are poor communities on the west coast of Nicaragua. The cost has been between $400-$600 per home, depending if they have dirt floors or concrete block floors. We are delighted to report that three homes have been completed.
Please view the videos to see the great progress that has been made. We are always amazed by God’s provision and the support you have so generously donated.
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October 2019 Thank you get together.
We were blessed to have many of our contributors and friends over for my, now becoming famous, fish and calamari fry. The event was truly magical, with so many friendly faces and so much generosity. Thank you all for making Gracias so special. I could not write this without giving a special mention to Carolyn, my precious wife, without whom the event could not have proceeded in such an organized yet loving way. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I also received this wonderful video from one of our schools in Nicaragua. These young men spoke no English before our program. I can't believe how quickly and how much they are improving! Your donations at work, contributing to the education of hundreds of students just like these, enabling them to become self sufficient and independent. |
Sacramento Feedings
I am sorry our postings have been a little patchy of late! We have been so busy, that I sometimes forget to document our work. Posted are a couple of videos.The first is a video showing one of our feeds, where we had the opportunity of helping some fellow Sacramento residents, these unfortunately going through some hard times. We try to do a Sacramento feed every Wednesday where funds allow. The other is some good work done in Nicaragua!
I am sorry our postings have been a little patchy of late! We have been so busy, that I sometimes forget to document our work. Posted are a couple of videos.The first is a video showing one of our feeds, where we had the opportunity of helping some fellow Sacramento residents, these unfortunately going through some hard times. We try to do a Sacramento feed every Wednesday where funds allow. The other is some good work done in Nicaragua!
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Jan 2019 Visit to Messiah, Managua, Pochomil, Masachapa and San Rafael.
A picture is worth a million words! With the help of our Lord, I have been blessed to be able to help these truly wonderful families and children throughout Nicaragua. These are a few images of my Jan 2019 trip. From the purchasing of a cooker for one family, a bicycle for another for the kids to share, to distributing food and clothes. Thanks to your amazing and generous help I checked on over 200lbs of goods on my flight out!
I am now truly excited and blessed to be able to have organized the opening of an English Gracias Jesus school and have equipped it with our first computers.
My next visit is planned for April. I am always looking for volunteers to come with me and spread the Lord's love.
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A picture is worth a thousand words. I have put together footage of my latest trip, including what some of our less fortunate families have to contend with on a daily basis, as well as some of the wonderful things your blessed contributions have been able to achieve.
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Sacramento Spring 2017 Shoe/clothes Giving
We had the privilege of donating shoes and clothes to some lovely people in Sacramento going through some difficult times. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/nR52b_1I1Xc
We had the privilege of donating shoes and clothes to some lovely people in Sacramento going through some difficult times. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/nR52b_1I1Xc
Happy New Year 2016
On behalf of Gracias, we wanted to wish you many blessings for the year ahead. Hopefully with our collective help, the world will become a better place. May the Lord provide us with his love, health and happiness.
A letter from Eddie Jan 2016
Hi Everybody!
Great things have been going on in 2015. My first trip to Nicaragua was in March. I was able to set up three home schools for teaching English to local kids in Managua, Masaya and Masachapa. Thank you for donations of Lap tops for setting up Rossetta Stone. I spent time in the sugar cane fields, bringing clothes donated and purchasing rice and beans. I was able to purchase tennis shoes for the basketball team in Masachapa, (Many were playing in flip flops)
I worked with a pastor at a local church there to lay a concrete floor.
My next trip was in Sept/Oct. Two of the home schools were hard to keep students coming on a regular basis. I was introduced to a great teacher who speaks English in a school in Managua and we moved the laptops there. She was thrilled to receive the tools to teach many of the students English. I just heard they will be having the first group of kids graduating early in March. Will let you know when I find out more.
Gracias also provided the funds to install concrete blocks over mud floors in a home of a mother with 3 children. An outside toilet (concrete) was also built with a six foot hole with rock on the bottom and a block floor.
