The motto for the first capstone design project in missional engineering is found in Matthew 16:18: “On this foundation, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not defeat it!”

Extreme Nazarene mission director, Brian Tibbs, and engineer/missionaries, Dennis Linnell, Mike Drinkwater and Mike Wheatley, first approached NNU’s engineering department in the fall of 2010 to ask for faculty and student help in solving an urgent mission problem. Thirty recently planted church fellowships across the country of Peru had been identified as being ready to build church buildings. However, the local cinder block and clay brick construction methods were not strong enough (especially in earthquakes) and required masonry skills that were not always available. What Extreme wanted was strong, lightweight blocks that could be produced right on the church construction site by local unskilled labor, even in the absence of reliable electric power. They wanted a mobile, generator-powered, block factory on a truck to make building blocks that could be snapped together, similar to LEGOs, to build churches and homes without mortar or masonry skills.

Extreme’s original plan was to build the Peru churches using large polystyrene blocks, called FASTBLOCKS. Starting in summer 2011, the first three foam block churches were built in Arequipa, Puerto Maldonado, and Puno. These large styrofoam FASTBLOCKS were stacked by short-term missionary teams to form walls and then reinforced internally with concrete and rebar to build strong, well-insulated structures. The exterior walls were then stuccoed inside and out and covered with trusses and a roof. However, importing these styrofoam blocks to Peru and then shipping them around the country became expensive and infeasible as a long-term plan. The NNU team was challenged to design, build, and deliver to Peru in summer 2012 a portable block-molding plant using two-part polyurethane (instead of polystyrene/Styrofoam) that can be injected into aluminum molds from compact storage drums. The wet foam then expands twenty times its original volume and cures in 20 minutes, producing all the blocks needed to build a small church building for 100 people from only two 55 gallon drums.

Under the guidance of NNU engineering professor, Dr. Stephen Parke, the “Extreme Engineering” team of seniors (Michael Whiting, Luke Hetrick, Andrew Peterson, Bryan Hunt) investigated, designed, prototyped and tested many different methods, materials, and mold designs (both in wood and alumninum). Countless hours were spent in the new Thomas Center Engineering Fab Lab, machining molds, pouring molds, and testing various mold release chemicals. Amazing new working relationships sprung up between NNU, Mission Aviation Fellowship, Micron, and RMAC Machine Shop including hours of expert volunteer work by outside engineers such as Steve Brougham and Jeff Duncan from MAF.

NNU’s team of seniors first went to Peru in July 2011 to better understand the problem constraints and to physically help build the Puerto Maldonado foam block church, thus gaining valuable insight into this new building process. They started their senior year in Fall 2011 with an improved, more practical plan and a new enthusiasm for what God is doing in Peru.

“Getting to know the people by working with them and sharing stories with them was an amazing experience,” said senior Andrew Peterson (Wash.). “This project was an answer to their prayers from God. Their passion and faith really made me want to become more involved on the project.”

After returning from Peru to start their senior year, the students passion for the project was immediately recognizable. “I’m used to students working hard on their senior design projects, but you can really tell when it goes from being just a project required for graduation and becomes a deep personal commitment and an encounter with serving the Lord,” said Dr. Parke.

Throughout the school year these seniors worked hard to perfect the process, even giving up their Spring Break to make sure the system would be ready to send to Peru in May 2012. This experience allowed the students to love people they had never met while using their God-given engineering talents and knowledge acquired throughout their time at NNU. In the end it was difficult to tell whether it was the Peruvians or the students and professors who felt most blessed by the whole experience.

Senior Michael Whiting (Idaho) described the project this way: “It is not self-seeking, but seeking to serve people through the love that God instills in us. We are using the creative aspects of engineering to build a foundation for eternal change and building blocks for God, out of love for his people.” Michael, Luke, Andrew, and Bryan all graduated with their engineering degrees in May.

