Here are a few more reflections from the 2014 Nicaragua participants!!


Going on this service trip was an eye-opening experience for me. Though our work is not complete, we have already begun to make a difference in the lives of the people there. The people of Nicaragua have helped to change our perspectives on life. Memories from this week full of new experiences, people, and opportunities will never be forgotten. I am so grateful I was able to go on this trip. 
~ Sarah Anderson

I have heard so many amazing things about the trip to Nicaragua so I had high expectations, and I could barely hold in my excitement before the trip.  Once I had the experience I learned that it is impossible to describe the trip.  All I know how to say is that I met so many amazing people and I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to go to Nicaragua.  I already miss it so much! 
~ Jillian Schaefer

My experience in Nicaragua was unforgettable; I learned so many things about the culture and different meanings of poverty. We did not only leave an impact on the children's lives, but they left an impact on ours. I have always been grateful for everything that I have, but this trip truly put my life into perspective of how blessed I really am. Overall I had a wonderful time and will cherish all the memories created. 
~ Camille Bratton

We are home safe and sound from Nicaragua!  Thank you for your prayers for all of us!  It was an experience not to be forgotten to be sure!  I asked all of the participants to summarize their experience in a few lines.  Here are some of their thoughts!!

Nicaragua was an amazing experience in my life, and was even better the second time around. Helping to build a kitchen this year is truly amazing to think that after building this some children will be able to eat that day. I loved interacting with the children and seeing familiar faces from last year and seeing how happy they are while knowing that hardly have anything. The people of Nicaragua are the happiest and most thankful people that I have meet while they don't even have a fraction of what we have at home. ~ Samantha Hill

I am so happy that I got the opportunity to go on this trip. It really opened my eyes to how much I have been given in life and everything that I take for granted. I have been truly touched by the happiness of the people, even though they had so little, and will never forget the love of all of the children. Going to Nicaragua was an experience that I will never forget. ~ Madeline Brimmer

This has truly been a humbling experience for me. Words cannot describe the poverty I witnessed but also Christ's light in all of the people we met. I feel so blessed to have been able to go and I miss the kids already. ~ Ali Graham

Going on the mission trip to Nicaragua this year was a worthwhile, indescribable experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. There is a sense of accomplishment because we worked so hard as a group to make a difference in the lives of the people, even though there is still so much work to be done in such an impoverished community. Millions of memories were made with the kids, construction workers, and among the group that was able to go this year. I will never forget this amazing experience and how it opened my eyes to see the greater picture that living simply can provide the greatest happiness.

~Sara Kusner

This mission trip to Nicaragua for me can be summed up in two words: indescribable and life-changing. I will never forget playing with the kids, working with the construction workers, delivering the food, handing out the school supplies, playing in the soccer games, and gaining a whole new perspective on life. This trip was for sure an experience of a lifetime.
~Megan Kusner

It was an unforgettable week of working hard, giving thousands of hugs, drinking gallons of water and making "magic, magic" with our awesome NDA team!  My life has forever been enriched by the beautiful people of Nicaragua. ~ Senora Tansey

What an amazing experience!!  I am so proud of our NDA group for working so hard, having great attitudes and giving me memories to last a lifetime!!  Thank you to all who helped get us to Nicaragua!!  ~  Sr. Jenny

I will post more summaries as I receive them!!

~ Sr. Jenny

Meeting Michael Jackson!

Today was our last full day in Nicaragua! It seems like just yesterday we were landing in Managua, excited for the week ahead. Yesterday we said our goodbyes to the kids and finished up at the worksite. Today was our free day where we got to explore Managua! We met for breakfast at 7:45 (without a reflection to start the day off) and left the retreat center at 8:30 for our sightseeing day. For breakfast, we had rice and beans, scrambled eggs with sausage, cheese, bread, watermelon and orange juice!

At 8:30 we boarded the buses and headed for Masaya Volcano, one of the lesser active volcanoes. We visited the museum and learned about the volcano, then climbed back in the buses to head the top of the volcano. At the top, we were met with clouds of smoke surrounding the crater.