In December I was able to send 6 $45 Western Union money orders to various families to provide food (rice & beans) for Christmas.
I will be leaving on my next trip on March 2nd through the 24th. I am anxiously waiting to see all the progress that has been made. I will be meeting with the principle and teacher running the English classes in Managua. I plan to set up another school for English in the home I built a few years ago in Juigapa. I have two excellent people lined up to run that class… A friend of mine and of Gracias, Justin, is donating 200 pounds of shoes to distribute ( will take a couple of trip to get them all down there!). Blessings to Justin!
Another person who has donated so much time with me is Jon Charny. I would never be able to get all the lap tops ready without him. And thanks also to Joe Shriber for his help with my videos and of course Marco who designed our awesome logo and maintains my website. Many heartfelt thanks to our doners and to all those who have donated lop tops, clothes and supplies. Without your support, we would not be able to do any of this work God has called on us to do.
Remember all your donations go directly to helping those in need. I pay for all my own transportation and usually stay with families I have met in my travels. You are making many, many lives just a little bit better. God bless you all and your heart for giving….
God Bless,
Eddie
Older Works:
in August 2014
Thank you so very much for your continued support for ‘Gracias Jesus’. I couldn’t continue without your generous support. You are a blessing to me and especially to the kids and families in Nicaragua. God has put this on my heart to continue helping these kids and you have helped to make this possible.
On my last trip in May I was able to purchase 50 sets of school uniforms for the kids that couldn’t afford them. (Kids cannot attend public school without uniforms) Local friends and I were able to feed 500 kids at various times and help spread the word of the love of Jesus. We also gave out bags of rice and beans to the poorest of families.
I will be heading back to Nicaragua on Sept 14th for a couple of weeks. I will be taking a program (Rosetta Stone) to help the kids learn English to a small school in Masia. I am in the process of acquiring 2 lap tops to be used by the teachers in this school. I will also be taking lots of cereal and clothes to hand out. I will also distribute rice and beans to families who are most in need. Your generous donations have helped to make all this possible. Thank you and God bless you.
in October 2014
First, let me thank you for your kindness. To update you on our activities during th year in 2014 I've made 3 trips to Nicaragua, where we have donated over 450 lbs of clothes, shoes and food. Our food feeding has nourished over 900 children & their families. Your cash donations have been so helpful, putting several children and families in beds that replaced cardboard on dirt floors. It also purchased 50 school uniforms for grades 5 through 12. It has also allowed us to purchase 2 computers with Rosetta Stone English DVDs for home-schools we've set up, to allow the children and adults to learn English. This helps them get better paying jobs as the average pay, for unskilled monolingual labor, is only $5 a day.
Many of you have asked 'How can we help?' As I've said previously, if we can get people to donate the equivalent of a Starbuck's latte a week or $20 a month, we could feed two children for a month. What a huge difference the price of 4 milk coffees can make!
Of course should you wish to give of your time, this is always most welcome.
in January 2015
A brief note to those who may not have heard, we have received nonprofit status from the IRS for our corporation “Gracias Jesus”. A dear friend from church, Rick Riposa, a retired CPA has been an enormous help. We could not have done it without him. He is truly a dear man of God with a helping, giving heart. Now we can ensure your gracious donations are completely Tax deductible. Your donations mean so much to us. We hope to grow Gracias Jesus to not just helping those in Nicaragua, but finding worthwhile causes closer to home and helping our neighbors. We have put together a great board and with their help and wisdom, we hope to expand and grow Gracias Jesus. The Lord is always giving Eddie a path to follow and we aim to spread His love and His word.
on March 21 2015
We hosted a thank you barbecue for our wonderful friends and donators of Gracias Jesus. Along with great fellowship and great eats, we were blessed to share with you what our ministry has accomplished over the last few years. You wouldn’t believe how many people we can bless in the name of Jesus with your generous donations. We can’t thank you enough.
on March 24 - April 7 2015 - Trip to Nicaragua
On this trip to Nicaragua, Eddie focused on setting up three pilot schools in private homes in Managua, Masachapa and Masaya with the purpose of teaching children English. With the skill of speaking English, a Nica can earn up to $800 a month instead of $5 a day if work can be found. He is using computers to facilitate the school with 6 students a day at each facility. It is a start. The instructors he has chosen can earn up to $100 for each child who completes the program and can speak English. Prayers are asked for students & attendance, the instructors, and safe keeping of the computers and English software programs.