Dr. Parke says: “This project is really at the heart of what we’re all about in engineering at NNU: the opportunity to apply our skills to advance God’s kingdom and to meet human needs at the same time. We’re excited to design new technologies to build churches in Peru and other countries as well.” Dr. Parke and his fellow professors at the University are deeply committed to the work that God has called them to. And, their students take notice.

“It’s really exciting to come here and see the professors not only passionate about teaching the subject matter—be it engineering, math or English—but also see them so excited and on fire for God. That instills a fire for God in me,” says junior David Vinson (Wash.) who joined the team in January along with senior Jesse Baggenstos (Wash) to continue the next phase.

In the weeks following commencement 2012, Dr. Parke, Vinson, and Baggenstos traveled to the Extreme Peru headquarters in Arequipa, Peru to deliver, setup and train Peruvians how to use the new block-molding plant. Despite several obstacles, and thanks to many answered prayers, the team’s mission was accomplished, resulting in the establishment of small-scale production of these new one-meter long, one kilogram polyurethane building blocks with a 20% cost savings over the previous polystyrene block costs. The first blocks produced by this portable plant will be used by another short term missionary team to build a new church in Cuzco, Peru in June. Over the next two years, more than 20 more churches will be built in various places across Peru using this new mobile plant. In the future, it is expected that this plant will be trucked to and used in other South American countries by Extreme and that this new technology may be used in many other countries and mission areas around the world.

To register, visit www.walkamileinhershoes.org or call 208-965.4609. Registration fee is $15.

On Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., students from the International Justice Mission (IJM) are hosting a Stiletto Run and Music Festival at Nampa’s Lakeview Park. Proceeds will go to the International Justice Mission to benefit victims of human trafficking and slavery.

Pre-registration for this event is $10 at www.nnu.edu/stilettorun or register the day of the event for $15.

Panama City is quickly becoming the business hub of Latin America. While in Panama they plan to visit the Panama Canal, an indigenous native community that is working to become self-sufficient through eco-tourism, as well as visiting the site of a new international terminal being planned for major air transport into a newly designed city on the Pacific coast.

In Costa Rica, the group looks forward to observing a nation that has become the number one eco-tourist nation in the world. They also plan to visit coffee and banana plantations, volcanic eco-systems and beach destinations created for world tourism. This trip will provide a unique view of how cultural differences affect political, social and business dealings.

Those traveling will be students Deborah and Michael Fantaski, Dena and Aldin Nadarevic and Corey Eyre, and professors  Dr. Ron Galloway, Dr. Karen Jones and Dr. Sam and Lois Dunn.

NNU students will be traveling to Vancouver, BC during their spring break, March 19-23, to work with Mission Possible, a Christian humanitarian agency. Mission Possible focuses on transforming lives by helping those challenged by homelessness and poverty to achieve a renewed sense of dignity and purpose through meaningful work.

The NNU students will be involved in relational ministry in one of North America’s most diverse cities. Students will have an opportunity to be present with, to listen to, and to learn from, those who live in poverty.

This trip fulfills NNU’s graduation requirement for a cross-cultural experience.

Northwest Nazarene University alumni recently returned from a two-week trip to Bangladesh.

One of the highlights for the team was visiting the Village of Hope, a ministry to orphans and widows living as a sustainable community on 17 acres of land. NNU’s alumni team was able to deliver Jesus film-equipment packs and to see the powerful impact this film has on people who are hungry to hear the gospel in their native language.

The team saw firsthand the life-transforming work the Bangladesh Nazarene Mission is doing on a daily basis to feed and to educate over 10,000 children through its Child Development Center. Bangladesh is experiencing miraculous church growth through their holistic approach to ministry by addressing the needs of the entire person.

Tahmina Martelly, an alumnus of the class of 1988 and member of the NNU Alumni Association Board of Directors, was born and raised in Bangladesh. She stated, “In 1993, I gave birth to my daughter who is a freshman this year at NNU; that same year, the first Church of the Nazarene opened its doors in Bangladesh. This year there are over 70,000 members and over 1,879 churches with new ones starting daily.”