After taking many pictures of the crater and the great view of the plains, we headed to the market in Masaya. We split up into groups of three and started perusing the outdoor vendors and what they had to sell. We were able to barter with the vendors with our amazing Spanish skills and made sure we weren't ripped off at all! After an hour and a half of shopping at the market, we left for lunch.

We ate lunch at Monna Lisa, an Italian restaurant in Granata. We had delicious pizza but were a little disappointed that the owners had missed the oppurtunity to name the restaurant "Monna Pizza". Besides the naming blunder of the restaurant, we had a great meal. 

We headed to Lake Nicarauga after lunch, which was only a couple blocks away from the restaurant. We crossed the very unstable docks and boarded two separate boats for our tour of the lake. Our drivers lead us to a group of islands where we were able to see many nice island homes as well as Michael Jackson (the monkey)!!!!! There was a smaller island where a group of monkeys lived and one with a missing tail was named Michael Jackson! 

After the boat we had an opportunity to try fresh coconut juice! Sam got one and her whole van enjoyed it!

After the hour boat tour, we headed on the buses to the hipermercado in Managua. We were able to experience real Nicaraguan ice cream as well as buy some last minute groceries for the trip tomorrow. After buying many bags of Nicaraguan coffee, we loaded the bus for the last time to return to the retreat center. 

When we got back to the retreat center some of us posed with our machetes and then tried to cut the coconut!

After a nice final dinner in Nicaragua we discovered that Maggie's room was infested by an ant nest, and the Kusner's room had a fly nest in it. So Maggie, Sara, Megan, Mary and Madeline all moved rooms just in case. We then packed up to prepare for our early morning departure.

Adios Nicaragua!

Maggie Burlingame, Sam "LL Cool J" Hill, Molly "Michael Jordan" Walton

Saying Goodbye

We began our day like all the rest, waking up to a light sprinkle and heading down to breakfast. For breakfast we ate rice and beans, scrambled eggs, a plantain, watermelon, and a refreshing glass of orange juice.

Before leaving for the school, we took a picture with our wonderful driver, Derek.

When we arrived at the school, we met with the construction workers and received our tasks for the day. They included removing the wooden frames from the concrete foundation, shoveling the dirt piles out of the way, transporting cinder blocks to the site, leveling the site by stamping it down repeatedly, and wheelbarrowing trash that had accumulated to the larger garbage pile at the entrance.

At 9:30, the recess bell rang and we hurried to greet the kids and spend our last recess with them. The next half hour was filled with piggy-back rides, clapping games, picture taking, hugs, and lots of smiles and laughter.

Next on the schedule came the much anticipated soccer game against the kids. All of the students who didn't play pulled their desks and chairs outside to cheer us on. Both teams fought hard and for the first time in NDA Mission Trip history WE WON!!!!! The score was 6-3 with the help of Sarah Anderson's 5 goals and Sara Kusner's 1 goal. Mr. Keiper and his solid defense of Jillian, Camille, Megan, and Mary also played well to keep us on top. Everyone else cheered the team to victory and kept the team spirit high. When the match ended both teams took a picture together.

While the game was being played, Señora Tansey, Sister Jenny, and Tania passed out the donated clothes and shoes to kids who really needed the items.

Back to work we all went, continuing the tasks we were all assigned. Mr. Keiper, Maggie, and Camille went with some of the workers to pick up the first load of cinder blocks and move them back to the worksite using wheel barrels. Moe, Ali, Molly, Sam, Madeline, and Mary shoveled dirt around the foundation to level it out and fill in the holes. Señora Tansey, Sister Jenny, Sarah Anderson, Jillian, Megan, and Sara Kusner delivered the first food package that we bought the previous day to the home of four recently orphaned boys: Kenny, Nelson, Hilton, and Giovani.

For lunch we returned to the hosting family's house for the last time. We enjoyed a delicious meal of pan-fried rice, steamed squash, a dinner roll, and Pepsi. The family was very sweet when insisted that they personally serve us and when they moved their T.V. so we could watch the World Cup while we were eating and relaxing. 

