Mission 35 was unique from the start and not only because it almost didn’t happen! Each Missioner, whether a first-timer or veteran, was involved in accomplishing much for the people who needed help. Whether performing medical testing at a Clinic, making repairs at the Disability Center, painting murals on the walls of the Clinic, delivering rice and beans, helping at the Orphanage and Schools; in each and every way, this unique and special team made a big difference.
Many of the Missioners kept journals to chronicle the events of the week. For some, especially the first-timers, what they saw was overwhelming, unforgettable and life-changing. We’d like to share some of these thoughts and pictures for those who haven’t yet been on a Mission and especially to all of you who continue to help support the NC Mission of Hope.
Here is an excerpt from one of the mother-daughter teams, Missioners Barbara Dobilas & Vanessa Stahl, on their first Mission.
“Upon landing in Managua, we drove past the Banana Pickers Camp in the heart of the city. It was then, that we got our first look at poverty in a third world nation. We may think we know what it looks like, but, until you’ve seen it, you really can’t imagine it.
The “homes” - and we use the term loosely - consisted of shelters made of cardboard, plastic bags and discarded, rusty metal all held together by wire and tape. There was no running water, electricity or sewer. We stopped to take pictures always being conscious to use our limited Spanish and ask people’s names and if we could take a picture. Every single person we asked was friendly and smiled in acknowledgement. A few of the older woman, all with brown, wrinkled faces and toothless smiles, hugged and kissed us, clearly welcoming strangers amongst them. Our feeling is that there are two reasons for this. One is that Nicaraguans are known to be some of the friendliest people in Central America, which we saw evidence of countless times. And secondly and most importantly, the people all seem to have a great and powerful faith in God. These people, who have so little in the way of physical or monetary goods, were blessed. It was humbling.
Days were broken into morning and afternoon assignments. On the morning of Day 2, we traveled by truck to help build the home shelters that we had raised funds for. The first home was built for a woman named Arlen, her husband and her 2 sons, Jefferson, 9 and Andy, 7. While the actual “building” is done by those the shelter is for, we watched the construction take place. The shelter was built in less than 2 hours and although we both wanted to pick up a hammer and help, there is a specific reason why it is done this way. By letting the Nicaraguans build their own shelters, they are learning how to do it themselves so they could help build shelters for others in their communities. Not unlike teaching a man to fish vs. giving him one….
Once the shelter was finished, we took a picture with Arlen and her mother; two mother-daughter teams. The huge disparity between our lives and theirs didn’t escape me as we posed for the picture. I had tears in my eyes as I wished Arlen and her family “Buenas suerte en tu nueva casa”– Good luck in your new home. They were happy and very thankful at their good fortune and we felt happy also to be able to share in the excitement with them.
In the afternoon, a group of about 10 of us went on a “rice and beans” walk. With the help of the local Junta (Leadership Board) leader, we visited poor families that lived in a rural village called Chiqulinistagua. In addition to rice and beans, we gave candy and small toys to the children that followed in our wake.
Children on the Rice & Beans walkAnd despite the spartan living conditions, shelters again made of any available material, we found the people to be gracious and grateful and always very friendly. We met one woman named Paulesta who told us she was 79. She was so happy to see us that she chatted away in animated Spanish, despite the fact that we really couldn’t understand all that she said! But it’s true that a smile is the universal language as we clearly understood that she was happy to see us.
Our days were spent performing different activities helping others and we will write more about our other adventures at the Dump, Orphanage and La Parijto Azul Children’s Disability Centers soon. It is our responsibility to share as much of our journey with others as possible and most importantly, to convey the desperate need that exists in Nicaragua. Stay tuned…..”
Sorting rice and beans for distribution