Tahmina shares that this trip was more than just a trip for her. “I learned new words for God in the Bangla language—ones I never knew; I sang new songs that were not even written when I became a Christian; I read the Bible and recited the Lord’s prayer in Bangla for the first time and I watched the Jesus film with the Bangladesh people. Most of all, I got to see the word of God come to life. It was a piece of heaven right here on earth. I don’t think there are words in English, or any of the other languages I know, to describe the fullness of my heart. God is indeed good.”

As part of a JESUS Film Harvest Partner’s initiative, NNU alumni will depart January 19 for a two-week trip to Bangladesh. Located in southern Asia, Bangladesh is an area in critical need of JESUS film equipment and ministry teams.

Tahmina Martelly, a member of the NNU Alumni Association Board of Directors and class of 1988, was born and raised in Bangladesh. She expressed, “I am amazed and absolutely awed by what God is doing in Bangladesh! As a young Bengali Christian, I thought I was the only one in the world and felt so alone. But now I have met and seen firsthand men and women who are leading and pastoring churches in my home country. Only God can do that.”

The NNU team of alumni and campus personnel will deliver six film-equipment packs to the field and experience firsthand the powerful impact this film has on people who are hungry to hear the gospel in their native language.  In addition, the team will receive an on-field cultural orientation, distribute Jesus film invitations and help set up and tear down equipment for events as well as participate in outreach and compassionate ministries.

“I’m excited to be part of this NNU alumni team taking new film equipment into Bangladesh,” Martelly said. “I know God will open many more doors for ministry opportunities in the future!”

Please pray for Martelly and the team in the coming week

Starting their journey in the lowlands, the team traveled up from the tropical beaches to the cloud forest and back again. Along the way they visited a coffee farm, a research institute and even stayed a night in the rain forest. Students had the opportunity to experience the wide spectrum of unique environments that Costa Rica has to offer and to learn more about themselves and God’s magnificent creation.

While the beaches were beautiful, the group didn’t spend long at sea level, but rather began making their way into the rainforest and up the mountain. Because they planned to cover so much ground and to be as close to nature as possible along the way, much of the trip was spent hiking—mostly by day but sometimes by night. Sophomore ecology major Maggie Radach shared that taking night hikes in the rain forest was one of the highlights of the trip.
“Walking in the dark forest with just our headlamps allowed us to focus on the amazing creatures one at a time and take everything in.” Other students were more reluctant but equally enthralled. Sophomore art major Autumn Tustin explained that the hand-sized spiders, snakes and other creepy crawlies were intimidating to some people both on the night hikes and as cabin mates when the group stayed overnight in the rainforest in an open air structure.

As they gained elevation, another stop was at the Quetzal Education Research Center (QERC). This center located right below the cloud forest is a joint venture between Southern Nazarene University and the Efrain Chacon Family and serves as a launching point for visiting researchers, students and faculty into the rain and cloud forests. The NNU students used this facility as home base for further study of the unique plants and animals, lighting and landscapes of the region.

Beyond QERC, the group made their way to the Mora Family Farm which served as another highlight of the trip. Here the team learned about sustainable living and experienced the hospitality of the local culture. The Mora Family Farm cultivates coffee beans as its primary crop, but produces practically everything else needed by the family. “They even grow over 56 types of plants used for herbal remedies,” noted Radach. The farm produces next to no trash and repurposes everything. “The Mora family lives at a level of sustainability that many in the U.S. strive for but few achieve. We were inspired to examine our own lives to determine what we can do to be better stewards of our resources,” said Radach.

After making their way back down to sea level, the students had an opportunity to explore the city. To facilitate interaction with the local community, the faculty gave each student a sum of money and encouraged them to haggle at the markets and eat the local fare. Their stop in the city allowed the students to immerse in the culture, language and customs of the people of Costa Rica.

