An Encounter in Nicaragua

Addy

Getting to go to Nicaragua on a mission trip was such an amazing experience! The first day of our trip we worked at “Casa Blanca”, a community that has no clean water. We dug ditches with shovels and pickaxes for water pipes to go in. I learned that the women of the family pump 20 buckets of water with a pump every day. They carry these on their heads back to their families on their heads! They would have permanent head bumps from the buckets for the rest of their life and the water wasn’t even clean! I got the opportunity to pump water for a woman and my arms were so tired. I can’t even imagine doing that every day 20 times! What stood out to me was that this community had barely anything, but they were the happiest people I had met in my entire life. The were so happy and grateful we were there. I loved playing with the kids and dancing and praising the Lord at Mass. I will always cherish the memories of this trip. I’m so thankful for all of my blessings and getting a chance to be Jesus’ hands and feet and serve this week!

Lola

My trip to Chinandega, Nicaragua was one of the best experiences in my life. I saw and met so many new and wonderful people, and each one of them made my faith stronger. There was far more than one moment when I sat back and just smiled or saw things that made me really want to know God more. One person who interested me the most was an older lady, who we met when we went to celebrate Mass for a small welcoming neighborhood. She had bright fun clothes, a little bit of pink in her long, beautiful hair, and she always smiled at people.

After Mass ended, the community offered our group a few of their pastries, along with sweet iced tea. The lady then walked out of the chapel and made sure she hugged all of us. She hugged me so tightly and before she let go, she whispered, "my family" and pulled away looking at me with a smile. I felt so loved in that moment, and I really saw God in her. She barely knew me and made sure I knew what a difference I made to her day. It felt like such a big and wonderful dream. She showed me that God really does work in ways you can't even imagine. I cried so many small tears of happiness in that beautiful, blessed week that I was given, and I hope I get to experience this trip in the many more years ahead of me!

Sidney

Nicaragua was an experience that I wish everyone would be able to do. It shaped my heart and mind. It showed me God’s love and how he moves through people. This trip made me realize how blessed and grateful I am for everything I have and the people I have in my life. I will forever pray for the lady in yellow.