Eddie also distributed 60 pounds of clothes and shoes he brought down.
Oil, rice and beans were also purchased and distributed to 42 families in the sugar cane fields, Masaya, Pochomil and Juigalpa. To help sustain a couple of families, chickens & feed, baby pigs and a goat (milk) were purchased.
on September 26 2015
Gracias Jesus had a thank you party and fundraiser for our awesome donors at our home. We all had a great time and want to thank everyone who attended for their company and generosity. Our attendance was a little less than last time. We couldn’t do this without your very kind support. We are a small organization and pray that we can grow to attain our goals of helping the needy.
on October 5 2015
Eddie is leaving for another trip to Nicaragua next week. He will be taking 3 computers (donated by John & MaryAlice Muniz) to set up more home schools for teaching English. He will also be assessing needs as he goes, to best see where to bless needy children and their families. Please add Eddie to your prayers for a God directed, safe trip.
Upon his return, we will be having a board meeting to perhaps find other or best avenues to serve, both in Nicaragua and for our surrounding community.
We are truly thankful for what God is doing for Gracias and those who support us.
Eddie is always encouraging any of you to join him to help and see what he is doing in Nicaragua. If you are interested, contact Eddie for this truly life changing experience!
Gracias to you and of course to our Lord Jesus.
Thank you so very much for your continued support for ‘Gracias Jesus’. I couldn’t continue without your generous support. You are a blessing to me and especially to the kids and families in Nicaragua. God has put this on my heart to continue helping these kids and you have helped to make this possible.
On my last trip in May I was able to purchase 50 sets of school uniforms for the kids that couldn’t afford them. (Kids cannot attend public school without uniforms) Local friends and I were able to feed 500 kids at various times and help spread the word of the love of Jesus. We also gave out bags of rice and beans to the poorest of families.
I will be heading back to Nicaragua on Sept 14th for a couple of weeks. I will be taking a program (Rosetta Stone) to help the kids learn English to a small school in Masia. I am in the process of acquiring 2 lap tops to be used by the teachers in this school. I will also be taking lots of cereal and clothes to hand out. I will also distribute rice and beans to families who are most in need. Your generous donations have helped to make all this possible. Thank you and God bless you.
in October 2014
First, let me thank you for your kindness. To update you on our activities during th year in 2014 I've made 3 trips to Nicaragua, where we have donated over 450 lbs of clothes, shoes and food. Our food feeding has nourished over 900 children & their families. Your cash donations have been so helpful, putting several children and families in beds that replaced cardboard on dirt floors. It also purchased 50 school uniforms for grades 5 through 12. It has also allowed us to purchase 2 computers with Rosetta Stone English DVDs for home-schools we've set up, to allow the children and adults to learn English. This helps them get better paying jobs as the average pay, for unskilled monolingual labor, is only $5 a day.
Many of you have asked 'How can we help?' As I've said previously, if we can get people to donate the equivalent of a Starbuck's latte a week or $20 a month, we could feed two children for a month. What a huge difference the price of 4 milk coffees can make!
