OUR VALUES

BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF CHRIST. WHETHER THIS IS YOUR FIRST TRIP OR PLANNING A RETURN VISIT — YOU SHOULD FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED HERE TO GET YOU STARTED.

Vision

Partnering with the Nicaraguan people to transform the nation; One Child, One Family, One Community at a time

Partnership.

In all things, El Ayudante seeks to partner with local leaders and community organizations as we work together with the Nicaraguan people. We operate under the authority of government institutions. Nicaraguans determine their vision and priorities for their communities, and we have the privilege of coming alongside them to offer our support.

Holistic Transformation.

We at El Ayudante know that God is working to make all things new through Jesus Christ, and that he has called the church to participate with him in bringing about radical change. That is why El Ayudante’s efforts and resources are aimed to impact all major facets of life in Nicaragua—the spiritual as well as the physical.

Sustainability.

At El Ayudante we are committed to creating sustainable programs that help shape the ministries and services within our surrounding communities. We take into consideration the financial and social ability of all those we serve,  allowing for the communities themselves to take ownership of the programs.

Principles of Partnership

To partner with the Nicaraguan people to transform the nation

GOD

We keep God at the center in everything we do in order to bring glory to Him.

RELATIONSHIPS

Rather than a goal of “success” or “fixing things” by accomplishing short-term projects and agendas, we seek to form and nurture healthy, interdependent, and on-going relationships between local communities and cross-cultural teams.

THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH

God is already here and working through his church, so we seek to encourage and partner with the Nicaraguan church toward community development and the advance of God’s kingdom.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

while relief is necessary at times, we seek a shared partnership toward community development and transformation.

EMPOWERMENT

we seek to give only to empower communities in their development; out of respect, we will not do for others what they can do for themselves.

LONGEVITY

community development is a lifelong process, not a one-week product; we seek to utilize teams as an extension of El Ayudante’s long-term ministry.

STRENGTHS

we seek to identify and mobilize the capabilities, skills, and resources primarily from within local communities, not outside.