Professor Ben Earwicker summed up the tour well saying, “Our trip to Costa Rica helped us all appreciate the diversity of ecology and culture in our hemisphere. Dr. Cossel’s guided explorations of lowland jungles, rain forests and cloud forests deepened our understanding of biology and ecology in the tropical environment. Students observed sustainable, organic farming at the Mora Family Farm and learned about tourism and its impact on the economy and environment of Costa Rica. In terms of language and culture, students demonstrated repeatedly their desire to engage others in conversation and fellowship, not merely as tourists, but as partners and friends. We were challenged to think about how our choices as travelers and consumers impact others, at home and abroad. Ultimately, this was a rewarding and thought-provoking trip for faculty and students alike.”

Despite living internationally and traveling extensively, Tustin believed this trip was unique from anything she had experienced before. “For me, it wasn’t just a trip to learn about biology and photography. I learned about myself, how to work with others and how spectacular this planet is. It was an opportunity I will not soon forget.”

Last November, The Mentoring Network matched Shelley with Jordan, now a 5th grader, from Iowa Elementary School in Nampa. Jordan’s days are full of learning about double and triple digits and the body’s systems. After school, Jordan loves to play defender on her soccer team. She has two kittens and aspires to be a veterinarian some day. Whether they are playing UNO or looking up Jordan’s vocabulary words in the dictionary, it is evident that Shelley and Jordan enjoy their time together.

“Every child needs an adult friend who he/she can look to as a positive role model.  As I spend time with Jordan, I hope she can depend on me to help her with things she may be dealing with and to be there for her as a friend,” Eilers said.

Since 1999, The Mentoring Network, Inc. has offered school-based mentoring to rural school-referred, at-risk students in grades 1-8. Students can request to continue to meet with their mentor into high school. Five rural school districts including Nampa, Caldwell, Parma, Homedale and Vallivue benefit from The Mentoring Network.

With the help of programs such as The Mentoring Network, students like Jordan receive extra attention. The goal of the program is to improve attendance, state testing scores, behaviors and self-worth through friendship.

Mentors commit to visiting the student in his or her school for one hour each week. School counselors and teachers recommend a student’s participation in the program. After a mentor becomes available, students obtain parental permission and are then invited to participate.

“Mentoring is an opportunity that works well with my schedule because it only requires one lunch hour each week,” Eilers expressed.

For more information on how you can become a mentor, contact Donna Shines at (208) 459-2844 or visit www.mentoringnetworkID.org.

To learn more about how NNU is becoming involved with the University District that is home to 5,300 residents, over 60 businesses, five congregations and several non-profits and educational institutions, contact Hollie Lindner at marketing@nnu.edu.
Photo Caption: Pictured from left to right; NNU students Kelly Cook, Scott Christianson, Megan Leis, Carole Duryea and Beth Pe

The first week of the Trio’s tour was spent leading worship for the high school’s spiritual emphasis week, paralleling the activities taking place on NNU’s campus. The next week they switched to the middle school where they participated in the week’s chapel services. When they were not leading worship, the band members were hanging out with the students. The Trio lived on campus during their stay in order to spend more time talking with and ministering to the students.

Reflecting on the past two weeks, the band shared that they felt that God was really present in their times of worship at TCIS, and that it was an amazing experience to be able to praise God with kids from a different country. Other NNU alumni currently serving at TCIS include Landon and Brenna (Blair) Loeber, and George and Heidi (Hagood) Zickefoose.

Photo Caption: From left to right: Jon Schenk, Josh Cremer and Eddie Wheeler.

These students are accustomed to being a part of mission trips that included building homes in Mexico or assisting communities in Orlando, Fla.  However, this year they joined dozens of NNU personnel and other community members to help area “university district” residents with home-improvement projects as well as working to build a park on the corner of Ivy and Sheridan Streets.

“When we were in Orlando helping people, I wondered why we couldn’t do something like this back home,” said Rhonda Manley, who will begin studying art at NNU in the fall. “I love that we have the opportunity to really serve our neighbors.”

I’m very excited,” said Brayden Kinzler, who will be a biology major in the fall and was helping place fence posts in the park area. “On other mission trips, we don’t ever see the people again.  Here, we’re going to see the folks we helped and will learn what this means in their lives.”
Others say this project has given them a renewed look at church.