We returned to the school and split up into various groups for the afternoon. Ali, Sarah Anderson, and Sam went to the third grade classroom to finish passing school supplies, play, and talk with the kids. Sister Jenny, Moe, and Sara Kusner shoveled the trash and transported it in wheel barrows to the entrance. Mary and Megan along with some of the construction workers leveled the ground using a stomping tool. Maggie, Jillian, Camille, and Mr. Keiper got the second load of cinder blocks and brought them to the worksite. Lastly, Madeline, Molly, and Señora Tansey visited the high school classrooms and passed out the remaining school supplies to them.

At 2:30 our team took on the construction workers in a highly contested soccer match. Once again all of the students gathered around in their desks. Both teams battled to the end and unfortunately we lost 3-1 with two unlucky breaks of a PK and deflected goal. It was tons of fun and a memory we will never forget.

Following the game, the school prepared a goodbye ceremony for us. Five of the older kids preformed a dance for us and the principal thanked us for our hard work this week. The kids presented us with necklaces and recognized us for the difference we had made.

Our last act of service was passing out the remaining 9 food boxes to the rest of the families. They were all very grateful and we knew that the food would really help them out.

We finished the day saying our final goodbyes to the workers and kids we had developed relationships with throughout the week. We gave our last hugs and took photos with them before piling into the vans to return to the retreat center.

We enjoyed a cool shower and wifi before going to dinner. We had fried chicken, rice, plaintains, and a tortilla. We met for reflection and concluded the night playing card games and using wifi before heading to bed.

See you in two days! 

~The Kuzis

Day 5: "What happens in Nicaragua, stays in Nicaragua"....despite the following

The day began with roosters crowing, alarms ringing, and bug spray spraying. The group met at 7:15 sharp for morning prayer and preparation for the day. Breakfast consisted of rice and beans (yet again), half of a suasage-like-meat, watermelon, orange fruit juice, and a bread roll (not pictured). 

After breakfast we loaded up the vans with previous sorted school supply donations, and off to the school we went! We arrived later than usual because of a traffic jam that caused the van to be late.  Once arriving at the school the construction workers told us (with señora's translating) the days jobs to be done. Soon after learning our duties we went straight to recess. This recess was different because we brought a variety of different toys to play with the kids. We brought fun bubbles, jump rope, and blow up balls. It was when we brought out the bracelets that everything took a turn to the wild side. The kids literally swarmed the people holding the bracelets. Hands were grabbing everywhere and everything. At one point Sister Jenny said, "just drop the bag to save your life". We had over 500 bracelets that were gone in matter of a few minutes. Finally the bell rang and we were back to work. 

The morning work consisted of making and pouring concrete into the trenches that we dug yesterday. Also during the morning many people went to the classrooms. Here we passed out the donated school supplies. The children were overjoyed to received these gifts (notebooks, crayons, and pencils) that are ordinary items that we take for granted at home. The morning classes both consisted of helping the children, first and second grade, with math. 

Sharply at 12:00 O'clock we loaded up the vans and headed to lunch! Today lunch consisted of rice, chicken, pasta, and sweet plantains.  When everyone was done eating some took a siesta, while others lounged inside the family space and watched the pregame for the World Cup.  

We soon were back at the school and started work. In the overbearing sun we took to the shovels and started to move the many dirt piles into a neat and large pile of dirt.  This dirt was dug previously out from the trenches yesterday. While the dirt was being moved, others were cleaning out the area by moving the vegetation previously chopped down by sister jenny. 

Those who were not digging we're present in the afternoon classrooms. Here they handed out the rest of the school supplies and worked on various craft projects with the older children. Covered in sweat and dirt we finished an hour early (3:00) so that we would have time to go to the grocery store and buy food with previously donated money for families in need. There was a total of 300 dollars donated and so we split up the money and bought enough food to feed 10 families. Some of the items we bought was rice, beans, oil, sugar, flour, coffee, powder milk, bread, soap, toilet paper, etc. After the parade of full gocery carts, us NDA girls had time to buy food with our own money to fix our cravings. 

