Our Story
25+ Years of Coming Alongside
A look back at where this journey began, and the real story behind the numbers.
For more than 25 years, El Ayudante has walked alongside children, families, churches, and communities throughout Nicaragua — not as rescuers, but as partners in the work God is already doing.
What began as a small vision to help children in need has grown into a ministry that provides housing, education, nutrition, healthcare, and spiritual formation for children and families in León, and that welcomes mission teams from churches, schools, and families across the country to serve alongside our local leaders.
We don’t come to rescue. We come to walk with. We build relationships. We invest in people. And over time, relationships become family.
25+Years serving alongside Nicaraguans
50,000+of Children & Families Served
84%High School Graduation Rate
Every number represents a real life — a child who found hope, a family that found stability, a community that found a partner willing to stay. This is the story behind the results, and it’s still being written today.
Our Journey, Year by Year
A few of the moments that shaped El Ayudante.
Where It Began (1998–2001)
1998
El Ayudante was incorporated as a nonprofit in Tennessee on August 11, and received its 501(c)(3) status on October 6.
Before 2000
We first looked toward Honduras, but doors opened in Nicaragua. Through relationships, we felt God telling us that was where He wanted us to go.
April 2000
With only a vision (and without two cordobas to rub together), Bill Cox first set foot in Nicaragua. His brother, Mel, went with him.
Nov 2000
Bill returned with Mel and with Allen & Kathy Watts on a fact-finding mission.
Oct 2001
A $110,000 gift allowed El Ayudante to purchase 18 manzanas of land (roughly 31 acres).
Nov 1, 2001
Groundbreaking for the campus: a small kitchen, office area and dorms, along with the HCN. Septic tanks and a water well were dug.
Building the Campus (2002–2009)
2002
El Ayudante was established as a corporation in Nicaragua, and construction on the HCN began.
Sept 2002
We hosted our first mission team on campus. The team house, with a small kitchen and office area, was completed that same month.
Fall 2003
A large house was built for Tom and Nancy Price, who hosted teams. Today it is Apartment 1, the largest of the three campus apartments.
2004
El Ayudante became an official NGO in Nicaragua.
Jan 14, 2005
Dedication and ribbon cutting of the HCN, with large participation from local and national government.
Mar 2, 2005
The first 20 children arrived on campus, in a couple of groups.
2005
We hosted our first team in Matagalpa (June), completed a second team house, Guest Houses 3 & 4 by the rancho (July), and finished the medical clinic (November), used by mission teams and MINSA. It later became the El Ayudante Women’s Clinic, dedicated May 12, 2008 in memory of Dr. Melba Juana Ocampo Vega.
2007–2008
Apartment #2, closest to the team house, was completed in August 2007. Apartment #3, next to the rancho, followed in February 2008, built entirely by contributions from Fellowship Bible Church of Jackson, TN, the home church of Bill Cox and Mark Northern.
Sept 21, 2008
Programa Amor was unveiled. Beginning in late 2009, and intensifying through the summer of 2010, children were gradually reunited with family or united with new families in homes off campus (in some cases adopted to the US). By August 2010 most had left campus, except a few whom Mi Familia allowed to stay, housed in the older girls’ home.
June 2009
The girls’ home, “Princess House,” was completed. It is now the intern house.
2010
The child protection center became the EA Family Enrichment Center, with a new mission as a school reinforcement program.
Growing Up (2014–2026)
2014
Kevin became our first high school graduate.
2016
The road from the entrance to the HCN was paved (August), and Jenny graduated from high school.
2017
Ivania and Chilo graduated from high school.
2018
Wincler and Andrea graduated from high school.
2020–2021
Jenny graduated from college with a nursing degree (2020), and Ivania with an accounting degree (2021).
2022
Chilo graduated from college with an RN degree, and Stephanie and Alexandra graduated from high school.
2023
We welcomed 4 new children into the program, and hosted 13 teams with 94 missionaries.
2024
We welcomed 3 new children, and hosted 11 teams with 137 missionaries.
2025
We welcomed 4 new children. Andrea graduated from college. Angie graduated from primary school, and Alondra and Anielka graduated from high school. Grendy earned a 2-year college degree in Business Administration, and her sister Alexandra completed her pharmacy certification.
2026
We welcomed 5 new children. Celeste graduated from college with a degree in literature and will become a teacher.
Through Hard Seasons
April 2018
Political unrest in Nicaragua canceled our mission teams. Before this, we averaged about 40 teams and 500+ missionaries a year.
2020–2022
The COVID-19 pandemic canceled all travel.
Oct 2022
Our Board of Directors met face to face with the Nicaraguan leadership team for the first time since October 2017.