Of course should you wish to give of your time, this is always most welcome.
in January 2015
A brief note to those who may not have heard, we have received nonprofit status from the IRS for our corporation “Gracias Jesus”. A dear friend from church, Rick Riposa, a retired CPA has been an enormous help. We could not have done it without him. He is truly a dear man of God with a helping, giving heart. Now we can ensure your gracious donations are completely Tax deductible. Your donations mean so much to us. We hope to grow Gracias Jesus to not just helping those in Nicaragua, but finding worthwhile causes closer to home and helping our neighbors. We have put together a great board and with their help and wisdom, we hope to expand and grow Gracias Jesus. The Lord is always giving Eddie a path to follow and we aim to spread His love and His word.
on March 21 2015
We hosted a thank you barbecue for our wonderful friends and donators of Gracias Jesus. Along with great fellowship and great eats, we were blessed to share with you what our ministry has accomplished over the last few years. You wouldn’t believe how many people we can bless in the name of Jesus with your generous donations. We can’t thank you enough.
on March 24 - April 7 2015 - Trip to Nicaragua
On this trip to Nicaragua, Eddie focused on setting up three pilot schools in private homes in Managua, Masachapa and Masaya with the purpose of teaching children English. With the skill of speaking English, a Nica can earn up to $800 a month instead of $5 a day if work can be found. He is using computers to facilitate the school with 6 students a day at each facility. It is a start. The instructors he has chosen can earn up to $100 for each child who completes the program and can speak English. Prayers are asked for students & attendance, the instructors, and safe keeping of the computers and English software programs.
Eddie also distributed 60 pounds of clothes and shoes he brought down.
Oil, rice and beans were also purchased and distributed to 42 families in the sugar cane fields, Masaya, Pochomil and Juigalpa. To help sustain a couple of families, chickens & feed, baby pigs and a goat (milk) were purchased.
on September 26 2015
Gracias Jesus had a thank you party and fundraiser for our awesome donors at our home. We all had a great time and want to thank everyone who attended for their company and generosity. Our attendance was a little less than last time. We couldn’t do this without your very kind support. We are a small organization and pray that we can grow to attain our goals of helping the needy.
on October 5 2015
Eddie is leaving for another trip to Nicaragua next week. He will be taking 3 computers (donated by John & MaryAlice Muniz) to set up more home schools for teaching English. He will also be assessing needs as he goes, to best see where to bless needy children and their families. Please add Eddie to your prayers for a God directed, safe trip.
Upon his return, we will be having a board meeting to perhaps find other or best avenues to serve, both in Nicaragua and for our surrounding community.
We are truly thankful for what God is doing for Gracias and those who support us.
Eddie is always encouraging any of you to join him to help and see what he is doing in Nicaragua. If you are interested, contact Eddie for this truly life changing experience!
Gracias to you and of course to our Lord Jesus.
June 2016 Fundraising Party
We held a Calamari, Chicken liver and BBQ party for friends of Gracias Jesus on Sat 25th. It was a great success with about 65 special friends and contributors in attendance. We shared stories, had a good time and watched video updates of the good work being done. It was great to have so many share the moment, Carolyn and I felt truly blessed. We managed to raise $2200.00 which was very greatly appreciated. If we could receive just $10 per month from everyone, we could do so much, with relatively such a small amount. Every donor is placed on our e mail list in order to keep he or she appraised of our progress.
I am also delighted to be able to help the homeless right here at home in Sacramento. We are currently working with two families and hope to be able to post photos shortly.
Thanks for your continued support. Should you feel it in your heart to help, please drop me a line and I will get right back to you.
We held a Calamari, Chicken liver and BBQ party for friends of Gracias Jesus on Sat 25th. It was a great success with about 65 special friends and contributors in attendance. We shared stories, had a good time and watched video updates of the good work being done. It was great to have so many share the moment, Carolyn and I felt truly blessed. We managed to raise $2200.00 which was very greatly appreciated. If we could receive just $10 per month from everyone, we could do so much, with relatively such a small amount. Every donor is placed on our e mail list in order to keep he or she appraised of our progress.
I am also delighted to be able to help the homeless right here at home in Sacramento. We are currently working with two families and hope to be able to post photos shortly.
Thanks for your continued support. Should you feel it in your heart to help, please drop me a line and I will get right back to you.