On the way back to the retreat center everyone was enjoying their sweets when all of a sudden we hear fizzing and Moe scream. She ended up opening her pop and it exploding everywhere. Luckily we were almost back and the seat didn't get covered in too much pop, but the pact of "what happens in the van, stays in the van" has now been broken. After washing off a days hard work we were ready to eat dinner despite all the sugar we ate on the way home. Dinner was comprised of rice (yet again), chicken, fried potatoes, and plantain chips, with a fruit drink that had an origional taste of strawberry, but an after taste of lime.

We finished the night with reflection and many intense card games. 

Adios amigos, until next time: Camille (Catalina) and Jillian (Julia) 

 

Day 4: In the trenches

Making sure not to break tradition, the roosters woke us up at 5am. After falling back asleep we started our day at 7:15 and breakfast at 7:30. We were served rice and beans, watermelon, squeaky cheese, a roll, and an omelet. 

After breakfast we all rushed to the wifi room, and then loaded into the vans. Luckily, the traffic was not bad and we avoided all traffic jams with tons of public buses. We arrived to the school and promptly put our hats and water bottles into our bags to hide them from the kids, except for Mr. Keiper who regretted it when all the kids used him as a jungle gym to try and reach his hat. We figured out what work we had for the day and then headed to recess. We were bombarded by all of the kids who wanted piggy-back rides and to take pictures. After Mr. Keiper secured his hat, he and the boys showed off their muscles for the camera.

After recess, we headed off to work on the kitchen. We had to dig trenches and create support beams. Using large and heavy metal rods we broke up the hard ground and used shovels to push away the loose dirt. We did this for about 2 hours in the 95° weather. Soaked to the skin in sweat we headed off to lunch. We ate chicken, rice, cheesy potatoes, and onion coleslaw served with crowd pleasing orange juice. 

After our noon siesta, we headed back to the school to continue digging trenches and making support beams. Throughout the day, groups of 4 went into classrooms to work on projects and help the students with their work. The hardest part was the language barrier. But we were able to have some communication by the little Spanish that we can communicate with. The kids found our Spanish slightly humerous but were able to rephrase their sentences and use hand gestures to get their point across. 

Feeling accomplished on the work we had done on the kitchen's foundation, we said goodbye to the kids and the workers and headed back to the retreat center. 

We all took cold showers and enjoyed some down time before dinner. Which included, rice and chicken with a slice of bread and diluted bubblegum flavored juice. 

After a game of hide and go seek, we had reflection and sorted clothes and school supplies that we will give to the kids on Friday. 

Until tomorrow,

Madeline and Mary 

Down to Business: Day 3

After waking up and morning prayer, we headed for breakfast in preparation for our long day of work ahead. Breakfast consisted of los huevos, el tocino, las papayas, arroz y frijoles, pan, jugo, y PANQUEQUES!!! 

Then began our journey to Jose Artigas, where we were greeted/swarmed by tons of screaming kids. It seemed to us like they saw us as their personal jungle gyms, never letting go. Not to mention our hats were stolen countless times by a variety of kids who found it hilarious. Chasing them down, however, was not amusing for us. Now we know for tomorrow to not wear hats during recess, or at least glue it to your head if you still plan in wearing one.

Early in our visit, everyone gathered on the school basketball court where we were serenaded by all the students and thanked for the service we would be doing. After saying goodbye to the morning school kids, we headed out back to the work site and were divided into groups. Each group had a specific task assigned to them. Some moved equipment from place to place, others cleaned the seemingly never ending piles of trash, and some gathered materials to make cement. Sr. Jenny went to work on the plantain trees, with a machete in hand. It's clear that she enjoys working with sharp objects. 

Before we knew it, it was time for lunch, so we loaded up the vans and made our way to the same house of the family who served us lunch yesterday. 

