Our Board of Directors

Timothy M Taylor-  President and Co-Founder

email:  tim@lifetogethernicaragua.org

Amy Taylor- Vice President and Co-Founder
The first time I entered Cristo Rey, in 2010, it took my breath away.  As I sat high in the front seat of the van, the sights that surrounded me I couldn’t comprehend.  Driving to our destination, I saw “homes” that I wouldn’t allow my dog to live in let alone children and families.  I saw dirty, disgusting water sitting in trenches besides people houses.  I saw children, slowly and cautiously, peeking out of their “homes” as a group of white people arrived.  As we drove up to a make-shift feeding center, I immediately started crying.  So many children, so much hunger…..throughout the day I had to wear my sunglasses continuously because I didn’t want the children to see me cry.  As we entered the van to leave Cristo Rey, I could no longer hold in the tears.  In fact, I began sobbing.  Asking “Why?”  “Why did people live like that?”  That day, was when God put the ache for Cristo Rey in my heart.  Little did I know that two years later, God would call us out in faith to start Life Together Nicaragua and begin our own feeding program in Cristo Rey.  For me, my heart is completely full when I am in Cristo Rey.  There is nothing better than having children run up to you, with arms wide open, wanting a hug.  There is nothing better than kisses on the mouth from my precious children in Cristo Rey.  There is nothing better than seeing children who were once starving have a place to go everyday to get a bowl of food.  There is nothing better than children being excited about school and wanting you to be the first person who sees their report card.  There is nothing better than children laughing.  There is nothing better than a “Thank You” from a mother who isn’t capable of feeding her child two times a day.  There is truly nothing better than being in the center of GOD’S will.  I’m thankful to God Almighty for trusting me to be HIS hands, feet and mouth to the people of Nicaragua.

email:  amy@lifetogethernicaragua.org

Stuart Wuerthele- Member at Large

My interest with Nicaragua started small, with just a couple pictures and a few minute video to draw my curiosity. Never before had I seen such living conditions or heard the stories of families that were put into such a desperate situation. I felt something within me start to wonder what I could do to help. With an open invitation from the church to go on a mission trip, my wife encouraged us to go. How could I say no – one to my wife, and the other to the calling to help those less fortunate than I. That trip changed my life. I have now traveled to Nicaragua for the past 3 years to go see the beautiful people that live in Cristo Rey and to serve them with all my ability. This past year I was able to be present when the well water started to flow on the property that serves so many children of the community. It was an amazing site. I continue to think and pray for the families of Cristo Rey whom face many of the same situations that we face in our family lives, but they also face many other challenges with the living conditions and lack of funding to build themselves and the community more permanent structures. I am greatly encouraged that several of the children have been provided an opportunity to go to a school in the neighboring city to get the education they need to succeed in their community and are thriving with the opportunity. I look forward to the next time that I get to visit some of the familiar faces, but to also get to know more of the wonderful kids in Cristo Rey.

email:  stuart@lifetogethernicaragua.org

Frank Smolinski- Member at Large

One of the hallmarks of Jesus life was compassion – he preached and demonstrated compassion throughout his life. Compassion is different than empathy – empathy is being sensitive to or understanding the feelings of others. Compassion includes this sensitivity that goes a step further and leads to action. James 2:15-17 says, “Suppose a brother or sister is without cloths and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is that? In the same way, faith by itself, if it not accompanied by action, is dead.” These verses make it clear that our faith comes alive through our deeds and actions. My wife Sue and I, along with our sons David and Matt, have been to Nicaragua and witnessed the needs of the people of Cristo Rey. God has placed on our hearts the need to put our faith into action through prayer and the giving of our time and resources to help the people of Cristo Rey. It has been a blessing to our family to be a part of the lives of the children and families of Cristo Rey. We have witnessed concrete examples of how family’s lives have been dramatically changed through the generosity of Christians putting their faith into action. The children are better fed, clothed, housed, and educated because of the work of Life Together Nicaragua. God does not require that we feed and house every child in Cristo Rey – but he does require that we examine our lives and determine how best to use the time and resources he has given to us.

email:  frank@lifetogethernicaragua.org

Ken Michalak- Treasurer

The idea of community comes from the sense of responsibility that we have for each other. In the Bible, God encourages us to take care of one another while following the word of the Lord.  Life Together Nicaragua offers this community hope to the people of Nicaragua through the feeding and education programs at Cristo Rey, and the ministries at Quinta Fellowship.  When I (Jen) came to Nicaragua for the first time in 2015, I was moved by the joy and warmth of those living in Cristo Rey even in the midst of living conditions that broke my heart. Every year since, Ken and I have come to lend a hand in support of LTN’s ministries. God has given us a deep love and commitment for the people of Nicaragua.  Scripture commands: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in it’s various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  It is with humble grace that we seek to serve the people of Nicaragua using the gifts God has given us to encourage faith in Christ, and break the chains of poverty, and strengthen community.

email:  ken@lifetogethernicaragua.org

Ashley Jester- Secretary

My first trip to Nicaragua was when LTN was just beginning.  Its roots are based in a community where resources and hope were so scarce.  I remember walking down those dusty roads, smelling the heat and burning debris, looking into the faces as families stood watch, and hearing mostly silence.  Electricity was nearly inaccessible, and water was available only twice a day .  The feeding program was one of the biggest blessings and hardest challenges to take on. With children lining up nearly an hour before food was served, I understood the value of this one meal.  Though their circumstance proves differently, there is boundless joy behind the smiles of those impacted by LTN.  Once you have looked into the eyes of a child in Cristo Rey your heart is permanently broken.  Mine broke that day, and ever since I never looked back.  It has amazed me to see the progress LTN has made in such a short amount of time expanding beyond the feeding program to provide education, shelter, family support, and hope for children to break free from the life of poverty.  Many who call Cristo Rey their home are displaced there due to natural disasters and economic loss.  LTN breaks the mold of any other faith-based organization as it has become part of the fabric of life in this village and breathes new life into a lost neighborhood. It has become family to those in Cristo Rey and is highly regarded in the community.  Its care is authentic, its love is endless, and its vision is unprecedented.  Why choose LTN?  Because it genuinely loves people and its dreams are marked by action.  When you support LTN, you not only give hope to a child, you make dreams come true!

email:  ashley@lifetogethernicaragua.org