“So often church seems like a business,” said Sarah Cuevas, another future NNU student, “but this makes it more like a family when we get a chance to help people and invite them into Christ’s community.”

Definitely, service is not something that happens only on mission trips for these students. Rather, there was unanimity among the group when discussing what they will do with the education they gain at NNU.  “When I think about the future, I always see myself serving others in some way,” said Gina Robertson, who will be studying biology.

With students who are this excited about serving Christ and others, Northwest Nazarene University’s rich heritage of service will continue.

Read additional article on Project Hope athttp://www.idahopress.com/news/article_854ff312-92fc-11df-bd0d-001cc4c03286or http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/07/15/1267671/new-nampa-park-bornin-6-days-of.html

The students worked on several different projects at the church that included painting, preparing ground for a children’s play center and dismantling a brick wall. They were assisted in these ventures by men from the church’s drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. These men spoke about their relationship with God with a joy that deeply impacted the students. Senior physics major Mark Ostyn, Nampa, Idaho, attested to this saying, “The transforming power of God was so evident in their lives – it was truly amazing to witness.”

In addition, students worked with the children and youth of the village. Each day they organized a “kids club” as well as soccer and basketball matches.

The NNU group’s time with the church in Vapnyarka concluded on Pentecost Sunday. During this last day together, Tegerstrand says “we were all reminded of how we are one body in Christ, and we have brothers and sisters all around the world.”

Ostyn was able to travel through Germany, Switzerland and Italy following the mission trip. However, when people ask him what his favorite part was, he answers: “Ukraine. We really connected with the people there, and they were so eager to learn, to worship, to work and to serve.”

To learn more about the cross-cultural opportunities available at NNU, contact Hollie Lindner at HMLindner@NNU.Edu.

Students Heather Craig, a junior from Fairbanks, Alaska; Kyle Luthman, a junior from Nampa, Idaho; and Dr. Erik Lindquist, a colleague from Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania, spent four days with Cossel in the Lake Titicaca basin swabbing amphibians and reptiles for Batrachochytrium dendrabatidis (Bd), the same fungus that has been implicated as a major cause of amphibian declines and extinctions worldwide.  Lake Titicaca sits nearly 12,500 feet above sea level and is home to a completely aquatic frog.  The endangered Lake Titicacan frog (Telmatobius culeus) may be suffering from Bd, hence the efforts by Cossel and his team to discover if this is true. Several amphibians there are also experiencing near extinction.

The group’s research included traveling into the cloud forest using digital audio recordings to get mating calls as well as swabbing for the Bd.  The research trip also included another 1,000-ft ascent as they studied amphibians in the Andean tundra.  The group used a digital audio recorder to obtain mating calls of frogs, which they will describe in scientific journals.  Fearing that these high-elevation frogs might also have the fungus, they were swabbed for Bd as well.

Dr. Cossel was pleased with the research data obtained by the team and stated, “This was an amazing trip.  Our research was challenging, but we collected a lot of valuable data in a relatively short time.”

For more information, contact Dr. John Cossel at JOCossel@NNU.Edu.

PHOTO CAPTION:  The endangered Lake Titicacan Frog.

Zook was in Haiti on a two-year mission with the Free Methodist Church when the earthquake hit, and the building she was in collapsed.

Read the full story and view the video at
(http://www.ktvb.com/home/Haiti-quake-survivor-reunites-with-her-rescuer-87176252.html).

Students and community members will gather in the Johnson Sports Center Monday morning to make blankets for Haitian children. The project is being sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA) and Project Linus of Idaho. Project Linus defines their mission as providing love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need of the gift of a new handmade blanket, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”

Students who become “blanketeers” for the day will be rewarded for their altruism through Disney’s “Give a day, get a Disney day” program that trades a ticket to a Disney park for a day of volunteer service. NNU’s student body government has organized a trip to Disneyland in April for all students who participate.

For more information, please contact Hollie Lindner at marketing@nnu.edu, or at 467-8531.