After lunch, it was time to get down to business. The 4 man construction crew we were working with instructed us on various tasks they wanted us to do. Mr. Keiper put his construction skills to work to get us started on making the cement. Mary and Ali helped prepare the foundation for it. Sarah, Megan, Maggie, Camille, Sara, and Jillian transferred sand from the front to the back of the work site that would be used later, and then pitched in helping make the cement and deliver it to the construction crew. Molly and Sam filled bags with trash that had been covering the grounds of the school. Moe and Señora Tansey also contributed in making the cement and transferring it from one place to another. Thank God for Señora Tansey serving as our translator or else we would have been lost.

While the process of cementing chugged on amidst the heat and sweat, 2 small groups had the chance to observe the classes at Jose Artigas. While some had proper classrooms, others were makeshift in hallways and playgrounds. We were able to help the students with math, and got to know the teacher of the third grade, Eduardo. We even managed to snap a few photos after they finished (THEY said they finished) their homework.

Goodbyes were said, autographs were written, and hugs were given out. We finished our projects and loaded up the vans one last time for the day and made our way back to the retreat center.

The cold showers were heavenly after a hard day of work and the wifi relaxing. Dinner was served promptly at 7:30. Beef, tortillas, juice and good ole rice and beans.

After a good reflection and a few rounds of kemps, we are all so excited to see all the kids again.

Back to work tomorrow!

-Sarah Anderson and Ali Graham

First Full Day In Nicaragua!!!!

To kick off our first full day in Nicaragua, the rooster crowed at 5:00 am. Promptly, at 7:15 am, we started our reflection for the day. For the most important meal of the day (breakfast) we had eggs, rice and beans, bread, watermelon, cheese, and orange juice. 

Shortly after, we started our journey to the town market, where we shopped to provide food to families in need.

Our next stop was to go to the school that we will be working at for the week, called José Artigas. They have informed us, that at this school we will be building a foundation to a kitchen. There is a need for a kitchen at the school because some families cannot afford to feed their children. In case a child does not have a lunch, a mother will be able to cook one for them there. After the introduction at the school, we headed towards the city dump. While driving into the dump we saw many children on the backs of garbage trucks, ready to find scraps of metal, or bottles to sell. As the dump has been growing for the past 40 years, the chemicals in the overwhelming amount of trash cause smoke, fires, and emit unhealthy fumes in the air. While at the dump, we drove past a little boy carrying a bag of trash, and only wearing socks. The people have no choice, but to expose themselves to these fumes as selling the scraps and bottles is their only source of income. 

After our quick trip to the city dump, we made our way over to lunch. For lunch, we had the choice of either chicken or fish, with a side of carrots and beats, rice, plantains, with our choice of soda. 

After lunch, we went to visit two families who we bought the food for earlier that day. First, we visited a man with severe diabetes who had his leg amputated. The man lived with his granddaughter and great-grandchildren after his house was destroyed from an earthquake in March. The government is currently building him a new home, but the building process has been stalled due to lack of materials. He struggles with his disease as he cannot afford the proper food for his diet. Although the government gives out diabetes medicine, there is such a need that this man may go months without proper medication. 

After visiting this kind man, we visited a woman who has been off from work for a month due to an illness. She spends her time now working as a midwife. Although she doesn't get paid, she continues to do this service because she values the dignity of human life. Her house also was hit by the earthquake this past March, but she did not qualify for a new house to be built by the government. The lady was very kind and welcomed us into her home where we saw a very small room that her family of 4 lived in. Because we finished early with our duties of the day, we went sightseeing as a group. We went to the top of a hill that had a beautiful view of the city. 

After a long day of touring the city, we decided to head to the mall and get some TCBY! Another great perk was the free wifi in the store so the girls could keep in touch with the outside world! 

We arrived back at the retreat center and had a couple hours to relax before dinner! Some girls went running around the complex, others read and reflected about the day. 

At 6:30, we sat down for a lovely meal of chicken and rice, pico de gallo, and plaintain chips with bubblegum juice! 

We ended the night with a reflection of the day and the meaning of our trip to Nicaragua. See ya tomorrow night at the same time, folks! 

-Molly "Michael Jordan" Walton and Sam "LL Cool J" Hill